LOCK
Martin Johnson (England), Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
My former captain and also my former head coach, Martin is probably the first name here. I loved playing against Paul. He was a proper competitor, a proper hard-worker and a high-class player for a long, long time. My second-row would be the best in the world!”
BACK-ROW
Thierry Dusautoir (France), Neil Back (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
“Thierry was so strong and had such an amazing engine, also a real warrior and great captain. Neil was probably the most tenacious and competitive player I have seen and the best No.7 in the northern hemisphere in the last 20 years. Taulupe is not even 30 yet but it feels like he has been around forever, such is his longevity and class. In his pomp, I’m not sure if there was a better No.8 around at the time. “