Six Nations 2015: 10 Players Whose Reputations Suffered
Just as some players furthered their cause in this Six Nations, so some took a few paces backward in keeping their positions for the World Cup.
Not everyone can cover themselves in glory week in week out, and these 10 players all suffered a couple of months that have done their prospects of playing key roles in the 2015 showpiece more harm than good.
Be it through the form of rivals for their shirt, moments of madness or simply poor play at times, here are 10 men falling down the hit parade for their coaches.
1. Billy Twelvetrees
1 of 10
Billy Twelvetrees looked out of his depth when he came on against Ireland, slinging a forward pass under no pressure to Jack Nowell when the wing had a clear run to the line.
Twelvetrees has too many misdemeanours on his rap sheet to become the man for England at No. 12.
2. Dylan Hartley
2 of 10
Has Dylan Hartley's rough edge been rubbed down too much?
He might have rid himself of his propensity for yellow cards, but has he also lost some cut and thrust along with it?
Tom Youngs was impactful off the bench in his place.
3. Rory Best
3 of 10
Rory Best threw some wayward lineouts at key times during the championship and only really shone as a ball-carrier for Ireland when they beat England.
Sean Cronin is certainly a busier player around the field when he gets the call from the bench.
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4. Richard Hibbard
4 of 10
Overlooked in favour of Scott Baldwin, less than two years after starring as the Lions hooker, Richard Hibbard is dropping down the pecking order for Wales.
Injury robbed him of a role in the final game.
5. Alex Cuthbert
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Alex Cuthbert was quiet against England and Scotland and was not seen in the starting lineup again.
He faces a fight to displace the impressive Liam Williams before the World Cup begins.
6. Mathieu Bastareaud
6 of 10
Has the Mathieu Bastareaud era finally passed? He is effective at what he does, but that is not helping France rediscover their flair.
The young, tall, rapid Gael Fickou started against England and looked a far better player.
7. Wesley Fofana
7 of 10
Wesley Fofana was caught in the cull by Philippe Saint-Andre for France’s final game.
He then had to sit and watch Maxime Mermoz take his place and turn in arguably the best performance by any No. 12 in the whole tournament.
Whatever went on behind the scenes, Mermoz's performance on the field perhaps spoke loudest.
8. Mike Phillips
8 of 10
Mike Phillips was always odds-on to play second fiddle to Rhys Webb after the young Osprey’s performances this season.
After the tournament, he now has even more ground to make up on his No. 9 rival.
9. James Haskell
9 of 10After such an eye-catching start to the Six Nations, James Haskell almost ended it as England’s fall guy.
His penchant for daft penalties has still not been eradicated, and his trip-tackle on Jules Plisson derailed England’s quest for their required winning margin.
He was also guilty of a needless forward pass in the act of sending Jack Nowell clear against Scotland.
10. Pascal Pape
10 of 10A needless knee to the back of Jamie Heaslip curtailed Pascal Pape’s tournament, but thankfully, it didn’t do the same to the Irishman.
Pape wins the award for unsavoury act of the championship.
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