Six Nations - as we enter the last week of the Six Nations tournament its time to review performances of the players.

There was much controversy this week on Twitter with the announcement of the Six Nations Top Player vote which was restricted to only those who had received Six Nations Man of the Match Awards. As a result many names which have broken through during this campaign were notable absentees.

In a year that saw Wales break the jinx of their record at Twickenham, a match called off just minutes before kick-off for a frozen pitch which might have broken bones and Scotland breaking records and the hearts of their fans as they failed to win, I decided to pick my Six Nations starting 15.

 

A Celtic Six Nations team in the main, it reflects the strength of these countries not least the Welsh who took the triple Crown and stand on the brink of a Grand Slam. Just the ever unpredictable French stand between them and history. George North at only 19 has powered his way onto the scene to cement his place after the recent retirement of Welsh winger, Shane Williams.

The Irish promise much and team spirit shines through in this Six Nations. Brian O’Driscoll has been absent for all the matches as expected and his flair has been missed but the team have rallied and its given new players a chance to take on the mantel. A close match against Wales, a false start (no start) against the French only to draw when well ahead saw them rally to beat the Scots and Italians. As with the Rugby World Cup we hoped for better and I expect next year to see this Irish Team take on the Welsh and win.

Scotland have all the Six Nations stats behind them, except number of tries scored. This inability to  convert possession into points continues to plague the blues. Good young players in Denton and Ritchie made my 15 and with Ross Rennie, who shows a turn of pace which may just make the difference, Scotland surely must come good soon.

Despite England’s untried line up, the new blood has shown team spirit in this Six Nations and some skill to carve out victories, losing only narrowly and controversially to the Welsh so far. Owen Farrell could easily have made my 15 and in the year Wilkinson announced his retirement surely his successor to the England no 10 is ready to go.

No Italians, despite their continued improvement in the Six Nations and my old friend Martin Castrogiovanni’s miraculous return from injury to play in the final match. Sergio Parisse is always, a standout leader for the Italians.

And Les Bleus? No under soil heating, no players revolt (yet) and no direction on the pitch but with small glimmers in Six Nations matches they continue to defy the odds and win (or draw) where all hope seemed lost.

So here are the names which made my Six Nations 15. Think you can do better? Tweet me @LineoutCoach

 

Six Nations Forwards

 

1 – Cian Healy  

Immensely powerful scrummager and always prevalent in the loose. Getting better each Six Nations.

 

2 – Rory Best 

Promoted to Captain of Ireland after Paul O’Connells injury. Leads by example and is technically very sound. Scored 2 tries in this Six Nations so far.

 

3 – Dan Cole

Cole is a protégé of English and Leicester Tigers legend, Graham Rowntree. For years Rowntree has worked closely with Dan Cole, teaching him about the technique and nuances of the position of prop. Cole has obviously been a willing student and is turning into one of the best tight head props in world rugby.

 

4 – Paul O’Connell

Captained Ireland in the absence of Brian O’Driscoll in this Six Nations. Ireland are fortunate to have such experience and leadership to choose from. Both men have captained the British & Irish Lions. O’Connell is undoubtably one of the greatest second rows in world rugby. Has been very unfortunate with so many injuries in recent years and miss out on Six Nations appearances.

 

5 – Richie Gray

Scotland’s standout player in the 2012 Six Nations. Gray is incredibly athletic and mobile for a second row. Gray has a big future in the game. Scored one of the best tries of the Six Nations tournament.

 

6 – Dan Lydiate

Immense in defense for Wales. Wales boast the best defensive statistic for the Six Nations tournament and Lydiate is one of the main reasons for that. He never stops tackling and works incredibly hard around the contact area.

 

7 – Tom Croft

One of the fastest back rows players in world rugby. Croft provides England with mobility, speed and a fantastic lineout option. Croft displayed his lightning speed against France by scoring the game winning try.

 

8 – David Denton

Denton has burst onto the international scene with some very impressive performances in this year’s Six Nations. Denton is a powerful ball carrier and one of Scotland’s outstanding forwards.

 

 

Six Nations Backs

 

9 – Mike Phillips

Everything you want from a scrum half, quick, abrasive and a leader.

 

10 – Johnny Sexton 

I played a lot of rugby with Johnny at school and at club level. It has been fantastic to watch him grow into the position of starting No. 10 for Ireland. I firmly believe that Sexton’s best years are still ahead of him and that he will be a future British & Irish Lions out half.

 

11 – Tommy Bowe

The Monaghan winger returns home to his native Ulster next season and is a fantastic signing for the Province. Bowe is a lethal finisher and leads this year’s 6 Nations Top Try Scorer’s table with 5 tries.

 

12 – Wesley Fofana 

Moves from Centre to Wing for the final weekend of 6 Nations Rugby. Fofana has scored in every one of France’s games in this year’s tournament and will be looking to continue that fantastic try scoring run against Wales.

 

13 – Manu Tuilagi

Tuilagi is a phenomenal rugby player. From the time he was in Leicester Tigers’ academy, he has always stood out. Now, at 21 years old,  Tuilagi is continuing to stand out in this year’s Six Nations Tournament. It is uncommon for any rugby player to possess such an imposing pyhsical stature while also possessing incredible speed. Tuilagi demonstrated his lightning acceleration as he raced away to score a long ranch try against France. I imagine that Manu’s name is already on the starting team sheet for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour.

 

14 – George North

At only 19 years of age, North’s power, pace and size defy his age. He is a lethal ball carrier and quality finisher to boot. George North is another one of Wales’ emerging superstars.  

 

15 – Leigh Halfpenny

Confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson is his kicking inspiration last week after coolly slotting home the game winning kick against Ireland in Dublin. Halfpenny admits to having sleepless nights after missing that difficult kick at goal against France in the last few moments of the Rugby World Cup semi final. Halfpenny has put those demons to rest and looks like one of Wales’ Six Nations standout players.

 

So that was the Six Nations 2012, lets see what 2013 has in store.

Gavin Hickie, The LineoutCoach, is a former Ireland, Leinster and Leicester rugby player now based in California and taking rugby to the USA. He writes for RugbyMag.com and other publications when not coaching for Belmont Shore and blogging on lineoutcoach.com