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Six Nations 2023: Johnny Sexton or Finn Russell? BBC pundits pick their teams of the tournament

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments1222

Pundits pick Six Nations teams of the tournament

BBC pundits John Barclay and Sam Warburton have named their Six Nations teams of the tournament.

Both teams include 10 of the same players, while former Scotland captain Barclay has picked compatriot Finn Russell at fly-half, with ex-Wales skipper Warburton choosing Johnny Sexton.

Players from Grand Slam champions Ireland and runners-up France dominate but there are five Scottish players and one Italian. There are no players from England or Wales.

Have a look at who both men picked in their XV and let us know the team you would pick in our comments section below.

John Barclay's team of the tournament: Keenan; Van der Merwe, Fickou, Tuipulotu, Hansen; Russell, Dupont, Baille, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, Flament, Fagerson, Ollivon, Doris.

Barclay's XV: Keenan; Van der Merwe, Fickou, Tuipulotu, Hansen; Russell, Dupont, Baille, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, Flament, Fagerson, Ollivon, Doris.

Barclay selected six Irishmen, five Frenchmen and four Scots. The big talking point was at fly-half, where Barclay chose Russell.

"I love the way he plays the game," said Barclay. "I think it was a really important championship for Finn that he could come in and steer the team.

"There were some errors to his game but not as much to previous years and his approach to the game is fantastic."

Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan was Barclay's player of the tournament.

He said: "It is so easy to give it to Antoine Dupont and his highlight reel would probably be better but you very rarely see Keenan do a single thing wrong in the game.

"His core skills are so good and his positive contributions are so influential. I think he is quality."

Sam Warburton's team of the tournament: Keenan; Penaud, Fickou, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Sexton, Dupont; Schoeman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, Flament, Negri, Van der Flier, Doris.

Warburton's XV: Keenan; Penaud, Fickou, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Sexton, Dupont; Schoeman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, Flament, Negri, Van der Flier, Doris.

Warburton selected seven Irishmen, four Frenchmen, three Scots and an Italian.

The former British and Irish Lions captain said Sexton was Ireland's "colonel" and would be his current choice at 10 for the Lions.

"I'm a bit more risk averse so that is why I like Johnny Sexton - because he is less risky and has less errors in his game," said Warburton.

The tournament's top try-scorer Damian Penaud was Warburton's player of the tournament.

"I just love Penaud," he said.

"Dupont is the best player in the tournament but I think Penaud is a brilliant player."

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1222 comments

  • Comment posted by Hypertension, at 14:27 20 Mar 2023

    Not a single English or Welshman in either selection.

    Says it all really and I'm not in disagreement. A terrible season for both.

    • Reply posted by SimonofSurrey, at 16:12 20 Mar 2023

      SimonofSurrey replied:
      Impossible to make a good case for anyone from either country against either of the 15s chosen. A very sad but brutally honest assessment.

  • Comment posted by Someone76, at 14:24 20 Mar 2023

    Ireland fan here, but how have they both selected Furlong? Obviously a great player, but he only played 2 games and was well short of his best in the second one against England.

    • Reply posted by nairnp, at 14:51 20 Mar 2023

      nairnp replied:
      Not sure who the obvious choice at tighthead is?

  • Comment posted by Scotsdiver, at 14:40 20 Mar 2023

    either team would be a dream. I am so glad the BBC have some top class pundits who talk a lot of sense and raise a smile. please keep John & Sam.

    • Reply posted by guygs18, at 14:42 20 Mar 2023

      guygs18 replied:
      Entirely agree - most eloquent pundits covering rugby at the moment.

  • Comment posted by Ken, at 14:49 20 Mar 2023

    Let’s be thankful the debate is about Russel or Sexton and Farrell jnr is nowhere insight. For me Russell because the defending team fear him and he is unpredictable. Also Sexton moans a bit too much for me. Constantly trying to milk the penalties.

    • Reply posted by Stuart, at 16:35 20 Mar 2023

      Stuart replied:
      No consideration of Ntamack which I found surprising.

  • Comment posted by Robert Holmes, at 16:12 20 Mar 2023

    At least everyone agrees on Dupont!!

    • Reply posted by Blott, at 16:33 20 Mar 2023

      Blott replied:
      Best 9 currently on world scene

  • Comment posted by Scotsman, at 15:37 20 Mar 2023

    Clearly depends what type of game you want to play. Exciting running rugby, defenses kept on their toes then Russell. More pragmatic rugby then Sexton. What people forget is that Sexton is wrapped in cotton wool and hardly played for Leinster before the 6N. Russell plays all Racing games including in the fallow weeks! Imagine Russell that fresh and behind a more dominant pack!

    • Reply posted by blooms, at 16:46 20 Mar 2023

      blooms replied:
      That's a good point re the amount expected from either player around 6N times. However, I always feel that the big issue with Russell is consistency. You know what you're going to get with Johnny, every game. With Russell, it depends on which way the wind is blowing and if he's not on form it can go quite wrong quite quickly.

  • Comment posted by jay, at 15:19 20 Mar 2023

    Needs a subs bench for those that were close to that I would add
    A. Capuozzo

    • Reply posted by AwesomeGreen, at 18:20 20 Mar 2023

      AwesomeGreen replied:
      He was really good, shame to see him injured for the end of the tournament

  • Comment posted by Kildare Jerry, at 14:21 20 Mar 2023

    No Huw Jones in either? 2 forwards selecting!

    • Reply posted by JR, at 14:25 20 Mar 2023

      JR replied:
      Mind they aren’t allowed to pick a team of forwards. Jones maybe just edged out.

  • Comment posted by guygs18, at 14:24 20 Mar 2023

    Furlong’s a great player but has hardly played

    • Reply posted by Ali, at 17:57 20 Mar 2023

      Ali replied:
      Depends on your criteria. Peak quality it's definitely Furlong. If you're using an average performance and marking down for missed matches it's Atonio or Bealham.

  • Comment posted by quirk_douglas, at 14:44 20 Mar 2023

    IRL fan here. I reckon IRL team would be a more dangerous side with Russell playing for us... so Russell for me. If you love Rugby then you love Russell. Furlong is class but didn't do much this tournament. Penaud and Keenan nailed on in back 3... but I'd say James Lowe gets that 3rd spot. He made significant contribution in every game. Ringrose had a great tournament too. Thomas Ramos unluckly

    • Reply posted by Scotsdiver, at 14:48 20 Mar 2023

      Scotsdiver replied:
      agree re Russell. But Lowe ahead of Van der Merve ? Never. Ever.

  • Comment posted by Route1, at 15:07 20 Mar 2023

    Furlong is a silly choice, considering his limited involvement, and clearly not a lot of thought went into it.
    Van der Merwe did some good stuff, but was found wanting in the biggest test against Ireland. Hansen and Penaud should be the wings.

    • Reply posted by Blott, at 15:17 20 Mar 2023

      Blott replied:
      Furlong a silly choice ?

      But if the Lions were picked today, he’d be the only real choice to start at tighthead

  • Comment posted by Scarpia, at 18:16 20 Mar 2023

    Dallaglio's XV

    15. Freddie Steward

    14. Anthony Watson

    13. Henry Slade

    12. Manu Tuilagi

    11. Henry Arundell

    10. Owen Farrell (C)

    9. Jack van Poortvliet

    1. Ellis Genge (VC)

    2. Jamie George

    3. Kyle Sinckler

    4. Maro Itoje

    5. David Ribbans

    6. Lewis Ludlam (VC)

    7. Jack Willis

    8. Alex Dombrandt

    • Reply posted by josh, at 18:20 20 Mar 2023

      josh replied:
      I love the addition of the vice captain selections too haha

  • Comment posted by D1694936241426, at 15:00 20 Mar 2023

    VDM, some spectacular attacking moments but maybe at fault for a few tries against Scotland.

    • Reply posted by SD, at 15:01 20 Mar 2023

      SD replied:
      VDM plays FOR Scotland not against them!

  • Comment posted by SD, at 16:16 20 Mar 2023

    As for question of article between Sexton and Russell I'd say Russell was by far the better this 6N.
    Ireland such a strong team they would have won title without Sexton, there is no way Scotland be anything like as good without Russell.

    He infuriates sometimes as he can throw intercepts etc but overall he was excellent this 6N.

    Downvote button is on the right...

    • Reply posted by Rhodesians Never Die, at 16:19 20 Mar 2023

      Rhodesians Never Die replied:
      Russell's replacement bagged a hat-trick though and was running in length of the field scores against a strong Italy team.

  • Comment posted by ErnieBernie, at 15:05 20 Mar 2023

    A shame that Huw Jones didn't get the nod. Fickou is a class act for sure but he benefits from playing behind a more dominant pack. Jones, alongside Russell and Tuipolotu, has had to find the spaces more creatively and has made more metres than any other player outside the back three.

    • Reply posted by SimonofSurrey, at 16:16 20 Mar 2023

      SimonofSurrey replied:
      As an Englishman I ‘d rather face Fickou than H Jones

  • Comment posted by Scotsdiver, at 14:56 20 Mar 2023

    fair selection, and if there was Lions this year, still wouldnt be an Englishman or Welshman in sight. Would be 9 Irish, 6 Scots or 10-5, or thereabouts.

    • Reply posted by SD, at 15:01 20 Mar 2023

      SD replied:
      As a staunch England fan I agree. Only possible one in contention be Genge for bench.

  • Comment posted by East Coast Warrior, at 17:03 20 Mar 2023

    Sexton, evergreen and excellent. But I'd go Russell. Creates a spark that lifts his side to levels it doesn't otherwise hit.

    • Reply posted by Harleking, at 17:34 20 Mar 2023

      Harleking replied:
      Kinghorn did well against Italy though

  • Comment posted by IHC, at 17:54 20 Mar 2023

    Rugby is supposed to be entertainment. If you pay a lot if money and want to be entertained it’s Russell all day long.

    • Reply posted by Red Trummy, at 20:53 20 Mar 2023

      Red Trummy replied:
      That's it, entertainment - If you ignore winning (which I know you cannot) then how a team plays is to excite, this is paramount. Assume you want to grow the game that is.

  • Comment posted by Clem Fandango, at 14:26 20 Mar 2023

    Surely Ramos!!

    • Reply posted by jlaws, at 15:49 20 Mar 2023

      jlaws replied:
      Keenan best Fullback in World, and arguably player of the tournament. Ramos a fine player, especially attacking wise, but has some defensive frailties, whilst Keenan does everything well, week in, week out.

  • Comment posted by conan the librarian, at 14:40 20 Mar 2023

    cant understand why furlong is in there with his limited game time,huw jones must have been close,gifted player

    • Reply posted by Paddy, at 14:52 20 Mar 2023

      Paddy replied:
      Agreed Furlong wasn’t even Irelands best performing tight head prop. Bealham had better tournament before getting injured.

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