Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 1-3

Some of England's major powers suffered significant setbacks as the 2016 calendar got underway this weekend, with Bath and Wasps suffering notable losses to Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks, respectively.

There were no such hiccups from Premiership leaders Saracens, though, as Mark McCall's men defeated Leicester Tigers 26-6 to extend their lead at the top of the standings.

Elsewhere, reigning Top 14 champions Stade Francais injected some life into their struggling campaign with an 18-17 win over Toulouse, but Racing 92 and Clermont Auvergne remain the teams to beat in France.

The Pro12 standings were also transformed after Cardiff Blues beat out-of-form Scarlets in Wales' capital. Read on to see who made our best XV from the opening weekend of the year.

Back Three

15. Mike Haley, Sale Sharks

There were no tries to speak of at Salford City Stadium as Sale ran to a 15-9 win over Wasps, but full-back Mike Haley did his utmost to change that after making a substantial running impact for the hosts.

No player mustered more than his 14 carries, while his tally of 125 metres with ball in hand was more than three times as much as any other Sale player—Tom Arscott came next with 40. 

14. James O'Connor, Toulon

James O'Connor was every bit the clinical finisher Toulon could ask for during Sunday's 21-17 win over Pau, soaring over either side of the half-time whistle to keep his outfit within two points of the Top 14 summit.

The Australian beat four defenders from his three clean breaks and showed superb calm from close range to finish with a brace to his name.

11. Tom James, Cardiff Blues

Alex Cuthbert was the try-scoring hero for Cardiff Blues on New Year's Day as they defeated Scarlets 29-27, but it was opposite wing Tom James who shone brighter, making 119 metres and beating five defenders from 11 carries.

Centres

13. Chris Farrell, Grenoble

The Grenoble back line worked up a head of steam as they glided to a 42-17 victory over Oyonnax on Saturday, and the former Ulster centre starred as a midfield force for the five-try winners.

Team-mates Gio Aplon and Maritino Nemani were glad to have the Irishman busting down doors in the middle of the park, and although Farrell didn't get on the scoresheet himself, his 86 metres were a critical part of Grenoble's triumph. 

12. Alexandre Dumoulin, Racing 92

Racing 92 centre Alexandre Dumoulin completes an all-Top 14 midfield this weekend after scoring the second of his side's tries in a valuable 23-18 win over Bordeaux, where he also beat a match-high of six defenders.

Half-Backs

10. Danny Cipriani, Sale Sharks

England hopeful Danny Cipriani was rightly elected man of the match for a pinpoint performance in the win over Wasps, kicking all 15 of Sale's points against his old club.

BBC Sport noted Cipriani has now scored more points than any other English fly-half in the Premiership, but a display that also saw him contribute 10 tackles and miss just one was about far more than just kicking.

9. Gareth Davies, Scarlets

Cardiff scrum-half Lloyd Williams was an ever-present catalyst for the capital club in their defeat of Scarlets, but opposite number Gareth Davies was unfortunate not to lead his visitors to four points at the Arms Park.

His 65th-minute try gave the travelling outfit great hope of clinching the win in away territory, beating six defenders in total and succeeding with all five of his tackle attempts.

Back Row

8. Camille Gerondeau, Clermont Auvergne

Clermont's pack laid the foundation for a 33-16 win over basement side Agen on Saturday, and two second-half scores from summer arrival Camille Gerondeau were essential to claiming four points.

The victors' only other try came via a penalty try, and only Nick Abendanon (80) surpassed his total of 55 carrying metres, moving bast three defenders to boot.

7. Mike Coman, Edinburgh

Edinburgh sealed a festive double over Glasgow Warriors as they defeated their Scottish rivals for the second time in as many weeks last Saturday, a fixture in which flanker Mike Coman was a crucial component.

Despite seeing his side enjoy just 35 percent of the ball at Murrayfield, Coman registered 17 tackles to give Alan Solomons' men a chance, emerging as 14 -11 victors to go fourth in the Pro12. 

6. Nick Crosswell, Newport Gwent Dragons

Seldom does a player break the 20-tackle barrier in our best XV, but Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Nick Crosswell went above and beyond against Ospreys as he finished with 25 in total.

The New Zealander gave Dragons a lifeline in the 12-7 loss as Newport dealt with a minority of the possession, and Crosswell also made his presence felt with ball in hand thanks to his nine carries.

Second Row

5. George Kruis, Saracens

Calls for George Kruis to start in Eddie Jones' England team are gaining some serious traction, and the Saracens lock's display in the 20-point defeat of Leicester has only aided his crusade further.

The 25-year-old averaged more than five metres in each of his seven carries, making seven tackles while having a big hand in pushing a pack that ran rampant at Allianz Park. 

4. James Horwill, Harlequins

Super Rugby import James Horwill is showing himself worthy of Harlequins' investment this season and shone as a defensive totem in the 24-20 win at Worcester on Sunday, racking up a match-high 14 tackles in the process.

Front Row

3. Uini Atonio, La Rochelle

France prop Uini Atonio had a mammoth outing for La Rochelle as they beat Castres 25-21 to move up to ninth in the Top 14, consistently beating the gain line with his nine carries and marshalling a perfect set piece.

2. Schalk Brits, Saracens

Substitute Sarries hooker Jamie George could have been picked for a place in our XV after he came off the bench to finish Saturday's win as the team's only scorer from open play.

However, Schalk Brits had an even more impressive first-half display that would have surely continued were it not for a knee injury forcing him off at the halfway mark, making six tackles and steering the line-out with aplomb.

1. Rob Vickers, Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle loosehead Rob Vickers trucked over for Newcastle's only try as they sealed a 19-14 win over Bath they won't forget in a hurry, as well as making nine tackles and disrupting the opposition's scrum.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.