Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 1 to 3

There was plenty of club action to sink your teeth into this weekend as every top league in world rugby was in full swing.

Saracens and the Chiefs lead the Premiership and Super Rugby tables, respectively, and it was those two sides who looked most impressive.

In France, Clermont ground out a win away to Toulon to stay top of the Top 14, and Leinster were on the right end of a dour win over Irish rivals Munster to remain in charge of the Pro12.

Here are the men who shone from the weekend's action.

Back Three

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15. Damian McKenzie, Chiefs

It’s often been said the media has been guilty of building sportsmen up only to knock them down. The construction phase of Damian McKenzie’s time in the spotlight was certainly accelerated in the New Zealand Herald this weekend following his display in the Chiefs’ 48-23 win over the Brumbies.

Chris Rattue wrote: “McKenzie looks so good that he can—and I believe will—become a more dangerous test No. 10 than Dan Carter.”

For now, McKenzie is playing No. 15 for the Super Rugby pace setters, and he was in inspired form on Saturday in Canberra, Australia. He added a try to three conversions and four penalties to continue the hype about this promising future All Black.

14. Chris Ashton, Saracens

Chris Ashton scored twice on his return from a lengthy ban and helped Sarries to a healthy 30-10 win over Bath as they maintained their position at the head of the Aviva Premiership.

England may now be a distant prospect for the rugby league convert, but in light of recent attempts to switch codes, Ashton's rugby union career is likely to be held up in time as one of the most successful swaps from 13 to 15-man rugby in the professional era.

11. Olly Woodburn, Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs stuck 50 points past Worcester in the Premiership, and wing Olly Woodburn claimed three tries in that haul. The former Bath man has been thriving at Sandy Park this season, and his form has helped Rob Baxter’s side keep the chase up on league leaders Saracens.

Centre

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13. Manu Tuilagi, Leicester Tigers

No Manu Tuilagi appearance can be permitted to pass without mention of his return to the England side, but at least his performance for Leicester Tigers in their 35-30 win over Gloucester on Saturday merited such talk.

The Guardian’s Michael Aylwin obliged with his assessment of the Lion’s two-try display: "The news for England is that Manu Tuilagi is making steady progress back towards the barnstorming force of nature we know so well. He scored twice and had a hand in two more of Leicester’s five tries."

He played at No. 12 but we pick him at 13 this week, forming a formidable double act with Ryan Crotty.

12. Ryan Crotty, Crusaders

Crotty snared a hat-trick for the Crusaders in their 43-37 win away to the Lions. The All Blacks midfielder is in the mix for the international positions vacated by Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

Patrick McKendry of the New Zealand Herald wrote: "He's not at his best, but his second try—through heavy traffic from 25m out—showcased his balance and strength and was a promise of good things to come."

It was a decent way to feel his way back after recovering from a snapped thumb ligament that has hindered the start to his season, per Richard Knowler on Stuff.co.nz.

Half-Backs

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10. Aaron Cruden, Chiefs

Aaron Cruden pulled the strings beautifully for the Chiefs’ win over the Brumbies, with a host of sublime handling examples to create tries for his team. Having missed out on a place in New Zealand's 2015 World Cup squad, Cruden has set about staking his claim to the departed fly-half’s throne in impressive fashion.

9. Lloyd Williams, Cardiff Blues

Cardiff Blues played at a high tempo in their 28-22 win over Scarlets, and Lloyd Williams was at the hub of that pace. The Welsh international also scored his side's opening try.

Back Row

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8. Thomas Waldrom, Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs No. 8 Thomas Waldrom continued his scintillating Premiership form this season with a hat-trick against Worcester. The New Zealand-born England international now has 13 to his name this season, four ahead of his closest rival for the top try-scorer award.

7. Sam Underhill, Ospreys

Ospreys' English-born openside flanker Sam Underhill again outlined his credentials to Eddie Jones with an impressive display for the Welsh region.

Underhill has been mentioned previously as the possible answer to Jones' wish for a natural No. 7, and his performance this weekend in a 26-20 win over the Dragons was another step closer to the Red Rose.

Simon Thomas wrote for WalesOnline: "It was another eye-catching display in attack and defence from the Gloucestershire teenager, who looks increasingly likely to get the call from Eddie Jones for England’s summer tour of Australia."

6. Damien Chouly, Clermont Auvergne

French international Damien Chouly scored the clinching try for Clermont to secure a 19-18 win over Toulon in Marseilles, France. Chouly's try helped Les Jaunards open up an eight-point gap between themselves and the European champions in the Top 14.

Second Row

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5. Jonny Gray, Glasgow Warriors

Fifteen runs with the ball, a try and a lineout steal saw Jonny Gray maintain his high standards for Glasgow Warriors as they brushed aside Treviso 38-16, as recorded by ESPN. 

4. George Kruis, Saracens

George Kruis continued his England form with a monumental shift for Saracens. The lock made 16 tackles for the Fez Boys during their win over Bath, according to ESPN.

Front Row

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3. Tao Filise, Cardiff Blues

Cardiff’s Tongan tighthead Tao Filise won plenty of plaudits after his part in the Capital side’s win over Scarlets.

Simon Thomas had praise for the veteran in his piece for WalesOnline:

"

He will be 39 next month and it looked as though his stalwart career would finally be winding down with the arrival of Wallaby tight-head Salesi Ma’afu at the Arms Park.

But the old warrior just keeps on ploughing along and on Saturday - as he made his 214th appearance for the Blues - he proved there’s still plenty of life in the old dog yet.

 

"

2. Schalk Brits, Saracens

Saracens' hooker Schalk Brits hit every one of his six lineouts and gained 43 metres with ball in hand, according to ESPN. The South African remains a key player for the reigning English champions

1. Mitchell Graham, Chiefs

Chiefs prop Mitchell Graham put in 12 tackles in his side's win over the Brumbies, as noted by ESPN. The Waikato franchise's season is taking off based on a solid platform, provided by the likes of this 25-year-old.