We’ve decided to give everybody a little review of the opening weekend of the 2023 Six Nation by deciding who has been each nations best and worst player.
RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content
Below, we look at every sides best and worst player.
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FRANCE:
Best: Uini Atonio
Rugby Pass 6.5/10: "The big man did the business in the scrums giving Porter a torrid time and winning a couple of penalties. Effective in the defence where just standing there is enough to create the impression there is a blue wall erected on the pitch."
Telegraph 8/10: "France’s leading light. Some of the defensive shots were thunderous - and legal - and his scrummaging was faultless."
Worst: Paul Willemse
Rugby Pass 1/10: "Got one point for running onto the pitch because after that it was a disaster for the lock forward. Lucky to get a yellow for his hit on Andrew Porter, he didn’t learn his lesson after 10 minutes contemplation and another hit to the head of an opponent, he left the referee with no option but to end his contest. Dumb."
Planet Rugby 2/10: "“How do you want us to tackle?” were the words the second-rower asked before being issued his second yellow card and subsequent red. The answer is simple: lower Paul, lower."
Telegraph 1/10: "The first hit was silly enough but to commit exactly the same offence six minutes after returning to the field, after a get-out-jail-free card, bordered on lunacy. France’s hopes of victory departed with him."
IRELAND:
Best: Joe McCarthy
Telegraph 9/10: "Tenacious and towering on Six Nations debut. A man possessed at lock with a phenomenal future ahead. One careless dropped pass the only blot."
Rugby Dump 9/10: "Mark these words: McCarthy will be the building block of the Irish pack for the next decade. The 22-year-old obliterated his French counterparts and was deservedly named player of the match, his carrying ability was off the charts."
Rugby Pass 8.5/10: "A revelation in the second row, the Leinsterman’s athleticism and physicality were a pivotal part of the Irish effort. Ran out of steam in the second half."
Worst: Andrew Porter
Telegraph 6/10: "The effort could not be faulted and certainly he remains one of the world’s best but Atonio, then Aldegheri, troubled him."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "For all his excellence around the park, he is still a liability in the scrums and was taught another lesson from Uini Atonio, who dominated him in the set-piece. Ticked the boxes in open play but not in the scrum."
ITALY:
Best: Tommaso Menoncello
Planet Rugby 9/10: "The young inside centre came of age in this encounter as he delivered an outstanding all-round performance for the full 80 minutes. Constantly tested the English defence with some strong attacking runs and eventually gained a team-high 80 metres. Was also excellent in defence where he completed 10 hits."
Worst: Lorenzo Pani
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Saw very little action and simply could not get himself into the game while on the field."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Not much to report here as the Zebre Parma wing made little impact on attack and defence and came off second best in his direct duel with Tommy Freeman."
ENGLAND:
Best: Ethan Roots
RUCK 8/10: "The man of the match on the day, Exeter Chiefs back-row Ethan Roots could not have dreamt up a better international debut. A strong all round performance, with his physicality showcased in the ruck and collision. Roots made a key carry on the run up to Daly’s try, and also excelled in the air at line-out time."
Telegraph 9/10: "An outstanding debut. Virtually the only English forward who consistently punched over the gainline, strong at the breakdown and became a very handy line-out option."
Planet Rugby 8/10: "Very good debut from the New Zealand-born flanker. Carried hard into contact and was also a useful option in the lineout. "
Rugby Pass 7.5/10: "Like a jumbo jet taking off, the debut-maker made a slow start but he eventually rose to the occasion and did enough to be voted the official player of the match. His ball-carrying was important in England’s revival."
Worst: Fraser Dingwall
Rugby Pass 3.5/10: "A player with the patience of Job waiting for this Test debut, given the number of squads he was involved in without even playing, he encountered a baptism of fire defensively and will likely be a fall guy in the inner sanctum post-mortem."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Won’t like the missed tackle for Monty Ioane’s try in a debut performance where there wasn’t too much to shout about."
Telegraph 5/10: "Grew into the game on his debut but fell off the tackle badly for Ioane’s try. England also need to involve him more as a ball carrier."
RUCK 5/10: "Dingwall, long-awaited for his Test debut, struggled a lot in the opening 40. Criticised for a missed tackle leading to an opponent's try, he got better as the game went on.
WALES:
Best: Aaron Wainwright
Wales Online 8/10: "Wales' main source of lineout ball while he carried aggressively and dynamically. One searing break downfield after the break sparked Wales into life while he also did well to claim a try from short-range. A real class act, and the clear long-term successor to Taulupe Faletau at No 8."
Planet Rugby 9/10: "Wainwright worked tirelessly in all departments throughout this clash, finishing with 65 metres gained, 10 tackles made and he also scored a well-taken try and completed 12 hits."
Worst: Gareth Davies
Rugby Pass 4/10: " His performance was summed up when he caught a stray Corey Domachowski foot at the back of a ruck to give up an easy turnover. Subbed for Tomos Williams at half-time."
Wales Online 4/10: "The experienced Scarlets scrum-half was a victim of Wales' struggles up-front, and was pressured into making errors at the base of the ruck. There were also a few wayward box kicks which put his side under pressure while he failed to spark Wales into life in attack."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "The veteran number nine struggled behind a retreating pack during the opening half and couldn’t get his outside backs firing. It was not a surprise when Tomos Williams replaced him at half-time. "
SCOTLAND:
Best: Finn Russell
Planet Rugby 8/10: “An absolute masterclass in the first half as he bossed proceedings with his cultured boot and sublime running game. That extended into the early knockings of the second half as he assisted Van der Merwe’s two scores.”
Worst: Richie Gray
Planet Rugby 5/10: "His game was cut short in the 32nd minute, and up to that stage, he was having a strong outing in all facets."
QUIZ: Can you name the top 10 Six Nations point scorers of all-time?
These rugby legends have left their mark on the competition with their exceptional skills and precision on the field. Do you think you have what it takes to recall the leading point-scorers in Six Nations history?
Lace up your virtual boots, sharpen your memory, and let's see if you can kick your way to a perfect score in this exciting quiz!
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