Team of the week: Hat-trick hero and breakdown battles
Monday 21 December 2015 14:15, UK
Eight teams contribute players this week including hat-trick hero Chris Ashton and two breakdown menaces.
15. Telusa Veainu (Leicester)
Veainu is in for his commitment to stop Munster's Francis Saili from scoring in the Tigers' 17-6 win over the Irish side. To get back after the Munster centre had made a break and haul him down metres short and then get involved in the breakdown to stop Munster from recycling the ball was game-changing stuff.
14. Chris Ashton (Saracens)
A hat-trick and the man-of-the match award - what else do you want from your winger? Ashton even showcased his improved defensive capabilities in Saracens' 55-13 victory over Oyonnax when he put in a cover tackle to stop a promising attack from the visitors close to the line. A nod to Ashton's former Sarries team-mate David Strettle who was also excellent for Clermont against Exeter.
13. Jonathan Davies (Clermont)
Welcome back Mr Davies. The Welsh centre ran some superb angles and produced some very strong running to help Clermont gain revenge over Exeter with a 42-10 win. Davies has not played since last May after his knee surgery but was raring to go in both attack and in defence. Turned over a few balls and scored a great try too.
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
McCloskey was in superb form as Ulster completed the double over Toulouse and ran one heck of an angle that carved up the Toulouse defence and resulted in a try for Andrew Trimble. Made some strong tackles as well as being his side's top carrier making a total of 68 carries.
11. Mike Ellery (Saracens)
A great performance from Ellery who was involved in a lot of what Saracens did well. He scored a try but also made nine carries with an average of 17 metres made with a very impressive six defenders beaten.
10. Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps)
An excellent performance from the New Zealander who helped Wasps stay on track for the quarter-finals with their win over Bath. Gopperth kept the Bath defence on their toes by taking the ball right to the line and ended with 23 points including a try, four penalties and three conversions.
9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)
Another masterclass from Pienaar who totally ran the show for Ulster against Toulouse. Scored a great opportunistic try showcasing his vision and experience and used his boot very well too.
1. Eddy Ben Arous (Racing 92)
Another very strong scrummaging performance in an otherwise forgettable 9-9 game against Northampton. Exposed the inexperience of young Saints prop Paul Hill, on for the injured Alex Waller, when Northampton had an attacking scrum five metres out, winning a penalty for the visitors.
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
Another strong performance from Jamie George as he displayed his credentials to new England head coach Eddie Jones. Reliable as ever in the set-piece but it was his work around the park that cemented his place in the team, making 32 metres from his six carries including a bulldozing run to the try line. Special mention to Tom Youngs whose performance this week led Richard Cockerill to laud him as the best hooker in the country.
3. Sekope Kepu (Bordeaux-Beg)
A strong all-round performance from the tight-head prop in Bordeaux-Begles' 33-27 victory over the Ospreys. He combined his strong work in the scrum with eight tackles at a 100 per cent success rate. An average of three metres were made for each of his carries.
4. Jocelino Suta (Toulon)
Suta was excellent at the lineout in Toulon's 16-20 fightback over Leinster - his take set-up the driving maul for Etrillard's try. Suta also made some strong carries and more than played his part in defence.
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina (Clermont)
A great shift from the big lock who indicated more than just size in his game. He put huge pressure on Exeter's lineout and was excellent at the breakdown as well. Perhaps a little doubt surrounding his try but certainly got around the park against the Chiefs.
6. Juan Smith (Toulon)
Smith was everywhere for Toulon and really put in a captain's effort to help his side against Leinster. Carried 15 times and was superb at the breakdown and in defence as well making nine telling tackles. The former Springbok scored a great try as well.
7. Brendon O'Connor (Leicester)
Another excellent game for O'Connor as Leicester saw off Munster. He has those breakdown skills that England have been missing for some time. As well as his work at the ruck, O'Connor was his side's top tackler with 14 hits on the day.
8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Another big ball-carrying game from Hughes - 17 carries in all, as Wasps put in a convincing 31-10 victory over Bath at the Rec. Hughes was also solid around the park and very good in defence as he makes yet another appearance in our team of the week.
