England are still on course for their first grand slam title since 2003, Scotland and Italy are fighting like Dickensian orphans over the last remaining scraps of credibility that avoiding the wooden spoon affords, Ireland and Wales return to the mid-table mediocrity from whence they came, and Marc Lievremont appears to base his selection policy on... well... we aren't entirely sure. Perhaps something like this.... Either way, even proper journalists from big papers don't approve.
Lievremont has at his disposal some of the best players in the world, and they certainly have the ability to make some serious waves in the up-coming World Cup. But something in the coaching staff needs to change...
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| Meanwhile, Wormtongue and Marc Lievremont plot to overthrow Hobbiton |
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| Jo Maso and King Theoden of Rohan discuss tactics |
The benefit of hindsight is a marvellous thing, and it is with great relief that this entry comes three games into this Six Nations campaign. My fantasy Six Nations team is currently wallowing deep, deep down the league table as my pre-tournament selections have proved to not live up to expectations. So in the spirit of igniting debate, controversy, or most likely, apathy, here is my selection of the Team of the Six Nations 2011 so far.
- Thomas Domingo (France) - His performance against Scotland, where he took Euan Murray and taught him the sort of lesson he won't get down at Sunday school, was key in producing one of the most dominant scrummaging performance seen during a Six Nations tournament.
- Dylan Hartley (England) - Has been the focus of all anti-English sentiment in this Six Nations tournament. The combative hooker has shouldered all the pressure and consistently put in performance after performance. Only keeps William Servat out due to the responsibility on his shoulders.
- Nicolas Mas (France) - The man who was born to play prop has been Domingo's partner in crime and his equal. Thankfully for France, Lievremont have been consistent here.
- Alastair Kellock (Scotland) - Scotland are as one-track minded as a teenager in a strip club, but in order to play their game they need the set pieces to fire well. Kellock has been majestic in the line-out, helping Scotland to top the statistics for ball won at the line-out.
- Tom Palmer (England) - Palmer has had something of a renaissance in the last few months and it has shown in an England team who can now challenge the best in the world. Superb in the line-out, brutally strong in the loose, Palmer has arguably been the power behind the throne in the successes of the England side.
- Thierry Dusautoir (France) - Some players are indispensable. France has always been blessed by excellent loose forwards, and Dusautoir could well be the best of the professional era. His tackle count (41 so far) is unbelievable, his work rate phenomenal. One of the most complete players on the planet.
- Sam Warburton (Wales) - A rare flicker of hope in the Pandora's box that has been Wale's Six Nations. For a team who talk the talk, it is only Warburton and Lydiate who have walked the walk in the Welsh pack. Martyn who?
- Nick Easter (England) - In a tournament that contains Jamie Heaslip, Chabal, Harinordoquy and Mars, the god of War, it may be a surprise to see Nick Easter's name. However, the burly Englishman has been excellent, taking the responsibility of English ball-carrying and making the hard yards look easy.
- Ben Youngs (England) - While Morgan Parra is arguably the better overall player, Lievremont has once again starved the talented young man of a consistent run at the No.9 shirt. Youngs hasn't quite showed the form he had in the Autumn, but his partnership with Flood is proving to be rather fruitful.
- Toby Flood (England) - The King is dead... Long live the King. The Wilkinson era appears to have finally passed, and Flood is playing quite brilliantly. His kicking game is almost faultless and he glides around the park with gazelle-like pomp. Head and shoulders above the other fly-halves in the tournament.
- Chris Ashton (England) - 6 tries, 3 games. The second highest try scorer is Morgan Stoddart with 2.
- Max Evans (Scotland) - Unfortunately, there has been something of a dearth of centres in this tournament. Whereas in 2010, Jannick Jauzion oozed class and Rougerie destroyed defenders, 2011 has seen those two fail to sparkle, Roberts and O'Driscoll have been fairly quite and Shontanye Hape is...well...Shontanye Hape. Evans leads the stats for defenders beaten (13) and second for off-loads (7) and his sparkling pace has caused opposition defenders all sorts of problems.
- Mike Tindall (England) - The much-criticised player has become the praised stand-in captain. Tindall never takes a backward step and his passion and drive more than make up for his lack of attacking flair. And when you have Ashton on the wing, you could probably play Nellie the Elephant at centre and still score tries.
- Mirco Bergamasco (Italy) - Part sympathy, partly justified. Without Parisse and Bergamasco, it is unlikely there would be a Six Nations. Italy would be playing against teams like the Netherlands on pub car-parks instead of the glorious Stadio FlaminioStoddart almost makes it as well.
- Ben Foden (England) - Took his crucial try against France brilliantly and has been an absolute certainty under the high ball, despite his small stature. Hasn't quite showed off his excellent running skills, but perhaps the upcoming game against Scotland is his time to shine.
Who would be in your team?
Do you agree or disagree with these selections? Feel free to leave comments below!
