Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of December 18-20

England's giants are on the rise in this season's European Rugby Champions Cup following a thrilling weekend of action leading into the Christmas break.

Three of the five pools are now led by Aviva Premiership sides after victories for Saracens, Wasps and Leicester Tigers, while Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs are still contending in their respective groups.

Wasps' 36-10 victory at The Rec on Saturday was a particularly impressive result as Dai Young's side earned revenge for the close loss they suffered at Bath's hands in Coventry last week.

Young's men feature heavily in this week's best XV as a result, but there are entrants from across the continent as we break down this weekend's finest performers.

Back Three

15. Hugo Bonneval, Stade Francais

Stade Francais ran no fewer than six tries past Italian outfit Treviso in Saturday's 40-14 victory, and full-back Hugo Bonneval was reliable in all aspects for the reigning Top 14 champions.

The France international failed to miss a tackle, and Stade benefited greatly from the 126 metres he made from just six carries—an average of 20 metres progress per run.

14. David Strettle, Clermont Auvergne

If he ever "lost it," David Strettle appears to have rediscovered a most lethal vein of form at Clermont this season—a cut-throat approach that left Exeter Chiefs in his wake during Saturday's 42-10 win for the French outfit.

Not for the first time this season, Strettle demonstrated an ability to cut inside lines and accelerate past defenders even when in unfavourable starting positions—evidenced not least in his spectacularly taken try.

11. Mike Ellery, Saracens

Mike Ellery is gradually establishing himself as a valuable figure at Allianz Park, and although team-mate Chris Ashton clawed in the plaudits with his hat-trick of tries for Saracens in the 55-13 win over Oyonnax, Mike Ellery was the winger to watch.

The converted England Sevens star beat six defenders from his nine total carries, combining for 152 metres made with ball in hand and showing who the more heavily involved speedster was.

Centres

13. Elliot Daly, Wasps

Elliot Daly was once again the man of the moment for Wasps in their pool-topping performance at Bath, carrying for a big haul of 96 metres on Saturday—more than any other player at The Rec.

Wasps weren't lacking in penetrative options, but his two breaks were a joint-high in the fixture, as was his tally of five defenders beaten—figures matched only by Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni. 

12. Jonathan Davies, Clermont Auvergne 

Wales midfield marvel Jonathan Davies makes the switch to inside centre this week to accommodate Daly in the wider role, contributing a display in Clermont's win over Exeter that simply couldn't be ignored.

Hosea Gear impressed for the French titans in the No. 12 jersey, but it was Davies who stood out from the crowd with seven tackles to the New Zealander's three, not to mention one try and 106 carrying metres to his name.

Half-Backs

10. Jimmy Gopperth, Wasps

New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth enjoyed a vintage outing in Wasps' win over Bath on Saturday, scoring 23 points for the visiting outfit as they strode to one of their best wins of the season so far.

Gopperth couldn't put a foot wrong as he kicked well both from the tee and out of hand, making two turnovers and failing to miss a tackle all game. 

9. Ruan Pienaar, Ulster

It took 31 minutes to break the deadlock at Toulouse on Sunday, and Ulster scrum-half Ruan Pienaar was responsible for the first try of the game thanks to a typical show of initiative from the No. 9.

Half-back partner Paddy Jackson enjoyed an impressive performance in the 25-23 victory, but the South African was equally important as Ulster coped with a minority of possession, with Pienaar making three turnovers and providing a steady chain of supply.

Back Row

8. Nathan Hughes, Wasps

Not for the first time this season, potential England recruit Nathan Hughes lines up in our best XV, thanks to a monolithic outing for Wasps at No. 8 against Bath.

Hughes made 17 carries at The Rec—at least six more than any other player—and his 88 carrying metres were second only to aforementioned team-mate Daly. The 24-year-old also contributed two turnovers. 

7. Juan Smith, Toulon

A dogged performance was what was needed in Toulon's trip to the RDS stadium, and dogged is just what Juan Smith was as his side left Leinster with a 16-20 win that puts them back in the Champions Cup frame.

Smith made nine tackles, two turnovers and burst through for Toulon's first try of the game to mark a brilliantly balanced outing from the flanker. 

6. Ed Slater, Leicester Tigers

Stephen Jones of the Sunday Times described the versatile Ed Slater as "monumental" following his display in Leicester's 17-6 win over Munster on Sunday, dubbing him "a must" for Eddie Jones' England squad.

One would find it hard to disagree after Slater provided the game's opening try, made 34 metres with ball in hand and added nine tackles and two turnovers to boot.

Second Row

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5. Franco van der Merwe, Ulster

Franco van der Merwe made close to no impact for Ulster in their win over Toulouse, but the lock's 17 tackles were of massive use to the Irish side as they (just about) held back the French tide. 

4. Sebastien Vahaamahina, Clermont Auvergne

So impressive was the performance of Clermont lock Sebastien Vahaamahina this weekend, French newspaper Midi Olympique nominated him its Player of the Weekend, per Rugby World's Gavin Mortimer.

The France international's defensive work rate might have improved, but his try-scoring input and brutish work around the fringes of the breakdown were key to a home win at Stade Marcel Michelin.

Front Row

3. Lorenzo Cittadini, Wasps

The Bath scrum simply wasn't at the races during Saturday's defeat to Wasps, and tighthead Lorenzo Cittadini had a major hand in seeing to it that the hosts lost six of their nine feeds overall.

The Italian also recorded six tackles, missing none. 

2. Jamie George, Saracens

New Zealand's Dane Coles needs to watch out if he's to defend his title of "World's Most Centre-Like Hooker" after Sarries star Jamie George burst out of the traps for a superb solo try against Oyonnax.

1. Jefferson Poirot, Bordeaux

Bordeaux survived a late scare from Ospreys to emerge as 33-27 winners over the Welsh team, where Jefferson Poirot dazzled as arguably the best performer in Raphael Ibanez's pack.

The loosehead charged his way to 32 carrying metres and beat three defenders from three clean breaks, mustering nine tackles and losing just one put-in at the scrum.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.