Women's Six Nations Team of the Tournament | Debate Me!!
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 1. 05. 2024
- Here's my Women's Six Nations Team of the Tournament.
I'll probably annoy a lot of people with this...
Please drop your 23 in the comments and commence the debate!
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WHO AM I?
If we haven't met before - Hi! I'm Kat, former England Rugby International, and now I'm a pundit, corporate speaker, and rugby coach. I also run an online fitness business đȘ
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Tags: women's rugby, women's six nations, rugby highlights, rugby union, rugby - Sport
Let me know your team of the tournament đ
Watch next:
Six Nations Final Round Review - czcams.com/video/v9QFd_eBxkY/video.html
A Day in the Life of a Rugby Commentator | England Vs Ireland at Twickenham!! - czcams.com/video/ZZp09EdLDBE/video.html
Fascinating choice of players and I agree with most of your picks. Disagree with choosing to keep a balance between the various teams. Would like to see the best players on ability and performance only.
Just an observation. I think the video would have benefitted hugely from some graphics listing the players in their positions as selected.
Canât argue with most of them. That French game though showed the quality of Amy Cokayne as the best set piece 2 in the world. Jones has the workrate of a flanker but struggled at lineout time. Powell has been great off the bench, seems to have stepped up this W6N.
Meg Jones would be my player of the championship - the vision, skill, attacking flair & defensive intensity. Donât think thereâs a better player in the world right now!
Interesting. Meg over Ellie K?
@@KatMerchant for me, yes. When you look at the way she brought the back three into every game, and then stood up to France defensively too. Ellie was great of course, but she couldnât impact the French game the way she did the âeasierâ ones - Meg set up several of Ellieâs tries too.
Megâs impact in France was probably more important overall than 9 tries in the 4 games they wouldâve won anyway. Just my 2 cents. Both world class and canât wait to see them all in action again at Twickenham when NZ are in town đč
@@robstarr9270 @KatMerchant good points, but personally I wouldn't say either of them was "better" than the other, they're equally as good at their jobs...
Loved watching your analysis of the entire W6N but you canât leave out Sadia Kabeya đź
She was great yes- really developing as a player. Really excited to see just how great she can be with experience
Picking the team of the tournament is a very brave thing to do Kat - but I guess it goes with the territory! Good calls across the park. Of course all of them could easily be replaced and a completely different 23 picked. Myself I think you just about nailed it (but I have a soft spot for Sadia Khabeya!). All in all a very interesting pod (like your others have been) and it deserves to generate big chats. Keep up the great work! Hugs'n'smiles all round!
Thanks! Yeah, some really close calls. Hopefully sparks a good debate.
Pretty much agree with all choices except 12. Gabby Vernier is on another level to other 12s.
Agree- she is next level! I was going for a balance across the nations but can't argue how great she was!
Has to be Vernier!
Can you imagine the midfield of 12.Vernier & 13.Jones? Absolute ballers
I would have liked to see Botterman on the wing ............
She'd be a nightmare to tackle at full pelt!
And at stand off, and in the centresđđ
How good is this channel⊠im loving your delivery and energy. I feel so happy ive discovered your channel Kat. Keep up the good work really appreciate being able to listen to you speak.
Thank you :)
Gabby Vernier for me would be any teams starting 12, and Tat Heard was immense in every game.
I've rated Aoife Wafer since I first saw her play, but I would have Sadia Kabeya at 6. She's now playing so well that people are openly saying she should start ahead of Marlie.
Front row is my speciality, and their core jobs are set piece before all else, so I'll take issue with you on a couple of selections Kat. First, both hookers. Neve is one of my favourite players, but, both her and Connie are hit and miss in their lineout throwing. I can see why they're selected, but I'd have Cliodnha Moloney, and Amy C. Both superb in lineout, and huge scrummagers. Maudinator Muir would be at least my bench TH. She never has a less than 7/10 game, great scrummager, and revels in doing the unsung graft for the team. Sisilia still struggles scrum wise against top props, and drifts in and out of games.
9 I'd definitely have Mo at least on the bench as she adds tempo, which the selected back line would want to play, and her experience is invaluable.
I know it's quite subjective, but I'd argue with anyone over the hookers, and Maud not even being on the bench.
Amy didn't get much game time over the tournament after her red card but otherwise she'd be my starting hooker. Muir is an amazing player but the french props also had excellent tournaments and POM awards. Love the front row insight :)
@KatMerchant that's why I said I understood hooker selections. Cliodnha M would be my starting hooker if Amy not played enough, and either Neve, or Connie on bench.
I'd play the Maudinator ahead of any other TH except a fit Berners. That's how highly I rate what she adds to the team. I struggle to find a weakness in her game. Even defensively she hits like a train, and has added little offloads to her game through contact.
â @@tollyt7465 that French game cemented Amy Cokayne as the best 2 in the world for anyone who didnât already know - Iâve thought that for years now. Understand how Kat didnât go with her as she only had 2 games and you have to lose points for a red card in fairness, but her quality is undeniable.
So gutted when Sarah Bern got injured - commented on her instagram that she can take the whole year off if she needs to, but we want her back to her best for the big one next year. Gave Claud a similar message too. Botts, Cokayne, Bern need to start the World Cup final - Maud definitely has stepped up this tournament though in her absence but thereâs only one Sarah Bern.
So great to see Cli back in green - she was my super sub all 3 weeks she played and in round 5 scored me 96 points!!
Great selection, Kat!
Pretty decent selection, only main changes I would have is have Kabeya on, and Scaz on the bench (similar to Powell with the impact she has off the bench imo - ik it's trying to keep some balance in there but still lol)
Honourable mention to Maud Muir and Jess Breach who probably deserve it but that line of thought just leads us to picking an England-dominated team đ
Scaz did have a great impact off the bench especially against Ireland. Kabeya seems to be a really popular choice that I've missed. Muir is next level- you are right though trying to keep a balance makes it harder :)
I appreciate you spreading the love through all the nations here đ Frankly, you could have picked the entire England match day 23 and, objectively speaking, you wouldn't really be able to complain, or maybe add in a smattering of French players too, so I think you've done all the nations proud here.
I'm Scottish, and I like you picking LIsa Thompson at 12 - I do think Vernier is overall a better player, but oor Lisa did have a great tournament đ
There were a number of standouts for me through the tournament: Meg Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Zoe Aldcroft and Alex Matthews were all magnificent for England. Mo Hunt was great too, and clearly enjoying herself out there!
For Scotland, Lana Skeldon, Evie Gallagher, Lisa Thompson, Emma Orr and Rachael Malcolm were great.
Aoife Wafer, Sam Monaghan, Aoibheann Reilly were great for Ireland and Danna O'Brien is growing into the role at 10; For Wales, Callendar and Alicia Butchers were the standouts for me, Lleucu George was up and down, but when she's on form, she's great. Tuipulotu is an absolute beast, always good for a fun rumble up the park
For France, the obvious candidates are Bourdon Sansus and Vernier. I also thought that Escudero was fantastic, and Queyroi was a revelation at 10. The Menager sisters were good as ever and Deshayes was an absolute beast.
Italy were a lot of fun - D'Inca was fantastic, Rigoni is always fun to watch, and Giordano, Duca and Tuonesi were immense as well
Amazing knowledge on the players and really agree with your points! Vernier is a very talented 12- Thomsons tactical kicking was awesome for Scotland
Rigoni veers between really 'good' stuff and 'disastrous', so no place in my team.
Very interesting selections, well explained. Abby Dow as you implied is a no brainer, a complete player on all aspects of the game not just on the
wing. Ellie Kildunne as you say is an automatic choice for any team selection! It's a hard choice for many of the other positions, particularly the exclusion of some of the red roses... love them all!!
Definitely tough leaving some big red roses names out!
Always happy to educate
Looking at the impact she made off the bench in the last two games, I think it's hard to look past Scaz for the 22 or 23 shirt. Powell probably deserved a start at some point, but nice to see her make the cut. Rigoni worthy of an honourable mention.
Yeah Rigoni is a talented player but with so many quality 12's she just missed out. Scaz had a great impact in the Ireland game especially!
Fair play keeping it even across the teams, you could have chosen almost the entire English team and no one would complain! Tounesi was absolutely immense for Italy though, I would've picked her for lock of the tournament.
Good shout! Might have overlooked Tounesi. So many great players!
Outside of the Wales v Italy match the only games I saw from start to finish were the five involving England, so I'm not really qualified to pick a team of the tournament. However, based on their performances throughout England's campaign I'd automatically choose Zoe Aldcroft and Alex Matthews from the forwards and Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow and Meg Jones from the backs. And although she only played a couple of games I'd also pick Amy Cokayne because I can't imagine there's a better hooker in world rugby at the moment.
Very solid choices. Amy is incredible- she missed out my selection purely on lack of game time.
1) Botterman
2) Vechinni
3) Muir
4) Aldcroft
5) Monaghan
6) Callander
7) Meneger
8) Matthews
9) Bourdon Sansus
10) OâBrien
11) Dâinca
12) Vernier
13) Jones
14) Dow
15) Kildunne
Boulard from France or the other Menger could easily get in at 11 or Rollie.
Love Aitchinson but I was so impressed by OâBriens tactical kicking.
Vernier is a deffo at 12.
You do wonder if Ward or Galligan would have made an all English second row if they played more.
Over all, a great tournament. Kildunne player of the tournament just for the X factor. Botterman and Jones close.
Great selection. Vernier is a fantastic player. Muir also amazing and can play 1/2 and 3
Starting XV - Amy Cokayne instead of Neve Jones. Jones is a feisty player who gives away far too many penalties. Cokayne is the lineout queen as she showed against France. Sadia Kabeya instead of Callender. Another penalty machine is Callender. Kabeya is ruthless in attack and in defence. Tatyana Heard instead of Lisa Thomson - Heard gives the backline direction and space every time. Thomson has no pace. Atkin-Davies instead of Powell. Powell's lineout is poor which is crucial for a hooker. Muir instead of Tuipolutu. Muir's versatility gets her the nod. Feleu for Duca - good lineout, good int he loose, a real leader.
Thanks for sharing- Amy C not shy of a penalty either... main reason she missed out was the red card meaning she didn't get much game time. Callenders stats are fantastic. Muir is a good shout for versatility- such a talented player.
@@KatMerchant Thanks for your reply. I always enjoy listening to your punditry in the PWR. Great entertainment and insight. Would be very interested in your Lions 2027 selection thoughts at some point even though it's three years early! Stay safe and well please.
@@KatMerchantdid you hear the ref in the Italy game tell Callender to âManage your Captainâ đź - I know sheâs been there a while but I think itâs time for Wales to move on from Jones and let Al Cal be Captain. Jones seemed to behave quite negatively against France while Al Cal always leads by example. I know the pressureâs been immense this year but Jones hasnât really shown enough form to keep her spot for me.
@@robstarr9270 As an ex forward I'm biased but I always prefer a forward to be captain anyway as they are closer to the action. Interestingly, Wales was the only team to have a back as skipper. England had Marlie, France Feleu, Ireland Monaghan and McMahon, Scotland Malcolm, Italy Sgorbini at No 8 and Wales Hannah Jones.
Marine Menager was superb on the big day against England, 23 shirt well deserved.
Her tries were soooo good!
@KatMerchant For Menager to score 2 and England's back 3 zero is a feather in the cap!
I really rate Banet for France as well. She often seems to front up in big games.
IMO, your criteria for picking a team should be a starting team for the 6N to play the Black Ferns next week and how well they played against England and France to support their selection. I am not concerned in having token numbers from all nations To my mind that immediately rules out Thompson, Wafer and to a large extent D'Inca. Either Heard or Vernier are much better than Thompson. Wafer was a non-entiity against England and both Sabaya and Esceduro are far superior. There is a big question mark over Callender who faded and is third best to Packer and Romane Manager. Sam Monaghan didn''t play against either England and France and I therefore discount. Ward or Fail would be my choice. I prefer Hunt to Bourdon whose tactical nous let her down against England. Sochat or Cockayne I would prefer to Neve Jones... Marine Manager a better choice than D'Inca. My selections would beat the BFs not sure Kat's would. But then just pick England en masse as they would do the job.
This was team of the tournament though, not who would beat black ferns. Wafer had a fantastic tournament. I'm not sure many back rowers were able to make an impact against England. D'inca's stats were incredible- if she played on a better team just imagine how much damage she could do. Thomspons selection far from token- her tactical kicking was fantastic for Scotland. Always hard to compare direct positions where one team is very dominant. Vernier was my toughest decision to bench I'd say. Calenders stats were also very impressive. To your point about beating NZ- both England and France could do that on their own in my opinion.
Just found the channel, great analysis, and agree in most choices except - Khalfaoui cost her team any chance of a Grand Slam by poor tackle technique (agree previously she was very effective), so rules her out for me. Dow on the wing is an easy pick but you missed the great rugby quote of "she'd go past you in a phone box" (and I appreciate that only makes sense to a certain age group). Finally no Mo Hunt, I appreciate your effort to balance things but...... For me, best Scrum half in the tournament. Thanks again for the logic in you selections, thumbs up from me
Interestingly I thought France played better with 14 players- the second half was a draw- but i get what you are saying, never an excuse for poor tackle technique. Mo is great- I do however really rate Bourdon- Sansous and went for a young 9 on the bench. Love the conversations it brings out- thanks for your input :)
It was a clear out rather than a tackle but agree itâs a schoolboy error. Itâs a shame because she had been great and wouldâve been subbed 10mins later anyway. Took all the jeopardy out of the second half as we all know France were capable of a big comeback.
I agree on Bourdon-Sansus (BTW, as an ex-A Level French student in the late '90s, I want to leave the final "S" silent).
To me Mo Hunt is just a better all round player at 9, Bourdon - Sansus' partner was a better scrum half.
Ha ha yeah- I've been assured I'm supposed to pronounce the S!
I think they were both class
@@KatMerchant Interesting!
Bourdin, nasty piece of work.
I like to have seen Duca 2nd row and Nelson at 10 start ..But a very strong team you chose
Duca has such an engine on her!
Nelson is a good selection behind a dominant pack, once she gets used to it again.
You've lost the plot! No Marlie Packer?? That is a big call. I would have had her in the 23. Kabeya is a very exciting, explosive player if she can reduce her penalty count. I like the D'Inca choice and agree that she did stand out even while her team could not, that says a lot. Great selections across the board on individual merit, all in all. đȘ
Very exciting to have NZ coming to Twickenham this year. That is the opportunity for England to cement their credentials ahead of the next RWC. Thanks for the analysis and insights over this W6N đȘđ
Marlie is important for Eng and a great Jackaler but in terms of stand out performances I'm happy with my selections. I really rate her as a player though and think she adds a lot of value for England.
Not bad, but I would have gone with Maud over Assia. She edged it on tries and metres carried. Plus the biggie, red card against England can't be forgiven.
Big call leaving Marlie out, but I think I can agree. She was a bit quieter than usual.
Finally for Fly half I'd go for Helen Nelson. She had a much harder ride but she seemed to be at the core of everything that went right for Scotland
Yeah Nelson is class!
I've only started watching women's rugby recently I must admit. I don't know enough yet about the individual players to name a team. However I'll say one thing, the quality of the rugby is exceptional, the top class skills and the high excitement of almost every game is attracting more fans. I think my opinion about women's field sports was skewed by one particular sport, football. Some might disagree but the difference in the level of excellence between woman's rugby and women's football is massive. I actually witnessed world cup winning USA lose against a team of 15 year old boys and a group of old retired male professionals. It was embarrassing to watch. Women's football is awful, women's rugby is bloody brilliant !
I don't compare men's and women's sports- it's irrelevant who would beat each other as they won't play against each other. I don't watch football (men's or women's) as I don't really enjoy it. I did however watch the women's Euro's and thought the standard was awesome. Great to hear you are enjoying women's rugby!
@@KatMerchant The standard wasn't awesome Kat.I understand the wish to be politically correct, but honestly, women's football is a comedy show. I don't know if it's the nature of the game,but skill levels are so much higher in women's rugby. That's just a fact. Would a team of 15 year old boys beat the rugby women's world cup champions? Definitely not. There's no need to sugarcoat the truth.
Obviously you have to spread the choices in terms of not appearing partisan, butâŠ..on merit Cockayne, Heard and Kabeya have to be in. Streets ahead of their rivals. Just sayinâ
Please have a word with Breach and get her to tackle, Breach was identified as a weakness in the England backline and she proved to be a weakness, she is currently a luxury player, a luxury that England cannot afford against good sides.
Menager has a great fend but agree Breach had to do better. Iâd always pick Claud over Jess when shes fit. Hopefully sheâll be back and stay healthy for the World Cup
@@robstarr9270 What happened to Lydia Thompson, that girl could tackle. Perhap's not the fastest winger, but she could have taken Menager down, on the net gain and loss side of this game, the back three only had mostly defence to contribute and Dow and Kildunne stepped up Breach was absent. I guess this was noted by the English coaching squad, and also their opponent's in the WXV 1 and autumn internationals.
@@thomasmain5986 Lydia Thompson hasnât been part of the Red Roses squad since the World Cup. Her choice to step away. She basically retired until her coach at Worcester Warriors asked her to help them out again, but now Worcester folded Iâm not sure what sheâs up to.
@@robstarr9270 Shame England need a solid defensive fourteen, And Lydia was certainly that. Everyone remembers the day's when the back three cut loose and score a hat full of tries, but it's in the tough games, that all round Rugby players are needed.
Lydia was a fantastic defensive winger- so strong! I think she is just as quick as current wingers too.
Enjoyed the selection, but as you said your're spreading your selections across the teams to give them all a representative, but that to me does not lead to the best team overall.
It is impressive to stand out when you're in a less competitive side though, then you wonder what they'd be able to do with the best players around them.
Great selections. Canât really argue with any of them
Awesome- I'll take that :)
Biggest issue I have with this selection is how you aimed to represent every nation. Doing that you'll inevitably leave out a better player in the name of representation somewhere.
But players from nations that aren't doing as well can thrive in a better team
@@KatMerchant that's a fair point, and I'm not saying don't pick players from other teams.
My point is that I'm an exercise like this you shouldn't pick a _insert nationality here_ simply because you don't have a _insert nationality here_ in the side yet.
I simply couldn't care less, it is unwatchable totally crap spectacle. Also create your own traditions, women's lions tour what a joke.
Couldn't care less but took time out of your day to comment...
Always happy to educate the delusioned. â@@KatMerchant
@@marcozani6115 back under your bridge now troll đ§