Six Nations 2011: Our writers' view

Robert Kitson Best game Italy 22-21 France Italy's dramatic victory over France was a hugely significant result for both countries: the spirit and passion of the Azzurri , particularly on home soil, continues to enhance the tournament Champagne moment François Trinh-Duc 's through-the-legs pass to a galloping Imanol Harinordoquy against Scotland in Paris. It proved to be the high point of France's entire campaign What it told us about the World Cup That a southern hemisphere team will lift the Webb Ellis Cup. Ireland finally seem to be stirring and France will surely get their act together at some stage, but England's defeat was evidence that Europe's finest are still playing catch-up Player to watch in New Zealand We hardly saw him during this tournament because of injury but Wales's George North has all the makings of a serious talent. Jonathan Sexton, Cian Healy and Sean O'Brien are also a trio of fast-emerging Irishmen If I ran the World Cup I would ... consider introducing one referral per team per game, to allow controversial refereeing calls to be re-examined by the TV match official. It would have prevented Wales's illegal try against Ireland and would reduce the number of blatantly wrong decisions Team of the tournament Ben Foden Eng; Tommy Bowe Ire, Brian O'Driscoll Ire, Jonathan Davies Wal, Max Evans Sco; James Hook Wal, Ben Youngs Eng; Thomas Domingo Fra, William Servat Fra, Martín Castrogiovanni Ita, Richie Gray Sco, Tom Palmer Eng, Sean O'Brien Ire, Imanol Harinordoquy Fra, Sergio Parisse Ita Richard Williams Best game Ireland 24-8 England For containing fine tries from Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll and Steve Thompson, for a collective performance that restored Ireland's morale at the end of a troubled season, and for giving the home supporters an occasion to remember Champagne moment François Trinh-Duc 's pass through his own legs to Imanol Harinordoquy against Scotland, thrown like a bullet. Audacious imagination, technical brilliance. Rugby with a smile on its face What it told us about the World Cup Very little. Most of the teams seemed to be in varying stages of rebuilding or convalescence and will be travelling to New Zealand in hope rather than expectation. It would be nice to see Italy spring the sort of surprise with which they dismayed France Player to watch in New Zealand Ben Youngs , who faltered as the tournament progressed and fared particularly badly in Dublin, but who has what it takes to lift England out of the stolidity that is their default mode If I ran the World Cup I would ... make sure that Steve Walsh played no part in it. No rugby referee has ever drawn more attention to himself. At Murrayfield on Saturday he actually caught a pass, standing at first receiver. Team of the tournament Chris Paterson Sco; Chris Ashton Eng, Brian O'Driscoll Ire, Joe Ansbro Sco, Max Evans Wal; François Trinh-Duc Fra, Fabio Semenzato Ita; Thomas Domingo Fra, William Servat Fra, Nicolas Mas Fra, Louis Deacon Eng, Richie Gray Sco, Imanol Harinordoquy Fra, David Wallace Ire, Sergio Parisse Ita Ian Malin Best game Italy 22-21 France Maybe not the best game but the most emotional, the most courageous performance and the most unexpected result. Italy dragged themselves back after going 12 points down and Mirco Bergamasco showed nerves of steel to kick the winning points Champagne moment François Trinh-Duc 's pass through his legs that gave Imanol Harinordoquy his try against Scotland in Paris. The fly-half showed his class again on Saturday with that little chip for Vincent Clerc to score. Rare moments of skill that illuminated the competition What it told us about the World Cup That New Zealand will lose no sleep in the challenge from the northern hemisphere. England's time may come in 2015 but their young side is no match for the All Blacks or Springboks. France may be Europe's best bet if they stop chopping and changing Player to watch in New Zealand George North is fit again and may thrive if he is not burdened with the tag of Wales's Jonah Lomu. The young Scarlets giant showed he is not fazed by international rugby with his display against the Springboks last autumn but he didn't have enough ball on his comeback in Paris this weekend If I ran the World Cup I would ... tell coaches to cut out the trash talk. Warren Gatland and Marc Lièvremont, who are old enough to know better, demeaned themselves with their comments about England. Imagine the outcry if Martin Johnson said that "everybody hated New Zealanders" Team of the tournament Andrea Masi Ita; Chris Ashton Eng, Brian O'Driscoll Ire, Jonathan Davies Wal, Maxime Médard Fra; Toby Flood Eng, Mike Phillips Wal; Thomas Domingo Fra, Dylan Hartley Eng, Dan Cole Eng, Richie Gray Sco, Tom Palmer Eng, Sean O'Brien Ire, Sam Warburton Wal, Sergio Parisse Ita Mike Averis Best game Italy 22-21 France Rome and Italy's emotional victory over France stands head and shoulders above an otherwise pretty dull selection until Ireland spoiled the England party – as we knew they would Champagne moment Mirco Bergamasco 's kick from wide out on the left which gave Italy their first win over France in the Six Nations and silenced all those who wondered whether Nick Mallett's men were worth keeping in the championship What it told us about the World Cup New Zealand and South Africa are head and shoulders ahead of everyone from the northern hemisphere. England are too predictable, France too unpredictable and the rest do not come into the reckoning, although Ireland have the talent Player to watch in New Zealand He may not be in a fancied team, but Sam Warburton has what the modern openside flanker needs. He's fast, physical and strong, if sometimes perhaps a little too brave for his own good If I ran the World Cup I would ... give the video ref power to overrule tries like the one scored by Mike Phillips against Wales. Sports like cricket and American football have referrals so if that's what it needs then OK. Rugby can't go on shooting itself in the foot, especially when the world is watching Team of the tournament Ben Foden Eng; Chris Ashton Eng, Brian O'Driscoll Ire, James Hook Wal, Maxime Médard Fra; François Trinh-Duc Fra, Morgan Parra Fra; Thomas Domingo Fra, William Servat Fra, Martín Castrogiovanni Ita, Richie Gray Sco, Tom Palmer Eng, Thierry Dusautoir Fra, Sam Warburton Wal, Sergio Parisse Ita Michael Aylwin Best game France 34-21 Scotland We were young, and the Six Nations stretched out before us. How we relished the prospect of it. What riches these two promised. Didn't quite work out for any of us Champagne moment Marc Lièvremont 's explosion after France's implosion against Italy raised eyebrows, but who cares? It was brilliant, fresh and funny: 'If I had a rope I'd hang myself.' That's gallows humour for you What it told us about the World Cup It won't be boring, but it won't be won by any of us from up here. There is no consistency or presence. The team of the tournament have too many players by default. There were fine performances, but they were like lightning flashes Player to watch in New Zealand Sam Warburton . It was a very good championship for backrow forwards (maybe that's why everyone else struggled), and he was as consistent as anyone. Indeed, Wales's slim hopes of winning the title evaporated entirely when he left early in the match against France If I ran the World Cup I would ... make the players drink more. They're too fit, they're too focused and they don't have enough fun. Where is the kind of inspiration born only of a few ales? A player smiles and swallow-dives, and we pore over him as if he's an extra-terrestrial. I tell you, if I had a rope … Team of the tournament James Hook Wal; Chris Ashton Eng, Brian O'Driscoll Ire, Sean Lamont Sco, Tommy Bowe Ire; Toby Flood Eng, Fabio Semenzato Ita; Thomas Domingo Fra, William Servat Fra, Dan Cole Eng, Louis Deacon Eng, Richie Gray Sco, Imanol Harinordoquy Fra, Sam Warburton Wal, Sergio Parisse Ita