Last week, Earls. This week, Farrell. What the heck is going on?!
Harsh on Chris Farrell but there is room for six of his Ireland teammates.
Another week in the books with Ireland now leading the way and are the only team left chasing a Grand Slam. France kicked off the weekend by defeating Italy in a dour match, Ireland beat Wales in an eight-try thriller and Scotland stunned England to claim the Calcutta Cup.
This is our team of the week.
15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
The best fullback on show across the championship. Dangerous runner and made some smart passes after drawing in white jerseys. Showed tremendous heart for the fight.
14. Keith Earls (Ireland)
Another top outing from the Munster winger. Made two massive cuts into the Welsh defence and was denied a brilliant kick-chase try by a cruel bounce. Tenacious defence.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
His two-try performance – dragging Mike Brown and Anthony Watson with him for one and scooping up a grubber for another – sees him edge out the equally brutish and effective Chris Farrell. Much better in the 13 jersey for Scotland.
12. Mathieu Bastareaud (France)
The best thing about a poor France vs. Italy game. Offloads, line busts, a lovely try and a stack of work done too. His best Test outing in years.
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)
Eight tries in seven Tests now. Getting ridiculous. His game-clincher was everything about a young man, full of confidence, backing himself.
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
A true maverick. Puts it all on the line and, when it works, it works in scintillating fashion. Threw one hell of a pass to tee up Sean Maitland’s try.
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)
Is there anything this lad can’t do?
Commanding and cool in the white-hot centre of it all. Crisps passing, bang-on boxers, a few snipes to keep the Welsh honest and a crucial penalty kicked in the closing stages.
1. Cian Healy (Ireland)
Ireland’s scrum enjoyed a comfortable afternoon of it when they were expected to struggle. Healy was in good nick during that set-piece, made 12 carries and nabbed Ireland a try by going very low and very hard.
2. Stuart McInally (Scotland)
Spot on from the Scottish hooker. Did his set-piece jobs well and showed up well in the loose.
3. Simon Berghan (Scotland)
Neutralised the threat of Mako Vunipola, was busy at the breakdown and secured one vital turnover in the second half.
4. James Ryan (Ireland)
Was a ball-carrying machine and was used well on the restarts. Made a strong carry to drive the Welsh back before Dan Leavy’s try and took Alun Wyn Jones out of it for Healy’s score.
Credit: Natwest 6 Nations5. Jonny Gray (Scotland)
Three weeks in a row for Gray. 24 tackles landed and ferocious physicality flung at the likes of Lawes and Launchbury.
6. John Barclay (Scotland)
Bossed the breakdown at Murrayfield. A bloody nuisance that Ireland will have to watch. A word, too, for Peter O’Mahony – cute.
7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)
Edges out Dan Leavy, who came to the fore in the middle of Ireland’s win. Watson scrapped and frustrated all day, slowed down England ball and won a couple of turnovers.
8. CJ Stander (Ireland)
Ryan Wilson deserves a mention but Stander was pivotal in Ireland’s victory in Dublin. 21 carries and 43 metres gained, whilst he horsed a few out of it at the breakdown and left some big Welsh bodies on the deck.
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