Six Nations 2015: Team of the Tournament

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
One of Europe’s finest counter attackers, made more carries (63), more metres (442) and beat more defenders (18) than any other player in the tournament. Scotland’s stand out performer. Defended brilliantly, especially against England, and inspired Scotland to attack with ambition every time he laid hands on the ball. Mike Brown narrowly missed out.

14. Yoann Huget (France)
The winger played every minute of France’s five matches and always looked threatening. Used his brilliant footwork and rapid acceleration to unlock defences and scored an superb solo try against Wales, only to see it disallowed. George North left it too late.

13. Jonathan Joseph (England)
One of the easier choices. The Bath centre has been a revelation in the England midfield. Ireland were the only team that managed to close him down quickly enough, the rest gave him a few metres and paid the price. Used his searing speed and mesmerizing footwork to ghost through defensive lines with ease. Started the tournament with a scintillating showing against Wales, where he eluded every man in a red shirt and finished it as top try scorer, with four.

12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Not the obvious choice, and most might have understandably opted for Jamie Roberts. But Henshaw was immense in the Irish midfield. The Connacht centre was direct and forceful in every game, he stopped opposing players in their tracks – including Roberts – and completed more tackles than any other Irishman. Made the most carries in a green shirt and when he wasn’t smashing his way over the gain line he was intricately linking up with Sexton and the other Irish backs. The former Gaelic footballer was also excellent in the air, as he showed against England when he rose above Alex Goode to collect and score.

11. Liam Williams (Wales)
Wales look so much more dangerous with Williams prowling in the backfield. He was always authoritative in the air and adventurous on the floor. Used his blistering acceleration to set up Rhys Webb against Scotland and reduce the Italian defence to rubble in Rome. Some Welsh fans are even calling for him to start ahead of Leigh Halfpenny at 15, and that is a true testament to his abilities.

10. Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
George Ford was exciting and exuberant but Sexton remains extremely influential, and at times infallible. Always on the same wavelength as his coach, kicking with clarity and accuracy, he orchestrated almost every Irish attack. Against Italy and in the closing stages of the England match, Ireland struggled without him and after the latter, Joe Schmidt even admitted that his side are over-reliant on Sexton at times.

9. Ben Youngs (England)
Rhys Webb and Conor Murrary both deserve to be included, but Youngs was simply on another level. He led every English advance with pace and purpose and set the tempo in each of England’s victories. Harried defences with an unrelenting sense of urgency, skipped past fringe defenders at will and scored three tries in the process. Provided Ford with the front-foot ball that allowed him to flourish.

1. Eddy Ben Arous (France)
The French loose-head plays at times like an extra back-rower. Solid in the scrum and as Wales discovered, once he gets over the ball, he is immovable. Joe Marler and Alasdair Dickenson were also in contention.

2. Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy)
He was chosen to lead Italy out against Wales and was the only Italian who did not give in when Wales ran riot. Next to Parisse, Ghiraldini is one of Italy’s most consistent performers. Despite losing four games, Ghiraldini was never outmuscled or overshadowed by his opposite man. He eventually lost his nerve at the lineout against Wales, but before then, the Azzurri’s most effective attacking weapon, the rolling maul, relied on his accurate arrows.

3. Mike Ross (Ireland)
Ross came into the tournament as a tenant of the Leinster bench after he was dropped for Marty Moore. But Schmidt chose to stick with his front row stalwart and was rewarded for his loyalty. Ross was the cornerstone of the Ireland scrum throughout the tournament and his biggest achievement came against England. When the Irish scrum was expected to crumble, Ross was imperious and he came out on top against Joe Marler. Dan Cole deserves a mention too.

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
Imposed himself on every breakdown he touched, led the Welsh defensive line with speed and vigour and was a towering presence at the Welsh line out out. He was central to Wales’ resurgence and is widely regarded as one of the best locks in the world.

5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
He just won’t quit. With each year that passes, O’Connell’s speed and strength may dwindle but his desire never does. The Irish may have called upon Sexton for ideas but they always looked to O’Connell for leadership. Ireland dominated the breakdown in every game they played and that is because O’Connell demands a high level of intensity from his forwards and leads by example. He showed exceptional athleticism against Wales with several clean breaks and became Ireland’s oldest captain and try scorer against Scotland.

6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
Dan Lydiate showed there is more to him than tackling this championship, but the Irishman O’Mahony was once again outstanding. He fought like a dog for absolutely everything and was usually first to the breakdown. His tireless work is easily overlooked by fans, but is admired by his teammates and despised by the opposition.

7. Sam Warbuton (Wales)
Chris Robshaw is a strong contender and both men proved that they are excellent leaders and tenacious tacklers. But Warburton showcased all of his abilities throughout the tournament, from his athletic and aggressive defending against Ireland to his explosive speed on the surface of the Stadio Olimipco. He was relentless in defence and at the breakdown.

8. Billy Vunipola (England)
The first name down on this team sheet. After a shaky autumn series, Billy is back to his brutal best in an England shirt. He improved in every game he played in and became more physical and formidable with every minute that passed. Rounded off the competition with a world-class performance against France. Made more carries than any other Englishmen and never took a backward step.

By Nathan Hyde (@NathanHyde2)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images