Did we just witness the greatest round of Guinness Six Nations to close out the greatest edition of European Rugby’s biggest Championship? We sure did!
Starting with a humdinger between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin, shifting to a return to winning ways for Wales against Italy in Cardiff. Then concluding with the all-time classic between France and England in Paris, if the fiercest rugby critic could not have asked for a better day of action.
Emerging from a near dire position with time expired to secure the title through the boot of Thomas Ramos. The defending champions denied Ireland a 3rd title in four seasons whilst relegating England to their worst ever campaign.
Yet, the final clash felt more of a classic between two exceptional teams than one in which England were on the brink of disaster. For that, the England players deserve immense credit.
In Dublin, Andy Farrell’s Ireland reiterated that they are getting back to their very best just over a year out from the Rugby World Cup. Missing a dozen front line players through injury, Ireland’s new look squad affords Farrell depth unlike at any other point in his tenure.
For Scotland, the 12th consecutive defeat to the men in green was brutally disappointing. Yes, Gregor Townsend’s side showed plenty of skill, precision and guts to remain in the fight for 65 minutes, but this loss will linger just a week after their greatest ever performance against France.
In Cardiff, two sides who concluded massive moral boosting Championships in Wales and Italy will both end their season feeling as though they are going in the right direction. For the hosts, a first Six Nations victory since 2023 is arguably the most significant win of Welsh Rugby in the professional era. Conversely, Italy in a similar manner to Scotland couldn’t back up their heroics a week on from their first ever victory over England.
One theme that rang true across the round was that every team had elite performers and for the final time this Championship, here is our team of the week.
1. Tom O’Toole – Ireland
Ireland’s biggest area of concern coming into the Championship with the presumed top three options all being injured has now got exceptional depth. Starting the Championship was Jeremy Loughman who did well, his Munster colleague Michael Milne brought impact when called upon but it was Ulster’s Tom O’Toole who stole the show. Regarded by his province as a tighthead, O’Toole might now be in the mix to be Ireland’s starting loosehead when everyone is fit. Shoring up the Irish scrum, bringing a monstrous work rate around the park and top quality ball handling skills, the Ulster prop does it all. Closing his campaign with a 21 tackle, 4 carry and 1 turnover won performance was exceptional.
2. Dewi Lake – Wales
Just edging Ireland’s Dan Sheehan who was back to his very best with a try and a huge work rate. The Welsh skipper led from the front in what can only be described as an elite manner. Topping the carry charts, finding his jumpers at lineout time, shoring up the scrum and dominating the physical exchanges was exceptional. Wales now have a benchmark to build from, and their skipper will be crucial to them taking the next step.
3. Joe Heyes – England
England’s find of the Championship had a rock solid showing in Paris as the England scrum obliterated their hosts on a few occasions. Offsetting the loss of Will Stuart, the Leicester Tiger was at the heart of England’s good moments (few as they were) all Championship.
4. Emmanuel Meafou – France
Did Fabien Galthie learn his lesson a week ago by not starting the giant Toulouse lock? We think so. There are very few athletes walking the planet with the physical traits of the Australian born lock. At 145kg, the punch he brings to the French pack takes Les Bleus to another level. Mix in his silky smooth skillset most notably his offloading ability and he is a non-negotiable starter for the big games. Against England, his ability to dominate the gainline kept his side in touch when England looked to be running away with the match points.
5. Tadhg Beirne – Ireland
Make no bones about, Beirne is among the elite in test rugby. Whenever his side whether it be Munster, Ireland or the Lions need a big moment he is the one to come up with it. Once again he pinched the pockets of his opponents at the breakdown. Winning 2 turnovers to go with his 19 tackles, 4 lineouts and 4 carries, Beirne tormented the Scottish at the Aviva Stadium.
6. Ollie Chessum – England
Racing away for a key try when France had just wrestled back momentum will forever be a highlight reel moment. Going the bulk of 80 meters displayed why Chessum is such a unique athlete. Blessed with pace, power and an elite rugby IQ, the Leicester Tiger had his best performance in the white shirt for quite some time. Topping the meters made charts with 88 from his 11 carries, making 3 line-breaks and winning 4 lineouts was central to England nearly pulling off the upset. As was the case in the Lions series, Chessum brings so much to the backrow that you have to question is that his position going forward in the England set-up.
7. Josh van der Flier – Ireland
23 tackles made tells the tale of the dirty work that the former World Player Of The Year gets through for his side. Spurred on by genuine competition for his shirt most notably from Nick Timoney, van der Flier upped his performance levels once again. Dispelling the myth that at 32-years-old he may be finished; he has shifted to a role where he can empty himself for 55 minutes in the knowledge that Timoney will not drop the level one bit.
8. Caelan Doris – Ireland
Edging Wales’s two try hero Aaron Wainwright, the Ireland skipper was once again immense for his side. Most pleasing was his management of referee Luke Pearce who he has previously had a tetchy relationship with. Getting back to his very best post injury, Doris physically dominated Scotland as he did to England in round three. Making 19 tackles, 48 meters with ball in hand and bossing the breakdown, Doris had a memorable performance to end the Championship.
9. Tomos Williams – Wales
Taking the number nine spot ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park this week, the Welsh halfback was masterfully in round five. Dictating the tempo for his side, relieving pressure with his boot and offering clean service to his backline. Williams was the key cog for his side and brought the best out of his young halfback partner Dan Edwards.
10. Jack Crowley – Ireland
Make no mistake about it, the Irish 10 debate is done. Showing incredible resilience over the past 18 months with Andy Farrell persisting with Sam Prendergast despite Crowley not really doing much in terms of deserving to lose his spot. Nailing 6 out of 7 shots at goal with his one miss being an inch to the right in the wake of his hero Ronan O’Gara rather unnecessarily calling him out in the media. Away from the tee, Crowley was the full package. Dominating defensively, pulling the trigger at the right time to make the Irish attack look effortless and absolutely drilling his line kicking. It was the perfect outing for a player fully vindicated and capable of driving Ireland to the top.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – France
Four tries… Let that sink in. Yes, Louis Bielle-Biarrey went up another level. Did we think that possible? No! The French winger has now scored 29 test tries in 27 test matches. Combining with fellow young gun Theo Attisogbe to ensure that France did not miss record try score Damian Penaud this Championship. Bielle-Biarry firmly set himself for a run at the World Player Of The Year title in 2026. What makes the winger so special is for all of his attacking brilliance, he misses nothing defensively. In the air he has gone up another level whilst his kicking game has matured beautifully over the past 12 months.
12. Stuart McCloskey – Ireland
Ireland’s player of the Championship and a front runner alongside Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Tomasso Menoncello for the overall player of the Championship. The Ulster centre has taken hold of the Irish 12 shirt after a year of frustration sitting behind Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw. Completing 6 try assists this Championship with his ability to offload through multiple defenders has brought a new wrinkle to the Irish attack. Once again dominating the gainline, pulling off long range passes and battered opposition ball carriers, McCloskey was immense in round five. In total he made 13 tackles (2 dominant), 12 carries, an offload and 2 try assists.
13. Tomasso Menoncello – Italy
Yes, we know he wears the number 12 shirt, but he plays close to every phase at 13 which for these articles is a nightmare! Alas! On a day where his side were completely outplayed, Menoncello was once again top drawer. Beating 6 defenders in his 7 carries, completing 2 offloads, making 10 tackles and winning 3 turnovers is simply out of this world in a side that was trailing 31 – 0 at one stage.
14. Robert Baloucoune – Ireland
Mack Hansen, Calvin Nash and Tommy O’Brien those are Ireland’s other presumed options at right wing. All four are top quality players but all of them now face an uphill battle to unseat the Ulster winger. For so long considered, the biggest ‘what if’ in Irish Rugby due to his untimely injuries. The man nicknamed ‘the cat’ for his laidback nature plays like a man with his hair on fire. Long criticised for lacking out and out pace, the Irish backline now has two elite speedsters in Baloucoune and O’Brien to pick. Displaying his ability to burn other speedsters, Baloucoune left Darcy Graham for dead to pounce for yet another try. Defensively, Baloucoune is a dominant tackler, exceptional in the air and covers the backfield masterfully.
15. Thomas Ramos – France
Big time players make big time plays when their team needs them the most. Slotting a penalty with time in the red to win the title is as big as it comes. Once again proving that if you had to bet your mortgage on a kick going over, you would hand the ball to Ramos, the French fullback drilled the ball down the middle. It isn’t just from the tee where Ramos shines, he was utterly central to several of France’s tries and kept the pressure on England with his ability to find space in the backfield.
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