Six Nations: Team of Round Two

[TRF_Cymro]

Now that the dust has settled across Europe, Planet Rugby thought it was only right to dish out a dose of praise to the Six Nations stars of Round Two.

It was another top weekend of international rugby north of the equator and one that sees England and France as the two remaining sides to boast 100 per cent records. The duo however were in contrasting form in London and Dublin though, with les Bleus more relieved than delighted.

Declan Kidney's side should have stolen victory at the death on Sunday if the final pass had gone to hand but unfortunately for the vocal Aviva Stadium crowd that was not the case as they now sit fourth in the table as the Six Nations takes a week-long breather. Italy and Scotland remain without a win.

Planet Rugby's selection was much tougher than in Round One as we had to take into account the task in front of a rampant England, which is why only four make the the cut. It was tough to snub the likes of James Haskell, Tom Wood, Ben Youngs, Mike Tindall and Ben Foden but fear not, their form at Twickenham did not go unnoticed.

Update done...let's see who earned their PR stripes.

15 Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland) - The versatile back rarely put a foot wrong on Sunday and was unlucky not to pick up a try after Gordon D'Arcy's pass was adjudged forward. Top effort.

14 Chris Ashton (England) - Swan dive or no swan dive, Ashton is making all the headlines in 2011. All four of his tries came from running support lines that takes him to six in 2011.

13 Aurélien Rougerie (France) - I am enjoying watching the Clermont man in the number 13 slot. Rougerie regularly makes the outside break and created a try for Maxime Médard.

12 Jamie Roberts (Wales) - Wales side needed a response and Roberts was a key protagonist for them. Powerful throughout and offered much alongside Jonathan Davies.

11 Shane Williams (Wales) - It was between Médard and the Osprey at 11 but a brace of scores proved just how vital the veteran is. Would Wales have won without him?

10 Toby Flood (England) - Ten points on Saturday which takes him up to 26 this year. Flood has been a major player alongside Ben Youngs and is going from strength to strength.

9 Morgan Parra (France) - The decision to replace him on 54 minutes was risky seeing as Parra was pulling the strings. They held on, just, with his kicking proving critical.

8 Imanol Harinordoquy (France) - Nick Easter was again strong while Ryan Jones also fronted, but the jersey goes to the Biarritz general whose skills are a delight to watch.

7 Sam Warburton (Wales) - Man-of-the-match and rightly so after a tireless performance that saw him dominate Scotland. From U19 skipper in 2007 to this, he has a big future.

6 Sean O'Brien (Ireland) - The 23-year-old has been the standout player in Ireland this season and once again showed his muscle against what is a very strong French back-row.

5 Tom Palmer (England) - Another effective showing from the Stade Français lock, who put in heavy hits and was also a regular carrying option as his club future remains in the air.

4 Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - An excellent effort from the 'Big O's' and Donncha O'Callaghan is unlucky to miss out. However, O'Connell had to make the cut after a barnstorming day.

3 Dan Cole (England) - Another top day from the Tiger who lavished going up against the experience of Salvatore Perugini. It's encouraging for England fans that he is only 23!

2 William Servat (France) - Europe's top hooker was his solid self in Dublin and played a full 80 minutes of solid stuff to see off Ross Ford, who was also sturdy in Edinburgh.

1 Cian Healy (Ireland) - Much was made about a 'weak' Ireland scrum in the week but Healy more than held his own against Nicolas Mas. A mention too for debutant Alex Corbisiero.

http://www.planet-rugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_6751396,00.html​

 

[Teh Mite]

I'm sorry, Irish forwards after that display?

Epic lol and double epic fail.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

POC? Really?
Christ...
and Healy too?
Not getting literally murdered doesn't mean you did well. Corbisiero had 10x the match he did
Don't agree with O'Brien either, Lydiate was immense
Agree with them about Shane, I originally thought Medard, but Shane just pips him to the post

My bench would be:

16. Hartley
17. Corbisiero
18. **Not Sure, would say Davies, but that card..., maybe Pierre*
19. Lydiate
20. Youngs
21. Sexton
22. Lamont

 

[munstermuffin]

Lads I might be bit swayed by fact I Irish but I thought the pack did well and we weren't exactly murdered all game at scrum time. Paul O'Connell had a fine game. The whole Irish backline were superb. I think people have pre-meditated assumptions and are swayed by that.

 

[Teh Mite]

McFadden, O'Learey & D'Arcey were Superb? BOD wasn't more interested in an argument with Pearson actually then playing? Ross and Healey didn't go down quicker then a Spice Girl in a Chelsea locker room at scrum time?

I might be bit swayed by fact I Irish

You don't say.

 

[munstermuffin]

Bullit I never said anything about our front row but is team of week judged on individual performances or if their team wins ???????

Interesting fact on game though - in terms of freekick and penalties conceded at scrum France conceded only 2 less than us. Nice stat in Examiner.
At least I'll have strong backing even from Leinster fans in saying Sean O'Brien did immensely yesterday and how people and question his inclusion is funny altogether.
Luke Fitz was included despite dropping a few garryowens yet nobody questions that when it was Medard when going to 15 did damage.

 

[Teh Mite]

The Irish Examiner... Proving that any rag can spin it like the Daily Mail.

Most of the free kicks given away by France in the scrum were for early engagement. The onther notable mark was not feeding straight or illegally turning: None of these were because the Irish pack could even nearly compete, they were entirely the doing of the French 8 being very French in the way they go about their business - Either brilliantly or half-arsed.

 

[munstermuffin]

Have you ever even read the Examiner ????
Probably 1 of best for rugby around and I clearly stated in terms of PENALTIES AND FREE KICKS.
But they did concede 3 pens at scrum. 2 for going down.

 

[Teh Mite]

Have you ever even read the Examiner ????

For my Sins, I did once look at the [strike]Munster[/strike] "Irish" Examiner. Horribly biased clap. As I say, "Proving that any rag can spin it like the Daily Mail."

 

[munstermuffin]

Well I really don't know what you read but Donal Lenihan is our biggest critic at times with Charlie Mulqueen not far behind and they call it as they see it but I suppose it different over there

 

[TRF_Olyy]

At least I'll have strong backing even from Leinster fans in saying Sean O'Brien did immensely yesterday and how people and question his inclusion is funny altogether.

Is O'Brien a brilliant player? Yes
Was he the standout player of the Irish pack? Yes
Was he the standout player of the Irish team? Probably
Was he the best 6 of the weekend? Nah

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Is O'Brien a brilliant player? Yes
Was he the standout player of the Irish pack? Yes
Was he the standout player of the Irish team? Probably
Was he the best 6 of the weekend? Nah

 

[Caoimhe]

Go easy on the examiner there. If you don't like, don't read it.

 

[munstermuffin]

The Examiner is great paper .

As for team of week I also found it odd that Dusatoir was left out

 

[durbutter]

Mite

I think you'll find it is the Cork Examiner.

You really have to improve the quality of your wumming by the way.

You were world class for a while but form has gone very poor of late.

 

[dullonien]

A few I don't agree with.

- I don't think Rougerie was good atall, one break caused by a simple missed tackle was all he really did, not sure any other 13 had a better game though.
- Shane pips Medard, mainly because Medards fumble towards the end almost cost them the match.
- I wasn't all that impressed with Harinordoquy either tbh. Quiet game I thought, nowhere neer his best.
- Sean O'Brien was good, but I noticed a few knock ons going into contact. I think Lydiate was better, he was immense alongside Warburton in everything he did.
- Again, I didn't think O'Connell had a good game. All I really saw him do was win a few line-outs. Bradley had a better game, but the yellow holds against him. Can't believe they thought DOC had a good game, he was rubbish!
- lol at Healy is all I can say.

 

[ckell]

McFadden, O'Learey & D'Arcey were Superb? BOD wasn't more interested in an argument with Pearson actually then playing? Ross and Healey didn't go down quicker then a Spice Girl in a Chelsea locker room at scrum time?



You don't say.

No Irish forwards deserve to be in the team, oh and Bullitt you may be biased aswell because you seem to hate Ireland with a passion

 

[coonor]

I thought Healy had a good game. He made ground in contact. Made a good turnover at the breakdown and held the scrum to a reasonable standard. POC was quite good aswell. He made important tackles and was good at the restart but he gave away some silly penalties. O'Brien was very good at clearing up loose ball and he made ground well but he needs to keep hold of the ball. They all had fair games but I wouldn't say they should all be in the team of the week.

 

[gingergenius]

deserving team of the weekend:

1. Domingo
2. Servat
3. Cole
4. Davies
5. Palmer
6. Dusautoir
7. Warburton
8. Haskell
9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. Williams
12. Roberts
13. Rougerie
14. Ashton
15. Foden

besides props and 2nd row, not at all hard to pick this week..

edit: missed out Lydiate, very unlucky but there you go.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I'm sorry, Irish forwards after that display?

Epic lol and double epic fail.

Ease up Bullitt. I haven't heard you say anything remotely positive about the Irish performance over the last few days, yet you haven't anywhere near as much of a go at the Italians or the Scots. I don't know what you're problem is, but please stop with the trolling if you would.