15: Stuart Hogg
Was always going forward even when Scotland weren’t, and his ability to influence a game regardless of how dominated his team are marks him out as a future legend of the game.
14: Yoann Huget
Played every minute of the French campaign. A sizeable chap who doesn’t rely on force alone, he oozed control and dependability throughout the campaign.
13: Jonathan Joseph
Seems to have made his name the first one on the team sheet – the England centre partnership debate is now who will partner him rather than looking for both centres.
12: Robbie Henshaw
A fantastic campaign, the highlight probably being killing England’s Grand Slam hopes in Dublin, he will be one to watch at the RWC later this year.
11: Anthony Watson
Admittedly the France game was a bit of a blip, but he showed his international pedigree by putting in a belter of a hit after missing his first three attempts at a tackle. He has cemented his place in the side and had a great campaign.
10: Jonathan Sexton
In a campaign where fly-halves were very much a talking point with every team, Sexton once again showed why he is the NH’s answer to Dan Carter as he controlled games with ease and assurance.
9: Rhys Webb
Bagged a few tries and was very much at the centre of Wales’ picking themselves up after the opening defeat. Nippy, determined and very clever, he is the unsung hero of a star-studded backline.
1: Joe Marler
Tackled his way into this side, playing like an extra flanker and winning scrums and penalties whenever England needed him to most.
2: Rory Best
A quiet but highly effective Six Nations for the veteran hooker, reliable and strong.
3: Dan Cole
A tough and uncompromising shift at the coal-face for the Leicester man.
4: Alun-Wyn Jones
Probably one of the best Second Rows of the 21st Century, he does it all and was always a rock for Wales.
5: Paul O’Connell
Needs no real qualification, was described by his boss as a man who “doesn’t know when to quit”.
6: Dan Lydiate
An unsung hero of Wales’ campaign, there is nothing so useful as a man who can completely take the momentum out of any opposition attack.
7: Sam Warburton
While Chris Robshaw does deserve huge plaudits, this one is built on the baseline – Warburton’s first full campaign (if memory serves) and a stonking run against Italy showed his leadership is a very tangible thing.
8: Billy Vunipola
Could have been England’s man of the match in every game. A mammoth game against France capped off a tremendous campaign the Saracen.
The Subs Bench
16: Leonardo Ghiraldini
17: Martin Castrogiovanni
18: Mike Ross
19: Devin Toner
20: Chris Robshaw
21: Edouardo Gori
22: George Ford
23: Leigh Halfpenny
Filed under:
Six Nations, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales
Written by: Peter Randall
Follow: @uxbridgewolf · @therugbymag
