1
Six players whose stock rose in the 2020 Six Nations
By Online Editors
The conclusion of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations has been left in the air due to the coronavirus outbreak, but a number of players excelled for their countries during what action was possible.
Here, the PA news agency identifies some of the stand-out performers.
WATCH: RugbyPass were lucky enough to meet Welsh Rugby legends James Hook and Shane Williams.
Maro Itoje (England)
England and Saracens lock Itoje served further notice during the Six Nations of his standing in the world game. The 25-year-old’s standards rarely dip, and he again proved to be a pivotal presence in an often-dominant England pack. His quality was underlined during England’s first-half demolition of Ireland at Twickenham, and he made a tournament-topping 74 tackles. Given his natural leadership quality, there are some who feel he would make an ideal choice as British and Irish Lions captain in South Africa next year.
Antoine Dupont (France)
France were transformed during this season’s Six Nations through a combination of factors, which included the coaching arrivals of Fabien Galthie and Shaun Edwards, but no player made it happen more than Toulouse scrum-half Dupont. Les Bleus have enjoyed the contributions of many world-class number nines over the years, but 23-year-old Dupont bossed things magnificently, and it was no coincidence that France at times looked a million dollars.
Nick Tompkins (Wales)
If there was a Six Nations prize for newcomer of the season, then Saracens centre Tompkins would be a major contender. The 25-year-old former England youth international qualifies for Wales through his Wrexham-born grandmother, and new Wales head coach Wayne Pivac produced a masterstroke when he named Tompkins as the surprise selection in his Six Nations squad. Tompkins started all four of Wales’ games, scoring a try against Italy and being an attacking catalyst during narrow losses to France and England. Pivac has unearthed a gem.
Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
Edinburgh prop Sutherland won three caps for Scotland in 2016 and looked set for a decent run on the Test match stage, but a serious groin injury laid him low and meant he spent 14 months out of the game. He returned to the Scotland team in this season’s Six Nations, and the results were spectacular, starting with a strong scrummaging display opposite Ireland’s British and Irish Lions tighthead Tadhg Furlong and continuing in consistently-impressive fashion.
Romain Ntamack (France)
The 20-year-old son of former France wing Emile Ntamack, the Toulouse fly-half consistently performed by displaying a maturity beyond his years, especially when guiding Les Bleus to outstanding victories over England and Wales. In partnership with his club half-back partner Dupont, he looks a player that national coach Galthie can start building a team around as the countdown continues to the next World Cup, which will be staged in France.
Justin Tipuric (Wales)
Wales flanker Tipuric might have turned 30 last year, but there is no sign of his powers waning. He scored the try of this season’s Six Nations against England, before adding a second touchdown, and he also crossed for a try in Wales’ defeat to Ireland. A prolific tackler and brilliant support-player, who is also a master at the breakdown, Tipuric’s all-round game has few weaknesses. And such quality once again came to the fore this season when it mattered most.
Press Association
Trending on RugbyPass
2
South Africa vs England player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
3
All Blacks player ratings vs France
4
Netherlands serve up Tier 2 shock as another World Cup side slayed
5
Latest Comments
At least he no longer writes articles related to the All Blacks. The suggestion with these ratings is that the ABs have a lot more left in the tank... Which is nonsense, this was a nail biter of a test of the highest standard and both sides we're going at it hammer and tongs. As is often the case in rugby, the team that managed to score the most tries won.
Go to commentsWho, the ABs? Oh for sure, they punched above their weight in that cup, but also had got a lot better than anyone had thought they could (except perhaps SAn's) well out from the WC (to the point where you were disappointed not to win it). Then they've probably done the most post analyzing of their RWCs in the past, due to all their failures, they knew how to maximize their itinerary and that first game against France was of less importance than any one off test was against. At least a test like this weekends had meaning, even if it's not surrounded by any overarching point. That first match in the RWC though, along with the Ireland v SA game, were totally meaningless. Everyone already knew they were only going to be up against each other, and that's why NZ were only at around 70% during it.
So you're quite right, it was pointless to make as much out of it as this author did. The same pretty much goes for 2 years prior as well, because that's obviously before the above happened. NZ were at least trying very hard in that game, and although it needed some Ntamack magic at the end, France looked pretty comfortable, or should I say, NZ very poor. That picture obviously turned around this year, but still with that fabulous French flair scoring some crazy tries to win it again.
Go to comments