Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 8 to 10

The weekend's fare was full of drama with Champions Cup quarter-finals contested in Europe while the Super Rugby rumbled on down south.

We saw a rousing comeback from Wasps to knock out Exeter, while they were joined by two other English sides in the semi-finals as Saracens beat Northampton and Leicester thrashed Stade Francais.

The champions were also dethroned as Racing Metro accounted for Toulon to carry the French flag into the final four.

The Chiefs continued to lead the way in Super Rugby with the sublime Aaron Cruden at the helm, while another All Black also hit form as Julian Savea rediscovered his scoring touch.

Here are the men of the moment.

Back Three

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15. Charles Piutau

Wasps' All Black full-back scored twice in their thrilling comeback win over Exeter, the second coming at the death to allow Jimmy Gopperth to steal victory with the conversion.

14. Niki Goneva

Leicester's Fijian wing bagged a brace also, as the Tigers blew Stade Francais to smithereens at Welford Road.

11. Julian Savea

A hat-trick for the World Cup winner helped the Hurricanes destroy the Jaguares in Super Rugby. Savea had been in hot water with his team after turning up for pre-season showing a few too many signs that he had enjoyed his World Cup celebrations a little too much, per Sports Joe.

He seems to be fighting fit now.

Centres

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13. Peter Betham

Leicester's Betham was key in two of their tries against Stade Francais. His sublime pass freed Niki Goneva for his first try, and in the second half he executed a beautifully floated pass out wide that led to the Fijian's second. Wonderful hands from the ex-Waratah.

12. Siale Piutau

Charles Piutau's older brother was instrumental in two of Wasps' scores as they roared back to dump Exeter out of Europe. The Tongan international displayed pace and power to create the chances for his side, and with the finishing power Dai Young's man have out wide, they are feeding off his creativity.

Half-Backs

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10. Aaron Cruden

Cruden continued his scintillating form for the Super Rugby leaders Chiefs. He bagged another try in their win over the Blues and drew comparisons to the great Barry John as far as Stuff.co.nz's Mark Reason was concerned. He wrote: "Cruden daunts the opposition. His highlights reel from the previous few weeks is frightening."

9. Danny Care

Care scored a hat-trick as Harlequins swept past London Irish in their quest for the European Challenge Cup. The England scrum-half impressed when used by Eddie Jones during the Six Nations and is clearly on a mission to earn the starting scrum-half berth when England head down under this summer.

Back Row

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8. Teimana Harrison

Jim Mallinder is not given to outbursts of hyperbole, so when the Northampton coach launched into a campaign for Teimana Harrison to go on tour with England this summer, he should be taken seriously. Harrison was immense in a losing effort for the Saints against Saracens, outrunning Billy Vunipola according to ESPN's stats.

And Mallinder told the Telegraph:

"

Tour to Australia, I’d say! He is definitely in the frame. He has been improving for a few years but I think we have seen a level of consistent performance from him this year to suggest that he go on and play at a higher level.

"

7. Ben Nutley

Northampton squeeze another man into the back row. Ben Nutley made even more ground than his mate in the No. 8 jersey and was part of a unit that got the better of the Saracens trio.

6. Wenceslas Lauret

Racing 92's blindside put in 10 tackles and did not give Toulon an inch in a tourniquet-tight contest with the champions.

Second Row

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5. Luke Charteris

A mammoth defensive effort from Charteris helped Racing keep Toulon at bay as the Parisians inflicted a first knock-out defeat since 2012 on the three-time consecutive champions of Europe.

4. Mamuka Gorgodze

Toulon used the Georgian captain as a lock in their trip to Paris, and he was still as effective as he is as a back row forward. Truly one of the world's best players in any position.

Front Row

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1. Marcos Ayerza

The Argentine prop enjoyed his afternoon for Leicester against Stade, and he even found time to fling a few passes around in midfield.

2. Dimitri Szarzewski

Racing's French international hooker carried powerfully and gave as good as he got in the set piece as Racing earned a gritty win over the champions.

3. Eddy Ben Arous

French prop Ben Arous put in a huge shift for Racing against Toulon, with nine tackles and a manful effort in the scrum against a powerful Toulon pack.