Nik Simon’s staff of the Six Nations: How many England stars make the minimize? Who loved a flawless breakthrough marketing campaign? And which bulldozer is nailed on to start out for the Lions?
- The Six Nations came to and end on Saturday, with France the victorious side
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The Six Nations came to an end on Saturday, with France pipping England to the title despite losing against Steve Borthwick‘s side earlier on in the competition.
They took home the Championship following a 35-16 win over Scotland in the final game on Saturday evening from a French side who were by far the best side across their five matches.
England, though, showed plenty that they can build on, and the future is looking positive for this year’s runners-up.
Elsewhere, Ireland will be looking to step up their game, while Wales simply want a victory as their record losing run continues.
But how many England stars make the cut in our team of the tournament? Which star enjoyed a campaign that will truly kickstart their international career? And who is now a nailed starter for the Lions?
Mail Sport’s NIK SIMON gives his Six Nations team of the tournament.
The Six Nations came to an end on Saturday, with France claiming the Championship in style
They beat Steve Borthwick’s England to the title, despite losing against them earlier on in the competition
Ireland are among the sides who would have hoped for better in their five matches played
15 Blair Kinghorn
Made the most metres throughout the competition since Mike Brown in 2014. Developed into a devastating runner in the wide channels since moving to Toulouse last season.
14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Speed kills. No one could lay a finger on the devastatingly fast French winger when he got the ball in space. Topped the try-scoring charts with eight.
13 Yoram Moefana
Waited patiently for his opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. Deceptively effective in one-on-one situations and looks like he will be a long-term fixture in France’s midfield.
12 Tommaso Menoncello
Dominant athleticism is turning him into one of the most valuable players in Europe. If Italians were eligible for the Lions tour, he could well start alongside sidekick Ignacio Brex.
11 James Lowe
A bulldozer of a winger who seems nailed on to start for the Lions. He is not the quickest but he is difficult to stop and makes clever impacts with every involvement.
10 Fin Smith
A faultless breakthrough campaign for the fly-half who has taken ownership of England’s No 10 jersey. Has a defensive presence like a young Jonny Wilkinson.
9 Jamison Gibson-Park
The world’s second best scrum-half behind Antoine Dupont. Bar a quiet day against France, all of his work around the base of the ruck was razor sharp.
1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Evasion and mobility are becoming more important in the front-row as the game speeds up. Assured at the set-piece but the French selectors also value his additional skills.
2 Dan Sheehan
Redefining the role of a hooker by carrying the ball like an additional centre. Bagged a hat-trick in the final round in Rome and did not miss a single tackle all campaign.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey was devastatingly fast and topped the try-scoring charts with eight
Fin Smith (left) has made the England No 10 jersey his own and has a defensive presence like a young Jonny Wilkinson
Maro Itoje played every minute and has played his way into Lions captaincy contention
3 Will Stuart
Finally living up to the potential he showed as a youngster. Anchored England’s scrum like a rock and showed footwork a man half his size would be proud of.
4 Maro Itoje
A statement campaign for the lock who has played his way into contention to captain the Lions. Played every minute of the tournament and his intensity never dropped.
5 Mickael Guillard
An old-school powerhouse in the engine room. Commits two defenders with every carry which puts him at the heart of France’s unstoppable offloading game.
6 Tom Curry
Written off by many before the tournament due to his horrible run of injuries. Found his best abrasive form, mucking in with caries, turnovers and tries.
7 Jac Morgan
Showed remarkable fighting spirit throughout a crushing Welsh campaign. Made more tackles than anyone and kept spirits high when Warren Gatland was sacked.
8 Gregory Alldritt
Took over the captaincy from injured Antoine Dupont to lead France to victory. Always at the heart of the action, setting the intensity levels in a pack with the potential to take their foot off the gas.
