Six Nations Team Of The Week: Round Four

01) CYRILL BAILLE (FRANCE)

Loosehead prop Cyrill Baille enjoyed a busy day’s work in what was a frantic encounter between France and England. The French played an inventive brand of rugby and the 27 year-old was central to it – throwing no less than eight passes during his 68 minute performance. He also completed eight tackles, won a turnover and made a clean break to earn himself a place in the team of the week for round four.

02) KEN OWENS (WALES)

Yes, it was against Italy, but Wales hooker Ken Owens delivered a standard of performance on Saturday that is hard to ignore. The Scarlets veteran scored two tries, made 9 carries and a further 9 tackles in an accurate display at Stadio Olimpico. There’s plenty of life left in the old dog yet.

03) TADHG FURLONG

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Ireland’s twinkle-toed Tadhg Furlong played with the intensity and confidence that we all came to love so much prior to his long-term injury in 2020. Against Scotland the 28 year-old tighthead beat 2 defenders and made 8 tackles to lay a solid foundation for his team’s second win of the championship.

04) IAIN HENDERSON

Iain Henderson has enjoyed a leadership role in the Ireland pack in recent times and is showing some of his best form under Andy Farrell. Ireland’s lineout was magnificent yesterday afternoon as himself and James Ryan secured Ireland ball with minimum fuss and proved thorns in the side of Scottish hooker George Turner. Henderson complemented his outstanding set-piece work with 16 tackles and a turnover to throw himself right into the Lions mix.

05) CHARLIE EWELS

25 year-old second row Charlie Ewels outshone his engine room partner Maro Itoje against France with a solid, industrious day at the office. Ewels’ efforts at the breakdown were phenomenal and although he won’t get the plaudits that come with big tackles or carries, he was just as important as anyone in a brilliant win for Eddie Jones’s men.

06) TADHG BEIRNE

Ireland’s player of the tournament so far. Beirne has been freakish every time he has taken to the field for Ireland in this season’s championship and continued that trend on Sunday. His work-rate at the breakdown is unrivaled and the Munster man again won two turnovers this weekend while also being first to clear out rucks when Ireland were in possession. Beirne’s second half try was just reward for another phenomenal outing.

07) TOM CURRY

England had a hell of a lot on their plate against a formidable French pack but with the likes of Curry producing big moments, momentum swung in the home side’s favour at key junctures. Curry was an ever-present at the ruck on both sides of the ball, made 41 metres from ten carries and won a vital turnover.

08) GREGORY ALDRITT

The entire French backrow played at their dynamic best on Saturday evening but Aldritt was the stand-out performer with 14 carries and 13 tackles. The 23 year-old La Rochelle number put in a massive shift against England and is surely worthy of a place in the team of the tournament.

09) BEN YOUNGS (ENGLAND)

Okay, Antoine Dupont may fall victim to his own ridiculously high standards here, but his opposite number Ben Youngs did produce one of his best performances in an England shirt to help his team to victory. The 31 year-old passed and kicked both accurately and intelligently throughout, but also made 31 metres for England with his running game.

10) MATHIEU JALIBERT (FRANCE)

Johnny Sexton had one of his finest performances of recent years against Scotland but the majesty of France’s 22 year-old outhalf Mathieu Jalibert is difficult to ignore. 48 metres gained, 5 defenders beaten, 2 offloads, an assist and 100% from tee is the return of a special player and it is remarkable to think Jalibert is not even France’s first choice ten. Dazzling feet, delicate passing and deadly from the tee, there are few more talented backs playing in Europe right now.

11) KEITH EARLS (IRELAND)

Age is just a number for Limerick star Keith Earls who emphatically justified his one-year IRFU contract extension at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon. Dogged and dangerous, Earls used all of his experience to silence Scotland’s Duhan Van der Merve throughout and in the end proved a key man in Ireland’s victory. Earls competed well in the air, won a turnover and tackled everything thrown at him in a classic team player performance.

12) ROBBIE HENSHAW (IRELAND)

Robbie Henshaw has been Ireland’s standout back this year and continued his strong form against Scotland. The 26 year-old will have caught the attention of Lions boss Warren Gatland with 28 metres gained, 2 turnovers and a line break in the Scottish capital.

13) HENRY SLADE (ENGLAND)

Exeter Chief Henry Slade has proven quite a useful option for England in the thirteen shirt and helped his side to a blockbuster win over France on Saturday. Slade provides a lovely kicking option to Eddie Jones’s team but is just as useful in the carry. The 27 year-old made 21 metres and beat 2 defenders during his evening’s work at Twickenham.

14) ANTHONY WATSON (ENGLAND)

Louis Rees-Zammit was brilliant, albeit against Italy; Johnny May wasn’t half bad this weekend either, but Bath winger Anthony Watson was sharper than ever against France. Watson travelled to New Zealand with the Lions in 2017 and could well be set for a second tour if he keeps up this kind of form. The 27 year-old made 3 clean breaks, beat 4 defenders and scored a try in England’s defeat of Les Bleus and will be hungry for more against Ireland next weekend.

15) STUART HOGG (SCOTLAND)

Scotland’s captain fantastic had another dazzling game against Ireland yesterday. His kick through for Finn Russell’s score showed elite awareness and creativity and the Exeter Chiefs man’s comfort at outhalf in the closing quarter further exemplified what a naturally gifted footballer the Glaswegian truly is. Hogg was always a threat with ball in hand, assisted a try and kicked two conversions but it ultimately proved not enough for Gregor Townsend’s tartan army.