From Stuart Hogg to Alun Wyn Jones - Six Nations team of the tournament
The Guinness Six Nations was once again highlighted by memorable individual performances as the title race went down to being decided on a Friday night in Paris, with France’s defeat handing the championship to Wales.
Here, the PA news agency picks a team of the tournament, captained by Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones.
15: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Scotland captain Hogg scored two tries against Wales and was consistently his team’s most potent attacking threat. A match-winning talent with an ability to deliver special moments.
14: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Made a stunning impact in his first Six Nations tournament, scoring four touchdowns, including a double against Scotland. At just 20 years old, he is pure box-office.
13: George North (Wales)
Switched from wing to centre by Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, and it proved a masterful decision as North excelled. Reached 100 caps for his country, and was a towering figure in attack and defence.
12: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
A model of consistency in Ireland’s midfield, his bone-crunching defensive work and ability to put others into space proved key ingredients for his team. Must be nailed on for the British and Irish Lions this summer.
11: Anthony Watson (England)
Bath back Watson shone in an England back division that did not rip up many trees during the Six Nations. So consistent in everything he does, scored four tries and looks a Lions certainty.
10: Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Ireland captain Sexton will be 36 in July and is one game away from 100 caps for his country. He remains a master tactician who pulled the strings majestically in the victory over England. World-class.
9: Antoine Dupont (France)
Last season’s Six Nations player of the tournament reached similar levels this time around, scoring tries and creating havoc for opposition defences through his devastating running lines. Brilliant player.
1: Wyn Jones (Wales)
They say that international props mature like a fine wine, and in his 30th year, Wales loosehead Jones confirms that theory. His set-piece work was outstanding, helping to give Wales a solid foundation. Lions certainty.
2: Ken Owens (Wales)
Hooker Owens was injured for the Autumn Nations Cup campaign earlier this season, and how Wales missed him. A combative presence in the tight and loose, and a natural experienced leader, he ticks every box.
3: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Tighthead prop Furlong looked back to his best when Ireland dismissed England, leading a dominant display by the Irish scrum. Also makes a considerable impact in the loose, and a second Lions tour beckons.
4: Maro Itoje (England)
Discipline was an issue, particularly against Wales when the Saracens lock conceded five penalties, but his overall qualities cannot be ignored. Pound for pound, one of the world’s best players who will roar with the Lions.
5: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Wales’ captain marvel continues to perform outstandingly at the highest level. With a remarkable 157 Test match appearances to his name for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, and sustained world-class form, he looks a Lions leader as skipper against South Africa this summer.
6: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Topped the possession turnover chart in this season’s Six Nations with 10 – four more than any other player – and was third on the lineout list with 13 takes. Comfortable in the second-row and back-row, his work-rate is frightening.
7: Charles Ollivon (France)
Faced stiff competition from rival sevens Tom Curry and Justin Tipuric, but the France captain shades it. Top ball-winner in the lineouts, a superb leader and all-action dynamo, there is little not to like.
8: Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Made 77 tackles and 66 carries during a Six Nations to remember for the Wales number eight. Back to his blistering best following a number of injury problems, he is not only a Lions certainty, but for the Test team as well.
Replacements: 16 – Julien Marchand (France), 17 – Cyril Baille (France), 18 – Kyle Sinckler (England), 19 – Iain Henderson (Ireland), 20 – Tom Curry (England), 21 – Conor Murray (Ireland), 22 – Dan Biggar (Wales), 23 – Gael Fickou (France).
Comments on RugbyPass
Like others, I am not seeing the connection between this edition of the Crusaders and the All Blacks future prospects under Razor. I think the analysis of the Crusaders attack recently is helpful because Razor and his coaching team used to be able to slot new guys in to their systems and see them succeed. Several of Razor’s coaches are still there so it would be surprising if the current attack and set piece has been overhauled to a great extent - but based on that analysis, it may have been. Whether it is too many new guys due to injuries or retirement or a failure of current Crusaders systems is the main question to be answered imo. It doesn’t seem relevant for the ABs.
3 Go to commentsharry potter is set in stone. he creates stability and finishes well. exactly what schmidt likes. he’s the ben smith of australian rugby. i think it could quite easily be potter toole and kellaway for the foreseeable future.
5 Go to commentsThis is short sighted from Clayton if you ask me, smacks of too much preseason planning and no adaptability. What if DMac is out for a must win match, are they still only going to bring their best first five and playmaker on late in the game? Trusting the game to someone who wasn’t even part of planning (they would have had Trask pinned in as Jacomb preseason). Perhaps if the Crusaders were better they would not have done this, but either way imo you take this opportunity to play a guy you might need starting in a final rather than having their 12th game getting comfortable coming off the bench.
1 Go to commentsThanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.
21 Go to commentsWhat a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
3 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
5 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
7 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to comments