Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

Sam Tremlett was once again tasked with deciding who made it into the Team of the Weekend. What do you think of his selections?

Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

With some great attacking rugby, combined with some superb defensive displays, round two of the Six Nations provided gripping rugby. So here is Rugby World‘s Team of the Weekend. Let us know what you think of our selections.

Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

1. Mako Vunipola (England)

Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

Welcome Back: Vunipola excelled coming back form injury (Getty Images)

Solid in the scrum and 14 tackles is part and parcel for the world-class Vunipola these days. A welcome return to England’s forward line-up.

2. Julien Marchand (France)

Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

Rough with the smooth: Marchand carried strongly but showed soft hands when off-loading (Getty Images)

Critics will point to the two line out throws that went awry but otherwise Marchand excelled in Paris. A regular ball-carrier and occasional off-loader, the hooker also put in a shift in defence.

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Furlong has been the most outstanding tight-head of the Six Nations so far with his try against Wales a particular high-point.

4. Maro Itoje (England)

Constant Menace: Itoje was a man possessed at Murrayfield (Getty Images)

A menace to the Scottish line-out, Itoje also made a stunning 23 tackles in the wind and rain of Murrayfield.

5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Like Itoje, Jones also made more than 20 tackles in a brilliant performance. His off-load to set up Tomos Williams’ try left many mouthes agape too. (Special mention to Paul Willemse who also had arguably his best performance in a France jersey)

6. CJ Stander (Ireland)

Consecutive Class: Stander has had two world-class performances in a row (Getty Images)

I know what you are thinking, Stander played at eight. But the back-row position was incredibly competitive this weekend and I had to make some minor tweaks to get everyone in that deserved to be! Also he played at open side last week so we think this is justified! Stander was outstanding once again as he picked up a second consecutive player of the match award.

7. Justin Tipuric (Wales)

Hot Contest: Tipuric gets the nod over Underhill and Ollivon (Getty Images)

Admittedly Charles Ollivon was good, as was Sam Underhill, but Tipuric could not be ignored in a losing effort in Ireland. It seemed his blue scrum cap was everywhere.

8. Tom Curry (England)

Hard Fought: Curry battled all day in Scotland (Getty Images)

This was a tough call. Gregory Alldritt was outstanding in Paris, and Anna Caplice had a strong performance in Ireland Women’s win over Wales. However Tom Curry led a back-row unit that caused havoc for the Scots with five turnovers in the opening half. He also made 12 tackles and produced 70 hard-fought yards.

9. Antoine Dupont (France)

Busy Bee: Dupont was at his electric best against Italy (Getty Images)

Once again Dupont was sublime. At every single breakdown you never know what he is going to do as he had several clean-breaks that caused immense excitement in the Stade de France. Additionally his pass to set up Alldritt’s try was top-notch.

10. Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)

Captain Fantastic: Sexton led his team to another victory (Getty Images)

Romain Ntamack was excellent again but we have gone for Sexton because of a captain’s performance that included solid defence and excellent control of the game. Captaincy seems to be bringing out the best in him.

11. Beibhinn Parsons (Ireland Women)

Matteo Minozzi was energetic as you would expect but 18-year-old Parsons gets the nod here thanks to a performance well beyond her years. She also showed lovely footwork to dot down the first Irish try in the win.

12. Owen Farrell (England)

Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

Led with the boot: Farrell kept the Scottish under pressure with his kicking (Getty Images)

Weather in which nobody would kick well in, Farrell struggled off the tee but from hand he put the Scottish back-three under pressure regularly with his low and incisive kicks.

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

Six Nations Team of the Weekend Round Two

Early Exit: Despite the HIA failure, Henshaw was excellent in Dublin (Getty Images)

Until he had to go off due to an HIA, Henshaw provided incredible physicality that got him over the gain-line and gave Ireland front-foot ball more often than not.

14. Andrew Conway (Ireland)

He may look small but Conway made no mistakes in an exception performance in Dublin. A tireless worker, the rugby gods gave him what he deserved as he crossed the whitewash to ensure an Irish victory. Jonny May also deserves recognition given his solid performance in trying conditions.

15. Jordan Larmour (Ireland)

Rob Kearney is a safe pair of hands at the back but Jordan Larmour gives the Irish an extra dimension as shown by his performance against Wales. His try illuminated that nicely as he beat a number of defenders to score the first Irish try of the match.

Emily Scott also deserves plaudits after she picked up a player of the match award in England’s delayed contest against Scotland. Played on the Monday, the team in white were rampant as they won 51-0 with Scott picking up two tries.

What do you make of Sam’s team? Don’t hesitate to let us know through our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.