Monday 25 September 2017 13:45, UK
The cream of the crop from Europe's top leagues combine in our latest team of the week.
15. Telusa Veainu (Leicester)
One of the most dangerous strike runners around, Veainu was at his menacing best for the Tigers on Saturday as they pinched a superb away win at Harlequins.
Blessed with searing pace and outstanding feet, his ability to step and beat a man was on full show at the Stoop as Quins couldn't handle him.
After 20 minutes he made a run from his own half which will be hard to beat for sheer skill and brilliance this season, weaving and slaloming through four or five men.
By half-time the Tonga international had beaten eight defenders himself, more than the entire Harlequins team, which says it all for his display.
14. Alivereti Raka (Clermont)
With five tries in just four Top 14 games so far, Clermont winger Raka is developing into quite the force.
In an exciting 23-21 victory over Racing 92 on Saturday the Fijian flyer was instrumental as he scored one and made one to get Clermont's season on track.
After six minutes the 22-year-old scored a stupendous effort, catching a beautiful Camille Lopez cross kick above both his own head and France wing Virimi Vakatawa while sprinting at full pelt, before scampering in to touch down.
Then with Clermont 11-7 behind, he took the ball on the overlap and burnt both Teddy Thomas and Juan Imhoff alive before barging Vakatawa out of the way and offloading for Nick Abendanon to score.
At present, it's hard not to say he is the most impressive back in the Top 14 such is the calibre of his performances.
13. Francois Venter (Cheetahs)
The first of three Cheetahs in our XV, skipper Venter was fantastic for them on Friday night and was a constant source of positive play in an impressive 38-19 victory over Leinster.
The Springbok was the architect of their first try, running half the length of the field after a sumptuous break in his own half before handing on to centre partner William Small-Smith to score.
His leadership skills were also on full display throughout the historic win, and his brave decisions to turn down penalty shots for kicks to the corner proved inspired.
12. Willis Halaholo (Cardiff Blues)
Blues inside-centre Halaholo enjoyed a fine Saturday in Galway, as his two tries saw Cardiff register their first PRO14 victory of the season.
The powerful midfielder produced a devastating step to go over for his first effort in the opening period, before steamrolling through with two minutes left of the match to snatch victory from Connacht.
Not only did he flourish in attack but he also contributed a monstrous 20 tackles in defence.
The 27-year-old proved the brightest spark on the pitch at the Sportsground and was deservedly named man of the match afterwards.
11. Barry Daly (Leinster)
He may have been on the losing side in Bloemfontein, but Leinster wing Barry Daly still got over for a hat-trick and for that he is full value for a place in our XV!
Daly scored the first try of the game after six minutes, finishing well in the corner, before going on to nab two in the last 20 minutes as the boys in blue set about claiming an unlikely two-point escape.
First he finished off a flowing Leinster move in the left corner again with a routine run to the line, before he went over for his third effort, which was possibly the try of the match as he handed off prop Ox Nche on the counter, cut inside and slipped through three Cheetahs challenges.
9. Tian Meyer (Cheetahs)
As well as Venter, Cheetahs scrum-half Meyer really illustrated his credentials in the win over Leinster.
The nippy nine was a bundle of energy, pace, communication and control as he guided his team-mates to a stellar PRO14 victory.
His service was supreme, with crisp, sharp passing in evidence throughout, and you couldn't fail but come away from the game in Bloemfontein singing his praises.
10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors)
Russell put in a scintillating display in the Warriors' comprehensive victory over Munster in Glasgow, with the Scot at the peak of his playmaking powers.
As well as marshalling his troops around the park superbly, the fly-half was exceptional off the tee, missing nothing as he racked up 17 points in the 37-10 triumph.
When he performs like that, Russell is extraordinarily difficult to contain and Munster had no answer to his brilliance on Friday.
1. Greg Bateman (Leicester Tigers)
He may have only been a replacement prop on Saturday but for his outrageous try, Tigers prop Bateman simply has to get in.
The 28-year-old arrived off the bench after 50 minutes, and seven minutes later with the score level at 21-21 he produced an absolute moment of magic which belied the fact he is a prop forward.
After picking up the ball in midfield from George Ford, Bateman breezed past Quins second-row James Horwill before stepping and rounding full-back Mike Brown.
It really does have to be seen to be believed.
A mention too for veteran Newcastle prop Rob Vickers who notched a crucial try for the Falcons in their sensational victory at Bath and performed well at scrum time.
2. Torsten van Jaarsveld (Cheetahs)
The key to the Cheetahs' phenomenal victory over Leinster on Friday was their imperious lineout which functioned incredibly well, and for that, hooker Van Jaarsveld rightfully earns his place.
His delivery at the set-piece was top notch and was rewarded by the Cheetahs' unstoppable rolling maul which the Irish province failed to get a handle on at any point.
Van Jaarsveld went over for a try himself after one such lineout move, and was a key force in their third try for Ox Nche also.
In addition to his exemplary lineout work, the hooker also chipped in with 16 tackles in defence and 10 carries in attack in what was an eye-catching display.
3. Dan Cole (Leicester)
England and Lions tighthead Cole joins club team-mate Bateman in the front-row for his unyielding work in the Tigers' winning cause at Harlequins.
In his 66 minutes on the pitch Cole had a tackle completion percentage of 100 per cent, as he failed to miss any of his 11 tackles.
For a prop, his work-rate and breakdown work really is superb, while his scrummaging work was as effective as usual.
4. David Sisi (Zebre)
For just the second time in history both Italian clubs were victorious on a league weekend, as Zebre travelled to Port Elizabeth and made light work of the Kings.
The standout for them was undoubtedly 24-year-old lock Sisi, who put in a display of real dominance at the lineout.
He was the go-to man for Zebre in a set-piece that laid a solid foundation for the eventual 43-17 victory, while he was also a disruptive nuisance on the Kings throw.
Another aspect to his game which proved frutiful was his carrying, as he beat three defenders and made one clean break.
5. Tadgh Beirne (Scarlets)
Another week, another man of the match performance from Scarlets second-row Beirne.
The Irishman was majestic at the breakdown yet again, a dependable and reliable lineout option, powerful in the carry and an absolute workhorse in defence.
Incredibly, he has now registered 11 turnovers in the PRO14 already, a full five more than any other player.
Having been linked with a return to Ireland this week, Scarlets fans will be dearly hoping he sticks around.
6. Braam Steyn (Benetton Treviso)
For the second week in succession Benetton pulled off a stunning result, as they backed up victory in Edinburgh with a home success over the Ospreys.
Central to that success was flanker Steyn who not only went over for the game's only try early on but racked up impressive stats elsewhere too.
A clean break, 10 carries and 13 tackles with a 100 per cent success rate, matched with his dogged work at the breakdown saw Benetton pull off another fabulous win.
Simply put, they wouldn't have won but for his effort and industry.
7. Callum Gibbins (Glasgow Warriors)
What a signing this man looks for the Warriors. The Kiwi openside was the best player on the pitch at Scotstoun against Munster on Friday bar none.
As well as utterly dominating the breakdown, he demonstrated tremendous pace, athleticism and clever hands up the right wing for Lee Jones' crucial score to put the game beyond Rassie Erasmus' men.
One suspects this won't be the last time we see Gibbins' mullet make our team. Extremely impressive.
8. Nick Timoney (Ulster)
On Friday night Ulster plundered 52 points past the Dragons in Belfast, and standing out from everyone else was No 8 Timoney, on what was his first start for the province.
The Dublin-native has been in the Ulster academy since 2015 and on Friday the 22-year-old proved what he is capable of.
He got on the scoresheet with two brilliant tries, made 82 metres and carried 16 times in a nonstop display of energy and power.
A nod too to Quins No 8 Matthew Luamanu who was everywhere in a losing cause and scored a showstopping solo effort at the Stoop.
