Irish return to form sees a super six make the first XV cut
IT'S two down and three to go after another historic weekend in the Guinness Six Nations Championship.
While Warren Gatland's Wales were notching up a record-equalling 11th Test victory in their low-key 26-15 win over Italy in Rome on Saturday, the following day England were putting France to the sword 44-8 .... their biggest thumping of Les Bleus since 1911.
And north of the border on Saturday, 2018 Grand Slam winners Ireland were getting their Six Nations show back on the road beating Scotland 22-13 at Murrayfield.
But who were the players to shine? ANTHONY WOOLFORD picks his team of the weekend .....
ROB KEARNEY (IRELAND)
As sturdy as the Blarney Stone at the heart of the Irish defence and showed the defending champions exactly what they were missing in their chastening defeat to England in round one.
Has almost sat-nav qualities to be in the right place at the right time to diffuse Scotland’s aerial threat and made some hard yards on the front foot. But was guilty of some blinkered running in Edinburgh, not seeing Jacob Stockdale on one occasion with a clear run to the line. Just gets the nod from Scottish super-sub Blair Kinghorn and England’s Elliot Daly.
JONNY MAY (ENGLAND)
May day arrived early in west London on the weekend.
The jet-heeled Leicester Tiger needed just 30 minutes to blow away France with a touchdown hat-trick. Alongside the likes of former USA track stars Carlin Isles and Perry Baker, can boast being one of the fastest wings in the world and as lethal a finisher as the sevens specialists.
It’s 12 tries in 12 games for May and eight in his last six games in the Six Nations to move into seventh spot in the all-time England list.
HENRY SLADE (ENGLAND)
Business as usual for the Exeter Chiefs midfield maestro as he carried his form from across the Irish Sea the previous week to west London.
Took his try well against the French stepping inside Les Bleus skipper Guilhem Guirado to pocket the bonus point and his pin-point kick led to May completing his hat-trick.
His kicking kept the French pinned back for long periods.
SAM JOHNSON (SCOTLAND)
The Australian-born Glasgow Warrior is a rookie to Test rugby with his appearance in the Scottish midfield on the weekend being only his second international appearance.
The kilted Wallaby exudes all the confidence of an Aussie in the sporting arena running a good support line to latch on to Finn Russell’s sublime floated offload and revelled playing alongside the Racing 92 No.10.
JACOB STOCKDALE (IRELAND)
Served his penance for an indifferent display against England seven days earlier with the sort of showing that made him the 2018 Six Nations player of the tournament.
His neat chip ahead paved the way for Conor Murray’s opening try and then ran a sublime line to power over for Ireland’s second touchdown.
Also answered the critics berating his defensive frailties cleaning up some telling chips in the Irish backfield as well as putting in a try-saving tackle to stop Tommy Seymour crossing.
OWEN FARRELL (ENGLAND)
Targeted rookie French wing Damian Penaud with some telling kicks from hand.
Given an armchair ride and even found time to have some banter with Welsh referee Nigel Owens. Spotted the overlap to put May over for his
second try and bagged a touchdown of his own after a quick tapped penalty.
BEN YOUNGS (ENGLAND)
His box-kicking and awareness of space in the French back field stretched every sinew in the opposing rearguard.
Set the tempo of the English attack and, worryingly for Wales next up, is forging a devastating half-back pairing with Farrell.
CIAN HEALY (IRELAND)
Took his game up several notches when vying with Leinster’s Jack McGrath for a starting slot.
But with the Lion sidelined after hip surgery, he may have not maintained the heady heights of last autumn, though eight carries and 12 tackles against the Scots gets him the nod.
Also put in a shift during the first period in Murrayfield at some crucial scrums near the Irish line.
RORY BEST (IRELAND)
Laughed in the face of critics slamming his throwing into the lineout with a 100 per cent success rate against the Scots.
Also marshalled the scrummage well and the Irish defences late on in the first half when Scotland threatened their line.
SAMSON LEE (WALES)
Under the cosh from Tomas Francis for the starting shirt and put down a marker for the England game next up with a gladiatorial display out in Rome. Scrummaged powerfully and was also a physical presence in the loose. With Mako Vunipola waiting in the wings, Lee could well have got the nod for the visit of England on February 23.
JAMES RYAN (IRELAND)
It looks like Ireland have uncovered an heir apparent to Paul O’Connell.
The 22-year-old Leinster man put in another display that would send a workaholic scuttling off to rehab.
Carried 14 times, put in 15 tackles and ruled the lineout roost as Ireland were 100 per cent in the set-piece.
COURTNEY LAWES (ENGLAND)
More than deputised for Maro Itoje in the England second row with a clutch of bone-shuddering hits that took the wind out of the French sails.
Felled French skipper Guirado and left man-mountain Bastareaud and Lambey chewing Twickenham turf after the break.
Also feasted on the French lineout, stealing some set-piece ball to keep England on the front foot throughout.
PETER O’MAHONY (IRELAND)
It needed a big performance to keep Wales’ Six Nations new boy Aaron Wainwright off the podium, and it came from the Munster enforcer.
One kick came like a bolt out of the blue from O’Mahony, but his hack ahead gave his team good field position.
Showed good hands in the build-up to Stockdale’s try, produced 13 carries and rightly named man of the match in Murrayfield.
BRAAM STEYN (ITALY)
The Azzurri No.7 could well have been named man of the match in Rome such was the towering performance of the back-rower.
Carried hard, tackled even harder and a powerful surge for the line breached the Welsh defences for the first try of the game.
JOSH NAVIDI (WALES)
Wales’ best forward on show, though he was pushed hard by fellow back-rower Thomas Young. Dined out on turnovers to keep a shadow Welsh team going forward.
Also carried well and outplayed his llustrious No.8 rival Sergio Parisse.