Team of the week: Wasps and Saracens dominate
Last Updated: 19/11/15 11:41am
Seven Wasps players are included in our team of the week, with four from Saracens.
15. Charles Piutau (Wasps)
Piutau enhanced his reputation with a wonderful performance for Wasps as they beat Leinster 33-6 at the RDS Arena. His dazzling footwork and attacking prowess has given Wasps a real attacking edge in their back three.
14. Christian Wade (Wasps)
Took full advantage of a lucky bounce to get Wasps' first try but had the pace and the ability to make it count. Wade was lively all day in attack and didn't let his side down in defence.
13. Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Another superb performance from Daly who has taken his Premiership form into Europe. The 23-year-old is making the most of having Ben Jacobs as his inside man.
12. Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Jacobs was excellent but Barritt produced one of his best performances for ages against Toulouse and really led Saracens' defensive effort.
11. Niki Goneva (Leicester)
Scored a try in Leicester's 33-20 win over Stade Francais and made the most metres in round one with an impressive 131, beating seven defenders.
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
He may have missed three kicks at goal but Biggar still scored 20 points and his tactical kicking was excellent as he kept Exeter pinned back with some wonderful bombs. The fly-half was also superb in defence.
9. Joe Simpson (Wasps)
Simpson really controlled the game against Leinster and asked questions of their defence with his speed and sharp thinking. Used his boot very wisely to put the Irish province under pressure.
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
A very pleasing performance from the England prop as he backed up his usual excellent general play with a powerful performance in the scrum.
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
George put on a man of the match display in Saracens' win against Toulouse. He led the way in a superb first half with his work-rate and intensity that was underpinned by a formidable set-piece.
The hooker was also fabulous around the park and has some good skills to be able to give and take the ball when necessary.
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley (Wasps)
Going into this game there were plenty of concerns about Wasps' front row due to injury and suspension. Cooper-Woolley only managed seven minutes last weekend against Gloucester but really stepped up against Leinster to more than hold his own.
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Another mature performance from Launchbury who is not afraid of hard work. Carried well for Wasps to get them on the front foot and put in a great defensive effort too.
5. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Stuart Barnes has already pegged Itoje as a future England captain and he produced another fine performance. He was excellent in the set-piece and put a lot of pressure on Toulouse in the line-out but was also brilliant in and around the contact area in the first 40 minutes
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys)
Once again he was top of the tackling table with a remarkable 21. Lydiate's experience and composure helped the Ospreys see off a very strong Exeter challenge.
7. Brendon O'Connor (Leicester)
Get used to hearing O'Connor's name, especially as the openside is eligible to play for England. The New Zealand-born back row showed why he was the Blues' player of the year with a superb performance against Stade Francais. He made four vital turnovers but it was his work-rate and relentlessness that really caught the eye.
8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
A great day at the office for Hughes who along with George Smith and Sam Jones dominated the back row battle against Leinster - especially after Sean O'Brien went off injured.
