PRO14 Team of the Week

1. Nicky Smith

The young loosehead was one of the standout performers in his side’s victory over Dragons this weekend. Very solid at scrum time, carried well when required and made some big defensive hits around the fringes.

2. Elliot Dee

The Welsh hooker put on a masterclass despite his side ultimately losing their game. He made a staggering 19 tackles, was accurate at the lineout and even managed to bag himself a try.

3. Tadhg Furlong

Yet another excellent performance from the young Irish tighthead. He got through a lot of work at the breakdown, carried effectively and consistently piled pressure on his opposite number at scrum time.

4. Bradley Davies

Davies consistently provided his side with a great lineout option. He looked to get his hands on the ball as often as possible, making 12 bruising carries. He also stood up to the test defensively, recording a tackle success rate of 100%.

5. Iain Henderson

The standout performer in an otherwise disappointing Ulster performance. Consistent at the lineout, dogged at the breakdown, securing 3 turnovers and impervious in defence, making 23 tackles and missing none.

6. Olly Cracknell

The young flanker put in another incredible performance for Ospreys this weekend. He made 13 tackles, a whopping 21 carries and even managed to secure 2 vital turnovers for his side at crucial periods of the game.

7. James Benjamin

Benjamin was the stand out performer in the Dragons pack in their clash with Ospreys. He carried well when required but the most impressive facet of his game was his defensive endeavour. He made 24 tackles, recording a tackles success rate of 100%.

8. Sean O’Brien

O’Brien reminded Leinster fans exactly what they had been missing during his absence with a phenomenal number 8 performance this weekend. He was rock solid in defence; making 11 tackles and disrupting Ulster’s attacking play at the breakdown. He also looked menacing with ball in hand making an impressive 14 carries.

9. Luke McGrath

Despite only playing for the last 25 minutes of the second half, the young scrum-half showed exactly why he was included in the Irish squad. He recorded a tackle success rate of 100%, kicked well out of hand and managed to score two tries to clinch victory for Leinster.

10. Christian Leali’ifano

The Wallaby was one of Ulster’s best performers in their interprovincial clash with Leinster. He kicked very well out of hand, consistently securing vital territory for his side and recorded a success rate of 100% from the tee. He made all his tackles and managed to secure an important turnover with good breakdown work.

11. Steff Evans

The winger kept up his fine form this season with another immense performance. He scored a fantastic try a after he ran a superb line from Hadleigh Parkes pass. He also set up another try with a beautiful grubber kick.

12. Tom Farrell

The young Irishman put in a wonderful performance in his side’s victory over Munster this weekend. He looked menacing with ball in hand, making a total of 58 metres in attack and scoring a brilliant try. He also showed great defensive awareness, recording a tackle success rate of 100% and securing a pivotal turnover for Connacht.

13. Jordan Larmour

A new star was born tonight at Ravenhill as the young outside back was introduced to the game early on after an injury to Noel Reid. His try left the crowd speechless as he collected the ball on the short-side and stepped Henderson and Cairns to put Leinster ahead. He gained a total 72m in attack and was solid in defence.

14. Makazole Mapimpi

Mapimpi was simply sensational in attack in his sides narrow margin victory over Zebre this weekend. He made 3 clean breaks for a total of 122 metres gained, beat 6 defenders and managed to score both of his side’s excellent tries. He also got through a lot of work at the breakdown.

15. Simon Zebo

Despite what was a difficult week for Zebo, with his exclusion from the Irish squad much talked about, he managed to park that to one side and put in an excellent performance for Munster. He showed his usual tremendous pace and flair in attack and was on hand to finish off an excellent try in the first half.