After one set of Six Nations games, the chance of a Grand Slam has disappeared for three countries
England, Ireland and France were all victorious. The latter two face off in Dublin next weekend will England welcome Italy to Twickenham. Here are the 15 players SportsJOE feels impressed most after week one.
15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Scotland’s most impressive player in a close-fought loss in Paris. Gained 97 metres on 13 carries with clean breaks and offloads to boot.
14. Anthony Watson (England)
Showed great awareness and determination to pounce on Mike Brown’s through-ball for his try in Cardiff.
13. Jonathan Joseph (England)
Was mooted as a key man in England’s new-look attack and impressed, scoring a fine try after making George North and Rhys Webb look foolish. Combined with Manu Tuilagi, the English midfield could be nigh on unstoppable.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Not the perfect attacking performance, as noted in our ratings, but superb in defence. Inside centre may be Henshaw’s long-term home.
11. Teddy Thomas (France)
It was not a great weekend for left wingers, as Simon Zebo will attest, but the 21-year-old Racing Métro winger looked lively against the Scots.
10. Ian Keatley (Ireland)
Joe Schmidt said he looked nervous at times but kicked five from five off the tee, defended manfully and showed keen tactical awareness.
9. Ben Youngs (England)
Conor Murray scored a vital try for Ireland but his old Lions No.9 rival was superb for England. Constantly kept Wales guessing and kicked cleverly, as well as sniping to keep the hosts honest.
1. Joe Marler (England)
Loose-heads regularly get just an hour in modern rugby and Marler had 60 minutes to be proud of. The English scrum teetered after his exit but he was also a breakdown menace and earned another turnover in the loose.
2. Dylan Hartley (England)
Kept his head down, refused to be riled, and went about his business. No team was 100% from line-outs this weekend but the English set-piece functioned when it was most needed. Effective in the loose and tackled well until pulled out of the fray for Tom Youngs.
3. Mike Ross (Ireland)
Played 51 minutes and had his opponent’s number all day. Kept strong and solid as the Azzurri tried everything in their playbook to disrupt the Irish scrum.
4. George Fabio Biagi (Italy)
The only Italian to make the cut, although inside centre Luca Morisi was close. Made 18 tackles as Italy tried their damnedest to stem the green tide. Was a solid line-out and ball-carrying option too.
5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
Not the lock’s best game in green but, like all quality players, produced when it mattered. His quick take and feed eventually led to Murray’s try and he disrupted the Italian line-out all day.
6. James Haskell (England)
The only thing that stopped the Wasps flanker from having one of the truly great Six Nations performances was the post that got in his way when he looked destined to score against Wales.
7. Chris Robshaw (England)
Tommy O’Donnell is unlucky to miss the cut here but it is impossible to rule out the England captain. Led by gutsy example with 26 tackles in a Friday night classic.
8. Toby Faletau (Wales)
Wales were very poor in the second half but Tonga-born Faletau never stopped trying. Superb in defence, a willing carrier and a great offload to set up Webb’s try.
