Six Nations: Team of Round One
Now that the dust has settled in Dublin, London and Edinburgh, Planet Rugby thought it was time to hail the star performers of Round One.
Now that the dust has settled in Dublin, London and Edinburgh, Planet Rugby thought it was only right to hail the star performers of Round One.
It was hardly a thrill-a-minute affair during the first weekend of February but patches of enthralling rugby were on show, with Ireland, England and France the nations claiming two points that gives them an early leg-up on the competition.
The holders were way off Grand Slam form though, as they overcame a slightly limited Azzurri side while Wales were left counting the cost of a yellow card before a late forward-pass put the seal on the weekend's big game at HQ.
Action on Sunday meanwhile saw Les Bleus tackle a confident Scotland side following their November victory over the Wallabies. But the dream start was not to be for Head Coach Andy Robinson as the lethal French proved a cut above in avoiding their potential banana skin.
So who were the players that grabbed our attention at PR HQ? See for yourself in our first of a scheduled five line-up editions..feel free to mail in your own selections!
Six Nations: PR's XV of Round One:
15 Cl̩ment Poitrenaud (France) РThe unpredictable tag that he has earned over the years due to such days as the Heineken Cup final against Wasps might be falling off this back. Cl̩ment Poitrenaud was slippery in attack and he also made a key tackle in defence.
14 Vincent Clerc (France) РThe lethal Toulouse finisher was an early replacement for Aur̩lien Rougerie, who made his own presence felt with two hefty tackles in the opening four minutes at Murrayfield. Enter Vincent Clerc and almost immediately he almost scored before putting in a solid shift on the wing, which should see him start there against Ireland.
13 Mathieu Bastareaud (France) РCredit to coach Marc Li̬vremont for giving this 21-year-old centre a second chance in the blue jersey. Mathieu Bastareaud was at his destructive best on Sunday and claimed two tries that adds to the anticipation of him meeting Brian O'Driscoll in Paris.
12 Yannick Jauzion (France) – It should not be underestimated what this Toulouse centre brings to France. Sat in the middle of two youngsters in Bastareaud and Francois Trinh-Duc, Yannick Jauzion is a calming presence who was a constant thorn in Scotland's side.
11 Sean Lamont (Scotland) – This versatile Scarlet has been outstanding in Llanelli over recent weeks and proved to be so again wider out in Scotland colours. Sean Lamont was a go-to man and with brother Rory back for Round Two, watch them both go in Cardiff.
10 Jonny Wilkinson (England) – He kicked his goals and was a usual brick wall in defence. Trinh-Duc and Ronan O'Gara were next in line but Jonny Wilkinson takes our playmaking shirt as he didn't put a foot wrong all day at HQ.
9 Danny Care (England) – His selection ahead of Paul Hodgson was one that signalled England wanted to attack against Wales. And Martin Johnson's gamble paid off on Saturday as Danny Care looks like someone who is just going to get better the more he plays.
8 Imanol Harinordoquy (France) – This was the position where several faces threw their names into the hat. Jamie Heaslip once again continued his good form in the green shirt before Nick Easter did what he does best alongside James Haskell and Lewis Moody. Johnnie Beattie was also impressive with his strength off the base but it was his opposite number at Murrayfield who proved too good with his all-round effort sneaking the jersey.
7 David Wallace (Ireland) – Man-of-the-match at Croke Park. David Wallace was his usual self against the Italians as he broke the line with dynamic power that it seems his legs can give for the full 80 minutes.
6 James Haskell (England) – Two tries thanks largely to good support was just a bonus for James Haskell, who was physical and energetic in an effort that in the end was streaks ahead of his opposite number Andy Powell.
5 Lionel Nallet (France) РA great performance from the former captain in a strong French pack. Lionel Nallet was highly physical and formed a fine partnership with Pascal Pape, who might just keep out the returning S̩bastien Chabal for the clash with Ireland.
4 Steve Borthwick (England) – A true captain's performance from the Saracens lock that silenced his critics. Alongside Simon Shaw, Steve Borthwick disrupted Wales' lineout to a point of desperation and will now be looking to kick on in Rome this Sunday.
3 Nicolas Mas (France) – Much like his loosehead Thomas Domingo, this Perpignan prop did a job on his opposite number at Murrayfield and certainly backed that up with plenty of ball-carries that made him stand out above his rival for the jersey Adam Jones.
2 William Servat (France) РIt is tough to find a better first and second-choice hooker in the 2010 Championship than what Marc Li̬vremont has at his disposal right now. Willie Servat and Dimitri Szarzewski are solid throwers and good around the park, as the former showed.
1 Cian Healy (Ireland) – A lot of the midweek build-up was billing Healy's front-row battle with Martin Castrogiovanni as one to look out for. And it did not disappoint as the man from Dublin set down an early marker at scrum-time before once again running well in the loose.