Six Nations: Seven players looking to impress in the fallow week including Manu Tuilagi

Dylan Coetzee
Six Nations: Split with Ress-Zammit and Tuilagi

The 2023 Six Nations has already served up two fantastic rounds of rugby, all loaded with stunning skills, tries and moments of brilliance.

As teams gear up for the next phase, the tournament takes a break this weekend for the fallow week. Coaches have taken the opportunity to release some of the fringe players within the squad to get some game time at their clubs.

It is an opportunity for those released to push for inclusion in the remainder of the championship, and Planet Rugby has selected sevens stars who will be looking to make the most of the fallow week.

Ben Youngs (England)

England’s most capped player is currently in a precarious position with his Test career hanging in the balance due to the emergence of quality young players in Alex Micthell and Jack van Poortvliet.

Youngs will need to go back to Leicester Tigers and put in a memorable performance after being criticised of late for his slow service from the base of the ruck.

Head coach Steve Borthwick will have a clear understanding of what the veteran offers from their time together at the Tigers, which could benefit Youngs. Nevertheless, the experienced scrum-half will need to be on song if he is going to force his way back in favour ahead of his talented competitors.

Manu Tuilagi (England)

The robust centre was a must-select for the most part under Eddie Jones, when fitness allowed, because of his ability to get over the gain line with tremendous running power, amongst other skills.

Whether it’s because Borthwick is trying to manage Tuilagi’s body or if he doesn’t want to rely on an injury-prone player, he has twice chosen to omit the centre from the starting XV.

Last weekend Ollie Lawrence absolutely shone against Italy in an awe-inspiring performance that would have run alarm bells for Tuilagi. The Sale Sharks centre is a remarkable talent, but one cannot blame Borthwick for turning to players who have better odds of making it through the season uninjured.

Of course, by no means is Tuilagi’s career over with England, but the superstar will have to prove he can string several games together with good form to snatch a starting spot back.

Sale face Northampton Saints, and it is a perfect game for the centre to stand up and demand his jersey back with a commanding performance.

Gavin Coombes (Ireland)

The Munster star is one of the unluckiest players on the list as, despite his excellent form and obvious Test-level quality, the number eight is stuck behind the red-hot Caelan Doris.

Coombes would start for several other countries with his quality, but Doris is absolutely playing out of his socks right now.

It is not all lost on Coombes, who just needs to continue playing well, and a door will open at some point. The nature of rugby means injuries are always possible, and an opportunity may never be far away.

The plan this week will be to get Ireland boss Andy Farrell’s attention with a blockbuster performance against Ospreys.

Jordan Larmour (Ireland)

The Leinster wing is in a similar boat to Coombes as he is back in good form after a fight with injuries in recent seasons and has done well to return to the squad. However, Larmour is stuck behind the talented duo of Mack Hansen and James Lowe, who have been outstanding thus far.

Nevertheless, Larmour will be looking to continue his good form for Leinster this weekend and keep Farrell’s interest in him through his sensational running ability.

Every minute in a World Cup year counts towards possible selection for the showpiece event and the speedster. Big game for Larmour, who is a very talented winger.

Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

The Bath man is another who will be looking to put in a good shift for his club side this weekend, particularly with the rise of centre pairing Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, who have brought their impressive club form to the Test arena.

Redpath, who is relatively inexperienced at Test level is fairly unlucky after the rise of the Glasgow centres. However, he has also been in fine fettle for Bath recording an impressive five try assists and one try in the nine games played so far this season.

There may not seem to be a way into the Scotland midfield at the moment, but doors open all the time in sports, and a good performance this weekend could have him ready to step up at any moment.

Paolo Garbisi (Italy)

The Italian has been recovering from an injury and is yet to feature in the Six Nations this year, with Tommasso Allan taking over the playmaker role in the team.

Whilst Allan’s contributions were certainly accomplished, there is no denying the obvious quality of Garbisi, who takes the team to a different level when he is at fly-half.

Garbisi has the complete skill set with vision to match and is a global superstar in the making. The impetus the fly-half injects is invaluable to head coach Kieran Crowley, and he will want Garbisi to get some minutes in with Montpellier this weekend ahead of a tough Test against Ireland.

Should the Italian take to the field for his club, he will be looking to bank minutes in the legs and use the game to get him up to speed for the world’s best.

Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

One of the very few bits of good news coming out of Wales this week is that pacey wing Louis Rees-Zammit is fit and will run out for Gloucester this weekend.

Warren Gatland will be delighted to see such an effective and lightning-fast player return from injury in what has been a tricky return to the helm of Wales.

Two losses are the least of the coach’s worries as the Welsh Rugby Union is in complete disarray after shocking allegations of a lack of finance and other issues. Wales players are currently considering striking for the Test against England next weekend.

Nevertheless, Ress-Zammit will look to be influential on his return from injury to fast-track his way back into the Wales set-up for next week, should the game go ahead.

READ MORE: Six Nations: The seven standout players from the 2023 edition so far

England Ben Youngs Gavin Coombes Jordan Larmour Louis Rees-Zammit

Related Articles