Three England stars named in Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week
Rugby NewsSunday, 13 November 2022 at 18:18
It’s that time of the week where we compile our dream side from the weekend’s action, here is RUCK’S Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week for round two:
Autumn Nations Series Team of the Week: Round 2
BACK-THREE:
Fullback: Freddie Steward (England)
Telegraph 9/10: "Matsushima left the door open and Steward strolled through for the opening try. Developing into a great attacker, one kick return leading to Smith’s try. Brilliant in the air – England’s best player right now?"
Winger: Ange Capuozzo (Italy)
Telegraph 9/10: "He scored a brace of tries as Italy claimed a historic first-ever victory over Australia at the 19th attempt in Florence on Saturday."
Winger: Sekou Macalou (France)
Planet Rugby 8/10: "The flanker was excellent on the wing as he showed his versatility,"
CENTRES:
Outside-centre: George North (Wales)
Wales Online 8/10: "Fired up from start to finish. North stopped a dangerous early raid from the Pumas and went on to put in a number of jolting tackles. There was also an immense carry from the Wales No. 13 that must have rattled every bone in Santiago Carreras’ body."
Inside-centre: Owen Farrell (England)
Telegraph 8/10: "Quick combination with Smith led to Steward’s try. Good turnover led to Porter’s first try and he created Porter’s second with a left-foot chip behind. One hammering tackle."
HALFBACKS:
Fly-half: Finn Russell (Scotland)
Rugby Pass 8/10: "There’s been so much made of the return of Scotland’s mercurial fly-half, but he showed his class there. Offered some lovely touches as he added so much to Scotland’s attack. So often a threat whether running or putting others into space."
Scrum-half: Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Irish Times 8/10: " Buzzing as usual and keeping Ireland moving at the preferred tempo. Had the vision to see Balocoune out wide for the winger’s first half try. Determines how Ireland play."
FRONT-ROW:
Loosehead-prop: Ellis Genge (England)
Telegraph 8/10: "Eager as ever – too much so on one occasion, straying offside – but scrummed brilliantly last week and was the same here demolishing Jiwon Gu. Deserved his try – three tacklers were not enough to stop him."
Hooker: Samisoni Taukei’aho (New Zealand)
Rugby Pass 8/10: "Mammoth with ball in hand, to the point where he almost ran away from his supporting players thanks to his impressive leg drive. Grabbed the first try of the game from a five-metre lineout."
Tighthead-prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Irish Times: "With Fiji's discipline slipping away, as the game progressed, captain Furlong was keeping schtum and letting the opposition talk themselves into trouble. Scrum was strong, too."
SECOND-ROW:
Lock: Jonny Hill (England)
Rugby Pass 7.5/10: "England need a Hill fully firing to be at their best and he is on his way back towards that summit."
Lock: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Irish Times 8/10: Excellent in the lineout and driving maul, which troubled Fiji. Also a principal ball carrier for Ireland and real threat to Fiji at breakdown time. Combined with a high workrate, a good outing.
BACK-ROW:
Blindside-Flanker: Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Wales Online 8/10: "Superb in so many ways — quick out of the line in defence, picked some nice lines in attack, alert to danger. Provided the lineout ball which Wales used to score their opening try. The captain can be proud of his effort."
Openside-Flanker: Dalton Papali’i (New Zealand)
Stuff 8/10: "Made a team-high 14 tackles, and earned a big penalty to defuse a furious Scottish raid early doors. Was awarded the official man-of-the-match award."
Number 8: Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Wales Online 9/10: "Does this man ever have a bad game? Scored a try, carried relentlessly, made 15 tackles without missing. If there was a blade of grass he didn’t cover, we should be told about it. A great 32nd birthday, then."
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