GERRY THORNLEY
Best match? England v Ireland. Ireland's resilience in the first-half, the way they took the game to England and took the lead, before recovering from a double whammy to have a cut in the final quarter. Ultan Dillane's impact off the bench, on his debut.
Best try? The eight-pass, near length-of-the-pitch try finished off by Jamie Heaslip, and made by support play and heads-up awareness, Simon Zebo's half-break and sumptuous offload, Jared Payne's lofted pass inside for Johnny Sexton's third contribution and then Fergus McFadden could claim the try-scoring pass.
Player of the tournament? Billy Vunipola (Inset) produced big games in the big games; 72 carries and 24 defenders beaten.
Best moment? Zebo taking Sexton's pass one-handed at full stretch, taking on Michele Campagnaro on the outside and then that one-handed offload out the back for Payne.
What needs to change from an officiating perspective? Enforce the offside line! Simple as. Make more use of touch judges if needs be.
Should Italy remain in the Six Nations, be replaced by Georgia or both accommodated? The lack of progress after 16 years of Six Nations money and European Cup money, is damning. Never been to Tbilisi, but to replace Rome?
LIAM TOLAND
Best match? I especially enjoyed being in Twickenham for the Ireland game, enthralled as I was by the unfolding tactics, but the Welsh almost-comeback against England made their round four fixture very special.
Best try? Many of the English tries stand out, especially when the Vunipola brothers were involved, but Jamie Heaslip's one against Italy as it may become the catalyst for a pivot in our philosophy.
Player of the tournament? The Vunipola brothers, whichever one you want . . . Stop Vunipola and you stop England; not easy.
Best moment? Selecting England as the championship winner back in January.
What needs to change from an officiating perspective? Is there a need for change? When players want to scrummage there's no problem with scrum. Clear interpretation of contact in the air from opposing players. On a grander note the Six Nations itself needs updating; bonus points etc . . .
Should Italy remain in the Six Nations, be replaced by Georgia or both accommodated? With updating of the Six Nations in mind there may be room for a qualifying route into the sixth spot. But Rome in spring; see you there.
JOHN O’SULLIVAN
Best match? Ireland's 16-16 draw with Wales. A compelling spectacle. Both teams had their periods of dominance, and showed the courage to keep chasing the win right to the final whistle.
Best try? From an Irish perspective, it would have to be Jamie Heaslip's first try against Italy, a sweeping passage of rugby where the technical execution complemented the adventure.
Player of the tournament? Stuart Hogg, the Scotland fullback, whose footwork, pace, balance, vision and instincts make him such a pleasure to watch.
Best moment? Ultan Dillane's debut off the bench at Twickenham demonstrated the true meaning of the phrase impact replacement, and what huge potential the 22-year-old represents.
What needs to change from an officiating perspective? Consistency in application and interpretation and less intrusion from the television match officials. Outlaw swinging boots at ruck time. The tariff is too high.
Should Italy remain in the Six Nations, be replaced by Georgia or both accommodated? There may be one or two issues about an extended fixture schedule but to keep Georgia at arm's length is wrong: Italy to stay.
JOHNNY WATTERSON
Best match? Italy against France in the opening round, not least because of what it would have meant to Italy had Parisse's (self indulgent?) drop goal effort gone over at the end of the match.
Best try? Jamie Heaslip's finish against Italy. Ryan, McGrath, Sexton, Zebo back flip. Payne, Sexton. Trimble. McFadden. Heaslip. You just don't get that too often any more.
Player of the tournament? Mike Brown is supremely influential at fullback and has improved as an attacking player. Also has what England want and need back there, a rock solid performer.
Best moment? CJ Stander showing that stepping up in level can be taken in stride, with a man of the match performance in his debut international for Ireland against Wales.
What needs to change from an officiating perspective? Letting the game flow despite technical infringements that some referees blow and others do not. At the end of the day, it's the fans who are losing out.
Should Italy remain in the Six Nations, be replaced by Georgia or both accommodated? Both should be accommodated, but we know this is a money issue and not a rugby thing.
GAVIN CUMMISKEY
Best match? England 21-10 Ireland. Life affirming Richmond preamble followed by Eddie "the convict" Jones at work/play.
Best try? Josh van der Flier's at Twickenham. If Romain Poite had the bottle to award it, Ireland might have robbed all the convict's silver.
Player of the tournament? Johnny Sexton. Bashed by Tipuric, North, Maestri, Farrell, Youngs, Campagnaro, Parisse and the great concussion evangelist, thinking only of Sexton's health and that of the children, calling for early retirement, but he kept getting up to perform all aspects of outhalf play at a wonderfully composed, world class level.
Best moment? Sexton (v Wales): "Who's reffing the game?" Jérôme Garcès: "Me." Sexton: "Then what's he doing here all the time?" Sam Warburton shrivels.
What needs to change from an officiating perspective? Don't use the Six Nations to expose referees, stationed below the elite tier for a reason, to the big match environments.
Should Italy remain in the Six Nations, be replaced by Georgia or both accommodated? Italy stay because nobody in their right mind will vote to remove a weekend in Rome from their bi-annual work schedule.
SIX NATIONS IN WORDS
“I am not a big fan of his movies, so he definitely won’t be up there.” – Eddie Jones revealed he removed a quote from Arnold Schwarzenegger in his Terminator role that had hung on the wall of England’s training base at Pennyhill Park. “Off the pitch he’s the consummate professional. And as a gentleman farmer he’s got lots of time on his hands to commit to the various duties that captaincy requires!” – Ireland coach Joe Schmidt offers a tongue-in-cheek appraisal of why he appointed Rory Best as captain.
“What I have learned in the past is that you do not write off Ireland and you do not criticise them.” – Wales coach Warren Gatland speaking at the Six Nations launch.
“I’m sure his mother and father would be worried about that. Hopefully, the lad’s all right on Saturday to play.” – England coach Eddie Jones talks about Jonathan Sexton and his injury profile ahead of the Ireland game.
“I was very emotional. I was happy enough to be next to Tommy (O’Donnell) and (Conor) Murray and when I got lost here and there it was easy enough to jump in. Donnacha Ryan stepped up and learned[sic] me a few words, learned me the whole thing, I tried to make him proud.” – CJ Stander speaking after his Ireland debut and singing the national anthem.
“We have darts in the house and now I have a handicap because I’m an international! But I’m having none of it.” – Josh van der Flier discusses his new found status after making his debut against England.
“I thought I was coming on to tired bodies and when I got the chance to run at them I put a bit of pace into it. The physicality is definitely the big step up. I’m a bit battered and bruised after 15 minutes. God knows what would happen for 80!” – Ultan Dillane talks about his cameo at Twickenham.
“The best memory of the day will be making a break in the second half, and standing for the national anthem.” – Stuart McCloskey on his debut against England.
“If you told me that five of us (Ultan Dillane, Nathan White, Kieran Marmion and Robbie Henshaw) would be playing a Six Nations game against Italy I don’t know what I would have told you.” – Ireland’s Finlay Bealham.
“Hey Gypsy Boy.” – England prop Joe Marler to Wales’ Samson Lee.
“Joe spoke to Samson at half-time to apologise and he was reminded by Eddie Jones [the head coach] of his responsibilities as an England player after the game.” – English RFU statement.
“I don’t condone racism of any kind. I apologise for any offence my use of the word banter may have caused.’’ – Warren Gatland on describing Marler’s remark to Lee as banter.
