The first round of the Six Nations got underway last weekend and, with fans back in stadiums across Europe for the first time since the 2020 renewal of the tournament, the opening batch of fixtures certainly didn’t disappoint.
Italy fought tooth and nail against favourites France for the first 30 minutes or so in Paris before Les Bleus went on to cruise to a 37-10 victory, Ireland dispatched of an injury-hit Wales in Dublin (29-7), while Scotland upset the Six Nations odds from Paddy Power to retain their Calcutta Cup with a dramatic 20-17 win over England.
With the Six Nations off to a flying start and the tournament set to unravel over the course of the next month, let’s take a look at some of the standout players from the opening weekend’s exciting matches. Read on to find out more!
Mack Hansen – Ireland
Ireland fans will have been having flashbacks to Jacob Stockdale’s Six Nations debut in 2018 after watching Mack Hansen give defending champions Wales a nightmarish 80 minutes at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Stockdale broke onto the international scene with great aplomb, scoring in the round 1 victory over Italy before racking up tries against Wales, Scotland and England as the boys in green won the Grand Slam.
With the 25-year-old out of this year’s tournament due to injury, Hansen has stepped up to the plate and Andy Farrell couldn’t have asked for a better debut from the Connacht man. While he didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet himself, the 23-year-old set up his United Rugby Championship teammate for Ireland’s opening try and travelled over 149 metres with the ball in hand — more than any other player in the tournament. Ireland are now being backed in the rugby tips to win the Six Nations and more performances like that from the Canberra-born winger would do them a world of good.
Matt Fagerson – Scotland
When Scotland fight hard for the entire 80 minutes to deservedly beat England at Murrayfield, their second victory in a row over Eddie Jones’ side, it’s hard to pick just one standout player. However, while the likes of Ali Price, Finn Russell and Darcy Graham all preformed valiantly in Edinburgh, credit must go to Scotland’s number eight Matt Fagerson.
It was also going to be a battle won and lost between the two rivals’ forwards and Fagerson did a great job to ensure he, and Scotland, came out on top. Working tirelessly, the 23-year-old, who plies his trade for the Glasgow Warriors, carried the ball brilliantly for Scotland as he made a total of 53 metres when in possession — which only the wingers on Gregor Townsend’s team could better. The back also completed all 13 of his tackle attempts as he crowned Man of the Match.
Gabin Villière – France
Arguably the best player of the opening fixtures, Gabin Villière was truly unstoppable against Italy at the Stade de France. Kieran Cowley’s men made it harder than expected for Fabien Galthié’s side in the first half hour, as the Six Nations favourites had to come back from behind twice. But their quality eventually shone through with Gabin Villière the standout performer as he scored France’s first hat-trick in the tournament in 14 years.
The 26-year-old got his first try on the brink of half-time to give Les Bleus a comfortable eight-point lead at the break and added his second five points of the match nine minutes into the second half to help extend France’s lead to 13. With the title hopefuls now enjoying themselves after that early scare, and a bonus point already in the bag, Villière scored his side’s fifth try of the game in the 82nd minute. Ireland will have their work cut out to stop the winger in round 2.
