Six Nations team of the week
Fullback: Elliot Daly (England) - Lovely step past Esposito to bring England’s second try. Too easy, as was the subsequent two on one to put in Jonny May. His pace is always a weapon from deep.
Winger: Joe Cokanasiga (England) - Wreaking havoc from the off, always looking to offload and pose an attacking threat. All that was missing was a try.
Centre: Manu Tuilagi (England) - Two tries either side of half time showed him back to his All Black-shredding best for England.
Centre: Hadleigh Parkes (Wales) - Heavily involved in the opening try as he had his best game of the season, with his timing and speed on to Gareth Anscombe’s flat passes getting Wales over the gain-line while getting under Grant Gilchrist to stop the lock scoring at a crucial point in the game. Deserved to be man of the match.
Winger: Josh Adams (Wales) - Gatlands’ find of the last year reached for the skies to score the match-clincher against England but produced dazzling footwork to stand up Blair Kinghorn before brilliantly skinning the Scotland back on the outside for the opening touchdown at Murrayfield
Fly-half: Tommaso Allan (Italy) – He is a class number 10. Solid of the kicking tee and unlocked the England defence superbly for his try. Also put in a good shift in defence with some solid tackling.
Scrum-half: Conor Murray (Ireland) - A much improved performance.
Prop: Cian Healy (Ireland) - A fabulous first half as he controlled his side of the scrum. Provided a massive clearout before Ireland’s disallowed try which he cleverly went for but knocked on. Excellent carrying and busy around the park, he played with a lot of emotional energy in his play.
Hooker: Jamie George (England) - Commanding at the lineout and scored his second Test try. This championship has confirmed him as England’s first choice
Prop: Tomas Francis (Wales) - Coach Warren Gatland had been crying out for a prop to make the tight-head berth his own and Exeter Chiefs forward Francis has certainly done that this season as well as helping prevent a Scotland try in the second half with a determined tackle.
Lock: George Kruis (England) - Ran a flawless lineout. Often gets a charge-down and it paid off twice here with a try under the posts and a second for Shields
Lock: Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) - He’s understandably unhappy about the on-off merger but issued a major statement on the pitch with another tireless performance as he seemed to cover every blade of grass while facing up to a second half onslaught from Scotland.
Flanker: Peter O'Mahony (Ireland) - A nuisance to the French, in attack and defence, but he really stepped up at openside when van der Flier came off. Secured a couple of turnovers and got involved in a few of his customary jersey-grabbing dust-ups.
Flanker: Hamish Watson (Scotland) -Just marvellous. A wrecking ball that ignites supporters, and his team, whenever the ball reaches him. Bounces off players twice his size and so crucial going forward.
Number 8: Billy Vunipola (England) - Further evidence he is nearing his best. So many carries, not always much yardage, but gets England on the front foot time and again. Very impressive.
