2017 Six Nations Player of the Championship

20 March 2017 - Press release from the RBS Six Nations Championship:

"A shortlist of 12 nominees for the Player of the Championship for the 2017 RBS 6 Nations has been announced with players from all six countries in contention.

Having won the RBS 6 Nations title for the second year running, England provide the most players with three, second row Joe Launchbury, fellow forward Maro Itoje and centre Owen Farrell.

After their impressive campaign Scotland have two players nominated including last year's winner Stuart Hogg, joined by Finn Russell, while Rhys Webb and Ken Owens are nominated from Wales.

Camille Lopez, the Championship's top points scorer, and Louis Picamoles are both included from France, while Ireland pair CJ Stander and Conor Murray make the list, as does Italy skipper Sergio Parisse.

Players at every RBS 6 Nations match this year have been awarded or deducted points based upon several different performance categories which cover all aspects of the game. These categories are proportionately weighted based on the different positions by an algorithm created by Accenture, Official Technology Partner of the RBS 6 Nations.

This year, Accenture has worked very closely with Accenture Analysis Team member, and former South Africa and Italy coach, Nick Mallett to draw up a shortlist of 12 players who have displayed specialist skills and outstanding ability throughout the whole Championship."

Linky Goodness

Picamoles for me, followed probably by Launchbury and Stander.

Alex Cuthbert

Think Scott has the top 3 choices, probably along with Hogg. Seriously, how does Parisse make this shortlist every year? He's been a fabulous player over a long time but this year, it's pushing tokenism a bit too far.

I seriously considered Launchbury, but ended up voting for Hogg. His performances this year have been mesmerising.

AWJ, closely followed by Warburton.

Went for Hogg - as again terrifying in attack and also played well (certainly as well as any other FB) in defence

Launchbury - was very good

Itoje I felt was poor / average (Gave several high tackle penalties as well)

Picamoles Has some fantastic games, but felt he faded a bit as the tournament went on

Thought apart for his 50th Cap, thought Farrell was also very good

Gone for Launchbury although I think it was very much a duel effort with Lawes who's mightily unlucky to miss out entirely then again form doesn't seem to play much part in these things.

There's a few good players there but for me Launchbury has been the best player in the best team and showed up on Saturday when several team mates didn't.

What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

Parisse is the token Italian, yes?  What a disservice to Italy to again nominate the only player the nominators can think of when thinking of Italy.

Player of the Championship - Marmion.

Player of the list:  between Hogg and Webb.  Coin toss - Webb because he's a perfect 9 - a cocky asswhole

Pains me to say it mikey but both your picks aren't on the list

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

Lawes was close. I think if he'd lost the ball in contact less he'd probably be top. Thought Lawes was better first game, Launch vs Ireland, and similar in the others.

I voted for Hogg, i'm not convinced he deserved it last year, but he has been truly outstanding in the games he has played this year.

Launchbury, Stander, Lawes, Farrell and Webb have all been excellent.

I'm bias but going to say Stander. He's been so consistent, even in the 2 games Ireland lost he still had strong games.

All the other players had off games in my opinion.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Pains me to say it mikey but both your picks aren't on the list

Yeah just goes to show what a croquet of shoite that is really, not even having class performers like AWJ and Warbs on the list.

Kruis was always England's best lock IMO, but it was Itoje constantly in the spotlight. All good options though and on current form I'd take Launch, Lawes and Itoje to NZ.

mikey_dragon wrote:AWJ

The Emperor's New Player

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

(Kruis didn't play a minute in the 6N)

BamBam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

(Kruis didn't play a minute in the 6N)

We know... But if you read my previous post I insinuated that he was never talked up despite being England's best lock, whilst the others were over-talked. Do you know when he's due back?

Dont think Parisse should be there nor should Itoje. Not that either player was bad they just werent as good as others.

Id have Furlong and possibly Serin instead.

I like Russell a lot but I think Sexton had a better tournament but maybe only marginally.

Stand out players for me were Launchbury, Hogg and Stander. Maybe Picamoles too at a push but no one else really. Anyone of those but Stander was probably the most consistently good.

mikey_dragon wrote:We know... But if you read my previous post I insinuated that he was never talked up despite being England's best lock, whilst the others were over-talked. Do you know when he's due back?

Kruis gets plenty of attention, most people would have said Kruis & Itoje as first choice locks before the tournament.

Courtney Lawes for me, head down hard work every test, for some unknown reason he's not on the list.

aucklandlaurie wrote:Courtney Lawes for me, head down hard work every test, for some unknown reason he's not on the list.

Unfortunately turned over 8 times.

Scottrf wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:Courtney Lawes for me, head down hard work every test, for some unknown reason he's not on the list.

Unfortunately turned over 8 times.

 ?

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:Courtney Lawes for me, head down hard work every test, for some unknown reason he's not on the list.

Unfortunately turned over 8 times.

 ?

He was turned over 8 times. Stripped, knocked on in contact etc. His major fault IMO right now.

Why is Jamie george not up there? Someone call Beshockeds lawyers.

Scottrf wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:Courtney Lawes for me, head down hard work every test, for some unknown reason he's not on the list.

Unfortunately turned over 8 times.

 ?

He was turned over 8 times. Stripped, knocked on in contact etc. His major fault IMO right now.

 I Put it in context of his whole contribution.

Cuthbert.

Scottrf wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:Courtney Lawes for me, head down hard work every test, for some unknown reason he's not on the list.

Unfortunately turned over 8 times.

 ?

He was turned over 8 times. Stripped, knocked on in contact etc. His major fault IMO right now.

The one bright memory I had of Scotland getting dicked by England was Hogg stripping Lawes of the ball in contact and litterally had me thinking WTF??!!

Lawes always gets stripped.

He had some good moments but I'd still pick Kruis ahead of him.

Ah takes me back to Lawes being shown up by Williams all those years ago.

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

I didn't know you could buy a MOTM performance, but he was rightly given the award in both matches.

Kruis didn't play a match in the 6 Nation as he suffered a knee ligament injury before the first match, so that's why he's not being talked about.

Steve_rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

I didn't know you could buy a MOTM performance, but he was rightly given the award in both matches.  

Kruis didn't play a match in the 6 Nation as he suffered a knee ligament injury before the first match, so that's why he's not being talked about.

Just ignore him Steve. He's on the WUM!

He's also saying that AWJ was player of the tournament.

AWJ - worst captain. most over-rated lock. will only tour with the Lions (if selected) due to complete nepotism from Gatland.

tigertattie wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

I didn't know you could buy a MOTM performance, but he was rightly given the award in both matches.  

Kruis didn't play a match in the 6 Nation as he suffered a knee ligament injury before the first match, so that's why he's not being talked about.

Just ignore him Steve. He's on the WUM!

He's also saying that AWJ was player of the tournament.

AWJ - worst captain. most over-rated lock. will only tour with the Lions (if selected) due to complete nepotism from Gatland.

Wow is Steve this transparent? And TT, coming from the guy rating players that shipped 60+ points... Good luck with Lions selection lads!

Edoardo Gori deserves more credit as a player IMO. I wouldn't have him player of the tournament but would have selected him ahead of Parisse from Italy and a few others on the list too.

For a 9 to have played a 60 test career without a test quality 10 outside him and have performed as consistently as he has is very impressive. He doesn't have a huge amount to work with outside him but his service is very good, his kicking's accurate and intelligent, he makes good decisions and can take a chance when it's on.

I also think he's also one of the best 9s in the world at marshaling his pack.

At only 27 and with 61 caps already he has achieved a lot. I hope that he gets some deserved success for both club and country during his career though.

mikey_dragon wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:What amazes me is how Launchbury keeps buying these MOTM performances, a lot like in the RWC humiliation against Aus. At no point was he MOTM in those two games despite the difficulty of picking a standout individual in a well-drilled team. It pains me to say it but after seeing Lawes be overhyped for 10 years he was England's top lock in this championship. It's also strange how England's best lock (Kruis) doesn't even get talked about.

I didn't know you could buy a MOTM performance, but he was rightly given the award in both matches.  

Kruis didn't play a match in the 6 Nation as he suffered a knee ligament injury before the first match, so that's why he's not being talked about.

Just ignore him Steve. He's on the WUM!

He's also saying that AWJ was player of the tournament.

AWJ - worst captain. most over-rated lock. will only tour with the Lions (if selected) due to complete nepotism from Gatland.

Wow is Steve this transparent? And TT, coming from the guy rating players that shipped 60+ points... Good luck with Lions selection lads!

yet you rate players who were comprehensively beaten by Scotland?

Comprehensively? They didn't ship 60 pal.

mikey_dragon wrote:Comprehensively? They didn't ship 60 pal.

Correct, but Wales didn't finish with a backing comprising of 2 scrum half's and 2 fly halfs.

This dick measuring is pointless. Wales good performance isn't enough to fill the Lions tour with Welsh players and equally being Scotland's dreadful performance against England isn't enough to condemn our best players to not being selected.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Comprehensively? They didn't ship 60 pal.

Correct, but Wales didn't finish with a backing comprising of 2 scrum half's and 2 fly halfs.

This dick measuring is pointless. Wales good performance isn't enough to fill the Lions tour with Welsh players and equally being Scotland's dreadful performance against England isn't enough to condemn our best players to not being selected.

I don't want it filled with welsh players. It's just some folk on here are delusional.

CJ stander made the most carries in a 6Ns ever with 104.
Others:

Billy Vunipola (2016) 93
Scott Quinnell (2001) 83
Sergio Parisse (2011) 79.

Sin é wrote:CJ stander made the most carries in a 6Ns ever with 104.

Good number Sin. Now if more of them were carried across a tryline we'd be in biz!!!

Owen Farrell?

Why pray tell?

Gwlad wrote:Owen Farrell?

Why pray tell?

Not sure why the Lions captain AWJs has been left off to - must be a conspiracy..........

SecretFly wrote:

Sin é wrote:CJ stander made the most carries in a 6Ns ever with 104.

Good number Sin.  Now if more of them were carried across a tryline we'd be in biz!!!

Ya, he only got one hatrick

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Owen Farrell?

Why pray tell?

Not sure why the Lions captain AWJs has been left off to - must be a conspiracy..........

Lions Captain…you must mean Dylan Hartley. Definitely a conspiracy.

Finn Russell. In fact the whole shortlist should be Scots.  By turning up against Ireland and Wales and not against England they had more impact on the championship than anyone else.

Engine#4 wrote:Finn Russell. In fact the whole shortlist should be Scots.  By turning up against Ireland and Wales and not against England they had more impact on the championship than anyone else.

They won their home games, lost their away games. Pretty much the same as the rest.

I'd say Picamoles or Launchbury with Stander and Webb close behind.

Some odd choices in that list. Is Parisse's name stuck in the short-list template?

Well done Stuart Hogg, Player of the championship 2 years running!

Yes! Well done Hoggy!

Mega-lols at the Glasgow team meeting:
https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/844892273909338112