Six Nations team of the week: Scotland dominate XV

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

powered by ISUZU.

The weekend started off in Dublin. Grand Slam-chasing Ireland made it three bonus-point Six Nations wins from three against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, racking up their 18th successive home win in the process with a 31-7 victory. 

Next up, Duhan van der Merwe scored a superb hat-trick as Scotland beat England 30-21 at Murrayfield on Saturday to claim a fourth successive championship win in the fixture for the first time since 1896.

Then on Sunday, Italy came back to draw 13-13 with France in Lille, but were left to think what might have been after Paulo Garbisi's last minute penalty hit the post.

15. Ciaran Frawley (Ireland)

14. Ange Capuozzo (Italy)

13. Huw Jones (Scotland)

12. Bundee. Aki (ireland)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

1. Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)

2. Jamie George (England)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

4. Grant Gilchrist (Scotland)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

6. Michele Lamaro (Italy)

7. Rory Darge (Scotland)

8. Ross Vintcent (Italy)

England made 24 handling errors and conceded 22 turnovers in a ragged display.

Telegraph 4/10: "Perhaps unsurprisingly was not on the same page as Ford and Slade in both attack and defence in their first game together. Badly fell off a tackle on Redpath that led to Scotland’s third try."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Barely saw him in an attacking sense. A few carries, one bad pass, one dropped ball – although that was George Ford’s fault – but not the form we’ve seen in the Premiership."

RUCK 5/10: "Not what the Bath centre would have wanted upon his return from injury. The powerhouse came alive with some clattering hits, yet threw a wayward pass into touch at 76 minutes that summed up his afternoon. So much more was wanted from England fans, who were excited to see him comeback."

Replacement: Manu Tuilagi

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Taking over from the injured Alex Mitchell, he began busily before a 16th-minute overcooked touch finder took pep out of England’s early stride. Deteriorated from there, his last act on 44 seeing him watch on in despair as van der Merwe collected Finn Russell’s crosskick to compete his hat-trick."

Telegraph 4/10: "Sharp service for the most part, but was unable to control the game with the boot, kicking out on the full and was continually harassed with his box kicking."

RUCK 5/10: "Unfortunate performance from Danny Care, as the hectic, misshapen approach to proceedings asked questions of the Harlequin. Misplaced a handful of kicks, in what was an underwhelming effort from the boot. Unable to track across after Finn Russell found van der Merwe with a cross-field kick, with the wing completing his hat-trick."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Several levels below Alex Mitchell. The lack of length from box-kicks put England under pressure, especially early in the second half, while his decision-making from the base was atrocious. "

Replacement: Ben Spencer

Telegraph 5/10: "The try appeared to provide instant vindication for Borthwick’s bold selection, however his spill resulted in Van der Merwe’s second try. Some promising glimpses and some ghastly errors."

Replacement: Freddie Steward

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Carried and was physical in the early stages when England were on top on the scoreboard, but he soon fell out of the reckoning. Gave Russell penalty points for an offence on 35 minutes and he was hooked six minutes into the second period."

Telegraph 5/10: "Aside from one big hand-off was fairly quiet and missed a few tackles. Expect George Martin to come into the equation for the Ireland game."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Offside at the half hour mark, as England were sometimes over eager in their do-or-die blitz defence. Missed the ball in the air, as England lost the 43rd minute line-out, in the build up to van Der merwe 3rd try. Off for George Martin (47’)"

Replacement: Chandler Cunningham-South

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Nice work for the opening try but nothing much else really stood out. Place should be under threat after mediocre efforts in the first three rounds."

Replacement: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso