Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of January 29-31

Fresh from discovering this season's Champions Cup quarter-final lineup, Europe's giants returned to domestic action this weekend, hoping to make an impact before the 2016 RBS Six Nations get underway.

Many of the continental powerhouses will lose a raft of their major talents during the tournament, but that didn't stop the big guns from dazzling in recent days.

Saracens, Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers kept their pace atop the Premiership, while Racing 92, Toulouse and Toulon stuck close at the peak of the Top 14 and the Pro12 remains a more open arena.

After the final matches before the Six Nations begin, this weekend's best XV in world rugby makes for an intimidating lineup.

Back Three

15. Rob Miller, Wasps

Maxime Medard in Toulouse's 54-3 thrashing of Pau thanks to his two tries, but this week's full-back jersey goes to Wasps' Rob Miller after he helped his side to their first win at Franklin's Gardens in over a decade.

Wasps triumphed over Northampton 24-11, and Miller also helped set up John Bassett after a mazy run, beating six defenders altogether—at least four more than any other player.

14. Peter Betham, Leicester Tigers

Australian whiz Peter Betham was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet during Leicester's 19-18 win at Gloucester on Saturday, considering it was him doing a great deal of the Tigers' probing in attack.

With 104 metres to his name, the winger was by far the most effective Tigers carrier, and he also managed to limit the efficacy of opposite number David Halaifonua.

11. James Short, Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs winger James Short makes our lineup for the second week in succession, and it's hardly surprising after he jumped on the try trail in his team's 30-15 win at Worcester Warriors.

It took Short just two minutes to open the scoring, making four clean breaks and beating seven defenders altogether, both of which were the highest sums for the fixture.

BT Sport commentators Ugo Monye and David Flatman, however, were left marvelling most at the size of the winger's quads.

Centres

13. Robbie Henshaw, Connacht

Connacht's Robbie Henshaw decided to contribute one of his best displays of the season at just the right time on Saturday, helping his province defeat Pro12-leading Scarlets 30-17 at the Galway Sportsground.

The Ireland midfielder continued to show his versatility with an adventurous outing at outside centre, racing for 89 metres altogether and making eight tackles, missing none.

12. Dan Carter, Racing 92

In the latest chapter of Dan Carter's career in Paris, the Racing 92 fly-half returned to his No. 10 jersey and contributed a man-of-the-match performance in the 26-3 beating of Oyonnax.

Only full-back Johan Goosen (88) racked up more than Carter's 82 metres with ball in hand, an average of just over 16 metres per carry, adding six tackles to the mix as well.

Half-Backs

10. Jason Tovey, Newport Gwent Dragons

Jason Tovey's 18-point display led Newport Gwent Dragons to a valuable win over second-placed Leinster in the Pro12 on Friday evening, with the fly-half even chipping in with one of his team's two tries.

Tovey made little impact running the ball, but his accuracy from the tee and an impressive total of eight tackles ensured his contributions stood out from the crowd this weekend.

9. Sebastien Bezy, Toulouse

Not only did Sebastien Bezy delight in converting seven of Toulouse's eight tries in the 54-3 win against Pau on Saturday, but he also managed to glide over for two scores of his own, finishing with 24 points to his name alone.

The scrum-half failed to miss a tackle and was a constant thorn in the side of his opponents, forcing ground wherever he spotted space.

Back Row

8. Thomas Waldrom, Exeter Chiefs

Toulouse's Louis Picamoles could have easily taken this week's No. 8 position after beating no fewer than seven defenders against Pau, but the difficulty of Exeter's trip to Worcester means Thomas Waldrom slips into the spot.

Along with aforementioned team-mate Short, Waldrom was also on the scoresheet at Sixways Stadium after making a monumental 20 carry attempts, ending up with 73 running metres to his name.

7. Jake Heenan, Connacht

Connacht openside Jake Heenan finished as the two-try talisman during his side's 30-17 victory against Scarlets, soaring over twice in the space of 15 minutes while also adding a key defensive presence with 10 tackles. 

6. Steffon Armitage, Toulon

Toulon's Steffon Armitage is one player whose Six Nations prospects won't affect his club performances, and the back-rower was a leading presence in his side's crucial 23-16 win over Stade Francais this weekend.

Drew Mitchell (69) was the only Toulon player who managed to carry farther than Armitage (56), also matching his speedster team-mate for carries made (12) against the reigning Top 14 champions.

Second Row

David Rogers/Getty Images

5. Maro Itoje, Saracens

Not only will Maro Itoje be considered for England action at the Six Nations, but the Saracens lock should be promoted to starter in the international squad following another dynamic display in the 19-13 comeback win over Bath on Saturday.

Itoje was forceful in all areas, making 51 metres from what OptaJonny highlighted as a career-best 14 carries, beating five defenders in total, and he also added a healthy sum of seven tackles, failing to miss in any of his attempts. 

4. Matthew Screech, Newport Gwent Dragons

Newport's lineout could have been more effective in their win over Leinster, but Matthew Screech ensured he made up for any lost ball at the set piece with a massive 17 tackles in the loose.

Front Row

3. Finlay Bealham, Connacht

It was the Connacht forwards who dazzled most in their win over Pro12 leaders Scarlets on Saturday, and tighthead Finlay Bealham tormented opposite number Phil John at the scrum, as well as adding six tackles to his name.

2. Schalk Brits, Saracens

You would be forgiven for mistaking Sarries hooker Schalk Brits for a centre at times, and the South African showed all his line-cutting prowess when storming through for the winning score against Bath.

Brits burst over for a 70th-minute try that gave Saracens their 19-13 comeback victory, carrying for 49 metres, beating three defenders in the process, not to mention making 10 tackles and throwing perfectly at the line.

1. Marcos Ayerza, Leicester Tigers

Not only did Argentinian Marcos Ayerza dot down for Leicester's opening try at Kingsholm on Saturday, but his tally of 13 tackles helped ensure the Tigers' comeback even remained on the cards.

The loosehead also maintained a 100 percent record come scrum time in what was just about the perfect display as far as he can be concerned.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.