Who's hot and who's not: French maverick 'having a real blast', Steve Borthwick 'asleep at the wheel' and toxic Irish 'keyboard warriors'
The Hot Ones
Matthieu Jalibert: The French maverick is having a real blast in the 2026 Six Nations championship. After being axed from the team last year, he's now hogging the limelight with his finessed Bordeaux-style play. Two matches into the tournament, he's topping the offload, try assist, and kick bounce charts, and has scored two tries, including a bonus-point clincher in Wales. His assured level of maturity and confidence is a stark contrast to his previous performances, and he's a key reason for France's success so far.
Finn Russell: The Scottish playmaker is a master of toying with the English defense. His cat-like agility and precision passing make him a nightmare for the opposition. Despite last year's missed conversions calamity in London, Russell's class and skill are evident in his first-half display against England, which Maro Itoje and co. couldn't handle.
Hollie Davidson: The Scottish referee made her Six Nations debut with a strong performance. She was unprompted by Michele Lamaro, the Italian skipper, who congratulated her on becoming the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations game. Her ability to manage the game and make fair decisions was commendable, and her performance was a step towards breaking down the negative narrative surrounding referees.
The Not So Hot Ones
Steve Borthwick: The English coach is facing criticism for his team's performance against Scotland. Despite a 12-match winning run, Borthwick's team fell behind early in the second half, raising concerns about their defense and appetite for collisions. The coach is under pressure to make changes and improve the team's performance.
Stuart McCloskey: The Irish midfielder is a late bloomer, but his performances in Paris and Dublin have been exquisite. He's a key player for Ireland, and his influence on both sides of the ball is undeniable. However, his belated blooming is a lesson in patience and belief, and it's taken 10 years for him to reach this point.
Ben O'Keeffe: The New Zealand referee made a big mistake in his return to Super Rugby Pacific. He awarded Tupou Vaa'i's try, which was later admitted to be illegal. O'Keeffe's decision to award the try was questioned, and he's now left red-faced as the tournament officials admitted the error.
Controversy & Comment Hooks
The debate surrounding Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley's performances has become deeply personal, with online toxicity reaching new heights. The Irish keyboard warriors are causing division, and it's a concern for the team's morale. The coach, Andy Farrell, has called out the keyboard warriors, asking them to support the players instead of causing division.
The Welsh team is facing criticism for their poor performance, with a record low Six Nations attendance at the Principality Stadium. The team's defense is a concern, and the coach, Steve Tandy, is under pressure to make changes. The team's performance has been a 'damning indictment' of their current state.
