Sonny Bill Williams doesn't hesitate when naming the best player he saw live

The New Zealand legend, approached by Australian sports outlet Sporting News, unveiled his dream team, notably excluding former teammates Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, who boast a collective 260 test matches for the All Blacks.

When naming the best players he played with during his career, Sonny Bill omitted Carter in favour of England legend Jonny Wilkinson, who he played alongside at Toulon.

Williams said: “I’m lucky enough to say I’ve played with Jonny Wilkinson and have seen the commitment that he had.

"When I played with him, he was pretty much at the height of his powers, but the way he dedicated himself to his craft was unbelievable and I learnt a lot from him.”

Wilkinson, meanwhile, paid tribute to Sonny Bill when the pair were playing together. he said: "I think he will go brilliantly.

"His strength is his strength - his ability to keep the ball alive, his physicality, his ball movement and game awareness in space and people around him. I've not seen the likes of him before. He gets hurt, but never seems to go backwards."

Another player who made Williams list was legendary France flanker Thierry Dusautoir, who captained Les Bleus against the All Blacks in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

Williams added: “From my time in France I’d have to say, Thierry Dusautoir.

"He wasn't just an amazing player, but you can see the way he rallies his troops and how he performed in those big games. He’s someone I really admire.”

England boss Steve Borthwick will have been keeping a close eye on potential stars, and these five players surely caught his attention in the opening round, showcasing the form and physicality needed on the international stage.

George Ford’s assured kicking from the tee proved pivotal as Sale Sharks edged a scrappy encounter to kick off their Premiership campaign. The England fly-half landed four penalties to steer his side to victory in wet conditions in the North West, following a downpour earlier in the day.

Harlequins took the game's only try in the first half, with hooker Jack Walker powering over from a line-out drive. But Ford, absent from England's summer tour, made a strong case for a swift return under Steve Borthwick, showcasing his trademark composure and game management in tough conditions. No other fly-half in the league can match his experience in pressure situations.

The other good news is coming out of France that Ford has rejected big money offers to re-sign with Sale, where his contract was due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Captain Ben Spencer was at the heart of Bath’s impressive display against Saints, earning the man-of-the-match award with a try, a try assist, and his trademark influence at the gainline.

His performance caught the eye of England head coach Steve Borthwick, who was watching from the stands.

With Northampton's Alex Mitchell unavailable due to injury, Spencer seized the moment, delivering the kind of performance that has become his hallmark in recent seasons.

While other scrum halves may have greater flair on the international stage, none are as consistently vital to their team as Spencer.

“For him to come and deliver that performance was special,” Bath head coach Johann van Graan said. “Ben is a winner, and since he became captain, he’s only improved. He has big dreams in international rugby, but he’s completely focused on leading Bath.”

Flanker Ted Hill, another player under Borthwick's watchful eye, made his presence felt throughout the match. Hill, who joined Bath in 2022 after the collapse of Worcester, capped off an impressive first half with a try, showcasing his athleticism and work rate across the field.

Despite not featuring in Borthwick's plans for England’s upcoming tour, Hill’s performance against Northampton, including his impactful running and solid defence, will have undoubtedly given the England coach something to think about.

Michael Cheika's Leicester Tigers tenure kicked off in thrilling fashion with a last-gasp 17-14 victory over Exeter in their Premiership opener.

England will be hoping to keep Ollie Chessum fit and firing, whether at flanker or lock, after another powerful performance. Named Tigers captain, Chessum's return from a long-term injury was impressive, showing the physicality England needs ahead of crucial tests.

Bristol Bears kicked off their Premiership campaign with a commanding bonus-point victory over Newcastle Falcons.

Full-back Malins was in dazzling form, making the game look effortless with his elegant play. He bagged a brace of tries on Friday night, the first coming from a well-timed diagonal run, collecting a pass at full speed before powering over the line.

His second was pure class, effortlessly plucking a cross-field kick from AJ MacGinty out of the air over his shoulder to touch down. Majestic.