My team of the tournament after round 3 - let the debate commence:
1. Ben Arous - Lack of stand-out performers at loose-head, Marler/Jenkins have been good not spectacular, Healy looked decent off the bench but needs more time.
2. Best - Seems to have sorted out his line-out issues, a cut above in the loose and at the breakdown.
3. Cole - Very solid, played a lot of minutes, good at the breakdown. Lee has been good but has missed time, Ross a bit of a suprise but also looking decent.
4. Wyn Jones - Goes hard for 80, MoM in Paris, spine of the welsh 8. Kruis has been a good find, but still a bit green. Furno - athletic but liable to disappear at times.
5. O'Connell - Delivers year on year for Ireland, non-stop engine. Toner deserves mention for wrecking line-outs all over the place. Jonny Gray continues to improve.
6. O'Mahony - Awesome on the floor, great work-rate. Lydiate deserves mention for his chop tackles and surprisingly soft hands.
7. Warburton - Looks to be finding his 2011 form, quick, fit and strong. Robshaw consistently delivers but loses out at the breakdown to O'Brien/Cowan/Warbuton
8. Vunipola - Still carries like a wrecking ball but has added to his defensive and breakdown game. Parisse still carrying the Azzuri pack, though less so than in the past.
9. Murray - Strong case for player of the tournament so far, does everything well or better. Special mention to Parra who on his day is absolutely world class.
10. Sexton - The best 10 in world rugby, peerless in Europe. Ford has looked promising, Biggar has a well-rounded game, Russell looked good before injury.
11. Halfpenny - Cheating I know, but he has to get in. Goal-kicking is such a weapon and very solid elsewhere. Williams brings some excitement, Lamont has carried well.
12. Roberts - Tough call to leave Henshaw and Dunbar out here, all actually quite similar players, but Robert's experience and consistency win it for me.
13. Joseph - Nullified against the Irish, but the English had very little ball, otherwise electric. Morisi has been a nice find, Bastareaud polarises opinion - great carrier but is it to the detriment of the team overall?
14. Bowe - So key to the Irish gameplan, wise head, never makes mistakes...ever. Venditti has looked powerful, Seymour I like but has missed game time.
15. Kearney - Like Bowe he's so well rounded, rarely makes mistakes, tough, huge boot. Hogg flashes but makes too many errors, McLean has been in top form for Italy but his game is limited.
Let me know your thoughts!
