Six Nations - Team of the Tournament

Six Nations done, Rucked Over has had some fun and picked our team of the tournament – who would you change?

 

1.  Gethin Jenkins.  The Welsh loosehead’s return to form went hand in hand with a reversal in the Welsh side’s fortunes – he’s that critical to this team.  Destructive in the set piece and the loose, he held off the challenges of the scrum-master Thomas Domingo, and the powerful Cian Healy – who was a real threat when he wasn’t stamping on people.

Runners up:  Thomas Domingo, Cian Healy

 

2.  Leonardo Ghiraldini.  The Italian hooker has had a great tournament, looking after a generally solid lineout and charging around the park like a man possessed.  Richard Hibbard and Tom Youngs were both mightily impressive in open play but their throwing wobbled on occasion.

Runners up:  Richard Hibbard, Tom Youngs.

 

3.  Nicholas Mas.  An odd one because the French prop has been consistently good without being spectacular – doing a strong shift in the scrum and carrying a fair bit too.  Adam Jones finished brilliantly but started very average, whilst almost the opposite could be said for Dan Cole – they both shone brighter on occasion but couldn’t match Mas’ consistency.

Runners up:  Adam Jones, Dan Cole.

 

4.  Jim Hamilton.  I’m generally critical of him because I always think a bloke his size could be even more destructive, but what do I know?  Behind some extremely resilient performances and was especially important against Ireland when the backs were to the wall.  He holds off the slightly more mobile challenges of Mike McCarthy and Joe Launchbury.

Runners up:  Mike McCarthy, Joe Launchbury

 

5.  Geoff Parling .  Parling has grown into a leader and stalwart of the England side.  He’ll be disappointed that the lineout wasn’t always perfect but his work in defence and the carries he made put him at the forefront of anything good the English pack did.  Alun Wyn Jones only returned for the last 2 games but was a colossal presence whilst Donnacha Ryan was abrasive in the close exchanges for the Irish.

Runners up:  Alun Wyn Jones, Donnacha Ryan.

 

6.  Ryan Jones.  Nothing spectacular but a lot of graft.  It’s a shame he missed the final game because he was excellent in the middle three games, where he led Wales to their recovery through intelligent leadership and shear hard work.  Alessandro Zanni enjoyed an outstanding end to the tournament whilst Sean O’Brien, whilst playing 7, performed a 6s job well enough with a huge amount of trademark carries.

Runners up:  Alessandro Zanni, Sean O’Brien

 

7.  Chris Robshaw. England’s star player, the flanker could have been man of the match in the opening three games and still showed up well in their defeat in Cardiff.  A tireless worker who was constantly a rallying point for his side.  Justin Tipuric deserves a mention for his virtuoso display against England, whilst Kelly Brown was outstanding in defence for Scotland.

Runners up:  Justin Tipuric, Kelly Brown

 

8.  Sergio Parisse.  The Italian number 8 was a force of nature and a one man team at times.  A shame he was banned for the game against Wales, but his power and offloading skills were a key asset to the Italian game plan and was an inspirational figure throughout.  He was pushed hard by Louis Picamoles, who enjoyed a standout tournament despite playing in a chaotic French pack, whilst Johnnie Beattie was a defensive rock for Scotland in addition to showing the odd flashes of brilliance with the ball in hand.

Runners up:  Louis Picamoles, Johnnie Beattie

 

9.  Greg Laidlaw.  A mixed bag for the scrum halves, but only Greg Laidlaw showed any form of consistency.  The Scottish 9 was superb of the tee and tactically astute, and he holds off the challenge of Mike Phillips, who finished the tournament superbly after being average and Ben Youngs, who started it superbly before being average.

Runners up:  Mike Phillips, Ben Youngs

 

10.  Luciano Orquera.  I can’t not pick Luciano.  Who’d have expected it before the tournament?  The diminutive 10 put in fantastic displays against France, England and Ireland to guide Italy to some decent results, demonstrating a fantastically cultured group in the process.  Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar were both solid in the main, with the odd flash of inspiration thrown in.

Runners Up:  Owen Farrell, Dan Biggar

 

11.  George North.  In a lean tournament for wingers, North still strikes me as one of the most dangerous runners around.  His ability to consistently beat men with his footwork, power and speed is sensational – if only he could get his hands on the ball more.  Mike Brown also put in a good shift considering he was out of position and Luke McLean was a solid and intelligent option for Italy.

Runners up:  Mike Brown, Luke McLean

                                           

12. Wesley Fofana.  After playing the first two games on the wing, Fofana was finally moved to centre and there he showed what he could do, scoring a stunning individual try against England.  His footwork and ability to spot a gap are just superb.  Elsewhere, Brad Barritt was the usual impenetrable defensive barrier he is for England, whilst Matt Scott showed some nice touches for Scotland on the rare occasion he got the ball.

Runners up:  Brad Barritt, Matt Scott

 

13.  Manu Tuilagi.  A difficult tournament for outside centres.  All of them seem to have played one great game and one awful one, but I think Tuilagi just edges it because of his impact against France where he walked all over the mighty Bastareaud.  There were also occasionally strong showings from Bastareaud himself and the legend that is Brian O’Driscoll, especially against Wales.

Runners up:  Brian O’Driscoll, Mathieu Bastareaud.

 

14.  Alex Cuthbert.  I’ve had my doubts about his intelligence and defensive abilities but there is simply no substitute for speed and finishing ability, and he showed these – in particular against England.  He’s built like an Ox and knows how to pick a line too.  Young Craig Gilroy also showed he ha s a poacher’s instinct for Ireland, whilst Giovanbattista Venditti was a powerful presence for the Italians.

Runners up:  Craig Gilroy, Giovanbattista Venditti

 

15.  Leigh Halfpenny.  In contrast to the wing, there was a wealth of quality here – probably because of all the kicking – but Halfpenny was almost flawless.  From his solidarity under the high ball to his high pressure kicks, he was simply fantastic.  Just beats the burgeoning talent of the electric Stuart Hogg to top spot, whilst Andrea Masi was superb for the Italians.

Runners up:  Stuart Hogg, Andrea Masi