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Six Nations: Team of the week

Only a few can rise to be named the best of the best in The Score’s team of the week.

27/02/12 910 Views No Comments

WE HAD A full compliment of three matches to choose from once again this week.

With a big win for Ireland and big performances from Wales, England and Scotland, there were no shortages of players putting their hand up for selection.

Here’s who we picked. Think I’m wrong? Be sure to air your views in the comments section below.

Six Nations: Team of the week
1 / 15

  • 1. Jean-Baptiste Poux.

    In the scrum, France held firm and the ramparts were solid to steal a late victory. You can't ask much more from a prop than that.

  • 2. Ross Ford.

    Another solid day for the Edinburgh hooker. Consistent, unlike many, at line-out time and one of many powerful ball-carriers in the pack.

  • 3. Mike Ross.

    Rarely took a backward step against Michele Rizzo and also did a power of work in the loose.

  • 4. Richie Gray.

    Another gargantuan performance from Gray and his pack had Les Bleus well and truly rattled. In this photo he merely had to look at Maxine medard to put him on the floor. Statistics do lie. Scotland have lost five in a row, but are a side undoubtedly on the up. They play Ireland next, intent on a repeat of their 2010 victory in Croke Park.

  • 5. Paul O'Connell.

    Without forwards coach, Get Smal, the onus fell onto Paul O'Connell's considerable shoulders to get his pack into the right frame of mind to front up against the Azzuri. As usual, he led by example and nullified Italy's traditional strength in the second half.

  • 6. Dan Lydiate.

    Wales' Triple Crowning glory was based on their defence. And central to that were the two flankers - not least with this last ditch mauling by Lydiate to deny Strettle an easy touchdown.

  • 7. Sam Warburton.

    Finally, some silverware for the refreshing captain of Wales. This was a coming-of-age for Wales, but Warburton is grisly beyond his years. Immense in the tackle, he chopped down Manu Tuilagi to deny a certain try in the first half.

  • 8. Jamie Heaslip.

    It's been a slow and steady route back to his best from Heaslip's flashy start to his international career. He has matured into a player who does every simple thing well, as exemplified on Saturday when he stood toe-to-toe with Sergio Parisse and came out on top.

  • 9. Mike Phillips.

    When Wales went down to 14 men in the second half, they needed a man to shape the game. Rhys Priestland was in the bin and Jamie Roberts had hobbled in the same direction. Phillips slowed the game to a crawl and Wales sucked up the time with an exorbitant amount of phases.

  • 10. Owen Farrell.

    Maybe it was a desperate attempt to avoid claims of nepotism, but It took an injury to Charlie Hodgson to finally put Farrell where he belongs. His rival for this position was Jonathan Sexton, but Farrell's performance was a coronation. Even in defeat, Twickenham has found their new king. Jonny Wilkinson had a dominant pack and an experienced backline to help him around the field, Farrell looks ready to push the chariot all by himself if he has to.

  • 11. Julien Malzieu.

    Malzieu once again showed his massive strength coming in off the left wing and forcibly creating the space and the pass for Medard's winning score. Tommy Bowe will have to get this man tackled early, solid and low next weekend.

  • 12. Wesley Fofana.

    A difficult day at Murrayfield would have been made impossible had France not been gifted the terrific finishing skill of the Clermont centre. Attacked the ball at an incredible pace and able to step out of a tackle almost before the Scots were able to make it.

  • 13. Keith Earls.

    Was, and forever will be, the most difficult jersey to fill in Irish sport. Earls took up the role with no fear and added, as expected, some lighting space to the midfield are allowing more space inside for Gordon D'Arcy and the trailing runs of Tommy Bowe.

  • 14. Tommy Bowe.

    When Ireland are in need of a try there is only one man to turn to. Ulster supporters must be licking their lips at the prospect of the prodigal son returning to Ravenhill.

  • 15. Rob Kearney.

    The doubters asked that he not only perform heroics under the Garryowen, but also that he attack the gainline. He did both and in doing so shredded the Italian assuredness in the tackle with his unceasing leg-pumping. More of the same please, Bob.
  • In the scrum, France held firm and the ramparts were solid to steal a late victory. You can't ask much more from a prop than that.
  • Another solid day for the Edinburgh hooker. Consistent, unlike many, at line-out time and one of many powerful ball-carriers in the pack.
  • Rarely took a backward step against Michele Rizzo and also did a power of work in the loose.
  • Another gargantuan performance from Gray and his pack had Les Bleus well and truly rattled. In this photo he merely had to look at Maxine medard to put him on the floor. Statistics do lie. Scotland have lost five in a row, but are a side undoubtedly on the up. They play Ireland next, intent on a repeat of their 2010 victory in Croke Park.
  • Without forwards coach, Get Smal, the onus fell onto Paul O'Connell's considerable shoulders to get his pack into the right frame of mind to front up against the Azzuri. As usual, he led by example and nullified Italy's traditional strength in the second half.
  • Wales' Triple Crowning glory was based on their defence. And central to that were the two flankers - not least with this last ditch mauling by Lydiate to deny Strettle an easy touchdown.
  • Finally, some silverware for the refreshing captain of Wales. This was a coming-of-age for Wales, but Warburton is grisly beyond his years. Immense in the tackle, he chopped down Manu Tuilagi to deny a certain try in the first half.
  • It's been a slow and steady route back to his best from Heaslip's flashy start to his international career. He has matured into a player who does every simple thing well, as exemplified on Saturday when he stood toe-to-toe with Sergio Parisse and came out on top.
  • When Wales went down to 14 men in the second half, they needed a man to shape the game. Rhys Priestland was in the bin and Jamie Roberts had hobbled in the same direction. Phillips slowed the game to a crawl and Wales sucked up the time with an exorbitant amount of phases.
  • Maybe it was a desperate attempt to avoid claims of nepotism, but It took an injury to Charlie Hodgson to finally put Farrell where he belongs. His rival for this position was Jonathan Sexton, but Farrell's performance was a coronation. Even in defeat, Twickenham has found their new king. Jonny Wilkinson had a dominant pack and an experienced backline to help him around the field, Farrell looks ready to push the chariot all by himself if he has to.
  • Malzieu once again showed his massive strength coming in off the left wing and forcibly creating the space and the pass for Medard's winning score. Tommy Bowe will have to get this man tackled early, solid and low next weekend.
  • A difficult day at Murrayfield would have been made impossible had France not been gifted the terrific finishing skill of the Clermont centre. Attacked the ball at an incredible pace and able to step out of a tackle almost before the Scots were able to make it.
  • Was, and forever will be, the most difficult jersey to fill in Irish sport. Earls took up the role with no fear and added, as expected, some lighting space to the midfield are allowing more space inside for Gordon D'Arcy and the trailing runs of Tommy Bowe.
  • When Ireland are in need of a try there is only one man to turn to. Ulster supporters must be licking their lips at the prospect of the prodigal son returning to Ravenhill.
  • The doubters asked that he not only perform heroics under the Garryowen, but also that he attack the gainline. He did both and in doing so shredded the Italian assuredness in the tackle with his unceasing leg-pumping. More of the same please, Bob.

Cut and dried: What we learned this week in hurling

So, did you see Messi’s free-kick last night?

About the author:

Sean Farrell
@seanfarrell_12
sean@thescore.ie

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