Five players from Worcester Warriors have today been named in this season’s Rugby Times Dream XV – more than any other club in the RFU Championship.
The Dream XV is made up by votes cast from each of the 12 Championship clubs, with the player getting the highest number of votes in their respective position included in the all star team. Ninety-three players in total were nominated from six different clubs.
Miles Benjamin, Andy Goode, Tevita Taumoepeau, Craig Gillies and Graham Kitchener all make it into the starting line-up with Goode collecting the most number of votes of any one individual with eight. Summer signing Josh Drauniniu is also named in the team while Pat Sanderson and Aleki Lutui are named among the replacements.
Blindside flanker was the most competitive position with nine different names put forward, Ryan Burrows edging the vote because he had been nominated in other positions, too.
Rugby Times RFU Championship Dream XV
15. ROB COOK (Cornish Pirates)
A stunning second season for the Pirates following his move from Nuneaton in the summer of 2009. Cook has been rockstead in defence under the high ball and deadly accurate in front of goal. Championship's leading points-scorer with 344 points. Dave Jackson, Steve McColl and Errie Claassens tied for second.
14. MILES BENJAMIN (Worcester Warriors)
Benjamin and Marcel Garvey have cut opposition defences to shreds this season with their pace and power on the wing. Benjamin has narrowly eclipsed his teammate in the try scoring stakes with 24 from 28 appearances, including three hattricks – two of them back to back.
13. MATT HOPPER (Cornish Pirates)
Harlequins-bound Hopper has caught the eye with a number of strong-running displays in the outside centre position. A sporting all-rounder who once played hockey and swam at a high level, Hopper has been a virtual ever-present in the league campaign, scoring eight tries from 26 appearances.
12. JUAN PABLO SOCINO (Rotherham Titans)
A stunning first season in English rugby for the Buenos Aires Bull. A reliable goal kicker and proven line-breaker, the 22- year-old single-handedly won many a game for the Titans this season. Signed for Nottingham next season.
11. JOSH DRAUNINIU (London Welsh)
The Fijian-born England Sevens speedster has earned a contract at Worcester next season after a fine campaign that has seen the 25-year-old cross the line 16 times in 22 matches.
10. ANDY GOODE (Worcester Warriors)
Singled out for punishment by opposing packs, England international Goode has gone about his business with good grace and to devastating effect. Stop Goode and you stop Worcester may be too simplistic an assessment, however the 31-year-old's contribution, both with boot and his new appetite for the try-line, cannot be underestimated.
9. GAVIN CATTLE (Cornish Pirates)
Can anyone usurp the Welshman from the number nine jersey? Pirates captain Cattle finds his way into the 'Dream XV' for a record fourth time after another season where he has led by example.
1. MARK IRISH (Bristol Rugby)
Narrowly fought off competition from young apprentice Mako Vunipola for the number one jersey, as he has done at Bristol for much of the season. Mr Consistent who does all the basics well.
2. DAVE WARD (Cornish Pirates)
The 'hard as nails' hooker is one of only two players to retain their place in the Dream XV, Gavin Cattle being the other. Playing like a fourth flanker, Ward's work at the breakdown and in the loose has been a standout feature for the Pirates. An improved performance in the line-out helped his claim over half the votes.
3. TEVITA TAUMOEPEAU (Worcester Warriors)
Former Tongan international Taumoepeau, a cult hero with fans at Warriors, is the cornerstone of the division's most feared pack. Has only missed four league games which, considering the rotation policy used at Sixways this term, demonstrates his importance to the team.
4. GRAHAM KITCHENER (Worcester Warriors)
Premiership-bound Kitchener's semi-final gaffe when dropping the ball over the try-line in the act of showboating against Bedford should not cloud what has been an outstanding season for the 20-year-old lock.
5. CRAIG GILLIES (Worcester Warriors)
Hailed as a 'model pro' by head coach Richard Hill, Gillies remains one of the best line-out exponents around. Broke the club's appearance record in November when he ran out for the 226th time in a Worcester jersey. Head and shoulders above the rest.
6. RYAN BURROWS (Rotherham Titans)
A forceful presence at the back of the pack and a willing ball carrier, Burrows is tipped for a big future in the game. An ever-present throughout the campaign.
7. JAMES MERRIMAN (Bristol Rugby)
The former Sevens specialist edged out Worcester's Pat Sanderson after a fine campaign. Strong over the ball and a keen defender, Merriman also provided plenty of dynamism with ball in hand.
8. SIONE KALAMAFONI (Nottingham Rugby)
The Tonga 'A' captain made a tremendous impact in his first season in English rugby. Courted by Premiership clubs for his ability to get over the gain line, Nottingham are glad to have tied the No.8 up on a new deal.
BENCH: Michael Cusack (Doncaster Knights), Aleki Lutui (Worcester Warriors), Ben Gulliver (Cornish Pirates), Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors), Daryl Veenendaal (Bedford Blues), Tim Streather (Nottingham), Dave Jackson (Nottingham)