Selecting my all time Rugby World XV

Cotton Fitzpatrick Murdock Du Preez Meads Dallaglio McCaw Brooke Du Preez Carter Tune Gainsford Sella J Wilson Cullen

this is the greatest rugby unoin 15 !!!! 1.CHARLIE FAULKNER 2.GRAHAM PRICE 3.BOBBY WINDSOR 4. MARTIN JOHNSON(C) 5.WILLIE JOHN MCBRIDE 6.MICHAEL JONES 7.RICHIE MCCAW 8 .BUCK SHELFORD 9.GARETH EDWARDS 10.DAN CARTER 11.JONAH LOMU 12.PHILLIPE SELLA 13.BRIAN O DRISCOLL 14.GERALD DAVIES 15. CHRISTIAN CULLEN OR YOU COULD HAVE THIS 1 THER JUST AS GOOD 1.OZ DU RANDT 2.SEAN FITZPATRICK 3.JASON LEONARD 4.JOHN EALES 5. MARK ANDREWS 6.OLIVIER MAGNE 7.NEIL BACK 8. ZIN ZAN BROOKE 9. GEORGE GREEGAN 10.JOHNNY WILKINSON 11.JOHN KIRWIN 12.TIM HORAN 13.WILL GREENWOOD 14.DAVID CAMPESE 15. JPR WILLIAMS THE LIST GO's on 15.JPR WILLIAMS

I agree with most of your selections, however, you did not pick Cliff Morgan (flyhalf) and Jeff Butterfield (centre). I was one of the priviliged 90,000 spectators who watched the first test between the 1955 British Lions and South Africa. I have never, before or after that game, seen a better flyhalf than Cliff Morgan (Wales) and a better centre than Jeff Butterfield (England). They both scored breathtaking tries in that match. The try scored by Butterfield was rated by Dr. Danie Craven as the best try ever. To pick a best ever world xv is going to be very, very difficult. The game and rules have changed so much in the past years. To say that the players of the previous era won't have fitted into the modern game also apllies to the modern players fitting into the older version of the game. Also will it depend on what type of rugby is to be played, open (running) or tight (kicking). I think a good all-round team would be one with a very dominating pack of forwards (picked out of your forward selections) and a backline including the likes of Carel (Tom) van Vollenhoven (wing), David Campese (wing), Phillipe Sela (centre), Jeff Butterfield (centre), Cliff Morgan (flyhalf) and Gareth Edwars (scrumhalf).

I like your selection abnutta. There are, however, a fex names misssing on your list. I was priviliged enough to have been one of the 90,000 spectators who watched the first test at Ellis Park, Johannesburg in 1955 (British Lions vs. South Africa). I have never before or after seen a better flyhalf than Cliff Morgan and a better centre than Jeff Butterfield. Also was there a scrumhalf by the name of Pierre Danos in the 1958 touring French side. Your selections are very good but its going to be very difficult to pick the best XV. The game has changed such a lot and some of the earlier players might not fit into the modern game and vice versa (especially if the old knock on rule was still in force). Very few of the younsters of today can handle a ball properly. I would pick a pack of forwards that can dominate up front (most of your selctions will do just fine) and a backline with the likes of Andre Joubert (fullback), Carel (Tom) van Vollenhoven (wing), David Campese (wing), Phillipe Sela (centre), Jeff Butterfield (centre), Cliff Morgan (flyhalf) and Gareth Edwards (scrumhalf) .

apart from Fran Cotton yeah :D

Apart from Fran Cotton?

Not one Englishman :D 15. Christian Cullen 14. John Kirwan 13. Brian O'Driscoll 12. Scott Gibbs 11. Jonah Lomu 10. Dan Carter 9. Gareth Edwards 8. Pierre Spies 7. Michael Jones 6. Jerry Collins 5. Paul O'Connell 4. Willie-John McBride ( Cpt ) 3. Carl Hayman 2. Sean Fitzpatrick 1. Fran Cotton

Fascinating to see all the nostalgic names coming up in the lists of best players over time. Pity about the Anglo-Celtic bent. But Sheek and a couple of others remebered the French, including the incomparable Serg Blanco and Phillip Sela. But there were heaps more Frenchman such as the fearlless flying flanker Jean Pierre Rives in the early 80's. (Richie McCaw, eat your heart out) But I really must take issue with any selection for half back other than Ken Catchpole whose gift was, amongst others, the ability to hit the five-eighth's hands in a nano-second, making the likes of Gareth Edwards look decidely pedestrian. Admittedly this was in the days when the backline stood in close. But for those who have played five-eighthat any level know only too well to receive the ball so fast gives you and the backline a huge advantage. There has never been anyone who has come close to Catchie Mercifully some Roarers remembered Mark Ella, arguably the greatest back ever in any position in any country, in any era, whose career was shamefully cut by short by Alan Jones, denying Mark and the rugby world at large the pleasure of seeing more of the genius at work. But if Roarers are in any doubt, just re-run the video you must surely have of the 1984 Wallabies Grand Slam tour of the NH

'I might go back to the drawing board and reconsider every position… bar Fullback! So many great players, so little room to fit them in!' Exactly. There's always the one that got away.

Mr Saunders, great metaphor on the Mils and the book, but I'd rather a bit more unpredictability and excitment from my books, so Cullen defo gets the nod. I know his overall contribution to Munster was minimal due to injury, but he still showed flashes of unbelievable class and skill. Without doubt the best Fullback I've ever seen. I also forgot about Richard Hill, top drawer, I'd take out Burger and stick Hill in there instead. In fact, I think I rushed my selection a bit and I might go back to the drawing board and reconsider every position... bar Fullback! So many great players, so little room to fit them in!

Thanks. Jeff Wilson was another player I missed the best of.

Then enjoy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0945lQKP7I Also, this cause even though it's not at test level it's just ridiculous http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cDMXSB1Mss&feature=PlayList&p=5C413FB996997F57&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=6

I missed his earlier years, only seeing him play 13 (Ouch!) and shuffle about for Munster.

Fair enough - I'd always go for the freakish talents of Cullen though.

Jerry, the way I think of fullback is this - what do I want from a book? I like a book that has a good story and is well written. That is what I think of Muliaina... if he were a book, that is. He's been reliable for 80 odd Tests. Does he drop balls, miss tackles or slice kicks? I can't recall any (although I'm sure he has). Not only that but he's a great athlete and is a good attacking player. Simply put, I think he is a very good player. I always liked Matt Burke too.

I was very, very close to putting in Habana, Rusty. In fact I think I still am, but the 1999 WC was the first WC I understood and enjoyed, and Tune was a monster. I can recall how frightened the French were of him in the final. That said, Habana is a freak, an awesome winger. It will be a sad day for rugby when his legs start to slow down. I was never a huge fan of Du Randt. He sometimes seemed really lethargic and inneffective. I was always a fan of Tom Smith, and Sylvain Marconnet, but Crenca was a throwback to old French props. What a scrummager.

No Rodney So'oialo, Mr Saunders? Joking, but I am a bit surprised to see Mils in there.

Damn that is a fine side. My only changes would be as follows 1. du Randt - bit of a nostalgic choice but I think he revolutionised the role of a prop from just being a mere scrummager to the rampaging units we see today I would also move Robinson to 15. and put Habana in at 11. The kids workrate is incredible and races cheetahs!

In the dugout: 16. Yogi Berra 17. Cy Young (only because he was built like a prop) 18. Bob Gibson (Brutal. If he had to knock you down he would) 19. Carl Yazstremski (your "go to" guy when things get tough) 20. Bob Feller (quick delivery) 21. Grover Cleveland Alexander 22. Cool Papa Bell (was so fast he once hit a line drive and knocked himself out rounding second)

DOB 05/11/1984, here is mine: 1. Crenca 2. Wood 3. Hayman 4. Johnson 5. Eales 6. Hill 7. McCaw 8. Dallaglio 9. Van der Westhuizen 10. Carter 11. Robinson 12. Horan 13. O'Driscoll 14. Tune 15. Muliaina