Team of the week: Who made the cut for the first time in 2017?
Monday 2 January 2017 13:54, UK
Players from Scarlets, Munster, Bristol and Worcester star in our first team of the week of 2017.
Scarlets kept their play-off hopes alive in the PRO12 with a 15-10 over Cardiff while over in the Top 14, Toulouse produced some superb tries to beat Clermont Auvergne.
In the Premiership, Wasps ended 2016 at the top of the table while their were wins for both Bristol and Worcester, but who made our first Team of the Week for 2017?
15. Jason Woodward (Bristol)
One of Bristol's heroes as they fought back to beat Sale. Woodward was solid in defence and also eager to run the ball whenever possible. He was excellent with the boot as well as he converted all three of Bristol's tries - including Max Crumpton's late winner - and added a penalty as well.
14. Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath)
Bath may have lost to Exeter but Rokoduguni was excellent and a real handful for the Chiefs defence. He scored Bath's only try by smashing through several defenders and only some desperate defence from Exeter's back three kept him from scoring again. With 13 carries, he averaged 12.77 metres and beat ten defenders.
13. Ben Te'o (Worcester)
An honourable mention for Toulon's Mathieu Bastareaud but Te'o was outstanding as Worcester beat Harlequins 24-17. With 15 carries, Te'o tested the Quins defence at every opportunity and was rewarded with an important try just after half-time. Te'o was also crucial for Worcester in defence as he organised their efforts.
12. Gael Fickou (Toulouse)
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Toulouse moved up to fifth on the Top14 table with a 26-20 win over Clermont. The Toulouse backline was excellent with Fickou looking dangerous with ball in hand. He went over for one of three tries from the backs, carried ten times and beat four defenders.
11. Rory O'Loughlin (Leinster)
This was our toughest selection with the likes of Tom Varndell and Steff Evans pushing for honours. However O'Loughlin's brace of tries gets him the nod. His first try was a thing of beauty as he scythed through the Ulster midfield to score in the seventh minute.
10. Ian Keatley (Munster)
Keatley's kicking was outstanding in monsoon-like conditions in Galway. He kicked 11 points and produced a superb crossfield kick in the second half that led to Rhys Marshall scoring the game's only try.
9. Alexis Bales (La Rochelle)
La Rochelle moved up to second on the Top 14 table as they demolished Grenoble 40-3, with Bales playing an important role in their win. Bales made sure his backs made the most of the ball their forwards won and drove his pack on too.
1. Jack McGrath (Leinster)
He may have seen yellow for a ruck infringement but McGrath's all-round play was excellent for Leinster. He scrummaged very well and showed some good hands from the lineout to allow his namesake Luke to go over for a try. Also did more than his fair share in defence with ten tackles.
2. Kristian Dacey (Cardiff)
With 16 carries, 42 metres made and 10 tackles, Dacey was like another loose forward for the Blues. His explosive breaks made him really stand out and he has worked hard on his arrows too.
3. Dan Cole (Leicester)
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Despite their 12-16 loss to Saracens, the Tigers scrum was excellent and caused all sorts of problems for the Sarries pack. Cole really piled on the pressure at the set-piece onto Richard Barrington, resulting in Leicester winning two against the head.
4. Devin Toner (Leinster)
Another big performance from Toner who was solid in the lineout and employed his usual high work-rate in the tight and around the park. Toner's superb lineout ball is often the catalyst for something out in the backs and proved so once again as it was his clean catch that set up O'Loughlin's opening try.
5. Jake Ball (Scarlets)
Ball was ever-present for Scarlets in a typically tight derby against the Blues. The second rower put together nine carries and made an impressive line break. The 25-year-old also put in nine tackles while performing his set-piece duties.
6. Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors)
Glasgow survived a scare against Treviso in Italy, with a Rory Clegg try handing them victory with five minutes remaining, but it was Ashe who kept the Scots in the game with his hard work.
The loose forward scored a try in the first half and beat four defenders in seven carries. Ashe also put in 13 tackles as the Italians tried to wrestle the game away from the Warriors.
7. Will Boyde (Scarlets)
It was a good festive period for Will Boyde who managed 12 tackles against Ospreys on Boxing Day and bettered the feat with 14 against Cardiff Blues a week later. In the latter fixture, the flanker also turned the ball over twice and carried seven times.
With James Davies currently suspended, Boyde has stepped up and made an impact for his club.
8. Zach Mercer (Bath)
Zach Mercer was unlucky to end up on the losing team against Exeter. The No 8 carried the ball 16 times - the most by any Bath man - and was third in his side's rankings for metres made with 93m, while also offloading three times and beating two defenders.
The 19-year-old was equally effective without the ball; putting in 16 tackles as well as enforcing one turnover. With a host of Eddie Jones' regulars heading to New Zealand in June, England's tour to Argentina could well be a good chance for Mercer to cut his teeth on the international stage.
