RUCK's Six Nations Team Of The Week: All six teams included
Yesterday at 03:24 PM
The 2025 Six Nations kicked off in dramatic fashion, with some players stealing the show in opening weekend clashes.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Wales endured a nightmare start in Paris, suffering a humiliating seven-try defeat to France, as Antoine Dupont put on a masterclass in his return to the championship.
Over at Murrayfield, Huw Jones lit up the tournament with a stylish hat-trick, helping Scotland edge past a spirited Italy side. Meanwhile, Ireland's title defence got off to a winning start as they battled back to defeat England in Dublin, despite an impressive first-half showing from Steve Borthwick's men.
With Round Two looming, we take a look at the standout performers from the opening weekend.
15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Commanding at the back. Kinghorn was superb under the high ball, giving Scotland a solid attacking platform. Linked up well with his wingers and carried a staggering 18 times.
14. James Lowe (Ireland)
A constant menace. The Kiwi-born wing somehow wriggled free from Alex Mitchell to create the first try for Jamison Gibson-Park and was at it again for Ireland's second, linking beautifully with the scrum-half to send Beirne over. Unlucky not to scoop Man of the Match.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
Hat-trick hero. Jones celebrated his 20th try for Scotland in style, running a brilliant support line for his first. His third was the pick of the bunch—beating three Italian defenders before powering over in the corner.
12. Tommaso Menoncello (Italy)
A wrecking ball with a touch of class. The young centre is forming a dangerous partnership with Brex and caused Scotland all sorts of problems with his powerful carries.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
Kept Wales on their toes. Didn't get as much ball as he'd have liked but made sure the defence stayed honest with some sharp runs. His 23rd-minute try was a walk-in, but his second just before half-time took a bit more effort.
10. Marcus Smith (England)
Silky. Smith was electric with ball in hand, constantly testing Ireland's defence and running from deep with confidence. Nailed his kicks too, but was brushed aside by Bundee Aki for Ireland's second—one blot on an otherwise strong display.
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
The king is back. The French maestro played the game at his own pace, keeping Wales on the back foot with his tactical kicking and trademark tempo shifts. Had a hand in everything France did well—at times, it looked like he was toying with the opposition.
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros (France)
Set the tone. Gave Gareth Thomas a rough time at the scrum and was relentless in open play, getting through a mountain of work.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
World-class. Is there a more dynamic hooker in the game? Instantly made his presence felt with two huge carries and played a key role in Lowe's try. Remarkable impact, considering he only returned from a six-month injury layoff last week.
3. Simone Ferrari (Italy)
A rock. Ferrari dominated at the scrum and backed it up with a big defensive shift, putting in some crunching hits.
4. Maro Itoje (England)
Defensive wall. England's new captain was immense, leading the charge as his side repelled wave after wave of Irish pressure. However, his second-half penalty allowed Prendergast to edge Ireland ahead.
5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
One of the best in the business. Made a crucial turnover when Ireland were under the pump early on and then powered over for a try. A relentless presence on both sides of the ball.
6. Francois Cros (France)
Unsung hero. The flanker quietly racked up tackles and shut down any Welsh momentum. Not a highlight-reel player, but absolutely vital.
7. Jac Morgan (Wales)
A warrior. In a tough night for Wales, their captain put in a monumental 21 tackles and was the team's top carrier. Led by example, but got little reward at the breakdown.
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Everywhere. The No.8 was at the heart of everything good for Ireland, making big carries and popping up at crucial moments. Was key in both of Ireland's early tries—one of the standout performers.
Editors Picks:
- Scotland forward was banned from Twickenham after heated scrap with Owen Farrell
- Finn Russell's Missus Shuts Down Trolls with Savage Response
- England Rugby stars wife shows off stunning body transformation after losing 26kg
- Four players Wales must drop – and who should replace them
- Finn Russell's Missus Shuts Down Trolls with Savage Response
PREDICTOR GAME:
You'll have to be red-hot to get 15/15 in this 2010s Six Nations quiz
The Six Nations Championship, Europe's premier rugby tournament, has delivered unforgettable moments and showcased some of the game's greatest players.
From stunning tries to epic battles, the 2010s were packed with rugby brilliance.
Can you name the players who lit up the tournament during this golden decade? You'll need to be on top form to get 15/15—are you up for the challenge? Let's kick off!
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
The post RUCK’s Six Nations Team Of The Week: All six teams included appeared first on Ruck.
