Best XV from Autumn Internationals on November 8
The autumn internationals are underway, with the big guns from down south winning two and losing two, while France crushed Fiji, and Italy got past Samoa.
We saw some fine moments of individual brilliance and some superb defensive displays, with plenty of points scored across the weekend.
Ireland put up a number of candidates for a deeply impressive win over South Africa, while New Zealand's and Australia's big names performed with distinction.
England suffered some familiar failings against the All Blacks, as did Wales in defeat to the Wallabies, but they still had some outstanding performers in their ranks.
So, with all that considered, these are the men who shone brightest to make up our first team of the autumn.
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15. Israel Folau
Australian full-back Israel Folau had gone a handful of games without scoring, but he remedied that with a double against Wales.
His first was all about his reading of the play to time his run through a hole and accept Michael Hooper’s cute pass.
His second was an interception of Rhys Webb’s miss pass that allowed the Waratahs man to open his legs and stride away.
14. Tommy Bowe
Tommy Bowe took his try well, collecting Conor Murray’s well-weighted kick, and he didn’t put a foot wrong all through Ireland’s victory over South Africa.
Jonny May’s try, jaw-dropping though it was, was not enough alone to eclipse the all-round performance from Bowe.
11. Teddy Thomas
France’s debutant wing Teddy Thomas opened his international account with a hat-trick against Fiji. Some way to announce yourself.
There will be tougher tests ahead, but the 21-year-old has certainly started with a bang.
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13. George North
George North was moved to outside centre and proved he can be just as devastating—if not more so—with a No. 13 on his back as he is on the wing.
He blasted clear to set up Alex Cuthbert’s try and was a menace to Australia throughout. An honourable mention goes to his opposite man Tevita Kuridrani who has improved to become a major weapon for the Wallabies.
12. Sonny Bill Williams
Back for another go in the 15-man code, league convert Sonny Bill Williams looked as though he had never been away. His offloading was a feature, and his hard lines of running gave England plenty of problems.
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10. Jonny Sexton
Jonny Sexton edges Bernard Foley for the No. 10 shirt for his commanding performance against South Africa.
Foley scored two more points than the Irishman, but Sexton was perfect from the tee, and South Africa had no answer to his kicking from hand.
9. Greig Laidlaw
Scotland looked rejuvenated against Argentina, and Greig Laidlaw was at the heart of much of their good work.
The Scottish captain broke the Pumas open to create Sean Maitland’s try and was a thorn in their side all day. Four conversions and two penalties rounded off a fine afternoon’s work.
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8. Jamie Heaslip
Kieran Read had a relatively quiet day at the office for New Zealand, so the shirt goes to Jamie Heaslip for a strong defensive display that amassed 14 tackles as Ireland secured a famous win.
7. Richie McCaw
Richie McCaw continues to show the rest of the world’s No. 7s the way. When it comes to the dark arts, there is no one better than the New Zealand captain, and he showed that once again at Twickenham.
6. Jerome Kaino
Jerome Kaino roamed the wide channels to great effect for New Zealand. It was one charge from this position that led to Aaron Cruden’s try, and the Auckland man was excellent all day.
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5. Paul O’Connell
Paul O’Connell put in a huge defensive shift for Ireland, getting through 17 tackles and working as hard as ever to keep his team moving forward. An honourable mention to the Gray brothers in Scotland, Ritchie and Johnny, who both got on the scoresheet at Murrayfield.
4. Dave Attwood
Bath’s Dave Attwood was perfect at the line-out and effective in the loose. His line-out work gives him the edge over Brodie Retallick this week. The New Zealander had another strong performance against England.
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3. Samson Lee
Samson Lee has big shoes to fill having been chosen as the successor to Adam Jones on the tight-head of the Welsh scrum. He made a good start against Australia with a strong scrummaging performance.
2. Ross Ford
Ross Ford looked back to his best for Scotland against Argentina, hungry to carry the ball and strong against the revered Pumas scrum. On his best form, Ford can be a key man under Vern Cotter’s new regime.
1. Matt Mullan
He was only on for 25 minutes, but Matt Mullan was the driving force behind England’s penalty try towards the end of the game. He must be putting Joe Marler under mounting pressure for his starting slot.
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