Six Nations Team Of Week 2
Who were the most impressive players of the second weekend of Six Nations action.
15. Anthony Watson
He may have been named on the wing, but played most of the game at fullback. Watson showed that he could be England's fullback for the next ten years, and his running into the attacking line was devastating. Watson is a scary prospect. I had Stuart Hogg in here for his attacking brilliance, but after he bought Davies' dummy he fell below Watson.
14. Jonathan Joseph
Joseph put a marker down in the race to be the best new young centre in the Six Nations. Getting his 2nd and 3rd tries of the tournament, all of the talk of the English rugby media is about how Lancaster has unearthed a star in Joseph.
13. Luca Morisi
Two clean line-breaks, six defenders beaten, one turnover created and two tries. It's harder to not include him.
12. Robbie Henshaw
Henshaw was absolutely outstanding against France. The way he dealt with opposite number Fofana such that Fofana was a non-factor spoke volumes. Continuously got Ireland over the gainline, and lead the tackle count for Ireland with 15.
11. Luke McLean
Italy's selection of Kelly Haimona is baffling. The Kiwi-born outhalf doesn't defend in the line, and rarely stands at first receiver. Italy only ever look threatening when McLean comes inside to create things, and was a direct source of most of their attacking enterprise.
10. Johnny Sexton
It was as if the maestro had never been away. He was very alert the whole game, and was a deserving man of the match. His control of the game showed exactly how far ahead of the rest he is in the Northern Hemisphere.
9. Ben Youngs
Youngs' quick thinking for his try was at a time when Italy were coming back into the game, and was something that England really needed. His pace and sniping has been vital for England this championship so far.
1. Joe Marler
Marler has been the best loosehead in the Northern Hemisphere since Cian Healy ripped his hamstring off the bone. Another dominant scrummaging display.
2. Ross Ford
To be honest, this wasn't the best hooker of the week. It's the least bad hooker of the week. Scotland's lineout was tidy, and seven tackles made was a good return for Ross Ford.
3. Uini Atonio
The impression he made when he came on when he put Jack McGrath and then Cian Healy in his pocket at scrumtime means that the 24 stone monster makes this team.
4. Jonny Gray
14 tackles, and the leader in the trenches for Scotland, surpassing his talented brother. Jonny has a big future ahead of him.
5. Paul O'Connell
That was O'Connell's best performance in a rugby game since this back in November against Australia. He was everywhere, tackling 14 times. He's still got it.
6. Chris Robshaw
19 tackles this week to go with the 24 from the previous week, Robshaw is in a rich vein of form and is one that Ireland have to watch out for in two weeks.
7. Sean O'Brien
It had been 15 months since his last involvement in international rugby, but you wouldn't have known. That he was clearing out French bodies from rucks deep into the second half, and still putting himself out highlights how good he was.
8. Sergio Parisse
His try gave Italy the perfect start, and he continues to be their talisman in a very poor side. Nine tackles, two turnovers created and a try means he edges out Billy Vunipola.
