Six Nations Team of the Round – Week Three

15 – Delon Armitage (ENG) one of England's best players,  who has a great kicking boot and solid placement.  One of the few shining lights in an otherwise confused-looking English attack

14 – Simon Danielli (SCO) a genuine attacking force scored a magical try and can put a man in space.  He will challenge for a berth to South Africa later in the year.

Centre three-way tie –

Tom Shanklin (WAL) a destructive runner that always straightens the attack. He is getting better with age.

Brian O’Driscoll (IRE) drops goals now!  After a quiet few months, the great man is back to his best.

Matheiu Bastareaud (FRA) had an impressive debut. He is a monstrous presence in the midfield.

11 – Shane Williams (WAL) did not  have his best performance, but still a class-above attack.  Despite his size, he is a canny and tenacious defender.

10 – Francois Trinh-Duc (FRA) was good enough to justify a starting position. He used his runners very well and guided the Les Bleus around as a stand off should.

9 – Mike Blair (SCO) had his best performance so far, but he is still not quite a Lions certainty.  He will want to show his wares against a team with more class than Italy showed.

8 – Imanol Harinordoquy (FRA) was the player of the week, a master class from the Biarritz flanker.  Tackling, jumping, and running, this is how a number eight should play

7 – Martyn Williams (WAL) is just ageless, did well to slow down a firing French back row.  He was on the back foot, but was the one player that made the Welsh ruck competitive.

6 – Thierry Dusautoir (FRA) is not a class all-round flanker, but he is a vicious hound in defence.  His cover defence work is unequalled by any player in the world.

5 – Paul O’Connell (IRE) is heading towards possible Lions captaincy.  He had an imposing performance in the air, and he was a red-headed beacon of destruction in the loose.

4 – Lional Nallet (FRA) had his best performance as captain--strong in the air, titanic work rate.  This was a performance where he justified his selection as leader.

3 – Euan Murray (SCO) showed why he is so highly rated, an absolute immovable force in the scrums.  Will want to impress against his fellow home nations in the closing weeks.

2 – Dimitri Szarzewski (FRA) had a great hooker's performance. He  was old school at the contact area putting in a work rate expected of a loose forward not a tight one.

1 – Gethin Jenkins (WAL) was strong against his illustrious French props who both put pressure on the Welsh front row.  He affected ruck turnovers and supported the ruck better than most.