Six Nations Round 3: Team of the Weekend

1. Cian Healy

Very solid at scrum time. Carried dynamically throughout, consistently getting over the gain line and stealing vital yards for Ireland. He also got through an impressive amount of work at the breakdown.

2. Stuart McInally

Was accurate at the lineout, with Scotland recording a success rate of 86%. Got through a respectable amount of work around the pitch, carrying 7 times and making 7 tackles as Scotland recorded a famous win.

3. Andrew Porter

Excellent performance from the young tighthead in his first Six Nations start for Ireland. Very solid at scrum time, consistently hit rucks and made his tackles and managed to consistently get over the gain-line when carrying with ball in hand.

4. James Ryan

Another solid afternoon from the second rower. Made his tackles, hit an impressive number of rucks and made an impressive 11 carries. Has become one of Ireland’s key ball carriers in the pack this season.

5. Jonny Gray

One of the stand out performers in the Scotland forward pack. Recorded a tackle success of just under 100%, completing 24 of his 25 attempts and consistently disrupted the speed of the English ball at the breakdown.

6. Aaron Shingler

Took his try well in the corner and showed good work rate throughout the game. Finished as his side’s top tackler with 22 and their top carrier with 6 for 21m.

7. Dan Leavy

Impressive in attack, ran intelligent lines and carried effectively when called upon. Very solid in defence, recording a tackle success rate of 100%. Capped off his performance with an important try.

8. Marco Tauleigne

The new number 8 has made the shirt his own, despite calls for Picamoles to be brought back into the squad. He was France’s top ball carrier, making 76m from 17 carries. He was unlucky to not get over for a try after his huge linebreak in the 2^nd half.

9. Maxime Machenaud

Arguably could have won the MOTM award on Friday night as his fantastic goal-kicking kept France in the lead. Ran the game well, moving his forwards around the field with great delivery from the ruck. Good box kicking turned Italy on their heels.

10. Finn Russell

After two lacklusture performances in the Six Nations, Russell finally lived up to the hype around his name. Was sensational today with some clever kicks, lovely offloads and some superb passes.

11. Jacob Stockdale

A mixed performance from the young Ulster winger this weekend but 8 tries in 7 appearances for his country cannot be argued with. Question marks over his defence at times but he posed a constant threat in attack and managed to cap off a fantastic win with a great intercept try.

12. Mathieu Bastareaud

The Italian defence really struggled to contain the juggernaut centre on Friday. He beat a massive 6 defenders and got his hands free for the offload on numerous occasions. He was the catalyst for Bonneval’s 2^nd half try as he sucked in defenders, freeing up space out wide with a super offload. He justly got over for a try in the final 10 minutes to contribute to his country’s win.

13. Huw Jones 

14. Remy Grosso

Unlucky not to get in for a try after making over 100m, beating 4 defenders and making 4 clean breaks in attack. He used his immense power to shrug off the Italians and was on the shoulder of his teammates in support, time and time again.

15. Hugo Bonneval

The Toulon man came away with the MOTM award for his performance in Marseille tonight. He managed to get over for a try in the 2^nd half and started a few French attacks with his dangerous running game.