Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of May 15-17

Europe's rugby calendar edged ever closer to its crescendo this weekend, where the majority of the continental elite rounded up their normal campaigns, many looking to seal a post-season future.

That mad dash to make the most of what little remains in the season encouraged some inspirational displays, but it wasn't only the northern hemisphere entertaining.

South of the equator, the Hurricanes kept their status as standings leaders, and the Queensland Reds also had an unusually spirited outing against the Rebels.

Read on for a breakdown of which players impressed most, regardless of match result, as we run through the best XV in world rugby this weekend.

Back Three

15. Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs

Only team-mate Henry Slade could boast having a hand in as many tries as Jack Nowell against Sale Sharks at Sandy Park on Saturday, where the full-back scored himself before playing a part in two more tries.

The England youngster may be scrutinised more so for his work without the ball, but Nowell did well to clock up 80 metres as Chiefs ran to a 44-16 win. 

14. Hosea Gear, Chiefs

Despite their loss in Wellington this past Saturday, there are those among the Chiefs' lineup who can stand proud with their efforts against the Hurricanes, one of whom is Hosea Gear.

His 104 metres managed with ball in hand was the most of any one player in the matchup, as were his totals of seven defenders beaten and three clean breaks.

11. Metuisela Talebula, Bordeaux Begles

A 38-20 beating of Bayonne gave Bordeaux Begles the means to leapfrog Racing Metro into Top 14's sixth spot, where Metuisela Talebula was their hero—and not for the first time this term.

Talebula clinched two second-half tries for the home outfit and consistently featured as one of Bordeaux's busiest figures in attack, beating five defenders from four breaks and managing one turnover.

Centres

13. Ma'a Nonu, Hurricanes

Hurricanes talisman Ma'a Nonu features in our best XV once again this weekend after stealing the headlines against the Chiefs, running in two tries as his team further cemented their candidacy for the 2015 Super Rugby title.

The overall leaders further boosted their bid to claim top thanks to a tense 22-18 win over their New Zealand rivals, where Nonu starred as a consistent driving force, scoring in the ninth and 67th minutes. 

12. George Moala, Blues

Blues midfielder George Moala took little time to make his considerable impact this weekend, starring as his side's best attacking outlet on Friday when they clinched a 23-18 win over the Bulls.

Opposing centre Jan Serfontein actually outscored Moala two tries to one, but it was Moala's 67th-minute try that sealed the hosts' win, beating a massive eight defenders in total, forcing five turnovers and failing to miss any tackles.

Half-Backs

10. Bernard Foley, Waratahs

A much-needed win over the Sharks, 33-18, this weekend gives the Waratahs ongoing hope for what can be made of their Super Rugby title defence, and Bernard Foley was at his best en route to the five-point haul.

Twenty-three of the 'Tahs' 33 points came thanks to the Wallabies fly-half, who forced six turnovers and sprinted for 94 carrying metres in what was a magnificently driven performance from Foley.

9. Rhys Webb, Ospreys

Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb brought the normal Pro12 season to an end on Saturday by playing a pivotal role in the Ospreys' win over Connacht, where he took on the role of orchestrator and executioner.

Scoring one try of his own before then setting another up, the 2014-15 Pro12 Player's Player of the Year took the bull by the horns and yet again proved the elusive catalyst his side were searching for.

Back Row

8. Marco Tauleigne, Bordeaux

While Talebula was the finishing technician Bordeaux needed out wide on Saturday, No. 8 Marco Tauleigne was a terrific outlet for the French side in the closer parameters, rampaging to 104 carrying metres against Bayonne. 

That tally was the highest managed by any individual player in the fixtures, which is of little surprise considering it took multiple opponents to stop Bordeaux's bruiser, who beat eight defenders in all and scored one try.

7. Justin Tipuric, Ospreys

A hard-fought 24-20 triumph over Connacht saw Ospreys fall just short of claiming a home play-off semi-final, but one man who did all within his power to influence the tie was Justin Tipuric.

Typically active from beginning to end, the Wales flanker made 19 tackles and gave team-mate Dan Bigger a terrifically reliable foundation to build from when turning toward the penalty counter.

6. Hamish Watson, Edinburgh

The seemingly inexhaustible energy reserves of Hamish Watson move to No. 6 for the sake of our lineup this week, despite the fact his outing in the loss to Leinster was that of an openside doing some of his best work.

In no uncertain terms, Watson was terribly unfortunate to come out on the losing half of a 36-23 result, proving prominent in all areas as he made no fewer than 20 tackles but also managed to beat nine defenders in the process.

Second Row

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5. Ben Hand, Grenoble

Fewer locks had a more mobile outing than Grenoble's Ben Hand this weekend, who made an outstanding 18 tackles during his team's victory over Toulouse.

The Australian was great value in getting to the breakdown quickest and securing fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski the chances he needed to kick the home side to a very encouraging 32-11 win.

4. Jeremy Thrush, Hurricanes

The Hurricanes' lineout could have worked more efficiently against the Sharks on Saturday, where they could only muster a win percentage of 76.9 on their own throw, but Jeremy Thrush made up for those concerns in other departments.

Thrush did his bit to impress at the set piece and stole some enemy put-ins, too, but it was his 18 tackles that really stood out, missing only two.

Front Row

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3. Dan Cole, Leicester Tigers

Perhaps Leicester's 22-18 win over Northampton Saints came thanks an ever-so slightly weakened XV standing opposite them, but Dan Cole had no easy task in overcoming England peer Alex Corbisiero.

Still, Cole illustrated what an elite member of Stuart Lancaster's crop he is, helping the Tigers win 10 of their 11 total scrum put-ins, failing to miss a tackle.

2. Scott Lawson, Newcastle Falcons

Running the rule over the set piece was in no small part a leading factor as Newcastle Falcons clinched a shock 37-21 win against Harlequins on Saturday, where hooker Scott Lawson proved an understated pack leader.

His 51st-minute score came at a crucial juncture for the north-east outfit, turning the tide firmly in favour of the Falcons to go hand in hand with his superb throwing on the day and a great haul of 11 tackles.

1. Mako Vunipola, Saracens

London Welsh were never going to pose the greatest obstacle to Saracens, but even Mako Vunipola may have been surprised with how his team were permitted to stroll during an assured, try-scoring display, forcing two turnovers along with nine tackles in a 68-17 victory.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.