All Time World XV

In a slightly different take on an All Time Greatest XV, Martin Whitcombe has selected a team of players he either played with or against during his career. His team includes some of the games' great names and some who might appear to be a little obscure on first sight but are well worth watching on Youtube!

Coach Chalkie White - Leicester Tigers
The god father of modern day coaching He influenced so many rugby players who worked with him. A man who was always straight and honest with his players. Probably did more than anyone to make Leicester Tigers the club they are today

Forwards:

1 David Sole - Bath & Scotland
I first played against David in a school boy international, A very mobile all-round forward, Good in the tight went on to be a highly respected leader of Scotland. Jack Rowell described him as irreplaceable when he left bath

2 Tommy Lawton - Queensland & Australia
The Australians rebuilt their forward pack around Tom. A huge man unmovable in the scrum and an outstanding thrower in at the line out. In 1990 he helped Natal win their first Currie Cup in the unions centenary year

3 Graham Price - Pontypool & Wales
One third of the famous Pontypool front row. The corner Stone of any pack played 12 consecutive test’s for the British Lions. A Hard scrummaging prop and one of the best the game has seen

4 Dave Baldwin - Sale FC and England ‘B’
I played in front of Dave for 8 years in various teams, his best rugby was as a two jumper in the line out very powerful in the scrum. He never had a bad game. Dave is now passing on his knowledge as a highly respected coach

5 Martin Johnson - Leicester Tigers & England
A real enforcer in the engine room who took no prisoners opposing locks new they had been in a game with Martin. Was a colossus as Captain for club and country

6 Mike Teague - Gloucester & England
A legend on the terraces of Kingsholme, ‘Iron Mike’ was versatile and could play at 8 or 6 probably best known for his performances at 6. A hard uncompromising player he was the perfect foil for Peter Winterbottm on the open side, a great bloke on & off the field

7 Peter Winterbottom - Harlequins & England
The best rugby player I played with. Highly respected at both Hawke’s Bay & Transvaal

8 Dean Richards Captain. - Leicester & England
A talisman at 8 Dean had both brute strength and tremendous courage if you were in a tight corner you would want this man with you. One of rugby’s great characters on and off the field

Backs:

9 Steve Kenney - Leicester Tigers
The ultimate club pro. Over 360 games for Tigers. I only saw him lose his temper once on the pitch and that was with me. After Id trod on Steve’s hand for the third time in an RAF V Leicester game, then, much to the player’s amusement Steve picked up a chunk of the Welford Rd turf and herald it in my direction. I can’t remember Steve missing training he always gave 100% for the team

10 Mark Ella - New South Wales & Australia
One of three aborigine brothers all who played for the Wallabies the master of the ‘flat ball’ to attack, great tactician & role model for his race

11 Ray Mordt - Northern Transvaal & South Africa
Danie Craven described Ray as "A wounded Rhinoceros in the body of a man". In 1981 he scored a hatrick against New Zealand at Eden Park and incredibly finished on the losing team. Like Gerber never got the recognition he deserved due to the politics in South Africa at this time

12 Danie Gerber - Eastern Province & South Africa
You’ll find it hard to find a better broken play ball carrier than this guy. A Very elusive runner with great acceleration and strength. But for the apartheid era he would have gone down as one of the all time greats

13 Paul Dodge - Leicester Tigers & England
Paul was just about the steadiest bloke you could find on a rugby field. Strong in defence and gifted ball distributor. Had a left foot that saved his forwards so much work

14 David Campese - New South Wales & Australia
The man who had it all equally as effective at wing or fullback, would make most people’s teams for this era

15 Gavin Hastings - London Scottish & Scotland
A rock at the back under the high ball carried the ball like a forward and had a great boot, an inspirational player for his team mates.