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Team of the week: Four Scotland stars joined by three hat-trick heroes

Tim Visser scores Scotland's second try against Wales

For the second successive week there are three hat-trick heroes included in our team of the week after an engrossing round of Six Nations and Super Rugby action.

Rieko Ioane got the Super Rugby season off to a blistering start with a treble in Melbourne, fellow Kiwi centre Jimmy Gopperth did similar for Wasps against Gloucester while England Women's hooker Vicky Fleetwood made Six Nations history.

Nine teams are represented, including four Scots and three All Blacks as the battle for starting places in this summer's Lions series intensifies in both hemispheres.

15. Israel Dagg (Crusaders)

Dagg marked his 100th Super Rugby appearance in style with two try assists against the Brumbies.

Israel Dagg makes a break against the Brumbies
Image: Israel Dagg makes a break against the Brumbies

The New Zealand full-back threw a long cut-out pass to put new recruit Seta Tamanivalu in for a try after four minutes in Christchurch, and then produced an outrageous offload to tee up Whetu Douglas on the half-hour.

Dagg made six offloads in total as he made 111 metres from 21 carries. The 28-year-old kicked intelligently and produced some excellent link-up play as the Crusaders held on for a hard-fought victory.

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14. Jack Nowell (England)

Jack Nowell scores his second try against Italy
Image: Jack Nowell scores his second try against Italy

The Exeter wing was dropped to the bench for England's clash with Italy but made a big impact when introduced, scoring two tries late on.

Nowell's first score came with 10 minutes remaining after Italy's defence narrowed when defending a driving maul and numerous pick and goes, before he slid over beside the posts at the death after good play by Ben Youngs and Owen Farrell.

In 25 minutes Nowell made two breaks, beat two defenders for a gain of 31 metres from eight carries.

13. Rieko Ioane (Blues)

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Watch Rieko Ioane's hat-trick against the Rebels

The new Super Rugby season sparked into life in Melbourne as Ioane scored a 24-minute hat-trick.

Still only 19, the All Blacks centre bagged his first on the stroke of half-time when he intercepted Jordy Reid's pass and sprinted away to dot down between the sticks.

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His second try was the pick of the bunch, brushing off two tacklers and then burning a further two players with his electric pace, and elder brother Akira unselfishly allowed him to complete his treble from turnover ball.

Ioane made 144 metres from 11 carries, which includes three line breaks and four defenders beaten, and he also made some shuddering hits in defence.

12. Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps)

Jimmy Gopperth of Wasps charges forward against Gloucester
Image: Jimmy Gopperth scored a treble against Gloucester

Gopperth also bagged a hat-trick in a 25-point haul for Wasps against Gloucester.

He squeezed over in the corner for the game's opening try and had his forwards to thank for his second and third, touching down twice from driving lineouts.

Throw in 12 tackles - none missed - and 11 carries and it was an excellent outing by the Kiwi.

Robbie Henshaw was also impressive during Ireland's win over France, getting through a mountain of work.

11. Tim Visser (Scotland)

Tim Visser beats Leigh Halfpenny to score Scotland's second try
Image: Visser beats Leigh Halfpenny to score

Having not made the matchday 23 for Scotland's opening two fixtures, Visser made up for lost time with a barnstorming performance against Wales.

The Dutchman displayed his aerial process as Scotland employed a tactical kicking game, dominating George North, and after setting up Tommy Seymour he produced a magnificent try-saving tackle on Rhys Webb.

Visser bagged the try his performance deserved on 67 minutes when he took Stuart Hogg's pass and beat North to dot down. He beat three defenders in total, making three line breaks for a gain of 45 metres.

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)

Finn Russell kicks a penalty against Wales
Image: Finn Russell kicked 19 points against Wales

Any question marks over Russell's place-kicking were firmly put to bed following a flawless display at Murrayfield.

The Glasgow fly-half stepped up in Greig Laidlaw's absence, landing all seven attempts at goal for a 19-point haul and his decision-making throughout was excellent, torpedoing a pass out to Hogg for Visser's try.

9. Conor Murray (Ireland)

Ireland's Conor Murray on his way to scoring his sides first try
Image: Conor Murray scored a trademark close-range try against France

All eyes were on Johnny Sexton on his return from injury but it was his half-back partner who stole the show.

The Munster scrum-half lifted the tempo after Ireland struggled during the opening quarter and scored a trademark try on the half-hour.

Murray's passing was excellent in difficult conditions and he kicked intelligently in the second half to keep France pinned inside their own half.

1. Andrea Lovotti (Italy)

James Haskell is challenged by Andrea Lovotti
Image: James Haskell is challenged by Andrea Lovotti

The fallout from Sunday's clash at Twickenham has threatened to overshadow some fantastic performances by the Azzurri, including loosehead Lovotti.

The Italian scrum won three penalties with Lovotti edging his battle with Dan Cole, and he also chipped in with 11 tackles.

Like many of his team-mates, Lovotti tired in the second half and was replaced after 55 minutes, but he can proud of this showing after a fortnight where Italy's participation in the Six Nations has been the subject of massive scrutiny.

2. Vicky Fleetwood (England Women)

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Highlights of England Women's Six Nations clash with Italy

Fleetwood scored a superb hat-trick in England's win over Italy, becoming the first front row to achieve the feat in the history of the women's tournament.

The hooker was at the back of three driving mauls to touch down as England claimed a bonus-point win despite being reduced to 13 players in the second half.

So impressive was Fleetwood, when Marlie Packer departed the field on the hour mark she switched to the back row and saw out the game there.

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Tadhg Furlong is tackled by France's Guilhem Guirado
Image: Tadhg Furlong is tackled by France's Guilhem Guirado

Yoann Maestri became the latest player to be put on his backside from a Furlong fend as the tighthead chipped in with 12 carries.

Last year Furlong endured a tough outing against France but he was solid here, getting the better of Cyril Baille and then Eddy Ben Arous before departing with seven minutes remaining.

Ireland's scrum didn't have it all their own way against Les Bleus but were solid on their own put-in, winning seven from seven.

4. Joe Launchbury (England)

Joe Launchbury tackles Italy captain Sergio Parisse
Image: Joe Launchbury tackles Italy captain Sergio Parisse

While his team-mates wondered how to counter Italy's ruck tactics, Launchbury took the game by the scruff of the neck with some strong tackles and carries. He made 58 metres from 14 carries and beat four defenders, more than any of his team-mates.

Launchbury produced a deft offload in the lead-up to Elliot Daly's go-ahead try and then claimed the restart and galloped into the Italian half.

He edges out Jonny Gray who marshalled the lineout, made 15 carries and 10 carries as Scotland snapped their nine-game losing streak against Wales.

5. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs)

Retallick hit the ground running in Dunedin as the Chiefs claimed a bonus-point win while keeping the Highlanders tryless.

The All Black made 13 tackles and frustrated the hosts by slowing down ruck ball, while he also made a line break from one of his five carries.

Retallick took two lineout throws but his mere presence attracted opposition jumpers and provided space for his team-mates as the Chiefs set piece functioned at 100 per cent. The 25-year-old also made a fantastic catch from Aaron Cruden's restart after the Highlanders had cut the gap to 21-15.

6. CJ Stander (Ireland)

CJ Stander is tackled by France's Kevin Gourdon
Image: CJ Stander barges past France's Kevin Gourdon

John Barclay is unfortunate to miss out but Stander gets the nod after another all-consuming display.

The Munster forward led the way with 23 carries for a gain of 39 metres, and was a constant gainline option for Sexton.

Stander also made 13 tackles and was a useful option at the lineout, winning three throws.

7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)

Hamish Watson tackles Wales lock Luke Charteris
Image: Hamish Watson tackles Wales lock Luke Charteris

Italy openside Simone Favaro topped the tackle charts with 17 against England but Watson gets the No 7 shirt after making a big impact against Wales.

Introduced after 24 minutes for the injured John Hardie, Watson helped curb the influence of Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric at the breakdown.

The Edinburgh flanker made eight tackles and won two turnovers, while his clearing out of rucks provided Scotland with the quick ball that their backs craved.

8. Ryan Wilson (Scotland)

Ryan Wilson celebrates after Scotland's win over Wales
Image: Ryan Wilson celebrates after the final whistle

One of his best performances in a Scottish shirt. Wilson relished the challenge of taking on the Welsh back row and led the way in both tackles and carries.

The Glasgow Warrior made 11 tackles across an all-action 80-minute display, was a useful lineout option and also did damage with ball in hand, gaining 43 metres from 17 carries.

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