Monday 16 October 2017 12:19, UK
Europe is back! Over the weekend we were treated to some fabulous Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action.
Here's who impressed the most...
15. Charles Piutau (Ulster)
In tandem with Jacob Stockdale, Piutau proved the difference for Ulster against Wasps on Friday night as he was at his elusive best.
It was a fairly turgid encounter in rain-soaked conditions, but the All Black lit up the Kingspan with his pace, quick feet and superb attacking instincts, playing a key role in both of Ulster's tries in the 19-9 victory.
A note, too, for La Rochelle full-back Kini Murimurivalu, who was mightily impressive at the Stoop.
14. Josua Tuisova (Toulon)
Toulon may have sneaked it in the end against Scarlets, but Tuisova was breathtaking at times at the Stade Mayol.
In addition to the fact he is rapid, powerful, possesses a potent step and is a deadly finisher, is there a better winger at the breakdown in world rugby?
Against the Scarlets, not only did he give Steff Evans and Leigh Halfpenny nightmares going forward but his work at the breakdown was exceptional. It's no wonder Toulon have thought about trying him out as a flanker.
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
With Leinster without Johnny Sexton, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip, plus the talent of Garry Ringrose, Henshaw really stood up in defence and attack against Montpellier.
Henshaw's work-rate was absolutely tremendous as he tackled himself into the ground, while in attack he regularly got over the gain-line and created promising openings, scoring one try and playing an essential part in Barry Daly's.
If there was a moment which typified Henshaw's display it occurred in the second half, when after getting thrown to the floor by Nemani Nadolo, he managed to somehow bring the big Fijian down from the ground, before getting up and stripping the ball off Ruan Pienaar. Superb.
12. Geoffrey Doumayrou (La Rochelle)
The star of the show at the Stoop. Among the multitude of impressive La Rochelle displays, Doumayrou was sensational.
He made three clean breaks, gained 98 metres and scored two tries as Harlequins could not handle his pace and guile.
His first try is one of the best you will see in the Champions Cup this season.
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
As mentioned above, Stockdale was one of two players who proved the difference in the Ulster-Wasps game, and the young Ulsterman earned the man-of-the-match award for his display.
Instrumental in both tries, Stockdale finished magnificently for Ulster's first and threw in a fabulous offload for Stuart McCloskey's vital score.
He's physical, good in the air and beats defenders for fun. A certain Mr Joe Schmidt will be watching with interest.
10. Ryan Lamb (La Rochelle)
Going into the first European Cup match in their history, La Rochelle were down their number one fly-half Brock James. They need not have worried though as Ryan Lamb put in one of the best displays of the weekend.
His kicking both from the tee and hand was immaculate, while his control of the game was masterful. His dummy, jink and step for Doumayrou's second score was a thing of beauty.
It's no exaggeration to say Lamb was majestic on Saturday.
9. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
The defending champions put 57 points on Northampton at Franklins Gardens on Sunday. That's fifty-seven.
With a performance as unworldly as that, almost the whole Saracens squad could have been named in this team in truth, but we've plumped for Wigglesworth, who was classy in everything he did.
His kicking game was utterly glorious, his pass crisp and his management of a stunning pack dazzling. What a team they are.
1. Dany Priso (La Rochelle)
La Rochelle loosehead Priso began the game against Quins by earning a breakdown penalty in the first minute of the match after a textbook jackal. He ended it, having come back on due to an injury, by being one of two men to create the maul which sealed victory.
In between all of that, he crossed for a fantastic try, was part of a near unstoppable rolling maul, a tackling machine and an absolute menace at the breakdown. His energy was truly unbelievable.
A France international in waiting surely.
2. Joe Taufete'e (Worcester Warriors)
It's not everyday you hear about a hooker scoring a hat-trick, but that's exactly what Worcester's USA international Taufete'e achieved in their 30-20 victory over Brive in the Challenge Cup.
For that, he simply has to make it into our team. His workrate and role as part of a pack which thrived at the set-piece was what saw Worcester clinch a confidence-boosting win.
3. Rabah Slimani (Clermont)
Heading to the Lliberty Stadium, Clermont had yet to win an away match this season.
The foundations for their 26-21 victory over the Ospreys lay largely in having a far superior scrum and Slimani was the main reason behind that. He's a quality operator.
4. Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)
Phenomenal. Nakarawa was so good for Racing against Leicester that it was almost as if he was playing a different sport.
The calibre of the Fijian's display was so exceptional that he was probably the most impressive performer of the whole weekend. A try, plus outrageous assists for both of Racing's other two scores was the difference in winning and losing.
When he's in this form he's effectively unplayable. Nobody in world rugby can offload like him.
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
Premiership champions Exeter were desperate to begin their European campaign with a win, and it was gritty performances from the likes of Hill which saw them over the line against Glasgow.
An intensely physical encounter, Hill's intensity and work at the breakdown and lineout was superb, while he chipped in with a crucial try in the first half.
Filling Geoff Parling's shows will be no easy task but performances of this ilk will see Hill go some way to doing that.
6. Viktor Gresev (Krasny Yar)
In case you missed it, Russian club Krasny Yar beat last season's Challenge Cup champions Stade Francais on Saturday in one of biggest shocks we are likely to see in Europe this season.
Former Wasps flanker Gresev crossed for two tries in the spectacular 34-29 victory, as Krasny Yar made it a European debut to remember in Siberia.
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
Though the Ospreys ultimately succumbed to defeat against last season's finalists Clermont, Tipuric was one of the best players on the park.
Significant in both second-half tries, Tipuric was a bundle of energy mixed with sophisticated offloads and deceptive pace. He made 76 metres with ball in hand and gave everything in a losing cause.
8. Maama Vaipulu (Castres)
One of the only players to standout in Castres' error-strewn draw with Munster in France, Vaipulu ensured Munster could make little headway by dominating the breakdown.
His performance in that facet of the game was outstanding and saw him claim the man-of-the-match award, and but for a missed penalty from Castres fly-half Benjamin Urdapilleta with two minutes to go, they would have been victorious.
The physicality and skill of Vaipulu's performance meant he was one of the only players who deserved to be on a winning side.
