Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations Team of the Tournament

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Wondrous footwork, pace and eye for the unexpected, he thrilled/scared throughout and augmented two well-taken tries with a couple of audacious assists. Dodgy defence though. Liam Williams, Mike Brown and Simon Zebo made it a strong category.

14. Anthony Watson (England)

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 3

Conor Murray scores his third try of the Championship against Scotland. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Getty Images

Quick with elusive, dancing feet, always a danger in open play and chased kicks and competed aerially to huge effect, while running in three tries. Honourable mention to Tommy Seymour and Andrew Trimble.

13. Duncan Taylor (Scotland)

Elusive, strong and quick. Fine long-range finishes against Wales and France. Jonathan Joseph faded a tad after hat-trick in Rome, in contrast to Jonathan Davies, while Jared Payne and Michele Campagnaro were consistently good.

12. Jamie Roberts (Wales)

Wales’ go-to man. Huge physicality in carries and defensive rock. Robbie Henshaw’s hard-running and work-rate stood out, and Owen Farrell had major influence with playmaking, goal-kicking and defending.

11. George North (Wales)

Still scarily quick for a big man, wonderful try v Scots confirmed his rehabilitation. Scored the most tries, made the most metres and line breaks, and beat the most defenders - on slim rations! Virini Vakatawa was a breath of fresh air and Keith Earls had a fine tournament.

10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

Took a buffeting but leadership, tactical nous, varied kicking, running and passing games in host of try assists were unflinching. Special mention to Dan Biggar for his bravery, competitiveness and kicking when going was tough, and George Ford.

9. Conor Murray (Ireland)

Leadership, good passing, and generally good kicking and running games. Saved at least three tries and scored three too; that’s a potential 42-point swing alone! Honourable mention: Maxime Machenaud and Ben Youngs.

1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)

He scrummaged strongly against all manner of tightheads up to and including WP Nel. Good for 80 minute shifts and huge work-rate, 55 tackles is ridiculous for a prop. Prospective Lions loosehead. Honourable mention to Rob Evans.

2. Guilhem Guirado (France)

France’s sole world-class player, led from the front unstintingly, and his skills’ set in open play was epitomised by his passing and support play and finish against Scotland. Special mention: Dylan Hartley and Rory Best.

3. WP Nel (Scotland)

The South African has been the rock for a transformed Scottish scrum, and he won turnovers, although he did miss 14 tackles. Edges out a resurgent Dan Cole, who gave away too many penalties, and Rabah Slimani.

4. Maro Itoje (England)

The newcomer of the tournament. Wonderfully athletic in the air and over the ground with steals in both categories, great break for Anthony Watson’s try against Wales. A superstar is born. Special mention: Jonny Gray and Donnacha Ryan.

5. George Kruis (England)

The twin tower in England’s world-class lineout. Imperious in air, invaluable lineout steals, generally good for 80 minutes and the tournament’s fourth highest tackle count (63). Special mention: Richie Gray and Alun Wyn Jones.

6. CJ Stander (Ireland)

Ireland’s go-to man had some rookie campaign. MoM on debut, finished off with two try-scoring performances. The tournament’s second highest carrier (87). Honourable mention: Chris Robshaw and Francesco Minto.

7. John Hardie (Scotland)

An authentic openside until somewhat negated by Irish backrow, Hardie was the tournament’s second highest tackler and only Jack Nowell and Alun Wyn Jones won more turnovers. Special mention: James Haskell and Sam Warburton.

8. Billy Vunipola (England)

England’s go-to man had big games in the big games. Most carries (93), he made 336 metres and busted 25 tackles. A human wrecking ball, but with new found subtlety (eight offloads) and fitness. Toby Faletau was excellent, and Jamie Heaslip got better, in contrast to Sergio Parisse.

Coach of the tournament: Steve Borthwick (England)

Continued his astonishing work with Japan at World Cup by making England’s lineout near impregnable (take a bow Ultan Dillane), while their dozen lineout steals were double anyone else’s and hugely significant in wins over Ireland, Wales and France.