Six Nations - Team of the Week - Round 1

 

Having been served up with a three course meal of top-class, high quality rugby that would have satisfied even a peckish John Candy over the weekend, let's take a look at who would make a 6 Nations dream team after the first round and, more importantly, which players from the Home Nations have put up their hands for Lions selection…

 

1.       Cian Healy (Ireland) – The man from Leinster may look like Quasimodo following a good scrap but was part of a borderline-dominant scrum and carried aggressively throughout, scoring a try in the process.  Made a staggering 15 tackles – unheard of for a prop.
 

2.       Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy) – A superbly industrious performance, making his tackles and getting his hands on the ball often to take the ball into the heart of the French pack.  Just nudges out Rory Best (Ireland), who would get a Lions jersey at the moment.
 

3.       Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy) – The shaggy haired caveman from Leicester barrelled his way over for a try and busied himself in the loose, carrying well.  Notable contribution from his clubmate, Dan Cole, after a decent day at the coalface and the loose, where he was at his ball-snaffling best.  Dead-cert now for the Lions tighthead role.
 

 

4.       Joe Launchbury (England) – Outstandingly athletic and relentlessly physical for the man who looks and sounds like he still has his birthday parties at Laser Quest.  Incredible work-rate, his break led to England's first try and he was unlucky not to grab one of his own.
 

 

5.       Donnacha Ryan (Ireland) – Through himself with relish into tackles, making a superb 16, but it was his work at the breakdown in the first half which stood out, with aggressive clear outs paving the way for Irish dominance.
 

6.       Sean O Brien (Ireland) – The Leinster locomotive may not have had his most predominant day with the ball in hand, but when you're topping the tackle charts with an astonishing 23, then you must be doing something right.
 

7.       Chris Robshaw (England) – Another English forward whose work rate is through the roof.  Got on the ball an incredible 20 times, acting as a link man and making good yards on the carry.  An ever developing threat at the breakdown, too.
 

8.       Sergio Parisse (Italy) – The words "World Class" are thrown around too often these days, but are almost insufficient to do justice to Parisse's all-action performance against the French, where he made a staggering 84 metres with the ball in hand, beating 3 defenders.  A true leader.  Honourable mention to Toby Faletau (Wales), who reminded Heaslip that he will be pushed all the way for a Lions spot.
 

 

9.       Ben Youngs (England) – The snappy scrum-half from Leicester looks to be getting back to his best again.  Thrived on the platform laid down by his forwards and set up two tries – one from a lighting pass and the other from a lightning break.
 

10.   Luciano Orquera (Italy) – Magnificent.  Despite looking like a cross between an elf and a Greek resort barman, the fly-half kicked and ran superbly.  If you squinted, you could almost see Diego Dominguez… It's also fair to mention Owen Farrell (England), who kicked with his usual aplomb and set up a try with a fizzing pass out wide.
 

11.   Simon Zebo (Ireland) – Despite the fact the Munster man did no favours for the stereotypical winger's image as just a fairy-footballer in a rugby shirt, even the most battle-hardened prop will have to admit Zebo's control in the build up to Ireland's second try was simply poetry in motion.  Grabbed one of his own, too.
 

 

12.   Billy Twelvetrees (England) – It's hard to imagine a more accomplished debut.  Straightened the line well, made his tackles, threw some gorgeous passes and slammed over for a first-cap-try.  All in a day's work for "36".
 

13.   Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland) – Who said the Yoda of all centres is too old?  As well as starting to resemble to the little green master slightly as he gets on a bit, BOD also seems to possess the same Jedi mind-trick ability, drawing in 3 defenders superbly to put Simon Zebo in for his try.  Also defended magnificently and scored a try of his own from close range.
 

 

14.   Chris Ashton (England) – Looked hungry and full of beans whilst ending his 6 Nations scoring drought, having not scored in his last 8 Championship games.  Popped up here, there and everywhere and, most importantly, over the tryline.
 

15.   Stuart Hogg (Scotland) – A shining light for Scotland, the full back demonstrated his searing pace in setting up his side's first try and the scoring their second.  Absolutely lethal in open spaces.
 

 

Who would you add/remove from the above?