Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of December 19-21
The last weekend before Christmas produced some crackers across Europe’s best leagues to give us a strong World Rugby XV for the festive period.
We were spoiled for choice at fly-half with plenty of No. 10s racking up impressive totals, while more than one No. 8 also enjoyed fruitful weekends.
There were some reminders for a few Six Nations coaches, as a couple of players pressed their claims to start for their countries when the championship begins.
There was a message, too, from England hooker Dylan Hartley, who still knows where his self-destruct button is, per the Guardian.
For this selection, we have looked at try-scorers, key influencers in their teams and players who racked up strong stats in the metres gained, tackles and breaks made.
Back Three
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15. Brice Dulin
Racing Metro and France full back Brice Dulin put in an impressive display for the Parisians as they beat La Rochelle 27-8. Dulin was in running mood with over 100m gained, and got himself on the score sheet with a well-taken try.
14. Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu
Two tries from Stade Francais’ Fijian wing helped them to a 43-30 win over Grenoble and propelled them to third in the Top 14 table. The league is set up nicely going into January, with both Stade and Parisian rivals Racing Metro jostling in the top four.
11. Vincent Clerc
Toulouse wing Clerc may be racking up the candles on his birthday cakes these days but he still knows where the try line is. A brace for the diminutive French international couldn’t stop Toulouse going down to Montpellier.
Centres
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13. Jonathan Joseph
Bath’s outside centre ran for 76 metres, made two clean breaks and made 12 tackles as the Somerset-based side won West Country bragging rights over Gloucester. Joseph seems to have been the odd man out in the England centre debate, but he has hardly put a foot wrong in the Premiership this season.
12. Wesley Fofana
Clermont Auvergne did it the hard way to beat Castres Olympique at the weekend, but even in an arm wrestle, Wesley Fofana showed moments of quality that make him one of the world’s best. He runs lines that other centres can’t see, and when through, can beat a man with his footwork. What a pleasure to watch.
Half Backs
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10. Andy Goode
The old man of the Premiership got Wasps’ new home rocking with an all-time record points haul as they slaughtered London Irish. Andy Goode scored a try, kicked two conversions and eight penalties from eight attempts for a massive 33 points. It was the perfect start for Coventry FC fan Goode at the Ricoh Arena.
An honourable mention to Danny Cipriani for a thrilling display in Sale’s 18-11 win over Exeter. Cipriani scored a try, made another and kicked a conversion and two penalties. Props, too, to large points hauls from George Ford and JJ Hanrahan.
9. Rhys Webb
Ospreys thumped Ulster 31-20 to go top of the Pro 12 and Rhys Webb again scored a brace of tries to continue his red hot season. Wales Online's Gareth Griffiths wrote: 'This took his tally to nine in 11 games for the region and there were two more in three matches for Wales in the autumn internationals for an overall tally of 11 in 14 matches.'
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Back Row
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8. Chris Masoe
Toulon No. 8 Masoe scored twice as Toulon beat Lyon 30-6 to ensure top spot in the Top 14 at Christmas. The former All Black started and finished the move that led to his first try, and rounded the bonus point win off with another at the death. Honourable mention to Cardiff Blues’ Josh Navidi, who also bagged a couple but loses out here thanks to a yellow card.
7. Julian Salvi
Leicester’s Australian import was right at the coalface in this blood and thunder east Midlands derby. The open side flanker put in a massive 19 tackles, all, as it turned out, in vain, with the Tigers going down 23-19 to the league leaders Northampton.
6. Fulgence Ouedraogo
France international Ouedraogo was in abrasive form for Montpellier as they banished their recent slump with victory over Toulouse. The blindside flanker racked up 11 tackles and ran for 47 metres as his pack got on top of one of Europe’s heaviest and hardest units.
Second Row
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5. Alun Wyn Jones
The totemic performances keep on coming from Alun Wyn Jones. The stand-in Lions skipper was at the heart of the Osprey’s charge to first place in the Pro 12 as they blew Ulster away.
Wales Online's Gareth Griffiths wrote: "There has been no break for the Ospreys skipper since the autumn internationals and the Wales lock was instrumental from the outset against Ulster."
He set the tone in helping to secure the opening penalty, and his break led to the first try, with Dan Biggar the recipient on both occasions.
With Ospreys second-rows in short supply, it is vital for the region he keeps fit, although the Lions lock might also need a break at some point.
4. Matt Garvey
Eye-catching performances in rugby union cannot usually be based around economy of effort, but Bath’s replacement lock Matt Garvey proved a pleasing exception to that rule when he rose from the bench for the final 20 minutes of their win over Gloucester and scored twice from close range.
Front Row
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3. Nicolas Mas
Seasoned French international Mas enjoyed a destructive afternoon against an under-powered Toulouse outfit. Mas spearheaded Montpellier’s dominant scrummaging effort to make the most of the absence in the Toulouse pack of both Census Johnston and Neemia Tialata.
2. Dimitri Szarzewski
France international Dimitri Szarzewski displayed all his power with a short range try for Racing Metro that helped them to a 27-8 win over La Rochelle.
1. Mako Vunipola
Injury has stalled the burgeoning career of Mako Vunipola, the England loose head who rose rapidly to Test Lion status in 2013 but has had a frustrating 2014. He confirmed he is back to challenge for England honours in the new year with a bullish, two-try display for Saracens in their 78-7 demolition of London Welsh.
Statistics courtesy of ESPNScrum.
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