Lots of standout performers this week that made it difficult in some spots but there were clear winners in others. Check out who makes the cut in this week’s team!
1 – Cian Healy (Ireland) A solid, if imperfect, performance in the scrum was bolstered by his usual excellence in the loose. The try-scoring, ball-winning, tackle-making prop is fast closing in on a Lions test jersey.
2 – Rory Best (Ireland) An excellent all around performance from the Ulsterman in his return after missing out on the November tests. Is there a better defensive hooker in world rugby?
3 – Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) Rolled back the clock with a stirring performance at the fulcrum of the Azzurri pack. Passionate as ever during the anthem and backed it up on the pitch.
4 – Joe Launchbury (England) Nothing flashy, but the young dynamo hardly put a foot wrong in his Six Nations debut. Looks set to be a fixture in the English pack for years to come.
5 – Mike McCarthy (Ireland) While Andrew Coombs impressed as an extra loose forward for Wales, McCarty put in a huge effort in the trenches where a tight forward earns his pay. An underrated stalwart who goes about his work with minimal fuss.
6 – Tom Wood (England) Another player who just seems to do everything right. It’s going to take some effort for Tom Croft to find his way back into the side.
7 – Sean O’Brien (Ireland) One of his better matches in recent memory. Back to his destructive best with ball in hand and a massive contribution in defense.
8 – Sergio Parisse (Italy) What can be said that hasn’t already been said? The finest number eight in the northern hemisphere outplayed Louis Picamoles and led his team to glory in Rome.
9 – Ben Youngs (England) No real standouts at halfback but Youngs got the job done at Twickenham. Despite playing well remains under real pressure from Danny Care, who also made a good impression.
10 – Luciano Orquera (Italy) A bit of a romantic selection perhaps given Owen Farrell’s outstanding game for England, but it’s been more than a decade since anyone even considered an Italian flyhalf for a team of the week. Sealed the victory with a magnificent offload to put Castrogiovanni over for the winning try.
11 – Simon Zebo (Ireland) Had mouths gaping with that pickup from Heaslip’s pass. Ireland hasn’t had a winger this exciting since the best days of Simon Geoghegan.
12 – Billy Twelvetrees (England) Looked every bit as confident and classy on debut as everyone expected him to be. Brad Barritt’s starting days look numbered.
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland) As if there was any doubt at all, he stamped his name on a Lions ticket with yet another vintage performance. A captain in deed if not name.
14 – Giovanbattista Venditti (Italy) Showed up in support just when Italy needed him to. Still has yet to really break out but getting better with every game.
15 – Stuart Hogg (Scotland) Seems to thrive in the Six Nations atmosphere, his best game since last year’s tournament. Instantly established himself as the outstanding attacking fullback in Lions contention.
