We’ve decided to give everybody a little review of the second round of Autumn Nations Series by deciding who has been each home nations best and worst player this weekend.
Yes, our choices are bound to spark debate in places. That’s half the joy, though… right?
Disclaimers aside, though, you can check out our choices for every home nations down below and decide whether we’ve made the right calls or not:
IRELAND:
BEST PLAYER: Jack Conan - "In a game where Sexton was excellent on his 100th appearance and Conway scored a hat-trick, it says a lot that Conan was the Man of the Match. Carried relentlessly with nearly 100 metres off 15 runs, he was constantly an option for offloads. A complete performance." - RTE
WORST PLAYER: James Ryan - Despite the Irish being convincing 60-5 winners against Japan, the second-row was probably his sides underperformer as he made very few carries and cost his side two turnovers. Iain Henderson made more impact on the game as a replacement, which shows just how much quieter Ryan was than usual. - RUCK
ENGLAND:
BEST PLAYER: Henry Slade - "Outstanding. Relished acting as the primary playmaker in Farrell’s absence. Would be very harsh if he was sacrificed against Australia." - Telegraph
WORST PLAYER: Kyle Sinckler - "Feels like we are not seeing he best of him when he is used more as a distributor rather than a carrier. Coughed up three penalties too." - Telegraph
WALES:
BEST PLAYER: Ellis Jenkins - "Returning to the Test arena three years after shattering his knee during a man-of-the-match performance against South Africa, Jenkins got Wales out of trouble at one point with a text-book turnover. There was also an interception which defused a potentially menacing Springbok attack and another possession steal after the break. A really strong effort. His return was a successful one as he took up where he had left off in 2018." - Wales Online
WORST PLAYER: Louis Rees-Zammit - “Denied the opportunity to play the Springboks during the summer, the Gloucester man got off to an awful start here, fumbling all before him in the atrocious conditions. Although he threatened the SA line on one occasion, it was a game that largely passed him by.” - Rugby Pass
SCOTLAND:
BEST PLAYER: Ewan Ashman - "Marked his debut with a wonderfully taken try. Lineouts went well and added his size to a strong scrum after coming on inside the opening 10 minutes." - Rugby Pass
WORST PLAYER: Jamie Ritchie - "Missing three tackles, he was another who wasn’t quite at his best but worked tirelessly as ever."
