Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 4-5

The inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup saw its field reduced to four this weekend, as Clermont Auvergne, Toulon, Saracens and Leinster booked their spots in the tournament's semi-finals.

Representatives of those Top 14 giants feature heavily in our team of the week after Clermont and Toulon claimed substantial wins over Northampton Saints and Wasps, respectively, comprising numerous individual master classes.

South of the equator, the Hurricanes continued their run at the summit of the Super Rugby standings and contribute several star performances to our lineup, with the Crusaders, Chiefs and Reds also impressing.

Quality of performance and level of opposition faced are just some of the factors taken into account as we run through the world rugby team of the week.

Back Three

15. Nick Abendanon, Clermont Auvergne

Clermont Auvergne ripped Northampton's defence to pieces en route to a 37-5 drubbing, and Nick Abendanon was one of numerous backs from the hosting club to run riot in central France.

Racing Metro's Brice Dulin had a star-studded outing of his own against Saracens, but Abendanon was a playmaking kingpin against Jim Mallinder's men, scoring one try and assisting another. He carried for 145 metres in total.

14. Sefanaia Naivalu, Melbourne Rebels

This week's most monstrous carrier award goes to Melbourne Rebels winger Sefanaia Naivalu, who ate up the turf against Queensland Reds and made a total of 192 metres with ball in hand. 

That's the equivalent of running the full length of two pitches or so unopposed, and the Fijian native must be gutted not to have finished with at least one try against his Queensland opponents.

Naivalu did succeed in creating for those around him, though, beating five defenders from five clean breaks and forcing two turnovers.

11. Noa Nakaitaci, Clermont Auvergne

A special mention goes to Newcastle's Sinoti Sinoti for showing some incredible footwork against Exeter Chiefs, but Noa Nakaitaci's brace against Northampton showed an entirely more clinical beast.

Beating six defenders from two clean breaks, the France international is going about sealing his place at this year's Rugby World Cup in the right manner. He bagged both of Clermont's opening tries against the Saints.

Centres

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13. Huw Jones, Stormers

Scotland coach Vern Cotter might be smart to make a move on the services of Stormers utility back Huw Jones as soon as possible, with the Edinburgh-born youngster impressing massively against the 'Canes on Friday.

Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are by no means an easy partnership to take on, but Jones looked as though he belonged, missing not one tackle and soaring over for his side's only try from open play in Wellington.

Still just 21 years of age, the University of Cape Town student is racking up some valuable Super Rugby minutes and was arguably the Stormers' finest player this weekend.

12. Wesley Fofana, Clermont Auvergne

We didn't see an awful lot of Wesley Fofana at his absolute peak during the Six Nations, but the centre's display against Northampton was a prime example of what he offers at his destructive best.

The Frenchman soared over for a close-range try in the 37th minute, but it was his consistent ability to break the Saints' line—doing so four times—and lay on opportunities for others that dazzled most.

A total carrying tally of 103 metres also went a long way in firing Saturday's home outfit down Northampton's throats.

Half-Backs

10. Beauden Barrett, Hurricanes

Almost every fly-half in the world right now might learn a thing or two from Beauden Barrett, who is leading this Hurricanes side with some aplomb in 2015. He continued that trend against the Stormers on Friday.

Clermont's Brock James and George Ford of Bath had some individually brilliant spells this weekend, but Barrett showed what a truly rounded asset he is, scoring one try, setting up another, making 10 tackles and forcing two turnovers.

When he's playing in this vein of form, it's difficult to pick a significant flaw in the New Zealander's approach.

9. Andy Ellis, Crusaders

The Crusaders' creative linchpin was in his playmaking prime on Saturday, as Andy Ellis had a direct hand in no fewer than three of the eight tries his team put past a poor Sharks side.

Scoring one and assisting on two more, Ellis, like numerous Crusaders, was in unstoppable form. He showed it by accumulating 67 carrying metres, the third-highest of any player in Durban this weekend.

Back Row

8. Thomas Waldrom, Exeter Chiefs

Clermont's Fritz Lee was a brute in Saturday's ERCC semi-final, but Thomas Waldrom blazed his own path for Exeter Chiefs, this time in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

The No. 8 managed to force three turnovers and make a gargantuan 89 metres with ball in hand, busting over for one try as the Chiefs ousted the Newcastle Falcons from the competition following the 48-13 victory.

7. Liam Gill, Queensland Reds

Further international honours undoubtedly lie ahead for Liam Gill as long as he keeps playing in his current vein of form, and the flanker was unfortunate not to have made more of a dent on the Rebels.

Although the Reds lost 23-15, Gill showed a similar leadership to that which fellow Wallaby Michael Hooper possesses, assisting a try and notching a respectable 20 tackles.

Brumbies star David Pocock deserves some mention for a typically reliable outing against the Cheetahs, but it's a considerably less experienced back-rower who gets the nod at open side.

6. Callum Gibbins, Hurricanes

We got to see the Hurricanes at their offensive best for parts of the 25-20 win over the Stormers, but blindside Callum Gibbins showed just how essential it is for even the elite to cover all their bases.

The back-rower was simply nonstop against his South African opponents, finishing with an unbelievable 26 tackles in total and missing only two.

Second Row

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5. Brodie Retallick, Chiefs

The 2014 World Player of the Year is back to showing just why he's revered as one of the most intimidating figures in the sport with a leader's display against the Blues.

Orchestrating matters with an iron fist at the line-out, Brodie Retallick made a healthy 12 tackles and forced two turnovers in Hamilton, with no other forward managing more in the fixture. 

4. Jeremy Thrush, Hurricanes

Only the aforementioned Gibbins finished with more tackles than Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush this weekend. His total of 24 is nothing to be sniffed at in the slightest.

Some ill discipline around the fringes could have been avoided and left something of a smudge on Thrush's report card, but it's no wonder the Super Rugby leaders are performing as they are with second-rowers playing with such vigour.

Front Row

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3. Ben Franks, Hurricanes

Admittedly, the New Zealand tighthead comes with his share of baggage, but it's the positives we'll look upon when selecting Ben Franks in this week's lineup following his display against the Stormers.

The 'Canes line-out was lacking in coordination, but the scrum was solid. He made a spectacular 17 tackles, despite having little contribution in attack.

2. Guilhem Guirado, Toulon

Toulon were glad to have Guilhem Guirado back among their ranks on Sunday, as the hooker looked more like a midfield marvel than a grunting No. 2.

The France international carried for an astonishing 41 metres, forced three turnovers and kept Bernard Laporte's side rock-steady at the set piece, helping them claim 14 of their 15 line-outs in all.

1. James Slipper, Queensland Reds

Rebels loosehead Paul Alo-Emile can tell you just what an efficient scrum technician James Slipper is, having succumbed to his Reds counterpart time and time against this past Friday.

Slipper didn't only have an impact at the set piece, though; he made up for flagging team-mates with 17 tackles of his own in Melbourne. Unfortunately for Queensland, it wasn't sufficient to bring home the victory.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.