Six Nations team of the tournament: Five English players, but no Welshmen
Farewell, then, to the 2025 Six Nations, one of the more thrilling editions of the championship in recent memory given that on the final day there were three teams all in the mix for the title, and we had more tries (101) in a single Six Nations than ever before.
France naturally dominate our team-of-the-tournament selection with eight players, but how many other countries are represented and who makes the cut?
15 Thomas Ramos (France)
The top points scorer by a mile with 71 – he is also now France's top points scorer ever, overtaking Frédéric Michalak – but his link-up play is also so sharp. Makes shifting between full-back and fly-half seem easy. Lots of nominees with Blair Kinghorn shading Hugo Keenan for the Lions 15 shirt right now after finishing the Six Nations with the most offloads (13) and line breaks (nine). Tommaso Allan had a fine tournament and Blair Murray, sometimes loose, gave Wales a spark.
14 Tommy Freeman (England)
A try in every round of the tournament for the Northampton back, who continues to evolve into a top international. The prospect of the 6ft 3in Freeman at centre for the long run is tantalising, although the leap and power he showed for his try on the wing against France was a highlight. Darcy Graham is obviously a red-hot contender and we should not sleep on Théo Attissogbie, who scored three tries in two Tests for France.
13 Yoram Moefana (France)
Loved having Gael Fickou back alongside him for the finale against Scotland, scoring two tries including one impressive, powerful finish. Played every minute of France's title-winning campaign and can still improve defensively, which is promising. Good tournaments for Huw Jones and Juan Ignacio Brex.
12 Tom Jordan (Scotland)
Gets tagged as a playmaker and he is excellent in that area, and versatile positionally as well, but he carries with so much strength into contact. Gem of a pass to create Scotland's final try against England and grabbed a couple of scores himself in the win over Wales. Not Bundee Aki's best tournament but he was superb off the bench in Cardiff, while Tommaso Menoncello continues to impress and saved his best for last against Ireland.
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
The player of the tournament and just a delight to watch. Every time the ball reaches him you can sense the excitement given his astonishing speed, but his short kicking game is also razor sharp, typified by his assist for Léo Barré in Rome. Eight tries in the tournament ties the all-time record with Cyril Lowe (England, 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland, 1925).
10 Fin Smith (England)
A mixed field. Finn Russell certainly had his moments, good and bad. Sam Prendergast could be sensational but needs more time in the oven, and also missed the most tackles of anyone (while bravely making several). Paolo Garbisi will infuriate you at times but the talent is there. Romain Ntamack returned and was instantly banned for a dire tackle on Ben Thomas. Fin Smith? Assured, controlled with his passing – super wide ball for Tom Roebuck's try against Wales – and England just look better with him running things.
9 Maxime Lucu (France)
The hardest position really, because you would expect Antoine Dupont. He finished well clear of the rest with seven try assists and may well have been the pick had it not been for his injury in Dublin (and he did have that bombed chance against England). Jamison Gibson-Park started well and faded, while Alex Mitchell was the opposite. Ben White was OK overall, best against England. Which leaves Lucu, who directed France brilliantly against Ireland and saw them home against Scotland. France's scrum-half depth – Dupont, Lucu, Nolann le Garrec, Baptiste Serin and Baptiste Couilloud – really is outrageous.
1 Jean-Baptiste Gros (France)
Yellow card against Scotland slightly blotted his copybook but that was for team infringements. The loosehead scrummaged well and was so lively around the paddock, jackaling like a top back row and with soft hands to pop great offloads. A very good tournament as well for Ellis Genge.
2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Ireland faded away in the final two games but not Sheehan, who looked a nailed-on Test starter for the Lions after successfully returning from his ACL injury. Work-rate off the charts in the loose and had a deserved hat-trick in Rome. Peato Mauvaka was in the mix but lost marks for his mad red card against Scotland, while Jamie George played with a real spark for England.
3 Will Stuart (England)
A bit of a revelation, in that he has gone from fringe Lions tourist to a potential Test starter. This is the best he has scrummaged at Test level but the footwork is also really sharp; think back to the sidestep against Italy. Enjoyed WillGriff John's swagger against Ireland before Genge brought him back to earth, while Uini Atonio is scrummaging royalty.
4 Maro Itoje (England)
A very good tournament for the England captain. Yes, he will give away some soft penalties, but he has thrived in the new role and also produced enough top performances to create a bit of a debate around who should be Lions captain in Australia. Great jackal threat, hit all of the rucks.
5 Mickaël Guillard (France)
Strong contenders here with Ollie Chessum elevating England on his return. He could be a Lions starter. Grant Gilchrist quietly had a great championship, while Tadgh Beirne started hot and then faded. But the way Guillard grew as the Six Nations went on, physically dominant in France's final three matches, was quite something. Part of a really nice starting lock combination with Thibaud Flament.
6 François Cros (France)
What a grafter. If you have a ruck that needs cleaning out, Cros will be there. Finished the tournament with 70 tackles and makes that powerful French engine purr. Jamie Ritchie turned in his best performances for Scotland – outstanding at the Allianz Stadium, he led the championship with seven turnovers – and of course you have to mention Tom Curry here.
7 Ben Curry (England)
Had to bide his time but what a statement he made in this Six Nations, richly deserving his player-of-the-match award in Cardiff after a great defensive display. A genuine Lions shout now, even in a congested field, because of his excellent work-rate. Rory Darge should be in the frame too, while Jac Morgan did his best but could not stop a rough championship for Wales, leading the tournament with 88 tackles.
8 Gregory Alldritt (France)
Caelan Doris overall was very good, while Ben Earl cut out the errors in key moments and looked back to his best. Ross Vintcent gives Italy a spark (but his red card against Ireland was clumsy) and there were moments where Taulupe Faletau looked like his old self. But, after winning his personal battle with Doris in Dublin, it has to be Alldritt, who finished the tournament with the third-most carries and four breakdown steals.
Country breakdown
France: 8
England: 5
Ireland: 1
Scotland: 1
Wales: 0
Italy: 0
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