Rugby Union Today: Teams of the Week

Colin Newboult
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CARDIFF, WALES - FEBRUARY 23: Wales captain Alun-Wyn Jones reacts during the Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on February 23, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we look back at the weekend’s action in the Six Nations and select our Team of the Week from Round Three.

What’s on the site

Wales ended England’s Grand Slam dream and significantly boosted their clean sweep hopes with victory on Saturday and they are rewarded with five players in the Team of the Week.

There was also a full weekend of Super Rugby, where the Brumbies impressed following a dominant 54-17 triumph over the Chiefs. We have named our XV for Round Two.

Action from those two competitions are also discussed in ‘who’s hot and who’s not,’ which looks at France’s performance and Scotland’s disappointing showing in Paris.

Finally, test your knowledge with this quiz, which has seven questions on the action that took place in the Six Nations on Saturday and Sunday.

What’s in the news

England were dealt a blow ahead of the final two Six Nations matches with lock Courtney Lawes being ruled out of the Six Nations, although they are hopeful that Maro Itoje will be fit for the games against Italy and Scotland.

Elsewhere, South African Rugby have unveiled plans which they hope will see them retain their top talent within the country. They have struggled to keep their players due to the financial power of the European clubs, which has disrupted the national team for the past few years.

That was demonstrated with English Premiership club Sale announcing the signings of Rob du Preez and Akker van der Merwe from the Durban-based Sharks.

What’s on social media

France looked rejuvenated at the weekend and this was the try of the round in the Six Nations.

What’s on TV

The Six Nations takes a break this weekend, but the domestic action in Europe continues with BT Sport showing Bristol v Gloucester, Leicester v Wasps and Newcastle v Worcester in the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports will broadcast Racing 92’s encounter with La Rochelle and Stade Francais’ game against Toulouse, but it is Super Rugby which takes precedence on that channel, starting with the Hurricanes hosting the Brumbies.

Finally, the PRO14 is on Premier Sports and they have all seven matches, with Benetton v Edinburgh the standout contest.

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