It seems counter-productive to select a team of the week considering the rather troubling lack of rugby played on the weekend, but here we are nonetheless.
1 – Cian Healy (Ireland) Honourable mention to Alberto de Marchi who had some impressive runs for the Azzurri, but Healy’s overall contribution to a dominant forward performance gives him the edge. The emergence of Jack McGrath seems to have spurred him on to new heights.
2 – Rory Best (Ireland) Back to some good form after an ungodly poor Lions tour. Performed all his tasks well played a big role in the win.
3 – Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) A tough week for tighthead props, but Castro gets the nod for dominating Thomas Domingo in Paris. Not a vintage performance by any means but not bad.
4 – Joe Launchbury (England) Another strong performance from one of the hardest working members of the team. Revels in the ‘unseen’ work at the breakdown.
5 – Paul O’Connell (Ireland) Very difficult to leave out Courtney Lawes, but O’Connell’s influence on his team was there for all to see. A colossal performance coming back from a chest infection that limited him to an hour of work.
6 – Peter O’Mahony (Ireland) The best forward of the weekend. Another dark art specialist who is fully committed with his body, now if he can just tone down his mouth a bit…
7 – Yannick Nyanga (France) Less spectacular but just as influential as a week ago. Enjoying a career renaissance that is quickly marking him an indispensible member of the French pack.
8 – Billy Vunipola (England) Narrowly edges Louis Picamoles with another dominant performance. A truly fearsome sight with ball in hand.
9 – Danny Care (England) Even in the Murrayfield mud he found a way to keep the pace up. Ben Youngs will find it very difficult to get his spot back now.
10 – Jonny Sexton (Ireland) The architect of the dismantling of Wales. His tactical kicking was top drawer, repeatedly turning the cover and making Liam Williams in particular look very ordinary.
11 – Jonny May (England) His speed across the pitch seemed to defy its condition. Put all England wing hopefuls on notice with a class performance.
12 – Wesley Fofana (France) Took a while for him to get into gear but when he did it was over in a flash. Added even more spectacular moments to his already impressive highlight reel.
13 – Mathieu Bastareaud (France) Like Fofana it was slow going at first. Once he got going he was a wrecking ball, bouncing would be defenders and even won a turnover in defense. Outstrips an improving Luther Burrell.
14 – Yoann Huget (France) Good games from Leonardo Sarto and Andrew Trimble, but it’s the Frenchman again who earns a spot. Strong running, multiple offloads, a super over-the-shoulder pass to Hugo Bonneval, and a try-saving tackle on a lock forward.
15 – Mike Brown (England) Player of the week. An outstanding performance in all aspects against a dire Scotland. Brice Dulin was good, Brown was better.
