15 Theo Attissogbe (France): Made his mark in the Six Nations and then impressed on Saturday despite being moved from wing to full-back. Attissogbe showed his attacking skills by making the break for Mickael Guillard’s try but it was his basics, particularly under the high ball, which impressed the most. Damian Willemse made an impressive Test return for the Springboks but it was not enough to displace the Frenchman.

14 Will Jordan (New Zealand): Ireland’s Tommy O’Brien and Tom Roebuck of England also managed to touch down twice each, but Jordan was at his classy best in Dunedin. An injury to Sevu Reece forced him to move over to the right wing but it did not affect his performance as the speedster continued his incredible try-scoring record. It now stands at 40 in just 42 matches.

13 Len Ikitau (Australia): He started at 12 for the Wallabies but Ikitau has played plenty at 13 and deserves his place in the team after a very effective outing on both sides of the ball against Fiji. Jesse Kriel, the Springboks captain for the Italy Test, is perhaps unlucky to miss out but the Australian was once again in excellent form for his country.

Fijian magic

12 Josua Tuisova (Fiji): Was utterly destructive for the Flying Fijians. Often used off first phase ball, Tuisova always made it over the gain line with it taking more than one tackler to bring him to ground. Damian de Allende (South Africa) and Gael Fickou (France) were also physical and abrasive, but the rampaging Fijian was absolutely superb.

11 Jiuta Wainiqolo (Fiji): Showed what he has been doing for Toulon over the past few seasons by tearing the Wallabies apart. Set up the try of the weekend with a remarkable run which displayed his wonderful pace, balance and skill set. Gabin Villiere is unfortunate after being utterly outstanding on both sides of the ball for France against the All Blacks, but we couldn’t ignore the brilliance of Wainiqolo.

10 George Ford (England): Had a shaky start but absolutely ran the show against Argentina in the second period once his team-mates sorted out their discipline. Controlled the match with his boot but also assisted Freddie Steward’s try and played a key role in Roebuck’s brace. It was a tight call between Ford and New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, but the English playmaker gets the nod after showing touches of genius to go along with his control.

9 Morne van den Berg (South Africa): Rassie Erasmus may have just found his long-term scrum-half as Van den Berg followed a fine display against the Barbarians last weekend with another superb outing, this time against Italy. There will be sterner challenges to come for him, particularly in the Rugby Championship, but he looks to have found his game at international level after initially struggling. Ireland’s Craig Casey was next best.

8 Tom Willis (England): A barnstorming performance from the number eight, who simply refused to be stopped when carrying the ball. Willis consistently swatted aside Argentinian defenders, while he also impressed defensively, winning a couple of key turnovers. There were some outstanding displays at the base with Guillard (France), Jasper Wiese (South Africa) and Gavin Coombes (Ireland) all impressing, but Willis deservedly takes his place in the team.

7 Manuel Zuliani (Italy): It felt like Italy were a one-man team for the first 50 minutes of their match against the Boks and Zuliani was that man. Although Alexandre Fischer took names in a destructive defensive display for France and the likes of the All Blacks’ Ardie Savea, Ireland’s Nick Timoney and Australia’s Fraser McReight also starred, the Italian was absolutely incredible in Pretoria.

6 Michael Leitch (Japan): The Brave Blossoms legend may be 36 now but his standards simply aren’t dropping. Vincent Tshituka enjoyed a fine Test debut for the Boks while Ryan Baird continued his excellent Leinster form in an Ireland shirt, but Leitch was a man possessed on Saturday as Japan came from 19-7 behind at the break to stun Wales.

Impressive debut

5 Fabian Holland (New Zealand): Scott Robertson named four debutants in his 23 to face France and Holland was very much the best of them. The young lock was very good in the set-piece and he also put himself about in the loose, making plenty of carries and tackles to show that he is ready for international rugby. A real talent who has already shown a glimpse of the immense quality he possesses.

4 Nick Frost (Australia): Enjoyed a fine 2024 for the Wallabies and he started the 2025 Test campaign just as impressively. Frost is always excellent in the lineout but his athleticism also allows him to be effective in the loose. The lock was the game’s top tackler during the Fiji clash in Newcastle and he saw off competition from Eben Etzebeth and Niccolo Cannone, who had a great battle in the Italy v South Africa encounter.

3 Wilco Louw (South Africa): Speaking of the Springboks, their scrum was absolutely fearsome in the triumph over the Azzurri. Louw has been the best prop in the United Rugby Championship this season and he took that form into Test arena as South Africa constantly sent their opposition front-row into reverse. Credit to Joe Heyes, who produced a fine display in England’s victory over Argentina, but Louw was on another level.

2 Jamie George (England): Two hookers who are perhaps getting towards the end of their careers were in contention for this spot, with the All Blacks’ Codie Taylor also being considered, but George just about takes it. His set-piece work was, as ever, excellent, but the front-rower also did plenty around the field, both with and without the ball, to roll back the years.

1 Ox Nche (South Africa): Another Springboks prop gets the nod over an Englishman as Fin Baxter just fails to make it. Nche did not have the greatest season for the Sharks but, back in the green jersey, the loosehead found his form and absolutely destroyed the Italian tightheads during his stint on the field.