‘Complete’ wing stars for Ireland : PlanetRugby

After the second weekend of the 2024 Six Nations, Planet Rugby’s James While sat down with former England defence coach Paul Gustard to get his picks for the Team of the Week.

We have teamed up with eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby, to cover the 2024 Six Nations, previewing and reviewing the entire tournament.

Without further ado, here are Gustard’s picks for Team of the Week.

Six Nations Team of the Week

15 Freddie Steward (England): Steward was yet again huge under the high ball in England’s stuttering performance at Twickenham, dominating the airways and carrying powerfully. At Murrayfield, Harry Paterson put in a memorable personal performance for Scotland despite the loss.

14 Calvin Nash (Ireland): Nash impressed in his second match for Ireland as he crossed in their rout of Italy and demonstrated a huge appetite for seeking work off his wing. France’s Damian Penaud is always there or thereabouts, and he was his usual running threat without quite getting the returns we expect from him.

13 Gael Fickou (France): Fickou might be noted for his defensive brilliance, but it was his work in attack and carry that caught the eye as he crossed for a vital comeback try for Les Bleus. In Dublin, Robbie Henshaw reminded us of all of his versatility as he was a focal point with ball in hand of the Irish attack as he carried eight times for 86 metres and was unlucky perhaps to have his try effort ruled out.

12 Stuart McCloskey (Ireland): It’s staggering to think that McCloskey is Ireland‘s third choice inside centre, but he did everything possible to advance his claims in an impressive outing as he worked well with Henshaw and Jack Crowley in Ireland’s midfield. Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu also shone but may be lucky to have not seen a card for his no arms clear out on Gregory Alldritt that saw the French skipper carried off with a gashed knee.

Complete wing

11 James Lowe (Ireland): There really isn’t a more industrious and complete left winger in the Northern Hemisphere right now and again Lowe fused brilliant clearing and kicking with elusive running, crossing for yet another try. France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey is unlucky not to get the nod after an impressive outing that saw him cross for a crucial try in Les Bleus’ comeback at Murrayfield.

10 Jack Crowley (Ireland): The Irish fly-half debate continued powerfully in the lead up to the 2024 Six Nations but after two games Crowley’s assured performances have been so impressive the shirt looks like his for the foreseeable future, despite an average day off the tee at the Aviva. England’s George Ford might be miffed at having his conversion charged down but it was his control and territorial intelligence that was at the heart of the England comeback against Wales.

☘️ Ireland finding their groove with Jack Crowley on song so far. #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/mbyMQEmt8j

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 11, 2024

9 Ben White…