"Nightmare tournament" - 5 players who flopped during Six Nations Super Saturday 

Rugby News
Saturday, 16 March 2024 at 22:40
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We examine five players who struggled to deliver during the fifth round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, while France, Ireland, and Italy secured wins.

#1. Adam Beard (Wales)

Rugby Pass 3/10: "A neck roll killed Wales’ early momentum in the second half and it proved to be a costly penalty to give away when front-foot ball was a rarity for the men in red. Italy scored seconds later to compound the error and Warren Gatland had seen enough. A quiet game before that as the Welsh pack struggled physically against the visitors."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Apart from his prowess in the lineouts, the British and Irish Lion brought little to the Welsh cause. Blown up for a neck roll on Federico Ruzza late in the opening half and was eventually replaced by Will Rowlands in the 52nd minute."
RUCK 5/10: "Quick over the ball at the breakdown, and helped his side win an eighth minute ruck penalty. Strong and commanding in the air, didn’t make too many errors at line-out time. Penalised at 44 minutes for a neck roll, as he halted a rare Welsh trip to the Italian 22. Dragged off for Rowlands (51)."
Wales Online 4/10: "Gave away a cheap penalty for a neck roll early in the second-half when Wales were on top which handed momentum back to Italy. Wales' main source of lineout ball but failed to impose himself physically before getting replaced by Will Rowlands on 51 minutes."

#2. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

Rugby Pass 4.5/10: "Conceded three penalties inside the opening 22 minutes, twice for not releasing in the tackle when he over-did the strong-arm stuff, and a soft one for drifting offside. Tracked back well to deny Ringrose a score but couldn’t find any space in attack and was well smothered by the Irish defenders. Five tries in the Championship but remains one short of Stuart Hogg’s Scotland record."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "The behemoth wing seldom found himself in space with ball in hand as he was closely watched by the home side’s defence. Apart from making little impact with ball in hand, he was also quiet on defence and conceded three penalties."
Scotland Rugby News 6/10: "He’s been a real threat throughout this tournament but he was disappointing in Dublin. Was trying to do too much himself but he did improve in the second half a small bit."
The Offside Line 4/10: "Conceded an unnecessary offside penalty in the early exchanges. The big winger was a little lateral with the ball in hand and then penalised for holding on. He did well to regain one of Russell’s high balls in the second half. Not his best showing against an excellent Irish defence."

#3. Nicolas Depoortere (France)

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The 21-year-old clearly has a bright future in the Les Bleus jumper, but his youth is clear to see, particularly on defence. Ball in hand, he is a joy to watch and played his part in some of France’s best-flowing attacks, including a perfectly timed short ball to Fickou for Le Garrec’s try."
Guardian 5/10: "His handling let him down with a knock-on as France looked to build an attack and defensively not great. Not his best performance to date."

#4. Henry Slade

Telegraph 6/10: "Some of his passing was sumptuous and partnership with Lawrence is developing. Still feels like the sacrificial lamb in the defensive system."
Rugby Pass 5.5/10: "With Furbank gone so early, he needed to defensively step up but he struggled. Eventually called ashore on the hour. A real pity as much more was expected."

#5. Nick Tompkins (Wales)

Rugby Pass 4/10: "n a team that are seemingly incapable of getting over the gain line, inside centre is not the position to play. Nick Tompkins was frequently tasked with crashing the ball up the middle from slow ball and as a result errors did come. Crucially tripped over in Italy’s first try, and had the ball ripped from him in Wales’ best attacking position in the first half. Linked well with North on occasions, but was roped off shortly after the break."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Like most of Wales’ players the Saracens star did not have many positive moments. He battled on attack as he made several handling errors at crucial moments and it was not surprising when he was replaced by Mason Grady early in the second half."
RUCK 5/10: "Partnering up with North for the final time, the two midfielders interlinked well in their final partnership. Unforced knock-on at 16 minutes, in what was a poor error from the back of a maul. Tripped up as Ioane is gifted an immense gap to score a try. Spilled the ball once again at 38 minutes, and punched the floor in frustration. Couldn’t halt Pani’s run to the line as the fullback split through the Welsh defence. Off at 48 minutes after an uninspired outing."
Wales Online 4/10: "Started well with one good turnover and a big carry but spilt the ball forwards too often while the Wales midfield lacked any sort of penetration. Replaced by Mason Grady who made a big difference."

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