The Nations Championship delivered tries, controversy and a few performances that made picking our Team of the Week an absolute nightmare.
England finally gave their supporters something to smile about, hammering Australia 45-22 at Twickenham.
Henry Pollock somehow ended up playing on the wing. Naturally, he scored twice.
South Africa demolished Italy 66-7, France put Fiji to the sword, and Ireland made light work of Argentina.
New Zealand survived a Scottish scare, while Wales edged Japan in Cardiff.
There were hat-tricks, unlikely heroes and some very big names missing out.
So, after plenty of debate, here is RUCK's Nations Championship Team of the Week for round four.
Scroll to the bottom to pick your own XV.
Nations Championship Round 4 results
- ☘️ Ireland 42-12 Argentina
- 🇿🇦 Italy 7-66 South Africa
- 🥃 Scotland 21-43 New Zealand
- 🐉 Wales 28-21 Japan
- 🇫🇷 France 54-17 Fiji
- 🌹 England 45-22 Australia
RUCK Nations Championship Team of the Week
1. Ethan de Groot (New Zealand)
The All Blacks needed someone to roll up their sleeves at Murrayfield. De Groot was happy to oblige.
The powerful loosehead scored a try and helped prevent another as New Zealand battled past Scotland.
He also made his presence felt in the scrum, giving the Scottish pack plenty to think about.
De Groot earned 8.5/10 in RUCK's All Blacks player ratings.
Not bad for someone who only played 50 minutes.
2. Ewan Ashman (Scotland)
Three tries. Against the All Blacks. From a hooker.
That's not something you see every weekend.
Ashman was everywhere during Scotland's remarkable first-half display, completing a hat-trick that most international wingers would be delighted with.
Unfortunately, the celebrations didn't last.
New Zealand came roaring back to win 43-21, leaving Scotland wondering what might have been.
Still, Ashman can hold his head high. Not many hookers will ever manage that against the All Blacks.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Furlong looked like a man who had turned the clock back a few years against Argentina.
The Irish tighthead was excellent at scrum time and looked unusually lively with ball in hand.
His biggest contribution came when Ireland were under serious pressure near their own line.
Furlong produced a crucial penalty turnover, helping his side escape a dangerous situation.
He earned 7/10 in RUCK's Ireland player ratings.
Not every match-winning moment involves crossing the whitewash.
4. Scott Barrett (New Zealand)
Sometimes the most important player on the pitch isn't the one scoring tries.
Barrett was immense as New Zealand recovered from Scotland's first-half onslaught.
The experienced lock brought a physical edge to the All Blacks' defence and remained heavily involved in attack.
His leadership was particularly valuable as New Zealand regained control after the break.
Barrett earned 7/10 in RUCK's All Blacks ratings.
The sort of performance that doesn't always grab headlines but helps win Test matches.
5. Mickaël Guillard (France)
Guillard is rapidly becoming one of those players France simply cannot afford to leave out.
The powerful lock was excellent against Fiji, earning 8/10 as Les Bleus cruised to a 54-17 victory.
His ability to combine the physical demands of the second row with genuine mobility makes him a difficult opponent.
He helped France establish control up front, allowing their dangerous backline to do the damage.
With South Africa next on the schedule, France will need that same physical presence again.
6. Ryan Baird (Ireland)
Some players make rugby look remarkably easy. Baird is one of them.
The Leinster forward was excellent against Argentina, stealing two opposition lineouts and producing a lovely assist for Hugo Keenan.
He also got through plenty of defensive work.
It's that combination of athleticism and intelligence that makes him such a useful player.
When Baird is fully fit and firing, Ireland look a much more dangerous side.
7. Rory Darge (Scotland)
Scotland lost. Rory Darge certainly didn't go down quietly.
The openside was a menace at the breakdown, constantly making life uncomfortable for the All Blacks.
He carried 11 times and was among Scotland's busiest defenders.
Even when New Zealand took control, Darge refused to disappear.
Jac Morgan also deserves enormous credit for his performance against Japan, but the Scottish flanker gets our vote.
8. Ben Earl (England)
Love him or hate him, Ben Earl certainly knows how to get people talking.
The England number eight was outstanding against Australia, repeatedly carrying into traffic and helping his side build momentum.
His relentless energy was a feature of England's victory.
Some fans thought it was brilliant. Others were considerably less impressed.
Whatever side of that argument you're on, his performance was worth celebrating.
Earl earned 8/10 in our England player ratings.
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
There are world-class scrum-halves, and then there's Antoine Dupont.
The French superstar was at it again against Fiji, pulling the strings as France cruised to a 54-17 victory.
His speed of thought is ridiculous.
One moment he's organising his forwards. The next he's spotted a gap nobody else knew existed.
He also got himself on the scoresheet.
Dupont earned 9/10 in RUCK's France player ratings.
Leaving him out would have taken some explaining.
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (South Africa)
If you missed South Africa's demolition of Italy, you missed something special.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was simply sensational.
The young fly-half played with confidence, imagination and the sort of attacking freedom that makes the Springboks frightening to watch.
He scored a wonderful individual try and repeatedly tore holes in the Italian defence.
A perfect 10/10 in RUCK's Springboks player ratings tells you plenty.
Unfortunately, his afternoon ended early following a head injury assessment.
The Springboks will now be hoping their star playmaker is available for the upcoming showdown with France.
With Eben Etzebeth returning to the squad, Rassie Erasmus has already received one major boost.
11. Henry Pollock (England)
A flanker playing on the wing. What could possibly go wrong?
Absolutely nothing, apparently.
Pollock replaced the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso at half-time against Australia and promptly scored twice.
The Northampton Saints youngster looked completely at home out wide, finding space and finishing with the confidence of a seasoned winger.
The funniest part?
Steve Borthwick had actually prepared Pollock for the emergency role before the match.
What looked like a bizarre gamble suddenly seemed rather clever.
Pollock was also among the game's leading metre-makers despite playing only 40 minutes.
His 8/10 in RUCK's England ratings barely tells the story.
You wouldn't bet against him asking for the No. 11 shirt again.
12. Henry Slade (England)
While Pollock grabbed the headlines, Slade went about making England tick.
The Exeter Chiefs centre linked nicely with Seb Atkinson, defended well and brought some much-needed composure to England's midfield.
His soft hands helped keep England's attack flowing, while his experience proved invaluable.
He was named Player of the Match following the 45-22 victory.
Slade actually played outside centre against Australia, but we've moved him one shirt inside to accommodate another standout performer.
And with England facing fresh injury concerns following the victory, his experience could prove particularly important.
13. Kalvin Gourgues (France)
Kalvin Gourgues isn't wasting much time making a name for himself.
The young French centre was a constant threat against Fiji, showing confidence well beyond his experience.
His reward came in the second half when he crossed for France's fifth try.
Gourgues also demonstrated his versatility, stepping up to land a conversion earlier in the contest.
He earned 8/10 in RUCK's France player ratings.
France already have an embarrassment of riches in midfield. Gourgues is making their selection headache even worse.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Wales needed a hero against Japan.
Louis Rees-Zammit clearly fancied the job.
The former NFL hopeful was electric in Cardiff, scoring a try and creating another as Wales squeezed out a 28-21 victory.
His numbers were ridiculous.
Rees-Zammit finished with 110 metres gained, 14 defenders beaten and three clean breaks.
That's the sort of attacking display Wales have been crying out for.
He earned 9/10 in RUCK's Wales player ratings and collected the Player of the Match award.
For a player who spent time chasing an American football dream, he's certainly reminding everyone what he can do with a rugby ball.
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Three tries from a full-back is quite a way to announce yourself.
Keenan was clinical against Argentina, popping up in exactly the right places as Ireland cruised to a 42-12 victory.
His movement was excellent, his finishing even better.
The Leinster star also topped Ireland's carry count, showing there was plenty more to his performance than simply finishing chances.
He was one of several Irish players to shine on a night that wasn't without its concerns.
Captain Dan Sheehan suffered a head injury setback, while Bundee Aki was ruled out shortly before kick-off.
Keenan, at least, gave Ireland supporters plenty to smile about.
Honourable mentions
Picking 15 players from six international matches was never going to be easy.
Malcolm Marx was magnificent for South Africa, scoring twice against Italy.
Wallace Sititi was another major threat for New Zealand, while Jac Morgan produced a typically committed display for Wales.
France's Théo Attissogbe also deserves recognition, as do England duo Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman.
And spare a thought for Ethan Hooker, who would have made our XV if Pollock hadn't decided to become a winger overnight.
Have your say: Pick your Team of the Week
We've made our choices. Now it's your turn.
Think we've been too generous to England? Should Malcolm Marx have made the cut? Has your favourite player been robbed?
Choose your XV from our 45 shortlisted players and see how your selections compare.
