Here, the PA news agency chooses five outstanding artists in the Guinness Six Nations triumph.
Caelan Doris
Doris has become a colossal figure in the Ireland backline, having gone from rising star to world-class number eight since making her debut in the first match of Andy Farrell’s tenure. The imposing 24-year-old claimed his country’s first tournament try and has been a fearsome presence for opposition sides. His outstanding ball-carrying skills were a key weapon in the Irish arsenal, while he also produced a series of crucial turnovers.
johnny sexton
Influential on and off the pitch, Captain Sexton continues to relentlessly push the standards. The 37-year-old foreman deservedly celebrated his last Six Nations campaign by lifting the title for the first time as skipper and a fourth time overall. He also earned individual accolades by surpassing former rival Ronan O’Gara as the championship’s all-time leading points scorer. His next retirement after the fall World Cup in France will leave important boots to fill.
Hugo Keenan
Like Doris, Ireland’s ‘Mr Reliable’ is one of the new faces who have helped the team get going since the 2019 World Cup. Keenan has made the role of full-back his own, starting 30 of the last 32 matches for his country. Exceptional under the lob, the 26-year-old is lightning fast and rarely makes mistakes. Major contributions from him during the championship included Ireland’s opening try in a heart-stopping victory over France, while he was among the tournament’s top players in meters gained.
mack hansen
Successive man-of-the-match displays against Italy and Scotland underscored the growing importance of the Australian-born wing to the cause. The 24-year-old, who made his Test debut just a year ago, was phenomenal at Murrayfield and, like James Lowe on the opposite flank, has added a different dimension to Ireland’s attack. A constant creative threat, he is fearless, fast and contributes crucial tries, such as his well-timed second at the Stadio Olimpico.
james ryan
The lock continues to grow as a leader and impressed players past and present by speaking passionately about Ireland’s troubled history and the importance of wearing the green jersey in the run-up to the game against France. On the field, he’s back to his formidable prime after suffering a fall on both sides of the 2021 Lions tour, for which he was overlooked. He led the team in Rome and was a tackle machine throughout the tournament.