The 2026 Six Nations kicked off with a bang, but it wasn’t England stealing the spotlight—it was Italy and France who dominated the headlines, leaving England in their wake. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some teams celebrated home victories, others were left questioning their strategies. Let’s dive into the Six Nations Team of the Week, where standout performances and bold choices reign supreme.
Six Nations Team of Round One
15. Thomas Ramos (France): The undisputed volley king, Ramos delivered yet another masterclass at fullback. His memorable try assist for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, coupled with nearly 100 metres gained, another try assist, and 11 points off the tee, cemented his status as a Stade Toulousain genius. Meanwhile, Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit flashed moments of brilliance at Twickenham, though it wasn’t enough to overshadow Ramos’ dominance.
14. Henry Arundell (England): Choosing the standout winger this round felt like flipping a three-sided coin. Bielle-Biarrey’s consistency on the left wing was undeniable, but Arundell’s hat-trick sealed his spot on the right. Louis Lynagh’s Azzurri heroics and Theo Attissogbe’s all-round excellence in Paris were hard to ignore, but a hat-trick is a hat-trick—Arundell takes the crown.
13. Nacho Brex (Italy): Predicted as the key matchup, Brex vs. Huw Jones lived up to the hype. Italy’s vice-captain was a force on both sides of the ball, creating a try and leading a defensive masterclass. Nicolas Depoortere and Tommy Freeman impressed for France and England, respectively, but Brex’s impact was unmatched.
12. Tommaso Menoncello (Italy): Partnering seamlessly with Brex, Menoncello showcased why he’s Toulouse-bound. His brilliant try and defensive efforts were pivotal. Yoram Moefana and Fraser Dingwall were stellar enablers for France and England, but the ‘Brexoncello’ partnership stole the show.
And this is the part most people miss: While George Ford’s playmaking brilliance for England was undeniable, Matthieu Jalibert’s performance for France was a tactical masterpiece, narrowly edging him out for the fly-half spot.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France): Is there a week this man doesn’t make our team? His opening try was a masterpiece, and his consistency is unparalleled. Monty Ioane’s efforts for Italy in the Rome downpour were commendable, but Bielle-Biarrey remains in a league of his own.
10. Matthieu Jalibert (France): Jalibert’s execution of France’s ‘Vertical Threat’ strategy was flawless, complete with a try and improved defense. George Ford’s brilliance for England was hard to overlook, but Jalibert’s performance was the difference-maker.
9. Antoine Dupont (France): The Dupont-Jalibert partnership silenced doubters in Paris. Dupont’s pace and precision were near-perfect, earning him a standing ovation. England’s Alex Mitchell and Italy’s Alessandro Fusco impressed, but Dupont’s class was undeniable.
The Forwards
8. Ben Earl (England): Earl’s stats—topping carries, clean breaks, and turnovers—while scoring a try and making 78 metres, silenced critics who doubt his ‘real eight’ status. Lorenzo Cannone’s seismic performance for Italy and Anthony Jelonch’s defensive masterclass for France were noteworthy, but Earl’s impact was unmatched.
7. Oscar Jegou (France): Jegou’s traditional flanker role for France stood out with 15 tackles, a turnover, and nine carries. Italy’s Manuel Zuliani and Scotland’s Rory Darge were excellent, but Jegou’s value was undeniable.
6. Michele Lamaro (Italy): The Italian skipper’s passion and leadership were on full display. His fearless play and critical interventions earned him every plaudit. England’s Guy Pepper and France’s Francois Cros were unsung heroes, but Lamaro’s impact was seismic.
5. Mickeal Guillard (France): Our Player of the Round, Guillard’s 16 dominant carries, 46 metres gained, and flawless lineout work gave France their momentum. Ollie Chessum and Tadhg Beirne were unlucky, but Guillard’s performance was majestic.
4. Niccolo Cannone (Italy): With 25 tackles, four lineout steals, and thundering breakdown work, Cannone matched his brother’s heroics. France’s Charles Ollivon was outstanding, but Cannone’s impact was too significant to ignore.
3. Simone Ferrari (Italy): The 131kg veteran dismantled Scotland’s front row, proving he’s Italy’s true ‘Purosangue.’ England’s Joe Heyes was a defensive powerhouse, but Ferrari’s performance was career-defining.
2. Giacomo Nicotera (Italy): Known as the bull, Nicotera’s 17 tackles and scrum dominance secured his spot. Jamie George’s leadership for England was commendable, but Nicotera’s impact was game-changing.
1. Danilo Fischetti (Italy): Italy’s front-row dominance was key to their victory, and Fischetti’s performance against Zander Fagerson was monstrous. Bevan Rodd’s bench impact for England was notable, but Fischetti’s effervescence was unmatched.
Controversial Question: Did England’s performance fall short of expectations, or were Italy and France simply unstoppable? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
