On the final weekend of autumn internationals for four of the six RBS 6 Nations teams there were a string of impressive displays.
Ireland produced the performance of the round with a thumping victory over Argentina to secure their place in the second tier of seeds for the next World Cup.
France completed a cleansweep of their November Tests with a hard-fought win over Samoa while Italy matched their best ever performance against Australia in a narrow three-point defeat.
Wales were always going to be up against it facing the All Blacks but Jonathan Davies was one of those to impress, England’s pack stood up in their cruel loss to the Springboks, while Scotland will be under new management by the time of the RBS 6 Nations after Andy Robinson’s resignation following a shock loss to Tonga.
15. Andrea Masi Italy came so close to a first win over Australia and 2010 RBS 6 Nations Player of the year Masi was instrumental with his dangerous running from full-back. One of the older heads in the Azzurri lineup he looks like he will play a big role for Jacques Brunel in 2013.
14. Tommy Bowe Refusing to be outdone by his young Ulster and Ireland teammate Craig Gilroy, Bowe ran in two tries against Argentina to take his international tally up to 26.
13. Jonathan Davies Arguably his best display in a Welsh shirt to date, Davies was a constant threat in attack and solid as a rock in defence. He also coped well with the loss of centre partner Jamie Roberts after just 18 minutes.
12. Florian Fritz He started at 13 but he and Davies both deserved a spot so Fritz moves in one place. Les Bleus spent more time defending than attacking against Samo aand with 16 tackles made and none missed, Fritz was at the forefront.
11. Craig Gilroy Gilroy might be a novice on the international scene – but you couldn’t tell with his display in his first full cap against Argentina. A try and jinking runs reminiscent of a certain Welsh winger, Gilroy looks like he has a big future.
10. Frederic Michalak The prodigal son was at it again when his side most needed him against Samoa. A chargedown try, a near-faultless kicking display and a third impressive display in succession. Michalak just edges out Jonny Sexton.
9. Conor Murray He and Sexton worked well together with the advantage of a dominant pack in front of him. The Munster scrum-half made his debut just over a year ago but looks comfortable in the Irish No.9 jersey.
1. Alex Corbisiero On the comeback trail from injury, Corbisiero could have been excused a rusty display against South Africa. As it was he gave Jannie Du Plessis a torrid time as the English pack reigned supreme at Twickenham.
2. Dimitri Szarzewski Dropped to the bench in favour of Benjamin Kayser, Szarzewski made quite an impact in the second half. Dynamic in the loose, he also maintained France’s lineout dominance in a hard-fought win.
3. Martin Castrogiovanni The veteran prop came so close to a first success over one of the Southern Hemisphere’s big three and was part of an Italian scrum which got the better of their Australian counterparts in Florence.
4. Donnacha Ryan Ireland started with neither Paul O’Connell nor Donncha O’Callaghan but it made no difference as Ryan stepped up to the plate in Dublin. An abrasive and versatile option, he looks to be coming into his own on the international stage.
5. Geoff Parling England’s go-to man in the lineout, one of their top tacklers and invaluable with ball in hand, Parling was a shining light in the England pack. The returning Courtney Lawes will have his work cut out getting back into the team.
6. Tom Wood Back in the starting lineup again after recovering from a toe injury that had kept him out of action for much of the year, Wood looked up to speed. Bringing his trademark power and aggression, he stood up to top class South African pack.
7. Robert Barbieri A prolific try-scorer for club side Treviso, Barbieri managed the same against the Wallabies with Italy’s only try. Despite a first-half yellow card he did enough to break into this team.
8. Toby Faletau Wales might not have been at their best against the All Blacks but Faletau again showed his class as arguably their standout player this November. Matching up against Kieran Read he looked the part on the big stage.
