With the first weekend of fixtures in the 2022 Six Nations played, who should you be watching?
In no particular order, here is our list of ones to watch as the tournament continues.
Marcus Smith (ENG)
Ok so bear with me on this one. He was the brightest spark in a very dull England performance.
He scored all the losing team’s points (17) including the only English try of the game.
In Quins’ title winning season last year, he scored 286 points including eight tries.
His form for England has been similar with his try against Scotland his third for England.
These have come in just five appearances for the side and he’s picked up a Lions cap in that time too.
Antoine Dupont (FRA)
No list would be complete without the pocket rocket from Toulouse. Dupont is a key man in Fabien Galthie’s France.
He is current World Rugby Player of the Year and one of the best scrum-halves in the world right now.
The 25-year-old has made 35 appearances for France since his debut in 2017.
He has scored 10 tries in this time including four in previous Six Nations tournaments.
This man influences everyone around him and is definitely someone to watch even just for the sublime rugby he plays.
Louis Rees-Zammit (WAL)
Another player who didn’t have a great opening game and some may argue there are other players that deserve this spot.
Four tries in nine appearances for Gloucester makes the Welshman an exciting watch.
At 6ft 3in, the winger is hard to miss out wide, with his electric pace earning him the nickname ‘Grees-Lightning’.
Six tries in 12 games for his country and a Lions call-up shows the 21-year-old has the mettle to compete at the top.
Matthew Fagerson (SCO)
The first and only forward to appear in this list.
Fagerson was a 6ft 1in, 110kg menace against England, making 13 tackles.
He isn’t the most experienced internationally with just the 16 caps, but at 23 he has plenty of time.
A physically dominant player, capable of being a nuisance both in the breakdown and with the ball in hand.
With the Number Eight position being an open area in this Scottish side, he’ll be looking to continue performing as he did against England.
Andrew Conway (IRE)
I won’t lie I wasn’t thinking this guy would make the finished list but after two tries against Wales it’s hard not to include him.
Conway has been a mainstay in this Ireland side under Andy Farrell making 28 appearances since 2017.
In that time he has scored 15 times for his country and has only lost just the three games so far.
An incredibly dangerous winger capable of cutting inside and causing issues or speeding past people out wide.
He’ll round out this list proper.
Honourable Mentions
Mack Hansen (IRE) – An impressive debut for his adoptive country against Wales could see this tournament be a kick-starter for him.
Sam Simmonds (ENG) – After a rampant run of form for Exeter Chiefs scoring for fun and getting a Lions call-up, Eddie Jones finally gives him a chance in the England squad.
Paolo Garbisi (ITA) – He’s solidified the Number 10 shirt as his own for the ‘Azzurri’ scoring 82 points in 13 caps.
Damian Penaud (FRA) – 13 tries including one against the All Blacks in Autumn this man has been immense in past Six Nations.
(Featured image used under Creative Commons by Jack86mkII)
