THE FIRST SIX NATIONS weekend is in the rearview mirror and Ireland lead the way ahead of a visit from reigning champions Wales. The French pipped England in the game of the weekend while there was individual brilliance in the two other so-so encounters.
Here is our Six Nations Team of the Week. Let us know who you think should have made the cut in our comments section below.
15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)
The weekend’s best fullback on show and a man who is truly back to his best. Kearney often says he plays better when he has a consistent run of games. That has proved to be the case since November and his confidence has returned. Made 79 metres for his team and won two turnovers. Showed great footwork and strength to dive over for a try on his 50th cap.
14. Yoann Huget (France)
It was a great weekend for right wingers as Messrs. Cuthbert, Trimble and Huget all scored tries. The Frenchmen showed superb awareness and handling skills to take two bouncing balls on the run to puncture England. Started and finished his second try and made two other clean breaks.
13. Michele Campagnaro (Italy)
The outstanding back on show this weekend. The 20-year-old from Treviso scored twice against Wales to give his team a real chance of a shock away win. His first score was all about pace, intelligence and footballing skills as he hared up the left flank. Picked off a Leigh Halfpenny pass before out-sprinting the covering Welsh defence. One to watch.
While Luke Marshall had a fine game for Ireland, Roberts gets the nod as he was back to his bulldozing best. The inside centre has struggled to settle at Racing Métro but was the big man on campus at the Millennium Stadium. Offered himself up for 17 carries and made 49 metres. His break in the first-half set up Scott Williams’ try.
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11. George North (Wales)
The Welsh lightning rod showed up, hungry for the ball, on both wings. Battered Luke McLean to the turf in the build-up to Alex Cuthbert’s try. Was close to scoring in the opening 40 with a kick and chase from his own half. His strong run Was lucky that Sergio Parisse was denied a 35th minute try after he lost out under the high ball. Shades selection from Dave Kearney, who was second to only Campagnaro in metres gained [82] for his team.
10. Jonny Sexton (Ireland)
Joe Schmidt said Ireland had lost their two world-class players — Paul O’Connell and Sean O’Brien — before the Scotland game but Ireland’s third worldy [in the words of David Moyes] shone. Scintillating break almost led to a Jamie Heaslip try and he was at the centre of Ireland’s best attacks. Missed one kick at the sticks but contributed 13 points. Rhys Priestland’s grubber flummoxed Italy for Cuthbert’s try and he was justified his selection ahead of Dan Biggar while Owen Farrell showed great maturity against France.
9. Danny Care (England)
Just 62 minutes’ work at Stade de France but the weekend’s best scrum-half. Care set up Mike Brown for his first Test try and was narrowly denied a score of his own by the TMO on 42 minutes. Played some soccer to keep an attack going soon after but the ball never bounced up for him — like it did for Huget. Slotted over a drop goal minutes before he was called ashore. England suffered when he left the fray.
1. Cian Healy (Ireland)
The head was shaved and the loose-head was ready to rock. Healy put in a great shift for his country as he neutralised Moray Low in the scrum and made eight tackles in the loose. Supplied a few thrilling breaks to rouse the home crowd and made 38 metres on nine carries.
2. Dimitri Szarzewski (France)
Started on the bench but delivered for France when they most needed it. He came on for Benjamin Kayser after 42 minutes and threw solidly at the lineout. Won two turnovers for his team and made six carries for 43 metres. His telling contribution was his superb attacking line, which drew in the English defence, and well-timed pass for the Gael Fickou matchwinner.
The French scrum was solid against England and Mas was one of the main reasons. He matched up favourably against Joe Marler at the set-piece and put his hand up for tackles around the park. Effected two vital turnovers when his team were beginning to creak.
4. Devin Toner (Ireland)
Led the Irish lineout after the early morning withdrawal of his captain, Paul O’Connell. Won five lineouts for his team on Rory Best’s throws and quietened the threat of Jim Hamilton. Tackled well and in pairs with his front and back row colleagues. Only made four carries but landed 10 tackles for the Irish cause.
5. Courtney Lawes (England)
Delivered some monstrous hits for England as they fought back from a poor start in France. Stole a French line-out, had four takes of his own and made 10 crunching hits to stop the home side in their tracks. Is developing a good partnership, in Geoff Parking’s absence, with Joe Launchbury. France struggled to contain his powerful bursts.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
The Munster captain dedicated himself to the breakdown on Sunday as Ireland went toe-to-toe with the Scots. O’Mahony made seven carries for small change but he did most of his best work in close. When his team needed him and Scotland set up in the opposition 22, O’Mahony stepped up with two huge turnover steals.
Cian Healy and Peter O’Mahony combine to tackle Sean Maitland. INPHO/Billy Stickland
7. Yannick Nyanga (France)
We have shifted Nyanga in from blindside as he merited selection. Left various white jerseys for dead throughout a pulsating encounter and was a real attacking spark for his team. Drew in defenders before offloading to teammates and showed a great turn of pace. One poor, missed tackle but Nyanga made 12 successful ones to make up for it. Chris Henry was a breakdown demon for Ireland against the Scots.
8. Louis Picamoles (France)
High competition for the No.8 slot too but the inspirational Toulouse forward pips it. While Jamie Heaslip and Billy Vunipola were effective for Ireland and England respectively but Picamoles was at his best. Made 71 metres on 12 carries and chipped in with eight hefty tackles. Some of his bulldozing runs had the French crowd on their feet and when he hits you, you stay hit.
Are there any glaring omissions on our part? Who was your star performer this weekend.
Like rugby? Follow TheScore.ie’s dedicated Twitter account @rugby_ie >
5 Irishmen make it into our Six Nations Team of the Week
THE FIRST SIX NATIONS weekend is in the rearview mirror and Ireland lead the way ahead of a visit from reigning champions Wales. The French pipped England in the game of the weekend while there was individual brilliance in the two other so-so encounters.
Here is our Six Nations Team of the Week. Let us know who you think should have made the cut in our comments section below.
15. Rob Kearney (Ireland)
The weekend’s best fullback on show and a man who is truly back to his best. Kearney often says he plays better when he has a consistent run of games. That has proved to be the case since November and his confidence has returned. Made 79 metres for his team and won two turnovers. Showed great footwork and strength to dive over for a try on his 50th cap.
14. Yoann Huget (France)
It was a great weekend for right wingers as Messrs. Cuthbert, Trimble and Huget all scored tries. The Frenchmen showed superb awareness and handling skills to take two bouncing balls on the run to puncture England. Started and finished his second try and made two other clean breaks.
13. Michele Campagnaro (Italy)
The outstanding back on show this weekend. The 20-year-old from Treviso scored twice against Wales to give his team a real chance of a shock away win. His first score was all about pace, intelligence and footballing skills as he hared up the left flank. Picked off a Leigh Halfpenny pass before out-sprinting the covering Welsh defence. One to watch.
YouTube credit: RBS 6 Nations
12. Jamie Roberts (Wales)
While Luke Marshall had a fine game for Ireland, Roberts gets the nod as he was back to his bulldozing best. The inside centre has struggled to settle at Racing Métro but was the big man on campus at the Millennium Stadium. Offered himself up for 17 carries and made 49 metres. His break in the first-half set up Scott Williams’ try.
11. George North (Wales)
The Welsh lightning rod showed up, hungry for the ball, on both wings. Battered Luke McLean to the turf in the build-up to Alex Cuthbert’s try. Was close to scoring in the opening 40 with a kick and chase from his own half. His strong run Was lucky that Sergio Parisse was denied a 35th minute try after he lost out under the high ball. Shades selection from Dave Kearney, who was second to only Campagnaro in metres gained [82] for his team.
10. Jonny Sexton (Ireland)
Joe Schmidt said Ireland had lost their two world-class players — Paul O’Connell and Sean O’Brien — before the Scotland game but Ireland’s third worldy [in the words of David Moyes] shone. Scintillating break almost led to a Jamie Heaslip try and he was at the centre of Ireland’s best attacks. Missed one kick at the sticks but contributed 13 points. Rhys Priestland’s grubber flummoxed Italy for Cuthbert’s try and he was justified his selection ahead of Dan Biggar while Owen Farrell showed great maturity against France.
9. Danny Care (England)
Just 62 minutes’ work at Stade de France but the weekend’s best scrum-half. Care set up Mike Brown for his first Test try and was narrowly denied a score of his own by the TMO on 42 minutes. Played some soccer to keep an attack going soon after but the ball never bounced up for him — like it did for Huget. Slotted over a drop goal minutes before he was called ashore. England suffered when he left the fray.
1. Cian Healy (Ireland)
The head was shaved and the loose-head was ready to rock. Healy put in a great shift for his country as he neutralised Moray Low in the scrum and made eight tackles in the loose. Supplied a few thrilling breaks to rouse the home crowd and made 38 metres on nine carries.
2. Dimitri Szarzewski (France)
Started on the bench but delivered for France when they most needed it. He came on for Benjamin Kayser after 42 minutes and threw solidly at the lineout. Won two turnovers for his team and made six carries for 43 metres. His telling contribution was his superb attacking line, which drew in the English defence, and well-timed pass for the Gael Fickou matchwinner.
YouTube credit: RBS 6 Nations
3. Nicolas Mas (France)
The French scrum was solid against England and Mas was one of the main reasons. He matched up favourably against Joe Marler at the set-piece and put his hand up for tackles around the park. Effected two vital turnovers when his team were beginning to creak.
4. Devin Toner (Ireland)
Led the Irish lineout after the early morning withdrawal of his captain, Paul O’Connell. Won five lineouts for his team on Rory Best’s throws and quietened the threat of Jim Hamilton. Tackled well and in pairs with his front and back row colleagues. Only made four carries but landed 10 tackles for the Irish cause.
5. Courtney Lawes (England)
Delivered some monstrous hits for England as they fought back from a poor start in France. Stole a French line-out, had four takes of his own and made 10 crunching hits to stop the home side in their tracks. Is developing a good partnership, in Geoff Parking’s absence, with Joe Launchbury. France struggled to contain his powerful bursts.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
The Munster captain dedicated himself to the breakdown on Sunday as Ireland went toe-to-toe with the Scots. O’Mahony made seven carries for small change but he did most of his best work in close. When his team needed him and Scotland set up in the opposition 22, O’Mahony stepped up with two huge turnover steals.
7. Yannick Nyanga (France)
We have shifted Nyanga in from blindside as he merited selection. Left various white jerseys for dead throughout a pulsating encounter and was a real attacking spark for his team. Drew in defenders before offloading to teammates and showed a great turn of pace. One poor, missed tackle but Nyanga made 12 successful ones to make up for it. Chris Henry was a breakdown demon for Ireland against the Scots.
8. Louis Picamoles (France)
High competition for the No.8 slot too but the inspirational Toulouse forward pips it. While Jamie Heaslip and Billy Vunipola were effective for Ireland and England respectively but Picamoles was at his best. Made 71 metres on 12 carries and chipped in with eight hefty tackles. Some of his bulldozing runs had the French crowd on their feet and when he hits you, you stay hit.
Are there any glaring omissions on our part? Who was your star performer this weekend.
Like rugby? Follow TheScore.ie’s dedicated Twitter account @rugby_ie >
Ireland slay stubborn Scots to top Six Nations standings
As it happened: Ireland v Scotland, Six Nations
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