Stand-out Performers after Round 2

It is safe to say the first two weekends of the 2017 Six Nations have been nothing short of enthralling. The Wales vs England game a particular standout for exceptional test match intensity that you don't see anywhere else in the global calendar. This year's tournament has been helped by the begins of a French revival, and the Scottish obtaining a lethal edge. So who has stood out so far?

Stuart Hogg

Three tries in two matches for Hogg, he's been electric.

What a tournament this young man is having, every time he gets the ball in his hand you can feel the air pressure drop as everyone inhales. He is simply mesmerizing when he's attacking the opposition, he keeps the ball in two hands and his dancing feet send defenders into a panic. Hogg has scored three tries in two games, two of which showcased exactly why he is the favourite for the Lions 15 jersey. Combinations of neck breaking acceleration, ankle breaking stepping, and eye-melting ball control just makes him a joy to watch.

Hogg isn't only about running in tries though, he has an absolute tank cannon of a right boot which provides Scotland with a confident and effective exit strategy. Also capable of hoofing over 50+m penalties he does offer a lot to any team. At times he has been caught out with his one on one tackling, he isn't Leigh Halfpenny when it comes to try saving interventions, but he is still a test level fullback. 

If Scotland have any hopes of over turning their current run of results against Wales (no wins in nearly a decade) they will need Hogg to be at his best both in attack and defence. 

Owen Farrell

Confidence personified, Farrell is ruling the roost for England at the moment, the man Eddie Jones and co have turned to twice to get them out of jail. Against France his switch to fly-half caused a noticeable shift in the attacking intensity of the English offence, and against Wales he provided what can only be described as the perfect pass to give Daly a score in the corner. Both games Farrell provided the winning assist (Te'o against France), his range of passing is exquisite and so well executed under pressure you wonder what teams have to do to ruffle his feathers. Even a "dubiously" timed hit from the bone-crunching Ross Moriarty did nothing, gone are the days that Farrell would get into fights about every minor slight. 

Instead, we see the first real long-term contender for the English captaincy under Eddie Jones. As good as Hartley was last season, his continued mediocracy this season (and lengthy bans) have meant Jamie George is pushing hard for first choice. So England needs another captain. Farrell has already filled in for extended periods this campaign, is it time for him to assume the role long term?

Farrell's pass to Daly was nothing short of perfection, it was the second time Farrell got England the win at the death.

Ross Moriarty

The previously mentioned tackle on Farrell could be a point for debate, but really it's a minor concern when you study the rest of the performances from the Gloucester player. He was a worthy opponent to the All Blacks in the summer filling in at 6, in the Autumn he was Wales' best player by a country mile at 8, and now he is once again filling in for Faletau and making Rob Howley's job damn difficult. 

Moriarty is keeping even the legendary Faletau out
of the team.

Utterly brutal in defence, crunching rib cages and knocking gum shields out with aplomb, he's becoming a threat that players will be constantly on the look out for. With ball in hand, he gives Wales a bruising ball carrier they have been lacking in recent years. The ability for forwards to win the collision - even if double-teamed - and get over the gain line is a crucial one in the effort to play high tempo rugby. Moriarty provides this unrelenting willpower to win the gain-line battle be that with the ball or without that is a precious commodity these days. Wales are going to have a big decision to make long term as to who their back row will be with the Warburton/Tipuric combination working quite well so far. 

Moriarity is looking so good he could begin to push for a Lions slot in the backrow, although it is highly competitive in that area never discount an outsider for a Lions Tour.

Emily Scarratt

The women's tournament hasn't been quite as fiercely competitive as the men's, but they have been moments the Scotland/Ireland game being a particular nail biter. However, for me, one performance stood out across both rounds and that was England's outside centre Scarratt against France. At half time England were struggling, the French team were putting them under pressure and lead 13-0 away from home.

England needed a shift in the second half and GBR 7's captain Scarratt took the game by the scruff of her neck and started knocking French players backward. Never taking a backward step in defence, she was putting the French under pressure and forcing turnovers. It was with ball in hand though where she really took the game by the scruff of the neck. Winning the collision repeatedly, picking beautiful angles to slice through defences, and executing well timed passes to unleash the backs outside her. It was the complete performance from an outside centre unmatch in all three competitions in the opening weekend, and in a near faultess kicking display and you've got the whole package.

Her 7's experience was clear to see with support lines and ability to spot the gap, England put Wales to the sword the following week too and now Scarrat and co look odds on for the Grand Slam, ahead of the World Cup in the summer.

Emily Scarratt, on one of her brutal charges against the French defence, turned the game for England.

Sebastian Vahaamahina

Vahaamahina often requires two men
to bring down.

With France picking a pack of behemoth proportions it's perhaps no surprise that the 6'8" 19 stone second row is featuring. What is a surprise is the energy and dynamism that he is bringing to the pack. A few years ago while his bulk was useful, he was oft discarded due to his lack of movement. This year it's all change, we are seeing Vahaamahina charging around the pitch, like a caffeine fueled rhino, clattering into tackles and scattering defences. He is are the forefront - along with Louis Picamoles - of the French revelotion, by providing consistent front foot, clean, possession for the back line. 

Pundits assumed that with a scrum the size of the French that they'd suffer from end of match fatigue, and that teams could play around them, but two games in and I haven't seen anything of this. The French seem fitter than ever, and the fact that the free flowing high speed Scots couldn't tire them out spoke volumes. Vahaamahina is a young player and could prove to be the player to bring back the edge and grit that the French pack was so feared for in the past.

Honourable Mentions

• CJ Stander - Statistically the best back-row forward in the tournament, makes all kind of yardage, is a try machine, and a hard tackler to boot. Ireland will need him if they want to over turn England
• Loann Goujon - France may have found a flanker who can provide turnover ball. Goujon is proving to be a real menace around the breakdown and teams are not sure how to deal with him at the minute. Big, fierce, and skillful he's the full package.
• Gary Ringrose - Still finding his feet in the tournament, he has all the natural ability to become a stand out player for years. Balanced runner, good decision making, and intelligent defender, the comparisons to Brian O'Driscoll are merited.

Which players put in the best performances for you, in the opening two rounds?