Sean Cronin also earns the nods after the line-out struggles against Ulster.
No Irish players made the cut this time around, but there was still a lot to love about rugby in 2019.
A training ground injury for Matt Healy has forced Friend to switch John Porch to fullback.
A brilliant weekend of rugby delivered no shortage of back-line options
Munster’s Mike Haley is also set for his first international cap as he takes up a spot among the replacements.
The Connacht star is one of seven Irish-based players in the tournament’s team of the year.
Here’s who stood out for us since the start of February.
Joe Schmidt has also recalled Andrew Porter, Kieran Marmion and Quinn Roux to his squad for his final Six Nations match.
Here’s who shone brightest on the penultimate weekend of the Six Nations.
The second row was an irresistible force in leading Wales to a seismic win over England.
Who shone brightest for you in week two?
Simon Zebo will start opposite Jacob Stockdale as last season’s runners-up bid to seal their passage to the knockout stage.
Rory Best is among the replacements as Dan McFarland has been able to name a team with just three changes.
Only Mike Haley and Sam Arnold have been asked to start twice in the space of six days for the province.
We could have squeezed a few more Ulstermen into our first XV from round 3.
Munster were the only Irish province to take a win from the European weekend, so we’ve turned to Racing and Toulouse to fill big chunks in our team.
The provinces are well represented after going unbeaten through round one.
Leo Cullen’s had close to a full-strength squad to choose from for the RDS curtain-raiser.
On the bench, the son of former Ireland and Lions centre Brendan Mullin is in line to make his provincial debut.
Scotland got back in the winners’ circle. England and Ireland marched on. But who stood out for you?
Adam Byrne has had to work hard for this opportunity.
John McKee has made four changes to the side who lost to Italy last weekend.
Uncapped Munster man Darren Sweetnam is named among the replacements.
Tyler Bleyendaal and Niall Scannell will miss the crucial Champions Cup clash through injury.
Who would you have in your tournament dream team so far?
Jack Kelly has shrugged off a shoulder injury to take up a role at fullback.
Leinster and Ulster received two picks apiece with Tiernan O’Halloran the sole representative from Connacht.
There are welcome returns to action for Marnitz Boshoff, Darragh Leader and Cian Kelleher.
Jack Conan has been able to shake off a calf issue to start alongside Sean O’Brien in the back row.
Luke McGrath, Dan Leavy and Jack Conan have also been cleared to play despite being in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad.
Taking injuries into account, here’s who we’d pick to face Scotland in February.
Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Donnacha Ryan and Tommy O’Donnell start after returning from Ireland duty.
There was the tightest of tight calls at number eight, while we found room for five Irishmen after the draw against Wales.
All aboard. This is Connacht’s last stop before the 12,000 KM round trip to Krasnoyarsk.
Leinster can move to within a point of the league leaders if everything goes to plan tomorrow night.
Who were your top performers in this weekend’s two games?
Scotland are well represented after their heartbreaking exit.
There’s also a man who played his way in before being forced to retire prematurely.
Pat Lam has made three changes to the side that lost to Ulster.
