WILL SPENCER, THE BATH AND FORMER LONDON WELSH, WORCESTER & LEICESTER SECOND ROW, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…
1. Ellis Genge – Has a really good set piece but around the park, he is one of the best in the world with his ball carrying, especially for a front-five player.
2. Tom Dunn – Tough as they come. If I was going into battle, he would be the first person I'd take with me. He is relentless in everything he does on and off the pitch. If you looked at his body after every game, you'd see he leaves it all out there.
3. Will Stuart – Most importantly for a tight-head, he is a brilliant scrummager but he is also very skilful. Has got incredible feet for a 130 kilo (20st 4lbs) man and can step around you as well as over you. Shouldn't be able to move as well as he does for a man of his size.
4. Dave Sisi – We go way back to our days together in the London Irish AASE programme. I also played with him a little bit at Bath. He has gone over to Zebre, is captain there now, and has multiple caps for Italy. Gets through a tonne of work and is incredibly physical.
5. Chris Vui – Was only with Worcester for six months but was probably the reason why we stayed up. A sublime athlete, unbelievable in the lineout and runs great lines and has great hands. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Is just a really good all-round player.
6. Tom Ellis – One of those under-rated players for us at Bath who makes your team tick by doing a lot of the grunt. Really good lineout forward and tackler with a fantastic all-round work-rate.
7. Sam Lewis – The best link player I have seen and a superb tackler. I remember when he was coming back from injury at Worcester, he'd train with the backs and they all used to say that he had better skills than them. So comfortable on the ball but also as tough as they come.
8. Sione Kalamafoni – I've never seen anyone like him. Every week at Leicester he'd make 20 carries, 20 tackles – and every one was big. An absolute monster who has skills as well. So consistent.
9. Ben Spencer – Atough call between him and Ben Youngs, but he is he most competitive person I have ever met. I can only assume there is a lot of Owen Farrell in him. He can't lose at anything and chases things down in training as if his life depends on it.
10. George Ford – For me, the most complete rugby player I have ever played with. I have not seen anyone with his level of skill and game management. Any team in the world with George Ford in it is a better team. Whenever he was playing, I thought we would win.
11. Bryce Heem – Big, strong, quick and skilful. In those two years at Worcester, he would always come up with a game-changing moment of brilliance.
12. Ryan Mills – One of those players who you know is good but you kind of don't appreciate how good he is unless you get to train and play with him. He'd be a 50-capper if it weren't for injuries. Brilliant distributor, brilliant offloader, strong defensively. Like a second 10.
13. Manu Tuilagi – So strong, so powerful and will always get you over the gain line. No one in world rugby can do what he can do.
14. Anthony Watson – Great pace, great feet and a brilliant finisher. Has been one of the best wingers in the world for a long time.
15. Telusa Veainu – Best broken-field player I've ever seen, who can step you in a phone box. Whenever he caught the ball at the back, you knew something would happen. Has crazy feet. A really free spirited guy as well who was a lot of fun to be around.
