Six Nations Team of the Week: Standout Players from Round Four
The Six Nations championship will be decided on the final day after a vintage penultimate weekend set up a dramatic "Super Saturday" showdown. A stunning performance from Scotland threw the title race wide open as Gregor Townsend's side conquered France in a 90-point epic, ending Les Bleus' grand slam hopes. Ireland also remain in contention after surviving a spirited Welsh challenge in Dublin under Friday night lights. Meanwhile, Italy made history by defeating England for the first time in 33 attempts.
But which individual players impressed most during round four? Here are our selections for the Six Nations team of the week.
Front Row Forwards
Loosehead prop: Rhys Carre, Wales
Was Carre's sensational solo try against Ireland enough to earn inclusion? Almost certainly, but his superb work in wider areas was matched by numerous thumping tackles in tight situations, along with a strong scrummaging effort. The loosehead has fully emerged as an international force during this campaign, though faces stiff competition from Pierre Schoeman, Jean-Baptiste Gros, and Danilo Fischetti.
Hooker: Ronan Kelleher, Ireland
Kelleher perhaps operated under the radar for Ireland yet demonstrated why he is such a fine deputy to Dan Sheehan. He averaged three metres per carry to showcase his power and contributed 17 tackles. Giacomo Nicotera performed well for Italy aside from one moment of madness that resulted in a sin bin.
Tighthead prop: Zander Fagerson, Scotland
Credit must go to D'Arcy Rae for giving Scotland a strong start, and to Gregor Townsend for holding Fagerson in reserve before introducing his top prop just before half time. The tighthead moved around the park superbly, producing eight carries and nine tackles in 40 minutes while continuing to stabilise the scrum.
Second Row Forwards
Lock: Niccolo Cannone, Italy
It's challenging to separate an Italian lock triumvirate that grew in stature during the Rome victory. Andrea Zambonin and Federico Ruzza, who particularly impressed at the lineout, were equally crucial components in this significant win. Cannone played the full 80 minutes, however, resourcing rucks until the very last moment. Like Nicotera, Maro Itoje's overall candidacy for inclusion is spoiled by a strange and cynical action.
Lock: Emmanuel Meafou, France
Meafou necessitates inclusion having transformed France's dimension after being introduced from the bench. Simply put, the visitors missed his sheer size in Edinburgh, and his offloading game after arriving caused plenty of problems. It is a concern for Scotland that starting lock pair Cummings and Gregor Brown are serious injury doubts for their final day trip to Dublin.
Back Row Forwards
Blindside flanker: Alex Mann, Wales
A tireless tackling performance from Mann against Ireland saw the flanker make 32 hits in total, characterising a gutsy, gritty Welsh display. His intercept of Jamison Gibson-Park on his own line saved seven points. After a difficult period, Wales appear to have discovered a pack with the physical edge to compete at Test level.
Openside flanker: Manuel Zuliani, Italy
Numerous players in Italian blue come close to making this forward pack, and all three of their back row might have merited inclusion. Zuliani, though, is enjoying a storming tournament, proving again to be a breakdown nuisance and thumping hitter in the defensive line. Oscar Jegou was one of France's best, though an ugly incident with Ewan Ashman may require further investigation.
No 8: Jack Conan, Ireland
Are we being sneaky by including a man who wore the six shirt at No 8? Yes, but it is our team of the week, so we make the rules. Conan was stationed at the base of scrums several times during Ireland's win over Wales. His heft proved mightily useful in eventually getting the hosts over the line.
Half-Backs
Scrum half: Ben White, Scotland
Scotland's speed of ball was a key component of their success against France, with more than half of their rucks cleared within three seconds. White's whippy passing maintained a serious tempo that the visitors could not match.
Fly half: Finn Russell, Scotland
A wonderfully balanced performance from a great illustrator picking his passes perfectly. Russell was tidy from the tee as well, which ultimately proved crucial in denying France a second bonus point.
Three-Quarters
Left wing: Kyle Steyn, Scotland
Outstanding all year as leader and player for Glasgow, Steyn has carried that form into a Six Nations where he has reached new heights. Such a well-rounded operator, he beats out Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Monty Ioane for this position.
Inside centre: Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland
Tuipulotu enjoyed a famous day as Scotland captain, leading from the front to showcase his triple-threat skillset in attack particularly. Scotland used the same attacking shape to cut France on three occasions with different variations featuring Tuipulotu at the apex.
Outside centre: Tommaso Menoncello, Italy
Menoncello may wear the No 12 on his back but he interchanges often in partnership with Juan Ignacio Brex, moving to outside centre after Leonardo Marin's introduction. Besides, we simply couldn't leave an unstoppable force out. Menoncello's outstanding line cracked England open in the first half before providing another enormous impact in the history-making try.
Right wing: Darcy Graham, Scotland
Benched at the tournament's start, Graham appears back to his vibrant, confident best and consistently troubled the French defence. He works exceptionally well with Huw Jones and Blair Kinghorn, connecting effectively in the wide channels.
Full-Back
Full-back: Lorenzo Pani, Italy
Rock solid at the back, Pani delivered another composed performance in place of Ange Capuozzo. Italy's display was all the more impressive given the players they are missing, from Jacopo Trulla and Edoardo Todaro in the back three to Seb Negri, Marco Riccioni, Ross Vintcent, and Gianmarco Lucchesi up front.
