These Six Nations 2024 backs have left their imprint, from Bundee Aki’s iconic bruising runs for Ireland to Duhan van der Merwe’s bizarre tries for Scotland. Each year, several players typically showcase their skills on a large platform thanks to the excitement around the Six Nations. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book Italy Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Furthermore, some stars in particular are making sure that people remember their names since there are no positions in rugby more electrifying than the backs. Over halfway into the Six Nations 2024, Andy Farrell’s team leads Ireland and looks set to win the tournament a second time in a row. By marking the first time in the history of the competition that a team has swept the opposition twice.

It should come as no surprise that the Irish have also had a lot of firepower behind them. With two rounds remaining, there is still plenty of opportunity for additional breakout players to slip through the gaps and make their impressions.

Still, not all of the competition’s front-runners have had standout backs. With Round 4 of the Six Nations 2024 set to begin next weekend, these are the top five backs after three games played so far this year:

Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland

After three games, van der Merwe, who is 6-foot-4 and still quick and nimble, leads all Guinness Six Nations players with five tries. He is one of the biggest freaks of nature in modern sport, and his most recent effort for Scotland in their Calcutta Cup victory over England this past weekend was particularly noteworthy.

Van der Merwe, who was born in South Africa, became the first Scottish player to score a hat-trick against their fiercest rival. English, to take his career total to 26 tries in 37 tests. At this rate, he has the potential to surpass Stuart Hogg’s record of 27 tries all-time for Scotland. Van der Merwe has played a significant role in Scotland’s push.

As they are just two games away from completing a Grand Slam after a contentious finish against France in Round 2. During his second try against England, in particular. He used his speed to get past English defenders in a 60-meter sprint down the left touchline. I forgot to mention that his brace in Scotland’s opening game against Wales demonstrated his exceptional placement.

As he was in the right spot at the right moment for critical offloads that resulted in tries scores that became even more significant as Wales nearly rallied from a 27-0 deficit in the second half. Scotland and Italy will play each other in the Six Nations 2024 on Saturday, March 9. Stadio Olimpico is the venue for the game. At 14:15, the game will begin. Rugby fans can book Italy vs Scotland Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Dublin’s James Lowe

Lowe has been exceptional throughout the competition, and the Irish are partially targeting another Guinness Six Nations championship as a result of him. He is the flash in a Grand Slam-chasing Ireland squad that has regularly brought the hammer down by brute power. Lowe was a bit of an underrated name in his side’s stunning 38-17 victory to start the competition against France.

A performance in which it was difficult to find much fault with Ireland as a whole. His kicking was excellent and helped put Ireland on the front foot and in a good attacking position for much of the match. Nobody who saw Lowe play against Italy in the following round, though, was underestimating him. He capitalized on a subpar Italy all afternoon in Dublin, scoring during a busy outing in the second half.

Lowe continued to be a constant nuisance for the Azzurri, continuing to influence the game with his boot as he won man of the match. In Round 3, when his team dominated Wales, Lowe added a try in the first half as well. In that game, the Irish gained the most meters of any player, primarily through grinding out the Welsh for a commanding victory rather than through prolific runs. He is an essential member of the Irish XV.

Ireland’s Bundee Aki

Ever since emerging as one of the Rugby World Cup’s most outstanding players and leading one of Ireland’s most successful sides ever, Aki has shown no signs of slowing down. The 33-year-old wrecking ball, who was born in New Zealand, has returned to work with Ireland and is doing what he does best.

Charging at opposition defenders and making an impact during games, instead of taking a well-earned break or faltering in the Guinness Six Nations. Though he wasn’t required against Italy in Round 2, as Ireland roared to a 36-0 victory at the Aviva Stadium without him, Aki made a spectacular comeback against Wales in Round 3.

He was his usual, impactful self in Ireland’s decisive Round 1 victory over France in Marseille, displaying a smooth offload to help set up the opening try, too. In a performance that earned him the man of the match honors, he let the resilient Welsh defense feel his wrath.

At times, he appeared unstoppable, winning collisions and leading Ireland to a bonus-point 31-7 victory that moved them one step closer to another Grand Slam. Aki is one of the most dangerous players in the world to take down, making it one of the best centers in the world right now. You can also sustain a bump or bruise if you manage to take him out of the game.

Tommaso Menoncello, Italy

It’s rare to find an Italian player on a Guinness Six Nations “top players” list, but Menoncello deserves it all because he was the driving force behind the Azzurri coming within a hair’s breadth of one of their most memorable victories this past weekend. During the Italians’ opening-round bonus-point loss to England, the adaptable 21-year-old Benetton player looked impressive at center alongside Juan Ignacio Brex.

By giving the English defense fits and even stopping Tommy Freeman (more on him later) from scoring a try in the first half. However, it was his right-wing performance against France that helped elevate him to the status of an emerging star to watch for the remainder of the Six Nations and beyond. A fearless ball-carrier with a limitless engine against Les Bleus.

He was rightfully named official man of the match after playing a key role in several of Italy’s biggest plays of the evening in Lille, including setting up fellow young star back Ange Capuozzo’s try that would tie the game for the Azzurri. Paolo Garbisi’s last-gasp penalty rang off the upright in a dramatic late drama that denied Italy a historic victory, but Italy might not have been smelling a tie in the first place without the formidable Menoncello.

Tommy Freeman, England

There is no denying that England is still in its infancy, but if 22-year-old Freeman continues to develop from the promise he showed in the Six Nations 2024, the back line will be in capable hands for years to come. The right-wing position is difficult to fill after the retirement of Jonny May, but when Freeman, who has been playing well for Northampton at the club level, started at No.

14 against Italy in Round 1, he took advantage of the opportunity to display some free-flowing creativity away from his typical spot near and around the right touchline to help set up his team’s first try through Elliot Daly. For the whole of the Rome encounter, Freeman posed a serious attacking threat.

But, in subsequent meetings against Wales and Scotland, where England was trounced handily and required a second-half comeback, respectively, Freeman has been far more subdued in that area. The challenge for England the rest of the way might be to figure out how to make Freeman more of a threat and more involved than he was against Italy.

An English victory over the Azzurri depended heavily on his ability to create opportunities. And England needs all the assistance it can get, since formidable Ireland is up next in Round 4.

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James spoke with former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman to obtain his selections for the Team of the Week after another thrilling Six Nations weekend. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book Italy Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Together, we will cover the Six Nations 2024, previewing and assessing the whole competition, on behalf of eToro, Premiership Rugby’s official trading and investing partner. Here are Jackman’s selections for the Team of the Week, as stated in his own words, without further ado.

Six Nations 2024 Team of the Week, 3rd Round

15 Ange Capuozzo (Italy): When I was a coach at FCG Grenoble, Ange was in the espoirs and always had amazing talent. We argued for a long time about whether he would be large enough to handle the very physically demanding Top 14. We don’t have to be concerned. Forget about the Top 14, Ange can still make a significant impact on the international scene.

When France was reduced to 14 players and Italy gained some momentum in the second half, Capuozzo was instrumental in the Italian comeback. A special mention should go to Cam Winnett, who was a bright spot for Wales during their loss.

14 Tommaso Menoncello (Italy): Menoncello sends a message that he won’t be transferred lightly, but Gonzalo Quesada, the new head coach of Italy, has a lot of talent in the back three to select from. Last week, Louis Lynagh joined the team. Even though he is just 21 years old, he faced a highly skilled French team and played fearlessly. He is a large, rough back with a beautiful skill set, making him a player to keep an eye on.

13 Huw Jones (Scotland): His partnership with Sione Tuipulotu is extremely beneficial for both club and country, and his role as a second playmaker elevates Scotland’s assault to a breathtaking spectacle. Jones, who consistently appears to have time on the ball, had a key role in dismantling Felix Jones’ blitz defence. Juan Ignacio Brex’s performance was a major factor in Italy’s victory comeback.

Superstar big backs

12 Bundee Aki (Ireland): The opening three weekends of the Six Nations have seen Ireland maintain its form as the Rugby World Cup player of the year. Though Bundee has never retreated from contact since Pat Lam brought him to Connacht from the Chiefs, his all-around ability is now what makes him an important player in Ireland’s number twelve shirt. Though Jack Crowley is still learning the ropes as an out-half, Aki is the ideal counterbalance to Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey, two of the best inside centres in Test rugby history.

11 Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland): During my initial encounter with Duhan, he was eighteen years old and had just scored five tries in a Montpellier espoirs tournament that Sunday afternoon in front of roughly forty spectators. Unaware of the challenges he faced, we might have dismissed our poor winger with harsh words when he attempted to mark him.

It is absurd for someone to score three goals in a Calcutta Cup match, and he must enjoy playing for England because he has already scored FIVE goals in two games! As far as I can tell, world rugby currently lacks a superior out-and-out finisher. Scotland and Italy will play each other in the Six Nations 2024 on Saturday, March 9. Stadio Olimpico is the venue for the game. At 14:15, the game will begin. Rugby fans can book Italy vs Scotland Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Form half-backs

10 Finn Russell (Scotland): Capsied the Scotland team to their fourth straight victory over England, which was, in my opinion, their most comprehensive and stunning victory yet. Has accepted the captaincy with great grace. With an abundance of confidence, Russell will travel to Rome and Dublin. It was impressive to watch how he was able to find space in England’s new defence system.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland): Ireland possesses the fastest ruck speed in the Championship. While we occasionally concentrate on the attacking structure, ball carrier, or cleanout, Gibson-Park’s footwork in the breakdown area is exceptional. All facets of his game were on fire on Saturday, but he still lets Ireland recycle at an absurd rate. When Wales threatened in the third quarter, his defensive reads were superb, and his kicking game kept the Welsh backfield guessing.

Loose trio

8 Aaron Wainwright (Wales): During lineouts, he was a valuable asset to Wales and a reliable hand to have, particularly with teammate Elliot Dee of the Dragons present as hooker. Wainwright’s outstanding defensive performance was a major factor in delaying Ireland’s bonus point till the very last play of the match, even though Ireland had the better possession. With his unwavering show of back-row skill, Francois Cros virtually single-handedly kept France in the match at times.

7 Michele Lamaro (Italy): I’ve never seen a team attack the opposition up front as France did in the first half of their match against Italy in Lille. Italy needed their captain to be at his very best because they were up against a pack that was almost ten kg bigger than them in the scrum, lineout, and maul. He took down so many French one-out runners that he will need to spend a week in an ice bath when he gets back to Italy. Italy will be able to improve upon that draw.

6 Charles Ollivon (France): His performance was superb as he became the ninth-highest try scorer in French rugby history and maintained his impressive strike rate of a try every 2.6 Tests. The outcome may not have been what he had hoped for, and replacing him at the 65-minute mark appeared like a bold decision. When he replaced Ryan Baird in the second half, his work ethic was evident for Ireland.

Scot and Irishman in the second row

5 Scott Cummings (Scotland): Although Cummings played an outstanding 80 minutes, I felt that it was Scott’s best performance wearing a Scottish shirt. England was expected to dominate Scotland in the front five. He had a tidy set-piece but also displayed extreme aggression and belligerence in every area of contact. Honourable mention to Joe McCarthy, who excelled for Ireland in Dublin once more.

4 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): Though he was given a yellow card for a technical infraction during the Welsh maul try, it was one of his signature powerful carries that set up Ireland’s crucial fourth try in the game’s last play. Beirne’s mobility is crucial to Ireland’s attack and defence, as he functions as an additional back-row on the field. One of England’s most shining stars in their depressing performance in Scotland was Maro Itoje.

Irish front-row shines

3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland): After a difficult 2023 in which he experienced some niggles that prevented him from getting a run of games, the tighthead prop is back to his best. Furlong got the upper hand and made some great contributions around the pitch as Ireland dominated the scrum in the first half, which was their best scrummaging in years. Even though Simone Ferrari of Italy was hardly an impact player, he did have some influence because he helped his country win vital penalties in Lille.

2 Peato Mauvaka (France): Not a forward pack that won enough ball to win three games in forty minutes, but a wasteful backline was the cause of France’s problems. You would think Mauvaka would be at the centre of any comeback for France because he is an excellent ball carrier and is keeping Julien Marchand, who is also of elite calibre, off the field. Dan Sheehan is an important member of Ireland’s effective pack and was his usual outstanding self against them.

1 Andrew Porter (Ireland): In this Irish pack, Porter is Mister Consistency, and he will be thrilled to be scrummaging at his most aggressive level without running afoul of the officials, something that had been happening frequently lately. A special mention goes go to Danilo Fischetti, who persevered in the scrum and made a significant impact for Italy off the field. Porter is a beast and presently the finest loosehead in Europe.

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Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup for a second time, delivering England their first Championship loss. During another thrilling weekend in the Six Nations 2024. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book France Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Due to that outcome, Ireland is still the only team standing in the running for the Grand Slam. Earlier in the day, Andy Farrell’s team had won another convincing game; this year. They had won by margins of 20 points or more in every one of them. Nevertheless, a combined margin of 19 points has determined the outcomes of the final six Nations 2024 games.

France and Italy played to a draw in Lille on Sunday. Making it the closest Guinness Six Nations encounter of the season. The Azzurri’s hurried attempt to win the game hit the post. By leaving them with just a third victory in the previous ten years. It was a case of what could have been.

To determine where each game was won and lost in the third round of Guinness Six Nations 2024 fixtures. Our specialists at OptaJonny examine the important details and post-match data.

Ireland 31-7 Wales

Both countries were originally members of the Five Nations when the competition began as the Guinness Six Nations Championship in 1910. There has been a rivalry between them. The encounters between these two dominant rugby teams over the years have been characterized by fierce competition and unforgettable moments.

Wales and Ireland have played each other several times, with each team going through spells of supremacy. This match is one of the highlights of the Guinness Six Nations schedule because of the exciting meetings. Contentious decisions and incredible comebacks have occurred over the years. Both clubs have a long and passionate history of competing aggressively against one another to establish their dominance and win this bitter rivalry.

Ireland has now tied England’s record of 11 wins between 2015 and 2017 with their current run of 11 Guinness Six Nations triumphs. It is the joint most wins by any team in the Championship’s history (including Home/Five Nations). Ireland has now won all 18 of their Test matches played at home, which is a record-long streak in Test rugby history.

In men’s Tier 1 Test rugby, only two teams have enjoyed longer winning runs at home. England (22 between 1999 and 2003) and New Zealand (30 between 2003 and 2008 and 47 between 2009 and 2017). Twelve penalties were given up by Wales against Ireland. It is three more than they gave up in their first two Guinness Six Nations games this year combined (nine total, four against Scotland and five against England).

Dan Sheehan’s key role

Dan Sheehan of Ireland scored his fourth try in the Six Nations this year and his seventh overall to take the lead in try-scoring hookers since Italy entered the Championship in 2000 (he was previously tied with Jamie George). The eighth player from Ireland to attain that milestone in the Championship is Peter O’Mahony. Captain of the Men’s Six Nations (together with Rory Best, Ronan O’Gara, Brian O’Driscoll, Cian Healy, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, John Hayes, Paul.

Italy vs Scotland

Italy and Scotland will face each other on Saturday 9 March Six Nations 2024. The match will be held at Stadio Olimpico. The kickoff time will be at 14: 15. Rugby fans can book Italy vs Scotland Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.

Scotland 30-21 England

In addition to being a contest for supremacy on the field. Scotland vs England matches are a reflection of the strong historical and cultural links that exist between the two nations. Rugby history has been forever altered by memorable moments. Great players, and intense matches that have resulted from this matchup over the years.

The rivalry between Scotland and England is one of the most highly anticipated events in the tournament calendar. Because it has captured spectators’ attention and ignited the spirit of competition from the historic Calcutta Cup matchups to the contemporary Six Nations showdowns. For the first time since 1893–1896 (including Home/Five Nations matchups). Scotland has defeated England in four straight Men’s Six Nations home games.

After going winless in their first nine Six Nations games against England (D1 L8). Scotland has now lost just one of their past seven (W5 D1). The current run of England’s half-time deficits in Men’s Six Nations matches is the longest in the history of the competition. England has trailed at the half in each of their previous five games.

This Decade of Six Nations

In the Men’s Six Nations this decade, George Ford’s goal is only the third to be scored (the others being Dan Biggar against Scotland in 2022 and Thomas Ramos against Ireland in 2023). Ford had previously attempted a drop goal against Ireland in 2015. Therefore this was his second consecutive successful effort in the Championship.

Julian Savea of New Zealand did it in a June 2014 encounter. Duhan van der Merwe is the first player to score a hat-trick against England in the Six Nations period. In the Six Nations, Duhan van der Merwe has scored six tries against England two more than he has against any other team in the Championship.

With 26 tries total for Scotland, he has now passed Ian Smith, Tony Stanger, and Darcy Graham (all 24). To become Scotland’s second-highest try scorer in men’s Test rugby, trailing only Stuart Hogg (27).

France 13-13 Italy

Since entering the tournament in 2000. Italy and France have always interacted with a healthy balance of mutual respect and competition. Although France has long been one of the strongest teams in the competition. Italy has gotten stronger and more competitive as time has gone on. There have been flashes of brilliance, surprises, and fierce clashes in matches between these two countries.

Each match is a gripping chapter in the continuous tale of the Six Nations Championship. Because the rivalry symbolizes the struggle between France’s established rugby strength and Italy’s rising brilliance. The Men’s Six Nations had its eighth tie between France and Italy, the first since 2019 (England 38-38 Scotland).

France had drawn thrice in the Championship, the other two times being against Ireland in 2012 and 2013. It is only the second time overall (W25 D1 L1) that France has lost a home Test match against Italy and not won one since March 1997 (32–40).

Previous three home games

The previous three home games that France has lost (D1 L2) are their lowest run of defeats at home since a stretch of four games in 2017 and 2018 (D1 L3). In this match, teammate Romain Taofifenua also earned his 50th cap for Les Bleus after coming off the bench. Joining Cyril Baille as the winner of France’s 50th cap.

The only Tier 1 forward to have scored more this decade (15) is Ardie Savea. Charles Ollivon scored his 16th try for France in this game, 14 of which have come since the start of 2020. The most tries scored by an Azzurri player in that period was 11 by Ange Capuozzo for Italy since his debut in 2022.

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