Our Six Nations Team Of The Tournament

After seven long weeks of rugby the Six Nations is finally over.

It’s been a strange tournament, with no team really able to consistently put in good performances. England emerged victorious in the end, but can count themselves very lucky with last gasp victories over France and Wales.

That being said, no other team really took the mantle and challenged them. Ireland had a chance, as did Scotland but it was Eddie Jones’ men who prevailed in the end. There was however, some excellent individual performances throughout and that brings us to our team of the tournament…

RugbyLAD Six Nations Team of the Tournament.

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Didn’t finishe the tournament as well as he started it, but overall comfortably slots in ahead of the likes of Mike Brown and Leigh Halfpenny. Always a threat going forward, nailed on as a starter for the Lions.

14. Keith Earls (Ireland)
Despite not being full fit throughout the tournament was Ireland’s most consistent and threatening back. Could be a surprise Lions pick next month just as he was in 2009.

13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
To think this lad was playing in his first Six Nations and is still just 22 years of age is incredible. Recovered brilliantly after a poor defensive showing against Scotland and just seemed to get better as each game went on. Jonathan Davies and Jonathan Joseph also get a mention here but the Irishman gets the nod.

12. Owen Farrell (England)
Not his best tournament, but just goes to show how good he really is to still make the team. Immense against Scotland and against Wales at times, but kept quiet against Italy and Ireland. Just edges out Fickou.

11. Elliot Daly (England)
Jones’ decision to play the versatile back on the wing has really paid off. Lighting quick and a deadly finisher. Could very well start in the wing for the Lions this summer.

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
A number of MOTM performances have cast Russell straight into Lions contention. Should travel along with Sexton who had two really good games out of the three he played.

9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
Missed the England game and left the field early against Wales but started the tournament really well. A world-class performance against France, just edges out Rhys Webb.

1. Cyril Baille (France)
A lot of competition here with the likes of Joe Marler and Jack McGrath but the Frenchman was consistently the best loosehead in the tournament and part of a front row that wreaked havoc.

2. Ken Owens (Wales)
Owens posted the highest lineout accuracy of the tournament, with Dylan Hartley and Fraser Brown trailing in second and third. A really consistent seven weeks sees the Welshman now right in the mix for the Lions.

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Another man making his Six Nations debut and you would never have guessed. Consistent week in, week out, leaving everything on the pitch. Slimani of France gets a mention here for his awesome scrummaging, but the Wexford man gets the nod.

4. Joe Launchbury (England)
The Wasps lock was in stunning form the whole way through. From forgotten man, to probable Lions tourist. Really took his chance.

5. Donnacha Ryan (Ireland)
Enjoying his best season since he became a professional, the Munster lock was dropped for the game against Scotland and what a mistake that was. A man possessed against England and another wildcard for the Lions. Just edges out Courtney Lawes and Jonny Gray.

6. CJ Stander (Ireland)
Became the first forward to score a hat-trick in the Six Nations and smashed the record for carries in the tournament with 104. A human wrecking ball that will no doubt tour with the Lions this summer.

7. Kevin Gourdon (France)
The La Rochelle back-row is playing the best rugby of his career at 27. Only got called up to the French team last year but what a talent. Always finds space and made some stunning breaks.

8. Louis Picamoles (France)
Another human wrecking ball. Consistently brilliant throughout, his performance against England is one of the best we’ve ever seen in Six Nations history.