Best XV from Autumn Internationals on November 15
There were not many dazzling displays across Europe this weekend, but there were some competent performances nonetheless.
Scotland’s young, improving side are certainly making people take notice after running the All Blacks close, while France have also pitched in some new faces with pleasing results.
At the other end of the experience scale, South Africa’s old hands are showing there are plenty of miles left on the clock just yet.
Here is this week's first XV.
The Back Three
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15. Willie Le Roux
South African full–back Le Roux created a superb try for Cobus Reinach after latching on well to Pat Lambie’s chip.
He was solid under the high ball in wet weather all afternoon and only blotted his copybook with a challenge on Mike Brown while the Englishman was still airborne.
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
The old stager popped up with another try for the Wallabies on the right wing. Ashley-Cooper has been Australia's Mr. Dependable for so long, don't bet against him being the man who puts the skids under either England or Wales in the group stages at next year's World Cup.
11. Teddy Thomas
The young French wing dazzled on his debut last week with a hat–trick and followed it up with a stunning try against Australia, beating six men on his way to the line.
He will need to work on his defence, which was exposed against the Wallabies. That weakness will hurt France if not addressed.
Centres
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12. Jean de Villiers
The Springboks captain was the leading figure in a monstrous defensive effort from South Africa. His positional play and strength in the tackle were superb, as were his leadership qualities.
He gathered his men under their own posts after England had scored two rolling maul tries in quick succession and told them not to panic. Before his words had sunk in, his charges had responded with a try of their own.
13. Brad Barritt
If anyone came out of England's performance with credit, it was Barritt.
He is in the team to tackle with brute force and truck the ball up. He did both those things well against South Africa and finished his try well, too.
Half-Backs
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10. Camille Lopez
The Clermont Auvergne fly-half kicked 16 points in France’s victory over the Wallabies. He has looked assured so far in his international appearances and may just be the answer to the eternal question over who should play No. 10 for Les Bleus.
9. Cobus Reinach
Reinach scored a well–worked try and played solidly in tricky conditions for a scrum-half in a fine full debut.
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Back Row
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6. Schalk Burger
A year since returning from illness and injury that could have taken a lot more than just his Test career from him, Schalk Burger is back to his best.
The South African back–rower dominated the collisions and was the best player at the breakdown at Twickenham. His try and man of the match award were fitting for such a fantastic performance.
7. Thierry Dusautoir
Dusautoir was close to his best as France defeated Australia. The open–side forward put in a strong defensive night’s work and led the side with composure as Australia threatened to come back at them.
As Philippe Saint-Andre looks to blood several new, young faces ahead of the 2015 World Cup, Dusautoir’s experience will be invaluable.
8. Duane Vermeulen
This Springbok did not have his most destructive day as a ball-carrier, but he was outstanding in the tackle and forced so many of those England handling errors with aggressive hits.
Second Row
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4. Jonny Gray
Jonny Gray has come into this Scotland team and begun immediately eclipsing his brother Richie, a British and Irish Lion. Jonny made 16 tackles against the All Blacks and contributed to making a rare mess of the visitors’ lineout.
5. Jeremy Thrush
The back-up behind first-choice pair Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, Jeremy Thrush took his chance to shine in Edinburgh. The lock put in 11 tackles, ran for 29 metres and scored the try for the All Blacks that made the game safe.
Front Row
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1. Dave Kilcoyne
The Irishman got the chance to show what he could do against Georgia’s powerful front row and performed well. He was also busy in the loose, running for 34 metres and scoring a try for a fine all-round display.
2. Ross Ford
Scotland’s impressive showing against a much-changed All Blacks team was another sign of their rehabilitation under Vern Cotter.
Probably more than any other player, Ford is the personification of that rebirth. The hooker has rediscovered his appetite for ball-carrying and combined it once again with accuracy at the lineout and powerful work in the scrum.
3. Charlie Faumuina
With a place on the plane to England up for grabs, Faumuina made another step in the right direction with his performance for New Zealand against Scotland.
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