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Team of the Week: Six Nations standouts combine

George Ford kicking out of hand for England against Wales at Twickenham Stadium
Image: England have won their last 15 home games in the Six Nations

Key performers in round two of the Six Nations Championship combine to form our team of the week.

After victories for England, Ireland and Scotland, there's a plethora of players from all three sides in our team of the week as well as those who were notable in defeat.

Check out our full XV below and have your say on the player that you think make the greatest contribution to the weekend's international rugby...

15. Mike Brown (England)

In conditions that were less than ideal for full-backs, Mike Brown shone for England.

Not only was the 32-year-old as safe as houses under the high ball - the aerial game was a key area for England - but he made more metres than any other player on the park [118].

The Harlequin also put in a solid defensive shift and finished the 80 minutes as England's top ball carrier with 16.

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14. Keith Earls (Ireland)

Both wingers in our team of the week are bang in form and scoring tries at will.

Keith Earls offloading out of contact against Italy in Round 2 of the Six Nations Championship
Image: Keith Earls made three clean breaks for Ireland in Dublin

Keith Earls' running lines are first class and that was shown by his 35th-minute try.

Bundee Aki's break made the hard yards and the Munster man timed his tracking line perfectly to fly in. It was not the most difficult try that he will ever score but they all count.

Not only did Earls deliver in attack but he shifted into the centre after Robbie Henshaw went off injured, and late on he still had the energy to prevent what would have been Italy's bonus-point score.

The try-saving tackle on Mattia Bellini brought the Aviva Stadium to its feet alongside Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, who were watching on from the bench. Outstanding from Earls.

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

A nasty-looking injury to the centre marred Ireland's victory, and cut short his match, but Henshaw's output still secures him a place in our XV.

The 24-year-old cut a textbook line for his side's first try and followed up with an excellent read of Sergio Parisse's pop pass for his second.

His pace and powerful running was plain for all to see and he will be greatly missed as the Championship progresses.

12. Owen Farrell (England)

From his vision to put away Jonny May for the first try to his leadership in the latter stages, Farrell was at the heart of England's hard-fought victory.

Owen Farrell of England is tackled by Gareth Anscombe of Wales during the Six Nations round two match between England and Wales
Image: Owen Farrell has 55 caps and has scored 629 points for England

The inside centre's rugby brain, along with George Ford's, was working faster than all others on the pitch and their combined vision and skill-sets gave the home side a clear advantage.

Defensively colossal, his vocal presence fired up those around him, and as always his kicking game was noteworthy.

11. Teddy Thomas (France)

Three tries in two Tests indicates Teddy Thomas' form right now. At Murrayfield, two chips through delivered the goods and with ball in hand he's looking dangerous.

Teddy Thomas has scored three tries in his last two Tests for France
Image: Teddy Thomas has beaten more defenders than any other player so far this Six Nations

As the competition progresses French fans will want to see him roaming about the field a little more - 48 metres off eight carries was his return on Sunday - but imagine what he could do with greater ball.

A word for Benetton's Monty Ioane too, who scored a hat-trick during their 22-12 victory over Scarlets.

It was the Italian outfit's fourth domestic victory in a row and that equals their best record in the competition, set back in 2011.

10. George Ford (England)

From the middle of the park, England's fly-half orchestrated proceedings expertly and saw things half a second before anyone else.

George Ford kicking out of hand for England against Wales at Twickenham Stadium
Image: England have won their last 15 home games in the Six Nations

The 24-year-old's accurate kicking out of hand was vital for England. From kicking to contest with perfectly-weighted high balls to delivering lengthy touch-finders, Ford did it all.

Defensively, he withstood the considerable traffic arriving down his channel too in another impressive performance from the fly-half.

9. Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)

When you are making your first start for your country since February last year, notching up a 22-point tally is how you make a statement.

Laidlaw's contribution off the tee ultimately decided the Test match but his performance for Scotland was more than just accurate goal-kicking.

After a tricky Six Nations opener, the 32-year-old's experience anchored his side, and his seamless switch from scrum-half to fly-half highlighted his handy versatility.

1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)

The prop delivered everything that you could have wanted from him at the Aviva Stadium and helped to secure a solid Irish set piece. Eight scrums won and zero lost and after his 67 minutes on the park.

Ireland dismantle Italy in Dublin
Ireland dismantle Italy in Dublin

Ireland put eight tries past Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to make it two wins from two in the Six Nations

He also finished the afternoon with eight tackles made and zero missed, a collection bettered only by Devin Toner and the hard-working Bundee Aki.

2. Stuart McInally (Scotland)

At Murrayfield Scotland's hooker was a busy man, and alongside with his front-row colleagues, provided the solid platform required to navigate past France.

McInally's lineouts were on point with just one of his nine not finding the mark. He delivered 12 carries, and like the other members of our front row, anchored the scrum with proficiency.

3. Sarah Bern (England Women)

At the Twickenham Stoop, England's women continued the defence of their Six Nations title with a comprehensive 52-0 victory over Wales.

 Sarah Bern of England in action during England Women's Training at Bisham Abbey
Image: England top the Women's Six Nations table on points difference from France

The home side overpowered their opponents and tighthead prop Bern combined neat forward breaks with soft hands. She was ever-present, and dominant, at the breakdown, in addition to being part of a front-three which blew away Wales at scrum time.

England now turn their attentions to facing Scotland at Scotstoun on February 23.

4. Joe Launchbury (England)

Launchbury was England's top tackler on Saturday - he put in 19 hits over the course of the 67 minutes he was on the park - and then there was also the skill that he displayed to set up one of his team's two tries.

May double edges England past Wales
May double edges England past Wales

Jonny May scores twice as Eddie Jones' side continue winning start

On the 19-minute mark, his offload out of contact to Jonny May was spectacular.

Launchbury had both Rhys Patchell and Steff Evans hanging off him and doing their level-best to bundle him into touch. The lock was totally unfazed, however, and instead found May like it was the easiest thing in the world.

5. Cory Hill (Wales)

It was a close call between Cory Hill and his second-row partner Alun Wyn Jones for this spot, as both turned heads, but this time out Hill just pips his captain.

Cory Hill takes a lineout at Twickenham Stadium
Image: Cory Hill was Wales' go-to man at the lineout on Saturday

The lock took half of all Wales' lineouts at Twickenham - seven in total - and finished his 73-minute outing with 17 tackles to his name. Indeed Hill's tackle count was topped only by Rob Evans [18] and Josh Navidi [21].

6. Aaron Shingler (Wales)

Wales' resilience at Twickenham was vast and it was epitomised by their flanker's output.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10:  Aaron Shingler of Wales is tackled by Sam Simmonds of England during the NatWest Six Nations round two match between Englan
Image: Wales beat 23 defenders to England's 18 at Twickenham Stadium

Shingler's stats showcase his considerable contribution: 16 carries, topped only by Gareth Anscombe, the most metres made by a forward on the field [64], five lineout takes, a steal and no less than 15 tackles.

It was his break that highlighted Wales' second-half intent and that could have come to much more had it not been for Farrell.

7. Sam Underhill (England)

After time out due to concussion, the Bath flanker looked back to full Test sharpness against Wales, and his 40-minute outing was a wholly productive one.

A turnover and no less than 13 tackles were the statistical fruits of his labour with one tackle, in particular, creating the headlines.

Underhill's intervention on Scott Williams saved a certain try, and in the context of the match was absolutely critical for his side.

After George North's break, it looked as if Williams was home and dry, but the strength and power of Underhill shifted him off course. It's one that will certainly make the flanker's highlights reel!

8. Ryan Wilson (Scotland)

The final spot in our team of the week is reserved for Scotland's Ryan Wilson.

From the back-row, he provided key go-forward ball and alongside other members of their pack, punched through France's defensive line.

He finished the afternoon's work with eight tackles, eight carries and was a valuable option at the lineout.

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