Brendan Gallagher’s Team of the Six Nations

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland): One of few modern players with genuine x-factor. A try scorer and provider. Rob Kearney was in decent nick.
14. George North (Wales): Patchy tournament but when he’s good North is a cut above. Not a vintage year for wings.
13. Gael Fickou (France): For consistency, Fickou, below right, was outstanding. Garry Ringrose nudges out Jonathan Joseph.
12. Owen Farrell (England): Looks completely at home in the 12 shirt. Won’t remember his 50th cap against Italy fondly when his kicking was poor but otherwise superb.
11. Elliot Daly (England): Scores tries in style and puts in huge work covering in defence. Liam Williams also did well.
10. Jonny Sexton (Ireland): Sexton was prominent in  three games but comes under big pressure from George Ford who finished the tournament like a train.
9. Conor Murray (Ireland): Neck and neck between Murray and Rhys Webb, the Lions will benefit from having both to call on.
1. Joe Marler (England): Bounced back with a cracking series of performances. Cyril Baille did well for France and Andrea Lovotti was one of the few Italians to enhance his reputation.
2. Guilhem Guirado (France): Still France’s most consistent player. Ken Owens the pick of the rest.
3. Dan Cole (England): Critics try to write him off but he keeps coming back. Tomas Francis was solid for Wales. Ireland’s Tadh Furlong went back.
4. Courntey Lawes (England): Started to stir again in the autumn and really hit the Six Nations running with a series of disciplined athletic displays.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales): Patchy and occasionally fractious season for Wales but Jones never let his playing standards drop.
6. Maro Itoje (England): Took the France match to settle at six but incredibly strong and effective ever since. And still packs down at lock at scrum-time.
7. Sam Warburton (Wales): Wears a six but still the best all-round seven in Europe. Bounced back well after losing the captaincy.
8. Louis Picamoles (France): French pack blew hot and cold but he was a tower of strength throughout.