Six Nations team of the week: Which players stood out in round two?

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

powered by ISUZU.

England and Ireland continue their unbeaten streak after an electrifying second round of this year's Six Nations.

Let's hope the excitement persists throughout the rest of the Championship. Here are the standout individuals from the weekend.

Evening Standard: "A masterful and vital performance from the Leicester full-back, who produced two match-saving interventions in the last 10 minutes. Unrivalled under the high ball."

Planet Rugby: "A masterful performance from the full-back. As ever, Steward was superb under the high ball but there were several nice moments in attack too."

Rugby Dump: "A Brilliant first break. solid under the high ball. Threatened every time. One of his best performances in an England shirt."

The Telegraph: " The wing, just as he had been against Scotland, was Wales’s best back. He was particularly threatening in the first half."

Wales Online: "Is quickly developing into a key player for Wales, and is getting better by the game. Is renowned for his attacking ability but his work off the ball has come on leaps and bounds."

Planet Rugby: "Back to his best after a poor 80 minutes last week and was rightfully named Player of the Match. He made a stunning break early in the game but was denied by Duhan van der Merwe, but he did get on the scoreboard before the break. Fickou was outstanding on defence and was crucial in the final result."

Rugby Pass: "The Italians struggled to contain Henshaw, two breaks from the centre leading to Ireland’s opening try and he offloaded superbly for Sheehan’s try. Got a little greedy when having a try correctly disallowed by Luke Pearce for ‘double movement’ aka playing the ball on the ground."

Irish Independent: "Pinged at the breakdown in the opening minutes but it was a rare misstep. For the second week in a row, picked both good lines and options."

If you don't win, don't worry - you get 2 chances to win every day! Have another attempt by simply answering a quick question following your first unsuccessful scratch.

Don't forget to come back every day to try and win big!

Rugby Pass: "Was a threatening presence behind the scrum and was constantly looking for work. His kicking out of hand was first-rate, his booming boot now the Aviva Stadium’s equivalent of ASMR. Was good value for his try."

Irish Mirror: "Man of the Match. Settled into auxiliary kicking role immediately while excellent early poach caught the eye. First Irish player to clock up 50m with ball in hand, rewarded with fifth try."

Telegraph: "His performance will be remembered for the non-conversion which is a shame as he personified England’s defensive grit, kicked a gorgeous 50-22 and passed beautifully."

Evening Standard: "When it mattered most, he delivered, especially with the stunning 50-22 that swung the momentum at the death."

Rugby Dump: "He controlled proceedings well throughout, trusting his charismatic boot with the most challenging of nudges. He made the right decisions at the right time, with his key moment being the supreme 50/22 that eventually led to the match winning penalty."

Planet Rugby: "A fine performance from the Toulon man as he delivered a slick service to his outside backs while also bringing his forwards into play with deft offloads around the fringes of the rucks and mauls."

Rugby Pass: "Another strong outing from the Toulon scrum-half, who ran a superb support line to finish off a brilliant move for his fourth Test try, and carried out his duties from the base with an increasing air of authority to take some of the load off Russell."

Rugby Dump: "Started well and scored Scotland’s only, his kicking game takes plenty of pressure off Russell and generally marshalls the Scottish pack around the park with authority."

Planet Rugby: "The loosehead prop was part of a strong scrummaging effort and was busy around the park too. He got the ball away to Jalibert to set up Fickou’s try and racked up a decent carry and tackle count."

Rugby Dump: "The best French front row on the day, his work rate around the park is a marvel. He might well be the most valuable French forward at the moment."

Irish Mirror: "Held his width for run in ahead of second try, scored fourth try from maul. A six-foot-two presence doubles as useful kick-blocker as Italy's Varney found out." 

Rugby Pass: "Business as usual for Sheehan and good business at that. Lineouts went well and he took his first obligatory try well, his seventh in national colours and eight came on 49 minutes. He’s not far off Keith Wood’s 15 Test try tally and he’s only 25."

Irish Mirror: "The 38 times capped tight-head is being allowed clock up significant game time, another 56 minutes here in altogether a period of Irish stability in the set-piece."

Irish Independent: "The Connacht man again was coming into the side in place of Tadhg Furlong and continues to impress at scrum time when deputising for his illustrious colleague."

Evening Standard: "Another ruthless showing from one of England’s most important players."

Telegraph: "His monster tackle on Lloyd to force a turnover when England were down to 13 men was probably the game’s defining moment."

The Offside Line: "Managed to cleanly steal French lineout ball a couple times and disrupted a fair few other. Generally, made a real nuisance of himself around the field."

Planet Rugby: "Came into the run-on side for injured veteran Richie Gray and will be happy with his overall effort. Combined well with Cummings in putting pressure on the French lineout and made seven hits."

Planet Rugby: " Played a role in both of France’s first two tries, winning the turnover that led to Fickou’s score before drawing in multiple defenders before Bielle-Biarrey’s kick and chase score. Brilliant as ever at the breakdown, on both sides of the ball, and excellent on defence. One of France’s best for a second week in a row."

Wales Online: "Jac Morgan has a fight on his hands if he wants to reclaim the red number seven jersey because Reffell has arguably been Wales' best player over the first two rounds of the championship. The Leicester Tigers openside is one of the best exponents of the breakdown in the Northern Hemisphere as he pinched three turnovers. Has also added a new dimension to his game as he popped up in the wide channels and played a key role in Alex Mann's try. A class act."

Telegraph: "Wales’ most-important player by a mile. Fine work at the breakdown early doors and cute offload in the build up to Mann’s try. Wales need to keep him fit."

Planet Rugby: " Another strong all-round performance from the Leicester Tigers star as he made a menace of himself at the breakdowns and his direct duel with Sam Underhill was one of the highlights of the game. Reffell also did his bit as a ball carrier and led the Welsh onslaught on defence as he finished with a match high 14 tackles made."

Telegraph: "Relishing his role of being England’s main man. Brought some serious big-boy energy off the back of a seven-man scrum for his try."

Evening Standard: "Bulldozed in for a fine try in another all-action performance in which he set England’s physical and emotional tone."

Rugby Dump: "Quality carries throughout and cleaned up lose balls like they were grenades. Typical powerful running for his first try and was a standout player in both halves. Proving once again to be one of England’s best players."