2011 has provided the rugby community with so many wonderful highs but also some bitter lows. The highs certainly came for the Rugby World Cup hosts, New Zealand, and of course Wales who stunned the world with their RWC campaign.

However, the bitter lows would have come for England fans and the Irish and South African rugby supporters who would have expected far more from their star studded sides, who, before the tournament had been tipped as potential winners, if not, semi-finalists for certain.

But those sides failed to perform and whilst Ireland and South Africa were unlucky, fundamental problems inside the RFU were blamed for England’s World Cup meltdown.

The first big event of 2011 was of course the Six Nations. Martin Johnson was the new kid on the block as England went into the tournament as favourites. England won the competition but failed to take Grand Slam victory after losing to Ireland in the last game of their campaign. Champions from the previous year, France, won just 3 of their games and were the victims of the biggest upset when they lost to Italy by 22 points to 21 at the Stadio Flaminio.

Surprise World Cup stars, Wales, lost just two of their games in the 2011 Six Nations but finished fourth. England and France were the top two whilst Italy and Scotland bucked the usual Six Nations trend ending up in fifth and sixth place respectively with Ireland ending up in third place.

Two of the greatest ever club rugby finals were seen this year. Back in May, Saracens took down Leicester in a thrilling encounter at Twickenham. At the time, a young, emerging Owen Farrell won the game for Saracens, but as we all know, Farrell is no longer an emerging talent – he is a fully fledged back who is almost certain of an England call up sooner or later. The other final was over in Wales at the Millennium Stadium where Northampton looked to become European Champions but a second-half Leinster comeback meant the Irish giants won the competition yet again.

Another great club final, this time in the Southern Hemisphere, saw the Queensland Reds bring down the Canterbury Crusaders in the Super 15 final with Will Genia providing the winning try for the Reds. The victory meant the Reds won their first ever Super 15 final.

Zealand. The host nation had just recovered from earthquakes that struck parts of the country earlier in the year but despite a potential setback, the New Zealanders provided wonderful hospitality and kindness in welcoming rugby supporters from around the world. To round-off a brilliant, unbeaten campaign from the All Blacks, they won the competition in a repeat of the 1987 final after beating France in a thrilling and close encounter.

Despite Chris Ashton’s disappointing World Cup, he was one of the stars of the Six Nations. Ashton scored six tries in the Six Nations campaign and was two tries off the Championship record. As a league convert, 2011 has been his most successful year in the union code, establishing himself in the heart of English rugby fans with his trademark Swallow Dive. Runner-up – Richie McCaw

It has to be. New Zealand hosted the World Cup brilliantly and despite the doubts about finances and damages caused by the Christchurch earthquake, New Zealand pulled through to host one of the greatest ever World Cups. New Zealand went unbeaten in the tournament and beat France by 8 points to 7 in the final. Runner-up - Wales

After several years of failed Aviva Premiership finals, Saracens finally altered the history books in beating Leicester Tigers at Twickenham. Saracens have built up a strong squad which includes many young stars; Owen Farrell, Alex Goode and more. This season they have been equally as successful but currently trail behind Harlequins who have made a fantastic start to the season. Runner-up – Leinster

Brad Thorn lets the New Zealand fans touch the Webb Ellis Cup during the victory parade.

Surprise Star - Stephen Donald

Best Fans - Wales

Rugby’s New Year’s Resolution - To improve scrum laws

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