Wales were the dominant country in this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship - so any team-of-the-tournament selection must reflect that fact.
Champions by four clear points from second-placed England, Wales provided most of the individual stars - from wing magician Shane Williams to captain marvel Ryan Jones. Here, PA Sport rugby union correspondent ANDREW BALDOCK identifies his 2008 Six Nations movers and shakers.
15 - LEE BYRNE (Wales): The Ospreys full-back was a revelation in a revitalised Wales team under Warren Gatland's supervision. Scored a crucial try against England, then two more during the 47-8 victory over Italy. Also rock-solid in defence.
14 - VINCENT CLERC (France): The Toulouse express raced to five tries in four appearances, following up his double against Scotland with a hat-trick when Ireland arrived at Stade de France. A brilliant finisher.
13 - TOM SHANKLIN (Wales): Shades England's Jamie Noon for the outside-centre role. Strangely overlooked when Wales launched their campaign at Twickenham, but then made four successive starts. Solid and dependable.
12 - GAVIN HENSON (Wales): A midfield colossus for Wales, he produced a career-best sequence of performances during the Grand Slam march. Immense in defence and also an inventive attacking presence. You still feel the best is yet to come.
11 - SHANE WILLIAMS (Wales): Pure genius. Scored six tries in the tournament as he overtook Gareth Thomas' all-time Welsh Test record of 40, which included critical touchdowns against Ireland and France. Williams had the Midas touch and more.
10 - DANNY CIPRIANI (England): The gifted 20-year-old did more in one game - against Ireland at Twickenham - than any other fly-half managed throughout the entire tournament. An astounding talent who could become world rugby's hottest property.
9 - MIKE PHILLIPS (Wales): The tall, abrasive Ospreys scrum-half offered Wales a complete package in attack and defence, consigning Dwayne Peel to a bench role. It was like watching Terry Holmes in his pomp.
1 - ANDREW SHERIDAN (England): World rugby's most destructive scrummager, he underlined that reputation when England destroyed France in Paris. Can dominate a match when he is in the mood.
2 - ROSS FORD (Scotland): The 23-year-old Edinburgh forward provided a rare Scottish highlight during a hugely-disappointing campaign, combining consistently impressive work in the loose with strong set-piece play.
3 - MARTIN CASTROGIOVANNI (Italy): Uncompromising, technically outstanding and a prolific try-scorer who claimed touchdowns against Ireland, Wales and France. Enhanced his reputation as one of the finest front-row operators around.
4 - IAN GOUGH (Wales): Sealed a memorable Six Nations season by winning his 50th cap in Wales' title and Grand Slam-clinching victory over France. Central to an outstanding collective effort by the front five, he also tackled like a centre. Magnificent.
5 - NATHAN HINES (Scotland): At 31 years old and with more than 50 caps collected, Perpignan lock Hines knows the ropes at Test level - and he used all that experience to maximum effect, especially against England, when he rattled and hassled them into submission.
6 - SERGIO PARISSE (Italy): The Italy captain switches from number eight to blindside flanker for this particular XV. Too good to be left out - his consistency, alone, warrants inclusion - and there can be no doubt the Azzurri are in safe hands under his leadership.
7 - MARTYN WILLIAMS (Wales): Often sensational, never less than brilliant, Williams again proved himself a master of the openside flanker's art. Talked out of Test retirement by Warren Gatland before the tournament, Williams then did his talking where he always does it - on the pitch.
8 - RYAN JONES (Wales, captain): Five games into his reign as Wales captain - and he has overseen Six Nations title and Grand Slam triumphs.Led from the front, producing a staggering tackle count and an off-loading game that had few equals in this season's competition.
Replacements
16 - Huw Bennett (Wales).
17 - Gethin Jenkins (Wales).
18 - Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales).
19 - Jonathan Thomas (Wales).
20 - Mike Blair (Scotland).
21 - Stephen Jones (Wales).
22 - Cedric Heymans (France).
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