AT THIS STAGE of the Championship, big performances count for a lot in the chase for the title. So, after a weekend which brought a dominant display from Ireland and stunning away wins for Italy and Wales, we struggled to pick a player from a losing side in our Team of the Week.

In fact, for most positions we couldn’t look beyond the two teams that will do battle in Cardiff when the Six Nations resumes on March 13. Ireland and Wales are bang in form, and that game is set to be a thriller.

Here’s the cream of the crop from this weekend’s international action.

1. Gethin Jenkins

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

2. Rory Best

3. Mike Ross

4. Alun Wyn Jones

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

5. Paul O’Connell

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

6. Dan Lydiate

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

7. Tommy O’Donnell

8. Sergio Parisse

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

9. Conor Murray

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

10. Jonathan Sexton

11. Simon Zebo

Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

12. Jamie Roberts

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

13. Robbie Henshaw

Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

14. George North

Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

15. Leigh Halfpenny

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

That’s our XV, who would you choose?

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Italy snatch dramatic victory with last-gasp penalty try at Murrayfield

Wasteful France allow Wales leave Paris with valuable win