1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland): Loosehead scrummaged effectively and did not look out of place on his first appearance in three years
2. Ken Owens (Wales): Wayne Pivac’s former Scarlets captain was always going to be in his first team and held a less experienced front row together well. The sheriff bossed this one.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland): Helped off after facing 77 minutes of horrendous attrition that included a stunning 13 tackles and 10 carries.
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales): The skipper grew into the game, making his tackles, nicking an opposition line-out and grafting tirelessly.
5. Jonny Gray (Scotland): Part of a pack that did a decent job of absorbing Ireland’s ‘one and done’ attacking strategy. Managed 18 tackles.
6. Charles Ollivon (France): Like all good opensides, he read the play superbly to snaffle two tries. Galthie’s decision to make him captain seems inspired in retrospect.
🗣️ “When it was announced, I stood a bit taller because you sense a responsibility”
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 30, 2020
Charles Ollivon is ready to take on the @FranceRugby captaincy for the #GuinnessSixNations 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/qxb3bxfSKb
7. Justin Tipuric (Wales): Another high tackle count here, as well as some significant breakdown work, and another Man of the Match award.
8. CJ Stander (Ireland): The numbers – 18 tackles, 14 carries – tell the story of Stander’s continued value to the Ireland team.
CJ Stander silenced a lot of critics with that performance.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) February 1, 2020
17 carries
73 metres made
4 defenders beaten
17 tackles
2 turnovers won pic.twitter.com/al9E9Go3RR