As Wales nurses some sore heads after celebrating the Grand Slam, Skysports.com looks back on the team of the Six Nations.
As Wales fans nurse some sore heads this morning after celebrating the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam,
Skysports.com looks back on the team of the tournament.
Unsurprisingly, there is a fairly strong Welsh flavour to the XV - with Warren Gatland turning them from World Cup chumps to Euro champs in the space for five months.
However, there is still a place or two for the other nations, while the captaincy also goes to a surprise selection...
15 Lee Byrne (Wales)
The Ospreys full-back has been in the form of his career and from the moment he scored the crucial try against England he hasn't looked back. Safe under the high ball and free-flowing in attack.
14 Vincent Clerc (France)
The France winger got his tournament off to a flying start with two tries against Scotland and a hat-trick against Ireland. Was a constant threat throughout the competition with his electric pace.
13 Tom Shanklin (Wales)
Desperately disappointed not to start against England, Shanklin got his head down and worked hard. His reward was a series of faultless displays and a winning partnership with Gavin Henson.
12 Gavin Henson (Wales)
At last things are coming together for the talented Ospreys. The appointment of Gatland, along with Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley, has paid dividends with Henson enjoying probably his best spell since he burst onto the scene.
11 Shane Williams (Wales)
Almost certain to be named as the player of the tournament after a number of electrifying displays. His sheer pace terrifies defences - and his six tries in five games was just reward for his efforts.
10 Ronan O'Gara (Ireland)
A difficult choice with Wales rotating between Stephen Jones and James Hook, Jonny Wilkinson out of form, Andrea Masi not a fly-half despite what Nick Mallett might suggest, Chris Paterson stuck out on the wing and Marc Lievremont constantly shuffling his pack. Ireland have been poor during the tournament, however O'Gara has been consistently their best player - and without him things would have been worse.
9 Mike Blair (Scotland)
The Edinburgh scrum-half has almost single-handedly tried dragging Scotland through the tournament. He was the star of the victory over England and has performed miracles in a struggling side.
1 Andrew Sheridan (England)
The behemoth prop is one of the best scrummagers in the world and without him up front England look lost. Added to his reputation with a superb tournament.
2 Dimitri Szarzewski (France)
Like Sheridan, his presence in scrum is critical with his absence noticeable as Ireland almost drove their way back into the game after his substitution. Szarzewski is also a dead-eye in the lineout, hitting his men consistently.
3 Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy)
Strong, solid and dependable, Castrogiovanni has got about the donkey work with the glee that only a front-rower could have. Not many will have liked coming up against the Azzurri prop at the Six Nations, whether in the tight or loose.
4 Lionel Nallet (France)
It is difficult not to feel sorry for the France captain , who has consistently performed well at the tournament, only for others around him to struggle. A passionate performer who will bounce back.
5 Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales)
The Wales second rower is a highly polished lineout operator - and his ability to disrupt the opposition jumpers as well as securing his own ball was critical for Wales.
6 Jonathan Thomas (Wales)
Overcame his head bang against England in fine style to drive Wales on. Happy to do the dirty work in the runks and mauls by putting his body on the line.
7 Martyn Williams (Wales)
Why, oh why did he ever retire? The Cardiff man showed he is playing some of the best rugby of his career and is likely to be in the mix for the Lions if he continues this form.
8 Sergio Parisse (Italy, captain)
While many will go for Wales captain and No.8 Ryan Jones, there is no doubting the impact of Parisse on the tournament. Italy's star man time and time again, Parisse seemed to be everywhere on the pitch. If he wasn't hammering into the tackles, he was popping up on the wing to create an overlap.
