Who were your choice players from 1 to 15 in week four of the Six Nations

Well I think all in all its been a good Six Nations so far, unless you are French where i haven't seen many positives outside of the front row and the inside centre.

That said we all have seen ups and downs in our own teams, positives and negatives.

The exciting thing for all of us rugby fans despite our nationality is the fact that there are some great new players for us to swoon over each weekend and for the future too.

This championship is very much one that alludes to what will happen in the future not the present despite your teams current standing, a very positive championship in that respect that hopefully will be a pointer to the coaches of what they have to work with and what they have to expect over the next RWC cycle.

Who are your stand out players after round 4...?


USUAL GENTLEMANLY RULES APPLY, DO NOT CRITICISE SOMEONE ELSE TEAM SELECTION UNTIL YOU HAVE POSTED YOUR OWN...!!!

15. Rob Kearney

14. Alex Cuthbert

13. Jon Davies

12. Wesley Fofana

11. Andrew Trimble

10. Owen Farrell

9. Eoin Reddan

8. Ben Morgan

7. Simone Favaro

6. Tom Croft

5. Donacha Ryan

4. Richie Gray

3. Nicholas Mas

2. Rory Best

1. Gethin Jenkins

maestegmafia wrote:15. Rob Kearney

14. Alex Cuthbert

13. Jon Davies

12. Wesley Fofana

11. Andrew Trimble

10. Owen Farrell

9. Eoin Reddan

8. Ben Morgan

7. Simone Favaro

6. Tom Croft

5. Donacha Ryan

4. Richie Gray

3. Nicholas Mas

2. Rory Best

1. Gethin Jenkins

My only change would be Foden for Kearney. Foden was great against France and Kearney also got dummied by a 2nd row. Ok the 2nd row was Richie Gray but he did look like a bit of a pillock.

Kearney
Cuthbert
Tuilagi
Roberts
foden
Farrell
Dickson
Morgan
Tipuric
Ferris
Gray
Ryan
Cole
Best
Healy

Edited for Tipuric over POM and foden squeezed in on the wing over lack of other candidates.

1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Nicolas Mas
4. Richie Gray
5. Donnacha Ryan
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Ben Morgan
9. Lee Dickson
10. Owen Farrell
11. George North
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Rob Kearney

Surprised to see Mas included. The only Frenchman who would be anywhere near for is Fofana.

Having said that Barritt was better than Fofana, and Cole was better than Mas.

Can't pick a full side as haven't seen the other two matches.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Surprised to see Mas included. The only Frenchman who would be anywhere near for is Fofana.

Having said that Barritt was better than Fofana, and Cole was better than Mas.

Can't pick a full side as haven't seen the other two matches.

What is your team Ozzy ???

1. Cian Healy

2. Rory Best

3. Adam Jones

4. Richie Gray

5. Ian Evans

6. Croft

7. Favaro

8. Morgan

9. Dickson

10. Farrell

11. Trimble

12. Davies

13. Barritt

14. Cuthbert

15. Foden

I was a big fan of foden...but im starting to waver a bit...im starting to think he's a one trick pony....he runs the ball back on EVERY kick....and 9/10 times gets isolated...

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:My only change would be Foden for Kearney. Foden was great against France and Kearney also got dummied by a 2nd row. Ok the 2nd row was Richie Gray but he did look like a bit of a pillock.

Reminded me of this vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7YFIk7wHNU

maestegmafia wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Surprised to see Mas included. The only Frenchman who would be anywhere near for is Fofana.

Having said that Barritt was better than Fofana, and Cole was better than Mas.

Can't pick a full side as haven't seen the other two matches.

What is your team Ozzy ???

As I said, I can't pick a full side, as I only saw one game due to working this weekend.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Surprised to see Mas included. The only Frenchman who would be anywhere near for is Fofana.

Having said that Barritt was better than Fofana, and Cole was better than Mas.

Can't pick a full side as haven't seen the other two matches.

What is your team Ozzy ???

As I said, I can't pick a full side, as I only saw one game due to working this weekend.

No problem, sorry to hear you missed all the rugby life can be a blwdi curse sometimes eh...!

1. Healy
2. Best
3. Cole
4. Gray
5. Ryan (though I was tempted to put Parling)
6. Croft
7. Favaro
8. Morgan
9. Blair
10. Sexton
11. Trimble
12. Roberts
13. Tuilagi
14. Cuthbert
15. Kearney

Incidently, I thought Farrell had an good game but some of his kicking from hand was pretty woeful. I also think that there should maybe be more Irish names in there, but the England game was so exciting that it kind of blocks the memory of the Ireland game, which was not so exciting due to its being a bit one sided. It was also hard to judge the Wales game as it often is when sides play Italy, but I felt Roberts and Cuthbert stood out.

screamingaddabs wrote:It was also hard to judge the Wales game as it often is when sides play Italy, but I felt Roberts and Cuthbert stood out.

Your inclusion of the mighty Favaro says it all about the Wales vs Italy match, he was everywhere. Great player in a very talented back row.

15. Foden

14. Alex Cuthbert

13. Jon Davies

12. Fitzgerald

11. North

10. Owen Farrell

9. Eoin Reddan

8. Ben Morgan

7. Simone Favaro

6. Tom Croft

5. Donacha Ryan

4. Richie Gray

3. Corbisiero

2. Rory Best

1. Gethin Jenkins

maestegmafia wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:It was also hard to judge the Wales game as it often is when sides play Italy, but I felt Roberts and Cuthbert stood out.

Your inclusion of the mighty Favaro says it all about the Wales vs Italy match, he was everywhere. Great player in a very talented back row.

Aye, he did have a good game, but I nearly forgot about him for some reason! It was only when I was thinking "there aren't any Italians in my side" that I suddenly had a moment of clarity.

15-9 Kearney, Cuthbert, Tuilagi, Fofana, Trimble, Farrell, Semenzato
1-8 Healy, Best, Cole, Evans, Gray, Zanni, Tipuric, Parisse.

Glas...

Would you really have Zanni over Croft based on yesterdays performances?

15 - Pugh
14 - Pugh
13 - Barney McGrew
12 - Cuthbert
11 - Dibble
10 Grubb
9 - Sam

Only Cuthbert in the back line for me

Haven't managed to watch all the games yet but I'll be picking Stephen Ferris at 6 ......

GeordieFalcon wrote:Glas...

Would you really have Zanni over Croft based on yesterdays performances?

Parisse would not be able to function without him

Different types of performance of course and I think Croft's try was excellent.

You know, big Stevie Ferris made about 20% of Irelands tackles in that game... just saying.

yes and also tried to take peoples heads off whilst clearing out. A word to the wise, he better watch himself on that.

Notch wrote:You know, big Stevie Ferris made about 20% of Irelands tackles in that game... just saying.

I thought he was awesome Notch, best player on the pitch by a mile. No disrespect to Ryan who was very impressive but Ferris should have been motm.

1.Healy
2.Best
3.Jones
4.Gray
5.Ryan
6.Croft
7.Tipuric
8.Morgan

9.Dickson
10.Farrell
11.Trimble
12.Fofana
13.Tuilagi
14.Cuthbert
15.Kearny

Ive been a massive critic of Croft...but the last two games he has been very impressive.

I would have him at 6 this week over Zanni, Ferris or Lydiate.

well done

I thought Fofana was awful - butchered 2 try scoring opportunities by not passing

Maybe France's backline problems stem from the fact that they are playing two wingers in the centres!

Croft, Ferris or Lydiate??? One is a flyer, one is a monster and one is a tackling machine. That's going to be a difficult one for the Lions should they all be in this sort of form next year.

I also find the all the Morgan love surprising. The break and offload were indeed sublime and may well be a good sign for the future but I just cant remember him doing much else

mr_stonelea wrote:Croft, Ferris or Lydiate??? One is a flyer, one is a monster and one is a tackling machine. That's going to be a difficult one for the Lions should they all be in this sort of form next year.

Well Ferris ticks all three of those boxes actually He is the fastest irish player over 10m, he is most definitely a monster, and he has made more tackles than Lydiate this 6 nations (plus much bigger ones), first match not included as Lydiate was not playing. I know Croft scored a try and had a really good game, but I think Ferris has been incredible. Also, in defence of Glas, Zanni I think is so underrated. Really good player.

mr_stonelea wrote:Croft, Ferris or Lydiate??? One is a flyer, one is a monster and one is a tackling machine. That's going to be a difficult one for the Lions should they all be in this sort of form next year.

Flyer, monster, tackling machine - good description of Ferris.

Rory - I take it your love affair with this french team is finally over

Cole, Hartley and Corbs were at the least the equal of the much vaunted French front row and towards the end they dominated them. Why have so few people gone for them? Especially Cole, he is playing like an extra flanker these days.

15. Kearney
14. Cuthbert
13. Tuilagi
12. Sexton
11. Trimble
10. Farrell
9. Dickson
8. Harinordoquy
7. Favaro
6. Ferris
5. Ryan
4. Gray
3. Jones
2. Best
1. Healy

RubyGuby wrote:

3. Corbisiero

Corbisiero is a Loosehead not a tighthead and he didnt have a very good game, was getting a pasting off Mas in the scrums.

RubyGuby wrote:Rory - I take it your love affair with this french team is finally over

We already talked about this last weekend.. do you not remember the answer I gave? Because it is still the same answer.

RubyGuby wrote:I thought Fofana was awful - butchered 2 try scoring opportunities by not passing

+1. But he took his try very well. Maybe he should be used a winger!

lostinwales wrote:I also find the all the Morgan love surprising. The break and offload were indeed sublime and may well be a good sign for the future but I just cant remember him doing much else

There were a few strong carries and takes as well, but I agree I thought that Harinordiquay was the best 8 I watched this weekend

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Cole, Hartley and Corbs were at the least the equal of the much vaunted French front row and towards the end they dominated them. Why have so few people gone for them? Especially Cole, he is playing like an extra flanker these days.

I thought they were poor, in the scrum and in the loose. Hartley was penalised at least twice for standing up, Cole for a bind and Corbisiero had an awful day trying to deal with Mas.

15. Rob Kearney - Excellent under high ball, some good breaks. Lee Halfpenny also outstanding.
14. Alex Cuthbert - Great start on the international scene, taken some good tries.
13. Manusamoa Tuilagi - Great try at the weekend, always gains good ground and batters his opposite number.
12. Wesley Fofana - Another great starter to the international scene, made tries out of nothing.
11. George North - Similar kind of destructive force as Tuilagi, always a danger with ball.
10. Owen Farrell - Tackles, kicks and distributes well. Great future ahead.
9. Mike Phillips - None of the 9s have really stood out this year. Played well.
8. David Denton - Man is a unit, playing well making breaks and tackling well.
7. Ross Rennie - Another great performing Scotish back rower
6. Warbuton - Injured, but still brilliant in his three matches. Stand out moment being the try stopping tackle on Tuilagi.
5. Donacha Ryan - No other stand out really.
4. Richie Gray - Class act, enough said.
3. Jones
2. Rory Best - Taken two good tries
1. Healy - Not sure here, seems to have a lack of discipline.

I had a rehearsal/concert day on Saturday and only saw the very end of Ireland Scotland and missed Italy Wales. I'd imagine that at the very least Harinordiquay & Croft would get into the team, maybe Foden, maybe Fofana or Tuilagai (both had flawed games though), maybe Parling, maybe Farrell, maybe Parra

15 - Foden (thought both Kerney & Halfpenny were quiet by there usual standards)
14 - Cuthbert
13 - Tuilagi
12 - Roberts
11 - Trimble
10 - Farrell
9 - Reddan
1 - Healy
2 - Szarzewski
3 - Cole
4 - Grey
5 - Ryan
6 - Ferris (just from Croft)
7 - Favaro
8 - Hairy Donkey

Harsh on the Welsh front row who were very good in the scrum. Couple of players who stood out for being poor in my opinion were Gordon D'rcy, Ross Ford (based on captaincy) and Julien Dupuy. There were others as well but these really stood out.

B91212 you thought that Kearney was quiet? Surprised by that!

I thought Kearney was very good.

Fofana?

No. Not a team player in the slightest and therefore shouldn't be included in one until he realises a team performance isn't about personal records.

If the lions were going this summer this is how I would see it.

1. Healy/Jenkins- Corbisiero is unlucky here. Very competitive spot.
2. Best pips Ford after the weekend but both travel. Hartley or Rees next in line.
3. Adam jones- no brainer for me. Outstanding player. Dan cole probably back up.
4. Gray- peerless
5. POC- I think he will be picked based on his experience and leadership. Would be happy with charters, Davies or Parling if his form continues
6. Ferris- peerless. Lydiate is very good and croft can add something but he is as nailed on as warburton.
7. Warburton (c)- he has earned a massive amount of respect since becoming welsh captain. Rennie has been good but needs more time to really challenge.
8. Cant choose. Very open with Heaslip, Denton, faletau and now Morgan providing options. Not to mention the possibility of using Sean O'brien here.
9. Phillips- I prefer nippier scrum halves with a better pass but there is no doubting his ability. Dickson or Blair backing him up.
10. Farrell- I think people are expecting too much from him and not giving him enough credit. He has performed admirably since at 10. Sexton may force his way in and Priestland needs to rediscover form.
11. North- nailed on. Frighteningly physical
12. Roberts- he thrived on the last lions tour and could do so again
13. Tuilagi- earls is growing into the roll and bod isn't done but he is monstrously physical.
14. Bowe- try scorer supreme and another who thrived on the last tour.
15. Kearney- ludicrously good under the high ball and picking holes in defences for fun. Halfpenny has a great claim here as well though. Foden too if he finds form.

maestegmafia wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Cole, Hartley and Corbs were at the least the equal of the much vaunted French front row and towards the end they dominated them. Why have so few people gone for them? Especially Cole, he is playing like an extra flanker these days.

I thought they were poor, in the scrum and in the loose. Hartley was penalised at least twice for standing up, Cole for a bind and Corbisiero had an awful day trying to deal with Mas.

maesteg, I've seen you posted before that you thought the England front row were poor. I agree with WPI's comments above. I thought they coped well enough with their French opposition. I guess we'll just have to disagree. Totally disagree that Corbs had an "awful day".

Standulstermen wrote:
11. North- nailed on. Frighteningly physical
12. Roberts- he thrived on the last lions tour and could do so again
13. Tuilagi- earls is growing into the roll and bod isn't done but he is monstrously physical.
14. Bowe- try scorer supreme and another who thrived on the last tour.
15. Kearney- ludicrously good under the high ball and picking holes in defences for fun. Halfpenny has a great claim here as well though. Foden too if he finds form.

Lions certainly wouldn't stuggle for size there With Cuthbert as possible back-up as well if he continues to develop as quickly as he has!

I think there are certain people who really embrace the lions tour and ethos. Jamie Roberts and tommy Bowe were perfect examples of this last time i felt. It could bring the best out of certain players.