2025 Six Nations Team of the Week: Round 2

Sunday, 09 February 2025 at 17:56

byRugby Rucker

The Six Nations delivered another thrilling weekend of rugby as Italy deepened Wales’ misery in Rome, England stunned France with a last-gasp victory, and Ireland kept their Grand Slam ambitions alive with a dominant win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

From powerhouse forwards to electric backs, here’s our team of the week for Round 2:

1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Built like a wrecking ball and just as destructive. The Irish loosehead was immense at scrum time and put in a relentless shift around the park. Even managed to charge down a kick because, well, why not?

2. Giacomo Nicotera (Italy)

A throwback to the old-school hookers—gritty, accurate, and ever-present in the battle. Dominated the breakdown and came up with three turnovers to help Italy dictate the physical exchanges.

3. Marco Riccioni (Italy)

A human battering ram. Stood firm in the scrums and threw his weight around in defence before making way alongside his hooker.

4. Maro Itoje (England)

First win as England skipper? No problem. Led from the front, bossed the lineout, and even pinched a crucial turnover. Most importantly, kept his discipline in check—well, mostly.

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Back from a HIA in the ninth minute and straight into full chaos mode. A breakdown menace and a defensive nuisance, the big lock was everywhere Ireland needed him to be.

6. Tom Curry (England)

Like a heat-seeking missile on defence. Put in a monstrous shift at the breakdown and made life miserable for France’s playmakers. The Curry brothers were out in full force, but Tom was the pick of the pair.

7. Michele Lamaro (Italy)

Tackled everything in sight and then some. A true captain’s knock—full of grit, aggression, and a bit of chirp for the Welsh after every mistake.

8. Lorenzo Cannone (Italy)

Carried with venom, tackled with purpose, and led every key stat for an Italian No.8. Combined beautifully with Lamaro and Negri to give Italy a serious edge.

9. Alex Mitchell (England)

Not intimidated by the sight of Antoine Dupont, Mitchell kept his cool and executed England’s game plan to perfection. His clever grubber won a key scrum, his kicking game was calculated, and he kept the tempo high in attack.

10. Fin Smith (England)

The moment wasn’t too big for him. In his first Test start, he shook off early nerves to pull the strings in England’s attack, setting up tries for Freeman and Daly. Ice-cold from the tee and now England’s likely long-term No.10.

11. James Lowe (Ireland)

Didn’t get much space to work with, but when he did, he made it count. Bulldozed through Blair Kinghorn to grab a crucial try and carried with intent all game.

12. Ollie Lawrence (England)

Sent Thomas Ramos into next week with a brutal hand-off en route to his try. Had some quieter moments but came up big when it mattered.

13. Ignacio Brex (Italy)

A defensive rock and Italy’s key midfield general. The glue that holds their backline together, his work off the ball was just as impressive as what he did with it.

14. Tommy Freeman (England)

Got off to a shaky start but grew into the game with some world-class aerial takes. His 58th-minute try was pure class—timing, execution, and a perfect finish.

15. Ange Capuozzo (Italy)

Not ideal conditions for fullbacks, but Capuozzo made things happen. Took his try brilliantly and always looked like he had something up his sleeve. Aside from one minor spill, a top display from Italy’s talisman.