15. Rob Kearney
Always a danger in attack and solid as ever under the high ball, Kearney reminded everyone again why he's been the mainstay in a highly competitive Irish backline for some time now. Arguably the most highly contested position in this week's team sheet. Along with France's Scott Spedding on his Six Nations debut, Mike Brown and Leigh Halfpenny also had strong displays at the weekend. Not forgetting the other Fall Back who made it into this week's team.
14. Antony Watson
Watson really is settling in well with England. In every game, he seems to mature more and more as a player and has an absolutely lethal outside break. This saw him out gas the Welsh defence to take hold of Mike Brown's chip to score. One of many in form Bath players who seem to have rejuvenated the England attack this year.
13. Jonathan Joseph
Speaking of Bath players, onto the centres as another player from this west county club finds his way into the team. Joseph has been sensational this season and yet amazingly was probably only included in the squad, due the injury of international regulars Tuilagi and Barrett. Fortunately he's now proven his worth in a white shirt, so expect a lot more magic being created as a result of his quick hands and dancing feet. Mention must be made here too for Mark Bennett of Scotland on a strong first game.
12. Mathieu Bastareaud
The first of two players in the team playing out of position, who simply couldn't be left out as a result of sterling performances in round one. Basta was at his destructive best on Saturday bouncing off three defenders and securing two turnovers in defence also. For our money, he deserved the ‘Man of the Match’ award. Ireland's Robbie Henshaw also had a strong game in the centres which will have gone a long way into calming Irish hearts in the wake of BOD's retirement.
11. Stuart Hogg
Perhaps another who could rightly stick his hand up for player of the round last Saturday. If only Scotland had managed to overturn France in Paris, he could well have done so. Hogg was everywhere in attack and topped the ‘metres made’ stat with ball hand by some distance. If he continues in this vein of form, expect him to cross the white wash for a now increasingly dangerous-looking Scottish side very soon indeed.
10. Finn Russell
What a find Vern Cotter and Scotland has in Finn Russell! He seems to possess everything required by a Fly Half and orchestrated things expertly in attack as well as holding his own in defence for the full 80. He could be holding onto the number 10 shirt for quite a while if he puts on a few more displays like that. A mention too for George Ford who shook off a shaky first half in Cardiff to steer England to a dominant second half win against Wales.
9. Ben Youngs
England seldom lose when Youngs is in his pomp and that much stayed true last Friday night. Often a liability with his passing game, Youngs was fizzing them out accurately all night, as well remaining a constant danger around the ruck. England looked noticeably less threatening when he was removed in the second half. Conner Murray was unlucky to miss out due to a man of the match performance in Rome.
8. Taulupe Faletau
Some might argue with the legality of Wales’s score in the opening 10 minutes but none would question the skill needed to create it from Faletau. He completely outshone his cousin and opposite number on the day, despite the result on the score board.
7. Chris Robshaw
26 tackles made, 100% tackle success, 2 turnovers and yet another herculean effort from the England captain sees him named at number 7. Robshaw's place in the England team will be as steadfast from now as was his decision to remain in the tunnel before kick-off last Friday. Steffan who? Tommy O'Donnel also put in an excellent display in the wake of Sean O'Brien's last minute injury.
6. James Haskell
Haskell was a goal post away from being player of the round and perhaps the official man of the match of the night to boot. He was relentless all night long in Cardiff and has thoroughly deserved his place in the team in the wake of Tom Wood's injury. The Wasps captain is not always everyone's favourite off the field but certainly deserved a more than a few accolades on it in round one.
5. Jonny Gray
Yet another player who seems to be a product of what many are hoping could be a renaissance for Scottish rugby. A pillar in the line out alongside his brother and a work horse in the loose, what an earth did the Gray parents feed these boys as kids?
4. Dave Attwood
Attwood was exemplary against Wales and can rue his team mate Easter's lazy decoy running which denied him a well taken try in the 2nd half. Physical and always keen to impose himself on England's second row depth, his play is a true wonder to behold. Paul O'Connell was his ever present self for Ireland also.
3. Dan Cole
The now injury free Cole was a rock against the Welsh scrum in Cardiff absolutely dominating his opposite numbers until being taken off around the hour mark. Not to mention a couple trademark turnovers in the loose the Leicester man demonstrated exactly how valuable he is in the wake of Wilson's nerve problem.
2. Ross Ford
Another Scot enjoying a fine return of form at international level, solid in the set piece and happy to contribute around the park as ever. Results are sure to come to him and his team mates if he continues to give these kinds of performances.
1. Joe Marler
Certainly got the better of the much-heralded Samson Lee, his opposite number, in what was one of the most highly anticipated ‘one on one battles’ pre kick-off. Cole may have struck the blows at scrum time but it was only made possible by an equally strong display from the Quins captain.
By Alex Dodd
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