Team of round 1

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:My stab at it :

15. Hogg - Made a lot of ground against France.
14. Watson - Great performance
13. Bennett - Try saving tackles and an eye for a gap
12. Henshaw - Agreed noone put their hands up at 12 this weekend
11. Thomas - Everytime he got the ball he looked dangerous.
10. Russell - Honorable mention to Ford here but Russel looked more threatening despite being in the losing team.
9. Webb - One of the beacons of hope from Wales.

8. Faletau - Instrumental in turning around what was certain to be an English penalty into a Welsh try from that disintegrating Scrum.
7. Robshaw - Absolutely outstanding.
6. Dusatoir - One of the reasons France dominated the breakdown, a menace at every contact area.
5. Gray Jr - 19 Tackles made 0 missed 2 lineouts stolen 4 recieved. Take a bow
4. Krus - Had never heard of him before. I certainly have now.
3. Murray - Our veteran prop had a hand in all of the points we scored in Paris. Nice to see him dominating other loosies again.
2. Ghiraldini - Whatever was going wrong in Rome for the Azzuri, had nothing to do with Ghiraldini. 17 tackles made and a pretty consistent lineout.
1. Marler - I was impressed with Marler at the weekend. He was part of an English front row that all could have made my team of round 1 pick.

feel free to tell me how wrong I am... even more so if you are brave enough to post up your picks yourself.

15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland): It wasn't the perfect performance from Hogg in Paris, as he put a couple of kicks out on the full and missed one straight-up tackle on Yoann Huget which would have led to a try but for the desperate intervention of Mark Bennett. Still, he was probably the most dangerous player with ball in hand across the opening weekend, constantly making ground, most notably when he left Rabah Slimani grasping at thin air with one early break. Rob Kearney also caused Italy problems when he counter-attacked.

14 Anthony Watson (England): The Bath speedster scored his first Test try in another impressive performance in an eye-catching season so far. The 20-year-old looked dangerous whenever the ball came his way.

13 Mathieu Bastareaud (France): A tough choice here in an outstanding weekend for outside centres. Jonathan Joseph is unlucky to miss out after a top-notch display in Cardiff that included an impressive try while Mark Bennett was excellent in Paris. But 'Basta' was at his bulldozing best, smashing players out the way all evening. Tellingly, he showed great skills in defence too, winning two crucial turnovers.

12 Robbie Henshaw (Ireland): He's been talked up as the successor to Brian O'Driscoll, but what this weekend showed was that the talented Connacht centre is a very different sort of player. His powerful, direct running style was a constant threat, and he seemed to get over the gainline at will. Add in the 15 tackles he made in midfield, and it was an impressive display in his Six Nations debut. A little later in Paris Alex Dunbar did a very good job shackling Wesley Fofana although he was less visible in attack than some of his teammates in the three-quarters.

11 Teddy Thomas (France): This was a bit of a selection by default, with no left wingers particularly impressing in Round One. Thomas had few opportunities to really run with the ball, but did manage to make a couple of nice breaks and offloads. His defensive frailties, that were visible in November, were less apparent here and overall it was a solid Six Nations debut.

10 George Ford (England): A mention for Finn Russell, who has a bright future, but Ford gets the nod for guiding the English attack to victory. He also showed he can be trusted to defend his channel and was reliable enoigh from the tee.

9 Conor Murray (Ireland): An injury doubt in the build-up to the tournament, Murray showed none of the rustiness that might have been expected as controlled things for Ireland. With Ian Keatley understandably a little nervous in the biggest game of his career, Murray took charge, and even chipped in with the first try as Ireland completely dominated possession in the second half. In Cardiff Ben Youngs justified his inclusion for England with an accomplished display, linking up nicely with George Ford.

8 Taulupe Faletau (Wales): The Welsh number eight was the one member of he red-clad pack to emerge with his reputation intact. As the top tackler in Cardiff, he was superb on defence and set up his team's only try with a great offload. A mention too for Faletau's opposite number, and cousin, Billy Vunipola, who was England's chief ball carrier.

7 Tommy O'Donnell (Ireland): Handed the starting spot minutes before the kick-off, O'Donnell took his opportunity with both hands as he helped Ireland to a comfortable opening day win. Beyond his barnstorming run for the second Irish try, he was also tireless in defence, making all 13 of his tackles. He just edges out Chris Robshaw, who was outstanding defensively for England, racking up 26 tackles in a stunning defensive effort. Blair Cowan also shone for the Scots, but gave away too many penalties.

6 James Haskell (England): Many pundits' vote for the player of the weekend, Haskell played one of his best games ever in an England jersey. Combined with the incredible work rate, he's playing smart rugby, and was a real menace for Wales at the breakdown. A mention for Bernard le Roux, who topped the French tackle stats in Paris.

5 Jonny Gray (Scotland): It's becoming clear that the younger Gray brother is going to be the better player, and once again the 20-year-old was absolutely everywhere around the park. With 19 tackles, two lineout steals and countless clearouts, the Glasgow second row was one of the standouts in the Scottish pack. If he continues on this trajectory, he'll be a Lions starter in New Zealand in two years' time.

4 Dave Attwood (England): Much had been made of the big names missing from the England team, but Attwood's performance was testament to the depth of their second-row stocks. Combative and intensely physical, Attwood made his presence felt. A mention for up-and-coming George Biagi, who tackled his heart out in Rome.

3 Euan Murray (Scotland): Arguably the most contentious call by Vern Cotter this weekend was to give Murray the start at tighthead over Geoff Cross. The veteran Glasgow prop didn't disappoint though, playing a role in all of Scotland's points as he earned an early penalty at scrum-time, before delivering the final pass to Dougie Fife for their try. He will be missed against Wales. That Welsh pack arrives at Murrayfield after being given a torrid time by Dan Cole. Barely back from injury, the Leicester prop was outstanding in the set-piece and as much of a nuisance as ever at the breakdown.

2 Guilhem Guirado (France): A tireless effort from the Toulon hooker, who was all over the park and made a telling contribution in the rucks. 10 tackles is a solid effort for a front-rower.

1 Joe Marler (England): Arguably the most highly-anticipated battle of the weekend was between Marler and Wales tighthead Samson Lee. While Cole did more damage on the other side of the scrum, Marler had the edge on Lee in the set-piece, while also playing his part around the park. Jack McGrath also did well, filling in for Cian Healy, but the three penalties he gave away count against him.

quinsforever wrote:too many scots on your team for me based on this weekends viewing alone radge

15 Brown - made more ground (93m) against Wales, beat more defenders and turned over the ball less, and also created a delight try for watson
14 Watson - surreal catches in the air of contested high balls plus a beautiful try
13 Joseph - scored a try against arguably the best 12/13 combo in NH rugby
12 no-one stood out
11 Thomas - made 60 yds from 8 carries
10 Ford - 7 tackles made vs 1 missed - and he was targeted by faletau, roberts several times and davies. Russell 10 tackles made, 3 missed.
9 Youngs - made more metres than Murray with a lot less ball. made lots of tackles, missed none, and got a try assist. Against Wales.
8 Chouly. 36m of carries. faletau was lucky not to get penalised for picking the ball from middle of scrum while on knees. cant really give him credit for a failure of the refs.
7 Haskell - carried almost double the combined metreage of the whole welsh back row.
6 Robshaw - 26 tackles!
5 Gray - metres gained, tackles, set piece
4 Gray - metres gained, tackles, set piece
3 Cole
2 Hartley - front row of the weekend unquestionably. set piece dominance, plus open play dominance (welsh front row in 13 carries made only 2m!). in spite of hartley brain fart after catching the lineout overthrow
1 Marler

quinsforever wrote:its a stat. its only useless if used incorrectly. which is why in browns case i also mentioned he beat more defenders and turned over the ball less. he also kicked less.

france kicked 28 times from hand, wales 32. not so different.
hogg kicked 10 times. brown 6 times.

was chouly hanging back catching kicks? i remember him carrying alot in open play, but not hanging back catching kicks.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Metres gained is fairly useless stat - it is usually just an indication of how often a team kicks to the opposition's back 3.  Number 8s often have large metres gained stats because they sit deep and rubg back kicks.

Metres gained over the gainline is probably a more useful stat!

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Metres gained is fairly useless stat - it is usually just an indication of how often a team kicks to the opposition's back 3.  Number 8s often have large metres gained stats because they sit deep and rubg back kicks.

Metres gained over the gainline is probably a more useful stat!

Totally agree. The stats are total nonsense in this respect. Apparently Beattie made some yards, but none of them forwards and when he did tend to stray towards the opposition try line, he dropped the ball.

Parisse is another who benefits from stats like this. He loves all the show pony stuff hanging back to receive the ball, but the real question is how many yards he makes past the advantage line, or the first tackle or attempted tackle.

Fluxy wrote:This image was on the guardian website, and I think you can work out the most effective ball carriers from this graph. 

quinsforever wrote:too many scots on your team for me based on this weekends viewing alone radge

15 Brown - made more ground (93m) against Wales, beat more defenders and turned over the ball less, and also created a delight try for watson
14 Watson - surreal catches in the air of contested high balls plus a beautiful try
13 Joseph - scored a try against arguably the best 12/13 combo in NH rugby
12 no-one stood out
11 Thomas - made 60 yds from 8 carries
10 Ford - 7 tackles made vs 1 missed - and he was targeted by faletau, roberts several times and davies. Russell 10 tackles made, 3 missed.
9 Youngs - made more metres than Murray with a lot less ball. made lots of tackles, missed none, and got a try assist. Against Wales.
8 Chouly. 36m of carries. faletau was lucky not to get penalised for picking the ball from middle of scrum while on knees. cant really give him credit for a failure of the refs.
7 Haskell - carried almost double the combined metreage of the whole welsh back row.
6 Robshaw - 26 tackles!
5 Gray - metres gained, tackles, set piece
4 Gray - metres gained, tackles, set piece
3 Cole
2 Hartley - front row of the weekend unquestionably. set piece dominance, plus open play dominance (welsh front row in 13 carries made only 2m!). in spite of hartley brain fart after catching the lineout overthrow
1 Marler

RDW_Scotland wrote:Teams of the week are obviously subjective, but for me team of the week means the best individual in every position.  So it doesn't matter whether the team won or not - no one would doubt Sergio Parisse's qualities even though Italy lose all the time!

Poorfour wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Teams of the week are obviously subjective, but for me team of the week means the best individual in every position.  So it doesn't matter whether the team won or not - no one would doubt Sergio Parisse's qualities even though Italy lose all the time!

Yes - but as a start point for making those subjective decisions, a winning performance against strong opposition is always likely to mean more than a comfortable win over weaker opposition. So it's not unreasonable that English players were highlighted more than Irish ones this week. I'd not be at all surprised - assuming victories for both - if the situation is reversed come next Monday

RDW_Scotland wrote:Teams of the week are obviously subjective, but for me team of the week means the best individual in every position.  So it doesn't matter whether the team won or not - no one would doubt Sergio Parisse's qualities even though Italy lose all the time!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I have certainly not seen too many posters on here sticking their necks out to name their teams of the week

SecretFly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I have certainly not seen too many posters on here sticking their necks out to name their teams of the week

Is it a courage exercise?  A big balls exercise now to name a 'Best' team?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I have certainly not seen too many posters on here sticking their necks out to name their teams of the week

Is it a courage exercise?  A big balls exercise now to name a 'Best' team?

Yeah maybe a little, especially after seeing some of the flak some posters are taking from those who haven't posted up their own!

SecretFly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I have certainly not seen too many posters on here sticking their necks out to name their teams of the week

Is it a courage exercise?  A big balls exercise now to name a 'Best' team?

Yeah maybe a little, especially after seeing some of the flak some posters are taking from those who haven't posted up their own!

Well for my part - I ain't throwing flak, I'm simply saying 'selections' are always subjective - always so.  
Therefore giving them is kinda just opening up youself to the taunt that you didn't choose Brown because he's English/Welsh/Irish yada, yada, yada drawmah!!!.  

That ain't courage that's required to provide lists - it's blatant suicidal tendancies

SecretFly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I have certainly not seen too many posters on here sticking their necks out to name their teams of the week

Is it a courage exercise?  A big balls exercise now to name a 'Best' team?

Yeah maybe a little, especially after seeing some of the flak some posters are taking from those who haven't posted up their own!

Well for my part - I ain't throwing flak, I'm simply saying 'selections' are always subjective - always so.  
Therefore giving them is kinda just opening up youself to the taunt that you didn't choose Brown because he's English/Welsh/Irish yada, yada, yada drawmah!!!.  

That ain't courage that's required to provide lists - it's blatant suicidal tendancies

sirtidychris wrote:1 Massive French islander substitute- because he was more massive - than the South African he replaced...
2 Hibbard- for rocking the chesney hawkes look still in 2015
3 Cole for his come back
4 Jake Ball –beautiful beard on one so young
5 Massive French islander substitute- because he was even more massive - Than the South African he replaced....
6 Croft-lovely pine warming, 100% completion rate
7 Tipuric- for staying away from a game he would have made a difference in
8 Easter- he’s back !

9 Murray- first six nations try
10 Lopez- for being a French fly half and not being awful
11 Cuthbert- for being the largest invisible man in rugby
12 Twelvetrees- looked like he had his spinach before he came on, great impact and still best surname.
13 Joseph-covering himself in butter worked a treat for that try
14 North- Got knocked out twice and stayed on
15 Hogg- exciting, unpredictable, angry little man

GeordieFalcon wrote:

sirtidychris wrote:1 Massive French islander substitute- because he was more massive - than the South African he replaced...
2 Hibbard- for rocking the chesney hawkes look still in 2015
3 Cole for his come back
4 Jake Ball –beautiful beard on one so young
5 Massive French islander substitute- because he was even more massive - Than the South African he replaced....
6 Croft-lovely pine warming, 100% completion rate
7 Tipuric- for staying away from a game he would have made a difference in
8 Easter- he’s back !

9 Murray- first six nations try
10 Lopez- for being a French fly half and not being awful
11 Cuthbert- for being the largest invisible man in rugby
12 Twelvetrees- looked like he had his spinach before he came on, great impact and still best surname.
13 Joseph-covering himself in butter worked a treat for that try
14 North- Got knocked out twice and stayed on
15 Hogg- exciting, unpredictable, angry little man

Fixed that...

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I have certainly not seen too many posters on here sticking their necks out to name their teams of the week

sirtidychris wrote:1 Massive French islander substitute- because he was massive
2 Hibbard- for rocking the chesney hawkes look still in 2015
3 Cole for his come back
4 Jake Ball –beautiful beard on one so young
5 Massive French islander substitute- because he was even more massive
6 Croft-lovely pine warming, 100% completion rate
7 Tipuric- for staying away from a game he would have made a difference in
8 Easter- he’s back !

9 Murray- first six nations try
10 Lopez- for being a French fly half and not being awful
11 Cuthbert- for being the largest invisible man in rugby
12 Twelvetrees- looked like he had his spinach before he came on, great impact and still best surname.
13 Joseph-covering himself in butter worked a treat for that try
14 North- Got knocked out twice and stayed on
15 Hogg- exciting, unpredictable, angry little man