A green hue is beginning to emerge.
Wins for Ireland, Wales and Italy in this weekend’s Six Nations so it will come as little surprise to you to learn our team of the week features swatches of blue, red and green.
15. Brice Dulin (France)
Saying the best of a bad bunch would take credit away from Dulin as he was genuinely impressive for the French, in another losing effort. Scored a try and made line breaks and metres for fun.
14. George North (Wales)
Starting to find form again. Big carries on either flank and almost claimed what would have been a well deserved try.
13. Mark Bennett (Scotland)
The sole Scottish entry. Great anticipation saw him score an intercept try. Along with Stuart Hogg, tested the Italians all afternoon.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Outstanding performance from the 21-year-old. Led the team with tackles, won a penalty in front of the posts and scored that excellent try in the corner. Believe the hype.
11. Simon Zebo (Ireland)
Eight starts in a row and now a big part of this team. Was dominant in the air. Most of Ireland’s best moves in the opening quarter came through Zebo. Big defensive game and made one hefty tackle on Anthony Watson.
10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
Controlled his team’s tempo, troubled England with high bombs and was key in a number of decent backline moves. Schooled George Ford, his opposite number, and kicked five from six off the tee.
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
If Ireland can keep Murray and Sexton fit, they will have a good chance of winning most games they play. Played the kicking role his coach demanded and his passing improved after a ropey start. Nicely weighted kick for Henshaw’s try.
1. Gethin Jenkins (Wales)
The Welsh scrum was as sturdy, for Wales, and worrisome, for the French, as Warren Gatland could have dreamed. Put in a big shift for his side.
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
When he ripped off his scrum-cap for a big set-piece, it roused his teammates and the crowd. Played that extra loose forward role to perfection and hit all of his jumpers. Nine tackles and nine carries.
3. Samson Lee (Wales)
Welcome back big guy. Missed the Scotland game with concussion but arrived back just in time for a tough evening’s work in Paris. Powerful scrummager and has some set of lungs. Lasted 79 minutes and only came off as his coach was looking to wind down the clock.
4. Devin Toner (Ireland)
Tackling stats are incredibly low – he connected with the one tackle he attempted. Toner’s brief was lineouts and breakdow, breakdown, breakdown. He did all four jobs well – clearing out countless white jerseys – and managed to spoil two of England’s throws.
5. Josh Furno (Italy)
Just reward for the feisty second row. Scored a try, went close to scoring another, was part of a pest-like scrummaging and rucking unit. Won a couple of vital turnovers and got his team on the front-foot.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
The Munster captain has been in top form for his country for the past two years. Will never chart huge carries but tackles like a man possessed and is a crucial presence at both attacking and defensive rucks.
7. Tommy O’Donnell (Ireland)
Off the bench after 24 minutes. Put Henshaw away with a sublime reverse pass and tackled with ferocity. Covered miles across that D4 pitch.
8. Sergio Parisse (Italy)
One of world rugby’s most rooted-for players got another one in the win column on Saturday. Drove his team on relentlessly and broke the Scottish lines on three occasions. Was a big part of that pack drive that won the late penalty.
