It’s finally time to catch our breath after another scintillating weekend of Guinness Six Nations action, with France the only unbeaten side left after Round 3.
Les Bleus came back from Principality Stadium with the points in what might be the game of the Championship so far, with the visitors coming out 27-23 victors over Wales in Cardiff.
Ireland tasted defeat for the first time after a dominating England performance saw Eddie Jones’ side take a 24-12 victory at Twickenham, while Scotland got their first win this campaign with a 17-0 success over Italy in Rome.
With the dust settled, it’s now time to vote for your Guinness Six Nations Player of the Round from Round 3, with two players from each of the winning sides nominated, but who stood out the most for you?
VOTE FOR YOUR GUINNESS SIX NATIONS PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Romain Ntamack
After Dillon Lewis scored Wales’ opening try on Saturday, it looked for all the world like Wales were gathering momentum with the boisterous home crowd behind them, but Ntamack had other ideas.
The fly-half’s intercept try just after the hour mark in Cardiff proved to be the difference in a keenly fought encounter, with his anticipation and timing to intercept Nick Tompkins’ pass to the wing making all the difference as France’s Grand Slam hopes continue for another round.
Maro Itoje
England had to dig deep to secure a priceless victory over Andy Farrell’s Ireland on Sunday, and no man played a bigger part in the dogged defensive effort than Maro Itoje.
The lock seemed to be everywhere whenever Ireland attacked, and his monumental 17 tackles is testament to that, as the Saracens man put his body on the line time after time to protect the lead.
The lock was constantly influential from the lineout, and that paid dividends after the interval as the hosts secured their third try following a powerful maul close to the Ireland try line.
Anthony Bouthier
What a Championship the full-back is having so far. You would be forgiven for forgetting that Bouthier hadn’t put on a French jersey before Round 1 of the Championship, with his game-defining performances making the world of difference for Fabien Galthié’s side so far.
The match in Cardiff was no different, with the 27-year-old racking up 122 metres with the ball in hand, including scoring the crucial first try at Principality Stadium, his first in international colours.
VOTE FOR YOUR GUINNESS SIX NATIONS PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Hamish Watson
Watson was an influential figure in Scotland’s back row which dominated the game at Stadio Olimpico, earning seven breakdown steals in all to shut down the Azzurri on their own turf.
The 28-year-old was influential around the breakdown, forcing two turnovers in the game and continuously slowed the ball down to halt any Italian momentum, in the type of determined performance we have come to expect from the Edinburgh man.
Watson also registered 15 tackles as he set the standard for a monumental effort all over the park from his side.
Courtney Lawes
England’s victory at Twickenham was the perfect birthday present for Courtney Lawes, who celebrated turning 31 in the best possible fashion with a man of the match display on Sunday.
The flanker put in an all-round destructive effort for his side, responsible for eight carries, 37 metres made and 14 tackles in his hour-long performance in London.
The versatility and determination he showcased is proof of why he has become a mainstay in the England starting XV, with the 31-year-old equalling Martin Johnson’s 84 international matches to become his country’s ninth most capped player in the process.
Stuart Hogg
The Scotland full-back made his mark on the 2020 Guinness Six Nations in style on Saturday, with the try of the round, if not the Championship so far.
The Exeter Chiefs man sold the entire Italian defence with a perfectly executed dummy, before arrowing into the corner to get his side off the mark in Rome with a try fit for any highlight reel.
A staggering 126 metres gained was the most by any player by far at Stadio Olimpico. Four clean breaks from his 13 runs just shows how elusive he was to the Italian defence throughout, as the 27-year-old looks to be back to his best.
VOTE FOR YOUR GUINNESS SIX NATIONS PLAYER OF THE ROUND
