Not: London Irish
It's time for our weekly wrap up of who has their name in lights at the moment...and who is making the headlines for the wrong reasons.
They're smokin'....!
Brian O'Driscoll: He's back! Ireland's most capped player made an awesome return to the Test fold in Cardiff. BOD certainly silenced his doubters and gave more evidence to support the claim that he is the game's greatest ever centre.
England Sevens team: After a dismal showing in the three previous legs of the World Sevens Series, Ben Ryan's side turned things around in emphatic style at the Wellington Sevens last weekend.
Luciano Orquera: Italy's pivot remained calm under pressure against France and delivered a superb all-round display. What was most refreshing, however, was his goal-kicking which was on target - unlike last season's Italian kickers.
Stuart Hogg: Played a blinder in a losing cause at full-back for Scotland. His run from deep inside his own half to set up Sean Maitland's try will still be talked about in years to come.
Owen Farrell: Was the official Man of the Match at Twickenham and showed why he's England's first-choice at fly-half. Impressed with his kicking and combined well with debutant Billy Twelvetrees on his outside.
Geoff Parling: The Leicester Tigers lock had a big game for England against the Auld Enemy. Parling was at the heart of his team's forward effort. His performance included a try, and he led the way on defence for England with 11 tackles made - the most by an English player.
Sergio Parisse: The glue that held the Azzurritogether and was rewarded with a try for a fantastic performance. Italy's captain fantastic was in the thick of the action - on defence and attack - and it's no wonder that he is topping our poll for the world's best number eight.
Someone turn up the heater...!
French attitude in the last 20 minutes: Despite being behind on the scoreboard, Les Bleus did not give any indication that they wanted to win their Six Nations opener in Rome. There was no urgency from Phillipe Saint-Andre's side, especially the forwards, who were strolling to line-outs while the clock was running down.
LV= Cup format: Put your hand up if you understand how this competition works because most of us at Planet Rugby are battling to figure it out. What's the point of having a tournament where teams are drawn into pools but don't get to play against each other?
London Irish: Topped their LV= Cup group before last weekend's matches, but choked in Cardiff against the Blues and missed a spot in this season's semi-finals.
South Africa Sevens: The Blitzbokke failed to live up to their fanatical supporters' expectations with a below-par performance in Wellington which saw them exiting the Cup at the quarter-final stage. Paul Treu's charges will have to improve considerably if they want to be a force in Las Vegas this weekend.
By David Skippers
Comments
bad_robot says...
Whilst England did well in the 7's, how about a mention for the Kenyan's 7's rugby team in the hot section. Its great to see a team from outside 'the powers' doing so well. I think that this was their 3rd or 4th tournament in a row where they have made the cup quarter finals (and now sit 2nd in the standings), first time to the cup finals, after beating NZ in the semi. Possibly could have won the final against England as well if they didn't have 2 players in the bin when England scored their last try.
Posted 14:52 05th February 2013
bad_robot says...
Whilst England did well in the 7's, how about a mention for the Kenyan's 7's rugby team in the hot section. Its great to see a team from outside 'the powers' doing so well. I think that this was their 3rd or 4th tournament in a row where they have made the cup quarter finals (and now sit 2nd in the standings), first time to the cup finals, after beating NZ in the semi. Possibly could have won the final against England as well if they didn't have 2 players in the bin when England scored their last try.
Posted 14:52 05th February 2013
lawynd says...
See, Geoff Parling is lauded as 'hot', and my suspicions that he again led England on tackles were correct, as well as the rest of his impressive contribution. Yet he can't make the team of the week on the same website...ludicrous.
Posted 14:37 05th February 2013