Ultimate Rugby's Six Nations Team Of The Tournament
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The 2020 Six Nations spanned over nine months and was filled with plenty of action, excellent storylines and even better performances.
England secured a seventh Six Nations title after wins over Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy. Eddie Jones' men rebounded from their loss to France in round one to win their remain games and beat France to the title by a single point.
France looked to be on track for their first Grand Slam since 2010 after wins over England, Italy and Wales but a loss to Scotland after a 36-minute red card ended their run for the Grand Slam. Despite the loss France were still able to win the title in the final round of the competition but required a massive win over Ireland who themselves were still in the race.
Under new boss Andy Farrell, Ireland suffered just two defeats throughout the competition losing to England in round three and France on the final day of the tournament. Scotland finished fourth overall after three wins over Italy, Ireland and Wales respectively while Wayne Pivac's tenure as Wales' new boss saw the side win just one game over the eventually wooden spoon Italy.
Following a thrilling competition, we picked our team of the tournament.
15. Anthony Bouthier - France
Few would have known the name Anthony Bouthier when the tournament kicked off in February but he has come a long way since.
The French fullback quickly made his presence known for France with this massive clearance against England and continued to shine for Les Bleus from there.
One week ago today....
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 9, 2020
Keep an eye on Anthony Bouthier's boot today! #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/PjLEDarqQL
He was defensively sound at the back while his kicking game played a pivotal role for the French throughout the competition.
He also finished inside the top five for running metres gained in the competition with 237 from the five tests. Stuart Hogg had his moments for Scotland as too did Jordan Larmour in the early stages of the competition while Leigh Halfpenny was efficient for Wales.
14. Jonny May - England
Consistently brilliant for England. May scored a pair in the opening game against France and was the best Englishman on the day before putting in two workmanlike performances in against Scotland and Ireland. An injury meant he played just seven minutes against Wales but he was back at it against Italy sprinting up and down the touchline chasing the up and unders.
He just edges Josh Adams in our team of the tournament.
13. Virimi Vakatawa - France
Vakatawa wasn't as box office as he has been for Racing in recent times but he hardly put a foot wrong for France and stepped up to provide the side with go forward ball with his bulking carries.
He also shipped the ball on well to his wingers and defended well. He beats Nick Tompkins to a place in the side.
12. Bundee Aki - Ireland
A solid tournament from the Ireland centre, Aki started all five of Ireland's matches dotting down against Italy.
Throughout the competition, Aki carried and defended strongly in the midfield while also grabbing a few pilfers during the course of Ireland's campaign.
11. Gael Fickou - France
Played every minute of France's Six Nations campaign featuring in the centres twice and three times on the wing.
Shaun Edwards appointed Fickou the captain of the French defence and certainly impressed in this area making key tackles regardless of which position he started in.
Against England, he made all but one of his 19 attempted tackles while he was similarly solid throughout the competition while he left his best attacking display for the final game playing a big role in two of France's tries while giving nothing away on defence against Ireland.
10. Romain Ntamack - France
In 2019, Roman Ntamack showed glimpses of what he is capable of but in 2020 he took it to another level showcasing a calm head and control well beyond his experience.
Accurate from the tee, Ntamack was also an attacking threat for France and controlled their attack well combining with Antoine Dupont.
Dan Biggar also had a solid campaign while George Ford and Owen Farrell had their moments too but Ntamack was by someway the best.
9. Antoine Dupont - France
Simply fantastic. Dupont had an outstanding tournament setting the competition alight with his superb support lines, scathing runs and even some huge hits.
1. Rory Sutherland - Scotland
A standout throughout the competition for the Scots. Sutherland was a behemoth in the scrum causing many to tip him for a British and Irish call up next year.
Sutherland also carried strongly for Scotland and tackled well. France's Cyril Baille also had a very good campaign as too did Ireland's Cian Healy.
2. Jamie George - England
No other hooker was as consistent throughout the tournament than England's Jamie George.
The 30-year-old celebrated his 50th cap in the final round with a try and miss just one of his attempted 45 tackles throughout the tournament.
3. Kyle Sinckler - England
Returned to the test jersey after a sad end to his Rugby World Cup Final, Sinckler was excellent in opening four rounds of the competition putting in particularly handy shifts against Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
He beats Zander Fagerson and Tadgh Furlong to a place in our team of the competition.
4. Bernard Le Roux - France
Joint top tackler in this year's edition of the tournament, along with his locking partner Paul Willemse, Le Roux was brutally effective for France and was often seen driving players backwards in contact. Only Maro Itoje (22) bettered Le Roux's dominant tackle count in the competition (14)
He does enough to beat James Ryan to a place in our team of the competition despite the Irishman having another fine Six Nations.
5. Maro Itoje - England
Itoje's Six Nations' can be described in one word. Dominant. He dominated in the tackle area making 22 dominant hits, he dominated the breakdown forcing five turnovers, he dominated the lineouts with 17 wins and two steals.
6. Jake Polledri - Italy
Far from a token Italian inclusion. Jake Polledri was sensational for Italy despite their disappoint tournament that saw them once again lose all five of their games.
Polledri featured inside the top 10 for both carries and tackles made averaging over 12 for each per game. He was also the only player to make 10 turnovers throughout the tournament.
Alldritt was also the only forward to make more running metres than Polledri who started at #6 three times out of the five Italian games.
Jamie Ritchie is unfortunate to miss out to Polledri.
7. Justin Tipuric - Wales
A disappointing campaign for Wales after winning the Grand Slam last year but Justin Tipuric was exceptional once again.
The flanker missed Wales' last game of the tournament but was a standout in the other four games for Wales.
Non-stop on attack and defence, Tipuric was all over the park for Welsh and narrowly edges the incredible performance of France captain Charles Ollivon to a place in the side.
8. Gregory Alldritt - France
CJ Stander was well in the race for a place in our side but the final spot does go to Gregory Alldritt. Both players had similar tournament dominating with their carries, tackles and work at the breakdown.
Both players also picked up multiple man of the match awards and were simply fantastic in all five of their games.
However, Alldritt gets the nod after he had a better game in the final Six Nations match of the year.
An honourable mention for Tom Curry who also had a fantastic tournament playing on the side of the scrum as well as at no.8. Curry struggled with the duties of a no.8 in the early stages of the competition but quickly adapted while still being an absolute pest over the ball.
