1st July 2009

Last week we featured winger Aisea Havili's 'Dream Team', the forerunner of a regular series from squad members.

This week Scrum-half James Doherty, who has joined from Wharfedale and played for England Counties, chooses his 'Dream Team'.

James Playing For England Counties

James' Dream Team:-

15 Alex Tait
The younger brother of Mathew, Newcastle 'Falcon' Alex is the most consistent player I've played against, when he's never had a bad game. A real talent, he has a monster boot and a great change of pace.

14 John Bentley
Former GB rugby league international 'Bentos' starred for the British Lions in 1997 and ended his career at Cleckheaton. I played twice against him in Cup games for Wharfedale, and although he had lost some speed, he certainly hadn't lost his ' desire' for the game.

13 Andrew Hodgson
This Wharfedale centre, who was formerly with Bradford Bulls, has a fantastic professional attitude. He is someone with a great temperament who shows leadership qualities, and he would have gone all the way in rugby league had he not suffered three broken legs. Top man!

12 Anthony Allen
I played against this Gloucester and England centre in an epic Sedbergh versus Millfield School 'sevens' encounter a few years ago. Even though he was aged just 17 at the time, you knew he was destined for great things.

11 Andrew Fenby
This Welsh-born ex Blaydon man now plays for Llanelli Scarlets. He has electric pace, great balance and is a top man off the pitch.

10 David Pears
David is a good friend from 'Up Dale' who had a number of caps for England in the early nineties. I have been fortunate to have played in a few charity games with him, and he's still got it.

9 Joe Simpson
An England 'Saxon' of recent, I've played against this present London 'Wasp' quite a few times at schools and also club level when he was on loan at Blackheath. A good young professional, his great pace enables him to exploits gaps.

8 David Tait
This Sale 'Shark' was my captain at Sedbergh School. Gifted with ball in hand, which is no surprise for someone who is also an able basketball player, he is a phenomenal athlete.

7 Hedley Verity
A very tough and committed individual, he was also a great club stalwart at Wharfedale who proudly made 300 league appearances for the club.

6 Darren Fox
This former Northampton man who played for Cambridge last season is anything but a 'Saint'. Marine-like in looks he is a hard, hard man. To be honest I didn't enjoy his company on the pitch at all - which, I think, is a compliment to him!

5 Tom Denton
In my mind this young Leeds Carnegie professional who will soon be the next Paul O'Connell - a giant ginger line-out guru, a top man off the field and a real talent.

4 David Lister
another loyal Wharfedale stalwart and true gent, David holds no less than three national records: 313 league starts for a single club, 154 consecutive appearances, and (with Anthony Capstick) the most consecutive starts - 69 - as a second-row pairing.

3 Ian Peel
Again a friend from Wharfedale, Ian captained the Newcastle Falcons to success and made many premiership appearances. In my opinion he was unlucky not to receive international honours, and was also unfortunate that he had to retire prematurely because of a neck injury. However, he now has a coaching role which he is relishing.

2 Rob Webber
An abrasive player, Rob, who now plays for Wasps, learnt his trade on loan at Blackheath - where he certainly caused 'Dales' defence a few problems. He has this summer played for England Saxons in the Churchill Cup.

1 Andy Deacon
Respected throughout the Premiership during his time at Gloucester, this fantastic scrummager is a mean old man who was still mightily effective plying his trade with Cinderford last season