6 Nations Round 1 Team Of The Week

The first weekend of the RBS 6 Nations is in the books, and we were treated to some very intense rugby. All three matches finished with less than a try between the sides, and all three featured intense defensive battles. With all that said, here is our team of the week for round one of the tournament.

1. Jack McGrath:
McGrath held his own in a weakened Ireland pack, but it was his work in the loose that has seen him included in the team of the week. McGrath went through 16 tackles, a number unparalleled by any of his fellow loose heads in the tournament. Once again stepping up when Ireland have been hit by injury, McGrath played the whole 80 minutes, and has made the 1 shirt his own.

2. Guilhem Guirado: There were no real standouts in the two shirt this weekend, but the French captain performed best. Guirado went about his business well, ensuring his team secured their own set-pieces, as well as his usual share of carries and tackles. Two excellent offloads and 13 tackles set him apart from the rest of his teammates.

3. Dan Cole: Eddie Jones called on the 28 year old tighthead to play for 80 minutes, and Cole did just that. England had an edge in the scrum all day, and that was largely due to Cole’s good work. While he didn’t contribute much in attack, Cole was stoic in defence, making 9 tackles as he lead his side to a Calcutta Cup victory.

4. Jonny Gray: As ever, Gray was at the heart of everything for Scotland. The 21 year old lock made 15 tackles and was constantly looking to do work for his side in a losing effort. The Glasgow star may not be the flashiest of second rows, but few do as much work around the field as he does.

5. George Kruis: Amidst all the cries for Maro Itoje (and they are justified) to start, Kruis got the nod ahead of his Saracens teammate, and he did not disappoint. One could look at the simple fact that he scored a try, but it was his defensive efforts that stood out to us. In addition to his solid work at the ruck, Kruis made 16 tackles and only missed one.

6. C.J. Stander: There was a sense that Stander was going to be special on Sunday from the moment he belted out Amhran Na bhFiann, and the South African born flanker did not disappoint. 23 carries for 38 meters, a clean break, a defender beaten, and 12 tackles, just for good measure. His presence seems to have elevated the play of No. 8 Jamie Heaslip as well, and when combined with Sean O’Brien will be a frightening prospect for Ireland in the future.

7. James Haskell: Haskell finally brought the workrate that he shows week in week out for Wasps into an England shirt, and the results were plain to see. Haskell did not miss a single tackle, and still made 18, destroying any forward momentum the Scots began to gain, time and time again.

8. Billy Vunipola: The England and Saracens No.8 dominated the gainline, carrying 22 times for 51 meters, and beating 5 defenders. His work was enough to make him man of the match, as he lead England to a very tight 15-9 win over Scotland. He sneaks in just ahead of Welsh hero Taulupe Faletau, who made 19 tackles and scored the try that narrowed the gap to just 3 for Wales.

9. Conor Murray: The Irish scrum half was at his best all day on sunday, launching sharp passes and playing the game at a very quick pace. When he did choose to carry himself, he did it effectively, making 26 meters, 2, clean breaks, beating 2 defenders, and or course, scoring a try. Joe Schmidt will want Murray and Sexton to be back to their form of 2014, when they were nearly unstoppable, and this week they were close.

10. Carlo Canna: The 23 year old fly half was largely unknown to the rugby world until this weekend, when he set Paris alight. Canna scored a try and ran for 54 meters, as well as consistently giving his side a platform to attack the French. He stood his ground against the physical French runners, and then used kick after kick to keep the French pinned inside their own half. Truly a shame his side could not secure a win.

11. Virimi Vakatawa: In a match where France struggled to get anything going in attack, Vakatawa provided a spark that the Italians simply could not match. I feel that the 7s star would be well suited to playing in the center, but on the wing he proved to be a devastating weapon. Vakatawa made two clean breaks, beat two defenders, and ran for 65 meters, as he kept France in contention for much of the match.

12. Jamie Roberts: Roberts and Henshaw went at it on Sunday, and they certainly did not pull any punches. Bone shuddering hits were exchanged between the two, but it does seem that Roberts won the battle in the end, nullifying one of Ireland’s most important players in attack. Roberts made 20 tackles, more than any other Welsh player, while still pounding his way to 25 meters with ball in hand.

13. Michele Campagnaro: The Exeter center reminded us all of just how much potential he has. The 22 year old has bulked up since he made that sensational debut against Wales in 2013, but he has lost none of the magical footwork that makes him so special. He beat 4 defenders en route to 47 meters with ball in hand and 3 clean breaks, in an excellent all around afternoon. When Italy get back Luca Morisi they may prove to be quite the opponent, not just for Scotland, but for many of the other Nations as well.

14. George North: The Welsh giant did a great job of getting himself involved in attack, and he was a major pain for Ireland all day long. He carried the ball 11 times making 78 meters, and he was able to beat 6 defenders as well. He wasn’t able to break open the game, but he had a huge impact on it, and if he is able to bring that same level of involvement into Wales’ upcoming matches, he should be able to find himself over the tryline with great regularity.

15. Stuart Hogg: The Scottish fullback once again found himself carrying his side in attack on saturday, as his side labored through a 15-9 loss. Hogg left little to be desired, making more meters than any other fullback in the tournament. His 102 meters were accrued as he made 5 defenders miss and made 1 clean break. Scotland will need to get him in more scoring situations if they want to improve this season, but he certainly showed just what a dangerous player he can be.