Six Nations Team of the Week – Round 1

Defending champions Les Bleus laid down the gauntlet by kicking off the Championship with a Thursday night demolition job in Paris, where they stormed into a commanding 29-0 lead and pummelled Ireland 36-14.

The action resumed on Saturday and saw Italy stun Scotland 18-15 in rain-soaked Rome, before England thumped Wales 48-7 at Twickenham. Our Team of the Week consists of six Frenchmen, six Italians and a trio of Englishmen.

15: Thomas Ramos (France)

The French fullback was the total package. He doesn’t always get the credit he deserves for his attacking prowess and showed it in Paris with a soccer-style try assist for Louis Bielle-Biarrey that would’ve made Zidane proud. He was also his metronomic self off the tee, contributing 11 points, and cool as a cucumber under the high ball.

14: Henry Arundell (England)

Louis Lynagh is unlucky to miss out as he topped his own try by creating an even better one for Tommaso Menoncello. However, with Arundell starting the Championship with a hat-trick and Bielle-Biarrey brilliant in Paris, we had to include both of them.

13: Tommy Freeman (England)

As a wing-turned-centre still growing into his new role, his dominant display against the Dragons will give him a world of confidence. The Welsh simply couldn’t contain him as he racked up the most breaks (3), post-contact metres (32) and beat the most defenders (10) in the opening round. His try at the death summed up his show of force.

12: Tommaso Menoncello (Italy)

Italy’s superstar centre delivered the goods to help his team pull off the upset. He was a dual threat with his ability to bash it up or step his man, scored a top-notch try, and was a rock on defence.

11: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)

Small in stature yet strikes fear into the opposition like few others, the French magician – who was crowned the 2025 Player of the Championship after scoring a record eight tries – picked up right where he left off with an incredible brace.

10: George Ford (England) – Player of the Week

It’s a polished Man of the Match performance like Ford produced that will catch coaches like Rassie Erasmus and Fabien Galthie’s attention far more than any highlight-heavy showing that a Marcus Smith or Finn Russell may conjure up.

Ford’s was a proper Test flyhalf masterclass, a beautifully balanced showcase that included two top-class try assists and supreme kicking. The veteran topped the round in kicks in play (26) and kick metres (980), and scored 11 points off the tee.

9: Antoine Dupont (France)

The one-sided Championship opener reaffirmed that France are a completely different team with Dupont in their ranks. Back from injury, the 2021 World Player of the Year was all class and gelled well with Matthieu Jalibert.

8: Lorenzo Cannone (Italy)

Ben Earl was a barnstormer worthy of praise, but he was one of many Englishmen who feasted on a dire Dragons team. Cannone was more crucial to his team’s triumph, putting in a mountain of work on both sides of the ball in a heroic effort.

7: Manuel Zuliani (Italy)

Dovetailing off that, Zuliani was another who shone – not through a sexy break, but through sheer dogged determination. He also highlighted the fact that the Azzurri wanted it more than Scotland, showing his toughness and commitment to the cause by eating two head shots and returning to continue the fight.

6: Michele Lamaro (Italy)

It’s apropos that the ever-industrious Italian captain marked his milestone 50th Test on the winning side. He, too, rolled up his sleeves and outworked the opposition, while he also decoded their lineout, producing two steals in the set piece.

5: Mickael Guillard (France)

The Paris opener was a game Guillard won’t soon forget. Whether it was in the trenches, the tight loose or the lineout, the big man was a force. A classy try assist for his lock partner aided Guillard in going home with the Man of the Match award.

4: Niccolo Cannone (Italy)

A dog of war, Niccolo left his heart and soul on the pitch in pursuit of victory for his beloved country. It was as gutsy and inspiring a performance as it gets as he smashed into the Scots without seizing. He finished with a round-high 26 tackles and sealed the win along with Federico Ruzza by forcing the decisive turnover. 

3: Simone Ferrari (Italy)

It may have poured buckets in Rome, but Ferrari enjoyed a moment in the sun figuratively when he was named Man of the Match. Props rarely receive plaudits, and Ferrari fully deserved his after his heavy-duty performance.

2: Julien Marchand (France)

Delivered everything you want from a Test hooker – clinical set piece play to help provide good attacking platforms, impactful carries and strong defensive work. On top of that, he competed well at the breakdown.

1: Jean-Baptiste Gros (France)

The Les Bleus prop did his primary duties well, helped give his side ascendancy in the scrums and had a hand in Charles Ollivon’s try.