Skip to content

Team of the week: Chris Ashton, Maro Itoje and Maxime Medard included

Toulouse's French full back Maxime Medard (R) celebrates with a teammate after scoring a try during the European Rugby Champions Cup rugby union match between Toulouse and Leinster at the Ernest Wallon stadium in Toulouse, southern France on October 21, 2018.

England and Wales omissions line up with French stars returning to form in our latest team of the week....

15. Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)

A mention for Simon Zebo, who was impressive for Racing 92 in their victory over Ulster, but Thomas Ramos is in our team after he helped guide Toulouse to a thrilling victory over defending champions Leinster on Sunday.

Ramos slotted three penalties and two conversions for a 13-point haul at Stade Ernest-Wallon, keeping the home side ticking on the scoreboard as they held out for an unlikely win.

14. Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks)

"Chris is a try scorer, he's a brilliant support player and he's hungry," Eddie Jones said of Chris Ashton this week, and no wonder; Ashton went over for three tries against Connacht in the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

xxxx of Sale Sharks is tackled by xxxx of Connacht Rugby during the Challenge Cup match between Sale Sharks and Connacht Rugby at AJ Bell Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Salford, United Kingdom.
Image: Chris Ashton scored a hat-trick against Connacht over the weekend

We could be seeing more of the Ash Splash at Twickenham in next month's Quilter Internationals, as Jones has indicated he has no issue picking the winger despite not playing much rugby recently.

Also See:

13. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)

Another player who could be making a welcome return to England duty is Manu Tuilagi, who carried 13 times for Leicester in their win over the Scarlets, beating eight defenders and scoring a try.

during the Champions Cup match between Leicester Tigers and Scarlets at Welford Road Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom.
Image: Manu Tuilagi (right) was back to his to his best for Leicester

Tuilagi last featured on the international stage during the 2016 Six Nations, but is surely in line to take on the Springboks on November 3 after his recent performances.

12. Sofiane Guitoune (Toulouse)

Sofiane Guitoune played in the No 13 jersey over the weekend, but he showed such good footwork in that game that he's stepped his way across to the No 12 berth for us.

Live Top 14 Rugby Union

When Romain Ntamack went off injured, Guitoune was forced to partner with Yoann Huget in the centres, and showed he was up to the task of marshalling his side's shape in midfield. On top of that, going around Jordan Larmour with such ease for a try was a sight to behold.

11. Maxime Medard (Toulouse)

While Ramos provided the points off the tee, Maxime Medard went over for two tries, the second of which clinched victory for the home side.

Maxime Medard of Toulouse clears under pressure from Joseph Tomane of Leinster during the Champions Cup match between Toulouse and Leinster Rugby at Stade Ernest-Wallon on October 21, 2018 in Toulouse, France.
Image: Maxime Medard clears under pressure from Leinster's Joe Tomane

The 31-year-old ended a two year wait for an international cap when he featured in all three Tests against the All Blacks in June, and based on Sunday's form, we will surely see more of him for Les Bleus in November.

10. Joel Hodgson (Newcastle Falcons)

While Joey Carbery and Adam Hastings were having fun in the sun, Joel Hodgson was doing it tough for the Falcons in the wind and rain at Kingston Park.

Joel Hodgson kicks for goal during the Champions Cup match between Newcastle Falcons and Montpellier Herault Rugby at Kingston Park on October 21, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Image: Joel Hodgson scored 13 points for the Falcons in their win over Montpellier

In a man-of-the-match performance, Hodgson slotted 13 points with the boot, and provided a beautiful pass for the opening try which set the tempo for a game that was won in incredible fashion by the Falcons, eight minutes after full time.

9. Joe Simpson (Wasps)

There was no winner at the Ricoh Arena as Bath and Wasps played to a 10-try stalemate, but Joe Simpson once again proved his worth to Dai Young's side.

Joe Simpson of Wasps dives over for a second half try during the Champions Cup match between Wasps and Bath Rugby at Ricoh Arena on October 20, 2018 in Coventry, United Kingdom.
Image: Joe Simpson of Wasps dives over for a second-half try against Bath

Simpson provided the pass for the try that levelled matters, but also went over for one of his own earlier in the game to cap off an all-round performance in Coventry.

1. Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier)

The wind wasn't the only thing moving stuff around at Kingston Park; the Montpellier pack were marching their counterparts around the paddock at scrum time throughout the encounter.

Live Top 14 Rugby Union

For his part in that dominant showing, Mikheil Nariashvili is in our team at loosehead prop, though the others in the French side's front row are unlucky not to join him.

2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh)

There were several good performances in the No 2 jersey over the weekend; Kyle Cooper was brilliant at the breakdown for Newcastle, while Racing 92's Camille Chat carried 18 times and beat five defenders with the ball.

 Stuart McInally of Edinburgh Rugby is congratulated by his team mates after scoring a try early in the second half during the Champions Cup match between Edinburgh Rugby and Toulon at Murrayfield Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Image: Stuart McInally is swarmed by Edinburgh team-mates after scoring against Toulon

However, for his 15 carries and his try-scoring heroics against three-time champions Toulon, Edinburgh's Stuart McInally is the man to occupy the hooker berth in our team of the week.

3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

The Leicester scrum had the better of Scarlets at Welford Road, and Dan Cole was at the heart of it. Left out of Jones' England squad, Cole showcased his credentials at the set piece and effected turnovers in the loose.

Live Championship Rugby Union

With England short of experience on the loosehead side of the scrum, has Jones made the right decision by leaving out the 85-cap tighthead?

4. Steve Mafi (Castres)

When you consider that Steve Mafi only carried the ball four times in Castres' win over Exeter, it is incredible to think he beat nine defenders and made more metres (70) than any of his team-mates.

Castres's lock Steve Mafi (L) runs with the ball during the European Champions Cup rugby union match between Castres and Exeter at the Pierre Fabre stadium in Castres, southern France, on October 20, 2018.
Image: Castres's lock Steve Mafi makes a break against Exeter Chiefs

Of course that was helped by his galloping run for a solo try, but he was also solid in other areas; making nine tackles and taking five throws on his own lineout as well as one off a Chiefs feed.

5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster)

Ireland are blessed in the second row and back row, so it's tough to find a spot in Joe Schmidt's team for Tadhg Beine, but the Munster man is doing everything he can to put himself in contention.

tadhg beirne
Image: Tadhg Beirne is giving Joe Schmidt a selection headache with his good form

Against Gloucester, Beirne was immovable at the breakdown - winning two steals - and put in 12 tackles as the visitors tried to inch their way into the game late-on at Thomond Park.

6. Maro Itoje (Saracens)

Maro Itoje has made 16 of his 22 starts for England in the second row, the other six as a No 6, so it is clear where Jones feels the Saracens man is most effective.

Maro Itoje breaks away for a try against Lyon at Allianz Park
Image: Maro Itoje breaks away for a try against Lyon at Allianz Park

However, on top of his work at the lineout and with ball in hand, a good example of Itoje's versatility came when he showed the strength to strip the ball from Lyon lock Etienne Oosthuizen and race 50 metres to go over untouched at the Allianz Arena. Where will Jones play him next month?

7. Thomas Young (Wasps)

It must be hugely frustrating for Thomas Young to be in such rich form and still not be picked for Wales. The Wasps man made more tackles against Bath than any of his team-mates - 18 of them - and also carried the ball 11 times.

Thomas Young goes  over for a try during the Champions Cup match between Wasps and Bath Rugby at Ricoh Arena on October 20, 2018 in Coventry, United Kingdom.
Image: Thomas Young scored the try that gave Wasps a draw against Bath at the Ricoh Arena

Young's most significant carry came when he supported well to take a Simpson pass on the back of Elliot Daly's initial break, with the flanker going over for the try that was converted to earn Wasps the draw.

8. Viliame Mata (Edinburgh)

Viliame Mata was an unbelievable presence for Edinburgh in their victory over Toulon at Murrayfield. The No 8 made the most carries (22) and was one metre short of the 73 metres made by Dougie Fife which topped the charts for the home side.

Edinburgh's Viliame Mata runs past Toulon's Julian Savea
Image: Edinburgh's Viliame Mata runs past Toulon's Julian Savea at Murrayfield

Despite Toulon's shortcomings this season, Richard Cockerill's team had to work hard for their win, and Mata embodied the effort and mentality required for the job.

Around Sky