Six Nations Team of the Week - Round Two
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Six Nations Team of the Week - Round Two
Round two of the Guinness Six Nations is done and dusted, with Wales, France, and England all claiming victories.
Wales recovered from last week's heavy loss to Ireland with a 20-17 victory over Scotland thanks to the kicking expertise of Dan Biggar. Darcy Graham and Tom Francis crossed over in a first half that ended level and it remained all square at 17-17 late on as Biggar and Finn Russell kicked four penalties apiece.
Here is our team of the week:
1. Cyril Baille - France
Baille continued to build on his reputation as one of the finest looseheads in the game as he went toe-to-toe with Ireland's Tadhg Furlong.
The French won two early penalties against the Ireland pack, with Baille gaining the upper hand over Furlong, especially for the second penalty.
He was even more effective with the ball in hand. Shortly before being substituted, he crashed over the line. He thundered into contact with every carry and made all of his tackles.
The French won two early penalties against the Ireland pack, with Baille gaining the upper hand over Furlong, especially for the second penalty.
He was even more effective with the ball in hand. Shortly before being substituted, he crashed over the line. He thundered into contact with every carry and made all of his tackles.
Bubbling under: Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England)
2. Ryan Elias - Wales
Elias's performance have been criticised, but he stepped up to the plate against Scotland on Saturday.
There was hardly a blade of grass that Elias' boots did not grace at Murrayfield. He helped Tomas Francais over the line, won a crucial turnover in the first half and buzzed around the pitch in a man of the match 64-minute performance.
He also recorded a 100% success rate at the lineouts.
There was hardly a blade of grass that Elias' boots did not grace at Murrayfield. He helped Tomas Francais over the line, won a crucial turnover in the first half and buzzed around the pitch in a man of the match 64-minute performance.
He also recorded a 100% success rate at the lineouts.
Congratulations Ryan Elias 👏🏴 #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/tJ5nuzjJMO
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 12, 2022
Bubbling under: Julien Marchand (France), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Jamie George (England).
3. Uini Atonio - France
Atonio joins his fellow countryman in the front row in our team of the week after a titanic performance against Ireland.
He threw his 140+ kg frame around to significant effect drawing in defenders with his carries while he was sound defensively.
He anchored the French scrum, not allowing Andrew Porter an inch in the set piece.
He threw his 140+ kg frame around to significant effect drawing in defenders with his carries while he was sound defensively.
He anchored the French scrum, not allowing Andrew Porter an inch in the set piece.
Class from Ntamack.
Uini Atonio made a big dent in Ireland's defence before.
Serious clearout on Porter at that breakdown.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 12, 2022
Bubbling under: Tomas Francis (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Kyle Sinckler (England)
4. Tadhg Beirne - Ireland
He was an abrasive presence in the Irish pack who weren't quite as dominant as they were in recent test matches.
The 30-year-old was a real threat over the ball, made 12 tackles, ten carries, and kicked a wonderful 50:22.
Tadhg Beirne with a 50/22.
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) February 12, 2022
Funt-astic. pic.twitter.com/RXuvhUkc5a
Bubbling under: Jonny Gray (Scotland), Will Rowlands (Wales)
5. Paul Willemse - France
An uncompromising display ended on a sour note as he missed a tackle on Jamison Gibson-Park, but that was the only blemish in an outstanding performance.
He won a crucial penalty in the first half inside the Irish 22, which extended France's lead after Mack Hansen's score. A bullish presence on either side of the ball, Willemse got his side over the advantage line with his carries and drove Irish ball carriers backwards on multiple occasions.
Bubbling under: Adam Beard (Wales), Charlie Ewels (England)
6. Sam Skinner - Scotland
Slipped onto the side of the scrum with little fuss filling in for the injured Jamie Ritchie.
Skinner fronted up to the Welsh pack, leading the way defensively to make 18 tackles without missing one.
He put pressure on the Welsh lineout and was a solid lineout option for the Scots.
Skinner fronted up to the Welsh pack, leading the way defensively to make 18 tackles without missing one.
He put pressure on the Welsh lineout and was a solid lineout option for the Scots.
Bubbling under: Maro Itoje (England), Francois Cros (France)
7. Michele Lamaro - Italy
Hamish Watson, Tom Curry, Josh van der Flier, and Anthony Jelonch all presented Lamaro for tough competition to make our team of the week. Still, the Italian captain's performance was too hard to ignore.
Despite his side being comprehensively beaten, Lamaro stood out in the clash against England. His tireless work rate saw him more tackles than any other players mentioned - he did miss one.
He made over 20 running metres from his six carries, passed the ball on seven occasions and won a turnover.
The 33 point drubbing is a hard pill to swallow, but Lamaro can be proud of his performance.
Despite his side being comprehensively beaten, Lamaro stood out in the clash against England. His tireless work rate saw him more tackles than any other players mentioned - he did miss one.
He made over 20 running metres from his six carries, passed the ball on seven occasions and won a turnover.
The 33 point drubbing is a hard pill to swallow, but Lamaro can be proud of his performance.
Bubbling under: Tom Curry (England), Hamish Watson (Scotland), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), and Anthony Jelonch (France)
8. Gregory Alldritt - France
Man of the match against Ireland, Gregory Alldritt produced another mammoth performance against Ireland, guiding his side to victory.
The mighty no.8 bulldozed his way to over 30 running metres with the ball in hand as he hammered into the Irish defence. He was resolute defensively.
It was hard to look past the Frenchman.
The mighty no.8 bulldozed his way to over 30 running metres with the ball in hand as he hammered into the Irish defence. He was resolute defensively.
It was hard to look past the Frenchman.
Bubbling under: Ross Moriarty (Wales), Alex Dombrandt (England)
9. Antoine Dupont - France
A talismanic performance from the French captain who got France off to a breathtaking start scoring in the opening two minutes of the game as he ran an excellent support line on the shoulder of Romain Ntamack.
He threw some beautiful passes, including a skip pass that beat four Irish defenders, which almost led to a score. He assisted another try, Baille's, to further extend his record for the most try assists for a Frenchman in the Six Nations.
He is still not fully fit after injuries and COVID, but Dupont is showing all his class and can even get better throughout the tournament.
He threw some beautiful passes, including a skip pass that beat four Irish defenders, which almost led to a score. He assisted another try, Baille's, to further extend his record for the most try assists for a Frenchman in the Six Nations.
He is still not fully fit after injuries and COVID, but Dupont is showing all his class and can even get better throughout the tournament.
That pass from Antoine Dupont, again! 😍 pic.twitter.com/fxLMyJe5fA
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 13, 2022
Bubbling under: Tomos Williams (Wales), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Harry Randall (England)
10. Dan Biggar - Wales
Off the bat, Romain Ntamack, Joey Carbery, and Marcus Smith all deserve mentions, but Dan Biggar cracks our team of the week.
Biggar soldiered through an injury-producing a warrior-like performance in his 100th test match for Wales.
The test centurion looked uncomfortable most of the second half, struggling with a knee injury.
He powered through and came up with match-winning moments, including a drop goal and a massive kick into touch before leaving the pitch in the final minute.
Biggar was excellent under the high ball despite the injury, and his kicking was phenomenal.
Biggar soldiered through an injury-producing a warrior-like performance in his 100th test match for Wales.
The test centurion looked uncomfortable most of the second half, struggling with a knee injury.
He powered through and came up with match-winning moments, including a drop goal and a massive kick into touch before leaving the pitch in the final minute.
Biggar was excellent under the high ball despite the injury, and his kicking was phenomenal.
Dan Biggar 🖐️#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/NJVRVCqvSj
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 13, 2022
Bubbling under: Romain Ntamack (France), Joey Carbery (Ireland), Marcus Smith (England)
11. Gabin Villiere - France
A hat-trick hero in round one, Villiere was held scoreless against Ireland, but the Frenchman was industrious and elusive in an all-action display.
He was a strong contender for the man of the match award as he punched well above his weight at the breakdown and on defence. He won two turnovers, beat two defenders, made over 30 running metres and made five solid tackles on defence.
He kept Andrew Conway quiet and charged around the pitch, getting involved in just about everything. He did enough to beat some fine outings on the left-wing this weekend.
Bubbling under: Mack Hansen (Ireland), Monty Ioane (Italy)
12. Henry Slade - England
Slade ran the game well alongside Marcus Smith as England sliced through the Italian defence scoring five tries in the 0-33 win.
The 28-year-old came agonisingly close to dotting down in the game's final play. His defence was sharp, as too was his kicking and passing game.
A nuts and bolts performance dashed with a bit of flair.
The 28-year-old came agonisingly close to dotting down in the game's final play. His defence was sharp, as too was his kicking and passing game.
A nuts and bolts performance dashed with a bit of flair.
Bubbling under: Yoram Moefana (France), Nick Tompkins (Wales), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
13. Owen Watkin - Wales
After an underwhelming outing from Josh Adams in the centres last week, Owen Watkin took over the role and put in an assured performance against Scotland.
He shut down several Scottish attacks with quick reads on defence while he made the second most metres in the game - behind Liam Williams.
He also made all 12 of his attempted tackles and beat four defenders.
He shut down several Scottish attacks with quick reads on defence while he made the second most metres in the game - behind Liam Williams.
He also made all 12 of his attempted tackles and beat four defenders.
Really pleased for some key Welsh players today.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) February 12, 2022
Ryan Elias and Owen Watkin.
They were both fantastic and diluted some recent negativity.
Bubbling under: Gael Fickou (France), Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
14. Darcy Graham - Scotland
Graham brilliant finished off his chance to score in the first half against Wales, showing off his footwork before powering over past Louis Rees-Zammit.
The Scottish pocket rocket had a similarly outstanding game to Gabin Villiere punching well above his weight on defence.
He was sharp on defence and sparked the Scottish attack on occasion, beating three defenders and making over 50 running metres.
The Scottish pocket rocket had a similarly outstanding game to Gabin Villiere punching well above his weight on defence.
He was sharp on defence and sparked the Scottish attack on occasion, beating three defenders and making over 50 running metres.
Darcy Graham is outrageous, man runs around with anvils in his pockets. Big Pierre the African highlander, glorious shift. Beard and Rowlands imperious. Wales got it done the hard way. Pure grit and patriotism. The reaction is real.
— Max Lahiff (@LahiffMax) February 12, 2022
Bubbling under: Max Malins (England), Damian Penaud (France), Alex Cuthbert (Wales)
15. Liam Williams - Wales
Liam Williams looked back to his best after a below-par performance in the opening weekend of the Six Nations.
The Welshman edges Melvyn Jaminet, Hugo Keenan, and Freddie Steward to a place in our team.
He dominated the skies again with a near-flawless performance under the high ball while he looked unfazed in his 22 on defence.
A stellar 50:22, a lovely flick pass under pressure to Dan Biggar, and an early turnover were three of his highlights, but overall, Williams was excellent.
Liam William's 50:22 👌#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/OBsJPmnkzC
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 13, 2022
Bubbling under: Melvyn Jaminet (France), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), and Freddie Steward (England).
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