Team of Round 1 - 6 Nations

As the first round of the tournament has finished, we've decided to look through the stand out players and come up with the best team of the round.

Back 3 - Hogg,  Watson and Thomas

Hogg, with 88 metres from 13 carries, was on fire, even with his 6 turnovers conceded, which came from his team mates not keeping up with his extreme pace. He constantly looked dangerous, and his pace kept the French on their toes. He came close to a try but sadly couldn't get over the line, a bit like one of our wingers, Teddy Thomas, who made 60 metres from his 8 carries, although he didn't get turned over. He looked the most likely of the French players to get the score, but they took the victory thanks to Camille Lopez's boot. They will have to improve greatly and get this man involved more if they want to get anything from the Irish. Anthony Watson is the only player here to have scored any points, thanks to a fantastic finish after a sublime kick from Mike Brown, who almost made this team due to his good running and great assist. Watson's pace was exciting, he was really solid under the high ball as well, out jumping North and making him look very poor out there at the Millenium Stadium.


Centres - Joseph & Dunbar

Starting with try scorer Jonathon Joseph, it was his quick feet and 4 defenders beaten that earns him this spot. It was a tough choice, he didn't get much of the ball, but when he did he proved his worth and showed why he deserves this spot. He didn't let the Welsh backs create anything with his 8 tackles and dealt with the physicality, disrupting the only game plan that Wales have. Basteraud almost made the side, he had a very solid game against the Scots but lacked the spark of magic that Joseph showed us, so he doesn't make the cut. Basteraud came up against Alex Dunbar, who stood up to the Frenchman and his partner Fofana very well. Fofana thought of as one of the best centres in world rugby wasn't given the opportunity to work his magic against the Scots because of Dunbar, who made 11 tackles and forced 2 turnovers.



Half backs - Russell & Youngs

Russell was one of the best players in the round, with 10 tackles, 2 turnovers and 50 metres gained he was very solid in defence and looked to run and gain valuable Scottish metres when possible, opening up the game for the Scottish backs where possible. Lopez played well, as did Ford and Biggar, but Russell stood out in this position, as did our scrum half Ben Youngs, who looked sharp and sniped well, getting the assist whilst also being valuable in defence, forcing a turnover.



Front row - Marler, Guirado & Castrogiovanni

Marler crucified Jenkins in the scrum, and walked his way in to this side, also carrying the ball quite well, but it was that solid scrum that pushed England to victory against the Welsh, even if it being too powerful did lead to the Welsh try. Guirado carried the ball a lot against the Scots, making 10 metres and getting the ball away 7 times to keep the French on the ball. He didn't concede a penalty when making his ten tackles and turned the ball over for the French, adding up to what was a very good performance for the hooker. Castrogiovanni was a big part of a solid Italian defence against the Irish with his 15 tackles, but he also carried well, making 18 metres and impressing in all facets of the game.






Second row - Attwood & O'Connell

Jonny Gray is unlucky not to make it in here for his great defensive game against the French and a solid attacking game, but Attwood and POC were the best second rows out there. Attwood was unlucky to have his try disallowed, but was a force in the lineout and in the tackle, making 10 of them and forcing a turnover on his way. O'Connell didn't make many tackles, he didn't have to, but carried the ball a lot and was very strong in the lineout as well, and led his side to victory after a less than inspiring first half.



Back row - Haskell, Robshaw & Faletau

Whilst Dusautoir was good against the Scots, the English flankers stood out above the rest, both were more deserving than Ford for man of the match. If it wasn't for the post Haskell would have earned himself a try, and Robshaw's insane work rate showed again, with a monstrous 26 tackles and 2 turnovers. They both carried well and carried hard, Haskell making 27 metres and beating 3 defenders. These guys are one hell of a duo and could lead England to a surprise 6 Nations championship if they keep it up. There was no real stand out 8, and whilst the Welsh were non-existent in the second half against the English, Faletau had a strong first half and his superb offload gave the Welsh their only try of the match. 9 carries and 15 tackles helped Faletau to being one of Wales's best players, along with Dan Biggar and Samson Lee, and he could be a big danger for the Scots next week.



















Marler
Guirado
Castrogiovanni
Attwood
O'Connell
Haskell
Robshaw
Faletau
Youngs
Russell
Thomas
Dunbar
Joseph
Watson
Hogg