15. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)
Metronomic boot again proved the difference. While Lopez was struggling at the other end, Halfpenny was cooly slotting almost everything asked of him. Solid under the high ball, too.
14. George North (Wales)
Back to somewhere near his rampaging best down the right flank, North looked dangerous every time the ball made its way out to him. Made more metres than anyone else in red.
13. Mark Bennett (Scotland)
A shining light on a dismal afternoon for the Scots, Bennett always threatened when he got the ball, beating four defenders and making two clean linebreaks against Italy, as well as reading the game well for his intercept try.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Brilliantly timed leap saw him beat Alex Goode to the ball for his try when he had no real right to. Ended as his side’s top tackler for the third game in a row. One of the stars of the tournament so far.
11. Giovanbattista Venditti (Italy)
It was a relatively quiet weekend for the men on the left flank, but Venditti’s opportunism saw him make the most of some lacklustre Scottish defending to score after a penalty had bounced off the post.
10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Joe Schmidt’s on-pitch general, and the master at executing his game-plan. Relentlessly accurate with his tactical kicking, Sexton never allowed England to settle. Mention to Dan Biggar for playing a similarly important role in Wales’ win.
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
Like Sexton, his kicking was instrumental once again in Ireland’s win. Provided the perfectly-weighted box chip for Henshaw to charge onto and score.
1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
A quiet weekend for looseheads, but Jenkins impressed in Paris as he more than managed the threat of the French scrum (which, it has to be said, isn’t what it used to be). Also put in a deft left-footed chip, and it’s always a joy to see a prop kicking, isn’t it?
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
Immense at the breakdown and oversaw a flawless Irish lineout. One of his best performances in the green of Ireland.
3. Samson Lee (Wales)
Coped immensely well with sizeable French scrummaging unit, and was a ball of energy in the loose to finish with eight tackles without missing any.
4. Devin Toner (Ireland)
His soaring line-out steal five metres out from Ireland’s line in the first half was one of the most crucial moments of the game and halted any English momentum. Great rucking technique for such a big man.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
After a quiet opening against England, Jones has roared back to form this tournament. He may not have the captain’s armband but he is an inspirational leader on the pitch, smashing both the breakdown and any French attackers in Paris to lead by example once again.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
Some of the penalty shouts against him were hugely debatable and his influence at the breakdown was one of the key factors in Ireland’s win. Dan Lydiate is unlucky to miss out after a star turn in Paris.
7. Simone Favaro (Italy)
Put in some relentlessly physical hits on the Scottish backline that never truly allowed them to settle. Strange decision to take him off as his influence was growing on the game. Mention to Sam Warburton who won some crucial turnovers before being forced off with an injury.
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
Another majestic performance from the Italian captain, carrying for more metres than anyone else in Italian blue and offloading with aplomb. And it was finally rewarded with a hard-earned win. Always a joy to watch.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
8 replies on “Six Nations 2015 Round 3: Team of the Week”
As much as I think Samson Lee is the best thing since Adam Jones I have to say I’d have gone for the Irish tighthead who’s name escapes me right now. Completely nullified the vaunted Marler and gave Ireland easy possession from the relatively small number of scrums.
Ireland have Toner, we have Charteris. The way he disrupted France’s attempts at setting up mauls was key to sucking the life out of their attacks. I’d go for him.
I thought Stuart Hogg looked exciting again but Halfpenny’s solidity under the high ball will be critical for our next match.
Mike Ross.
As I pointed out elsewhere, the last couple of times Ross came up against Marler, he got completely stuffed, so to turn it round so well is worthy of high praise.
Charteris finally looked decent to me in the France game. I’ve always thought he played timidly given his size – if he keeps this up he’ll be great.
Dave Attwood should be sat in front of videos of Toner and Wyn Jones to see how it should be done
Might get shot for suggesting this amid such a torrid display, but I thought Vunipola deserved a shout at 8. Was the only player to retain his reputation on Sunday, and somehow made ground every time with the ball even with players dangling from every limb. He was hands down the most exciting English forward (although that probably doesnt count for much given Sunday’s performance!) and I would even hazard to say he was the best player in white that day.
Not to take anything away from Parrisse’s performance, but kind of feel that he has been selected on his “teams” performance rather than his own merit.
*hides behind desk awaiting flak*
I could get behind that – no one else really stood out. BV was about the only player in white to live up to his rep – it was really noticeable just how many more yards he was making as the game went on and the Irish tired. He has clearly sorted out any fitness issues
Once Morgan is fit again, I’d start Morgan and bring on BV from about 50 mins
Personally I’d have always started Vunipola over Morgan irrespective of injury – he is a much more dynamic player.
I’d start Vunipola always, with Morgan off the bench. That gives you the option of making an in-game decision to whether to take Vunipola off, or more him to 6 and take off the blind-side.
It gives more options depending on who is playing well and how the game is panning out.
A good point Jacob, but until the Welsh game BV looked far too one-dimensional and easily shackled as he seemed to just run directly at tacklers expecting them to bounce off, whereas Morgan is a clever runner and has good hands as well. I’d have also questioned BV’s work rate around the field which paled in comparison to Morgan’s.
However, If BV can keep up the level of overall perfomance we got against Wales and Ireland, then yes, your way round would be the best way of doing things.
I actually think it is more the way they carry than either being more or less effective. Morgan tends to carry slightly wider and therefore makes a few more yards, whereas Vunipola carries tight. Less glamorous for the cameras but if anything more important to the way the team plays.
Would say also the I think Vunipola’s hands are better, he offloads pretty well. But again, because he carries tighter he may show if off slightly less.
A toss up between Mcgrath (workrate in loose, scrum) & Jenkins-both very good. OMahony concession of 4 needless and very obvious penalties would support Vunipola selection instead. Kearney would in my opinion warrant selection v Halfpenny. Performances all round much better in this series of games.