Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of December 4-6
It was a dramatic week for Europe's elite leagues as leaders across the continent all saw their status challenged, but the likes of Clermont Auvergne and Saracens managed to come out on top.
The same couldn't be said for Pro12 contenders Connacht, who lost their lead after stumbling to defeat at Cardiff Blues, while Exeter Chiefs' win at Wasps was enough to temporarily hand them the Premiership perch.
This week's best XV comprises a mix of players from no fewer than 11 sides, with stars from France, England, Wales and Ireland standing out to stake their claim in the team of the week.
Back Three
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15. Geoffrey Palis, Castres Olympique
Castres Olympique are back within sight of the Top 14 play-off places after a 34-19 win against Montpellier on Saturday, and it was largely thanks to the non-stop work of Geoffrey Palis they excelled past their opponents.
The full-back gathered a massive 157 metres with ball in hand, making three turnovers and failing to miss a tackle all game, opening up space for his side almost at will.
A special mention also goes to Ulster's Nick Williams.
14. Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs
Exeter were happy to take the Premiership as their own for a short while this weekend, and Jack Nowell was among the try-scorers as they defeated Wasps 41-27 in Coventry.
"Watch this" might have been the message he was sending to new England coach Eddie Jones as he raced for 67 metres with ball in hand off the right wing, but perhaps more impressively, he limited the Wasps attack with nine tackles.
11. Tim Visser, Harlequins
No player beat more defenders than Scotland international Tim Visser this weekend as he blazed a trail past 11 opponents en route to a memorable hat-trick of tries in the 38-7 demolition of London Irish.
Opposite number Alex Lewington was made to look almost invisible at times as Visser ran free, clocking up 76 metres in all—making for an impressive average of 7.6 metres per run.
Centres
2 of 613. Rey Lee-Lo, Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues played just their third home Pro12 match of the season on Friday and defended their Arms Park turf with a terrific 20-16 win over leaders Connacht, where Rey Lee-Lo was a defining factor.
This was a banded effort from the Welsh outfit first and foremost, but Lee-Lo acted as a catalyst in midfield outside Rhys Patchell, beating an impressive five defenders for a carrying total of 49 metres.
12. Luke Marshall, Ulster
Luke Marshall lines up at inside centre this week following a steadfast outing in Ulster's 14-7 victory against Edinburgh, a performance built on foundation instead of flair.
The Ireland international can be pleased with the 63 metres he managed to rack up with ball in hand, but it was his 10 tackles that stood out, a tally no other Ulster back could top in what was a very valuable win.
Half-Backs
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10. Charlie Hodgson, Saracens
Charlie Hodgson announced his plans to retire from rugby at the end of this season, but a powerful performance in Saracens' bonus-point win at Newcastle Falcons on Sunday will have many questioning why.
The fly-half-cum-centre has never shied away from his carrying responsibilities and stormed to 103 metres in the 38-3 win—just two fewer than winger Mike Ellery—but his total was far more impressive considering it came from just four runs.
9. Ricky Januarie, La Rochelle
A long line of South African stars have made headway for the Top 14 this year, but La Rochelle's signing of veteran scrum-half Ricky Januarie from Lyon was perhaps one of the more understated French transfers.
At 33 years of age, Januarie continues to show his wit and was exemplary in a 33-16 win over Grenoble, beating four defenders and carrying for 59 metres, creating one try in the process and recording seven tackles.
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Back Row
4 of 68. Alex Tulou, Castres Olympique
It's not often Thomas Waldrom will score a hat-trick and not be named the best No. 8 on any weekend, but the Exeter man's achievement was even bettered by Castres' Alex Tulou, who grabbed three of his own against Montpellier.
Not only that, his 120 carrying metres prove the haul weren't just short-range finishes, either, beating no fewer than seven defenders on his way to the feat and making 13 tackles, missing none.
7. Josh Turnbull, Cardiff Blues
A gutsy performance from the Haverfordwest native saw Josh Turnbull ring in the Connacht attack with 19 tackles, a key display under clutch circumstances for the struggling Blues.
6. Loann Goujon, Bordeaux
Reigning Top 14 champions Stade Francais were beaten at home by Bordeaux on Saturday as their nightmarish title defence lingered on, and Loann Goujon was a consistent nuisance to the Paris hosts.
He carried for more metres (32) from more attempted runs (10) than any other forward, and no other Bordeaux player could best his tally of nine tackles for Bordeaux to emerge 24-21 victors.
Talalelei Gray of Toulouse deserves a special mention for his two tries against Oyonnax.
Second Row
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5. Jeremy Thrush, Gloucester
The Kingsholm faithful are quickly becoming quite enamoured with their summer arrival from south of the equator, and it's no surprise Jeremy Thrush is going down quite so successfully at Gloucester.
The Cherry and Whites lineout was run in near-pristine fashion in Friday's 23-19 win over Sale Sharks, where Thrush was frequently happy to pick up the slow, difficult yards around the fringes, pitching in with 14 tackles.
4. Joe Tekori, Toulouse
The Toulouse pack ensured their set piece ran like a well-oiled machine as they hammered Oyonnax 27-3 on home soil, and second-row star Joe Tekori took a leading hand in the result.
The aforementioned Gray stole the headlines with his two tries, but high-rising Tekori was almost as effective in gathering yards for his team, functioning more like a flanker for stretches.
Front Row
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3. Census Johnston, Toulouse
Oyonnax could win only half of their scrums under pressure from the Toulouse pack on Saturday, and tighthead Census Johnston did his best to lay a set-piece platform for the hosts.
The Samoan's tackling could have improved considering he missed two of his attempted five hits, but Johnston made up for it with a busy 12 carries for 23 metres.
2. Tom Youngs, Leicester Tigers
What better way for Tom Youngs to celebrate his 100th appearance in Leicester Tigers colours than with a standout display in the comeback 29-20 victory against Worcester?
The England No. 2 threw well by and large as the Tigers claimed 17 of their 20 lineouts, but Youngs displayed a huge engine after racking up 43 metres from 10 carries, second only to Jordan Crane in the pack from runs made.
1. Ethan Waller, Northampton Saints
Prop talent runs strong in the veins of the Waller family it seems, and after seeing older brother Alex emerge as a Northampton Saints first-team contender, it's now the younger Ethan who's impressing.
The latter steered the Saints scrum to a polished performance in the 13-11 win over Bath and was a strong carrying presence with 29 metres from five runs before coming off as a second-half substitute for his older brother.
All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.
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