Team of the 6N

Unlike last year, when winning the grand slam gave me an almost all Welsh team of the competition, this year there's more of a mixture. That is, in part, because most of the teams chopped and changed a number of players and there's a bit of a bias to those that impressed against everyone. It is also because Ireland had bits that worked really well - line out, BOD - and players that really didn't click - ROG - and a few where their players were good but others were better overall.

Like last time, I'll do this in chunks.

Fullback - Lee Byrne, absolutely no doubt. He made about 2 mistakes all tournament, ran gorgeous attacking lines, caught every ball and kicked sensibly as well as running back bad kicks.

Wings - This is a harder call. Williams was expected to be a wizard and at times was, but he wasn't the same twinkling feet as last week. Médard, Malzieu and Heymans all deserve a mention, except for that debacle against England. Tommy Bowe outplayed Williams on the day, but didn't really shine throughout. Halfpenny had a storming start, but then didn't get picked for the last two games. Sackey looked good in an England side when it didn't fire, but seemed to become anonymous the rest of the time. Malzieu and Williams, get the nod, just.

Centres - BOD is as nailed in as Byrne in the 15 shirt. Shanklin, Flutey, Roberts, and maybe if Byrne hadn't limped off Henson are the contenders for the other shirt. Henson looked wonderful but only played 90 minutes in the centres. Ireland and France changed too much. Flutey looked better as the rest of the side got better, which makes me wonder how he would do in a tough game. Shanklin played more minutes, Roberts played in 12... but I think Shanklin just edges it.

Half backs - Stephen Jones is nailed on in 10. ROG was too inconsistent and he's too shaky to defend his channel well. No one else controlled the games well enough or played enough to get a look in. At 9 O'Leary was good, but not quite there. Phillips was solid and played throughout. England's scrum halves were largely anonymous except for yellow cards. Mike Blair seems to be a commentator's favourite, but didn't shine to my mind. Stringer probably looked the best, but played off the bench. Phillips I think just edges it - for his partnership with Jones and because he's often an 80 minute player which is rare at 9 these days.

Back row - Parese of course. Dusautoir of course. Martyn Williams of course. Powell, Worsley, Ryan Jones are all unlucky here, but those three shone throughout.

Second Row - Paul O'Connell is a shoe-in here. Ireland's line out never faltered and attacked the others, and it's most due to POC. DOC was looking good for the role until he got a yellow card and couldn't keep his mind on the job under pressure. Up, to my mind, steps Wyn Jones who was close against POC several times, good the rest of the time and adds ball carrying to the mix. The other line outs tended to stutter, scrums didn't dominate and ball carrying was dull by and large.

Props - tough call here. No side was consistently dominant at the scrum, but Italy, Wales' first choice and England all get a shout here. Gethin Jenkins never looked flustered and made some spectacular tackles above the call of duty, so he gets one slot. I think Califano just gets the other slot. White and Jones to the bench.

Hooker - Really has to be Flannery for his throwing at the lineout and his partnership with POC. Mears is unlucky - his throwing was good, his hooking was good and around the park he's better than Flannery but that relationship with POC just edges Flannery in. Mears on the bench could be devestating in the last 20-30 minutes.