A French revival ? An overrated England ? Underrated Wales ? Improved Italy ? Scotland flattering to deceive , again ? And finally what's up closer to home ? Many questions still to be answered after round 3 of the 2019 6N , here is the pick of the past weekends performances.
15. Liam Williams (WAL) Covered every blade of grass required in defence negating England's kicking game and always cutting lines and making yards in attack.
14. Jayden Hayward (ITA) Not his usual position but had a fine individual game in Rome as part of a much more fluent Italian attack.
13. Jonathan Davies (WAL) Not as conspicuous in attack as in recent years but a supreme defensive showing from a class player. Basteraud had a good outing for France
12. Gael Fickou (FRA) For me one of his best all around games at this level , has always shown flashes of brilliance , wasted on the wing.
11. Josh Adams (WAL) Great finish for his try , high workrate in defence and always a threat ball in hand.
10. Romain Ntamack (FRA) Good thing he scored ignoring a three man overlap , France need to stick with him for progress , obvious flaws in his kicking game for a top class 10 but such an exciting talent. Tomasso Allen brought his backs into play excellently in Rome too
9. Antoine Dupont (FRA) Brings an energy to the French side , on form , dangerous breaker to add to his scrum half basics. Interests backrows leaving extra space for his outside backs and forward runners.
8. Louis Picamoles (FRA) Reborn this season after a few seasons full of doubt , lack of form and injury. Subtle footwork and offloads to go with obvious power , gets France go foward when they need it most.
7. Tom Curry (ENG) For the first 60 mins in Cardiff was the obvious MotM candidate , faded a touch in last 20 but another powerful outing.
6. Peter O'Mahony (IRE) The first Irish represensative in this weeks selection . Came up with vital turnovers on the floor and out of touch , just pips Navidi and Lauret to the 6 jersey.
5. Alun Wyn Jones (WAL) Supreme Leader Jones stamped his authority all over the Principality Stadium , Wales' totem and vital to their continued success.
4. Cory Hill (WAL) Came of age with an athletic and powerful outing and capped a fine game with an important game turing try. Needs to back this effort up.
3. Demba Bamba (FRA) His performances bely the callowness of youth , he isn't 21 till Paddy's Day. Soft hands and quick feet allied to his power at scrum and in contact zones make him a player to watch iut for , for years to come.
2. Guilhem Guirado (FRA) Back to somewhat near his best , looked forlorn in opening two fixtures , edges Ghiraldini who also impressed. Will be in Peter Horne's nightmares for a while.
1. Dave Kilcoyne (IRE) A tight decision for the loosehead role with a few contenders , the Munsterman's carrying and gainline successes see him capture the selection. Having a fine season overall.
1 Englishman , 1 Italian , 2 Irishmen , 5 Welshmen and 6 Frenchmen are the make up of this weeks selection. A fallow week ahead sees time for returning injuries and no doubt some changes for each country heading into round 4.
Mark Jackson (@markusjacksonus) An Irishman in London....lover of rugby, NFL and family n friends not always in that order..consumer of meat, best friend to Wayne Barnes . All views my own and always open for a lively debate . Ireland, Leinster and the New York Giants fanatic.
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