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Team of the week: Scotland dominate after record-breaking win over Australia

Scotland's full-back Sean Maitland (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against Australia in the 2017 autumn internationals

Scotland dominate our team of the week following their record-breaking win over the Wallabies in Edinburgh, while England Women's star winger Jess Breach is once again an easy choice after she crossed for five tries at Twickenham...

15. Sean Maitland (Scotland)

Sean Maitland shifted to full-back as cover for Stuart Hogg who pulled out shortly before kick-off, and the Saracens man did brilliantly as Scotland claimed a record 53-24 victory over the Wallabies in Edinburgh.

Maitland carried 14 times for 166 metres, beating four defenders and scoring one of eight Scottish tries in the capital.

A mention for Mike Brown, who scored a try in his return to Twickenham as England rounded off their autumn internationals campaign with a 48-14 win against Samoa.

14. Byron McGuigan (Scotland)

We put this position up for a vote after we failed to decide on a winger to join Jess Breach, and 35.2% of you voted for Byron McGuigan.

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He was one of several wingers to impress over the weekend, including Rieko Ioane and Elliot Daly, but the Scot's two tries, which capped off 101 metres made from his 10 carries, was enough for the public to insist on his inclusion.

Scotland wing Byron McGuigan celebrates scoring his second try against Australia
Image: Scotland wing Byron McGuigan celebrates scoring his second try against Australia

Another All Black, Waisake Naholo, is unlucky to miss out, as is Jacob Stockdale and England Women's Abigail Dow, who scored a hat-trick against Canada in their 69-19 win.

13. Huw Jones (Scotland)

This jersey could easily have gone to Henry Slade, who made a real case for future England inclusions under Eddie Jones by proving his ability to play 13 as well as on the inside, but - when push came to shove - we had to give it to the Scot.

Scotland's Huw Jones celebrates scoring his sides fifth try during the Autumn International at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
Image: Huw Jones has scored a try in all three of Scotland's autumn internationals

Jones' appearance on the scoresheet in each of his three starts this autumn will grab the headlines, but he's put in three big defensive shifts too, and his ball-carrying promises to give England yet more headaches come the Six Nations, a year after his brace at Murrayfield in last season's encounter.

Glasgow will be thrilled at the form their latest addition has shown during the international window.

12. Owen Williams (Wales)

Wales fought hard against the All Blacks but were ultimately beaten 33-18 by Steve Hansen's side in the visitors' last outing of 2017.

Owen Williams is expected to return to club action with Gloucester next weekend
Image: Owen Williams is expected to return to club action with Gloucester next weekend

Williams put in 10 tackles on Saturday, the most of any of Wales' backs, and carried the ball 15 times which was one short of Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny who had the most from the home side's camp.

Williams is proving to be a handful for defences in his combination with Dan Biggar at fly-half, a ploy we could see more of in the Six Nations next year.

11. Jess Breach (England Women)

Jess Breach has had a start to her international career that will be nearly impossible for anyone to replicate in the future.

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Jess Breach has scored eleven scores in her two Old Mutual Wealth Series appearances this autumn

The winger backed up her six tries on debut in the first Test against Canada with five tries in the third Test on Saturday, and it wasn't a case of finishing off efforts created by her team - she was scoring them from all over.

Another phenomenal performance from one of England's rising stars.

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)

In the week that Finn Russell announced he will leave the Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season, the fly-half showed what Dave Rennie will be missing by orchestrating an emphatic win for Scotland in Edinburgh.

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell
Image: Finn Russell has announced he is leaving Glasgow at the end of the season

The No 10 was not especially good off the tee, but ran well with the ball - 12 times for 62 metres - and beat no less than seven Wallaby defenders when on the run.

It's also worth mentioning a superb performance in Wales by Adam Hastings, son of Gavin Hastings, who scored 17 points in Glasgow's 47-6 win over Ospreys in the Guinness PRO14, which will go some way to easing Rennie's concerns.

9. Ali Price (Scotland)

Ali Price caused havoc for Gregor Townsend's Scotland on Saturday, keeping the Australian defence guessing with sniping runs and crisp passing.

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If Russell pulled the strings it was Price who created the tempo for the home side as the half-backs guided their team to a memorable win in the Scottish capital.

Again there was a Warrior who pushed his countryman hard for the jersey, as Glasgow's George Horne contributed two tries in his side's victory on Sunday.

1. Rob Evans (Wales)

It's never easy entertaining the world champions in the autumn internationals, but Wales worked hard to stay in the game throughout - and few worked harder than Rob Evans.

CARDIFF - NOVEMBER 25 2017:  Wales player Rob Evans in action during the International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium
Image: Rob Evans looks to pass to Dan Biggar at Principality Stadium

The prop carried the ball 13 times at the Principality Stadium, offloading the ball three times to team-mates, as well as providing Wales with the grunt up front.

Meanwhile, replacement Scotland prop Jamie Bhatti impressed with 11 tackles despite only joining the action in the second half.

2. Stuart McInally (Scotland)

Stuart McInally has had one of the most stand-out autumns of any of the Home Nations players. Playing in just his 12th Test, the 27-year old was like a wrecking ball at Murrayfield, putting in 20 hits on Australia ball carriers.

The hookers also ran with the ball nine times, with one carry resulting in one of Scotland's tries to wrap up a barnstorming November for the No 2.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Stuart McInally of Scotland touches down for the eighth try during the international match between Scotland and Australi
Image: Stuart McInally goes over for a try against Australia

Jamie George was next in line for this jersey after he showcased fine skill in his first start for England, while Japan's Shota Horie contributed to his side's 23-23 draw with France with a try at U Arena on Saturday.

3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

When scrum powerhouses Argentina come into town there is extra focus on a side's tighthead prop, and British and Irish Lion Tadhg Furlong showed he is capable of riding the storm with a powerful performance in Dublin.

The Leinsterman scrummed well, and ran with the ball like a man possessed - bouncing off Argentine defenders at will.

Ireland's prop Tadhg Furlong makes a break during the autumn international rugby union test match between Ireland and Argentina in Dublin 25/11/2017
Image: Ireland's prop Tadhg Furlong goes on the run against Argentina

There was no chance of the visitors returning the favour however, as Furlong made an incredible 17 tackles on the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium.

4. Jonny Gray (Scotland)

Jonny Gray played in the No 5 jersey on Saturday but we've shifted him one place over for our team.

The lock forward put in a typically workmanlike shift for his country, making 16 tackles and carrying the ball up 10 times against the Aussies.

Scotland's Byron McGuigan (top) celebrates Jonny Gray's try during the Autumn International at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
Image: Scotland's Byron McGuigan (top) celebrates Jonny Gray's try

Gray also scored a try and was Scotland's top receiver in the lineouts - yet another good day at the office for the 23-year-old.

5. Lood de Jager (South Africa)

Given South Africa's recent form they have not contributed many players to our team of the week in November, but there have been some Bok forwards who have been in good form this autumn, and on Saturday Lood de Jager added his name to that list.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 08: Lood de Jager of South Africa during the The Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Growthpoin
Image: Lood de Jager was a shining light in South Africa's win over Italy

The Bulls second rower made an astounding 22 tackles in the Springbks' 35-6 victory over Italy, and was also the visitors' go-to man in the lineout.

If both are picked this weekend, we could see a good tussle between De Jager and Wales' Alun Wyn Jones in Cardiff on Saturday.

6. John Barclay (Scotland)

Pieter-Steph du Toit was once again ever-present for the Springboks, but Scotland skipper John Barclay is the man to wear the No 6 jersey for us this week.

Barclay led from the front by putting in 15 tackles on Australians, but also helped out with ball in hand as he crossed the whitewash for a try in Edinburgh.

Scotland's John Barclay scores his sides seventh try during the Autumn International at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
Image: Scotland's John Barclay scores his side's seventh try at Murrayfield

Earlier this month it was announced that Barclay will be leaving Scarlets at the end of the season for a two-year contract with Edinburgh, a move that will prove popular with the local fans in Scotland's capital.

7. Josh Navidi (Wales)

Ahead of Wales' Test against the Wallabies at the beginning of the autumn, Josh Navidi paid tribute to the influence of Sam Warburton on his game.

The flanker played well against the Aussies, and has continued to impress in Wales' No 7 jersey, with Saturday's performance the pick of the bunch from the 26-year-old this autumn.

Wales' flanker Josh Navidi (C) runs with the ball during the Autumn international rugby union Test match between Wales and New Zealand 25/11/2017
Image: Wales' flanker Josh Navidi takes on the All Blacks defence

Navidi beat four defenders and made a clean break during his 14 carries for Warren Gatland's side, and was Wales' top tackler on the day with 16. Along with Warburton and Justin Tipuric, Gatland appears to have plenty of depth in terms of Welsh fetchers.

8. Sarah Hunter (England Women)

Is it easier or harder to make it into the team of the week when you've played three games in the space of eight days?

Sam Simmonds was exceptional for England, CJ Stander stood up to the physical onslaught of the Pumas, and Canada Women's No 8 Pamphinette Buisa was a handful at Twickenham on Saturday, but her opposite number Sarah Hunter is our representative in the team of the week.

LONDON - NOV 25 2017:  Sarah Hunter of England poses with the trophy after the Old Mutual Wealth Series match between England and Canada at Twickenham
Image: Sarah Hunter of England poses with the trophy after the Old Mutual Wealth Series match between England and Canada at Twickenham

Hunter played her 100th game for England on Tuesday, the second game in a three-Test whitewash of Canada - a true servant of the game who deserves all the praise she has received this week.

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