Six Nations XV of Round 4
Despite the game between Ireland and Italy being called off, the fourth round of the Guinness Six Nations still offered up a veritable feast of international rugby in its two surviving fixtures.
England got the ball rolling with an impressive 33-30 win over Wales at Twickenham, with the visitors surging late in that game to add some gloss to the score-line from their perspective. It then finished in dramatic fashion as France saw yellow and red and fell to a fired up Scotland, 28-17, at Murrayfield, as their Grand Slam hopes drifted away in a haze of indiscipline.
We have selected below our pick of performers from the 92 players involved in the past weekend of Six Nations rugby.
- Stuart Hogg, Scotland
Hogg’s best performance of the Six Nations so far this year, the full-back was incisive and his decision-making in attack led to composed and clinical Scottish tries. When Hogg plays well, a lot of Scotland’s attacking issues melt away around his influential contributions and that was as true as it has ever been on Sunday.
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Watch: Alun Wyn Jones talks about the incident with Joe Marler at Twickenham
- Anthony Watson, England
The wing looked like he had never been away as he collected Ben Youngs’ inside pass and danced his way passed the Welsh defence and found his way to the try line. Watson also held up well defensively and showcased his excellent footwork on a couple more occasions at Twickenham on Saturday.
- Manu Tuilagi, England
For many this spot will go to Nick Tompkins, whilst some will give it to Virimi Vakatawa for a strong showing against the odds, but the influence Tuilagi had on England’s attack was highly impressive. His carries were constantly getting over the gain-line and giving Youngs quick ball with which to work, whilst his late red card, though fully deserved, had no tangible effect on the final result.
- Owen Farrell, England
Just the 15 points for Farrell, who was 100% with the boot against Wales at Twickenham. The England captain also stepped up defensively and with his playmaking as a ball-handler, helping propel his side to a position from which they were not going to lose the game, despite England’s defensive lapses in the dying minutes.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1236675321849622529?s=20
- Sean Maitland, Scotland
A brace for Maitland, who clinically pounced after the interval and killed off France’s chances of springing an unlikely upset once they had been reduced to 14 men. He will have flashier games with the ball in hand, though he took his chances when they were presented and did a solid job of keeping Gaël Fickou quiet on his wing.
- Dan Biggar, Wales
Even though Wales struggled for front-foot ball and to achieve parity against the English pack, Biggar’s work from fly-half was eye-catching, despite the disadvantages he faced relative to his opposite number. With a heavily strapped knee, Biggar was still able to manufacture moments of attacking opportunity and there were not many players unluckier to be on a losing side this weekend than him.
- Ben Youngs, England
A very impactful outing from the oft-maligned Youngs, with the scrum-half’s box-kicking proving vital to England’s success at Twickenham. He seemed back to his old self with some trademark darts around the fringes, too, whilst his passing was accurate and helped lead to two first half tries for the hosts.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1236696528594644993?s=20
- Rory Sutherland, Scotland
The Scottish loosehead successfully exerted pressure on France’s Mohamed Haouas and though there’s no way of proving that contributed to the tighthead lashing out with a punch and spending over half the game in the bin, it certainly wouldn’t have hurt. Sutherland was also effective in defence around the fringes, repelling France’s power carriers.
- Julien Marchand, France
One of the few French forwards to leave Murrayfield with his head held high, Marchand was effective at the set-piece and one of the more industrious players in the loose in Edinburgh. His ball-carrying and work at the contact area helped keep France in the contest despite Haouas’ red card and some sub-par performances from his fellow pack members.
- Kyle Sinckler, England
The tighthead started solidly for England, holding up his side of the scrum and providing the quick hands that he has become known for. As the game moved on, he started to go after his number more aggressively at the scrum and became more of a carrying presence, all the whilst maintaining his excellent defensive work.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1236635102496636928?s=20
- Maro Itoje, England
Itoje has made himself a regular in this XV with the tenacity of his performances and his ability to take opposition game plans and bend them to his will. From his defensive line speed and decision-making to the physicality of his collisions and nuance in the dark arts of the game, the lock was vital to England’s efforts against Wales.
- Grant Gilchrist, Scotland
An honourable mention to George Kruis who was excellent at Twickenham, but Gilchrist came out on top in a battle with two very physical French locks, Bernard Le Roux and Paul Willemse. Le Roux should be one of the front-runners for player of the tournament and yet it was Gilchrist who came out of Sunday’s contest as the more influential of the pair, as he stymied power runner after power runner in the French forward pack.
- Jamie Ritchie, Scotland
Ritchie’s abrasiveness and physicality constantly got under France’s skin on Sunday and he was key to Scotland winning the battle on the gain-line and keeping their opponents frustrated. His work rate, along with that of fellow flanker Hamish Watson, was exemplary.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1236592226760888320?s=20
- Justin Tipuric, Wales
Yet another showing of Tipuric’s undoubted ability, as he bagged two tries at Twickenham and added some much-needed consolation to what was a poor overall performance from Wales. Beyond his two scores, Tipuric was influential with the ball in his hand and at the contact area, as the Welsh openside proved to be a persistent thorn in the side of the dominant English pack.
- Grégory Alldritt, France
The No 8 put in a Herculean shift for a pack that was undermanned and outgunned by their Scottish counterparts at Murrayfield. His ball-carrying, link play and contributions at the breakdown were all standout, as France become ever more reliant on his dynamism, power and ability to play for 80 minutes at a high intensity.
Watch: Eddie Jones and Owen Farrell speak to the media after beating Wales
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments