Your World Rugby XV

Commentator Bill McLaren has chosen his all-time World XV and here is the chance to choose yours.

Assemble a side to beat Bill's XV.

Click here for Bill's XV

Bill McLaren has seen them all, from Meads to Macbride, from Cotton to Campese, and now the veteran commentator has chosen his all-time XV.

His choice is sure to fuel debate and here is your chance to assemble a side you reckon would defeat Bill's finest.

Send in your squad sheets now.

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15. G Hastings (Sco), 14. Campese (Aus), 13. Tait (Sco), 12. S Gibbs (Wal), 11. Lomu (NZ), 10. Mehrtens (NZ), 9. Gregan (Aus), 8. Brooke (NZ), 7. Back (Eng), 6. Pienaar (SA), 5. McBride (Ire), 4. Murray (Sco), 3. D Young (Wal), 2. Wood (Ire), 1. T Smith (Sco).

A hefty bias towards modern Socttish players, but what can I say - I'm a young Scotsman! Had a bit of trouble with the flankers, so I shamelessly nicked them from other XVs.
Neil Anderson, Scotland

No all time great side should exclude Jonathan Davies who displayed genius in both codes. Additionally, where are Dean Richards, Michael Jones, John Gallagher and Lomu?
D. Bunyard, England

Bill is a fountain of Rugby knowledge, but I just cannot see how any of the amateur players of yester-year could possibly live with the physically demanding 80 mins of todays super-fast game.

The World XV; 15. Cullen, 14. Robinson, 13. O'Driscoll, 12. Umaga, 11. Lomu, 10. Wilkinson, 9. Gregan, 8. Hill, 7. Skinstad, 6. Smith, 5. Eales, 4. Johnson, 3. Leonard, 2. Woods, 1. Vickery
Ben Gossage, England

Very good side! I would have to disagree with Andrew at Fly-half as he is mediocre compared to Naas Botha who could almost win a game by himself.

15.JPR (W)14.Duckham (E) 13.Gerber (SA) 12.Horan (Aus) 11.Campese (Aus) 10.Botha (SA) 9.Vand Der Westhuizen (SA) 8.Brooke (NZ) 7.JP Rives (F) 6.Pienaar (SA) 5.Eales (Aus) 4.Meads (NZ) 3.Cotton (E) 2.Schmidt (SA) 1.Leonard (E) Apologies to Keith Wood who is a magnificent Hooker.
Mike, Saudi Arabia

Good luck and good health for a long well deserved retirement

Peter Tennant

Thanks for all the years of great work Bill, but no JPR, Barry John, and worst of all the greatest player ever to pull on a pair of rugby boots-DAI MORRIS!! Next time Glynneath are in Hawick I hope we can discuss this over a wee dram [or two] Good luck and good health for a long well deserved retirement. Thanks for the memories.
Peter Tennant, WALES

15. Serge Blanco, 14. David Campese, 13. Tim Horan, 12. Philippe Sella 11. Jonah Lomu 10. Michael Lynagh 9. Nick Farr-Jones (c) 8. Zinzan Brooke 7. Michael Jones 6. Peter Winterbottom 5. John Eales 4. Ian Jones 3. Olo Brown 2. Sean Fitzpatrick 1. Craig Dowd I know it's a very modern side, but that's because I never saw the likes of Edwards, Gibson and Williams play.
Derek Morriss, England

Can't argue will Bill's team, but it still wouldn't have a chance in Thomand Park against the 1978 Munster giant killers!!
Brian, Ireland

Many of the teams chosen would be wonderful teams no doubt, but with any selection national bias comes into the equation. It is very difficult to choose a side from yesterday that would win today. It's like matching Fred Perry against Lleyton Hewitt.
Mal Walker, Australia

Everybody is entitled to thier own opinion but I find it hard to belive that Bill Macka could pick Rob Andrew at fly half. He was a fine player but surly the likes of Barry John, Ollie Campbell, Phil Bennett, Jonathan Davies, Frans Boater, Hugo Porter should have eclipsed him.
Chris Bolt, Wales

Seeing as the question is who would you pick to beat Bill's side, I cant pick any of his chosen 15, can I?!

Here's mine then. JPR Williams, John Kirwan, Phillipe Sella, Tim Horan, Richard Mogg Phil Bennett, Joost Van der W. Phil Blakeway, Keith Wood, Phil Vickery John Eales, Ian Jones Mike Teague, John Jeffrey, Olivier Roumat.

Richard Mogg was a genius of a winger who played for Gloucester in the 70s and 80s

Jim Anderson

For those who don't know, Richard Mogg was a genius of a winger who played for Gloucester in the 70s and 80s, and was criminally neglected by England
Jim Anderson, Gloucester, UK

Sorry Bill but some of those suggestions were erratic especially Rob Andrew at No.10. He wasn't even as good a player as Stuart Barnes as well as Mark Ella and Jonathon Davies etc...So you can all have a go at mine now:

15) Blanco 14) Campase (Sorry John Kirwan!) 13) Guscott 12) Gibson 11) Lomu 10) Bennett 9) Edwards 8) Z Brooke 7) M Jones 6) Pinnear 5) Eales 4)C Meads 3) Loe 2) Wood 1) Price
Paul, UK

I think it's churlish to be saying that Bill's selection is 'sentimental', or that today's professionals are so much fitter, stronger and faster. That's true, of course. But Bill has seen 50 years worth of games -- seen it all, in fact, and I am inclined to lean towards his experience.

But, like most people responding here, I feel he has left someone out, and a Scot at that! I feel that Gavin Hastings should be included in this 15 man squad. Give us a contemporary of his calibre and we (scots) would be laughing again!
Mark, UAE

15. Blanco 14. Campese 13. Sella 12. Horan 11. Lomu 10. Wilkinson 9. Edwards 8. Zinzan Brooke 7. Kronfield 6. Pienaar 5. Meads 4. Ian Jones 3. Cotton 2. Fitzpatrick 1. Leonard

Very difficult to do...
Dan Bleakman, England

Bill has picked a good team but it would miss the merits of attack that Blanco and the flair of Sella would give to any side turning them from predicatable to outright dangerous. There is also need for a midfield general in Fox.

Meads is an inspired choice and how about a partnership with McBride?

Dave

Meads is an inspired choice and how about a partnership with McBride, that would send shivers down the spine of any opposition hooker having throw agianst them. But who would be captain amazing?
Dave, England

Never mind the best side .The best player to play the game ever would have to be Mark Ella. Those of you who can remember the 1980's know what I'm talking about. The man retired too early.
Peter, Australia

Some great names have been put forward here. But one notable name that no-one seems to have remembered is the man that I believe to be the greatest halfback ever to have played the game - Ken Catchpole.

What a tragedy that brutality and foul play cut short the career of such a wonderfully gifted player.
Greg, Australia

15. Blanco 14.Hooks 13. Sella 12. Carling 11. R. Underwood 10. Fox 9. Edwards 8. Z. Brooke 7. Back 6. M. Jones 5. WJ McBride 4. M Johnson 3. Cotton 2. Fitzpatrick 1. Price

Notice the one and only Kenny Hooks of Ireland and Ulster on the wing. He played 9 times but should have been far more. Awesome!!
Dean, N. Ireland

JPR Williams; Carel du Plessis; Danie Gerber; Tim Horan; David Campese; Johnny Wilkinson; Gareth Edwards; Zinzan Brooke; JP Rives; Michael Jones; Colin Meads; John Eales; Os du Randt; Sean Fitzpatrick; Fran Cotton.

In truth, I feel ashamed to be disagreeing with Bill!

Ed Maydon

In truth, I feel ashamed to be disagreeing with Bill!
Ed Maydon, UK

15. JPR Williams, 14. Gerald Davies, 13. Danir Herber, 12. Mike Gibson, 11. David Campese, 10. Barry John, 9. Gareth Edwards, 8. Mervyn Davies, 7. Michael Jones, 6. Ian Kirkpatrick, 5. Frik De Preez, 4. Colin Meads, 3. Graham Price, 2. Sean Fitzpatrick, 1. Ken Gray

I can't see that team ever being beaten had they all been in their prime.
Gareth Powell, Wales

15.S Blanco, 14.C du Plessis, 13.D Gerber, 12.T Horan 11.D Campese 10.J Wilkinson 9.J v/d Westhuizen 8.Z Brooke 7.JP Rives 6.M Jones 5.J Eales 4.F du Preez 3.G Price 2.S Fitzpatrick 1.Os du Randt
Ryan S, ex-pat South African

It has been a great pleasure to watch rugby when you have been commentating Bill but I do disagree with your world best rugby team.

15. JPR 14. Gearld Davies 13. Sella 12. Horan 11. D Campese 10. B John 9. G Edwards 8. M Davies 7. J P Rives 6. F Pienaar 5. J Eales 4. C Meads 3. Richard Loe 2. S Fitzpatrick 1. G Price.
Dai, Germany

McLaren's team would barely hold their own against the current Scotland team. Can't argue with his inclusion of Campese (although he was hardly consistently brilliant) and Sean Fitzpatrick are clearly fine choices in their positions. But what about Lomu, and of course Michael Jones?

But what about Lomu, and of course Michael Jones?

Murray, England

Sure they're not players from the distant past, but their fitness and skill levels put them head and shoulders above those that came before them. Sorry Bill, but with so many northern hemisphere players - you're onto a losing side there.
Murray, England

How could Bill Mclaren choose someone of as static and predictable as Rob Andrew, who played in a comfort zone behind an unbelievably strong English pack, ahead of the King, Barry John.

Sure he retired at an early age, and probably before he played his best rugby, but he made an incredible contribution to world rugby and his performances have stood the test of time through an ever changing/ developing game.

He would have been able to play in any era of the game and still illustrate his talent, prowess and understanding of how the game should be played; with flair, skill and hwyl.
Adam Hitchings, Wales

No Ian Kirkpatrick? Rob Andrew over Barry John? No mention at all of Jean-Pierre Rives. Come on!
R Phillips, Wales

15, JPR; 14, J. Kirwan; 13, J. Guscott; 12, T. Horan; 11, D. Campese; 10, J. Davies; 9, v.d Westhuizen; 1, D.Sole (capt); 2, K.Woods; 3, F.Cotton; 4, C.Meads; 5, J.Eales; 6, M. Jones; 7, O. Magne; 8, Z. Brooke

The backs have pace and power, with Jonathon Davies (who surely would have been one of the greats if only he had been in a decent Welsh team)dictating the play. Forwards also have pace, skill and not a little power.

Who would take the drop goals though, Keith Wood or Zinzan Brooke!! My surprising choice of David Sole as captain is purely based on the 1990 Grand Slam when he captained a Scotland side who defied considerable odds to come from behind to beat England.
M. Matthewman, UK

15. Blanco, 14. Kirwan, 13. Sella, 12. Horan , 11. Lomu, 10. Kyle 9. Farr-Jones, 8. Matthews, 7. Kronfeld, 6. Hill, 5. Eales, 4. WJ McBride, 3. Leonard, 2. Woody!, 1. Probyn
Stephen Hillis, N. Ireland

Any World XV Bill choses is good enough for me.

Ray Brown

It has allways been a pleasure to listen to Bill McLaren, and any World XV he choses is good enough for me.
Ray Brown, Canada

15. JPR Williams, 14. David Campese, 13. Joe Stanley (NZL), 12. Jeremy Guscott, 11. Jonah Lomu, 10. Michael Lynagh, 9. Gareth Edwards, 1. Richard Loe (NZL), 2. Sean Fitzpatrick, 3. Olo Brown (NZL), 4. Martin Johnson, 5. John Eales, 6. Francois Pienaar 7. Jean-Pierre Rives, 8. Wayne Shelford (NZL)
Mike, Currently Stateless (I'm travelling)

A very sentimental selection by Bill.. However, as in all athletic sports these days, the new breed would simply overrun old school choices. I won't go into specific comparisons, but does he really think that the old boys would be able to contain modern players such as Johnson, Kefu, Gregan, Lomu and Robinson?
Chris Handley, Manchester, England

15 Campese (Aus), 14 Campese (Aus), 13 Campese (Aus), 12 Campese (Aus), 11 Campese (Aus), 10 Campese (Aus), 9 Campese (Aus), 8 Campese (Aus), 7 Campese (Aus), 6 Campese (Aus), 5 Campese (Aus), 4 Campese (Aus), 3 Campese (Aus), 2 Campese (Aus), 1 Campese (Aus)
David C, Australia