2012 has produced another fine RBS 6 Nations tournament. Extremely competitive, 9 of the 15 games were settled by 7 points or less as defences dominated. Here's my pick for team of the championship. What do you think? Who would you change?
1 Gethin Jenkins - I actually thought he looked a little lazy around the pitch against France, but claims his place over Cian Healy for being a little more disciplined.
2 Ross Ford - faded towards the end but had a very good tournament after being handed the captaincy late on. Excellent in the loose and very good at the lineout, he nicks this one over Rory Best.
3 Dan Cole - edged this over Nicolas Mas and Adam Jones for sheer destructive scrummaging. Went to town on France and Ireland in two very fine performances, and consistent throughout.
4 Richie Gray - phenomenal at the lineout and in the loose, an absolute stick-on for the Lions in a couple of years. Keeps going from strength to strength.
5 Yoann Maestri - the huge frenchman impressed with his ball carrying, making literal impressions on a few players. Wins his place by a nose over Ian Evans.
6 Thierry Dusautoir - toughest position to call with Stephen Ferris and Dan Lydiate in the running. Hugely impressive at the tackle area, tackle count off the charts and leads from the very front.
7 Ross Rennie - claims this over Warburton purely because of game time. Was brilliant in the loose with partner in crime David Denton, an excellent tournament after long injury spells.
Ross Rennie had an outstanding tournament
8 David Denton - like Gray, Denton was everywhere with more carries than any other player. Young, dynamic and with a huge future ahead of him.
9 Mike Phillips - best of an average bunch of scrum halves in this tournament, consistent though often a bit too greedy.
10 Owen Farrell - played like he had 50 caps. Solid kicking, creative and pretty good defensively, a very good all round performance from the youngster, keeping more established Sexton out.
11 George North - didn't get the tries or make the yards of others, but broke more tackles and was very effective with the ball. Defence has also improved.
12 Brad Barritt - another tight call but Barritt gets this over Fofana for consistency. Immense in defence, he facilitated so much for Farrell to work from.
13 Jonathan Davies - not the strongest category, but Davies was excellent in Dublin and solid throughout as his partnership with Roberts strengthens.
14 Tommy Bowe - gets this over Alex Cuthbert simply for getting the extra try. Very good finisher and second try against France showed real class and skill.
15 Leigh Halfpenny - the tournaments top points scorer and all round toast of everybody's fantasy team, Halfpenny was excellent, growing into the full back role very well. Rob Kearney made some wonderful runs and catches, but just misses out here.
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