Our third Rugby World Cup Team of the Week is here with three England stars included after their win against Chile.
Have you planned where you’ll be watching next weekend’s rugby? Make a Greene King pub your Rugby Rendezvous.
Watch the big games on the big screens they deserve. Enjoy having great food and drink on tap. Take your pick of juicy match-ups with all the home nations, global giants, and 15-a-side superstars ready to ruck.
#15. Marcus Smith (England)
Evening Standard: "A statement performance from a man making his first start at full-back at any level, and excelling from first to last."
Planet Rugby: "Smith flourished in a second playmaker role which allowed him to attack with great freedom. Two tries and a try assist highlight a stunning showing."
Honourable mention: Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
#14. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)
Planet Rugby: "Outstanding performance from the world-class wing. Scored 16 of Los Pumas’ 19 points and saved a try with a brilliant defensive read."
Honourable mention: Damien Penaud (France), Mack Hansen (Ireland)
#13. Nick Tompkins (Wales)
Wales Online: "Tackled himself to a standstill and has brought a different dimension to Wales' attack with his smart passing game and vision unlocking the Australia defence. His work rate was relentless throughout and he was rewarded with a crucial second-half try."
Honourable mention: Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
#12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Irish Independent: "Ireland's form player going in to this game embraced the step up in class of the opposition. Made a huge defensive contribution with a try-saver of Kriel before the massive burst leading up to Hansen try."
Rugby Pass: "Made a scorching break near the half-hour mark, busting through Willemse and racing 50 metres up to the field to give his team some excellent territory. Popped up on the left wing moments later for another significant gain. Made ground with almost every carry – 14 of them! "
Honourable mention: Paolo Garbisi (Italy)
#11. Henry Arundell (England)
Planet Rugby: " Prolific personified. The youngster absolutely sparkled for England, equalling the record for most tries in a World Cup game for his country, crossing the line FIVE times."
Evening Standard: "The Racing 92 wing was only 10 months old when Josh Lewsey became the last England player to score five tries in one match. This was a smart display of razor-sharp finishing."
Honourable mention: James Lowe (Ireland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Louis Bielle-Biarrey
#10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Planet Rugby: ": A mesmerising display full of control, creativity and dexterity, Russell continually opened up the ‘Ikale Tahi rearguard. Place-kicking was a bit off in the first half, but that didn’t detract from his performance."
Honourable mention: Tommaso Allan (Italy)
#9. Antoine Dupont (France)
Rugby Pass: "A well-placed cross kick out to the wing created the first try of the evening. His linebreak down the right-hand flank eventually resulted in the third. A wee dart and short pass from the back of a maul handed France their fifth and a stupendous run/cross-kick combo after the halftime hooter produced the eighth score of the night. Found some excellent ground from the base of the ruck whenever he put boot to ball. Managed to score one try of his own in the first half to round off the exceptional performance."
Honourable mention: Jamison Gibson-Park
#1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Irish Independent: "Enjoyed a real battle come scrum-time, getting done in the build-up to South Africa's try but earned the penalty out of Malherbe that gave Ireland the lead on the hour. 75 minutes was a phenomenal effort."
#2. Theo Dan (England)
Honourable mention: Peato Mauvaka (France)
#3.Ben Tameifuna (Tonga)
Planet Rugby: "Ikale Tahi‘s skipper can be proud of his efforts as he led by example with a fantastic all-round performance. Emptied the tank as he stood up well in the scrums, completed 13 tackles and did his bit as a ball carrier which saw him rewarded with a well-taken try."
#4. Adam Beard (Wales)
Wales Online: "Made his critics eat their words with a dominant performance. The Ospreys lock dominated the lineout, which was almost perfect for Wales, while he made his size count around the field. Put in 14 tackles."
#5. Federico Ruzza (Italy)
Rugby Pass: "Signor Everywhere for Italy. Key at the lineouts, hit double digits on defence before the halftime hooter, and made a couple of nice runs with the ball. Prevented what looked like a certain try with some excellent work at the defensive maul."
Honourable mentions: Cameron Woki (France), George Martin (England), Franco Mostert (South Africa), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
#6. Pablo Matera (Argentina)
Planet Rugby: "Another standout display from the former captain who was simply everywhere. Earned several turnovers and was also effective with ball in hand."
#7. Jac Morgan (Wales)
Wales Online: "The Ospreys star just keeps getting better and better. He was totemic in Lyon, getting through a mountain of work, always winning the contact area, slowing ball down at the breakdown, and he played a crucial part in Wales' opening try. Even got himself a 50:22. Crowned an outstanding performance with a late try."
Honourable mention: Josh Van der Flier (Ireland), Jack Willis (England), Michael Lamaro (Italy), Josh Van der Flier (Ireland)
#8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Honourable mention: Beka Gorgadze (Georgia)
