Six Nations: Team of the week

NOT SO MUCH a bang. Instead the Six nations began with a creak, a rattle and groan over the weekend.

A little bit like that old lawnmower you meant to service before dumping it in a dank corner of the shed last November, Europe’s premier rugby competition has been hastily dusted off.

It’s return has left us disappointed, frustrated and angry with an experience that should have been therapeutic, not traumatic.

The people of Wales will be happy. The French and Italian’s, content. Everyone else, however, has a serious amount of work to do if they want to do anything more than make up the numbers between now and March 17th.

Yet there were still 15 players who rose above the rest and were lucky enough to achieve a much sought-after place on thescore.ie’s Six Nations team of the Week.

Six Nations: Team of the week

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Loosehead: Andre Lo Cicero. (File photo)
The best scrummaging contest of the tournament bore out in Paris and Lo Cicero's solidity in his chosen field ensured Italy would not be overawed.Source: Lynne Cameron PA-Wire Press-Association
Hooker: Rory Best.
The best of a poor bunch, The Ulster hooker was too often the only member of the green pack showing their teeth.Source: INPHO James Crombie
Tight head: Alex Corbisiero.
Not only a force to be reckoned with at scrum time, but also a monster in the loose and, crucially, at the breakdown.Source: David-Davies PA
Lock: Richie Gray.
David Denton won the man of the match, but Gray must surely have run him close. The wild haired athletic driving force of Scotland would have tasted victory but for a dearth of options behind the scrum.Source: SCOTT HEPPELL AP
Lock: Mouritz Botha.
In his second cap, the South African was the dog of the English pack, against the behemoths of Scotland's second row he needed to be on his game and was.Source: SCOTT HEPPELL AP
Blind side: David Denton.
This kid really made a name for himself on Saturday evening, barrelling over white jerseys like his team was dominant. Like Gray, deserves better from his backs.Source: Lynne Cameron PA
Open side: Sam Warburton.
He may have only played 40 minutes (a half Ireland won) but the Welsh recycling was remarkably slower in the second period. Powered by the captain their signal of intent in the first quarter did untold damage to Irish momentum.Source: INPHO Billy-Stickland
Louis Picamoles (File photo)
Seen here flaunting his wares in a New Zealand hot spring, Picamoles made the darting run to created room for Malzieu's try. has posed an interesting question to Imanol Harinordoquy for next week's selection.Source: Christophe Ena AP
Scrum-half: Mike Phillips.
Pictured here with his man-of-the-match medal, Phillips sent a message to the young pretender Conor Murray. He had the benefit of a dominant pack and made it count.Source: INPHO Morgan Treacy
Fly-half: Owen Farrell.
Farrell played centre in this game while the 'experienced' Charlie Hodgson wore number 10. His nerveless kicking in a hostile Murrayfield made a mockery of his rookie status. This was hardly a vintage week for out-halves though.Source: Mike-Egerton EMPICS
Wing: Julien Malzieu.
Malzieu chipped in with an early contender for try of the championship, handing off three tacklers on his way to the line.Source: Christophe Ena AP Press Association
Inside centre: Wesley Fofana.
Never looked out of place at this level and often looked likely to break the line. Finally got his just rewards with Italy reduced to 14. Much more to come from this man.Source: Christophe Ena AP
Outside centre: Aureliene Rougerie.
Rougerie has grown to become an imposing figure in midfield, the line taken to score his try was perfect and assuredly guided his uncapped club mate through the experience of test rugby.Source: Christophe Ena AP
Wing: George North.
Once again, the 19-year-old wrecking ball sent Irish would be tacklers flying. Even Paul O'Connell struggles to get to grips with him in this picture.Source: INPHO James Crombie
Full back: Rob Kearney.
Desperately tried to inject some impetus in the game. His incredible take of a first half Garryowen showed little respect for his own safety and he was instantly on his feet to offload. Ought to have been used for long range kicking. 55 metres is just within his range, not Jonathan Sexton's.Source: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan