Six Nations Team of the Tournament

France are the 2022 Six Nations Champions after completing the Grand Slam beating Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.

A dozen years on from their last such triumph, Les Bleus dominate our team of the tournament with TEN players featuring.

With plenty of options in multiple positions, we have prioritised the players who consistently performed throughout the competition.

1. Cyril Baille - France

Cyril Baille was the cornerstone of the French pack the entire tournament. Throughout the Championship, he was a force to be reckoned with, getting the upper hand on all of his opposing tightheads. He also played a crucial role in attack with hefty ball carries, while his offloading ability was of the highest order.  A notable mention for Ellis Genge who is incredibly unlucky to miss out. 

Notable Mentions: Ellis Genge (England)

2. Julien Marchand - France

A powerful presence at the breakdown, Marchand was a star of the French pack steering the side to their first Grand Slam in 12 years.

His set-pieces were accurate while he was a menace at the breakdown. He produced a crucial man of the match performance in the win over Wales.

Notable Mentions: Jamie George (England), Peato Mauvaka (France)

3. Uini Atonio - France

Atonio completes an all-French front row. Les Bleus dominated up front through their campaign and it's only fitting that the big boys up front get the credit they deserve. Atonio was titanic at scrum time putting all looseheads in his path under tremendous pressure.

Notable Mentions: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Kyle Sinckler (England)

4. Maro Itoje - England

An outstanding tournament for Maro Itoje, who produced five world-class performances as he built on his 2021 form.

He put every opposing lineout under pressure while he charged around the pitch in every game, making a ton of tackles and carries. 

It was a somewhat forgettable tournament for the England squad, but Itoje can be proud of his performances.

Notable Mentions: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Adam Beard (Wales)

5. Paul Willemse - France

Another powerful presence in the French pack, Willemse's powerful ball carrying and hard-hitting defence, played a vital role in France's run to Grand Slam. 

His performances in all five of France's games nudges him ahead of Wales' Will Rowlands to a place in our side.

Notable Mentions: Will Rowlands (Wales)

6. Michele Lamaro - Italy

Michele Lamaro made his mark during the 2021 Six Nations with stellar performances, but he took it up a level this Championship. He was a tireless presence on defence for Italy, producing five titanic performances. He carried superbly into contact too. 

There is still more to come from the 23-year-old, but if 2022 is anything to go by, Lamaro is another tremendous Italian back-rower starting to stamp his mark on the test arena. 

Notable Mentions: Francois Cros (France), Rory Darge (Scotland), Caelan Doris (Ireland)

7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

An incredible tournament from the Irish back-rower who was easily one of Ireland's best in each of their five Six Nations matches. 

He was furious on either side of the ball making around 10 carries and tackles per game. 

Notable Mentions: Anthony Jelocnh (France), Hamish Watson (Scotland)

8. Gregory Alldritt - France

A two-horse race for the no.8 jumper with Wales' Taulupe Faletau narrowly missing out to Alldritt. Faletau was arguably Wales' best player in all three of his appearances during the Six Nations but is nudged out by Alldritt, who starred in all five of France's games.

The powerhouse back-rower thundered into contact with each of his carries and was an accurate offloader of the ball. He was tenacious over the ball, too, winning several vital turnovers and was just as effective on defence.

Notable Mentions: Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Matt Fagerson (Scotland), Jack Conan (Ireland)

9. Antoine Dupont - France

Dupont looked comfortable with the responsibility of captaining his side to their first Grand Slam in 12 years. He entered the competition with little rugby under his belt after battles with COVID and injuries but quickly settled in, leading his side to victory over Scotland.

His trademark support line created all kinds of havoc for opposing defences while his kicking game continues to improve. He landed some hefty hits on defence as well. His all-round game was excellent throughout the tournament and played an all-important role in the successful run to the title.

Notable Mentions: Jamison Gibson-Park (Scotland), Ali Price (Scotland).

10. Romain Ntamack - France

Ntamack joins his halfback partner in our team of the tournament.

The French playmaker combined superbly with his club mate guiding Les Bleus to their first Grand Slam in a dozen years.

He marshalled his backs around superbly and his kicking game was crucial to their success.

He did enough to beat out the likes of Dan Biggar, Jonathan Sexton and Marcus Smith who were not too far off of making the team.

Notable Mentions: Dan Biggar (Wales), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland) and Marcus Smith (England)

11. Gabin Villiere - France

The French pocket rocket was sensational in all four of his games.

His attacking ability was outstanding as he tore every defence he came up against a part. 

He threw his small frame into contact superbly and was a menace at the breakdown. 

A stellar tournament from the Frenchman.

Notable Mentions: Jack Nowell (England), James Lowe (Ireland), Josh Adams (Wales)

12. Jonathan Danty - France

Jonathan Danty revived his test career in Australia last year but during the 2022 Six Nations, he built his reputation as a brilliant test midfielder.

He was resolute in defence and a powerful presence with the ball in hand. He weighed in superbly at the breakdown too. 

Notable Mentions: Nick Tompkins (Wales), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Henry Slade (England)

13. Gael Fickou - France

Since Shaun Edwards linked up with the French coaching team, he has entrusted Gael Fickou as the side's defensive captain and this Six Nations, he shone in that role.

France's defence was sound throughout the tournament and a lot of that credit has to go to Fickou's organisation ability.

He was just as potent on attack whether he was finishing off tries himself or creating for his teammates. 

Notable Mentions: Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Juan Ignacio Brex (Italy)

14. Darcy Graham - Scotland

A shining light in the underwhelming Scottish campaign. Graham sparked many of Scotland's best attacks and was on hand to round off two tries himself.

He was elusive with ball in hand beating 13 defenders and made over 280 running metres.

Notable Mentions: Damian Penaud (France), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales)

15. Hugo Keenan - Ireland

Yet another standout campaign for Ireland fullback Hugo Keenan this Six Nations. The 25-year-old was consistent throughout the Championship, whether he added pace to the backline or claimed high balls under pressure. Even under the aerial bombardment against England, Keenan was outstanding. His well-rounded game came to the fore in all four of his games.

His consistency sees him beat out the likes of Freddie Steward, Stuart Hogg and Melvyn Jaminet to a place in our team.

Notable Mentions: Freddie Steward (England), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Melvyn Jaminet (France)