But also Dupont, van der Flier, Keenan… Discover the typical XV of the competition – with 7 French, 6 Irish and 2 Scottish – composed by the editorial staff.
1: Cyril Baille (France)
What a tournament for the left pillar of the Blues and Stade Toulousain! Aligned in all the meetings of the competition, he gained strength and posed big problems to his vis-à-vis. His explosiveness, his ball-in-hand technique and his closed scrum hold make him one of the very best in his position on the oval planet. Scottish left prop Pierre Schoeman also had some very good matches.
2: Julien Marchand (France)
The hooker first experienced a difficult start. The scratching specialist was less effective in the first matches before also gaining momentum. Constantly advancing and effective in touch, Marchand is simply unstoppable. Irish hooker Dan Sheehan is also worth mentioning, he who could almost play three-quarters!
The hooker of the XV of France, Julien Marchand JB Autissier / PANORAMIC
3: Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
The Scottish prop has been the most consistent. Lined up four times, he held the house in melee and was very active offensively. Defensively, he was solid. The other right pillars of the Tournament, Bealham and Furlong (Ireland), Atonio (France) or even Sinckler (England) were in difficulty and/or missed matches.
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4: Thibaud Flament (France)
The second line of Stade Toulousain was simply monstrous. With 81 successful tackles throughout the Tournament, the excellent Flament is the second best tackler in the competition. But that’s not all. He also scored three tries and was reassuring about his ball touchdowns. Impressive.
5 : James Ryan (Irlande)
In the tradition of legends at his post in Ireland, James Ryan has imposed himself in the cage for a few years. In this Tournament, he will have made 66 tackles and above all, will have recovered five balls in the rucks. Tireless, he will have moved his carcass unceremoniously to the four corners of the field.
6: Anthony Jelonch and Francois Cros (France)
One started very strong, the other ended just as strong. Anthony Jelonch had two and a half magnificent matches and even sacrificed himself to save a try against Scotland before his exit. Cros, who returned from a left knee injury, was equally impressive. Defensively, he was impeccable and also offered to support on many occasions. In the third row, the France team is well off.
7 : Josh van der Flier (Irlande)
The best player in the world in 2022 has proven why he got this title. 67 tackles, permanent supports, and devastating charges, the Irish flanker was in all the fights. And is, logically, one of the key elements of the Grand Slam of the XV of Clover.
8: Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Caelan Doris attacked his tournament very hard by scoring a try against Wales. Constantly on the advance (54 ball races in hand) and valuable in defense, he showed impressive regularity in the competition. Obviously, a mention to Grégory Alldritt, inside at the start of the Six Nations before being titanic against England.
The third-line center of Ireland, Caelan Doris. Peter Fitzpatrick / PANORAMIC
9 : Antoine Dupont (France)
The qualifiers are missing to evoke the scrum half of the Blues. A decisive passer on four occasions and constantly dangerous, Dupont was, once again, very good in this Tournament. Despite a tricky start to the competition, he, like all of his teammates, has grown in strength. Irreplaceable.
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10: Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)
The Irish opener could not have hoped for such a successful Tournament. This competition, which he will certainly not play again, ended with a Grand Slam. Brilliant and formidable leader of men, the opener of Leinster also became the best scorer in the history of the Six Nations (564 points). Legend.
11 : James Lowe (Irlande)
Van der Merwe in halftone, discreet Dumortier, silent Hassell-Collins… The candidates for the left wing did not jostle at the gate. James Lowe, author of three tries, including one after a long ride, distinguished himself in defense – a sector in which he has progressed – and often relieved his people with his power at the foot. Probably not the fastest, but a permanent danger due to its power.
12 : Joan Tuipulotu (Scotland)
He was to be watched before the Tournament. Well Sione Tuipulotu confirmed. The Scotsman of Australian and Tongan roots was excellent off the ball. But, leather in hand and by his very good race timings, the three-quarter center has undoubtedly secured a starting place in the center of the attack of the XV du Chardon.
Scottish center Sione Tuipulotu. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
13: Gael Fickou (France)
Who else but him? As a third line, it points to the 3e place of the best tacklers of the competition (67). In the advance, always right in his choices, he even floated when the Blues were in the hard at the start of the Tournament. The center of Racing 92 has once again proven to the world of rugby that he is one of the very best in his position. The Scottish Huw Jones also had a very good Six Nations with four tries scored.
14: Damian Penaud (France)
The Clermont winger finished top scorer in the competition with five tries. With 21 tries registered during his last 26 selections, Penaud continued to panic the counters. Constantly performing, he had been one of the few to float during the rout in Ireland. At 26, the tricolor winger never ceases to impress.
15: Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
We could have quoted Thomas Ramos, best director of the competition (84 points). But Hugo Keenan deserves it just as much. He will have completed 54 runs with the ball in hand and remains the player who has completed the most meters (562). Back very safe on foot, excellent raiser and above all formidable last defender, the back of Leinster has become, for a few seasons already, one of the best in the world at his post.
