Those stats on crowley are really good. It seems not many people over here are appreciating what a great job he did but to have your debut 6n and win it as a fly half is a great start, I'm really looking forward to how he fares in sa.

Very happy that Crowley did so well. His exposure at test level was very limited prior to this tournament and he had huge boots to fill.

Spot on choosing Jack Crowley as your 10. Finn Russell possesses some outstanding levels of personal skill and talent, more than lots of other people who play at 10. However he doesn’t have anything at all approaching the same ability to consistently run a game, manage a game, make the correct decisions at the correct time. Yes Russell has matured over recent years but he’s still prone to errors which puts his team on the back foot. Ford and Crowley are both much more rounded players than Russell. Ford has largely been overlooked at international level because of Owen Farrell’s presence over the years and now that Marcus Smith is emerging, Ford will continue to play second violin. On the other hand, Crowley is the main man now in Ireland and will remain so for several years (barring injury). He has slotted into what was effectively Johnny Sexton’s team, almost seamlessly. Crowley and Romain Ntamack (obviously injured for this particular tournament) are vying for the (notional) position of the best Out Half in the northern hemisphere. Marcus Smith isn’t at that level yet though he’s certainly a raw gem and it remains to be seen if he can challenge for supremacy over the Frenchman and the Irish man. Which brings me to the next British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next year. On current form I would suggest that Crowley has to travel as the number one Out Half on that tour. After that, I would bring Ford and Smith. Controversial, I know, unless of course Andy Farrell decides to bring a fourth Out Half on tour. In that scenario Russell could travel.

Excellent list Max. They should think about doing a European lions team and send these guys on tour to South Africa and New Zealand ! I would replace Jamie George with Dan Sheehan though. And Dan can score tries. Jamie's not quite got the necessary flair, though he's a great player and never gives up.

No mention of Menoncello at 12 is wild. He's a genuine candidate for player of the tournament. Compared to the World Cup when he was injured, Italy looked like a different beast with him in the team (besides the Ireland game).

Max, great video. I’m a northern hemisphere guy. Could you tell me what is the greeting you use to open your videos? Ross Karl opens the same way on the Aotearoa pod.

Glad to see the Irish contingent in a great video!

Van Der Merwe was player of the tournament for me, not just for his trys but for his two try scoring track back tackles, one in the Italy match and one in the Ireland match, shows extreme dedication to Defence

Good list, nothing controversial there 👍

hey mate, to not take in consideration Brex, Menoncello and even Bundee Aki at centre is at least a little strange choice

Porter MVP bro

I'd have had Francois Cros ahead of Tommy Reffell. He seldom has a bad game, and was very good even when France were playing poorly at the start of the tournament.

Nah g 1. Porter 2. Kelleher 3. Forlong 4. Henderson 5. McCarthy 6. Beirne 7. vDF 8. Doris (C) 9. Murray 10. Crowley 11. Lowe 12. Aki 13. Ringrose 14. Hansen 15. Keenan Up the Irish

Caelen Doris had a poor tournament compared to the World Cup. Bundee Aki easily player of the tornament

Jack Crowley did well but its a pretty controversial claim to say he was better than Russell and Ford.

Absurd to overlook Earls…..