Before we bid a final farewell to Round 1, it’s time to reveal your choices for the best player and team of the opening weekend.
An enthralling first set of fixtures produced three away victories, two tense finishes and one of the best tries in the history of Rugby’s Greatest Championship.
And it will come as no surprise to hear that Duhan van der Merwe is this week’s Player of the Round after a sublime solo score in Scotland’s Calcutta Cup triumph.
The 27-year-old followed that up with the winning try as Scotland secured back-to-back victories at Twickenham for the first time in their history.
He featured in 82% of Team of the Round submissions, with Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier the next most popular selection.
Moving onto the Team of the Round, two of this week’s front row forwards were directly involved in a try this week, with Ellis Genge on the scoresheet for England and Finlay Bealham – a late call up after Tadhg Furlong was ruled out through injury – notching a try assist in Cardiff.
Between them is Dan Sheehan, who at only 24 has cemented himself as an integral part of Andy Farrell’s side, with his latest brilliant showing in their 34-10 win against Wales.
A towering second row pairing pits Richie Gray alongside James Ryan, both having played a key role in the dominance of their team’s packs in victories on Saturday.
After a true captain’s performance, Scotland’s Jamie Ritchie starts at flanker, joined by two Ireland try-scorers as the world’s No.1 side started their campaign in style, in Caelan Doris and World Player of the Year Van der Flier.
Few players can match Antoine Dupont for consistency. Last year’s Player of the Championship skippered France to a 29-24 success over Italy on Sunday and is once again your pick at scrum-half.
His half-back partner is Finn Russell, the key orchestrater in Scotland’s famous 29-23 win.
Teammate Sione Tuipulotu delivered a complete centre performance, with a deft grubber for Huw Jones for Scotland’s first try his most eye-catching contribution and he makes the team at inside centre.
Next to him is Garry Ringrose, whose monstrous hit on Dan Biggar was one of the most viewed clips from the first round, earning the Leinster man the 13 jersey.
And completing the back three alongside the monstrous Van der Merwe is Max Malins, who notched an impressive double on his international return, and Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, who ruled the skies at Principality Stadium, dealing with Wales’ aerial bombardment with great assuredness while also backing up Johnny Sexton’s clever kicks with a committed chase.
Guinness Six Nations Team of Round 1:
1 Ellis Genge 32%
2 Dan Sheehan 50%
3 Finlay Bealham 31%
4 Richie Gray 39%
5 James Ryan 45%
6 Jamie Ritchie 41%
7 Josh Van der Flier 72%
8 Caelan Doris 50%
9 Antoine Dupont 47%
10 Finn Russell 43%
11 Duhan van der Merwe 82%
12 Sione Tuipulotu 50%
13 Garry Ringrose 34%
14 Max Malins 39%
15 Hugo Keenan 39%
