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.
Continue reading below…
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
Good to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
17 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
17 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
7 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
7 Go to commentsAI 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.
26 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 🤐
17 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….
26 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….
17 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!
7 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
17 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
14 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.
17 Go to comments