European Team of the Week: Saracens and Harlequins Boast Backline Dominance

The Christmas period provided rugby's masses with a double-stuffed schedule of European action as games from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France didn't wait around for the festive frivolities.

From Boxing Day through to the weekend, a constant stream of top-flight action was on display, some teams standing the cold in better form than others.

Looking over the last seven days, Europe's finest have once again been assembled into a line-up of those whose talents stood out among the frigid conditions, showing no sign of a winter hangover.

Read on for the European team of the week.

Front Five

1. Mako Vunipola, Saracens

Saracens' win at Sixways this weekend served as a fine display of several stars' abilities, one of whom was British and Irish Lions star Mako Vunipola.

The 22-year-old's 14 tackles went a long way in restricting the Worcester hosts to scoring just eight points in front of a home crowd, and only one scrum feed lost in the encounter is far from a disappointing record away from home.

2. Kristian Dacey, Cardiff Blues

Kristian Dacey was once on the scoreboard for the Cardiff Blues this week, and although the well-finished run-in from just outside the 22' was part of a losing effort, the hooker held a good account of himself.

As agile as the Pro12 hookers come, the 24-year-old was once again in a very mobile move, winning all of his lineout throws in the process and succeeding in all of his tackle attempts. 

Special mention to Saracens' Schalk Brits, who also had a busy day with ball in hand against Worcester.

3. Luc Ducalcon, Racing Metro

Toulon's loss in Paris this week came thanks to the rebellion of several Racing Metro performances, and Luc Ducalcon didn't disappoint.

The 29-year-old acquitted himself well against Emmanuel Felsina and played a big role in the hosts' forwards setting up a strong platform first and foremost, and the Racing backs capitalised as a result. 

4. Tom Ryder, Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow Warriors' win against Edinburgh on Boxing Day solidified the former's position as Scotland's dominant party, thanks largely to the graft of Tom Ryder.

Alongside lock Tim Swinson, the Glasgow second-rowers were solid at the line-out, Ryder pulling off a gargantuan tally of 21 tackles in his 80-minute performance. 

5. Christian Day, Northampton Saints

Christian Day isn't the most prolific of assets, so for the lock to notch two scores in the 43-25 beating of Bath was a special occasion.

Showing good positional awareness in the loose, the 30-year-old made several clean getaways of his own and also contributed six tackles to the cause, beating his second-row partner Courtney Lawes in most areas.

Back Row

6. Mamuka Gorgodze, Montpellier

Mamuka Gorgodze features in the team of the week for the third time in four weeks thanks to another prominent outing during the 48-22 mauling of Biarritz.

Along with back-row partner Alex Tulou, the Georgian managed to get over the whitewash on two separate occasions, but he was generally omnipresent for the hosts, switching to blind side to accommodate our next candidate.

7. Kelly Brown, Saracens

Although Saracens scored 14 more points than their opponents, it was the London club's defence against Worcester Warriors that laid the marker for a fifth consecutive victory.

Kelly Brown's tally of 19 successful tackles played a massive role in that feat, and the Scot's shutting out of those opposite him stood as an example to be followed by the rest of his pack. 

8. Toby Faletau, Newport Gwent Dragons

Toby Faletau cruised over for Newport's only try of their Thursday evening encounter against Cardiff Blues, getting on the end of a tricky set-piece move and finishing thanks to some fine awareness.

Only three other players from both teams picked up more carrying yards than the Newport No. 8, his 77 metres and 14 tackles capping off a exemplary performance from the Welsh international.

Half-Backs

9. Danny Care, Harlequins

Exeter Chiefs struggled to get any sort of foothold during their outing at Twickenham this weekend, with the Harlequins attack accounting for a lot of the possession and Danny Care's ball retention at a premium.

As well as forcing three turnovers and carrying for 41 metres himself, the England star provided his characteristically quick ball at the breakdown and set up Mike Brown for a score after breaking down midfield.

10. JJ Hanrahan, Munster

Continuing to excel in his new responsibilities as Rob Penney's first-choice fly-half, JJ Hanrahan once again showed some class at Thomond Park to rally his Munster side past Connacht this weekend.

In addition to five well-struck penalties and a conversion, the playmaker did well to score the hosts' only try of the encounter and notched all 22 of the home team's points in what was something of a one-man demolition job.

Backs

Warren Little/Getty Images

11. George North, Northampton Saints

Now settled back into his natural habitat on the wing after a stint in the centres, George North celebrated his Christmas in fairly standard fashion, recording a massive running tally against Bath and grabbing a try for good measure.

The Welsh wonder carried for more than 90 metres at Franklin's Gardens last week and was the hosts' biggest offensive threat when any space was there to be exploited. 

12. Noa Seru Nakaitaci, Clermont Auvergne

One half of a Top 14 centre partnership this week, Noa Seru Nakaitaci scored his second try in the space of three fixtures this weekend to help Clermont move past Oyonnax, with a superb individual run from well inside his own half ending in five points.

The Fijian youngster provided punch in the middle of the field but was smooth in the transition when it was required, showcasing some neat interlinking for the cause as well.

13. Joe Rokocoko, Bayonne

Bayonne's 21-13 win over Toulouse this weekend didn't come easily, but it served to give the hosts a much-needed boost in their push against relegation.

And the win might not have come were it not for the presence of a resurgent Joe Rokocoko, who converted a chance superbly in the 64th minute but restrained the stars opposite him to lay the foundations for a surprise triumph.

14. Charlie Walker, Harlequins

Charlie Walker's ascendancy through the Harlequins ranks took another turn for the better this weekend. The 21-year-old managed to get on the scoresheet, transferring his good form from the European stage.

The winger's seven tackles were shown up only by the youngster's efforts in attack, as he made three clean breaks and beat three defenders on his way to a very proficient display.

15. Alex Goode, Saracens

Alex Goode took full advantage of the opposition pitted against him last week and ran in no less than 69 metres against Worcester, beating six defenders along the way.

The fullback was as assured as ever at Sixways, distributing the ball from the boot with ease and assisting another score for his side too.