It seems odd that the two best individual performances of the week were from a losing side. A sign of overly pragmatic game plans perhaps? Here are this week’s picks.
1 – Ryan Grant (Scotland) Ignore his undeserved yellow card. He stood up well to Mike Ross in the scrum and put in a huge effort in defense.
2 – Benjamin Kayser (France) Little to choose from at hooker this week but Kayser added the physical edge that Dimitri Szarzewski is lacking. He can hold his head up high.
3 – Geoff Cross (Scotland) His best ever performance in a Scottish jersey giving Dean Ryan a welcome selection headache ahead of the Welsh test. Scrummed well and fired up his teammates.
4 – Richie Gray (Scotland) Got stuck into the tight in an unassuming but workmanlike performance. Just the type of effort the Lions selectors would have enjoyed.
5 – Jim Hamilton (Scotland) Man of the match might have been a stretch, but Big Jim was a total nuisance to the Irish at the breakdown, and a towering presence at the lineout.
6 – Ryan Jones (Wales) Another strong performance befitting a captain. Looks back to his best and must be in the frame for Lions selection.
7 – Chris Robshaw (England) See above. An absolute work horse who simply refuses to have an off day. Heading towards player of the tournament honours.
8 – Louis Picamoles (France) The player of the weekend. Another world class performance as he brutalised the English defense. Must be wondering what more he can do to buy a win.
9 – Greig Laidlaw (Scotland) Sure, he kicked his goals and controlled play tactically, but it was his direction behind the breakdown in defense that was most impressive. Yet another top quality Scottish scrumhalf.
10 – Dan Biggar (Wales) Francois Trinh-Duc might have been in the running were he not yanked off the pitch for no reason, but Biggar’s assured if stodgy performance in the rain in Rome was good enough to lead his men to victory.
11 – George North (Wales) Didn’t score a try like his wing-mate Alex Cuthbert, but he didn’t make the defensive blunders either. A relatively quiet but positive contribution on a weekend not meant for outside backs.
12 – Wesley Fofana (France) A clear reminder of how senseless it was to play him on the wing. Let’s hope he stays a midfielder from now on. Honorable mention to Luke Marshall who had a very fine debut.
13 – Manu Tuilagi (England) Back in the starting lineup and back in business, another rampaging performance from the Anglo-Samoan. On form the most destructive centre available to the Lions.
14 – Giovanbattista Venditti (Italy) One of the few Azzurri to put their hands up in the absence of Sergio Parisse. Not the paciest winger you’ll ever see but he moves well for a big man and got his team going forward.
15 – Leigh Halfpenny (Wales) There wasn’t much for him to do aside from kick and kick and kick, but you can’t fault him for kicking to perfection. Strong in defense as well.
