Six Nations Table 2015: Winner, Top Players, Final Results and Standings
A climactic close to the 2015 Six Nations saw Ireland retain their European title on Saturday, clinching back-to-back Six Nations crowns for the first time in their history.
After thumping Scotland 40-10 in Edinburgh, Joe Schmidt's men left their fate in the hands of France, who managed to hold England at bay enough to stop the Red Rose from surpassing Ireland on points difference.
A narrow triumph is a triumph all the same, however, and none could argue the boys in green didn't deserve their trophy on a day where the six combatants scored a record total of 221 points.
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Before attention turns toward the Rugby World Cup later this year, we recount a selection of this tournament's most impressive individuals, with both minnows and giants making their way into the reckoning.
| 1 | Ireland | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 119 | 56 | +63 | 8 | 8 |
| 2 | England | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 157 | 100 | +57 | 18 | 8 |
| 3 | Wales | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 146 | 93 | +53 | 13 | 8 |
| 4 | France | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 103 | 101 | +2 | 9 | 4 |
| 5 | Italy | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 62 | 182 | −120 | 8 | 2 |
| 6 | Scotland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 73 | 128 | −55 | 6 | 0 |
| Saturday, March 21 | Italy | 20-61 | Wales |
| Saturday, March 21 | Scotland | 10-40 | Ireland |
| Saturday, March 21 | England | 55-35 | France |
Top Players
Sergio Parisse, Italy
There are many players in the Six Nations who emerge from this year's competition with more glitz and glamour to their name, but in relation to what one man adds to his team, there aren't many who match Italy's Sergio Parisse.
The Stade Francais No. 8 remains the Azzurri's shining light, and Jacques Brunel was unfortunate to be without his captain against Wales in Week 5, with Opta's Russ Petty outlining his influence on the squad:
Parisse is quite simply an improvement in all spectrums. In possession, he's a hardy, workmanlike asset to have around who makes great strides in a direct sense, while his work in defence is equally as dogged, raising the standards of all those around him.
It was largely thanks to the back-rower that Italy claimed a memorable victory at Murrayfield to avoid the wooden spoon, with Parisse attracting the plaudits of rugby writer Brendan Gallagher:
So great is the veteran's influence that one may even debate Wales would not have beaten the Azzurri by a margin of 41 points were he present for the Week 5 outing.
In a way, one can't help but feel some sympathy for a man clearly miles ahead of the Italian average, but it's a testament to his character that Parisse never allows his quality to slip, even if that is the case.
George Ford, England
Owen Farrell's injury in the build-up to this year's Six Nations may have been a blessing in disguise, as George Ford was allowed to fulfil England's No. 10 duties free of pressure—and how he thrived under the conditions.
Granted, Stuart Lancaster's maestro was unable to guide the team to a Six Nations crown, but even in the wake of their 19-9 defeat to Ireland, Ford earned the praise of ex-England centre Will Greenwood:
The 22-year-old fly-half has slowly been migrating further into Lancaster's XV, but this was his coming-of-age moment, the occasion after which we can be assured Ford is the man to lead England forward.
It was more than partly thanks to his influence that England were able to pile 55 points on France in Week 5, with Simon Thomas of the Western Mail noting the proficiency of his interlink play:
By and large, Ford is a hugely reliable figure from the tee, and England's back line evidently looked more familiar with him in the No. 10 jersey, using their standoff as a constant foundation in attack.
Young though he may be, the Bath starlet came to showcase just what a leading figure he can be in this England setup for years to come, and the sense of humility he oozes promises to only benefit him further.
Paul O'Connell, Ireland
It's a shame to think Saturday's win over Scotland may prove to be the last time we see Ireland captain Paul O'Connell line up in the Six Nations.
Age eventually catches up with all players, and in the wake of his team's Edinburgh triumph, Ireland's lock hero admitted he may not be a part of this setup in the 2016 tournament, per Patrick McCarry of Joe.ie:
"This is my 13th championship. Anytime you win a championship, I don't care what way we play. To win a championship is an amazing feeling. To go back-to-back is incredible. It is a very difficult thing to do. Ireland is a small island. We have four professional teams.
It just goes to show how good the athletes and players we have are. It also goes to show, the way the provinces are ran and the way, strength and conditioning wise, we are run [as players] too. We have smaller resources. If it does finish, it's a great way to finish. If it doesn't, it is still a great memory to have.
"
Even at the ripe old age of 35, O'Connell is moving about as spritely as ever, having played every minute of Ireland's tournament and becoming a cap centurion in the process.
It's fitting, too, that the try-shy second-row should glide over for the opening score against Scotland, leaving Andy Howell of Wales Online bemused as to why he wasn't selected in Thomas' Team of the Tournament:
His handling skills at times kept Ireland in possession to smooth over patches of the ball-retention-based tactics that Ireland utilised so well, ever reliable as a carrying threat under the tightest of pressure.
If this does prove to be O'Connell's last run at the Six Nations, he can hold his head high at having led the team to yet another championship and playing a key role in that success to the cheerful end.
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