Here is my team of the tournament:-
15 - Matteo Minozzi (Italy) - Italy played exciting rugby, although ultimately ended every game in defeat, they were very close to beating the Scots in Rome on the final weekend. Minozzi typified the Italian flair, scoring 4 tries and making the most metres of any Italian. Notable mention - Rob Kearney, a solid performer, back to his best.
14 - Keith Earls (Ireland) - In a game increasingly played by muscular beasts, Earls somehow manages to hold his own, his solid defence and graft are often unsung and unseen but he was a solid performer for Ireland.
Notable mention - George North, didn't play enough games, but when he did was threatening.
13 - Huw Jones (Scotland) - Had Garry Ringrose played more he could well have made the team, as he was fantastic in his two performances. Huw Jones picked up from his last six nations, demonstrating his searing pace and ability to play on the shoulder. Jones had a stand out performance against England, and made the most breaks of any Scotsman.
Notable mention - Garry Ringrose, came back in looking like he had never been away.
12 - Hadleigh Parkes (Wales) - The Six Nations certainly didn't go as planned for Wales, and their team was never settled. However, there were bright sparks, and Parkes was the brightest of them all, making the most carries of any Welshman and beating 15 defenders.
Notable mention - Owen Farrell, anything England did well came through him.
11 - Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) - Stockdale was the outstanding winger of the tournament. His 7 tries scored in the tournament is a new record, and demonstrated his talents with a mixture of power, speed, finishing and intuition. Several other 11s in the tournament did well, Grosso and Thomas for France, May for England and Evans for Wales, but Stockdale was a cut above.
10 - Jonny Sexton (Ireland) - The Grand Slam for Ireland was almost halted at the first hurdle. His place kicking was poor for much of the tournament (7 missed kicks), but when it matters Sexton delivers, his drop goal leading Ireland to a crucial win against France. His creativity and understanding with Murray were the key cog in Ireland's success.
Notable mention - Tommaso Allan, almost lead Italy to victory v Scotland.
9 - Connor Murray (Ireland) - Mr Consistent, his box kicks consistently land in areas which challenge the defence. His passes are on point, he is the base around which the backs can play, and his partnership with Sexton helps Ireland thrive.
Notable mention - Gareth Davies, a lethal live wire especially close to the line.
8 - CJ Stander (Ireland) - The man is a workhorse, powering through carry after carry, that provides Ireland with go forward ball, and momentum, weakening the opposition defense. His 96 carries was by far and away the most in the tournament.
Notable mention - Sergio Parisse, not his best tournament but for a man who made his Six Nations debut 14 years ago, his consistency is outstanding.
7 - Yacouba Camara (France) - A new star in the back row for France, Camara was efficient and effective for France, carrying hard and maintaining a consistent standard, something the French are often maligned for not doing.
Notable mention - Josh Navidi, his impressive work rate helped reduce the impact of Sam Warburton's absence.
6 - John Barclay (Scotland) - As captain Barclay lead from the front, especially against England where his turnovers stripped England of precious possession and momentum. Scotland's pack was meant to be their weakness coming into the tournament, instead it was their loose attack, scuppering their chances by throwing game changing interceptions.
Notable mention - Aaron Shingler, incredibly effective in winning and stealing lineout ball, made himself a key platform for Wales to build off of. Negri of Italy was also impressive.
5 - Johnny Gray (Scotland) - He made 100 tackles in the tournament, averaging 20 a match, which underlines his huge workload. To maintain those standards match after match is very difficult at test level, but Gray has proved himself as a key leader in the Scottish pack.
Notable mention - Alun Wyn-Jones, always effective for Wales, dependable in every area of his game.
4 - James Ryan (Ireland) - The second row has never really been a worry for Ireland, from the beasts of O'Connell and O'Callaghan to most recent incumbents Toner and Henderson, it is not a place where they have been wanting. Which is why Ryan's performance has been so impressive making the place his own.
Notable mention - Iain Henderson, acting like an extra back rower, Henderson gives Ireland extra dynamism.
3 - Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - One of the most effective scrummagers in the world, but also showed his potency in the loose, with effective carries and offloads.
Notable mention - Rabah Slimani
2 - Guillem Guirado (France) - A hardworker, making the most amount of tackles of any French player and leading by example.
Notable mention - Rory Best, consistent performer and captain of the Grand Slam winners
1 - Cian Healy (Ireland) - He had his work cut out just keeping Jack McGrath out of the side. Healy was effective in the scrum, and made some big carries, particularly against Wales and France.
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