Autumn Nations Series | Dream debuts and hat-trick heroes: Best of social media

by Paul Martin

The Autumn Nations Cup got off to an exciting start on its opening weekend, with Ireland, Scotland and England all celebrating after beginning their respective campaigns with victories.

The action from Dublin, Florence and Twickenham gripped rugby fans on social media, which has become a go-to way for fans to interact and share their thoughts in the continued absence of spectators in stadiums.

Plenty of England supporters would have enjoyed their Saturday afternoons watching from the sofa as Eddie Jones’ side beat Georgia 40-0 and among them was 55-cap wing Mark Cueto.

The former England star, who played in the 2007 World Cup final, watched the action unfold with his son and offered his congratulations to the current crop after their triumph.

Saturday afternoon chill with this guy watching the rugby… 👌🏼👌🏼
well done @EnglandRugby 🌹 pic.twitter.com/ct4lJgLhjK

— Mark Cueto (@Mark_Cueto) November 14, 2020

Jamie George was the hat-trick hero for the hosts at Twickenham though he was modest in his reflections on Instagram, hailing a ‘good day at the office’ as he ‘didn’t want to mention the hat-trick’.

His post also included a collector’s item in the form of a snap of the hooker mid-grubber kick.

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A post shared by jamiegeorge2 (@jamiegeorge2)

Georgia relished the experience of playing a competitive international at Twickenham and were magnanimous in defeat as they look to build on a promising display over the remainder of the competition.

FT at @Twickenhamstad with @EnglandRugby rugby comfortably winning @autumnnations round one match against #TheLelos 40-0. Unfortunately, we didn’t score any points against a very strong position 🏉

Looking forward to game vs @WelshRugbyUnion and to improve from game to game 🏉 pic.twitter.com/TP3hHzonOr

— Georgian Rugby (@GeorgianRugby) November 14, 2020

On Friday night, Ireland wing James Lowe made a dream start to life in international rugby with a try to cap an all-action display in his side’s 32-9 win over Wales in Dublin.

He was another to take to Instagram to reflect on a night to remember, writing: “A day I will never forget. Absolutely overwhelmed with the support. Some journey, and one I wouldn’t change!”

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A post shared by James Lowe (@jameslowe_03)

Lowe’s Ireland teammate Conor Murray may soon need to update his Instagram username, meanwhile, as he exchanged jokes with Johnny Sexton after Ireland’s victory on Friday.

Murray, currently @ConorMurray9, did a sterling job of filling in at fly-half after both Sexton and debutant Billy Burns came off injured, slotting over two penalties and a conversion – with Ireland coach Andy Farrell claiming the Munster man is a “genuine option” for the position.

Sexton, who hopes his hamstring injury is “not too serious”, replied to Murray’s post on Friday night with “found your true position finally”, leading to Murray responding “felt nice to be barking orders for once”.

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A post shared by Conor Murray (@conormurray9)

The result may not have gone Wales’ way but it was a proud occasion for Callum Sheedy, who came off the bench to make his debut for his country.

His post included a picture of the cap presentation with captain Alun Wyn Jones, who now has 150 in his Test collection – the first man to do so in international rugby – after leading his side out on Friday.

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A post shared by Callum Sheedy (@sheedy95)

Another Welshman to hit a landmark in Dublin was George North, who earned his 100th international Test cap when he came on as a second half replacement.

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North will hope to help Wales back to winning ways in the weeks to come while Scotland appear to have unearthed a wing sensation of their own in Duhan van der Merwe.

The Edinburgh star put in a scintillating display in Florence, scoring his second try in three internationals in the process, to help his side to a fifth straight win.

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A post shared by Duhi (@duhanvandermerwe)

There was a hearty Exeter Chiefs contingent in the victorious Scotland squad, with starters Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray joined by Sam Hidalgo-Clyne and Sam Skinner off the bench.

The quartet were understandably content as they joined forces for a photo after the game, which Scotland won 28-17, and received congratulations from the new English and European champions for their efforts.

Congratulations to the @ExeterChiefs quartet of @jonnygray14 @StuartWHOGG_ @Hidalgoclyne and @SamSk95 on helping @Scotlandteam to victory over @Federugby in the @autumnnations today pic.twitter.com/seTn8cN9mz

— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) November 14, 2020

Another English club justifiably proud of how one of their players fared on the Autumn Nations Cup opening weekend were Wasps after Jack Willis’ impressive debut.

The flanker looked at home on the international stage and will hope for further opportunities to impress as the tournament progresses.

👏 What an @EnglandRugby debut @jackswillis7!

4⃣7⃣ Minutes
1⃣ Try
9⃣ Carries
4⃣4⃣ Metres Made
3⃣ Broken Tackles
1⃣ Turnover Won pic.twitter.com/h3Di9PH8lf

— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) November 15, 2020

The man himself also took to Instagram to post a beaming picture of himself in his maiden cap – set to be the first of many – along with the caption ‘dream come true’.