Rugby
Six Nations Team of the Week – Round 3
Ireland scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park was phenomenal as the surprises kept on coming in the Six Nations at the weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.
The Irish sent shockwaves through the rugby world by romping to a record 42-21 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Wales almost followed suit in the evening game in Cardiff, giving Scotland a massive scare. However, the visitors were able to complete the comeback to escape with a 26-23 victory.
Sunday’s showdown in Lille was one of low quality in which France were far from their best. Italy made the defending champions work hard for 70 minutes before late tries ballooned the score to 33-8 in the end for unbeaten Les Bleus.
Park is one of seven Irishmen in our Team of the Week. They are joined by four Scotsmen, two Frenchmen and a pair of Welshmen.
15: Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
Despite conceding a yellow card, his body of work was greater than that of his competitors. Good on both sides of the ball, he displayed his agility and power to score and was rock-solid on defence, both under the high ball and when marking ball carriers.
14: Robert Baloucoune (Ireland)
He had to wait years to return to the Test arena and is doing everything in his power to cement his place this time around. He had a good run in the lead-up to Ireland’s first try, scored their second, and assisted Tommy O’Brien for another.
13: Emilien Gailleton (France)
He took his starting chance well. He showed his awareness and decision-making skills to grab a kick that skewed off Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s boot, surge ahead and assist Thomas Ramos for his try instead of trying to score himself. He wound up getting onto the scoresheet with three minutes remaining.
12: Stuart McCloskey (Ireland)
After his tour de force at Twickenham, we might as well call McCloskey “The Beast of Belfast.” The Ulsterman was damn-near unstoppable as he smashed holes in England’s defence, including a rampaging run that led to Baloucoune’s try. He also made a remarkable try-saving tackle when he reeled in Marcus Smith with six minutes to go.
11: Kyle Steyn (Scotland)
While Duhan van der Merwe had a quiet game, Steyn brought the South African sizzle to the Scottish attack. Starting off by scoring the team’s opening try, he went on to beat six defenders, make three clean breaks and rush for 67 metres. We thus had to switch him to the left wing to award both him and Baloucoune.
10: Finn Russell (Scotland)
Russell was pivotal to Scotland’s great escape, pulling not only the strings but a rabbit out of the hat as well by catching Wales napping when he took a quick restart, with the ball bouncing perfectly for Darcy Graham to claim and score. The magician scored a try himself and also kicked four conversions.
9: Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) – Player of the Week
The New Zealand-born scrumhalf said in his Man of the Match interview that he “counts himself lucky to be part of the team,” but the truth is, Ireland rugby is lucky to have him. Starting for the first time in this campaign, he transformed Ireland with a vintage performance and put them on their way to their record win by scoring the opening try.
8: Caelan Doris (Ireland)
The Irish captain was a quiet colossus who led by example. He epitomised the ramped-up intensity and intent of the Irish on the day and was especially tireless on defence, making 14 tackles.
7: Rory Darge (Scotland)
A dogged Darge proved crucial to Scotland’s defensive effort as he made 15 tackles and won two turnovers. Physical and omnipresent, he left his stamp on the game and came away with the Man of the Match award.
6: Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Beirne was at his brilliant best and produced a three-pronged defensive masterclass. The veteran made 17 tackles with a 94% success rate, seized two turnovers at the breakdown, and added a lineout steal.
5: Emmanuel Meafou (France)
Massive on the carry, there was no stopping the man mountain close to the line as he barged through both Italian wings to score France’s second try. He was also a smashing machine on defence and a safe pair of hands in the lineout, earning the Man of the Match award for his efforts.
4: Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
He helped spoil Maro Itoje’s milestone 100th Test by outmuscling and outhustling the England skipper. This was a premium enforcer performance, a dominant display powered by controlled aggression.
3: Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
It was clear that Fagerson was particularly fired up for the Welsh clash and that his tank was full as he made no less than 19 tackles at a 100% clip, the most by any Scottish player.
2: Dewi Lake (Wales)
This is why Steve Tandy chose him to captain Wales. He was heroic, full of fire and mongrel, and took the fight to the vaunted visitors whilst also excelling in the set pieces.
1: Rhys Carre (Wales)
It was Carre who drew first blood for Wales, barging over in the ninth minute to ignite belief that it could be the Dragons’ day. He kept that energy throughout his powerful performance.