Three rounds into the 2023 Six Nations, the tournament table is really beginning to take shape.
Having emerged as bonus point winners in each of their games, Ireland have been the best side in the competition so far and sit atop the pile. France, Scotland, and England follow closely, having won two of their matches so far. Italy and Wales prop up the table, although it's fair to say that those two sides have fairly contrasting emotions at the moment.
It has been an excellent tournament to watch, with quite a few standout performers. As a result, it is no easy task to put together a team of the Six Nations up to this point.
Nigel Owens includes six Ireland players in Six Nations team
Nigel Owens has had a go at selecting his team of the tournament so far, with Ireland unsurprisingly the most well-represented side.
Speaking to the World Rugby YouTube channel, the former referee would also pick five from Scotland, and a couple each from France and England.
Finlay Bealham, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris, James Lowe, Garry Ringrose, and Hugo Keenan were the Irish players that were included in the side.
Speaking about Doris' form, Owens pointed out that his 41 carries was the second most in this year's Six Nations, behind only Finn Russell. As for Hugo Keenan, he highlighted that his 415 metres carried was the most in the competition.
Here's the team in full:
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
14. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
12. Ollie Lawrence (England)
11. James Lowe (Ireland)
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
1. Ellis Genge (England)
2. George Turner (Scotland)
3. Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
4. Richie Gray (Scotland)
5. Thibaut Flamand (France)
6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
It is difficult to argue with any of those choices, although from an Irish point of view, the likes of Andrew Porter, James Ryan, and Mack Hansen would also certainly be in the mix for any team of the tournament so far.
Should Ireland go on and claim a Grand Slam, you'd imagine they will have even more players included in any representative sides.
SEE ALSO: Nigel Owens Feels Ireland Had Decision Unfairly Go Their Way Against Italy
