15. Peter Butler

Pete Butler's running skills were often underestimated, and, if you look at his stats, you might be surprised at how many tries he scored. Was he as good a kicker as Ludo Mercier? I wouldn't want to bet my mortgage on it either way.

14. Phillipe St. Andre

No contest. Simply one of the best wingers the world has ever seen.

13. Richard Jardine

12. John Bayliss

You might think of better individual centres than either of these two, but I've picked them as a pair who knew each other's game back, front and sideways. John was forthright, could break most defences and tackled like an articulated lorry. His virtues were ideally complemented by the silky smooth skills of Dick Jardine. Between them, they were the ideal core of any team.

11. James Simpson-Daniel

I have yet to be convinced that Sinbad isn't best employed on the wing. I would love to have selected Richard Mogg in this spot, but in the end, there's no substitute for genius.

10. Willie Jones

Reputed to be the man who caused the reduction of the drop goal from four points to three, so prolific was he in this area. However, his twinkling feet could also set his backs free when the occasion demanded.

9. Mickey Booth

Probably the best scrum-half never to have played for England, who would dearly love to have him these days. Feisty, combative, often a ninth forward, but with a fair old pass too. As many tricks as a cartload of monkeys.

1. Mike Burton

A close call over Trevor Woodman, but I select Mike as simply the most streetwise prop ever. Knew all the propping tricks, and probably invented half of them.

2. Mike Nicholls (capt)

An extremely savvy hooker who struck like a snake. Also just about the best motivating and inspirational skipper Gloucester ever had.

3. Phil Vickery

Just noses out Phil Blakeway, who was at least as strong as the Raging Bull, but perhaps not quite as lively around the park.

4. John Gwilliam

Captain of Wales at No.8 while playing at lock for Gloucester. His tap back from the lineout was legendary and pin-point accurate. Again, a close call over Ian Jones.

5. Steve Boyle

A great big lump of a lock who scored an indecent number of crash-ball tap penalty tries. Selected on condition he takes things seriously.

6. John Gadd

For a decade, the best all-round No.6 in England. Scored two tries against Fiji in a non-cap international, but never got a full Cap.

7. John Watkins

Just shades Andy Hazell for his uncanny ability to read a game, always seeming to be in the right place at the right time.

8. Mike Teagu

Nuff said.

Replacements

Trevor Woodman

Phil Blakeway

Ian Jones

Andy Hazell

Richard Mogg

Bill Cartmell

Marcus Hannaford