After a month of memorable moments, excellent tries and shocking upsets, the 2023 Summer Nations Series is over.
Teams from both hemispheres went toe-to-toe during a blockbuster summer of action, and now the attention turns to the Rugby World Cup.
It is sure to be a fantastic tournament, but before it gets underway, let’s take a look back at Breitling’s #DefiningMoment of the 2023 Summer Nations Series.
Breitling #DefiningMoment of the Series
Finn Russell can conjure a moment of magic out of nothing, so it was no surprise to see him set up one of the best scores of the summer.
With his side 6-0 down against Georgia at half-time, the fly-half stepped up and changed the game with an outrageous cross-field kick to feed Duhan van der Merwe for Scotland’s opening score.
Russell is not one to do things the easy way, and this kick was no different.
He picked out the winger using the outside of his right boot, and Gregor Townsend’s team rallied to win the match 33-6.
With captain Ken Owens ruled out of the Summer Nations Series due to a back injury, Jac Morgan had the chance to impress in Wales’ opening game of the summer against England.
The prodigious back row star was named as captain for the clash and did not disappoint as Wales won 20-9.
The new captain showed how influential he can be by sensationally setting up Gareth Davies for Wales’ first try.
After receiving the ball from No.8 Aaron Wainwright, Morgan stepped inside and last two defenders.
By the time Lewis Ludlam had brought him down it was too late, he had popped the ball to Davies, who crossed the whitewash to score.
France put on one of the performances of the Summer Nations Series to beat Australia 41-17, and wing wizard Damian Penaud was a class above the rest.
With Les Bleus 31-12 ahead and with one try to his name already, Penaud somehow found another gear, producing some incredible skill on the right wing to get past his opposite man and cross the try line for his second of the match.
It all started in the winger’s half, where he received the ball before chipping it over Mark Nawaqanitawase.
If that was not enough he then collected it and crossed the try line unopposed to put the result beyond any doubt.
Ange Capuozzo marked his return to the international stage with a delightful double in Italy’s 57-7 triumph over Romania, and his second score was something special.
The full-back came into possession on the left wing with very little space to work with, but he did not panic.
Instead, he sprinted towards the try line before diving over a Romania defender and touching down in the corner.
The result was already beyond any doubt with Romania reduced to 14 players in the early stages, but Capuozzo’s second score was truly the icing on the cake.
