Six Nations news: The team of the Championship so far
We are over halfway through the 2025 Six Nations and round 4 is poised to be the championship decider.
Ireland go into their clash with France as favourites for both the victory and the overall title, but France and England are very much still in with a shot at glory.
In this article, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Luke Ebden pieces together a team of the tournament so far.
1. Andrew Porter (IRE)
Ireland’s number 1 has been performing to his usual high standards of late. The loose-head has made 39 tackles so far this tournament, more than any other front-rower, and has looked superb all over the pitch.
Although he seemed a little shaky at set-piece time against WillGriff John in round 3, his commanding performance in round 2 – where he was arguably the best player of all six teams – justifies his spot in this team almost on its own.
An honourable mention goes to France’s Jean-Baptiste Gros, who has been very impressive.
2. Dan Sheehan (IRE)
Sheehan made a mammoth impact off the bench in round 1, culminating in him scoring the bonus-point try against England.
He has been consistently good in the other two games and has stepped up really well to captain Ireland in Caelan Doris’ absence.
Jamie George almost gets in after two phenomenal impacts off the bench in rounds 2 and 3 – his extra experience getting England over the line against France and Scotland – but the Irishman deserves his spot.
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3. Will Stuart (ENG)
Will Stuart is someone who has very quietly developed into the world-class tight-head England have been crying out for, and he has arguably played himself into the Lions squad recently.
England’s scrum drastically improved during the course of the Autumn Internationals and has taken another step up during this Six Nations. The tight-head is the anchor of the scrum, and thus Stuart’s efforts have been central to the English improvement.
Often lasting well over an hour into games these days and genuinely very dependable, Stuart is now firmly in contention to usurp Zander Fagerson for the Lions 3 shirt.
4. Maro Itoje (ENG)
England’s new captain is definitely back to his disruptive best and without a doubt one of the most annoyingly effective players to come up against in world rugby.
Two breakdown steals, a team-leading 38 tackles, and his all-round positive work in a largely dysfunctional England lineout earn him a rightful spot in this team.
He has also been a phenomenal leader for England, getting them across the line in games that 12 months ago they were losing.
5. Tadhg Beirne (IRE)
Tadhg Beirne is the epitome of a systems man, playing week in and week out without receiving major plaudits.
Yet, he is in everybody’s combined team, every so-called Northern Hemisphere super team, and very few countries in the world would reject the chance to have him on their roster.
He remains Ireland’s main man at the lineout, and his two breakdown steals, 39 tackles, and 55 attacking ruck arrivals make for very good numbers. As imperious as ever, no other second-rower is getting anywhere near Beirne.
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6. Tom Curry (ENG)
Without a doubt a Player of the Tournament contender, Tom Curry was actually written off by many in the lead-up to the tournament but has come roaring back.
An unmatched five breakdown steals in addition to 30 tackles – wherein he has taken some serious names – is a top-tier stats line from the Sale Sharks man. England will be hoping that Curry is available for Italy and Wales after he limped off against Scotland.
Spare a quick thought for Jamie Ritchie, though, who has been brilliant when given the minutes, especially in the Calcutta Cup.
7. Jac Morgan (WAL)
The only Welsh representative in this team, Jac Morgan has put in some mammoth defensive shifts for his despairing nation lately while also leading them astutely.
A talismanic presence, he has made 48 tackles so far, behind only Josh van der Flier (49) and Sebastian Negri (50) in that department.
Add in his 19 cleanouts, a combined 111 attacking and defensive ruck involvements, and two offloads, and his numbers are obscene enough to warrant inclusion here ahead of Rory Darge.
8. Gregory Alldritt (FRA)
The talisman of the French forwards makes this team at number 8, ahead of Ben Earl and Lorenzo Cannone, both of whom deserve a mention.
Second only to Blair Kinghorn (58) in carries, the La Rochelle star has been at his destructive best in the loose, plus Alldritt’s three turnovers show his effect on the other side of the ball too.
The Frenchman absolutely bossed Wales on the opening night of this year’s Six Nations and is an easy pick here.
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9. Antoine Dupont (FRA)
Although very poor against England in round 2, Antoine Dupont quite simply ran the show in rounds 1 and 3.
He has two tries, six assists, 41 carries for a gain of 184.8 metres, three line breaks, and nine offloads. On his day, Dupont is nothing less than a rugby cheat code.
Jamison Gibson-Park, it must be said, is one of the unluckiest guys around as a truly world-class 9 who just happens to be playing at the same time as an all-time great in the making.
10. Fin Smith (ENG)
Fin Smith has really impressed during this championship.
In round 1, he came off the bench and won England the territory battle in Dublin, leading to the salvaging of a bonus point. He then ran the show in round 2, slotting the game-winning kick despite not starting the match as first choice goal-kicker. And recently, round 3 saw him nail a long-range kick that ultimately won England the game.
Who knows what will happen with England’s 10 shirt going forward after the ‘Smith squared’ experiment failed against Scotland, but Fin Smith has certainly made his case loud and clear.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (FRA)
The Bordeaux speedster has been on a hot streak in the try-scoring department for some time now, and he has five tries in three games in the current championship.
Having assisted four tries on top of that, there is an argument to be made that Bielle-Biarrey is the best winger in world rugby on current form.
While his teammate Theo Attissogbe has taken to international rugby like a duck to water when given the chance, Bielle-Biarrey is an easy choice for this team all things considered.
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12. Ollie Lawrence (ENG)
When he has the ball, Ollie Lawrence is brilliant in punching lines, carrying hard, and dragging England forward. The fact that he does not trouble the top 30 carriers in the tournament is a testament to Steve Borthwick’s poor attack.
He has, however, made three line breaks and three offloads when given the opportunity, including powering over Ramos for a try in round 2. The Bath centre is also dependable in defence, making 28 tackles so far.
Tommaso Menoncello and Tom Jorgan can count themselves unlucky to not make the cut.
13. Huw Jones (SCO)
Huw Jones has properly stepped up in the absence of regular partner and inspirational Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.
Four tries – including that magical round 1 hat-trick – an impressive 260 metres carried, and two line breaks are great underlying numbers for the Scottish centre, making him the standout 13.
Whether or not he has done enough to edge Garry Ringrose and Lawrence out of the Lions team remains to be seen.
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14. James Lowe (IRE)
James Lowe has been brilliant, as expected. It is just the one try for him so far this year, but he has provided four assists and none of them have been ordinary.
Sitting a smidge shy of 300 metres carried and 200 metres gained, Lowe is essential to Ireland both in attack and off the wing.
A dazzling player with an unmatched 8 line breaks, he has to be here in spite of the best efforts of Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe.
15. Thomas Ramos (FRA)
Brilliant in two different positions, Ramos is a top-tier rugby player. He starred at 10 in the round 3 thumping of Italy and was his usual class self at 15 in round 1.
As reliable as ever off the tee, Ramos also has an assist, four line breaks, six offloads, and 33 carries – in which he has gained 213 metres.
Shout-out to Blair Kinghorn here too, who has been faultless at the back for Scotland.
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