6N: Team of the Tournament
Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:58
One of the best: French captain Thierry Dusautoir
Here it is, the moment of truth. Yes, it is indeed rugby365.com's highly acclaimed Six Nations Team of the Tournament.
After much thought and plenty of debate we have produced the 15 best players from the 2010 Six Nations tournament, as well as a player in each position we though was next best ... bubbling under.
As was to be expected, our selection is dominated by the Grand Slam-winning Six Nations champions France - eight in all of them making it into our first XV and other four bubbling under.
Our starting XV, apart from the eight Frenchmen, features four Irish players, two Welshmen and an Italian.
The four French players in our back-up squad are joined by four Scotsmen, three Irish players, two Welshmen, along with one each from England and Italy.
rugby365.com Team of the Tournament:
15 - Clement Poitrenaud (France):
He has discovered a much needed
consistency and is a more composed figure these days.
Bubbling under: Lee Byrne (Wales)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ireland):
He has finally lived up to the early promise he showed, having overcome that big dip in form with a series of error-strewn displays.
Bubbling under: Marc Andreu (France)
13 - James Hook (Wales):
The classy flyhalf's move to outside centre has re-ignited his career - having spent some time behind Stephen Jones, Warren Gatland's first-choice No.10.
Bubbling under: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12 - Yannick Jauzion (France):
He has now established himself as one of the best inside centres in the world and he simply oozes class. An intelligent runner with good hands and the ability to pick running lines to open up any defence.
Bubbling under: Graeme Morrison (Scotland)
11 - Keith Earls
(Ireland):
Having, at the start of the season, been regarded as one of the rising stars of Irish rugby, the Munster centre has firmly established himself as one of the game's most devastating finishers.
Bubbling under: Shane Williams (Wales)
10 - Francois Trinh-Duc (France):
In the past struggled to nail down a regular starting slot, but this year confirmed his undoubted potential. Also silenced the critics that questioned his temperament.
Bubbling under: Dan Parks (Scotland)
9 - Morgan Parra (France):
Having showed signs of promise in an inconsistent side in previous years, and the 'victim' of an erratic selection policy, he has now established himself as a player with a sound service and a good kicking game.
Bubbling under: Tomas O'Leary (Ireland)
8 - Imanol Harinordoquy (France):
Without doubt one of the best back
row players around, playing a key role in France winning the Grand Slam.
Bubbling under: Johnnie Beattie (Scotland)
7 - David Wallace (Ireland):
This powerful and rapid openside flank has been Ireland's first choice for the No.7 for years. Without peer in this series.
Bubbling under: Julien Bonnaire (France)
6 - Thierry Dusautoir (France):
One of the top performers since the 2007 World Cup and has a fantastic blend of athleticism and an ability to read the game.
Bubbling under: Stephen Ferris (Ireland)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Ireland):
The talismanic lock has been at the forefront of Ireland's success in recent years and without doubt one of the best in his position in the world.
Bubbling under: Steve Borthwick (England)
4 - Lionel Nallet (France, captain):
He faced regular
questioning over his abilities, but he is a tough competitor and a solid option in the line-out. A Grand Slam is enough evidence that he has the credentials and we even make him our captain.
Bubbling under: Alastair Kellock (Scotland)
3 - Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy):
Castrogiovanni has been an ever-present in the Italian side for the best part of the last decade. Apart from his obvious set-piece work, he has an amazing good try-scoring record.
Bubbling under: Nicolas Mas (France)
2 - William Servat (France):
Recalled after a lengthy absence, following the retirement of Raphael Ibanez, he has reduced Dimitri Szarzewski to mainly bench duty.
Bubbling under: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy)
1 - Gethin Jenkins (Wales):
He has been at his very best this season, with an exceptional high work-rate being supplemented by his destructive
tackling ability.
Bubbling under: Thomas Domingo (France)
Our individual selections:
Timmy Hancox XV: 15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 James Hook, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Dan Parks, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 David Wallace, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Steve Borthwick, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 William Servat, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Len Kaplan XV: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 James Hook, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Paul Dobson XV: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Martín Castrogiovanni, 2 William Servat, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Jan de Koning XV: 15 Clément Poitrenaud, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 David Marty, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 David Wallace, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Martín Castrogiovanni, 2 William Servat, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
