2022 Six Nations Team of the Week - Round One

2022 Six Nations Team of the Week - Round One

Ireland, Scotland, and France got their Six Nations campaigns off to winning starts in the opening weekend of action.

Andy Farrell's Ireland trashed Wales 29-7 in the opening game of the tournament with winger Andrew Conway helping himself to a double as Ireland eased to a bonus-point victory.

The second game of the weekend saw Scotland end a 38-year wait for back-to-back Calcutta Cup wins over England with Finn Russell's late penalty securing a narrow 20-17 victory.

Finally, Italy were unable to sustain their strong start as they fell to a 33rd successive Six Nations defeat, going down 37-10 to France.

Following an entertaining opening round, we pick our team of the week.


15. Stuart Hogg - Scotland


There were two standout candidates with Hugo Keenan producing an excellent performance against Wales in the opening game.

Hogg, however, gets the nod after an assured outing against England in a memorable victory. The Scottish captain got his side out of some sticky situations with his slick footwork.


He played a key role in Ben White's try and looked unfazed at the back despite the aerial bombardment from England. 

 


14. Darcy Graham - Scotland

A hotly contested position this week with Damian Penaud enjoying a fine performance against Italy while Andrew Conway is incredibly unlucky to miss out after his double against Wales.

Italy's Tommaso Menoncello was also excellent in his test debut but ultimately Darcy Graham takes the #14 jumper.

Graham beat six defenders, the most of any player in round, and as many as the entire England team combined.

The pocket rocket winger also came up with the vital turnover in the final stages of the win over England. He was sound under the high ball and got Scotland out of trouble several times.

 

13. Garry Ringrose - Ireland

Ringrose scored the bonus-point try for Ireland in their win over Wales, capping off a fine performance for the 27-year-old.

He sped into the Welsh 22 running a superb arc between two defenders to score. Ringrose combined superbly with Bundee Aki as Ireland's attack continually found holes in the defence.

The Irishman beats France's Gael Fickou to a place in our side while Chris Harris' excellent defensive performance against England can't go unmentioned.

 

12. Bundee Aki - Ireland

Aki scored the first try of the tournament dotting down inside the first three minutes of the clash against Wales.

Ireland's go-to carrying option, Aki thundered into contact 17 times making over 30 running metres. He also assisted a try and was sound on defence. 

His opposite number, Nick Tompkins, was busy on defence making 21 tackles while Jonathan Danty and Henry Slade had solid games for their respective sides.

 

11. Gabin Villiere - France

Like the right-wing position, there were a number of stand-out performances on the left-wing this weekend. 

Mack Hansen was nothing short of outstanding on his test debut against Wales while Duhan van der Merwe was destructively brilliant against England.

However, we could not look past hattrick hero Gabin Villiere. Not only did Villiere score three tries against Itlay, he also gained more metres than any other player in the match (83), while making three clean breaks and beat five defenders.

 

 

10. Finn Russell - Scotland

Marcus Smith could have quite easily made the team if he was able to guide England to victory over Scotland while Jonathan Sexton was brilliant in regularly unlocking the Welsh defence.

France flyhalf Romain Ntamack enjoyed a fine outing against Italy but a match-winning performance from Scotland's Finn Russell sees him crack the nod.

Russell's kicking game put England under immense pressure with his back-to-back cross-field kicks leading to the penalty try that levelled the scores. His game management thereafter secured the victory as to did his late penalty.

 

9. Ben White - Scotland

White marked his test debut with a try shortly after replacing Ali Price for a head knock. The scrumhalf returned later on in the match and picked up from where he left off with swift service to Finn Russell.

Ali Price was also excellent in the same game and White just picked up from where he left off. 

France captain Antoine Dupont looked sharp in the win over Italy while Jamison Gibson-Park was incredibly close to making the side after a great game against Wales.

 

1. Cyril Baille - France

There were two clear standout performances on the loosehead side of the scrum this weekend with Andrew Porter narrowly missing out to France's Baille.

The Frenchman was combative in the loose making over 20 running metres from his four carries. He was sound defensively and solid in the scrums.

It was a close call between the two looseheads.

 

2. Ronan Kelleher - Ireland

Again, there were two clear favourites for the hooker role.

Julien Marchand and Ronan Kelleher were both excellent in all facets of the game against Italy and Wales respectively.

Kelleher just edges Marchand for a place in the side was both players enjoyed success at lineout time and in the loose.

The Irishman made over 20 running metres from five carries and while Ireland dominated possession, he still managed nine tackles. 

 

3. Tadhg Furlong - Ireland

An all-round strong game from Furlong against Wales sees him take his place on the tighthead side of our team.

The 29-year-old was unfazed by Wyn Jones at scrum time while he shone with ball in hand.

He drew in multiple defenders with his bulking carries and opened holes in the Welsh defence for his teammates, notably for Jonathan Sexton.

 

4. Jonny Gray - Scotland

After an injury-enforced absence from test rugby, Gray quickly stamped his mark on the Blue jersey once again.

The 27-year-old combined well with Grant Gilchrist to provide Scotland with a 100% success rate at lineout time.

He was his usual effective self at lineout time and managed to keep the likes of Maro Itoje relatively quiet.

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne had an excellent game against Wales, despite his intercepted offload by Taine Basham, while Will Rowlands was one of Wales best in poor team performance.

 

5. James Ryan - Ireland

The Irish second-rower charged around the Aviva landing several hefty hits on Welsh bodies in a combative 66-minute performance.

He was a threat to the Welsh lineout and safe option for the Irish. Scotland's Grant Gilchrist was also excellent this weekend as to was France's Paul Willemse.

 

6. Anthony Jelonch - France

A try in the 25th minute kick-started France's run to a bonus-point victory after a sluggish start against Italy. 

The blindside flanker was abrasive with ball in hand gaining over 30 running metres beating two defenders. He proved to be an excellent link man too and combative on defence. 

He did enough to edge out some stiff competition for a place in the side. Caelan Doris worked tirelessly for Ireland on the side of the scrum while Jamie Ritchie was strong before being forced off the pitch through injury.

Lewis Ludlam was an excellent lineout option for England and busy around the park.

 

7. Taine Basham - Wales

The openside flanker role is usually one of the most contested positions and the opening round of the Six Nations proved to be no different.

Tom Curry produced a typically aggressive and workmanlike performance in his first test as captain. Hamish Watson was quieter on the opposite side of the pitch but his 14 tackles without missing saw him surpass Lionel Nallet (154) for the longest run of tackles made without a miss in Six Nations history. He has made 163 in a row.

Italy captain Michele Lamaro made an impressive 21 tackles against France while Josh van der Flier continued his incredible run of form against Wales. 

Our pick, however, goes to Wales' Taine Basham who was Wales' shining light in a forgettable team performance by Wales.

The 22-year-old completed all 22 of his attempted tackles, a round high in the competition, and scored Wales only try intercepting Tadhg Beirne's offload.

 

8. Matt Fagerson - Scotland

There were three clear favourites for the no.8 jersey after this weekend's action with Scotland's Matt Fagerson claiming the final spot in our team of the week.

Jack Conan continues to shine for Ireland making over 30 running metres from his six carries. He also won a turnover and made all of his attempted tackles. 

France's Gregory Alldritt was even closer to making the team of the Week. He made 80 running metres against Italy, won a turnover and made 11 tackles.

However, Scotland's man of the match against England claims the final spot in our team. He carried superbly against England making over 30 running metres from his 8 carries in a game where the defences were on top.

He also weighed in with 13 tackles and turnover.

 

           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
         
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
       
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
         
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
       
           
           
           
           

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