Jonny Roddam, the former Harlequins, Sale, Doncaster, Sedgley Park & Fylde hooker and current head of boys sport at Kirkham Grammar and forwards coach at Sedgley Park, chooses the best XV he has played with or against
1. Jason Leonard – A surreal experience packing down with Jason on my debut for Quins in Sept 2001. Ten years earlier I had a poster of the '91 World Cup squad on my bedroom wall! Had a tremendous work rate and was a calming influence.
2. Keith Wood – My all-time favourite player growing up. We were roommates the night before we played Leicester at a packed Welford Road. Mark Evans was good like that, he believed in youngsters and wanted then to learn from the seniors. Woody went down with a broken rib early in the second half and I made my debut against the ABC club.
3. Petrus Du Plessis – An absolute rock in the scrum and great fun on those long bus journeys back up North. Moved on from Sedgley to achieve great things.
4. Ed Norris – Played together for England Students v Romania in 2001, and were later team-mates at Doncaster and Sedgley Park. The heart and soul of every dressing room; a real team man.
5. Dean Schofield – Huge athlete with a heart of gold. Had great times on and off the field with Schoey, who was my housemate during our Sale days, including fishing which we both have a passion for. Should have had more England caps. Fantastic player.
6. Sam Beaumont – My captain at Fylde. Never took a backward step. A true gentleman who made me feel very welcome.
7. Alex Sanderson – Schoolboy superstar, an inspiration to many Kirkham Grammar players. One of the most physical players I have ever played with while at Sale.
8. Lawrence Dallaglio – It was a privilege to play on the same field as him. I also remember one of Schoey's barnstorming carries when he ran over Lol. Goodod memories.
9. Nick Duncombe – gland Schools and then to see his full England debut at phenomenal vision and skills Murrayfield in 2002. He would to execute. have gone on to be world-class.
10. Charlie Hodgson – First played against Charlie for Kirkham against Bradford Grammar in the '98 Schools Cup, where he single-handedly destroyed us. We were also teammates at Sale. A great bloke with phenomenal vision and skills to execute.
11. Steve Hanley – Stan was a freak of nature, a natural athlete who knew his way to the try line. Always up for a laugh. Probably the worst trainer I played with too.
12. Jos Baxendell – One of the most skilful players I played with, and he always had time for us young lads. When he stopped playing he became a director of a commercial property firm and took my brother on as a trainee. Now, 18 years on, my brother directs the company alongside Jos.
13. Chris Mayor – Unbelievably talented footballer, with pace and vision. Always leading the charge on team socials. Loved our nights out in Wigan.
14. Austin Healey – Loved watching him at Orrell where I was a junior. At my first lineout on debut against Leicester, Austin stood at 9 for the Tigers and said to me “make sure you get it in straight you little s**t”. A warm Leicester welcome to Premiership rugby!
15. Jason Robinson – Teammates at Sale and later at Fylde. One of my heroes as a kid, my dad took me and my brother to see Wigan at Wembley in the '94 Challenge Cup Final v Leeds. I can't believe I played on the same team as him. Unique.
