Six Nations XV of the Week - Round 2
The second weekend of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations offered a mixed bag of performances, as the relatively open match-up of Ireland versus Wales made way for the wet, windy and bedraggled contest between Scotland and England in Edinburgh.
The round came to a conclusion on Sunday in an entertaining affair between France and Italy in Paris, where Les Bleus emerged victorious in a 35-22 win over their mainland rivals. The results leave just Ireland and France hunting a Grand Slam this season, with the two set to lock horns in the final round of the tournament.
We have selected our 15 most impressive performers from the weekend’s rugby below, but do you agree with our calls?
- Jayden Hayward, Italy
Perhaps a surprising inclusion given Jordan Larmour’s second strong game in as many weeks for Ireland, although the Italian full-back was one of the few Azzurri players to be unlucky to be on the losing side in Paris. Hayward’s counter-attacking, territorial kicking and aerial receipts were all extremely consistent, and he distinguished himself in a losing effort.
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Watch: Don’t Mess with Jim – Jim discusses England’s selection dilemmas
- Jonny May, England
A very solid outing from May in extremely challenging conditions. After spilling the first ball of the game, the Leicester Tigers wing went on to excel with the aerial contests and given how much kicking dominated the Calcutta Cup clash, that was absolutely vital to England lifting the trophy for the first time in three seasons.
- Arthur Vincent, France
A tough competition with Robbie Henshaw, where either man could have come out on top, although the French youngster looked remarkably competent at this level in just his first start in international rugby. His defensive decision-making was notably impressive, as well as providing some go forward outside of Gaël Fickou.
- Owen Farrell, England
It was a captain’s knock from Farrell at BT Murrayfield, as he dealt with the conditions expertly. His kicking from hand was incisive and put the Scottish back three under pressure, as he kept his kicks low and avoided the worst of the gales, something England’s other players struggled with. The England captain also defended strongly and prospered with his decision-making, whilst a nod to Bundee Aki is deserved, too.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226475956107436032?s=20
- Jacob Stockdale, Ireland
The sizeable wing celebrated his new contract at Ulster and with the IRFU in good fashion in Dublin, as his ball-carrying helped propel Ireland towards a bonus point win over Wales. There aren’t too many players more exciting to see with the ball in hand in world rugby than Stockdale and we got another glimpse of that on Saturday. If weather conditions improve over the coming weeks, he looks in the sort of form to shake up the championship.
- Romain Ntamack, France
A couple of awry kicks aside, Ntamack pulled the strings exquisitely for France against Italy and was more than fair value for the 18 points he contributed through kicks, tries and assisted tries. Both Jonny Sexton and Dan Biggar went well in their respective matches and that’s the company that Ntamack is now keeping on a weekly basis for France.
- Conor Murray, Ireland
With John Cooney breathing down his neck, Saturday’s win over Wales was a timely reminder of what Murray offers at half-back. His array of passing in Dublin was exemplary and there are few other nines in world rugby who can match the accuracy, tempo and variety of Murray’s distribution. He’s done enough to ward off Cooney’s ambitions on the jersey for now, as well as the excellent Antoine Dupont for a place in this XV.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226556587185180672?s=20
- Cyril Baille, France
In addition to providing France with a solid set-piece platform against Italy, the Toulouse loosehead also went to work as a ball-handler. He can carry up and over the gain-line when he wants to, although he was also able to bring into play those around him with his sophisticated passing and offloading skills.
- Rob Herring, Ireland
France’s Julien Marchand had a strong first half and Jamie George battled valiantly and successfully against the conditions in Edinburgh, though for overall positive impact, this spot just goes to Herring. The Ulster hooker gave Ireland a foundation at the set-piece and his contributions in the loose were also noteworthy, as Ireland put the squeeze on Wales and were able to move through the gears and open up their game plan.
- Tadhg Furlong, Ireland
An honourable mention for Kyle Sinckler, who was impressive against Scotland, though a try to his name tips the scales ever so slightly in Furlong’s favour. The Irishman’s brutish physicality was on display as he grabbed that try, whilst his work in the tight was typically excellent. Between Furlong and Sinckler, the British and Irish Lions options at tighthead are looking in particularly good health.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226489788909395968?s=20
- Maro Itoje, England
Itoje was an aggressive pest to Scotland on Saturday, with his defensive work at the lineout, contact area and in the tackle consistently forcing Gregor Townsend’s side into errors, from which England were able to capitalise. In a game that was dictated by the set-piece, defensive pressure and turnovers, Itoje reigned supreme.
- Alun Wyn Jones, Wales
The veteran lock has won plenty of battles on the pitch over his gloried career, although the one he is currently winning against Father Time might be the most impressive of them all. He put in a remarkable defensive shift at Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon and though Wales were well beaten come the 80th minute, that was not down to a lack of impact from Jones. He just shades this spot from Paul Willemse.
- Jake Polledri, Italy
Another standout display for Polledri in the Italian pack, as the Gloucester flanker enjoyed success as a ball-carrier and a defender. The physicality he generates in contact on both sides of the ball sees him invariably win the collisions and although Italy aren’t currently able to turn that into points due to other deficiencies in their side, it’s a position of strength for them to build from.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226480865410256897?s=20
- Sam Underhill, England
A brutally physical performance from one half of England’s ‘Kamikaze Kids’ duo, who just sees off yet another strong showing from Wales’ Justin Tipuric. With the wind and rain the wrong side of torrential in Edinburgh, Underhill’s textbook and punishing tackling helped keep the Scots at bay and he was crucial to England’s game plan of kicking possession away and forcing Scotland into errors with ball in hand.
- Gregory Alldritt, France
A peerless performance from Alldritt, who excelled in all facets of the game against Italy in Paris. His ball-carrying was incisive, his kick receptions were clean and effective, and he was also able to shift the point of contact with an adept passing and offloading game on the gain-line. The No 8 has been a real success story of this new-look French side.
Watch: Andy Farrell and Jonny Sexton react to the win over Wales in Dublin
Comments on RugbyPass
AI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
58 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to comments