NICK WALSHE, THE FORMER ENGLAND, HARLEQUINS, SARACENS, BATH, SALE AND BEDFORD HALF-BACK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…
1. Andrew Sheridan –A beast of a man who turned into a fine international prop. Didn't say much off the pitch, just quietly went about destroying opposition scrums.
2. Lee Mears – I had four years at Bath with Mearsy. He was like a pocket-rocket. His lineout was exceptional, his scrummaging was great, and around the field he was so dynamic.
3. Julian White – Whitey and I lived together for about a yearand-a-half at Saracens. He loved his gardening, and on matchdays I'd be dragging him away from digging, or whatever he was doing, to make sure we got to the ground on time. He came to Sarries from Bridgend pretty raw but went on to win 50-odd caps and become a Lion. Probably the toughest bloke I've ever played rugby with. A legend of a bloke too.
4. Danny Grewcock – Such a powerhouse and tough man. Went hammer and tongs with Borthers in training and set massively high standards.
5. Steve Borthwick – Along with Martin Johnson and Ben Kay, Danny and Borthers were the best second row partnership around so I had to pick them as a pairing. Borthers had a massive intellect on the game and was such an inspirational leader at Bath.
6. Richard Hill – Still, to this day, there has been no better blindside, A no frills, silent destroyer who just got on with his job. His consistency of performance was unreal; week after week, he was right up there. So, so good.
7. Neil Back – A tricky one as there were so many good 7s when I was playing but I'm going to go for Backy who I was in and around England squads with. A phenomenal player who knew all the tricks of the trade and such a tough competitor.
8. Sebastien Chabal – Whenever we played Sale the game plan revolved around stopping him – easier said than done! Great athlete and a real character.
9. Kyran Bracken – Again, I was spoilt for choice here but I played with Kyran at Sarries and against him many times, and he was probably my toughest opponent. He was always in your face and very physical.
10. Jonny Wilkinson – I played and trained with him in England squads and played 10 against him in a Sale v Newcastle game. A legend of the game.
11. Mark Cueto – Broke the mould a bit at the time in that he was tough and physical but also quick and could finish.
12. Will Carling – My boyhood hero who I got to play alongside in his latter years at Quins. To be able to do that was such a massive honour for me. In those days, he played 10 a bit and I played 9, so that was cool. He's such a fun guy as well.
13. Tim Horan – Timmy would play 12 ordinarily but I can't leave him out. He was the best centre in the world when he came to Saracens. So down-to-earth and was a great help to me. When I played 10 and he was 12, he would talk me through the game. Read the game so well and was a great footballer.
14. Jason Robinson – When he first came over to Union he struggled to kick the ball, so to go on and achieve what he did is testament to not only his natural ability but all the hard work he put in. Absolutely electric with ball in hand.
15. Matt Perry – I could have easily gone for Jason at full-back with Steve Hanley on the right wing but I've opted for Pezza at 15. I have never known anyone so brave. Safe as houses under the high ball and prepared to put his body on the line time after time. He also had a great left boot and ran some great lines in attack too. The complete full-back.
