After every Six Nations, pundits, fans and media alike are transfixed with the idea of their team of the tournament, selecting the players who performed the best in their respective positions.
In an unusual move, The Telegraph have released their team of the tournament before the Six Nations. Not only that, but Ireland have by far the most representatives with seven.
Joe Schmidt has been downplaying expectations and favouritism, which seems to be taken on board by the Irish fans and media. That's not the case elsewhere however, as the Telegraph have firmly put the favourites tag on Ireland.
Usual suspects like Paul O'Connell and Johnny Sexton are included in the team, while Irish players are selected ahead of tough competition. Murray is ahead of Danny Care; O'Mahony is ahead of Tom Wood and Dan Lydiate; Tommy Bowe is ahead of George North while Rob Kearney gets the nod over last year's player of the Six Nations in Mike Brown.
The Telegraph have also decided to select two players who have never played in a Six Nations game with Ireland's Robbie Henshaw and France's Teddy Thomas in their team over more established internationals.
The Telegraph's Team Of The Six Nations:
15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ireland)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
12. Wesley Fofana (France)
11. Teddy Thomas (France)
10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
1. Joe Marler (England)
2. Richard Hibbard (Wales)
3. David Wilson (England)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Ireland)
7. Sam Warburton (Wales)
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Photo Credit Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
