Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 30 to February 1

A tricky week to pick a meaningful best XV.

The Premiership and Pro 12 took a break to make way for the LV Cup, with teams shorn of their Six Nations players, while the Top 14 rumbled on.

In Cork, England and Ireland’s second strings went at it with a few names shining at Musgrave Park.

The Super 15 is also yet to begin, so there is a far smaller pool of top talent to select from this week.

Let’s reward some of the lesser lights, then, as we gird our loins for the return of the Six Nations next week.

Back Three

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11. Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu

Stade Francais’ 6'5" wing Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu was busy for the Parisians as they suffered defeat at home to Oyonnax. The big Fijian beat six defenders and ran for 72 metres.

14. Lee Smith

Should Sam Burgess wish to look up the odd cautionary tale of code–crossers who never quite hit the heights, he could do worse than study the career of Lee Smith.

Signed for Wasps in 2010 from league giants Leeds, Smith did not last long before going back to the 13-man game. He is back for another go now, joining Newcastle last year, and scored twice on Sunday in their 39-19 win over Sale.

15. Alex Lozowski

Wasps’ young full-back Alex Lozowski had an excellent day with the boot in their defeat to Cardiff. The 21-year-old converted all six tries and impressed throughout a strange game that his side contrived to throw away from a 20-point lead.

Centres

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12. Matt Banahan

Forgotten England man Matt Banahan is enjoying a fine season in Bath colours and scored a quality try playing in the unfamiliar role of inside centre against Harlequins. The big man from jersey also ran for over 100 metres and beat people for fun.

Honourable mention to Chris Tuatara-Morrison. As well as some stout defence on his own line to keep Grenoble out, Brive’s Tuatara-Morrison was alert enough to chase and gather his wing’s infield chip for a well-worked try as they toppled the men from the Alps 23-0.

13. Elliot Daly

Wasps centre Elliot Daly looked the part for the Saxons against the Wolfhounds on Friday night. His aggression with ball in hand was repaid with two clean breaks and three defenders beaten according to his official stats, but his distribution was also impressive.

A penalty attempt from inside his own half was not far away, underlining the arsenal he has in his locker. One to watch.

Half-Backs

9. Yann Lesgourgues

Bordeaux’s scrum-half Yann Lesgourgues scored a sublime solo try that gets him into this team. A beautiful arcing run was finished with a superb step off his right foot to outfox the last Montpellier defender and open up the route to the try line.

Tip of the hat to Saracens' third-choice scrum-half Ben Spencer, who got some time on the pitch in their 20-15 win over London Welsh, while many of the squad were on a trip to South Africa to play the Bulls in a friendly (here's hoping no one in the Sarries hierarchy starts bleating about player burnout later in the season, eh?).

Spencer scored a try, two conversions and two penalties. The 22-year-old has dabbled with the Saxons in the past, and performances like this will only help keep him in the frame for future squads.

10. Benjamin Urdapilleta

Oyonnax fly–half Benjamin Urdapilleta kicked five penalties for all his side’s points as they scored a surprise 15-13 away win over Stade Francais, who had been level on points with Clermont Auvergne at the top of the table before the weekend.

Back Row

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6. Dave Ewers

Exeter’s Dave Ewers did not look out of his depth against the likes of Sean O’Brien and Jack Conan as the Saxons took on the Wolfhounds. The blindside flanker carried for 25 metres and made 19 tackles. He also survived a blood-curdling, no-arms hit from Mike McCarthy. They make 'em tough down at Sandy Park.

7. Thomas Young

Thomas Young, James Haskell’s stand-in in the No. 7 Wasps shirt, acquitted himself admirably on Sunday with two tries in a first half of one-way traffic for the Black and Gold. However, they surrendered their huge lead to Cardiff and lost 45-42.

8. Akapusi Qera

Former Gloucester No. 7 Akapusi Qera was playing in the less familiar No. 8 shirt for Montpellier, but looked at home with two tries in a 34-24 win—achieved with 14 men for an hour after scrum-half Benoit Paillaugue was shown a red card.

Second Row

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4. Miles Normandale

It’s rare that a lock plunders two tries at any level, so Cardiff’s Miles Normandale gets a spot for his brace against Wasps in a game his side roared back to win 45-42.

5. Iain Henderson

Iain Henderson is back from injury and bigger than ever. The Ulsterman was the Wolfhounds’ best forward in defeat to the Saxons, making use of the extra meat on his frame in both attack and defence. He will provide excellent back-up to first choice pair Paul O’Connell and Devin Toner.

Front Row

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1. Nick Auterac

Nick Auterac has been rolled off the Bath bench to good effect in recent weeks and got a starting chance against Harlequins in the LV Cup. He acquitted himself well and made seven tackles, as his inexperienced side overcame the Quins 23-21.

2. Jean-Charles Orioli

Toulon hooker Jean-Charles Orioli loves to run and gobbled up 35 metres with ball in hand as Toulon went top with a 24-17 win over Bayonne.

3. Henry Thomas

Bath prop Henry Thomas was one of the Saxons’ most impressive performers in Cork. Thomas carried with intent and made 12 tackles as England’s second string beat a strong Wolfhounds outfit.

All performance stats from the weekend are sourced from ESPNScrum.