Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 16-18
The European Champions Cup is back.
This week's team of the weekend has been shaped by the men who did most to ensure their teams are still in the hunt for a last-eight place when the final-pool round commences next week.
That means a decent helping of players from the teams who secured impressive away wins as well as those who got on the scoresheet and shone with eye-catching displays.
There was also the extra motivation of international selection. Squads for the Six Nations are named next week, and several England players in particular ensured their coaches got to see the sort of form they are in.
Here is this week's first 15.
Back Three
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15. Benjamin Lapeyre
Racing Metro’s full-back helped himself to two tries against Treviso to earn a spot in this team. Lapeyre may not be a first choice with Brice Dulin in this squad, but he showed his finishing skills this weekend.
14. Chris Ashton
When assessing the merits of wings in Europe, it is hard to argue with tries as a yardstick, so Chris Ashton’s brace for Saracens qualifies him for this week's team. The current management seems to have not forgotten his dip in form for England following the 2011 World Cup, which probably suits Saracens just fine.
11. D.T.H. van der Merwe
A hat-trick for van der Merwe helped Glasgow to a 21-10 win over Montpellier that sets up a showdown with Bath next week. It was a shame for Glasgow that they couldn’t add to the wing’s treble for a bonus point.
Centres
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13. Jonathan Joseph
Bath’s Joseph was in inspired form as the West Countrymen swept Toulouse aside. He scored a try and made another with a sublime break that saw him collect his own chip and snake through the Toulouse defence. Perhaps former Bath prop David Flatman best summed up his performance on Twitter:
"That might be one of the great European tries. If Joseph isn't picked for England then we can assume he's offended someone's wife.
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) January 18, 2015"
12. Kyle Eastmond
Eastmond made a brilliant burst to create a try for his midfield partner and was just as dazzling as his mate in the No. 13 jersey. The pair has given Stuart Lancaster some serious food for thought ahead of his final squad selection for the Six Nations.
The Guardian’s Rob Kitson wrote: "Jonathan Joseph and Kyle Eastmond have not always been the England selectors’ cup of tea, but if both are not named in Stuart Lancaster’s Six Nations squad due to be announced on Wednesday, there will be no justice."
Half-Backs
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10. George Ford
Ford electrified his Bath back line in Toulouse as his side scored four tries for a bonus point win. His 15 points from the boot saw him miss just one conversion from the kicking tee, which will give England’s coaches a welcome sign that he can find his range in pressure-cooker situations.
9. Joe Simpson
Simpson bagged a try and posed problems to Harlequins when Wasps were on the attack. His speed of thought was too much for the Quins defence, and his "show and go" saw him through a gap and under the posts to put Wasps 17-0 up against the run of play.
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Back Row
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8. Billy Vunipola
Saracens’ Vunipola was in scintillating form against Munster. Described by coach Mark McCall as "a force of nature in attack and defence," per The Guardian, the England No. 8—who lost his place in the autumn to Ben Morgan—looks like a man on a mission to reassert himself as the best ball-carrier in the land.
The Guardian’s Eddie Butler wrote: "Billy galloped unstoppably in open play, red shirts bouncing off him, drops of blood he left behind. The watching Graham Rowntree, the England forwards’ coach, had something to cheer after the loss of Ben Morgan."
7. James Haskell
England squad member Haskell outshone his Red Rose back row rival Chris Robshaw in emphatic style as Wasps repelled Harlequins at the Stoop. Haskell made 28 tackles in a resolute defensive effort from his team against waves of Quins pressure, and The Guardian’s Michael Aylwin best summed up his inspirational play:
"Haskell…was magnificent…albeit in the inverse departments, and when he crouched over the ball on the stroke of half-time, right under his posts, a couple of yards out, and won Wasps’ first penalty since that opening score 35 minutes earlier, his team-mates roared at the lifting of the siege.
"
6. Ashley Johnson
Wasps’ wrecking ball No. 6 had a destructive night at the Stoop in a fine rearguard action from the impressive Wasps back row. His 12 tackles helped stop Quins’ many attacks.
Second Row
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5. Devin Toner
Leinster’s beanpole lock Toner was imperious in the air with a whopping eight takes in the lineout. Comfortable with the ball in hand and strong in the maul, he has developed into a world-class lock.
4. Alistair Hargreaves
Hargreaves had a big task on his hands up against Paul O’Connell, but the Saracens lock outshone his rival with a big defensive performance with 10 tackles.
Front Row
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3. Logovi’i Mulipola
Leicester’s wild-haired Samoan was prominent in the loose with some strong carries for the Tigers, and his scrummaging power was in evidence against an injury-hit Scarlets pack.
2. Dimitri Szarzewski
French hooker Szarzewski plundered a hat-trick as Racing Metro devoured Treviso 53-7 in Paris. He would not mind a repeat of that scoring feat when Racing travel to Northampton next week to settle their pool.
1. Mako Vunipola
He was not as eye-catching as his brother in the No. 8 shirt, but the England and Lions loose-head prop had another barnstorming afternoon for his club.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
