Leeds Rhinos’ Luke Gale reveals his personal Super League dream team

I’ve done it a little bit differently.

Rather than picking who I think is the greatest to play in each position, I have picked the best 17 from people I have played with and I have gone with people who have had a big effect on my career.

Some of them are self-explanatory, but I’ve given my reasoning and I think it’s a pretty good side.

Full-back: Luke Dorn.

This was a choice between Zak Hardaker and Dorny and it was tough to pick between the two.

Dorny was class at Castleford, but the reason I have gone for him is because he had a massive influence on the early part of my career at London.

I came through with him down there and he had a big impact on my career, but that was a hard one.

Left-wing: Denny Solomona.

That explains itself, really.

He was phenomenal in 2016, scoring 42 tries in 29 games.

Left-centre: Michael Shenton.

He was another massive influence on my career when I got to Castleford.

He really helped me get to the next level.

Right-centre: Kallum Watkins.

I played with Kal for England and he was absolutely fantastic during the 2017 World Cup – the best centre in the game at the time, in my opinion.

Right-wing: Ryan Hall.

Someone else I only played against at club level, but with for England.

His tryscoring record for England is amazing, something like 38 tries in 36 games, which is an unbelievable effort.

Stand-off: Ben Roberts.

This was a tricky one, but I wanted to go for someone who helped my job.

In 2017 especially he made it easy for me because, if I wasn’t on, Benny Roberts would take it.

He was so good at that, I think he had his best season that year which helped us finish top.

He probably played an underrated part in that, but I saw close up how good he is.

Scrum-half: I haven’t really played with any other scrum-halfs, so I’ll pick myself!

Prop: Sam Burgess.

He was a leader, it was unbelievable going into a Test with him – he brings so much passion.

Hooker: Paul McShane.

I’ve played with some really good hookers.

But Macca knows my game inside out and, when we played together, he made me look good.

Prop: James Graham.

A bit like Sam, brings so much passion to the side.

Second-row: Oliver Holmes.

Honestly, Oggy would be the first name on my teamsheet.

That might surprise a few people, he doesn’t get in many dream teams, but he is massively underrated.

I played left-edge with him and he is probably the best defender I have ever played with – barring none.

He’s an easy choice, because he made all my tackles for four years.

That’s why he’s getting in.

Second-row: Elliott Whitehead.

He is one of my best pals. I came through with him at Bradford.

And, to see how he has gone on and the impact he has made in the game in Australia, is unbelievable.

Loose-forward: John Bateman.

Another one where I had to choose between two players.

Adz Milner will kill me, but I’ve gone for John Bateman. I have played a few games for England with him and I saw him come through from a young age at Bradford.

He will be one of the best Englishmen ever to go over and play Australia to play, in my opinion.

Subs: Zak Hardaker, Adam Milner, Grant Millington, Jake Trueman.

Zak was unbelievable when I played with him. Adz is a real tough player and I don’t want him to kill me for leaving him out.

Millo doesn’t get the credit he deserves – he is one of the greatest overseas signings, especially for Castleford.

If the game’s close and you want someone to come on and create a bit of magic, young Truey’s your man. He’s a great player already and will only get better.