Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 9-11

As we head back into Europe next week, the top domestic leagues served up a feast of good rugby.

Sale downed Northampton, and Bath’s big-name signing got his first try. Gloucester won with a last-minute thriller, and Harlequins looked like their old selves with a fine win over Leicester.

The Ospreys powered on in the Pro 12 as both Munster and Leinster scored away wins, while in France, Clermont Auvergne looked in rich form as they dismantled Brive.

It all gave us plenty of performances to pick from this weekend.

Here is your team of the week.

Back Three

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15. Leigh Halfpenny

Wales and Lions star Halfpenny is warming to his role down on the Mediterranean. A try and 12 points from the boot helped Toulon to a 32-23 win over Racing Metro. Rugby Planet reported, "Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny had his best game for the club since making the move to France, running in the opening try after three minutes to send Toulon on their way and finishing with 17 points."

14. Jonny May

May gets this nod for one reason and one reason only: In the depth of winter, with pitches about as conducive to running rugby as concrete is to growing flowers, May decided to go from deep, slicing through sludge and Saracens defenders to spark the move that led to a thrilling try for the Cherries.

11. Napolioni Nalaga

Clermont’s big Fijian was in the mood as his side swept Brive aside 44-20. Nalaga didn’t have too much to do for his tries, but he also drew several defenders every time he got the ball down the left wing and opened space for others. They’ll miss him when he departs for Toulon.

Centres

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13. Benson Stanley

Toulouse centre Yann David scored twice as the hosts defeated La Rochelle 29-26, but Clermont’s Benson Stanley had a more influential 80 minutes against Brive. His fast feet and searing pace were clear to see as he danced away from defenders and made some damaging runs in behind the visitors’ defence.

12. Sam Burgess

It’s a credit to Sam Burgess and the Bath coaches that the rugby league convert, in just his third start in the sport, finds himself in a team of the weekend. Burgess stole the headlines with a try in his side’s 39-26 win over Wasps but also had his most effective game so far, playing at inside centre. The Guardian’s Mike Averis wrote:

"

Five games into his union career and partnered in the Bath centre for the first time by another England prospect, Jonathan Joseph, Burgess began to look the part…In 11 minutes Burgess had probably contributed more than in all his other Premiership outings put together and the reported place in the Saxons squad to play Ireland Wolfhounds at the end of the month suddenly looked a lot less fanciful than it had done after the defeat at Leicester six days earlier.

"

Breaking that down a little, Burgess ran for 59 metres, made two clean breaks and beat 10 defenders. Defensively, he made 10 tackles, two of which were huge hits on Wasps' Ben Jacobs that underline his strength in that department.

Half Backs

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10. Camille Lopez

Lopez had Clermont Auvergne purring as they steamrollered Brive 44-20. Lopez’s passing range and ability to attack flat were in evidence as he put willing runners through holes left and right. He kicked four conversions and two penalties. A quick pat on the back goes to James Hook, who showed huge nerve and great accuracy to nail a last-gasp penalty to hand Gloucester victory over Saracens.

9. Danny Care

Harlequins’ 32-12 win over Leicester gave Danny Care the chance to get one over on Ben Youngs, the Tigers man who took his England No. 9 shirt in the autumn. Care took full advantage, scoring a cheeky try and creating another in a performance that set the tempo for the victory.

Back Row

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8. Sergio Parisse

Stade Francais and Italy No. 8 Parisse ran riot for the Parisians against Castres as he helped himself to a hat-trick. His ball-carrying was also impressive with 89 metres made and four defenders beaten.

7. Jordi Murphy

A big defensive shift earns Murphy the No. 7 shirt. The Leinsterman put in 19 tackles as the Dubliners secured a valuable away win against the Blues. He's another reason why they are not missing Sean O’Brien as much as expected.

6. Thierry Dusautoir

Toulouse skipper Dusautoir scored a try and made 13 tackles as Le Toulousain defeated La Rochelle. France’s talisman is running into great form ahead of the Six Nations.

Second Row

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5. Tim Swinson

Glasgow’s Scottish international Swinson had a good afternoon as Gregor Townsend’s side beat Scarlets 22-7. Swinson made 12 tackles and took four line-outs to keep the Glaswegians’ campaign rolling.

4. Hugh Pyle

Stade Francais’ Australian import was prominent in attack for the Parisians as they swatted Castres at Stade Jean-Bouin, making 53 metres for his two clean breaks from the engine room.

Front Row

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3. Henry Thomas

Thomas put in a strong 50 minutes in the Bath front row as he anchored a pack that laid solid foundations for George Ford and his back line to rip Wasps apart.

2. Benjamin Kayser

French international Kayser scored a muscular try in Clermont Auvergne’s win over Brive. The former Leicester man was heavily involved in the buildup to his own score and spearheaded a powerful display from Les Jaunards pack.

1. Mako Vunipola

Vunipola strengthened his reputation as a try-scoring prop with his third try in four starts this season. It was a well-taken effort too, as he hung wide of the contact area and used his power to burst through two Gloucester tacklers to get the ball over the line.