Monday 15 January 2018 13:58, UK
Scarlets and Leinster dominate after an action-packed round five of Champions Cup action.
15. Charles Piutau (Ulster)
Keeps Rhys Patchell out of the No 15 jersey this week with a commanding performance for Ulster. Was their top carrier and had La Rochelle's defence stretched at times.
14. Ben Foden (Northampton)
Foden turned back the years with a wonderful performance that has been crucial for Saints' revival. Scored a wonderful solo try showing lovely pace and balance and set one up for Nafi Tuitavake.
13. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets)
Topped the stats tables with an amazing 138 metres from 18 carries as he exploded back to his best. Lovely to watch him on the charge as he scored a try and set one up too.
12. Isa Nacewa (Leinster)
A mention for Theo Brophy Clews, who scored four tries for London Irish against Krasny Yar, but Nacewa's running lines and awareness was wonderful to watch. Scored two tries and was always dangerous with ball in hand.
11. Olly Woodburn (Exeter)
A mention for Saints' winger Ken Pisi and Munster's Keith Earls but Woodburn gave an exhibition of finishing scoring two fleet-footed tries he had no right to score
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Jonny Sexton was outstanding for Leinster and Danny Cipriani had been imperious for Wasps, but the cameo from the Quins playmaker was pivotal in pulling the strings of this victory.
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
Pushed all the way by Luke McGrath and Maxime Machenaud but Davies set the tone for how the Scarlets were going to play. He was electric as he kept the tempo high, carried strongly to create space and his game management was exceptional.
1. Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
What a performance from Smith, who put Vincent Koch to the sword come scrum time. Saw off Juan Figallo as well when he came on for Koch. It was Smith who won the scrum penalty that set up the draw. Not only was he effective at the set-piece but he carried strongly and made 13 tackles.
2. Rory Best (Ulster)
Ulster's scrum may have taken a beating from La Rochelle but that did not stop Best from leading from the front. Scored a great try from a driving lineout and made an impact at the ruck and maul too.
3. Uini Atonio (La Rochelle)
Ospreys tighthead Dmitri Arhip was phenomenal but just loses out to Atonio. The La Rochelle pack will be wondering how they lost this match after producing one heck of a platform for their backs to work off. Leading the way was Atonio, who was brutal at the set-piece and carried well too.
4. Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets)
Donnacha Ryan is unlucky to miss out but Beirne was quite sensational. Seemed to be everywhere in both attack and defence and scored a beautiful try with a superb sidestep that flummoxed Anthony Watson. Some big carries and topped the tackle count with 20.
5. Scott Fardy (Leinster)
James Chisholm was a contender after his match-winning try for Harlequins but that man Fardy was quite exceptional for Leinster. Not only did he score two tries, but he ruled the air at the lineout and put huge amounts of pressure onto Glasgow. Carried strongly and tackled as well.
6. Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Ultra-physical all over the park. Put in some massive carries but had the awareness and the skills to keep the momentum going with some gentle offloads. A massive weapon at the lineout and what about that hand-off!
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Yannick Nyanga and Kevin Gourdon were unlucky this week - Gourdon made an incredible 26 tackles and missed none for La Rochelle. However, Van der Flier's impact at the breakdown was key as he really frustrated Glasgow. Was Leinster's top tackler as well.
8. Teimana Harrison (Northampton)
Was one of their go-to men for carries and was determined to get over the gain-line to put Saints on the front foot. Tackled well and went over for their first try.
