There have been many players whose skills and attitude I've admired, both team-mates and opponents, so here is my selection of teams comprising those who I think were the best.

It was a lot of fun picking the two teams, especially knowing my selections would never be tested.

I apologise to all the great players I haven't chosen but, well, I can only squeeze 15 into a team, just like a real selector.

My two captains, I thought, were obvious.

No one could go past Sean Fitzpatrick as the All Black captain, but the choice for the World team was a little harder.

John Eales was a fine leader for the Wallabies, but I gave the job to Martin Johnson because of his wider leadership roles with Leicester, England and the Lions.