Six Nations: XV Team of Round 4

The penultimate round of the 2015 Six Nations offered up a true spectrum of international rugby.

From the high-octane thrills of Wales’ defiant victory over Ireland, to the depths of despair that the dull and turgid Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy match in Rome sent us, the weekend will not be considered vintage, but certainly had its moments. Lets also not forget England’s stuttering display against Scotland, that both delighted and frustrated in equal measure.

Despite vows to avoid recollecting events at the Stadio Olimpico at all costs, we have put together our XV of the Week for your perusal.  

1. Rob Evans, Wales
The introduction of Evans for an injured Gethin Jenkins helped solidify the Welsh scrum and turn it from a weakness to a weapon in the second half. Evans was also an important component in Wales’ vaunted, 45-phase defensive stand in the final quarter of the game.

2. Scott Baldwin, Wales
Baldwin took another step towards making the Welsh two jersey his own this weekend, thoroughly outplaying his experienced opposite number, Rory Best. The Welsh hooker was on form at the lineout and also made 20 tackles as he helped his side repulse phase after phase of Irish attack.

3. Dario Chistolini, Italy
The tighthead was at the top of a very short list of things that went well for Italy on Sunday afternoon. Chistolini scrummaged well against Eddy Ben Arous, getting the better of the Frenchman on multiple occasions, and the Italian scrum took a significant step backwards when Chistolini left the pitch in the second half.

4. Luke Charteris, Wales
Similar to Baldwin, Charteris’ defensive work rate was off the charts at the Millenium Stadium on Saturday, as the lock made a game-high 26 tackles. His impact was also evident at the lineout, where he stole three throws from Best, and flourished alongside the equally impressive Alun Wyn Jones.

5. Courtney Lawes, England
George Kruis and Dave Attwood aquitted themselves well in Lawes’ injury-enforced absence, but just 80 minutes of the dynamic Northampton Saint was enough to remind English rugby fans what they have been missing. Lawes ruled the Twickenham skies at lineout time and made thunderous tackles throughout, including one which almost bisected Scotland’s Finn Russell.

6. Rob Harley, Scotland
Harley’s shock of red hair was a constant thorn in England’s side at Twickenham. The blindside made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, constantly slowing down English ball and disrupting their attempts to catch the Scottish defensive line on the back foot. Fellow flankers Blair Cowan and Thierry Dusautoir both had good games, also.

7. Sam Warburton, Wales
Despite spending 10 minutes in the bin, the influence Warburton exerted in the other 70 was more than enough to earn him a spot in this XV. A dominant force at the breakdown and a tireless tackler, Warburton was constantly at the centre of the action as Ireland strung together well over 40 phases in an assault on the Welsh try line in the second half in Cardiff.

8. Loann Goujon, France
Both Taulupe Faletau and Billy Vunipola had impressive defensive outings in their matches, but Goujon added a dynamism to the French back row that has been missing of late. Flankers Bernard le Roux and Dusautoir are amongst the most tireless and industrious players at their positions, but Goujon’s carrying gave the unit a much-needed extra dimension.
 
9. Ben Youngs, England
The lively scrum-half injected England with energy and impetuous, albeit for his team to squander them with poor finishing and a lack of composure. Youngs provided George Ford with good service, as well as effectively directing his pack around the Twickenham pitch.

10. Dan Biggar, Wales
Ford had a good game, as did Jules Plisson coming off the bench for France, but neither was as instrumental as Biggar. The Welsh fly-half had one of his best defensive performances yet in international rugby on Saturday, putting in 19 tackles, as well as doing a more than able job in attack.

11. Jack Nowell, England
Nowell wasn’t able to cap his tireless display with the haul of tries his endeavour deserved, but he does deserve his place in this team. The Exeter Chief was an elusive runner that Scotland struggled to contain at Twickenham, beating eight defenders and chalking up 185 metres with ball in hand.

12. Robbie Henshaw, Ireland
A far from vintage day for Ireland in Cardiff, but if it were not for Henshaw’s shackling of Jamie Roberts on the gain line, it could have been far worse for the visitors. Henshaw led the defensive line with energy and purpose, either stopping Roberts in his tracks or forcing him into an early pass and preventing him from drawing more defenders. The Connacht man’s powerful carrying also kept the Welsh defence earnest.

13. Mark Bennett, Scotland
A constant threat to the English defensive line, Bennett shone in the first half at Twickenham, grabbing a try on course to helping Scotland into a 13-10 lead at half time. His role lessened as England took hold of the game in the second half, but the ease with which he scythed through tacklers early on does not bode well for the English midfield. An honourable mention is certainly due for Wales’ Jonathan Davies, who was also excellent on Saturday.

14. Tommy Bowe, Ireland
Ireland were unable to get much going offensively at the Millennium Stadium, but Bowe looked the most likely to make something happen amongst Ireland’s backs. His 17 carries were the most of any back in Cardiff and though he was unable to turn any of those carries into big gains, they always brought metres for an Ireland side that were in desperate need of forward momentum.

15. Leigh Halfpenny, Wales
Safe under the high ball, 100% at goal from penalties and solid in defence, Halfpenny did everything that was asked of him in Cardiff to perfection. He didn’t rack up the metres or make the counter-attacking runs that Mike Brown or Rob Kearney did, but his contribution, though understated, was far more influential to his side’s victory.