6 Players with Most to Prove After 3 Games of RBS 6 Nations 2016

One of the perils in playing international-standard rugby is that your place may never truly be safe for long, and the 2016 RBS Six Nations has gone a long way to reinforcing that ever-changing landscape.

Three matches into this year's competition, both household names and new faces alike are making their impression in Europe's premier Test tournament, while others have fallen flat thus far.

Whether it be due to their inability to perform or simply down to the fact they haven't been handed their opportunity, there are some stars in the competition who have a bigger point to make than others.

Read on as we dissect which players have the most to prove after three matchdays of this year's contest.

England head coach Eddie Jones has inherited the scrum-half dilemma that predecessor Stuart Lancaster regularly debated over during his reign, with the Australian chopping and changing between Danny Care and Ben Youngs thus far.

Care started in the Six Nations opener against Scotland only to drop to the bench for the clashes with Ireland and Italy, and the debate remains as fervent as ever in relation to who should get the No. 9 jersey.

The Harlequins man will snap at any chances he gets as a replacement but will assuredly be hoping to wrest the starting spot back, and Care told BT Sport's Rugby Tonight he's enjoying playing under his new boss.

Care was somewhat unfortunate to miss the last 10 minutes of the win over Ireland after receiving a yellow card, and as his tussle with Youngs lingers on, he'll strive to establish himself as England's top choice.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland rewarded Alex Cuthbert for an apparent upturn in form by reinstating the winger in his XV for the 19-10 triumph over France last Friday, and the response was largely a positive one.

The Cardiff Blues brute is still waiting to get back his attacking form witnessed circa 2013-14, when he scored 10 international tries in the space of two years, but the defensive improvements were clear to see.

In particular, Cuthbert's display will be remembered for a try-saving tackle on France full-back Maxime Medard, helping nullify the threat of Les Bleus' back three by and large.

Cuthbert made just two metres from three carries in Cardiff, but when one considers George North attempted just one run more, that appears a matter of tactical fault, rather than Cuthbert's downfall.

Nevertheless, Welsh fans remain in wait for the confident and imposing Cuthbert of old to make his return, and undoubtedly the winger himself is even more anxious.

After sitting out his time on the sidelines, fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc looks fit and ready to fire this France team on to bigger and better things after seeing Jules Plisson tide over matters in his absence.

Stade Francais maestro Plisson has had his impressive moments, but the role he played in setting up North's try for Wales in Matchday 3 most likely won't have gone down well with the management, particularly with Trinh-Duc lurking.

Rugby World's Charlie Morgan pushed the point that a healthy Trinh-Duc "surely" starts if he's available to head coach Guy Noves, and the improvements were noticeable when he came on to feature as a substitute against Wales.

All the signs suggest the Montpellier man will make a major difference in the French back line, but after missing such a considerable chunk of the tournament, a major question mark lies over him, too.

Having missed the opener against Wales, Leinster full-back Rob Kearney has since slotted back into Ireland's XV for defeats to France and England. But for a player who has boasted shoo-in status in the past, his efficacy could be called into question.

Despite being the joint-most prominent ball-carrier for the Irish at Twickenham, Kearney made just 48 metres from 13 carries—an average of just under four metres per run. In comparison, midfielder Robbie Henshaw made 108 metres from the same number of carries, arguably from more difficult pitch positions.

Irish broadcaster George Hook appeared to agree that Ireland's No. 15 has lost some of his lustre of late, per the Irish Independent: "Imagine McCloskey, Ringrose and Henshaw coming from the back. It’s fantasy stuff. Saying Rob Kearney caught the ball, that’s what he is paid to do. He is a one-trick pony. Absolutely a one-trick pony. His career is coming to an end."

Those comments are a tad harsh given Kearney is 29 and could still be considered one of the most reliable full-backs on the continent, but we've hardly seen the kind of leading displays one might expect.

Ireland are searching for leaders wherever they can find them, and as one of the squad's senior stars, Kearney should be looking to fill such a void and inspire others, but we haven't seen such quality yet.

Wales joined the number of international outfits opting for two openside starters earlier in the Six Nations when Gatland chose to field Justin Tipuric alongside captain Sam Warburton against Ireland and Scotland.

That tactic appeared to lose its appeal by Matchday 3, however, and natural blindside Dan Lydiate instead came back into the XV at the expense of Ospreys star Tipuric.

It's been argued by some in the past that Tipuric deserves to start instead of Warburton, captaincy or not, but Gwyn Jones of WalesOnline believes the latter may have to settle for a bench spot from here on out:

Much of Warburton’s work in slowing down opposition recycling is unseen and rarely talked up. Statistically he is unsurpassed in this championship at sealing off rucks, but it merits little attention.

However, turnovers are his unique selling point. I expect him to be a commanding force against France

It’s incredibly tough on Tipuric, who has a jaw dropping set of skills and in any other era would be a nailed on selection. He still has a chance to make his mark in games but that is likely to be in the last quarter when things begin to open up.

It will be a sad outcome for the 26-year-old if that is to be the case. He's a player who could challenge to make just about any team in the world, yet finds himself fighting great competition and tough circumstance.

Nevertheless, Tipuric will undoubtedly respond to that challenge and continue to fight for a place in Gatland's XV, but the obstacle in front of him looks daunting from every angle.

It's been just over two years since a 20-year-old Michele Campagnaro announced himself to the Six Nations by scoring two tries in a defeat to Wales that left many questioning who the man from Venice was.

Now approaching his 23rd birthday, Campagnaro is a known name to European audiences, but his growth is yet to have the direct impact on Italy's future that many might have hoped.

The Exeter Chiefs centre is an exception on this list in that there's been little fault in his performances thus far; he's been forward-thinking, creative and has made more clean breaks (five) than any other player, per OptaJonny.

Unfair though it might be for one so young, it's now Campagnaro's aim to aid the same talismanic qualities to the Azzurri's back line that captain Sergio Parisse has provided in the pack for so many years.

He's a potential superstar, but he and his side need the results to prove it.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.