Four members of the Six Nations-winning Wales team are in the running for the Player of the Championship award.
Organisers said the shortlist of fifteen had been "compiled through technical statistics, and crucially, fan opinion".
Adam Jones for instance "only missed one tackle in the Championship", while Mike Phillips "made more passes than any other player (279)".
England captain Chris Robshaw was named for having "played every minute of the Championship and made 64 tackles" while team-mate Owen Farrell "was the most talked about player across social media".
Italy had three nominees in captain Sergio Parisse, full-back Andrea Masi and flanker Alessandro Zanni, while wooden spoonists France saw prop Nicolas Mas, number eight Louis Picamoles and centre Mathieu Bastareaud named.
Irish hopes lay with scrum-half Connor Murray and centre Brian O'Driscoll, but Scotland had a sole entry in full-back Stuart Hogg.
Voting closes on March 20.
The 15 players nominated for 2013 Player of the Championship:
Mike Phillips (WAL), Leigh Halfpenny (WAL), Dan Biggar (WAL), Adam Jones (WAL), Owen Farrell (ENG), Chris Robshaw (ENG), Stuart Hogg (SCO), Sergio Parisse (ITA), Andrea Masi (ITA), Alessandro Zanni (ITA), Conor Murray (IRL), Brian O'Driscoll (IRL), Nicolas Mas (FRA), Louis Picamoles (FRA), Mathieu Bastareaud (FRA)
Some bizarre entry criteria there, naming a scrum-half for passing the ball more than anyone else (were they expecting it to be a prop?) and another player for being talked about a lot.
And how is Bastereuad in there? Did he do something? Somehow he is in, yet Tipuric is not. Every year this award throws up some baffling nominees.
Some bizarre entry criteria there, naming a scrum-half for passing the ball more than anyone else (were they expecting it to be a prop?) and another player for being talked about a lot.And how is Bastereuad in there? Did he do something? Somehow he i
France finish bottom and get three nominations, Ireland second bottom get two. England finish second, beaten to the GS in the last match, and get two
Of those named, it's Robshaw for me, but I guess it has to go to a Welsh player. Halfpenny or Jones I suppose.
France finish bottom and get three nominations, Ireland second bottom get two. England finish second, beaten to the GS in the last match, and get two Of those named, it's Robshaw for me, but I guess it has to go to a Welsh player. Halfpenny or Jones
Being the most talked about on social media is some kind of joke April 1st crieria surely?
Fofana did as much as any French player but wasted two games in the wrong position, but arguably France's best player was Trinh-Duc for his 52 mins v Eng during which time Fra played the only decent rugby of the tournie and looked warm favs for an away win.
Being the most talked about on social media is some kind of joke April 1st crieria surely?Fofana did as much as any French player but wasted two games in the wrong position, but arguably France's best player was Trinh-Duc for his 52 mins v Eng during
You are so right RW. How come the bottom two who mustered 2 wins between them get one third of the picks? They are lucky to be getting any. In fact I would only select Fofana from either team and he wasn't sighted for the opening two weeks.
You are so right RW. How come the bottom two who mustered 2 wins between them get one third of the picks? They are lucky to be getting any. In fact I would only select Fofana from either team and he wasn't sighted for the opening two weeks.
Solid as a rock under the high ball, and could be relied upon to kick goals, from virtually anywhere around the half way line. A very valuable commodity.
Halfpenny stood out for me.Solid as a rock under the high ball, and could be relied upon to kick goals, from virtually anywhere around the half way line. A very valuable commodity.
Zanni OR Masi for me, both had impressive tourneys & were the pick of the italians with either ball in hand or defensively as well as their no.14 whose name escapes me. others are on the list in name alone with perhaps only 1/2penny, Hogg, Adams (scrum only) & picamole worthy of mentions
Zanni OR Masi for me, both had impressive tourneys & were the pick of the italians with either ball in hand or defensively as well as their no.14 whose name escapes me. others are on the list in name alone with perhaps only 1/2penny, Hogg, Adams (scr
You thinking of Venditti, furrelli? Worth a mention, but I think I'd give this to Adam Jones. He absolutely murdered every opponent with the exception of Healy, who arguably got the better of him in that first match. Two of the first names on the Lions teamsheet and possibly the two best props in the world on either side of the scrum, Australia will be wetting themselves at the prospect of packing down against them.
You thinking of Venditti, furrelli? Worth a mention, but I think I'd give this to Adam Jones. He absolutely murdered every opponent with the exception of Healy, who arguably got the better of him in that first match. Two of the first names on the Lio
Am carp with names so could be BD, he was a big unit, good hands, excellant speed & looked for work inside & picked a good line when he did, also tackled well & one of those unsung hero types.
Am carp with names so could be BD, he was a big unit, good hands, excellant speed & looked for work inside & picked a good line when he did, also tackled well & one of those unsung hero types.