Round Two Six Nations Team

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Jacob Whitehead is back with his ‘dream team’ from the second round of the 2021 champion

Round Two Six Nations Team

A classic Six Nations rugby weekend. Matches in Cardiff and Dublin were balanced into the finals, the England attack looked operational, and there were a few displays to coach Warren Gatland’s pulse race as a British & Irish Lions coach .

Two rounds in and it is possible to see movements emerge. The meeting of France and Wales in the final match of the tournament was abruptly surrounded in red pen, the medical staff deserves a pay rise, while four players have been in both teams of the week so far. So who were the gladiators of an attractive second week?

Round Two Six Nations Team

15. Stuart Hogg (Alba)

He should not have scored one of his attempts. He played one of those funny tricks, like against New Zealand back in 2017, where he looked like he could score with every other touch.

It is a shame that he cannot inadvertently give his side to France against another number of Brice Dulin, who was also brilliant.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

The day Rees-Zammit reached the international scene. It is suspected that he will not leave in a hurry. There were a few challenging moments in defense, but those must have been overshadowed by the clarity of his second attempt. That chip was straight from the late JJ Williams playbook.

Related: Why Louis Rees-Zammit is growing faster

13. Henry Slade (England)

The key to the success of the English invasion is their ability to find Slade early. The Exeter center made room for its climbers at will and seemed to live on a shoulder outside Juan Ignacio Brex.

Also a word for Chris Harris from Scotland, scary for 80 minutes.

12. Gaël Fickou (France)

The absence of Virimi Vakatawa and Romain Ntamack would have been a cause for concern for France, but the first two games have suggested that Fickou is the leading man in the backfield.

Always within centimeters from Robbie Henshaw’s face defensively and heavily involved in the French efforts.

Willis Halaholo’s first visit to Wales was also an achievement.

11. Anthony Watson (England)

Perhaps under a bit of pressure for his place in all three goals thanks to the appearance of Max Malins, this was Watson ‘s best game for England in the last year.

Jonny May was the acrobat but Watson was the star draw, screaming through him on lines like a sharp rapier.

10. George Ford (England)

Half did not stand out this weekend, but Ford ‘s introduction was on the sidelines like putting oil in a rusty engine. It’s hard to mark one minute, but the control and range he passed made England run endlessly.

9. Ali Price (Alba)

It would be easy to pick Antoine Dupont (as happens every other week!), But the only sublime skill piece of the weekend came from the Glasgow half scrum.

He may have been watching remakes of Dupont support for Gaël Fickou last weekend, taking over quietly for Darcy Graham, and he was also a threat around the edge throughout.

1. Wyn Jones (Wales)

The second look in this team in as many weeks gave Jones, with the real promise they made on the line for the Welsh effort to go on giving the prop a bit of a rare look.

It was amazing that it lasted 78 minutes considering the amount of work he got through.

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)

What a physical presence, full of bigger kicks than the Harlem Globetrotters. Will Eddie Jones reward the England form hook with an away start in Cardiff next round, what would be the biggest opportunity in Cowan-Dickie ‘s international career?

George Turner went well again for Scotland.

3. Kyle Sinckler (England)

He may have been lucky to have been given Man of the Match, but Sinckler ‘s ball handling in the pod was fully displayed. Flies and props shouldn’t attack aggressively, but Sinckler and George Ford ‘s chemistry is starting to lead them that way.

4. Jonny Gray (Alba)

Another powerful achievement. A lost machine comes around as often as Halley’s Comet and has made a few breaks on the line as well. The battle for the Lions’ second-tier box has been denied to these Six Nations.

5. Jonny Hill (England)

It’s hard to beat Maro Itoje, but this was Hill’s best international performance, coming a week after a faulty game against Scotland. The most surprising thing was not his effort, but the excellent pass off his weak hand to send Watson into space for the first score at the wing.

It was unfortunate to miss out on John Henderson – his election tackles held close to France.

6. Rhys Ruddock (Ireland)

Quite surprising to consider that this is Ruddock ‘s first ever Six Nations tour, 11 years after his first test. Particularly outstanding in the first 30, he seemed to be leaving it as a personal mission to be a one-man spy against the French second tier.

Round Two Six Nations Team

Rhys Ruddock in the thick of the campaign against France (Sportsfile / Getty Images)

7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)

More kinetic energy comes from Hamish Watson’s bearing than from a roasted pine drill. His battle against Justin Tipuric, a week after Watson saw another Lions rival in Tom Curry, was intriguing.

Also a word for Johan Meyer, who angered England throughout the game.

8. Grégory Alldritt (France)

One of the 8 slowest in international rugby, but just as stable, lifting the ball in an ugly position to force France to move across the winning line. Being an unstable center for Antoine Dupont.

England will also be happy to see Billy Vunipola throw half-backs in the face like soft toys.

Who would make your Six Nations Team Round Two? Email [email protected] to let us know.

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