RUCK picks their team of the week from Round 1 of the 2020 Six Nations.
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales): There was a scoring pass to Josh Adams, a wonderful take in the air, a number of incisive runs and plenty more besides. Looked back to his best.
14. Jonny May (England): Made amends for defensive brain fade with two majestic tries to give England late hope.
13. Nick Tompkins (Wales): Came up with a turnover and a telling pass in first spell on field. Then came back to finish superbly, scoring a wondeful try.
12. Gael Fickou (France): Led by example as Shaun Edwards’ defensive captain, getting into the faces of England’s playmakers all match, making 18 tackles.
11. Josh Adams (Wales): Three tries hoisted his tally to 14 in 22 Tests. Best finisher in the world at the moment.
10. Johnny Sexton (Ireland): It had been seven weeks since the out-half last laced a boot. He is an old hand at playing 'fresh' and relished the new strategy of moving the ball. Kept Ireland in front, kicking five out of six
9. Antoine Dupont (France): Spoilt an immaculate performance with a late brain fart. His snipes created two tries and iced the game with tackle on Willi Heinz.
1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland): Loosehead scrummaged effectively and did not look out of place on his first appearance in three years
2. Ken Owens (Wales): Wayne Pivac’s former Scarlets captain was always going to be in his first team and held a less experienced front row together well. The sheriff bossed this one.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland): Helped off after facing 77 minutes of horrendous attrition that included a stunning 13 tackles and 10 carries.
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales): The skipper grew into the game, making his tackles, nicking an opposition line-out and grafting tirelessly.
5. Jonny Gray (Scotland): Part of a pack that did a decent job of absorbing Ireland’s ‘one and done’ attacking strategy. Managed 18 tackles.
6. Charles Ollivon (France): Like all good opensides, he read the play superbly to snaffle two tries. Galthie’s decision to make him captain seems inspired in retrospect.
7. Justin Tipuric (Wales): Another high tackle count here, as well as some significant breakdown work, and another Man of the Match award.
8. CJ Stander (Ireland): The numbers – 18 tackles, 14 carries – tell the story of Stander’s continued value to the Ireland team.
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