NIALL ANNETT, THE NEW BATH SIGNING & FORMER ULSTER AND WORCESTER HOOKER, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST
1. Ethan Waller – Commonly known as ‘Beef ' has all the qualities you want in a top level loosehead. Skilful, powerful and capable of producing in the dark corners of the game. Great bloke as well but don't tell him I said that!
2. Rory Best – Massive pedigree along with an insane amount of leadership. Tough as you could hope for and great over the ball.
3. Nick Schonert – Freak of a scrummager and if you run straight at him, be it on your own head. Strong and hard, goes to the dark places with a smile on his face. A great man.
4. Iain Henderson – Amazing ball carrier and gives you what a modern back rower can but from ‘Death Row'. Powerful human being with big impacts on games.
5. Paul O'Connell – One of the most inspirational leaders to come out of the game. Would follow him into the pits of hell if he asked. Always evolved his game and was a superb athlete and lineout operator.
6. Stephen Ferris – Amutant of a man whose career was cut short through injuries. If he'd stayed fit he would have hit a ton for Ireland and been on many more British and Irish Lions tours. Ask anyone who trained with him, a generational athlete and rugby player.
7. Sam Lewis – Easiest choice of the lot. Plain and simple, the best player I have ever played with. Can do it all. Brave, strong, skilful, tough. He could play anywhere outside of the front row at elite level. You want him in your corner.
8. Ted Hill – Took the reins as club captain of Worcester at a very early age and has led with his heart on his sleeve. Has a Ferris feel about him with how amazingly gifted he is athletically. Top level lineout jumper which is always useful from the back row.
9. Ruan Pienaar – Had eyes on the back of his head and could see into the future. Ran a rugby game like it was on a shoestring. Elite level goal kicker and his range of passing was exceptional. s on the Champions you ca
10. Ryan Mills – Hates playing 10, but given the freedom to play from everywhere and anywhere, he would love it. Has the full bag of tricks. Physical enough to play 12, but can kick to create try-scoring chances and has the complete range of passing. Useful over the ball and solid defensively. Big leadership.
11. Josua Tuisova – For me, the biggest freak playing the game at the moment. He is built like a small SUV and can move like a cheetah. Line breaks are guaranteed playing on a team with him and generates momentum with his game-changing moments.
12. Wynand Olivier – Ran great lines and created a lot of scoring opportunities. Tough and a brilliant defensive leader. Never had bad games and would always stand up in big moments.
13. Brian O'Driscoll – Probably the best ever to come out of Ireland and in the conversation for the best to have ever played the game. His game evolved so efficiently and he always had such big influences on games being won.
14. Bryce Heem – Big, strong, fast and would have giggled his way through a match while running over everyone around him. Produced some of the most electrifying and violent things I've seen on a rugby pitch. He's in just so no-one else can pick him against us. Amazing bloke too.
15. Josh Adams – Does all the pretty stuff but is as tough as they come. Could be caught wandering out of the backfield to get in the mix if he gets bored and getting stuck into a few forwards. Can do it all and always has an eye for the try line. Solid and brave under the high ball.
