And so it is, just like you said it would be…
The 2015 Six Nations is over and its climax will long live in the memory. Ireland are the champions, again, and many of their players have confirmed their world-class status. Others stepped up when needed and there were more than a few players making last dashes for glory.
After much pen chewing and mulling, here is the SportsJOE Team of the Six Nations.
15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
A superb counter-attacking threat and his country’s best player. A menace in broken play as Ireland almost found out. Mike Brown showed just how good he was when he returned for the Scotland and France victories.
14. Anthony Watson (England)
Started the tournament on fire. Doused by the Irish defence in Dublin but rebounded well. Good attacking championships for Yoann Huget and Tommy Bowe but both were guilty of costly defensive lapses.
13. Jonathan Joseph (England)
Another player than found it tough against Ireland but shone in the other four matches. So hard to take down and a steely glint when he nears the tryline. Luca Morisi did well for Italy and Jared Payne finished the championship well.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
No long a rising star. A star. Simple as. Solid ball carries and defence in the opening matches, superb against England. Quiet against Wales but came to the fore in Edinburgh. Future may yet be in the 13 jersey.
11. Liam Williams (Wales)
Came in for Alex Cuthbert and did a great job for his team; showing unheard of maturity too. Simon Zebo can feel hard done by, after he was dropped for the final match.
10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Three excellent games, two of which were at the top of the spectrum [England and France]. Caused us jitters with goal-kicking in the second half against the Scots but rediscovered his nerve. Best ball-playing 10 in the championship but George Ford and Dan Biggar not too far behind.
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
Harried by the Welsh but unflappable in four other outings. Scored a crucial try against Italy, kicked out of hand brilliantly and showed he could run a backline at Murrayfield. Rhys Webb was very, very good for Wales.
1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)
Targeted by every front row that he faced but came out smelling of lilies. Tigerish in open play. Dropped for Cian Healy’s ball-carrying impact but a real loose-head option at RWC 2015. Joe Marler can be very satisfied with his Six Nations.
2. Guilhem Guirado (France)
Scott Baldwin of Wales was on the list until Guirado pulled out this offload to Maxime Mermoz at Twickenham:
Added to that, his throwing was solid and he has proved a handy heir to Dimitri Szarzewski’s No.2 jersey.
3. Dan Cole (England)
The English front row was solid throughout the championship and Cole was a big reason why. Tackled like a demon in Cardiff and enjoyed himself in the helter-skelter of England France.
4. Luke Charteris (Wales)
Almost makes the list for his 37 tackles alone in the win over Ireland but his all-round impact was impressive. Has secured his World Cup place in the Welsh second row.
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
Led from the front in every single Irish match. Went about his work diligently in the opening rounds but grew in stature for the final three matches. Scored the nerve-settling try against Scotland.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
Came of age in Six Nations 2014 and enhanced his reputation in this year’s championship. Slowed up opposition ball and threw himself into defensive work, freeing up his back-row colleagues around the pitch.
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
This is an extremely close call with Chris Robshaw but Warburton’s form in the last two matches edges him ahead. Was an inspiration against Scotland, then Ireland (30 tackles), and cut loose against the Italians.
8. Toby Faletau (Wales)
One of the only Welsh players to emerge with credit from the England defeat and he only got better after that. Jamie Heaslip’s championship was hindered by injury but he saved Irish bacon at the death in Murrayfield.
