Team of the season: from Leicester backs to Saracens' Boks

Chris Hewett selects his best XV from an intriguing Premiership campaign that reaches its climax at Twickenham today

15 Alex Goode (Saracens)

If he's this hot as a full-back – and his form is molten at the moment – what might he achieve in his optimum position of outside-half?

14 Chris Ashton (Northampton)

A try-poacher, but nobody's idea of a goal-hanger. The cross-code wing brought something fresh to the Premiership and could do the same for England.

13 Dominic Waldouck (Wasps)

Considered lacking in the "X-factor" department by the England selectors, he forced them into a change of mind with a series of eye-catching displays.

12 Olly Barkley (Bath)

A latecomer thanks to complex injury problems, the occasional England midfielder made up for lost time by delivering Test-quality performances at every turn.

11 Scott Hamilton (Leicester)

Time and space are the two principal indicators of class, and the New Zealander has them in abundance. Hugely effective in a quiet sort of way.

10 Toby Flood (Leicester)

His moment is coming. Indeed, it may already be here. Subtly inventive and quicker than he appears, his game-management skills are developing by the day.

9 Ben Youngs (Leicester)

A bright spark playing bright, sparky rugby for employers who know how to keep him honest. Potentially the best, performing in the best possible environment.

1 Soane Tonga'uiha (Northampton)

The Pacific Islands teams tend to struggle at the set piece come World Cup time. Eight Tonga'uihas would sort them out. An absolute bull.

2 Schalk Brits (Saracens)

If his work in the tight was a squillionth as good as his work in the loose, the South African would be a Springbok 50 times over.

3 Dan Cole (Leicester)

The find of the season and a potential saviour for England. Just a boy in tight-head terms, but he has something of the man-child about him.

4 Dave Attwood (Gloucester)

A shard of toughened steel at the heart of a powder-puff pack, the lock restored some old-fashioned values to the mix at Kingsholm.

5 Marco Wentzel (Leeds)

The central figure in a transformative season for Leeds: top captain, top line-out operator, top everything. Worth his weight in gold ingots.

6 Phil Dowson (Northampton)

The man who put the "work" in the Midlanders' work ethic and a priceless asset as a multitasking back-row forward.

7 Julian Salvi (Bath)

Utterly brilliant when his colleagues were anything but, the departing Australian should make a real name for himself at next year's World Cup.

8 Ernst Joubert (Saracens)

The Watford-based club can recruit as many South Africans as they like if they are this good. A high-calibre footballer with a resilient streak.