Summer Internationals Team of the Week: George Ford's leadership sees England get over the line in Argentina

Wales finally ended their 18-match losing run with a win against Japan in Kobe, whilst Ireland dominated Portugal in what was their biggest Test win ever.

England's last-ditch try saw them beat Argentina for the second time in a row and Scotland fell to a strong Fiji side in Suva.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans and the results reflected that, here is the Team of the Week from the action that unfolded this weekend.

Jordan delivered a world-class performance against France, showcasing why he could surpass Doug Howlett’s try-scoring record in the not-too-distant future. The fullback was a constant threat with ball in hand, making 60 meters from 11 carries and beating four defenders.

His standout moment came when he collected a tricky bouncing ball under pressure, slipped through two tackles, and sparked a long-range counterattack. Jordan also saved a certain try by cleaning up a dangerous grubber in the in-goal area. He finished with a trademark try—his 41st in Tests—bursting onto a Barrett pass.

What a player. When Wainiqolo is on his game like he was against Scotland, there are few players or teams in the world that can stop him. He scored an unbelievable solo try that followed his incredible run against the Wallabies last week and was a constant menace to Scotland throughout the match.

He finished the game with 152 meters carried—about as good as it gets for a winger. Wow.

Ireland may have won by 99 points, but they only have two players in this team, due to the weaker opposition compared to the other matches, which played into selection.

Thrown into the Test arena, Gavin showed no signs of nerves, making an instant impact with a poacher’s try after a Portuguese lapse at the lineout. His second, before halftime, was all about raw strength, finishing through contact to cap a strong first half.

He was involved all over the pitch, racking up 41 meters from seven carries, delivering seven tackles, and notching a key turnover inside his own 22. While he did miss three tackles, he remained a physical presence and never faded from the contest.

The centre followed up his impressive debut with another standout display, proving he’s more than just a short-term option in England’s midfield. He opened the scoring with a sharp support line and composed finish, then played a key role in the flowing move that set up Freddie Steward’s try—his subtle hands and awareness helping unlock the defence.

Atkinson looked far more assured with ball in hand this week, blending timing, vision, and smart link play. He and Luke Northmore were on the same page from the start, combining for Atkinson’s first Test try in just his second appearance. His only blemish came with a fingertip knock-on that ruled out what would have been a late Jack van Poortvliet score.

Alongside fellow debutant Gavin, Shayne Bolton made a serious statement in his first outing in green. From the moment he soared to claim a high ball off a box kick and broke two tackles to race in for his opening try, Bolton looked right at home on the international stage.

His second was all about work rate and instinct, as he pounced on a loose ball after a sharp kick-chase to punish a dozing Portuguese defence. He nearly had a third before halftime and added a blistering line break and assist for Craig Casey’s try in the second half. In total, he racked up a stunning 138 meters from just six carries, constantly threatening with his pace and sharp footwork.

Seasoned veteran Ford once again showed why he remains one of England’s most dependable and intelligent playmakers. His calm leadership and tactical awareness were central to England’s performance, particularly in a tight contest where every decision mattered. From the opening minutes, Ford had the backline humming.

His kicking from hand consistently turned Argentina around, and his backfield coverage offered a calm presence under pressure. While there were a few missteps when the hosts applied pressure, Ford's control never truly wavered. He kicked seven points off the tee and made smart defensive reads, including a key intervention that forced a turnover when Argentina looked certain to score.

The Hurricanes halfback was sharp from the start, grabbing the opening try with a clever blindside move that set the tone. Roigard controlled the tempo expertly, mixing quick service with accurate, contestable box kicks and well-judged long clearances.

He was a constant threat around the ruck, sniping effectively and keeping the French defence guessing. By the time he left the field at 63 minutes, he had become the All Blacks’ top ball carrier, racking up 56 meters from nine runs, three offloads, three defenders beaten, and a line break.

What really stood out was his work rate around the park. He reached double digits in tackles once again, showing a relentless attitude on defence. One of his most telling contributions came in the first half when he reacted sharply to dive on a loose ball, winning a key penalty for England. It was a small moment, but one that spoke volumes about his awareness and hunger.

Though not a flawless outing at set-piece, Baxter can take immense pride in another physical and committed performance.

Ikanivere's try in the 36th minute felt like the turning point of the match, and from then on, it was pretty much all Fiji. The captain put in a massive shift overall and was clearly the main leader on the pitch for his team, constantly giving orders and encouraging his side to stick with what was working.

He seemed to be a key reason behind Fiji's dominance in the maul, which paid dividends as they physically dominated the Scots for large portions.

A proper captain's performance—and a win that clearly meant a great deal to him.

Heyes is starting to look like a Test-match animal. He left the field 18 minutes into the second half with his head held high after another powerful display on tour. He’s stepped up significantly, making a big impact in both games. Before his exit, he was his team’s top tackler, putting in an all-action performance that showcased both his work rate and physicality. Although he missed a tackle that helped spark Argentina’s first try on 26 minutes, Heyes more than made up for it with relentless pressure.

In the scrum, he’s been a dominant force over the last two matches, at one point dismantling the Pumas’ pack and leaving them struggling for control. Finishing with 14 tackles before coming off, Heyes continues to be a crucial presence for his side.

Despite not having played since the Blues’ Super Rugby exit, Tuipulotu showed no rust, instead delivering a massive shift at the heart of the All Blacks pack.

He was central to New Zealand’s lineout dominance, taking seven throws and pulling off a stunning one-handed steal early on that set the tone. Alongside Fabian Holland, Tuipulotu helped dismantle France’s set-piece and provided a reliable target throughout the first half. His presence wasn’t limited to the air either—he got through plenty of gritty work with eight carries into the teeth of the French defence and brought the kind of physicality that’s become his trademark.

In just his second Test, Fabian Holland looked every bit a natural in the All Blacks’ engine room. There was no sign of nerves from the big lock. He wasn’t flashy, but he didn’t need to be. His work rate did the talking. Holland topped the tackle count with 16, played a major role in a dominant lineout with 10 takes, and even chipped in on attack with nine carries and a slick assist for Tupou Vaa’i’s try after linking well with Rieko Ioane.

It wasn’t just the numbers, though. He brought calm to the chaos, helping run a set-piece that disrupted France massively. Alongside Tuipulotu, he gave the pack both height and balance, and showed the kind of presence that could make him a long-term fixture in black. For a Dutch-born lock barely out of his teens, Holland already feels like a vital piece in the All Blacks’ puzzle.

Blindside flanker van Staden was a constant presence off the ball, excelling at the breakdown, providing crucial support in attack, and dominating contact. His physicality stood out, with two powerful hits that directly led to turnovers.

Disciplined and relentless, van Staden made five tackles and carried six times, bringing his trademark intensity to the gritty moments that often go unnoticed. While he may not grab headlines with flashy plays, his steady effectiveness in the tough, unseen battles was vital in maintaining the team’s momentum throughout the match against Italy.

Josh McLeod led from the front as Wales ended their losing streak with a commanding display. The Scarlets captain was everywhere, putting in a huge defensive shift with 13 tackles, including a crucial last-ditch stop on Michael Leitch in the first half that helped keep Wales in control.

But it was his work at the breakdown that truly defined his performance. McLeod won four turnovers and earned two vital penalties late in the game that eased pressure on his side. When Wales needed someone to step up, he was the hero of the hour.

Savea was simply immense and delivered an all-action performance that underlined why he's the beating heart of this All Blacks team. Back in his hometown of Wellington, the captain delivered a performance full of power and poise.

He opened the match with a beautifully timed blindside burst to set up Roigard’s try with a slick set-piece move, then grabbed one of his own off a maul minutes later. But he wasn’t done—his powerful line break down the left sparked the buildup to Vaa’i’s score, and he added a crucial turnover at the ruck for good measure.

Statistically, it was outrageous: 13 carries for 48 meters, two line breaks, five defenders beaten, two offloads, a try, an assist, eight tackles, and a steal.