Team of the Week: Six Nations

Editor

With the third round of the 2017 Six Nations in the books we pick out the best players to make our Team of the Week.

England were initially perplexed before overcoming Italy, while Scotland ended a ten-year wait to defeat Wales and Ireland pulled through against France.

Here is our selection.

Team of the Week: Six Nations, Round 3

15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland)Admittedly caught out in defence for Liam Williams’ try, Hogg was magnificent in attack for Scotland, especially the final pass to Tim Visser for Scotland’s key try. Gets the nod over Mike Brown who topped 100 metres and impressed on Sunday.

14 Tommy Seymour (Scotland)Cementing his seat on that Lions’ flight to New Zealand with another impressive outing. Seymour’s industry out on the wing has won him many new fans and when the ball came his way against Wales he made his presence felt, taking his try well despite plenty of attention from Scott Williams. Jack Nowell’s cameo didn’t go unnoticed.

13 Michele Campagnaro (Italy)Superb solo try against England, barging through George Ford and then past Brown to give Italy hope in the second half after England had begun to find their rhythm. The Exeter Chief, who signed a one-year extension over the weekend, in total made nine runs and went past four defenders. Class act. Rémi Lamerat had his moments in Dublin.

12 Garry Ringrose (Ireland)Shifted to inside centre narrowly ahead of Alex Dunbar, who made a number of turnovers, after another eye-catching performance against France, when Ringrose displayed the subtle qualities to his game. Always looking for action and made 15 carries overall for good ground while holding his own in defence.

11 Tim Visser (Scotland)One of his best games for Scotland on his return to the side, both in scoring that key try in the second half but also denying Rhys Webb up the other end with a try-saving tackle. Offered a quick reminder to Warren Gatland of what he can do. Eight runs, three clean breaks and three defenders beaten mark an excellent return. Elliot Daly had his moments against Italy.

10 Johnny Sexton (Ireland):  The Leinsterman kept the scoreboard ticking over, including an incredible drop goal from 30 metres out and collectively added 11 points to Ireland’s tally in an impressive return. Sexton also held his line well after making nine tackles against a rampaging French side, who he controlled well through his tactical kicking. Scotland number ten, Finn Russell, deserves a shout for contributing 19 points to his side’s victory over Wales.

9 Conor Murray (Ireland)Murray was cunning as ever against France, making explosive snipes around the fringes which sent the French defence into disarray. Which is exactly how he scored his try on Saturday showing his experience and knowledge of the breakdown to get over the whitewash. Arguably the best scrum-half in the world, Connor also completed an incredible 109 passes and showed masterful control with his kicking game. Edoardo Gori gets a mention for carrying out Italy’s ruck game plan so well, while Rhys Webb impressed.

8 Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)Irish vice-captain Jamie Heaslip had a sensational game against the French on Saturday, but his defensive performance was particularly impressive after making 15 tackles, while making turnovers at crucial times of the game, ruining France’s momentum. Heaslip was astute on attack as well with a few line breaks and defenders beaten to his name. The ever-impressive Sergio Parisse gets a mention for making 11 tackles and carries against England.

7 Hamish Watson (Scotland)Scotland replacement openside Watson used his opportunity off the bench well as he performed his role brilliantly against Wales on Saturday. Watson was all over the park and at the bottom of every ruck, slowing down Wales ball. He was exciting with ball in hand as well after making six barnstorming runs while beating two defenders, and winning key breakdown penalties in the second half.

6 John Barclay (Scotland)Scotland captain Barclay produced an excellent performance in the enforcer role. The flanker made a solid ten tackles over the weekend while proving to be energetic in attack as well, after making 11 runs into the Wales defence and constantly keeping his side on the front foot while leading them to a historic win. He just edged out TOTW regular CJ Stander, while England wunderkind Maro Itoje deserves a mention for his try-saving tackle and try-saving pilfer on two separate occasions.

5 Yoann Maestri (France): Was one of France’s undoubted stars in a losing cause agianst Ireland in Dublin. With his team under the cosh for large periods, Maestri came to the fore with a brilliant defensive effort, making an incredible 22 tackles. Scotland’s Jonny Gray also impressed.

4 Joe Launchbury (England): Another superb shift from the Wasps stalwart at the coalface of England’s forward effort in their win over Italy. Launchbury was his usual busy self, especially with ball in attack where he gained 58 metres from 14 runs with one clean break, four defenders beaten and an offload.

3 Dan Cole (England): Delivered a superb allround display against the Azzurri. Cleaned out the rucks with great intent, scrummed well and was rewarded with a five-pointer for his efforts. Also did his bit in defence with six tackles and narrowly beats out Tadgh Furlong of Ireland.

2 Ken Owens (Wales): Wales fell apart in the second half against Scotland but Owens impressed from start to finish. He performed well at his core duties especially his throw-ins at the lineouts where he found his jumpers regularly and defensively as he made 11 tackles. Just edges out Ireland skipper Rory Best. 

1 Jack McGrath (Ireland): Came into Ireland’s run-on side as a replacement for Cian Healy against France and justified his selection with a solid effort at the coalface of his side’s forward effort. McGrath stood firm in the scrums and put his body on the line in defence with 10 hits.