Six Stars of the Six Nations: Round 5

And we’re done. After five pulsating rounds of action, France have walked away with the Grand Slam. Ireland meanwhile claimed a memorable Triple Crown following their win over Scotland earlier in the day.

All that’s left to do is select our Six Stars of the week. Take a look at our choices below.

Ireland: Josh van der Flier

What an impact van der Flier has made this Six Nations. Combining the dynamism of Conan with the defensive brunt of Beirne, the Leinster flanker has impressed hugely throughout the tournament.

Saturday was no different as Scotland’s attack struggled to get going for most of the afternoon. A successful day for Ireland’s defensive systems.

Scotland: Matt Fagerson

Despite the unfavourable score-line, Scotland showed some areas of improvement – particularly around the breakdown. Fagerson led the charge in both attack and defence, stalling the Irish attack before making some bruising runs of his own. For a man who came into the Six Nations facing stiff competition for a place in the starting XV, this has been some tournament for Fagerson.

If only the Glasgow Warrior had remained injury-free for the entire tournament.

France: Antoine Dupont

Let’s be honest, should we have expected anything else. Into their third season of confident composure, France finally took home the Grand Slam with the mighty general controlling his side admirably.

France picked their opportunities with precision accuracy, dominating England in almost every facet of the game. The sniping run for Dupont’s decisive try really did summarise everything good about this French squad.

Allez Les Bleus.

England: Freddie Steward

Moved to the unfamiliar position of wing, Steward brought composure to the back three while Furbank struggled to settle in. In fact, Steward’s high ball security gave England the best chance of securing territory throughout the game.

Special mention to Ellis Genge who played like a man possessed in attack, though his lack of go-forward at scrum-time sees him miss out this week.

Wales: Josh Adams

The BBC’s choice for Player of the Match – at least at the 78 minute mark. In defence he stopped what seemed to be a certain try for Monty Ioane while that weaving try with ten minutes to go seemed to have clinched victory just in time.

In the end, it was the player he would later pass that POTM medal to who broke Welsh hearts with his weaving run in the game’s final moments.

Italy: Ange Capuozzo

As if the excitement of being part of Italy’s first victorious Six Nations side since 2015 wasn’t enough, the pacey Grenoble full back has two consecutive Rugbystore Six Stars appearances to shout about.

Undoubtedly, his try assist will go down in Six Nations rugby history. However, special mention to Monty Ioane for some magical moments which would have looked more at home on a Super Rugby pitch, let alone Cardiff on Super Saturday.