PETER SCRIVENER, THE FORMER WASPS NO.8, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST...
1. Paul Rendall – I had the pleasure of playing with Judgey very, very early on in my career, I think for probably one game. Amazing to play with.
2. Trevor Leota – He arrived at Wasps from Samoa with all his possessions in a bin bag. Had his issues with food and loved a bevvy but was just phenomenal. Could change a game with one of his big hits. Nowadays he would be sent off every single week.
3. Jeff Probyn – Refused to play with me if I was in the second row because in one game against Richmond, when I was at lock, we went backwards at a rate of knots. Brilliant scrummager and England U21s manager.
4. Doddie Weir – I could name so, so many here: Ian Jones, Richard Kinsey and Matt Greenwood at Wasps are some that spring to mind but I’ve gone for Doddie because he was such a great character as well as a great player.
5. Simon Shaw – A freak of nature who played until he was 40. Anyone who played against him didn’t want to play against him because he was so destructive and so good at what he did. Should have had 100 caps but obviously his face didn’t fit with Clive.
6. Lawrence Dallaglio – I think his natural position was at 6. On his day, when his lipped wobbled, you knew you were going to get a performance out of him. Quality bloke and leader.
7. Joe Worsley – So focused. I’ll never forget the time we were on a 70s night out and he brought a protein shake with him. Wors was just the best tackler in the world; absolutely solid and would do whatever you asked of him. Neil Back and Paul Volley are two others I could have easily put in there.
8. Zinzan Brooke – Played against him when he was at Quins. The best No.8 in the world, I don’t think we have had a talent like him since. Could do everything, a proper genius. Still today, we are great mates.
9. Andy Gomarsall – Again, I could have easily gone for one of about five scrumhalves here. Gomars had the fastest pass in rugby and I enjoyed playing with him. He was also my U18s scrum-half for England
