JOE MAKYSYMIW, THE FORMER LEICESTER, CONNACHT, DRAGONS AND AGEN LOCK, SELECTS THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…
1. Ricky Barrington – Two seasons together in France meant seeing Ricky up close every day. Won everything in the game but remains one of the best blokes around. Proper scrummager too.
2. Harry Thacker – Shared a changing room at Leicester and his skill-set was ridiculous. Does things most hookers wouldn’t even try – unbelievably dynamic and so influential around the park.
3. Finlay Bealham – Crossed paths at Connacht while he was breaking into Ireland contention. Now a Lion, which says everything. Brilliant scrummager and hugely consistent.
4. Ultan Dillane – Lined up alongside him at Connacht and the athlet icism was frightening. Now a Champions Cup winner with La Rochelle. Bulked up on brioche and chocolate as a kid – still had a six-pack.
5. Quinn Roux – Packed down behind Quinn at Connacht. Since gone on to win the Prem with Bath and reach a World Cup. Quiet character but massively respected.
6. Ross Moriarty – First teamed up at Dragons before later clashing when he was at Brive. Throws himself into everything – pure physicality and never takes a backward ard step.
7. Will Evans – Time together at Tigers showed how elite he is over the ball. l. Lives for the jackal and, in my opinion, unlucky not to have England recognition.
8. Fotu Lokotui – Shared a spell in France and his work-rate stood out immediately. Not the biggest name but carried relentlessly – 20 a game and always demanding more.
9. Ben White – Known him since Tigers academy days and the professionalism was obvious even then. Watching him grow into a Lion has been brilliant – consistency is his trademark.
10. Jack Carty – Played with him at Connacht in 2019 when everything he touched turned to gold. That form earned him Ireland World Cup selection – an outstanding season.
11. Niyi Adeolokun – Connacht team-mate and the quickest player I have seen. Electric pace and a constant finishing threat whenever given space.
12. Bundee Aki – Gone from strength to strength internationally. Doesn’t seem to age and keeps delivering at the highest level – another Lion and world-class midfield presence for Connacht.
13. Tom Farrell – Connacht link-up again, known for outrageous offloads. Nicknamed ‘Wobble’ because even he didn’t know when the ball was going – but it worked
14. Jonah Holmes – Lived near him at Leicester and Dragons. Selected as much for being a great bloke as his wing play – electric runner and top company.
15. Telusa Veainu – Leicester gave me a front row seat to his footwork. That solo try against Worcester still lives in the memory – pure class in broken play.
