Monday 19 September 2016 15:54, UK
Former All Blacks and stars of the Rugby Championship are joined by a Wasps trio and Racing 92's try machines in our team of the week.
Casey Laulala and Colin Slade were standout performers in round five of the Top 14 while current New Zealand stars Aaron Smith and Dane Coles were outstanding as they regained the Rugby Championship with victory over South Africa.
15. Dan Evans (Ospreys)
Evans carried 13 times for an impressive 151 metres as Ospreys ran out 64-10 winners over Treviso on Saturday.
The full-back attacked well and got himself on the scoreboard to help his side ease to victory over the Italians.
14. Juan Imhoff (Racing 92)
The winger dotted down three times for his side against Toulon in a replay of last season's Top 14 final. Racing 92 ran away with the game thanks to the finishing of the Argentina international.
A mention for Keelan Giles who arrived off the bench for his first PRO12 appearance for Ospreys and at 18 years old became the youngest player to score a try on his debut since George North in 2010.
13. Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Daly scored two of Wasps' 10 tries at the Ricoh Arena and ruthlessly exploited Bristol's defensive frailties in a 70-22 win. It was a long day at the office for the Bristol defence, made longer by Daly's initiative with ball in hand.
A nod to Samu Kerevi of Australia, who opened the scoring for the Wallabies with a minute on the clock and kept the Argentine defence on the back foot thereafter.
12. Casey Laulala (Racing 92)
One of two former All Blacks to make it into our team of the week, Laulala caused chaos in the midfield for Racing 92. If Imhoff was the finisher, Laulala was the instigator.
But the 34-year-old was not just there for distribution, he also scored two tries of his own.
11. Christian Wade (Wasps)
Wade carried the ball 10 times on Sunday, making over 100 metres as he beat five defenders for his two tries.
The winger's defensive work has been under scrutiny in the past, but on attack there are few like him in the Premiership when he's in full flight.
10. Colin Slade (Pau)
While Beauden Barrett sets the world alight, fellow Kiwi Slade has been keeping the home fires burning in the Top 14.
Slade got the basics of his job right against Stade Francais with five kicks out of five attempts, but also managed two offloads. He also made the second most metres of any Pau player on the day with 44 and the most tackles in the team with 12.
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
The All Blacks scrum-half was superb around the fringes and his distribution was pin-point. Quick ball was the order of the day as Smith put in another performance that will likely keep the talented TJ Perenara on the bench for another week.
The Highlanders half-back was called into question by Steve Hansen ahead of the game against South Africa and it was the Boks who felt the brunt of Smith's response.
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Vunipola was out to show he's still hungry to be England's first-choice loosehead. The Saracen had another big day against Northampton Saints in what was an enormously physical game between two old rivals in the Premiership.
The British and Irish Lion performed his duties up front without complaint, and offered some help to his colleagues in the loose too.
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
What didn't the forward do against South Africa? He scrummaged strongly and caused havoc in the midfield - the pick of his contributions was his floating pass out wide to Sam Whitelock.
The Hurricanes captain's performance drew praise from former All Blacks No 2 Sean Fitzpatrick who singled him out in the studio after the game.
3. John Ryan (Munster)
It's not everyday that a tighthead prop wins man of the match in a game, but such was the influence of Ryan against Newport Gwent Dragons.
In a game in which the Welsh region were trying to keep the Munstermen out, Ryan shored up the set-piece to help his side stay on the right side of the scoreboard.
A notable mention for Clermont Auvergne's Davit Zirakashvili, who was strong at the set-piece and powered over for a good score in their victory over Bordeaux-Begles.
4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Lawes worked tirelessly for 80 minutes to create holes in Saracens' defence with 11 carries in total.
The lock was also invaluable in defence as Saints' top tackler with 14 - an outing that provides Jones with another reminder that second row options in England are plentiful.
5. Geoff Parling (Exeter)
One of the casualties of the Stuart Lancaster era, Parling has not featured for England since last year's World Cup but showed against Harlequins that he still has a lot to offer.
Parling carried 13 times for the Chiefs and made nine tackles - the second most of any Exeter player - and turned the ball over four times.
6 Alex Rieder (Wasps)
In a game in which the glory went to the men out wide scoring the tries, Rieder offered the base on which the win was built.
He made 15 carries, five more than the next best in Wasps colours, and 16 tackles, another table-topping stat for his club.
7. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
The younger of the two Savea brothers has had to wait a while for his first start for the All Blacks, and after being given the nod against the Springboks he grabbed the opportunity.
His 10 tackles were the highest in his team, he was in the mix for the most carries and scored a try to round off a big contribution from the Hurricanes flanker.
8. Warren Whiteley (South Africa)
With Duane Vermeulen injured Whiteley has stepped up for the Boks and provided a superb link between forwards and backs.
Although on the losing side in Christchurch, it was another good day at the office from the No 8 as he made the most tackles of any player on the field with 11.
