Six Nations Winners and Losers

The XV takes a look at who's reputation is wallowing in the mud and who's broke in to space in the 2010 RBS Six Nations.


WINNERS

Morgan Parra (France) - The stand out player of the tournament. Always inventive without the same propensity to self destruct as many of France's other mercurial talents have done in the past. Fiery enough, assesses what's in front of him so quickly his decisions look premeditated, were it not for their variety and ruthlessness. Always bright and busy makes defences static and always the the enormous French side on the front foot. Perhaps a weakness at ruck fringe defence when a sides going through the phases (most prevalent against the Scottish back row at Murrayfield) but goal kicked with swagger and perfection. A new star is born.

Tommy Bowe (Ireland) - One of the few Lions starts to not only come out of the tournament with his reputation intact but enhanced. Defences maybe aware of where if inside shoulder support running and 10 channel lines but they still can't stop the Monaghan flyer. Improving consistently under the high ball and rarely beaten one on one his defence is solid but it his attacking instincts are what make him special; is there a better line runner in world rugby? The premier finisher in the hemisphere.

Johnnie Beattie (Scotland) - Could have been any of the so called "killer B's" of the Scottish back row that made a mockery of the big reputations elsewhere to prove to be the best unit in the competition. Hard tackling, and quick and incredibly strong over the ball, Beattie has prototype back row skill sets matched with being a fantastic athlete and an even better footballer. In an era of great ogres who like to run into people hard and watch the ball bounce of their creatine inflated chests Beattie's handling and footwork are a joy. Great support runner, lovely pace and a seemingly massive heart he is a throw back of the best kind. If they stay fit Scotland have something to build a team around.

Keith Earls (Ireland) - In a team that often flattered to deceive and was plagued with errors earls really progressed his name. Still armed with the tools that have brought him to prominence he showed that his ruthless finishing form at provincial and AIB level would transfer to the biggest stage. After a predominately uncomfortable time on the Lions tour, with many questioning whether he should be moved to wing or full back Earls showed in Gordon D'Arcy's absence that he is still comfortable at the top table in the centre. His threat from deep or in midfield maintain him as a special talent. Confidence regained, more experience under his belt and many fears about his game being proven unfounded Earls continues to progress.

Clement Poitrenaud (France) - Rob Kearney they said. Rob Kearney and Lee Byrne they said. Possibly Delon Armitage with Rob Kearney and Lee Byrne they said. No conversation about who the best full back in the world might be is complete until this man's name is in the frame. Shook up the doubters once more and burst back in to life in a competition where not a great deal of that when on. Seems to finally be ironing out his inconsistencies. Clement playing like this ends the debate.


LOSERS

Martyn Williams (Wales) - The embodiment of a horrible tournament for the Welsh. Heartbreaking to say but this time it really may be terminal for Martyn at international level after so much tremendous service. Never seemed to be in positions he's made his own; on the ball carriers shoulder in attack or at the centre of the ruck scrapping in defence. The body may explain the worrying number of missed tackles but the mind doesn't seem to be getting him out of trouble and in to the action like it used to either. His performances gave Sam Warburton consideration for the tournament winners. Martyn's fought back before but is this one time too many? In an expected Welsh rethink Williams needs a huge end to the Magners season.

James Haskell (England) - Never has the phrase 'flatter to deceive' ever seemed more apt than for Haskell. Physically he seems to have everything you would want for a 6 or 8. Massive, quick, scores tries reasonable hands yet for some reason he has never delivered not just on the big occasion for England but on the big stage at club level too. It seemed more than a little ironic that after all the bluster over his missing the Tolouse Stade Francais clash he failed to show up at Murrayfield. All bluster hype never an end product. Many have shouldered the blame for England's stale attacking on Wilkinson, but Haskell is at the heart of it. If you are picked primarily for your dynamism and to get quick go forward your place should be under threat if you don't. Offers little else to the back row. Should have been his last chance time to look elsewhere.

Andy Powell (Wales) - Too many silly off field mistakes in conjunction with not learning your lessens on it, equals massive trouble. Perhaps saved by Gareth Delve and Johnathon Thomas' inability to impress in replacing what he brings gives him a glimmer of hope. However very much abetting his late night munchies in the last chance saloon. Time to decide whether he's going to be a serious rugby player or is content as the high school jock caricature he has created.

Euan Murray (Scotland) - The Scottish front row were a huge let down. Normally dependable they too often failed in their assignments at critical times, no more obviously than in Rome. Murray, who heading in to the championship was considered by many (including writing here) to be one of the world's premier scrummagers was an enormous let down and at the heart of penalties and problems aplenty. One of the main catalysts for Scottish collapse in Rome and Cardiff, must rebuild his reputation in the Saints hunt for a treble.