Keith Earls fails to make Six Nations Team of the Week

Patrick McCarry

Three Irishmen make the cut, but no Keith Earls.

Another week in the record books with Ireland and England now opening up a gap from the other runners.

Ireland brushed Italy aside, England ground out a win over Wales and Scotland made an infuriating French side pay for their baffling indiscipline, at Murrayfield.

This is our team of the week.

15. Gareth Anscombe (Wales)

Started off at fullback and did a decent job but came into his own when Wales were chasing and he shifted up to outhalf when Rhys Patchell departed. Mike Brown had a solid game too.

14. Teddy Thomas (France)

Harsh on Keith Earls, who had a 9/10 outing against Italy, but Thomas was France’s shining light again. Streaked past Sean Maitland & Co. for his first try and backed himself with a chip and chase for his second.

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

His best game in Ireland for some time saw the centre double his try-scoring count. Was good in Paris and even better in Dublin. Line breaks, defenders beaten, 96 metres made off nine carries and two tries. Such a shame he was injured after 45 minutes.

12. Owen Farrell (England)

What a star this lad is. Was pivotal in setting up England’s two tries, ran, kicked and chased like a dream and, all the while, was stepping up in defence. Big turnover-winning tackle on Aaron Shingler in the closing stages.

11. Jonny May (England)

Tough choice this week as Jacob Stockdale also ran in two tries but May was the difference between England winning and losing at Twickenham. Pace to burn, and to burn defenders with.

10. George Ford (England)

Johnny Sexton was in command, in Dublin, but it was a patchy weekend for 10s. Not so, Ford. The Leicester man loved putting up aerial bombs and nifty cross-field kicks. Switched in and out with Farrell and was good in defence.

9. Conor Murray (Ireland)

The best scrumhalf in world rugby. Started and finished his try and kept Ireland’s tempo up during his 56-minute stint.

A word of praise, too, for Greig Laidlaw after he kicked the Scots to victory.

1. Mako Vunipola (England)

76-minute shift from big Mako. Worked his white socks off and hit a fair numbers of rucks, stuck 17 tackles and made 15 carries. Jack McGrath impressed for Ireland.

2. Guilhelm Guirado (France)

Another big effort from the France captain but in a losing effort again. Defended and scrapped excellently and was solid with his throwing and scrummaging. Good try, in the Ireland game, for Rory Best while Ken Owens had a good game for Wales.

3. Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Great shift from Porter when he came on, after three minutes, for Tadhg Furlong. Carried with menacing intent and made some fearsome clear-outs.

4. Joe Launchbury (England)

Should have made the Lions squad, last summer, and drove that point home with Warren Gatland up in his Wales coat in the stands. 19 tackles, 13 carries, great in the lineout, freakish strength and a great offload for May’s try.

5. Jonny Gray (Scotland)

The big unit was up for it again. Made a great carry and offload for Maitland’s try and got over the gainline with impunity.

6. Aaron Shingler (Wales)

Another top performance from the Scarlets man. One searing, 50-metre break was the highlight but he was one of the few Welsh forwards to consistently get his team on the front-foot. Shame to knocked on in that Farrell collision in the final minutes.

7. Sam Underhill (England)

Only on at half-time but put in a ferocious shift. Was needed, primarily, in defence and connected with 13 lusty tackles. His most important contribution was the try-saving tackle on Scott Williams.

8. Chris Robshaw (England)

Switched to No.8 in the second half after Sam Simmonds went off. His second TOTW selection and much deserved, too. 18 tackles, 12 carries for 25 metres, a line break and 30+ rucks hit.