ARGENTINA 2005

Mario Ledesma was the unsung hero inspiring young players across the world

- Joe Robinson

WE'VE ALL got that player or two that holds a special place in our heart, writes Joe Robinson. They may not be the best rugby player but they will have done something early in your rugby journey that will have imprinted onto the consciousness and created a lasting impact.

So much so that they remain elevated above many others to come later in life, regardless of talent or achievements. Deputy editor Josh Graham was a small flanker growing up, so gravitated towards Neil Back, regardless of how disliked he might be in the province of Munster.

For me, within minutes of my first training session at Bexley RFC aged ten, I was told I would be playing in the front row. Not through choice but by grace of my portly appearance. It meant that any ambitions I had of following in the footsteps of my first love, Jonny Wilkinson, were all but crushed.