Best XV in World Rugby for Weekend of May 6-8

The Aviva Premiership and Pro12 both reached the end of their respective regular seasons this weekend, while the Top 14 has three rounds left and Super Rugby trundles on.

There were plenty of hat-tricks for wide men all over the world, and we bring you a rare back-row trio who didn't muster a try between them but all put in outstanding performances.

Let's take a look at this week's pick of the bunch.

Back Three

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15. Gaetan Germain, Brive

Brive toppled Champions Cup finalists Racing 92, 33-27, thanks to three conversions and four penalties from their full-back Gaetan Germain.

14. Jone Macilai, Crusaders

The Crusaders were missing their weapon of choice on the left wing, Nemani Nadolo, in their 38-5 victory against the Queensland Reds, but they wheeled out another equally effective Pacific Islander in the shape of hat-trick hero Jone Macilai.

The New Zealand Herald's Kris Shannon wrote: "Given he's about 40kg lighter than his countryman, Macilai adopted a different style to Nadolo, but his combination of speed and footwork was no less effective."

11. Chris Ashton, Saracens

Chris Ashton grabbed a treble as Saracens cruised into the semi-finals of the Aviva Premiership with a 43-19 win away to Worcester Warriors. Props to Exeter Chief's Jack Nowell, too, who also grabbed a hat-trick in the 62-24 win over Harlequins.

Midfield

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12. Rory Scannell, Munster

Munster's inside centre Rory Scannell was on the scoresheet twice against Scarlets in a 31-15 win as the Irishmen sealed a Champions Cup spot for next season, making it three tries in two games.

13. Gael Fickou, Toulouse

Toulouse ran riot against Agen, and their French international centre Gael Fickou claimed two tries in a 52-19 romp over Agen.

Half-Backs

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10. Bernard Foley, Waratahs

A try, conversion and three penalties from Wallaby pivot Bernard Foley as the Waratahs downed the Cheetahs 21-6. The man who ripped England apart in the World Cup in running hot ahead of the visit of the Red Rose brigade next month.

9. Neil de Kock, Saracens

The ever-consistent Neil de Kock scored for Sarries in their 43-19 win over Worcester Warriors that reaffirmed their status as No. 1 in the Premiership and favourites to retain their title.

Back Row

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8. CJ Stander, Munster

CJ Stander delivered a man-of-the-match display for Munster, hot on the heels of an historic personal double. The South African-born Ireland international won both the IRUPA Player of the Year award and also picked up the gong voted for by the fans, per the Irish Times.

7. Matt Todd, Crusaders

Matt Todd racked up 18 tackles as they hammered the Reds, and he earned high praise indeed from Kris Shannon in the New Zealand Herald: "Clearly enjoying a consistent spell in the Crusaders' No 7 jersey after the previous owner bowed out, Todd also showed Richie McCaw-like effectiveness at the breakdown, snaffling four turnovers to ensure the Reds never got going."

6. Iain Henderson, Ulster

Iain Henderson put in an industrious shift for Ulster as they secured a handsome 46-26 win away to the Ospreys. The Ireland international looked at one stage likely to miss the season entirely, but his return in 2016 has helped fire the province into the top four.

Second Row

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5. Franco van der Merwe, Ulster

Ulster's South African lock Franco van der Merwe was on the try list for the Red Hand Gang in their showdown with the Ospreys.

4. Hugh Pyle, Stade Francais

Incredibly, Stade's Aussie lock Hugh Pyle was the only player to bag a brace in a 10-try romp over Oyonnax, which finished 69-8. 

Front Row

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1. Jack McGrath, Leinster

Leinster's loosehead Jack McGrath scored for the Dubliners as they demolished Benetton Treviso 50-19 to finish top of the Pro12 regular-season table.

2. Ashley Johnson, Wasps

Wasps' converted hooker Ashley Johnson was man of the match for the Black and Gold in their 38-12 win over London Irish,

The South African won plenty of praise in the Press Association's match report (h/t the Guardian).

Honourable mentions to two Ireland internationals: There were two tries for Leinster's hooker Richardt Strauss as they thumped Benetton Treviso, while Rory Best notched one for himself against Ospreys for Ulster.

3. Kyle Sinckler, Harlequins

Harlequins' promising young prop Kyle Sinckler watched his pack get destroyed from a seat on the bench, until he rose to score a thrilling solo try in defeat to Exeter. A silver lining to a harrowing day for the Twickenham side.