6 Nations - Team of the Tournament

by **George Carlin** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 7:08 am

Time to take my life and my testicles in my hands and have a go at this.

My Gaff, My Rules:
- 23 players please.
- Players picked in the positions they played in the most.
- You can't criticise someone else's team without also stating your own.
- Emphasis should be on players who have been strongest throughout the tournament as a whole.
- Picking a player on the back of one superlative performance only will need to be justified.
- Any player sitting out one or more games will obviously be at a disadvantage.

Trying hard to be objective, I would go with something like:

01 Jack McGrath (Ireland)
02 Guilhem Guirado (France)
03 Willem Nel (Scotland)
04 Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) (captain)
05 George Kruis (England)
06 CJ Stander (Ireland)
07 John Hardie (Scotland)
08 Billy Vunipola (England)

09 Gareth Davies (Wales)
10 Dan Biggar (Wales)
11 Jack Nowell (England)
12 Jamie Roberts (Wales)
13 Jonathan Joseph (England)
14 George North (Wales)
15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

16 Alasdair Dickinson (Scotland)
17 Dylan Hartley (England)
18 Samson Lee (Wales)
19 Maro Itoje (England)
20 Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
21 Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
22 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
23 Antony Watson (England)

Players it was particularly difficult to leave out:
Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
Mike Brown (England)
Damien Chouly (France)
Sean Cronin (Ireland)
Connor Murray (Ireland)
Jonny Gray (Scotland)
Carlo Canna (Italy)
Virimi Vakatawa (France)

Be polite, now.

by Pot Hale Sat 19 Mar 2016, 7:16 am

Could you make another of your rules that you can only pick players in the position they've actually played in during the tournament?

Why did you not pick Farrell at 12?

by aucklandlaurie Sat 19 Mar 2016, 7:20 am

Umm ..George who's your captain?

by **George Carlin** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 7:23 am

aucklandlaurie wrote:
Umm ..George who's your captain?

Me. I'm the captain now.

by **George Carlin** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 7:28 am

Pot Hale wrote:Could you make another of your rules that you can only pick players in the position they've actually played in during the tournament?

Why did you not pick Farrell at 12?

Fair point - OP amended.

by aucklandlaurie Sat 19 Mar 2016, 7:29 am

George Carlin wrote:
aucklandlaurie wrote:
Umm ..George who's your captain?
Me. I'm the captain now.

OK then, Just watch out for mutinies.

by Pot Hale Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:04 am

George Carlin wrote:
Pot Hale wrote:Could you make another of your rules that you can only pick players in the position they've actually played in during the tournament?

Why did you not pick Farrell at 12?
Fair point - OP amended.

Hmmm. So he's now not even in the category of players you found it difficult to leave out? Smile

by Recwatcher16 Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:23 am

Good team, but Robshaw far better than Stander and Sexton better than Biggar.
Undecided about scrum half.
Probably have Mako as LH sub for impact rather than Dickinson too.

Lions selection sorted then - Hartley for captain Cool

by **George Carlin** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:46 am

Pot Hale wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Pot Hale wrote:Could you make another of your rules that you can only pick players in the position they've actually played in during the tournament?

Why did you not pick Farrell at 12?
Fair point - OP amended.

Hmmm. So he's now not even in the category of players you found it difficult to leave out?

As an inside centre? Nah. My wife says that I can be fickle. Very Happy

by doctor_grey Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:01 am

George Carlin wrote:My wife says that I can be fickle.

Hmmm. She told me the same thing.....................

by RuggerRadge2611 Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:02 am

1. Dickinson - driving an international prop off his feet in a test match scrum was incredible.

2. Guiardo - the only light in a woefully insipid France team.

3. Nel - Part of a powerful Scottish front row who have been strong throughout.

4. J. Gray - Awesome

5. Itoje - See Above

6. CJ Stander - Powerful performances throughout the tournament.

7. Hardie - An easy choice

8. Vunipola - Again an easy choice, Faletau also has impressed.

9. Davis - Been a live wire all tournament.

10. Sexton - some great work, particularly against Italy.

11. North - had some great moments this year.

12. Taylor - 2 tries and a phenomenal defensive display thus far, particularly that wonder tackle against Wales.

13. Joseph - looks dangerous every time he gets the ball.

14. Seymour - a predator

15. Hogg - the form of his life.

Unlucky - Laidlaw, AW Jones, Hartley, Robshaw, Warburton, Roberts and Henshaw

by **George Carlin** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:10 am

doctor_grey wrote:
George Carlin wrote:My wife says that I can be fickle.
Hmmm. She told me the same thing.....................

by Pot Hale Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:27 am

01 Jack McGrath (Ireland)
02 Guilhem Guirado (France) Captain
03 Willem Nel (Scotland)
04 Devin Toner (Ireland)
05 George Kruis (England)
06 CJ Stander (Ireland)
07 John Hardie (Scotland)
08 Billy Vunipola (England)

09 Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)
10 Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
11 Jack Nowell (England)
12 Owen Farrell (England)
13 Michael Campagnaro (Italy)
14 Tommy Seymour (Scotland)
15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

16 Dan Cole (England)
17 Dylan Hartley (England)
18 Samson Lee (Wales)
19 Maro Itoje (England)
20 Sam Warburton (Wales)
21 Danny Care (England)
22 Dan Biggar (Wales)
23 Simon Zebo (Ireland)

Players difficult to leave out:
Mike Brown (England)
Sean Cronin (Ireland)
Conor Murray (Ireland)
Jonny Gray (Scotland)
Jamie Roberts (Wales)
Anthony Watson (England)
Alun WynJones (Wales)
Sergio Parisse (Italy)

Players it wasn't difficult to leave out:
Cian Healy (Ireland)
Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Nic White (Ireland)
Joe Marler (England)
Liam Williams (Wales)
Alex Cuthbert (Wales)
Ben Youngs (England)

by robbo277 Sat 19 Mar 2016, 3:18 pm

Dickinson, Guirado, Nel, Itoje, Kruis, Robshaw, Hardie, Vunipola.

Laidlaw, Biggar, North, Henshaw, Taylor, Watson, Hogg.

Hartley, Evans, Cole, J Gray, Parisse, Youngs, Sexton, Nowell.

by True Raven Sat 19 Mar 2016, 5:16 pm

Back three for me is north, Hogg and Watson which also looks like a pretty tasty young lions back three next year

by **RiscaGame** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 5:24 pm

Agree TR. Serious wheels then.

by bedfordwelsh Sat 19 Mar 2016, 5:25 pm

01 Rob Evans (Wales)
02 Guilhem Guirado (France)
03 Willem Nel (Scotland)
04 Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) (captain)
05 George Kruis (England)
06 CJ Stander (Ireland)
07 John Hardie (Scotland)
08 Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

09 Greg Laidlaw (Scotland)
10 Dan Biggar (Wales)
11 Anthony Watson (England)
12 Owen Farrell (England)
13 Jonathan Joseph (England)
14 George North (Wales)
15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

16 Alasdair Dickinson (Scotland)
17 Dylan Hartley (England)
18 Samson Lee (Wales)
19 Maro Itoje (England)
20 Billy Vunipola (Wales)
21 Rhys Webb (Wales)
22 Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
23 Tommy Seymour (England)

by bedfordwelsh Sat 19 Mar 2016, 5:57 pm

True Raven wrote:Back three for me is north, Hogg and Watson which also looks like a pretty tasty young lions back three next year

Current form you'd be hard pushed to find a better 3 or a better balance.

by Shifty Sat 19 Mar 2016, 8:39 pm

AWJ has been very below par, while Maro Itojehas been immense. Whilst I know Mike Brown is a total díck, he's also been the best full back by a mile. For me theres a little bit of bias against England in this topic.

1 Rob Evans
2 Guirado
6 CJ Stander
8 Sergio Parisse (one man team)
12 Jamie Roberts
14 George North

The rest English

by Geordie Sat 19 Mar 2016, 9:01 pm

The irony is that Joseph at 13 hasn't been excelling as an attacking force....its been the fact his defence has been rock solid (in general)

One thing though ....the lions have two class 13's to choose for in Joseph and Davies who I think is top class...and has power aswell!

by True Raven Sat 19 Mar 2016, 9:20 pm

That 13 jersey will be with Joseph, the top centre in the home nations. Him at 13, Webb at 9, sexton at 10 with the back three I mentioned earlier, is a frighteningly attacking back line.

by Shifty Sat 19 Mar 2016, 9:27 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:The irony is that Joseph at 13 hasn't been excelling as an attacking force....its been the fact his defence has been rock solid (in general)

One thing though ....the lions have two class 13's to choose for in Joseph and Davies who I think is top class...and has power aswell!

Davies had a mare today I have never seen so many aimless floating passes to the touch line.

by VinceWLB Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:07 pm

1 Lovotti
2 Guirado
3 Nel
4 J Gray
5 Kruis
6 Stander
7 Hardie
8 Vunipola
9 Care
10 Biggar
11 Watson
12 Roberts
13 Joseph
14 North
15 Hogg

16 Hartley
17 Dickinson
18 Lee
19 Itoje
20 Parisse
21 Gareth Davies
22 Sexton
23 Liam Williams

Close call on the bench with Faletau and McGrath unlucky to miss out.

by **LondonTiger** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:20 pm

Dickinson
Guirado
Nel
Gray J
Toner
Stander
Hardie
Faletau
Laidlaw
Biggar
Vakatawa
Taylor
Capagnaro
North
Hogg

Hartley
Marler
Cole
Kruis
Vunipola
Youngs
Farrell
Watson

by Geordie Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:34 pm

Lt I cant take that team serious when Kruis is not in the starting lock position.....

by Geordie Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:35 pm

Shifty wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:The irony is that Joseph at 13 hasn't been excelling as an attacking force....its been the fact his defence has been rock solid (in general)

One thing though ....the lions have two class 13's to choose for in Joseph and Davies who I think is top class...and has power aswell!

Davies had a mare today I have never seen so many aimless floating passes to the touch line.

But normally a classy performer.....

by No 7&1/2 Sat 19 Mar 2016, 10:35 pm

Ha LT.

by Geordie Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:21 pm

Sorry just realised what you did LT....too many speckled hens Very Happy

by maestegmafia Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:34 pm

Evans
Guirado
Nel
AWJ
Kruise
Stander
Hardie
Faletau
Murray
Biggar
North
Roberts
Davies
Watson
Hogg

Best
McGrath
Cole
Itoje
Barclay
Davies
Sexton
Williams

by Barney McGrew did it Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:41 pm

Team of the tournament? England - we won it. Plus Sexton - for the entertainment value Very Happy

by **LondonTiger** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:50 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Lt I cant take that team serious when Kruis is not in the starting lock position.....

to be fair - it is possible to provide a cogent and reasonable argument for all but one of the positions being filled by non-english. Kruis as you say is the exception as he was magnificent for all but the first 40 against Italy, where his play was still excellent but lineout calling so so.

Marler - has surely established himself as Englands starting LH, but Dickinson, mcGrath and Evans all went well.
Hartley - give it 3 months and we will still be discussing if he is even the best hooker in England, let alone 6Ns
Cole - best international season for 3 years, but too many penalties and Nel was great.
Kruis - i cannot really argue against him being selected
Itoje - was magnificent but only started two games.
Robshaw - was solid, dependable, reliable - but Stander just offers a little extra.
Haskell - perhaps his best ever international season, but not a 7
Vunipola - dreadfully unlucky not to be included, but Faletau was also excellent and is more rounded.
Care/Youngs - we say the best and worst from them today, as through the tournament. In general the SH coming from the bench looked better, though Youngs was v good in first half against Wales. Laidlaw though was such a great leader for his team.
Ford - notteh best 10 in the England team atm
Nowell - not a great tournament really. too many defensive lapses - but also some really good stuff.
Farrell - decent show but a 10
Joseph 25 goo dminutes
Watson - too many mistakes, but a real threat
Brown - strong, brave, foolhardy, blinkered. Hogg would be a worlbeater if he played in a better team (sorry Scots)

So yeah, while my team was slightly tongue in cheek, not many 9maybe just one) Englishman would make my team of the tournament.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 19 Mar 2016, 11:59 pm

Lay off the speckled hen/bombardier LT. Nice to see you back anyway.

by Mad for Chelsea Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:00 am

LH - three main contenders here in Evans, McGrath, and Dickinson. Evans was so impressive in his debut tournament, McGrath strong throughout, and Dickinson carried through his form from the WC (and with Edinburgh). Going to go with rock solid Dickinson to start, and McGrath for bench impact, but Evans unlucky to miss out.

HK - not really a stand out tournament for hookers. Guirado was very good upto the second half today where the line-out went to pieces. Hartley was solid enough, as was Best (though again struggled in the line-out against England). Going to say that Guirado's struggles were as much down to the calling and England's excellent disruptive work, as his throws didn't seem off, with Hartley from the bench.

TH - Cole had his moments, but a few too many pens conceded for me. Nel solid throughout, he starts. Lee on the bench.

Locks - J. Gray was impressive for Scotland, but have to go for the England pairing here. Yes Itoje only played three games there, but his disruptive work at the breakdown and in the line-out, strong tackling, and good carries make him a must pick for me. Kruis was consistently excellent, and for me not far off player of the tournament, seems to have gone up a few gears this season, an easy choice. Gray makes the bench.

Blind-side - Robshaw put in some very impressive performances I thought, but Stander the stand-out for me. Strong carrier, and gets through a lot of work too.

Open-side - Haskell's defensive work was stellar, and he carried pretty well too, but Hardie takes this one for me. Tremendously intelligent player, and has fast become a must-pick for Scotland.

N°8 - Faletau was excellent for Wales, but Vunipola was a one-man wrecking ball for England. Made yards almost every time he got the ball. Faletau for the bench (albeit leaves a lack of cover at openside).

SH - Not a great tournament for SHs. England's two options both looked better coming off the bench. Davies made a good start to the tournament, but somewhat faded away IMO. France couldn't decide on their best option, and while Machenaud kicked well his service was ponderous. Murray's service mostly ponderous, though improved in the last few games. Laidlaw I think was the stand-out, orchestrated play nicely, and kicked acurately. Davies on the bench.

FH - again no real stand-outs. Sexton had some great moments, but not really at his best. Biggar I think was consistently good without quite hitting the heights. Ford a mixed bag, Italy and France went through a few different options with no one nailing it, Russell wasn't that great either. Biggar for me, with Sexton on the bench.

IC - Farrell grew into the role nicely, but thought Roberst was excellent. France insisted on picking arguably the best IC in the NH on the wing... Taylor played very well there for Scotland, though more of an OC really, and will have him on the bench.

OC - Joseph really good in defence, but not always at his best in attack. Payne showed moments of class, but my suspicion remains that he's a better FB. Davies looked looked classy with some hairbrained moments. Bennett not at his best. Going with Joseph, just.

Wings - Watson and North the stand-outs for me. Nowell continues to grow nicely, and Seymour showed some good form at times too. Nakatawa looks a real prospect for the future too.

FB - Brown was consistently excellent, but Hogg outstanding. Williams very good for Wales too, and Spedding some great form late on (but didn't play enough).

So there you have it, as objectively as possible
Dickinson
Guirado
Nel
Kruis
Itoje
Stander
Hardie
Vunipola
Laidlaw (capt.)
Biggar
Watson
Roberts
Joseph
North
Hogg

McGrath
Hartley
Lee
J. Gray
Faletau
Davies
Sexton
Taylor

by Cyril Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:02 am

maestegmafia wrote:Evans
Guirado
Nel
AWJ
Kruise
Stander
Hardie
Faletau
Murray
Biggar
North
Roberts
Davies
Watson
Hogg

Best
McGrath
Cole
Itoje
Barclay
Davies
Sexton
Williams

Just 7 Welsh (and 2 English) in the starting team of the tournament then Laugh

by Mad for Chelsea Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:03 am

LondonTiger wrote:
Itoje - was magnificent but only started two games.

eh?

by Geordie Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:03 am

RiscaGame wrote:Lay off the speckled hen/bombardier LT. Nice to see you back anyway.

I'm the one on the Speckled hen.

by Geordie Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:11 am

LondonTiger wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Lt I cant take that team serious when Kruis is not in the starting lock position.....

to be fair - it is possible to provide a cogent and reasonable argument for all but one of the positions being filled by non-english. Kruis as you say is the exception as he was magnificent for all but the first 40 against Italy, where his play was still excellent but lineout calling so so.

Marler - has surely established himself as Englands starting LH, but Dickinson, mcGrath and Evans all went well.
Hartley - give it 3 months and we will still be discussing if he is even the best hooker in England, let alone 6Ns
Cole - best international season for 3 years, but too many penalties and Nel was great.
Kruis - i cannot really argue against him being selected
Itoje - was magnificent but only started two games.
Robshaw - was solid, dependable, reliable - but Stander just offers a little extra.
Haskell - perhaps his best ever international season, but not a 7
Vunipola - dreadfully unlucky not to be included, but Faletau was also excellent and is more rounded.
Care/Youngs - we say the best and worst from them today, as through the tournament. In general the SH coming from the bench looked better, though Youngs was v good in first half against Wales. Laidlaw though was such a great leader for his team.
Ford - notteh best 10 in the England team atm
Nowell - not a great tournament really. too many defensive lapses - but also some really good stuff.
Farrell - decent show but a 10
Joseph 25 goo dminutes
Watson - too many mistakes, but a real threat
Brown - strong, brave, foolhardy, blinkered. Hogg would be a worlbeater if he played in a better team (sorry Scots)

So yeah, while my team was slightly tongue in cheek, not many 9maybe just one) Englishman would make my team of the tournament.

Ah yes I don't think we have been "outstanding" . Wales have played sublime French esque rugby for brief spells. but we have been well prepared and don't things solid.

BUT kruis has been quite outstanding...more so that everyone calls him a lineout man, but hes blantantly hard as fu*k!

by **LondonTiger** Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:12 am

Mad for Chelsea wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
Itoje - was magnificent but only started two games.

eh?

did he start 3? Blame my age.

by Mad for Chelsea Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:14 am

LondonTiger wrote:
Mad for Chelsea wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
Itoje - was magnificent but only started two games.

eh?

did he start 3? Blame my age.

kind of like when I tell my wife I only had two drinks Very Happy

by **RiscaGame** Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:15 am

GeordieFalcon wrote:
RiscaGame wrote:Lay off the speckled hen/bombardier LT. Nice to see you back anyway.

I'm the one on the Speckled hen.

And why not?

English fans deserve them. Just maybe not after naming a team like that Wink

by Geordie Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:26 am

LondonTiger wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Lt I cant take that team serious when Kruis is not in the starting lock position.....

to be fair - it is possible to provide a cogent and reasonable argument for all but one of the positions being filled by non-english. Kruis as you say is the exception as he was magnificent for all but the first 40 against Italy, where his play was still excellent but lineout calling so so.

Marler - has surely established himself as Englands starting LH, but Dickinson, mcGrath and Evans all went well.
Hartley - give it 3 months and we will still be discussing if he is even the best hooker in England, let alone 6Ns
Cole - best international season for 3 years, but too many penalties and Nel was great.
Kruis - i cannot really argue against him being selected
Itoje - was magnificent but only started two games.
Robshaw - was solid, dependable, reliable - but Stander just offers a little extra.
Haskell - perhaps his best ever international season, but not a 7
Vunipola - dreadfully unlucky not to be included, but Faletau was also excellent and is more rounded.
Care/Youngs - we say the best and worst from them today, as through the tournament. In general the SH coming from the bench looked better, though Youngs was v good in first half against Wales. Laidlaw though was such a great leader for his team.
Ford - notteh best 10 in the England team atm
Nowell - not a great tournament really. too many defensive lapses - but also some really good stuff.
Farrell - decent show but a 10
Joseph 25 goo dminutes
Watson - too many mistakes, but a real threat
Brown - strong, brave, foolhardy, blinkered. Hogg would be a worlbeater if he played in a better team (sorry Scots)

So yeah, while my team was slightly tongue in cheek, not many 9maybe just one) Englishman would make my team of the tournament.

England haven't been a "great side" its a work in progress, but Kruis should make all teams.

Even the WUM welsh teams etc

by mikey_dragon Sun 20 Mar 2016, 12:40 am

So many people picking Nel and I'm not sure he was that great in this year's tournament. I remember Rob Evans giving him a tuning when we played them too.

by Fanster Sun 20 Mar 2016, 1:07 am

Ok here goes...

1. Mcgrath
2. Guirado
3. Cole
4. Kruis
5. Maestri
6. Minto
7. Stander
8. Falatau
9. Murray
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Taylor
14. Watson
15. Hogg

16. Vunipola
17. Nel
18. Best
19. AWJ
20. Vunipola
21. Davies
22. Sexton
23. Campagnaro

Problem with this is if it's the best 23 players certain player are left out through being pipped, or hamstrung by their teams, and style of play (Campagnaro, Parisse, Farrell), however if we're looking at building a squad some players are better off the bench and others miss out (Evans, Dickinson, Brown).

I feel like I should have more English players, but when it came crunch time the English players who stood out were in really difficult positions to select ie Itoje, Farrell, Joseph, Brown, Grey, Henshaw, Davies, Williams were all in the mix in those selections too

by DaveM Sun 20 Mar 2016, 1:12 am

Fanster wrote:Ok here goes...

1. Mcgrath
2. Guirado
3. Cole
4. Kruis
5. Maestri
6. Minto
7. Stander
8. Falatau
9. Murray
10. Biggar
11. North
12. Roberts
13. Taylor
14. Watson
15. Hogg

16. Vunipola
17. Nel
18. Best
19. AWJ
20. Vunipola
21. Davies
22. Sexton
23. Campagnaro

Problem with this is if it's the best 23 players certain player are left out through being pipped, or hamstrung by their teams, and style of play (Campagnaro, Parisse, Farrell), however if we're looking at building a squad some players are better off the bench and others miss out (Evans, Dickinson, Brown).

I feel like I should have more English players, but when it came crunch time the English players who stood out were in really difficult positions to select ie Itoje, Farrell, Joseph, Brown, Grey, Henshaw, Davies, Williams were all in the mix in those selections too

So England win a GS and get 3 players in your team of the tournament? You are right to feel uncomfortable about that.

by wolfball Sun 20 Mar 2016, 2:05 am

England's back lin, second row and blackrow (excluding stander and biggar) should be on the TOT. They won a grand slam and their players deserve it. For ireland Stander maybe Macgrath deserve to start but that's it. Sexton on bench.

by BigTrevsbigmac Sun 20 Mar 2016, 3:05 am

McGrath
Guirado
Cole
Itoje
Kruis
robshaw
Stander
Billy V
Youngs
Sexton
North
Farrell
Joseph
Watson
Hogg

Marler
Hartley
Nell
Toner
Faletau
Murray
Biggar
Vakatawa

by theslosty Sun 20 Mar 2016, 3:43 am

1. McGrath - best of an ok bunch
2. Guirado - magnificent throughout
3. Nel
4. Itoje - as an Ireland fan this man has me worried
5. Kruis - was really not convinced on him beforehand but his form has shut me up
6. Stander
7. Hardie - also thought van der Flier went well with his two starts
8. Vunipola - Faletau and Heaslip also impressive

9. Davies
10. Sexton - don't know why it's said he's out of form?
11. North - see Sexton
12. Henshaw - feel he is underrated outside Ireland
13. Joseph - Davies a class act as always
14. Watson - such effortless pace, fantastic winger
15. Hogg - probably the back of the tournament

by **George Carlin** Sun 20 Mar 2016, 6:04 am

Some good choices here - although CJ Stander is really not an openside, lads.

It is always interesting to read comments that because England won the whole jamboree the team should predominantly comprise English players. Whilst I would say that England have (just shading Wales) the highest aggregate quality of squad player, their strength is as a collective rather than a series of outstanding individuals in every single position. 7 out of my matchday 23 are English and I think that I have lassoed the outstanding men.

As has been mentioned on another thread, the lack of undeniable, nailed on test starters when considering a consolidated team represents (depending on your point of view) either an exciting opportunity for players to put their hands up for the Lions tour or kevlar proof that we're going to get absolutely horsed by the All Blacks. I fear the latter but I live in hope.

It is also clear that quite a few people here have only watched their home nations play and none of the others.

by Poorfour Sun 20 Mar 2016, 7:45 am

So, England just won a Grand Slam, 100 days into a new coaching regime and without even having a majority of the best players in the tournament. Significant room for improvement then. I'll take that, because I think with Eddie in charge we are on an upward curve.

by **RDW** Sun 20 Mar 2016, 8:35 am

McGrath/Dickinson (50/50)
Guirado
Nel
Itoje
Kruis
Stander
Robshaw
Vunipola

Laidlaw (although poor against Ireland)
Sexton
North
Henshaw
Taylor
Nowell
Hogg

Dickinson/McGrath, Hartley, Cole, R Gray, Hardie, Davies, Biggar, Joseph

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