Six Nations 2015: Best XV for Week 1 of Competition
With a stunner in Cardiff followed by two rather stodgier affairs, the Six Nations opening weekend had a bit of everything.
The tournament is looking wide open after the first round of fixtures. England defied the odds to topple Wales, while favourites Ireland did not dazzle in Rome.
Scotland look vastly improved and came close to taking a French scalp, so they will be hotly awaiting Wales in Edinburgh next week. Meanwhile, France will go to Dublin, sniffing a win that will fill them with a confidence that was lacking last year.
Here is the best XV of Round 1.
Back Three
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15. Mike Brown
Brown was safe under the Welsh bombardment, and his delicate kick for Watson’s try highlighted the footballing skill he has to go with his abrasiveness.
14. Anthony Watson
Watson looked a little unsure of himself during the autumn at this level, but on Friday he seemed infinitely more at home as an England wing. He took his try brilliantly and was always in the right place when fielding kicks. His fast feet caused Wales a few problems on the counterattack, too.
11. Simon Zebo
Zebo positioned himself well in defence and offered glimpses of his attacking menace in Rome. It was not really a day for the fleet of foot to escape a game full of stodge, but he did what he had to do well.
Centres
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13. Jonathan Joseph
Joseph has been magical for Bath this season, and he carried his stardust with him to the Millennium Stadium. His try featured a lightning-fast step to avoid Dan Biggar before showcasing his slipperiness in evading the grasp of George North. It's hard to see a reason for relegating him when others are fit.
12. Luther Burrell
It was only a few short weeks ago that Jamie Roberts handed Burrell a lesson as the Lion ran riot over Northampton for Racing Metro. The Saints man had his revenge not by bulldozing his opposite man but with a consummate, assured display in the England inside centre position. Roberts was quiet all night.
Half Backs
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10. George Ford
With Owen Farrell’s absence from this championship, George Ford has the chance to make the England No. 10 shirt his own.
He started well, with a performance that laid a few worries about his size as a defender to rest, and he answered any doubts about his ability to recover from the odd missed goal kick. Those kicking stats will get better under the tutelage of Dave Alred, per The Independent.
Meanwhile, the Bath man looked confident in attack and was able to nail his points when he had the chance to seal a famous England win.
9. Ben Youngs
This time last year it looked like Danny Care would take some shifting from England’s No. 9 shirt. A fit again Youngs has done just that and ploughed vast sums of credit into his account on Friday night with outstanding kicking accuracy and solid service.
Kudos go to Rhys Webb and Conor Murray for scoring tries and playing well, but Youngs had the tallest order to fulfill.
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Back Row
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8. Billy Vunipola
Ian Malin of The Guardian rated this as Vunipola’s best game in an England shirt. It was certainly pleasing to see him play the whole thing. He was strong in the carry and solid in defence; he was a key part of the England effort.
7. Chris Robshaw
The battle at the breakdown was a crucial one, and Robshaw matched Sam Warburton there. His leadership was also tested, even before kick-off, as he held his nerve in the tunnel, waiting for the home side rather than lead his men into the freezing Cardiff night to hang around for the hosts.
A steady hand on the tiller was required once again after his side was 10-0 down in the blink of an eye. He also ruled the tackle count with a body-bruising 26 in total.
6. James Haskell
Haskell has been terrific all season for Wasps and rightfully earned plaudits as the best back rower in the Premiership this season. He carried that swagger into Cardiff and performed brilliantly against an all-Lions back row.
His one blip was the attempt at a tackle on Taulupe Faletau that led to a try, but other than that he was magnificent. He was busy in defence and a constant menace with the ball in hand. If he had spun the other way out of the tackle late in the second half, he would have had a deserved try rather than a face full of post protector.
Second Row
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5. Jonny Gray
The younger of the Gray brothers put in 19 tackles in Paris and carried strongly as Scotland gave as good as they got against France. His partnership with his brother Richie is one of the key factors in this Scottish renaissance.
4. Dave Attwood
Attwood was unlucky when he was denied a try after an earlier obstruction by Nick Easter, but it didn’t detract from an energetic display from the Bath lock. He combined well with George Kruis to offset the absence of England’s first-choice options in the second row.
Front Row
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3. Dan Cole
Almost a year, and some eye-watering neck surgery, after last pulling on the red rose, Dan Cole was not exactly eased back into the international fray.
"There you go, son, Wales away, Six Nations opener, 70,000 natives after your Saxon blood and a Test Lion to scrummage against. Good luck." Cole accepted the mission and completed it with distinction. The bedrock of England’s dominant front row had referee Jerome Garces whistling Wales at the set piece on a regular basis.
2. Dylan Hartley
Hartley kept his temper in check and his arrows straight and true. England’s line-out is a well-oiled machine even when many of its first-choice moving parts are out of commission. Hartley hit his men all night and did the rest of his work diligently.
1. Joe Marler
Marler’s almighty shove of opposite man Samson Lee wrecked the Welsh scrum that ironically ended in a try for Rhys Webb. Lee might have enjoyed the score, but the young Scarlet had received the message. The Harlequin had his number all night.
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