Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of April 29-May 1

The major leagues in Europe are reaching their climax, and there were plenty of performances by men desperate to see their sides reach the playoffs this season.

Super Rugby reached Round 10, and we also saw some strong displays down south, with the 2015 champions Highlanders benefiting from an upturn in form by their fly-half in Lima Sopoaga.

The All Black doesn't make the cut in this week's team, however, thanks to a huge points total from Scottish international Duncan Weir.

Let's see who joins the Glasgow man in the team of the weekend.

Back 3

15. Ben Smith, Highlanders

All Black Ben Smith showed plenty of gas to beat the covering defence of the Brumbies and register a try for the Super Rugby 2015 champions Highlanders as they beat the Australians 23-10

14. Hanno Dirksen, Ospreys

Ospreys wing Dirksen scored twice as they battered Cardiff. Dirksen has hit form late in the season with four of his five tries coming after the turn of the year.

11. Andrew Conway, Munster

Conway created a try for Rory Scannell with a back-of-the-hand offload out of a tackle and made another with a chip that was collected by Simon Zebo. And he put the icing on the cake of a man-of-the-match performance when he scored one of his own as Munster overcame Edinburgh at Thomond Park.

Centres

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13. Jan Serfontein, Bulls

Springbok centre Serfontein scored twice for the Bulls in their win over the Western Force. The midfielder's brace was enough to keep Israel Folau out of the No. 13 jersey, who was on the scoresheet again for the Waratahs.

12. Juan Martin Hernandez, Jaguares

The Jaguares got their first win in their inaugural Super Rugby season, and veteran Puma Juan Martin Hernandez was among the try-scorers, as they thumped the South Africans 73-27.

Half-Backs

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9. Rhys Webb, Ospreys

Wales scrum-half Webb scored twice for the Ospreys, as they secured a 40-27 win away to Cardiff. Webb's return to fitness and form will be a major boost for Warren Gatland's summer tour plans.

10. Duncan Weir, Glasgow

Sometimes we overlook players who excel against the weaker teams. But we can't begrudge Duncan Weir a place in this week's team after the fly-half slotted 10 from 10 conversions, as the Warriors ran riot against Zebre, and he even scored one try himself.

Back Row

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6. Michael Leitch, Chiefs

Japan captain Leitch was on the scoresheet for the Chiefs as they beat the Sharks. This was the back rower's second try in as many games.

7. Matt Hodgson, Western Force

The Force went down at home to the Bulls, but it was not for a lack of effort from their returning skipper, Matt Hodgson. The openside made 16 tackles and scored a try in what was described as a "Herculean effort" by ABC.net.eu

8. Jackson Wray, Saracens

Saracen's No. 8 bagged two in a scratchy win over Newcastle for the champions. Wray also ran for 37 metres and made eight tackles in an industrious performance.

Second Row

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4. Leone Nakarawa, Glasgow

Glasgow's Fijian lock bagged a hat-trick for the Pro 12 champions, who stuffed Zebre 70-10. It's Nakarawa's last season for the Warriors, and the Scotsman's Iain Morrison summed up the Pacific Islander's departure as such: "Nakarawa leaves the club for Racing 92 this summer and Glasgow are going to miss him like they’ve lost a limb."

5. Maro Itoje, Saracens

Itoje scored a try against Newcastle to help Saracens come back to take the win. After his soaring performance in Sarries' Champions Cup semi-final, Itoje continued his stunning season in this victory for the league leaders.

Front Row

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1. Davit Kubriashvili, Montpellier

Georgian prop Kubriashvili was among the try-scorers for Montpellier as Jake White's side hammered Grenoble 51-10.

2. Adriaan Strauss, Bulls

Bulls and Springboks hooker Strauss scored twice in their impressive away win at the Western Force. Vata Ngobeni of IOL.co.za wrote: "There was a notable contribution from captain Adriaan Strauss who carried the ball well and was even better at the point of breakdown."

3. Charlie Faumuina, Blues

All Black prop Faumuina scored for the Blues, as they held off the Melbourne Rebels in a 36-30 win.