15. Thomas Ramos France
Plays like the lovechild of Mike Brown and Thomas Castaign\u00e8de with Jonny Wilkinson levels of marksmanship thrown in. There was never any doubt he would nail that decisive final winning penalty in Paris, just as he did against England in Lyon two years ago. The 30-year-old is the first player to be the top points-scorer in four successive championships and now tops France\u2019s all-time list.<\/p>\n
14. Kyle Steyn Scotland
When Scotland and Glasgow play well, the influential Steyn is one of the main reasons why. His interception try from Antoine Dupont\u2019s deflected pass against France at Murrayfield, his second score of the game, neatly summed up his game awareness and pace. His ability to beat defenders and compete strongly in the air also set him apart, although the impressive Rob Baloucoune deserves a mention.<\/p>\n
13. Tommaso Menoncello Italy
Still only 23 but fast emerging as the best centre in Europe. Strong, quick and committed, and his solo try in his side\u2019s historic win against England was merely the most obvious illustration of his talent. There are plenty of good reasons why Toulouse have signed him for next season; the blacksmith\u2019s son looks the complete package. Known to his teammates as the \u201cToucan\u201d \u2013 in tribute to his nose \u2013 he even beat Maro Itoje\u2019s grip\u2011strength test result earlier this season.<\/p>\n
12. Stuart McCloskey Ireland
The midfield revelation of the tournament, so good that Ireland barely missed Bundee Aki. He posed England all kinds of problems and his work rate with and without the ball was also conspicuous. Tracking back to deny Marcus Smith a potential try at Twickenham was a prime example and no one had better tournament starts for dominant collisions, turnovers or try assists.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a big thumbs up for Ireland\u2019s Stuart McCloskey. Photograph: Brian Lawless\/PA<\/p>\n
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey France
A record nine tries in the same championship season, including four against England, is merely the aperitif. The first man to score in every game in successive seasons, he now has 29 tries in 27 appearances for France and is already the joint-fifth highest try-scorer in the tournament\u2019s history with 18 in 14 games. At just 22 he also has the vision to match his blinding pace, making him the nearest thing to a cheat code in modern rugby.<\/p>\n
10. Finn Russell Scotland
Matthieu Jalibert was inspired at times but in terms of pulling the tactical strings, varying his game and helping those around him to thrive, Russell just edges it. As ever, he was at the heart of Scotland\u2019s stirring home wins over England and France and his quick restart for Darcy Graham\u2019s crucial late try in Cardiff summed up his alertness. He turns 34 next September and Scotland should cherish him while they still can.<\/p>\n
9. Jamison Gibson-Park Ireland
The final weekend was, in part, a winner-takes-all showdown between Gibson-Park and Scotland\u2019s Ben White. White had a fine championship but Gibson-Park\u2019s authoritative display against England was right out of the top drawer and Ireland\u2019s commanding win over the Scots further tipped the balance. Not all the British & Irish Lions of last year have been bursting with energy but Gibson\u2011Park, now 34, remains pivotal to Irish ambitions.<\/p>\n
1. Rhys Carr\u00e9 Wales Rhys Carr\u00e9 scores Wales\u2019s first try in their game against Ireland in Dublin earlier this month. Photograph: Peter Morrison\/AP<\/p>\n 2. Julien Marchand France<\/p>\n France remain a side prone to dramatic fluctuations in form but Marchand continues to be a stabilising influence as a lineout thrower and all-round forward presence. Rare are the days he has a bad game, whether for Toulouse or the national side, which has helped him to regain the starting shirt from Peato Mauvaka. Dan Sheehan and Dewi Lake were very much in the frame.<\/p>\n 3. Joe Heyes England Joe Heyes cuts a disappointed figure after England lose to France on Saturday. Photograph: Franck Fife\/AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n 4. Emmanuel Meafou France 5. Charles Ollivon France 6. Tadhg Beirne Ireland 7. Rory Darge Scotland 8. Jack Dempsey Scotland
Earns his place for more than just that try. When your fitness has been pointedly questioned by a previous national coach it is not easy to reinvent yourself as the epitome of a mobile power athlete. He has bounced back to become only the sixth prop in history to score in three successive Test matches and was Wales\u2019s leading points scorer in the 2026 Six Nations<\/a>. Good things come to those who wait.<\/p>\n
Italy\u2019s Simone Ferrari was close but few front-rowers have improved as much as Heyes in the past year. When you consider he had never started a Six Nations game until last month it becomes even more impressive, with England\u2019s scrum perhaps the most consistent area of an otherwise disappointing red rose campaign. The Leicester tighthead, a lover of history and cooking, is also a cracking guy.<\/p>\n
France had a whole range of second-row options but they looked at their most powerful with Meafou on the field. At 6ft 8in and almost 23 stone that is not a huge shock but when used properly he possesses a handy combination of physical impact and deft distribution skills. Those little tip-off passes to supporting forwards are a key part of the modern game and Meafou is still only 27. How Australian rugby must wish he had stayed in Queensland.<\/p>\n
Modern rugby demands flexibility and a broad skill set. Nothing exemplified that more than France\u2019s two lock forwards, Micka\u00ebl Guillard and Ollivon, combining in open play for a try that helped to sink Ireland on the opening night in Dublin. Ollivon was back in the No 8 shirt against England while a strike\u2011rate of 19 tries in 53 Tests further underlines the 32\u2011year\u2011old\u2019s enduring value.<\/p>\n
It was no coincidence that Beirne was one of the first names on Andy Farrell\u2019s team-sheet for the British & Irish Lions Test series last year. Whether at five or six he offers a triple threat as a soaring lineout jumper, a strong defender and a serial turnover specialist. He was again outstanding against Scotland and edges out Italy\u2019s hard\u2011working captain, Michele Lamaro, France\u2019s Fran\u00e7ois Cros and England\u2019s Ollie Chessum.<\/p>\n
Darge was unlucky not to join Beirne on the Lions tour but his omission appears to have spurred him on. Finished equal top for turnovers claimed and his try against England provided further reward for an unselfish, hard\u2011edged performer. Scotland finished third in the end but their back-rowers always kept coming.<\/p>\n
He has just ruined the moment by announcing his departure from Glasgow to go and play in Japan but Dempsey was Scotland\u2019s most impactful forward and a real galvanising force, despite a biceps injury that would have sidelined the average mortal. A tight call, though, with Wales\u2019s Aaron Wainwright, Ireland\u2019s Caelan Doris and France\u2019s Anthony Jelonch all running him close.<\/p>\n