The Scarlets man was a late call up, replacing the injured Gareth Anscombe in the Wales team on Sunday, but the full back was his usual busy self in attack despite only recently returning from an injury of his own. Williams thrived on returning Irish kicks from deep, racking up 90 metres with ball in hand from 19 carries. He was manhandled by the Irish defence at times, but was a constant threat.
It has been a controversial week for North, who claimed in the build up the Ireland game that he wasn’t being used correctly by club side Northampton. The Saints winger showed exactly how dominant he can be with ball in hand against Ireland by carrying for 78 metres from 11 attempts, and finding his way past six defenders. The Irish defence managed to contain him on each occasion but he caused plenty of consternation with his powerful running.
It is three seasons since Campagnaro burst onto the scene, as a rare back of potential world class potential in the Italian ranks. Thanks to injury, the 22-year-old’s career has stalled somewhat, but having moved to Exeter during the summer – where he plays and trains with higher quality players –the young centre already looks improved in his position. He and Gonzalo Garcia were by far the better midfield in Paris on Saturday, with Campagnaro’s three clean breaks from six carries showing his potency with ball in hand. He also registered seven tackles in an impressive Azzurri effort.
If you’re going to be the man whom an entire game plan is built around, you had better deliver routinely. Fortunately for Wales, Roberts continues to do just that. He trucked the ball into the guts of the Irish defence on 11 occasions, making 25 metres of progress, but it was defensively where he really excelled – making 20 tackles as Ireland threatened with ball in hand more frequently than expected. The Harlequins man has been delivering the same type of barnstorming performances for nearly a decade in red, and his form shows no sign of abating.
Making his international debut and having not played the 15-man game in two years, Vakatawa’s potential is truly it’s frightening. Italy didn’t turn the sevens specialist in defence too frequently to expose him, and in attack the 23-year-old was full of swashbuckling effectiveness. He made 63 metres with ball in hand, beating five defenders, as well as crossing for a supremely taken try close to the touchline in the first half.
In the absence of so many key players, the requirement of the Leinster pivot to produce the goods has seldom been as vital for Ireland. It’s been a difficult club season for Sexton so far this term, but he made light of his inconsistent form to produce his most complete performance in green in a considerable time. He ran the show from out-half, demonstrating his supreme carrying threat, making two excellent line breaks as he registered 48 metres with ball in hand. He was also perfect off the tee, landing all four of his efforts, including a crucial equalising kick as time ticked away – despite visibly suffering the effects of a hefty knock taken just moments beforehand.
Two years ago, Ireland’s half back pairing was being talked about as potentially one of the best in the world. While the form of the duo has fluctuated in the intervening time, both were exceptional at the weekend. Murray showcased the wide-ranging skill-set that makes him one of the most complete scrum halves in world rugby at the Aviva. He may have overcooked a kick or two but in general his distribution and kicking was of the highest order, while his physical strength was on full show as he powered over for Ireland’s only try of the game.
Like a fine Chianti, the Italian talisman seems to be getting better with age. The number 8’s dominant performance on Saturday belied his standing as a 32-year-old veteran with 115 caps to his name. Parisse covered every blade of grass as Italy fell agonisingly short of what would have been a historic first win on French soil in the Six Nations. The skipper crossed for a try, carried for 91 metres from 19 attempts and registered seven tackles. He did, however, prove he is human after all with a botched last-minute drop goal attempt.
There was little for Scotland to feel positive about after yet another Calcutta Cup home defeat at the hands of England. The Scots haven’t beaten the ‘auld enemy’ since 2000, and the fans haven’t witnessed the home team cross for a try in the same period. One bright spark was the increasing effectiveness displayed by openside John Hardie, who continues to prove his worth in this Scottish side. The New Zealand-born flanker put in 13 tackles (second only to Jonny Gray), and carried effectively for 31 metres from five attempts, making a clean break in the process.
Some claim the Munster man is a mere Pro12 flat track bully, but he well and truly put that notion to bed by winning the man of the match award on his international debut against the most physical pack in the competition. Stander carried an incredible 23 times, and made 14 tackles in what was an immense, all-action performances. The 25-year-old made light of Sean O’Brien’s absence, by carrying with frequency and effectiveness, beating one defender while recording 38 hard earned yards, and also stealing a Welsh lineout.
He may not be the most exciting or entertaining lock available to Eddie Jones, but there is no doubting Kruis’ effectiveness. England’s new head coach wants his team to be in the ascendancy up front, and the Saracens second row put in a solid shift in the English engine room, helping them to establish control. He carried six times, and was rewarded with a try, but it was his 16 tackles in defence that best showcased his impressive work-rate.
With Paul O’Connell having hung up his international boots, there is now no question who the second row kingpin is in the northern hemisphere. Osprey lock Wyn-Jones was his usual committed self, putting in 16 tackles, while also contributing 14 carries during an amazingly attritional clash with the Irish. Wyn-Jones also presided over Wales’ retention of eight of their nine lineout throws.
The South Africa-born prop is a late comer to international rugby, having only qualified for the Scots last season, but he is certainly making up for lost time, and making a name for himself as one of the top tight heads in the northern hemisphere. The 29-year-old was effective in the loose, making five tackles and contributing five carries. But it’s his scrumagging that sets him apart in what was a good Scottish effort at the set piece.
England’s victory on Saturday is unlikely to go down as the greatest of Dylan Hartley’s reign as captain, but the new skipper will be happy that he has retained the trophy his predecessor Chris Robshaw lifted during every year of his tenure. Hartley was solid around the field, making nine tackles as England kept Scotland from breaching their line, while he also hit all but one of his lineout throws.
There are currently few more mobile props in world rugby than the Leinster man, who put in a seismic shift around the field during an incredible 80-minute performance. It’s very unusual to see front row players last the full game these days, but McGrath was still going strong at the final whistle despite having recorded an energy-sapping 18 tackles, and making 11 carries. Ireland’s scrum did wobble at times over the course of the game, but that was down to issues on the tight head side rather than with the 26-year-old.
