After securing a sixth consecutive title and a third Grand Slam in as many years, England are in a class of their own in the Women's Six Nations.
Even though their match in Bordeaux seemed closer than the 42-21 scoreline suggested, it is no longer a two-horse race at the top.
In this year's Championship there was a decidedly improved Ireland who jumped up the rankings to finish third to qualify for next year's World Cup, and an underperforming Wales team who managed to salvage some pride against Italy, but still ended up at the bottom of the rankings.
Scotland (fourth) and Italy (fifth) showed glimpses of development, but instead of progressing to the Championship they remained somewhat flat.
Here is Telegraph Sports 's Women's Six Nations team:
15. Ellie Kilnauw (England)
The Red Roses backline was poetry in motion and Kilnauw was at the heart of it all. Her nine tries saw her become the tournament's top scorer, picking up three player of the match honors along the way. Her ability to pick apart defenses with her balanced running game was breathtaking. She achieved an historic distance of 351 meters and six line breaks in the Red Roses 88-10 defeat over Ireland, the most by any player in a women's Test match this decade.
14. Alyssa D'Inca (Italy)
A real livewire in an Italian backline who showed agility in attack but fell short in pressure moments. D'Inca underlined her pace against France when she crossed the touchline to score, but she has added a chase to her game that has caused all kinds of problems. Deployed both outside the center and on the wing, she is quickly becoming one of the most valuable backups in the women's scene.
13. Meg Jones (England)
Who else? Jones had an excellent tournament and was a bundle of energy in England's sparkling midfield. Her telepathy with Tatyana Heard and Holly Aitchison - cutting through all kinds of false attacking lines that outwitted the opposition defense - was sublime, while her defensive work-rate was on another level. A truly remarkable competitor.
The story continues
12. Tatjana Heard (England)
Heard came into the Championship under pressure from Emily Scarratt, who had been challenged by John Mitchell to convert to centre, but in reality her position never seemed threatened. A direct attack runner and combative in touch, not to mention her polished returns to Aitchison that kept the defense guessing, she took England's attack to new heights.
11. Marine Ménager (France)
Ménager stood out in a disappointing French backline that should have been strengthened by an influx of sevens stars. This tried and tested tactic has been used in the women's XVs game for years, but is becoming increasingly difficult to justify given the speed at which the XVs game has developed. Les Bleues discovered this, but Ménager - scorer of two tries in her side's defeat to England - was their only attacking threat who really shone.
10. Dannah O'Brien (Ireland)
The best fly-half Ireland has produced in a generation - and she's still only 20. This is harsh on Holly Aitchison, whose placement was perfect against France and proved crucial for England in the territory battle. But O'Brien squeals at the way she drove around the park with a much-improved Irish side.
9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France)
Bourdon Sansus orchestrated much of the French attack and has one of the sharpest minds. France probably comes closest when it comes to emulating England's intensity and intuition. Her partnership with Ménager caused all kinds of problems for teams and her no-look pass that put the winger through a gap against Ireland was joyous.
1. Hannah Botterman (England)
The riotous Red Roses is in a class of its own. Botterrman was a substitute for Vickii Cornborough for years, but has guided the England team to even greater heights and looks more conditioned than in her early years. One of those rare props that can also play the full 80 minutes.
2. Neve Jones (Ireland)
Ireland's lineout still needs work, but Jones' work rate in the free run was excellent. She was one of Ireland's most influential players in their momentum-boosting win over Wales and epitomized a side that has answered questions about its defensive capabilities. She did well to retain her starting place despite the noise surrounding Cliodhna Moloney's shock return to the side midway through the campaign.
3. Maud Muir (England)
Muir was an unpolished gem when she burst onto the scene a few seasons ago during the Simon Middleton era. She had big shoes to fill due to Sarah Bern's absence, but wow, did she fill them? She lacks Bern's pace, but does a lot of unseen work. The early scrump penalty win against France helped the Red Roses get into their rhythm and set the tone for a fine individual performance.
4. Madoussou Autumn (France)
The towering second row is the beating heart of the French peloton. Her lock partnership with Manaé Feleu has the ability to be world-class and her leg-breaking carries gave France the go-ahead for Gabrielle Vernier's score in Bordeaux. There is still a gap between the English and French packs - the red roses are simply bigger and better conditioned - but in autumn the difference is barely noticeable.
5. Zoe Aldcroft (England)
She worked with equal zeal during the victorious campaign of the Red Roses and never ran out of steam. Her 77-minute break against Ireland at Twickenham - after putting in a lot of work - was absolutely ridiculous.
6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland)
Ireland has a future star in 21-year-old Wafer. She grabbed a maiden international try in her first start against France and repeatedly showed her sheer power to cross the winning line. She is a very strong carrier and is still at this level, but her growth is impressive.
7. Evie Gallagher (Scotland)
Gallagher is the only player from Scotland in our team. She is a No. 8 but finds herself on the open side due to Alex Matthews' dominance of the position - with her fierce blackmailing ability and zeal in the breakdown justifying her inclusion. Future captain material.
8. Alex Matthews (England)
As a world-class operator, there is simply no one else at Matthews' level. England's Miss Consistency hasn't had a bad game in a white shirt and she saved her best for last against France in a deserved player-of-the-match performance, making two goals and a huge turnover in the second half which dented the French team. energy. She is a balanced runner and has all the tools at home.
