Back Three
15 - Chris Catling
Difficult choice between Chris and Thinus Delport, with Tim Smith knocking on the door. Chris gets the vote because he was a complete revelation at full-back. If he had ever got a kicking game together he would have been a nailed on certainty for full international honours. Tackled miles above his weight - I remember Richard Hill talking about him thus: "He sticks out his pigeon chest and then 'bang' he's nailed his man…"
14 - Philippe Saint-Andre
Just a class apart. The first big name player to arrive as part of Richard Hill's revolution and arguably one of the most influential figures in Gloucester's recent history.
11 - Brian Johnston
A player who never really achieved his peak because of a cruel back injury. Brian was the fastest thing on two legs seen at Kingsholm and balanced his playing career with that of an army officer. Scored some great tries and was a pretty mean defender too.
Midfield
13 - Terry Fanolua
The boy from Samoa who took Gloucester to his heart and vice versa. Just outstanding when he first arrived, and 150 plus games and top try scorer in Gloucester history shows what a contribution he has made.
12 - Richard Tombs
Another hard choice - Tombsy or Robert Todd. The vote goes to Richard because of his guile, power and his wide range of early 70s hairstyles.
Half Backs
10 - Mark Mapletoft
Could easily have been Ludovic Mercier or Martyn Kimber. Tofty gets my vote because he had that little bit of magic about him, and for that touchline conversion against Leicester. Also remember he turned down Bath to stay at Gloucester, so that has to be a plus point too.
9 - Dimitri Yachvilli
Arriving here as an unheard off, Dimitri just oozed class, so much confidence for one so young. A great pass, great with ball in hand. Just great really, and gone on to show his worth in the French national squad.
The Loosies
8 - Junior Paramore
What a great player Junior was, so much power and such a big grin. Junior knew how to play the game in any conditions, tight or loose you could rely 100% on the giant Samoan.
7 - Andy Hazell
Another touch choice between Hazey, Nathan Carter and Ian Smith. Hazell is, to my mind, the perfect example of what an openside flanker should be. Has the energy of a million Duracell batteries and never gives up the fight. Almost beat Bath on his own in the cup a few years back.
6 - Jake Boer
A couple of years ago Jake took the world by storm, if he had been English he would have been a shoe-in to the national squad. Two-time Shedhead reader's player of the season - enough said.
Locks
5 - Dave Sims
Has to be Simsy. Held the Gloucester side together through very lean times, lead the side like his life depended on it. Massively underrated player who deserved much more recognition that a trip to the slaughterhouse on Woodwards 'Tour To Hell'.
4 - Ian Jones
Record number of All Black caps, came to Gloucester towards the end of his career but was an inspiration to everyone around him. I remember him walking onto the Kingsholm turf to be introduced to the crowd and thinking "Christ, we really have signed a legend!"
Front three
1 - Trevor 'Dougie' Woodman
What a player he was a complete modern prop forward who could do the lifting and pushing, but could also run with ball in hand. A mean sidestep for a prop forward too!
2 - Chris Fortey
Could have been Olly Azam, but Chris wins it on the fact that (a) he came back from a horrible injury to play some of the best rugby of his life, and (b) he spent marginally less time in the sin bin than Olly!. Utterly dependable hooker: what more can you ask for - and a local boy to boot.
3 - Phil Vickery
No question, and no explanation needed… Even if he has just become a Wasp!
(I did consider a front three of Serge Simon, Patrice Collazo and Olivier Azam but they would have had to build a very big sin bin with those three on the pitch at the same time!)
