Dream Team – Joe Snow

JOE SNOW, THE FORMER EXETER, COVENTRY & TAUNTON SCRUM-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…

Forwards

1. Alec Hepburn – His ability to pass off both hands, pick and go around the ruck and lock down a scrum makes him a rare breed.

2. Jordon Poole – Has an insatiable work rate and will to succeed. His leadership and ability to bust through tackles like a bowling ball is game-changing at times. Played with him at both the Chiefs and Coventry.

3. Marcus Street – His work rate and extras on the training pitch at Exeter, and in the gym is up there with the best. Loves a scrum and a breakdown. If he was nearby, you knew you were getting a clean platform as a 9.

4. Rusi Tuima – Fijian flair and a next level attacking game in terms of offloads and his all-round dynamism. Great person to have on your team, not against!

5. Maro Itoje – I’ve mainly gone for players I played with but I couldn’t leave out England’s current captain, who is such an intimidating presence on the pitch. World class. Otherwise, I’d have gone for Sam Skinner. He’s a big bloke like Maro, has a highly intelligent rugby brain and can cause serious problems at lineouts for the opposition.

6. Dave Ewers – Only one man for this job. A man-mountain. Had the most assists when it came to picking up his own players over the try line and possesses an engine like no other.

7. Charlie Wright – We were together at Exeter and he’s the best back rower I’ve played with. Injury unfortunately got in the way. But his all-round game was world class. Could run/pass s and banged in defence.

8. Sam Simmonds – Pace and the go-to option in attack. He was the key to Exeter’s attacking success. Watch his highlight reel!

Backs

9. Will Chudley –Best bloke on and off pitch. Super fit so could play full 80s and maintain the tempo high, all while managing the game to the top level.

10. Gareth Steenson – No better person to play alongside as a young 9. His leadership, knowledge and calmness under pressure was top notch. And that’s without mentioning his heavy, reliable

11. Manny Feyi-Waboso – Freak of nature. Strength, power and smashes tackles in defence. It’s a shame for Exeter and England that he’s out injured at the moment but I am sure many more caps, and tries, lie ahead.

12. Owen Farrell – Best player that I have ever played against for his competitiveness and determination to never stop going at it. Shout out to hudley Ollie Devoto – the best at deception you’ll ever see. Preserves space so well in attack and super aggressive in defence, plus he has a tidy left boot.

13. Henry Slade – Monster left boot. Highly skilled, silky and very intelligent rugby brain. Huge role model growing up.

14. Jack Nowell – Only played with him a couple of times at Exeter but knew enough about him to understand and feel why he is at the very top of the game. Evasion master.

15. Santi Cordero – Loved training sessions with Santi and then seeing it out on the field at the weekend. Crazy feet that turned defenders inside out. An unreal finisher.