Biggest winners of the Six Nation round 3

These are players who stood out to me at the weekend as some of the biggest winners. I’m not going to start harping on about the biggest losers because I think we’re all guilty of being a bit too negative at times, especially when being critical of our own team.

Disclaimer: I am a one-eyed Englishman and I’m just a fan so please don’t take my opinions as any kind of analysis.

Wales

Nicky Smith: Fantastic in the scrum, made a huge difference when he went off for his HIA and then came back - the Welsh scrum got a great deal of value out of him in the front row - does this also make Adam Jones a big winner for Wales?

Ben Thomas: A beneficiary of being played in the correct position; seemed to have oodles of time to find the right recipient of his passes and was no slouch in defence when he needed to be there.

Ellis Mee: Yes his try was discounted, but his involvements in the game show that he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

Ireland

Sam Prendergast: Hear me out; didn’t have a perfect game against Wales, they hounded him and harried him at every opportunity and he gets bumped and bounced all over the place, but his tactical kicking is on point and, being the current Irish golden goose, his chances for the Lions tour go up every time Finn Russell makes a mistake.

Bundee Aki: Not so much a winner because he did better than he usually does but the guy just gets better and better as he gets older - that and the image of him covered in muck and blood and having some banter with the Welsh fans will be one to stand the test of time. A brilliant player and lovely bloke, by all accounts (except when he’s nicking chicken).

Caelan Doris: A winner in his own absence; I think the side lacked his experienced leadership and him not being there prevented Jack Conan from being unleashed late-game.

England

Tommy Freeman: Keeps getting better; he’s not the fastest on the wing but he’s getting to be incredibly industrious and always snuffling about for something to do.

Fin Smith: Second test start, second win, 50m penalty kicked. He looks every bit the model English 10; obviously got some growing to do but he’s still in single-figure England caps so it’ll come. Incredibly impressed by his defensive profile as well, 16/20 tackles, some of them dominant; never seems to shy away from duty.

Ollie Chessum: We know he’s good but the fact that there was no noticeable step down in the scrum from Martin, as well as several stolen lineouts and some good carrying; the second row should be in a good place.

Scotland

Jamie Ritchie: MotM on the day for me; an absolute bastard and thorn in the side of many an English breakdown. So busy and so good at what he does, his attitude (especially in games against England) is second to none and he’s basically the tartan Terminator - “Jamie Ritchie is out there, it can't be bargained with, it can't be reasoned with, it doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear, and it absolutely will not stop.”

Kyle Rowe: Perhaps wouldn’t have started if Graham had been fit, provided so much go-forward for Scotland and spots little gaps so well.

Duhan Van Der Merwe: Only a single try in this year’s Calcutta Cup game (thank fuck) but was much more involved than normal; he’s developed a much better rounded game than in previous years. Probably could have been a bit more sympathetic to Russell with where his try was dotted down but hey ho, you’re full of adrenaline and the clock is ticking, you may not be thinking 100% straight.

Italy

Ruzza: Always good in the air and had that lovely offload for Brex’ try. Keeps improving but never looks like he’s had more than 2 hours of sleep.

Zuliani: Pushing for a starting position, explosive when he came on and provided carrying and defence.

Menoncello: Keeps getting better, runs good lines and always has an eye for a pass. Should be a mainstay for Italy going forward.

France

Attisogbe: Will he become known as the bloke who kept Penaud out of the French starting XV? He was good, wasn’t he?

Aldritt: Proving naysayers wrong and getting back towards his best. So very good at getting the ball out for his own team post-contact, rarely gets turned over and is always up for a carry.

Gros: Improving week on week; solid at scrum time but providing incredibly soft hands and brilliant defensive tackling. A useful man to have on either side of the ball and another to watch develop over his career.

Inevitably I will have forgotten some good performances, so please add your own winners in the comments.