The 2022 Six Nations is underway with three exciting games played so far.

It was a weekend for firsts and records with France and Ireland dominating the headlines after impressive showings.

There was more going on behind the scenes, however, with a few firsts and some rising stars.

Tom Curry Captain’s Honour

Tom Curry was the youngest captain of an England team since Will Carling in 1988.

That wasn’t the only record he achieved as it’s been 14 years since a Sale Sharks player captained England.

The last man to do it?

Jason Robinson.

Yes, bona fide England legend and 2003 World Cup winner Robinson.

They don’t play in the same positions but with a Shark at the helm will England be eyeing up some silverware?

Debuts and Tries

Nearly every side have employed the services of debutants for this tournament – with many playing, too.

Most notably are Ben White for Scotland and Tommaso Menoncello for Italy.

Both scored on their debuts for their side’s first tries of their respective games.

Ben White came on for Ali Price who had to leave the field for a HIA (Head Injury Assessment) and within minutes White had scored.

A fairy-tale debut for the 23-year-old who has made appearances for England at U20s level.

Menoncello who is just 19-years-old started for his side in their opener against France.

After 18 minutes the young man scored from a Paolo Garbisi cross-field kick.

This makes him the youngest (19y 170d) Championship try-scorer since 1967 when Keith Jarrett scored for Wales.

It’s not a half-bad score either!

Mack Hansen also deserves a shout-out following a strong performance for Ireland in his debut.

Tries Galore

Gabin Villiere who has struggled to break into the France squad for a while now scored a hattrick to see off Italy.

Not only was this of massive benefit to France who see themselves top of the Six Nations table currently, but it was also a personal record.

He is the first Frenchman to score a hattrick in the Championship since Vincent Clerc in 2008.

There have been nine other hat-tricks in the time following Clerc’s performance in Paris over a decade ago.

None of these were Frenchman and now ‘Les Bleus’ can say a player in blue has done it.

Villiere’s scores solidified a dominant performance after an early scare against the Italians.

Anymore?

With all teams having new blood, we’ll see more firsts as the weeks go on.

(Featured image – pic under creative commons by Fanny Schertzer)

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