Lock: Martin Johnson (1993-2003, 84 caps)
“The stats themselves – 84 caps for England across a decade, 39 of them as captain, culminating in that World Cup victory, three tours for the British and Irish Lions.”
Lock: Maro Itoje (2016-present, 38 caps)
“The 25-year-old would have excelled no matter the time or style of game, be it tight and relentless, a bare-knuckle exchange as often used to be the case, or, as he does now, as an all-purpose player, as at ease in the open spaces as he is doing the grunt work at the coal-face.”
Blindside-flanker: Jon Hall (1984-1994, 21 caps)
“There would be no-one in Bath who would dispute Hall’s right to feature in any composite XV,”
Openside-flanker: Peter Winterbottom (1982-1993, 58 caps)
“There is no doubt that Winterbottom was cherished by colleagues for his unbreakable spirit on the field,” wrote Cleary.
Number 8: Lawrence Dallaglio (1995-2007, 85 caps)
“Dallaglio has always been a singular figure, one never daunted by any situation which is why he was such a long-standing captain with Wasps,”
