(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

After what was in my mind, and in doubt every rugby fan's mind, an enthralling RBS Six Nations, the focus switches next to the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in the summer, and it is now the job of head coach Ian McGeechan to pick a finely balanced squad with enough world-class talent, whilst having to sacrifice some other world-class talents in their place. It's not an easy job.

Especially when there were so many class performances out there amongst the home nations during the Six Nations. The Irish blossomed, England were resurgent, Wales were still there and Scotland showed promise but failed to ultimately deliver. And it wasn't just the teams, but individual players themselves who delivered inspirational performances.

In terms of the forwards...in my view, they pick themselves because of their influential performances week in week out:

1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)   

2. Ross Ford (Scotland)   

3. Euan Murray (Scotland)

4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)                 

5. Alan Wyn Jones (Wales)

6. David Wallace (Ireland)  

7. Martyn Williams (Wales)

8. Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)

Although honorable mentions must go to Phil Vickery and Lee Mears (both England), Jerry Flannery (Ireland), Tom Croft (England), Andy Powell (Wales) and Denis Leamy (Ireland)

But I believe where places will be most hotly contested is in the remaining seven places in the backs. So many stood out in every position that it is hard to pick a definite for them. So instead of doing that, each position will be thoroughly examined, as will the likely players, and a decision will most likely come from that.

Scrum-half (No. 9)

To my mind, not many scrum-halves truly stood out in the Six Nations. Scotland's Mike Blair had another chance to impress on the international stage, but flopped. England's Harry Ellis and Danny Care both gave good performances, although Care's sin-bin against Ireland was a bit petulant on his part.

Ireland's Tomas O'Leary also showed good tactical awareness, and Wales' Mike Phillips, although not back to his ultimate best, gave a good account of himself in the Wales shirt. It's hard to pick a definite BUT if I was really pushed...

Verdict: MIKE PHILLIPS (Wales)

Fly-half (No.10)

Another difficult position to fill, as you want a consistent performer who will always hit the target with penalties and coversions yet is good in open play too. There were, again, not many who really stood out. Ronan O'Gara of Ireland wasn't consistent enough through the tournament (although credit to him that was a cool head he kept when slotting the final drop-goal). Stephen Jones also impressed for Wales, as did Toby Flood for England.

But the biggest headache is of course Jonny Wilkinson. If he can regain his fitness for the Lions' tour, then there is every possibility he could play. This is a hard one so I'm going for two possibilities...

Verdict: JONNY WILKINSON (England)...and if Wilkinson isn't fit, then RONAN O'GARA (Ireland)...becuase I believe he can give a performance when its due.

Left wing (No.11)

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