Rugby:  15. Kevin Morgan (Wales). Some of the most disappointing performers, notably Geordan Murphy and Jason Robinson.

Although Gareth Thomas remained with his team in spirit if not in body, ultimately he was outshone by Morgan's counter-attacking, support play and eye for the tryline.

14. Christophe Dominici (France)

Written off by the French media after the last World Cup, the hero of 1999 repaid Laporte's loyalty. Rejuvenated and back to his impish, elusive best, Dominici provided the cutting edge to see off Ireland before having his tournament cut short by Salvatore Perugini's reprehensible skulduggery.

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

Saved Ireland's bacon against Italy and England, nearly did so against France, and augmented his customary opportunism with his usual workrate in defence and at the breakdown. Not his fault if he ultimately had to carry too much responsibility.

12. Gavin Henson (Wales)

To some degree a triumph of style over substance, and Yannick Jauzion for France and perhaps even his Wales team-mate Tom Shanklin provided more tangible influence. Yet his penalty against England was one of the seminal moments of the tournament, he created space for others and when not tripped or hit off the ball and his defence was excellent.

11. Shane Williams (Wales)

Road-killed in defence by Aurelien Rougerie, Sean Lamont and, almost, Anthony Foley but lit the torch for much of Wales' daring running game, and contributed handsomely to the tries of the tournament. Josh Lewsey was one of England's most consistent performers while Denis Hickie defended excellently and sparkled when allowed.

10. Stephen Jones (Wales)

Not the most aesthetic or athletic looking off the Welsh number 10 conveyor belt but hardly put a foot wrong, varying his game to suit his country's needs. If Jonny Wilkinson doesn't make the cut, the favourite for Lions duty.

9. Dimitri Yachvili (France)

Most will disagree perhaps, and there is a compelling case for including Dwayne Peel, the probable Lions scrumhalf now. But Yachvili's goalkicking, eye for the tryline and all-round footballing savvy made his absence from the opener all the more bizarre.

1. Nicolas Mas (France)

One could easily make a case for Gethin Jenkins given his mobility and yes, that charge-down try, while Andrea Lo Cicero was a bulwark in a game Italian pack but the indestructible, indefatigable Mas was equally skilful and even stronger with the ball in hand.

2. Fabio Ongaro (Italy)

In a non-vintage crop, Shane Byrne didn't quite scale the heights of his autumn, while Steve Thompson remained a little hit and miss and Gordon Bulloch performed patchily. Ongaro had a good tournament and there has to be some recognition of the unstinting if utterly unrewarded Italian pack.

3. Sylvain Marconnet (France)

Given the absence of Julian White after just one round, no one scrummaged harder than Marconnet, who was almost as prominent as Mas around the pitch, evidence of which was teeing up Dominici at the death for the final, decisive try in injury time at Lansdowne Road.

4. Fabien Pelous (France)

Finished the tournament far stronger than he started it, admittedly, and there would be a case for the abrasive Brent Cockbain or even the stalwart Marco Bortolami, but it's hard to ignore a legend who passed 100 Tests along the way and seemingly had such a galvanic effect in rejuvenating Les Bleus.

5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

Could be seeing this one through a slightly green-tinted hue admittedly (Robert Sidoli had a fine campaign). O'Connell was eclipsed against France as well as losing his cool against Wales, but he was magnificent as stand-in captain against Scotland and always kept busting a gut until the end.

6. Martin Corry (England)

Ryan Jones was the most dynamic number six in the tournament and Jason White was one of Scotland's staunchest campaigners, but Corry kept going when the going was toughest for England.

7. Martyn Williams (Wales)

Only got in by dint of injury to Colin Charvis, but emerged as the player of the tournament, providing a radar-like link for Wales' offloading game. Quite how Wales could contemplate taking the field without him is a puzzle in itself.

8. Michael Owen (Wales)

While Anthony Foley's form dipped sharply after the autumn internationals, Owen grew in stature after taking over as Wales skipper midway through the tournament. His break for Wale's second try against Ireland was typical of his dynamic performances.