Team of the week: The finest from Europe and Super Rugby combine
Monday 3 April 2017 17:49, UK
Europe's finest rub shoulders with the best of the weekend's Super Rugby performers to make up our team of the week.
With the Champions and Challenge Cup quarter-finals as well as a full weekend of Super Rugby action competition was fierce for spots.
Nine teams are represented including four Saracens players as they continue their quest for back-to-back European titles.
15 Joey Carbery (Leinster)
At the Aviva Stadium Joey Carbery proved once again that if you're good enough then age is nothing but a number, dictating from full-back and proving what an exciting talent he is.
It was Carbery's pinpoint pass to Isa Nacewa that created Leinster's first try and his support lines and handling were instrumental in their second a short time later.
At full-back Carbery has the space to play with and the vision to exploit it... all in all it was an excellent outing for one of Leinster and Ireland's most promising prospects.
Elsewhere Jordi Barrett and Damien McKenzie both turned heads in Super Rugby. Barrett, like Carbery, is a young man learning his trade at a rapid rate while McKenzie got himself on the board for the Chiefs.
14 Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Thirty-six European tries and counting for Saracens' Chris Ashton, and he's now level with Vincent Clerc at the top of Europe's all-time try scoring list.
At the knock-out stage Ashton proved what a prolific finisher he is, and while defensively he wasn't wholly squeaky clean, his finishing eclipsed that.
The winger's support lines are some of the best in the business and opponents know that they cannot switch off for a moment when Ashton is on the field.
As Saracens head on the road to face Munster at the Aviva Stadium you'd back Ashton to break Clerc's record wouldn't you?
Elsehwere at The Recreation Ground Semesa Rokoduguni was also at his prolific try-scoring best. Rokoduguni's power and pace was too much for Brive to handle, and his double will have been noted by Eddie Jones ahead of England's summer tour to Argentina.
13 Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders)
At the start of the weekend Malakai Fekitoa delivered a double for Highlanders in their bonus-point victory over the Rebals.
His first try showed what a powerhouse he is and the second highlighted his pace as he intercepted a wayward pass and flew across the turf.
In all the centre beat seven defenders and made 68 metres from seven carries on a productive day at the Super Rugby office.
12 Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
Gloucester booked their place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals through 10 emphatic second-half minutes when they put 21 points on the board to take the game away from Cardiff Blues. At the heart of it all was Billy Twelvetrees who had a game to remember for all of the right reasons.
An injury to Billy Burns forced the 28-year-old into fly-half and from there he shone. From pinpoint crossfield kicks to darting runs and accuracy off the tee, Twelvetrees pull all of the strings and made the game his own.
11 George Bridge (Crusaders)
Thirteen carries, 156 metres made, two line breaks and beating nine defenders - that was George Bridge's outing in a nutshell for the Crusaders, and it was as impressive as it sounds on paper.
His first try arrived after nine minutes, in fact it was his first Super Rugby try, and he was part of a backline that showed us all the tempo and tricks.
10 Owen Farrell (Saracens)
For the past few months we've seen Owen Farrell excel for England at inside centre, and back in his favoured No 10 jersey he excelled for Saracens.
His decision-making is outstanding and his ability to bring those around him into the game is exceptional. As ever he kept Saracens' scoreboard ticking along and his final tally of 18 points pushed him over the 550-point mark in Europe.
A mention for Munster's Tyler Bleyendaal who looks truly at home in the red of Munster now - the likely head-to-head between him and Farrell in the semi-finals at the Aviva Stadium will be an intriguing watch.
9 Arthur Retiere (La Rochelle)
Arthur Retiere's name probably wasn't the first one that jumped out before La Rochelle met Edinburgh on Friday night but the 19-year-old ensured that we all know it now.
His breakaway try on 25 minutes was one of the tries of the competition so far and 10 minutes later he set up Steve Barry for another. Six defenders beaten, 11 carries and 149 metres made were his final statistics and La Rochelle's semi-final opponents - Bath - will need to watch out for the young livewire.
Elsewhere a mention for TJ Perenara as he fizzed during the Hurricanes' Round 6 victory over the Reds and capped off his performance with an intercept try.
1 David Kilcoyne (Munster)
At Thomond Park David Kilcoyne put in a shift and a half for Munster. For the 58 minutes that he was on the field Kilcoyne gave it absolutely everything and his side benefited hugely as a result.
At the set piece he pressured Census Johnson from early and in the loose he carried hard. Indeed Kilcoyne's nine carries punched the holes required in Toulouse's line and his work rate was right up there until he was replaced on 58 minutes.
2 Schalk Brits (Saracens)
Schalk Brits may not have started against Glasgow Warriors but his impact in the final 25 minutes deservedly secures his place in our team of the week.
His first contribution was a delightful jinking run through a sea of Glasgow players and shortly after he provided the quick offload to Marcelo Bosch that set up Saracens' second try.
In the loose Brits was at his devastating best and he proved to be just as prolific at the set piece. A strike against the head proved that, and with Brits in the middle, the title holders' scrum platform remained solid.
3 John Ryan (Munster)
The second Munster man in our front three was named the Man of the Match at Thomond Park. Alongside Kilcoyne he anchored their set piece and of course kicked off the scoring after just four minutes.
Throughout his 77 minute shift the prop worked tirelessly as he drove Munster's physicality against a huge Toulouse outfit.
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens)
It's no surprise to see this man's name in our team of the week again as he's one of Europe's most consistent performers right now.
At Allianz Park Itoje attacked the game with his usual vigour and purpose as he made 10 carries and 14 tackles. The lock continually made a nuisance of himself at the breakdown, causing Glasgow Warriors issues, and as always propelled his side forwards.
5 Devin Toner (Leinster)
Devin Toner gains the other spot in our engine room as he showed the fruits of his experience at the Aviva Stadium for Leinster.
In the same manner that Itoje set Saracens' stall out with his physical presence, Toner did the same for Leinster alongside his contribution in the air.
6 Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
Munster's captain leads from the front in every regard and once again that was shown at Thomond Park on Saturday evening.
Peter O'Mahony was at his abrasive best and provided the calm aura that Munster needed to navigate their way through an eventful match.
He consistently threatens at lineout time and as Miles Harrison noted, Warren Gatland will have been watching carefully this weekend.
7 Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)
Four defenders beaten, 104 metres made highlighted Ardie Savea's productive outing for the Hurricanes.
The 23-year-old was at No 8 this weekend but we needed to make room so we've slotted him into his usual position of openside flanker.
Performance-wise he was on the money but the concerning thing - particularly for the All Blacks - is that Savea left the field injured six minutes from time.
With Sam Cane already out injured, all eyes will be on the update that comes from the team's medical staff.
8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers)
Hat-tricks for No 8s don't come along too often and Sikhumbuzo Notshe's is one to take note of.
His first two tries were the result of textbook support lines and superb offloads from SP Marais before the final showed his step and pace to cap a great performance.
Elsewhere Taulupe Faletau was excellent for Bath and his double helped drive them to a Challenge Cup semi-final spot.
Faletau looked like a man with a point to prove and it was his power, deft hands and eye for a break that earns his notable mention in our team of the week.
