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Right, here we go. Let’s get ready to battle it out in the comments. Although you’ll see a bunch of teams out there based on pure stats alone, stats only tell one part of the story.
Let’s start upfront and the front row. Looking at not just their set piece input, but overall work around the park. For the Props, I’ve chosen France’s Jean Baptiste Grow, and England’s Will Stuart. France had the most successful scum of any team in the competition with 90.91% win on their own ball. Ellis Genge was certainly a contender for his work around the park, but his discipline just wasn’t up to scratch. Will Stuart’s footwork against Italy was certainly a highlight for the front row society but he’s quietly been going about his business and I don’t think anyone would be surprised with a Lions call up in the summer. Joining them has to be Dan Sheehan. Now Ireland’s top scoring forward in the competition, the Hookers return from injury has us all feeling like he never left. An absolute shoe in for the Lions as his darts are as good as his ability to finish from 5 meters out.
In the engine room, new England skipper Maro Itoje was one of England’s many stand outs this Six Nations. Commanding the air in the line out, tackling like a monster around the park, and his game and referee management has been second to none after making the step up to captain. Joining him is young Dafydd Jenkins. The welshman finished second, only to team mate Jac Morgan (more on him later) in the tackle count for the comp but also led Wales’ ruck cleanouts, and god gosh they had to hit a fair few.
The back row was just a mouth watering battle which I’m sure gave Andy Farrell nothing but good headaches over the last 7 weeks. England’s Tom Curry showed what an absolute menace he is with him and his brother both getting 5 breakdown steals but also hit England’s second most defensive rucks as well. Jac Morgan, what to say about the 25 year old other than, he could easily be a starting Test Lion in the summer even after being part of 5 losses for Wales. An incredible young man with an incredible future ahead of him. Joining the flankers will be none other than Ireland captain, Caelan Doris. Looking like a front runner for the Lions captaincy, Doris was ever reliable with and without the ball for Ireland leading the way with carries and was their second biggest tackler too.
At halfbacks, I can’t look past the best player in the world, Antoine Dupont. A gutting injury looks to have ended the scrum half’s season early, but his involvements for France in attack are off the chain. He not only see’s things before they’ve happened, but also is always on hand after any line break anywhere on the pitch. I’ve partnered him with England’s newest number 10, Fin Smith. A coming of age for the youngster with an all round game even Johnny would be proud off. His passing game, off the boot, and his tackling was all on point and helped England to their highest finish in five years.
In midfield, the Champions, France, have certainly got talent in their ranks with Yoram Moefana showing that he’s there to carry them through to the next World Cup. At just 24, Moefana led the line in defence and was on hand to help be a focal point for them in attack. Joined by outside centre Huw Jones who even with out his Glasgow teammate, Sione Tuipulotu, looked just as impressive, none more so than his opening round hat-trick against the Italians.
Now for the fun bit. The back three, and although there was some incredible performances throughout the competition, I’ve gone for the top try scorer, Louis Bielle Biarrey, the top points scorer Thomas Ramos, and England’s new saviour Tommy Freeman. Starting with Ramos, I don’t think people realise just how good this guy is. Not only a world class goal kicker, he even jumped into fly half against Italy, helping them to a 73-24 point victory away from home. LBB is just outrageously good and in my eyes, the best winger in the world at the moment. And that little dink on the foot is just stunning. And as for Tommy Freeman. I think England have got a special one there. He’s speed, his power, and his ability in the air makes him such a threat in any team. And with them now looking to move the big man into the midfield. We could be looking at a great here.