2023 Six Nations: Round 3 Team of the Week - Huw Jones, Ollie Lawrence and Louis Rees-Zammit

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A returning Paolo Garbisi inspired a resounding performance from Italy, who took the fight to Ireland for the first hour, yet faltered for an eventual Irish win. Italy looked more like the resilient underdogs who took on France, yet Andy Farrell's men once again proved their class as the 'World Rugby's Number One' ranked side.

Scotland travelled to Paris, and presented us with the craziest first half of rugby seen in recent history. Two red cards and three French tries established a 19-0 deficit after 20 minutes, yet Scotland fought back to keep the match competitive. An eventual 32-21 score-line favoured France, but plaudits must go to Scotland's resiliency, who looked like favourites to win at times.

RUCK has selected our Team of the Week for Round 3. Do you agree, or has someone missed the cut this time around?

15. Freddie Steward

England's Man of the Match in Cardiff, Freddie Steward was admired for his defensive work as much as he was in attack. The highlight of his game was the all-important try saving tackle on Louis Rees-Zammit, as the tricky Welsh winger made a narrow breakaway. Providing the assist for Ollie Lawrence's match-sealing try, presented Stewards' skillset as an all-rounder.

Once again excellent in the air, in a match that received critical reviews for 'over-kicking'. Steward has perfected the full-back fundamentals, and is providing the goods week after week, as Elliot Daley remaining on the injury list. The Leicester Tigers man had the club history for a potential 'Borthwick-bias', but has since proven any doubters wrong, with confident Six Nations performances.

14. Mack Hansen

The Man of the Match against Italy, Mack Hansen's performance will be best remembered for dropping the 'F-bomb' in his post match interview. However, the winger had a starring role against a determined Italy side, providing exquisite pieces of skill throughout the match. Hansen impressed throughout in attack, involved in Ireland's second try, and scored the fourth to secure the bonus point and keep his country on track for the Six Nations title.

After Ireland pinned the Azzurri back on their try line, they failed to make the final few yards with short picks and drives. Craig Casey changed up the tactic, and flung a wide pass to Stuart McCloskey, who shipped the ball to Hansen on the wing to score.

11. Louis Rees-Zammit

Returning from injury absence just the weekend prior, Louis Rees-Zammit has not lost a step. Making his comeback in Gloucester's cherry and white, the winger etched his name on the score-sheet against Harlequins, and built momentum for the clash against England.

Rees-Zammit was Wales' best option in attack, continuously being the difference in adding a spark to a stalemate. Skipping passed defenders, and scoring a try just 44 seconds after half time, the 22-year-old looked as fiery as ever for Wales. Intercepting Max Malins' loose pass, Rees-Zammit exploded away from the defence, and cruised in to take Wales into the lead.

Honourable mention to Anthony Watson, who performed excellently on his first start for England since his return from injury, yet his Welsh counterpart brough the added fire to make it into RUCK's Team of the Week.

13. Huw Jones

Huw Jones was the engine of the Scottish midfield, and partnered up excellently with Finn Russell against France. The centre was impressive with powerful carries, keeping 'Les Bleus' on notice. Jones instilled the fight into his Scotland teammates, who at one stage looked down at out, with 14 men and chasing a 19-0 deficit.

Jones grabbed two tries, contributing an essential brace to Scotland's fight back efforts. His first came just six minutes after France had scored their third unanswered try. The centre ran onto the slip line of Russell, and through a gap in the French defence for his first try after 26 minutes. His second score saw him brush aside the tackle attempt of Antoine Dupont, after running onto Tuipulotu's well timed pass.

12. Ollie Lawrence

Continuing to prove himself with stand-out performances at centre, Ollie Lawrence once again had England fans singing his praises. After Manu Tuilagi's red card extended his leave from the England side, Lawrence has had the perfect opportunity to stake his name for the 12 jersey, come the Rugby World Cup.

It would be difficult for Borthwick to overlook the Bath man, as he continues to perform for his country. His defensive aggression is unmatched in an England shirt, and his try proved his versatility in the midfield. After Henry Slade was halted just short of the line, the ball moved left to Freddie Steward, who popped it away to Lawrence, for a one-handed diving finish. Honourable mention goes to Gael Fickou, who's last minute try sealed the win for France over Scotland.

10. Finn Russell

Leading Scotland from the front, in his adopted home of Paris. Racing 92 fly half Finn Russell had a slow start to the match, but turned proceedings around and almost secured a memorable away win. A miss-placed pass was intercepted, with Thomas Ramos wheeling away to score. Yet Russell should be admired for his ability to bounce back, and lead the fight back.

Playing in Huw Jones on a neat line to narrow the first half deficit, sent Scotland's confidence through the roof in Paris. Russell kicked three from three conversions and also added a try of his own to keep Scottish hearts full of hope. From 19-0 down, the match came down to the wire, with Finn Russell a major player in that.

Ben White continues his inspired run of form, despite the best efforts of French prop Mohamed Haouas. An unprovoked attack saw Ben White knocked to the floor, as Haouas headbutted the scrum half who was set to pass from the back of a ruck. White shook off the hit, and orchestrated the attack for Scotland's comeback.

60 completed passes in little over an hour presented White's involvement. The scrum half was a constant thorn in the French defenders side, as he kept them guessing with box kicks, narrow snipes, and changes of direction. A free flowing pace-setter in attack, akin to the style learned at London Irish, White was exciting once again for Scotland. Antoine Dupont is an honourable mention, yet the superstar was not up to his absolute best. White gets the nod for RUCK's Team of the Week, as he absorbed the French threat, and courageously fought uphill to battle on.

1 . Ellis Genge

Another excellent outing from England's vice-captain, as the fabled 'Baby Rhino' continues to grow in his leadership roles. Gone are the days were Genge was viewed as a one-dimensional bruiser, as the loose-head prop has added quick hands and man-management into his performances. His match highlight was the replayed hit on Leigh Halfpenny, cutting the full-back into a quarter farthing.

An exemplar shift in the scrum, Genge kept quiet and worked tirelessly to gain the advantage over his opposite man. Tomas Francis was verbally heard complaining to referee Mathieu Raynal, with the Bristol Bears partnership of Genge and Kyle Sinkler worked to disrupt the Welsh pack.

One of the top tacklers for France, showing an impressive work rate around the park. Marchand does not limit his involvement to that of a typical front-rower, and often plays a style similar to a loose forward. Fearless in the tackle, and able to drop his 1.81m frame to make low chops, Marchand was impressive against Scotland.

Marchand is the modern day hooker personified. Always an option to carry, but with an engine to work around the park in support, and but in the yards defensively. Former All Black Dane Coles modernised the number two jersey, and Marchand is the newest incarnation of this hybrid player.

3. Cyril Baille

Despite playing on the loosehead, Cyril Baille makes it into the Team Of The Week at number three. His performance against Scotland could not be overlooked, and he is a proven scrummager on both sides of the front row with Toulouse.

Baille continues to grow from strength to strength for France, and he was once again a leading ball carrier for 'Les Bleus'. The 29-year-old also scrummaged much better than in the opening two matches of the 2023 Six Nations, winning the ccrucial slow balls in a fast flowing 'jouer' match. 41m with ball in hand over seven carries, sees Baille nearing the top of the charts for France's forwards in attack.

4. James Ryan

Taking up the captaincy in the absence of Johnny Sexton, James Ryan provided a leading performance in the Irish second row. Despite only taking the reigns for the seventh time, Ryan looked comfortable with the responsibility, and showed hints of the expected successor to the role upon Sexton's upcoming retirement.

Heavy hitting in defence, and scoring in attack, Ryan began Ireland's points tally for the afternoon. Ireland worked the ball well to break into Italy's 22m line, and found James Lowe who broke along the left wing. The Leinster winger then spassed back inside to Ryan, who jogged through unopposed to score.

5. Ollie Chessum

Despite this being his breakthrough in England's starting XV, Ollie Chessum is playing with the confidence of a 50-cap veteran. Boundless ability in the breakdown, able to clear the threat or steal the ball, Borthwick has struck gold with Ollie Chessum. The Leicester Tigers star proved his worth at Welford Road, with Borthwick more than aware of his talents. He has begun to flourish on the international stage, and started a nice partnership with Maro Itoje.

At just 22-years-old Chessum is on the dawn of an exciting international career, and is ticking all the boxes for his early days in the England squad. Entrusted with responsibility under Borthwick, Chessum will continue to grow wise beyond his years. Another superb showing in the Six Nations, Chessum is a player on the rise.

6. Lewis Ludlam

Another strong shift from England's flanker sees Ludlam make RUCK's Team of the Week for the 2023 Six Nations. England's match against Wales was far from pretty, yards were given few and far between, with both sides struggling to make attacking break throughs. Willis was responsible for this on England's end, as the Northampton Saints man made 15 tackles, and outshone the rest of the back-rowers.

100% tackle success presents how Ludlam imposed himself against Wales, making dominant hits throughout the fixture. An important turnover also halted Wales in a dangerous position, with Ludlam coming up with the plaudits, for another solid performance. All eyes have recently been on Jack Willis, as the Toulouse man has made a welcomed England return, yet Ludlam has begun to turn the critics attention to the blindside of the England scrum.

7. Charles Ollivon

The only starting French back-rower who played the full 80 minutes of the match, Ollivon's compatriots Jelonch and Alldritt both left after shorter than expected stints. Jelonch's HIA and subsequent leg injury withdrew him, and Alldritt was forced off as the forwards re-shuffled after Mohamed Haouas' red card. After two relatively quiet matches so far in the Six Nations so far, Ollivon was a defensive workhorse for France, making an impressive 17 tackles overall.

Despite starting on the openside, Ollivon had to endure stints on the blind, after Haouas' dismissal saw the scrum drop to seven versus seven. Ollivon only missed one tackle all game, demonstrating his efficiency and reliability in the back row.

8. Alex Dombrandt

The Harlequins back-rower was coming under spells of criticism after the early rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, with Duhan van der Merwe's fend providing a re-occurring nightmare for Dombrandt. However, the number eight looked far more confident in Cardiff, and silenced the doubters with a strong shift against Wales.

The 25-year-old showed his subtly despite his size, providing a neat pass for Anthony Watson's try. Dombrandt also imposed his physical presence, with a strong work rate against the veteran Welsh forwards, and a crucial turnover just before the break.

Borthwick's early back-row has been a jostling revolving door, with Ben Earl and Sam Simmonds dropped, Tom Curry injured, and then his brother Ben Curry released and called-back just hours apart. However, Dombrandt has managed to stamp his studs in the ground, and solidify his spot in the eight jersey.