Six Nations Team of the Tournament

15. Delon Armitage
Has gone from strength to strength since the Autumn and his potency in attack gave England a real cutting edge from fullback. Excellent under the high ball and in terms of positioning. What a relief for Ian McGeechan that he has at least three quality international fullbacks at his disposal.
(Honourable mention: Rob Kearney)

14. Tommy Bowe
Lethal on the front foot, and defensively sound. Questions about his lack of pace appear to have disappeared as he scored the crucial try in Cardiff.
(Honourable mention: Maxime Medard)

13. Brian O’Driscoll
The talismanic captain made an extremely strong case for Player of the Season after putting in top notch performances week after week. Led by example and steered the ship well when his team was under pressure, scoring crucial points when they were needed.
(Honourable mention: Tom Shanklin)

12. Riki Flutey
Another who has gone from strength to strength since his first game in an England shirt. Joint top try scorer of the competition, Flutey was always a threat with ball in hand and was able to frighten defenders with his pace and dancing feet. Created a number of try scoring opportunities that England exploited.
(Honourable mention: Jamie Roberts)

11. Thom Evans
Added some much-needed pace to struggling Scottish backline, and kept opposition defences on their toes in every game. Unlucky not to score against England in the Calcutta Cup match, and has given himself a good chance of being named in the Lions squad.
(Honourable mention: Mark Cueto)

10. Stephen Jones
Jones is probably favourite to land the starting 10 shirt in South Africa. Although his final kick of the Grand Slam match fell agonisingly short, he ran the Welsh backline well and most shots at goal were on target throughout the competition.
(Honourable mentions: Ronan O’Gara and Toby Flood)

9. Tomas O’Leary
Not a wonderful tournament for scrum-halves, with Mike Blair and Mike Phillips woefully short of form and ability. O’Leary was the best of a poor bunch although will need to speed up his service.
(Honourable mentions: Harry Ellis and Morgan Parra)


1. Gethin Jenkins
The stand-out prop of the tournament was a defensive rock throughout, putting in a huge number of tackles all competition. Phenomenal work-rate and strength at scrum-time put him in pole position for the Lions Test number one jersey.
(Honourable mention: Fabien Barcella)

2. Lee Mears
Answered many of his critics and was excellent all competition, proving that you don’t have to be a 6 foot monster to be an international hooker. Outstanding throwing in at the lineout, great defense and ever-present in the loose where he never takes a step back.
(Honourable mention: Dimitri Szarzewski)

3. Adam Jones
Never took a step back at scrum time and defensively sound. In with a good chance of making the tour to South Africa.
(Honourable mention: John Hayes)

4. Alun-Wyn Jones
An athletic second row partner to Ian Gough who never lets his work-rate drop. Although disappointing in the final rounds of the competition, Jones has a bright future ahead of him. Joint top of the Six Nations tacklers (54) with Joe Worsley, excellent in the line-out and a monster at the breakdown.
(Honourable mention: Sebastien Chabal)

5. Paul O’Connell
A tower of strength who will surely be rewarded with the Lions captaincy. Gave masterclass after masterclass in the air at lineout time, not only securing his own ball, but stealing crucial opposition possession as well. Leadership qualities can’t be ignored and a more than decent ball-carrier.
(Honourable mention: Ian Gough)

6. Stephen Ferris
A tough call with Thierry Dusautoir playing out of his skin for France but Ferris has impressed all tournament. Tough, abrasive and dynamic, Ferris was committed in every contact situation but will be disappointed to have only lasted ten minutes in the final match.
(Honourable mention: Thierry Dusautoir)

7. Joe Worsley
Has had an outstanding tournament even from openside. Tackled his heart out since the Wales game onwards blunting many of England’s opponents in attack but also showing himself to be more of an attacking threat in the last couple of matches, with some good ball-carrying runs.
(Honourable mention: David Wallace)

8. Sergio Parisse
The standout number 8 in an otherwise hopeless team, would be a Lions certainty if only he qualified. A wonderful ball carrier with no shortage of skill, guile or pace. Offloads, gainline breaking runs and fierce tackling; if only Italy had fifteen of him.
(Honourable mention: Jamie Heaslip)