Six Nations Team of the Week: Scotland and Ireland lead the way after impressive victories in Round One

James While
Planet rubgy six nations team of the week scotland ireland france italy wales england

Now that the dust has settled on Round One of the Six Nations, we have gone through the action to pick the best players from the weekend.

Scotland have the most representatives with six after they retained the Calcutta Cup, with Ireland coming in next following a dominant triumph over Wales.

Six Nations Team of the Week

15 Hugo Keenan (Ireland): A great weekend for full-backs, and Keenan was in vintage form for Ireland in Cardiff. We might have picked either of Italy’s Ange Capuozzo or skilful Frenchman Thomas Ramos, but Keenan was an influential rock for the Irish.

14 Max Malins (England): Two tries and a spirited display from the Saracen in a losing cause gets him the nod on the right wing, with France’s Damian Penaud and Ireland’s Mack Hansen also impressing.

13 Huw Jones (Scotland): A tough choice at outside centre with Ireland’s Garry Ringrose and Italy’s Juan Ignacio Brex both in imperious running form, but Jones’ selection for Scotland proved a masterstroke by Gregor Townsend as the centre crossed for a crucial score and was a rock in defence.

12 Luca Morisi (Italy): 13 runs for 74 metres and 14 thundering tackles gains the outstanding Morisi the inside centre berth, despite strong showings from Scotland’s Sam Tuipulotu and Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey, who was outstanding in the absence of Robbie Henshaw.

11 Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland): No question whatsoever with this one, as big Duhan produced one of the greatest moments of Six Nations rugby at Twickenham. Absolutely compelling display, although Ireland’s superb James Lowe and France’s debutant Ethan Dumortier both impressed.

10 Finn Russell (Scotland): Russell’s passing into space needs to be seen to be believed at times. He tore England to shreds with only half the possession of his opposite number. Johnny Sexton was magnificent for Ireland, whilst France’s cameo specialist Matthieu Jalibert again had a match-winning impact.

9 Ben White (Scotland): There’s nothing White likes more than an impish try against England, and once again, his opportunism netted a score as he combined brilliantly with Russell. Antoine Dupont’s consistency couldn’t be illustrated better than his calm head under pressure in Rome whilst Ireland’s Conor Murray rolled back the years in Cardiff.

8 Caelan Doris (Ireland): It was monumentally hard to leave out the outstanding Scot Matt Fagerson, but Doris again was quietly instrumental for Ireland, showing once again his love of tries from close quarter footwork. Lorenzo Cannone made some big inroads for Italy, carrying nine times for 49 metres.

7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland): Once again, dynamic and blisteringly fast, the Irish openside is in compelling form. Michele Lamaro (Italy) and Luke Crosbie (Scotland) both starred for their respective teams, but van der Flier was once again outstanding.

6 Jamie Ritchie (Scotland): This was a toss-up between Italy’s outstanding Sebastian Negri who was the absolute heartbeat of a great Italian showing. With greater close-out experience, Italy may well have taken France’s scalp, but Ritchie’s leadership gets him the nod. Wales’ Jac Morgan vindicated his selection once more, whilst Lewis Ludlam was very good for England.

5 James Ryan (Ireland): A massive shift from a massive man up against a superb Welsh lineout, Ryan’s presence was vital for Ireland, and he crossed for a try in the eighth minute. Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist was splendid at the coalface in the Calcutta Cup clash, and Italy’s Federico Ruzza was a tower of power as he made 15 tackles and took eight lineouts against France. Ollie Chessum was excellent for England but made a couple of costly errors.

4 Thibaud Flament (France): Flament had big boots to fill in Cameron Woki’s absence but a sterling display in the lineout, complete with a brilliant charge down to score France’s opener, reminded us all of how good he can be as he takes the shirt from Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Scotland’s Richie Gray.

3 Simone Ferrari (Italy): Absolutely massive for the Azzurri as he gave Cyril Baille a torrid time in the scrum. The veteran tighthead gets the nod over Ireland’s Finlay Bealham and one of England’s better performers, Kyle Sinckler.

2 George Turner (Scotland): Turner’s long extended throws were a crucial part of Scotland’s lineout strategy as they tore England apart in the set-piece. Fresh-faced Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan is like a fourth back-rower as he carried nine times for 54 metres and didn’t miss a tackle all afternoon whilst his opposite number, Ken Owens, was one of Wales’ better performers in Cardiff.

1 Danilo Fischetti (Italy): A superb performance from the 25-year-old saw him get the better of Uini Atonio yet still have the energy to make nine carries, nine tackles and a crucial turnover. Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman was in sparkling form running hard at Twickenham, where his opposite number, England’s Ellis Genge, battered the Scottish line tirelessly on 18 occasions.

READ MORE: Six Nations: Two Cents Rugby picks his top five players of Round One

England