Player of the tournament
It could be a number of Frenchmen but Imanol Harinordoquy has matured into the world's best No8. Until he received a first-half bang against England, the bounding Basque was superb. Best game
Wales v Scotland. I watched it in a bar in Rome and everyone was transfixed. Did Scotland deserve to win? They will forever believe so. With a little luck, the Scots could have won a first Triple Crown for 20 years. Champagne moment
Shane Williams's try again France in Cardiff. Enough to propel any rugby lover off his sofa. Biggest disappointment
England, regardless of the improvement in Paris. They have decent players, whole-hearted coaches, loads of money, an enviable hotel base and no shortage of motivation. So why have they come up short since 2003? It is no use Rob Andrew banging on about the promise shown by the reserve and age-group teams. Emerging players need more encouragement. A structure which produces compliant clones is no use. Worst game
All those collapsed scrums in the Scotland v England match made wearisome viewing but Italy v England was even worse. Most promising newcomer
Ireland's Johnny Sexton. England's Ben Foden and Dan Cole also did well. Best kick at goal
Jonny Wilkinson v France. It should not have been possible from the touchline near halfway in the wet. Extraordinary. Most bizarre sight
Wales giving almost all their opponents a 20-point start.
Best joke
The warthog pictures around the Welsh hotel following unkind newspaper jibes aimed at Warren Gatland. Coach of the tournament
Marc Lièvremont. Those cream fishermen's jumpers are gone and so has any sense that France are drifting or rudderless. A grand slam will only boost Gallic confidence levels. Heineken Cup success looks probable, too. Best venue
Ireland may miss Croke Park more than they imagine next year. Most underrated player
Italy's No8, Alessandro Zanni. He would have been a stand-out player in any side. Most underrated team
England's women's XV. Another all‑conquering season. They deserve more recognition in the build-up to this summer's World Cup. Most emotional moment
Thom Evans presenting Dan Parks with his jersey for the latter's 50th cap. Thank goodness the Scotland wing is recovering from the horrible neck injury he suffered against Wales. Biggest tactical error
Andy Powell's attack of the munchies which prompted an early-morning trip down the M4 in a golf buggy. If Tiger Woods wants some off-course action at the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, he knows who to call. ... 2) Sticking coins in your mouth to outwit the breathalyser? Sorry, JPR, but what on earth was that all about?
Unexpected success
England's retro centenary shirts, as worn against Wales. They should have worn them throughout. The 'Diehard Optimist' award
Anyone who backed England to be the season's leading try-scorers. Best tournament innovation
Screening games in cinemas in 3-D. Bluntest quote
Jim Telfer, former Scotland coach, on England prior to the Calcutta Cup match. "We have more mature ideas and a coach who's positive." Ouch. Man of the championship
Andy Powell. Let's be honest, it would have been a far duller tournament without him.
