The 2023 Guinness Six Nations has been packed with tries of the highest quality and six of the best have been nominated for this year’s Try of the Championship.
From Duhan van der Merwe’s superb solo effort in Round 1 to Damian Penaud rounding off a flowing French move on Super Saturday, with plenty more in between, it’s tough to pick a winner.
Which of these crackers will come out on top?
Duhan van der Merwe (England v SCOTLAND – first try)
One of the great Twickenham tries, Duhan van der Merwe received the ball nearly 60 metres out with a line of advancing England defenders coming towards him.
He skipped through the first line before using pace, power and footwork to see off five men in all on the way to scoring what he described as the best try of his career.
Even better, he popped up with the match-winner later in the game.
Hugo Keenan (IRELAND v France)
Dublin was on its feet for Ireland’s breath-taking first score against France.
It may have been the result of a pre-rehearsed move but it was executed to perfection, with a sea of runners attracting the eyes of the French defence, allowing Hugo Keenan to dart clear after a reverse pass from Finlay Bealham.
The flying full-back then pinned his ears back to cross for a sublime score.
Damian Penaud (Ireland v FRANCE)
When Romain Ntamack’s hurried pass bobbled its way inside France’s 22, it seemed unthinkable that those wearing blue at Aviva Stadium would be rejoicing a few moments later.
But that is a testament to the wizardry of Damian Penaud, who after collecting Thomas Ramos’ tap-on, galloped downfield.
He would pass inside to Anthony Jelonch, before the flanker returned the favour to set Penaud clear for another wonderful effort.
Pierre Bruno (ITALY v Ireland)
With momentum behind them and the bonus point already secured, Ireland were looking to strike for a fifth time on the stroke of half-time in Rome.
From a lineout just outside the Italy 22 they spun the ball wide, hoping to exploit Italy on the flanks as they had done for two of their earlier scores.
But rather than putting the game to bed they saw their lead slashed, as Pierre Bruno picked off Bundee Aki’s pass intended for Ross Byrne. The winger then put on the afterburners and sprinted home all of 70 metres to score.
Damian Penaud (England v FRANCE – second try)
France ran in seven tries on a special day at Twickenham and they saved the best for last as Damian Penaud brought up the half-century mark.
From a lineout on the England 22, Thibaud Flament leapt highest before Grégory Alldritt shifted the ball to Maxime Lucu. The scrum-half then brought Yoram Moefana into play. The tempo raised from there, Moefana passing out the back to Thomas Ramos, who then fed Ethan Dumortier, who shipped it to Melvyn Jaminet.
England had been opened up by now and Jaminet delivered out wide for Penaud to race in for his second of the afternoon.
Damian Penaud (FRANCE v Wales – first try)
The flying French winger makes up half the nominations on this year’s list after marking Super Saturday with another score to savour.
Plenty of the credit for this one goes the way of Romain Ntamack, who spotted a gap in the Welsh defence and surged through it to enter the 22.
He had willing support in Antoine Dupont, who flung a huge pass out to Penaud to provide him with a simple finish in the corner as France responded rapidly to going behind at the Stade de France.
