Six Nations 2015: Best XV from Matchday 4
The final weekend of the Six Nations will see a three-way battle for the title after Wales downed Ireland in Cardiff and England bounced back with a win over Scotland.
Wales’ victory will go down as one of the great defensive displays of modern—or any—times, while England should have had a hatful more tries, wasting several golden chances.
France’s 29-0 win over Italy looks better on paper than it was after a largely forgettable contest in Rome, which really leaves the heavyweight clash in Cardiff and the Calcutta Cup duel at Twickenham as the games from which to pick this week’s team.
Here it is.
Back Three
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15. Leigh Halfpenny: He was dead-eyed with four first-half penalties that gave Wales daylight, and he took some towering catches in heavy traffic. He also secured a mark with a diving catch, proving once again he can handle any level of pressure.
14. George North: He made no real eye-catching runs he is so well-known for, but he contributed a hugely important tackle on Simon Zebo and solid work with the ball.
11. Jack Nowell: It was a busy afternoon for the Exeter man who had not disgraced himself in Dublin either. He deserved his try and always looked for work.
Centres
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13. Jonathan Davies: Davies had a big game for Wales. He made ground in the outside channels and was involved in the build-up to Wales’ crucial try. A late yellow card was not enough to deny him this spot. Honourable mentions go to Jared Payne, who tried everything in his locker to find a way through Wales, and England's Jonathan Joseph, who danced his way to another silky try.
12. Jamie Roberts: He made the tackle of the game to deny Tommy Bowe a score and sacrificed his body to stop Rory Best put wide. He matched a big ball-carrying day with a massive defensive effort.
Half-Backs
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10. Dan Biggar: He orchestrated Wales around the park superbly and put in a huge defensive shift for his team. A neat drop goal was a timely pressure-reliever in the second half.
9. Rhys Webb: He provided Dan Biggar with quality balls all afternoon, looking far snappier than his opposite man Conor Murray. Ben Youngs pushed him, but Webb had to do his work in a far more intense contest.
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Back Row
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8. Billy Vunipola: He didn’t need to match the eye-watering defence displayed by his cousin Taulupe Faletau for Wales, but he still made 14 hits and carried well for England. He was a real handful for Scotland and again went the distance. His fitness is transformed.
7. Sam Warburton: His 23 tackles tell their own story, but he also made some crucial turnovers and stole an Irish lineout in the Welsh red zone to lift his side at the perfect moment.
6. Dan Lydiate: He likes nothing more than to tackle all day, and he got his wish against Ireland.
Second Row
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5. Luke Charteris: Making 31 tackles in the second row is bordering on the ridiculous. He caused problems for the Irish lineout as well. A nod goes to Courtney Lawes for an impressive return from a long spell out through injury.
4. Alun-Wyn Jones: Paul O’Connell pushed him hard on the occasion of the Irishman’s 100th cap, but Jones gets the nod for his turnover work on top of the gargantuan carrying and tackling efforts he put on.
Front Row
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3. Dan Cole: A brainless penalty on his own line should have seen him spend 10 minutes in the bin, but other than that, Cole was effective in the loose and scrummaged well for England.
2. Scott Baldwin: The Welsh hooker made 20 tackles and threw well at the lineout, making the shirt his for keeps.
1. Gethin Jenkins: His quality at the breakdown is unrivaled by any other prop in Europe, and he earned his side kickable points against Ireland.
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