Rugby Union: Ball In Touch’s 2012 Six Nations Team Of The Tournament
Our rugby columnist Jeff Ball discusses who impressed during this year’s competition and selects his team of the tournament
Our rugby columnist Jeff Ball discusses who impressed during this years competition and selects his team of the tournament. Let us know your team either in the comments below or on Twitter at @Ballintouch With the hangovers of Cardiff now dulled and replaced with warm glow of satisfaction, now is a good time to have a look back at who impressed in this years Six nations and can justifiable bask in the publics admiration as the rose tinted glasses of history beckon. One paper this week said this was a Six Nations that left more questions than answers and it would be right. Where does Andy Robinson go from here? Will Italy ever have decent half backs again? How good can England be? Can Wales go on and beat the Southern Hemisphere sides? Why do France still go from fabulous to farce? And are there any more tighthead props in Ireland? However those are questions for another day. For now, the most pertinent question is, who made our XV of the 2012 Six Nations? Well read on dear friend, and all will become clear. 1. Alex Corbisero The young Englishman continued to fill his idol Sheridans shoes, the decimation of the Irish tightheads being his England highlight so far. Special Mention: Jenkins 2. Rory Best One of the hardest positions to call. The Irish man edges it with his try scoring and taking the armband in the absence of others. Special Mention: Rees, Ghilraldini, Servat 3. Adam Jones The hair bear bunch lives on the bearded one excelled the most when back in the Lions front row of 2009 with Jenkins and Rees. Special Mention: Cole, Mas 4. Richie Gray Unsubtle in appearance and playing style. A stand out by the man already tipped for next years Lions. Special Mention: Evans 5. Donnocha Ryan Despite the best effort of Davies, battled tirelessly and proved there is life beyond OCallaghan and ODonnell. Special Mention: OConnell 6. Dan Lydiate A heavily contested area, with the storming defence of Lydiate just outshining IRB World Player of the Year Dusautoir. Special Mention: Croft, Dusautoir 7. Chris Robshaw Captain fantastic for England, making his debut at the same time, Robshaw led by example and showed why he should have been on the plane to New Zealand last year. Special Mention: Rennie 8. Ben Morgan Where Denton faded, Morgan shone brighter with each match, showing a mix of skills and a dynamism England has lacked at no.8 for several years. Special Mention: Denton, Parisse, Faletau 9. Mike Phillips The Welshman was the stand out this year in a poor bunch. Injury and constantly changing selections denied any contenders the continuity to mount a challenge. Dickson was in our thoughts until the Ireland game. Special Mention: Yachvili 10. Owen Farrell The rising star who refuses to believe the hype everyone else is thinking. Nothing flashy but solid and accurate at only twenty years old. Mouth watering potential. It is safe to say the Italian fly halves were not considered. Special Mention: Sexton 11. Alex Cuthbert Another Welsh wing wizard. At 21 years old and 6 ft 6, was barely playing for his club this time last year. Did not look out of place. 12. Wesley Fofana One of the few shining lights in a dull French backline (known in France as a Beauxis). Looked dangerous and scored some important tries. Unfairly shunted to the wing for the last game, blunting his effectiveness. Special Mention: Barritt 13. Jonathan Davies Another Welsh youngster belying his age. Try scored from that offload by North contender for try of the tournament. Special Mention: Tuilagi 14. Tommy Bowe Underutilised without ODriscoll inside him but still managed to impress, taking and creating opportunities. Important weapon in Irelands armoury. Very Special Mention: North 15. Leigh Halfpenny Yet another young Welshman who has grown hugely into a key cog in the Welsh team. Goal kicking became increasingly invaluable was Priestlands confident waivered and now looks very secure in the 15 shirt. Another Very Special Mention: Kearney Ball In Touchs Team of the Tournament: Halfpenny, Bowe, Davies, Fofana, Cuthbert, Farrell, Philips, Corbisero, Best, A Jones, Gray, Ryan, Lydiate, Robshaw, Morgan Player of the tournament: Dan Lydiate Try of the tournament: Jonathan Davies Vs. Ireland following George North's burst and offload Champagne moment of the tournament: Tom Croft's try Vs. France Un-champagne moment of the tournament: Tom Croft's "offload" Vs. Ireland