The weekend saw a full
complement of fixtures across Europe, find out which players
impressed most, according to the Opta Index.
After a month of international action, the Prem and URC both
returned at the weekend, joining the TOP 14 – which had resumed one
week earlier – to provide fans with a full set of fixtures across
the Big Three leagues.
There was drama aplenty in France, with Stade Rochelais picking
up the earliest red card in TOP 14 history on Sunday, along with a
sending off for Head Coach Ronan O’Gara. Arguably that wasn’t the
strangest sending off of the weekend though, with Racing 92’s
Janick Tarrit seeing red for a flying headbutt against Toulouse – a
match which saw the return of Antoine Dupont after eight months
out.
In the Gallagher Prem, Northampton Saints’ unbeaten run came to
an end against Bristol Bears – another game which saw an early red
card, while Bath’s dramatic late win against Saracens saw them move
two points clear at the top of the table.
There was a top of the table clash in the URC, with Munster
hosting the Stormers – the only teams with a 100% record going into
the weekend. The Irish province took a 15-point lead into halftime
but 21 unanswered points in the second half saw the Cape Town
outfit extend their unbeaten run. Meanwhile, Cardiff’s win away to
Zebre saw them move up to second place to ensure it wasn’t all doom
and gloom for Welsh rugby at the weekend.
But which players stood out across Europe? We used the Opta
Index to pick out the top performances from the weekend.
Opta’s
Star Player of the Week
Although he may have ultimately ended on the losing side, due to
an 82nd minute try, Leo Barre was the standout man
this week and couldn’t be blamed for Stade Français not holding out
for the win.
The French fullback scored twice in the final quarter of the
game to haul his side back level with ASM Clermont Auvergne, after
they had trailed by 14 points at one stage, with the Parisians
taking the lead shortly after before being denied by a last-gasp
try.
Barre’s tally of eight defenders beaten from his 12 carries was
the second most by any player in the French top flight (Setariki
Tuicuvu – 10), as was his 82 post-contact metres (Salesi Rayasi –
118).
He was solid in defence too, making 100% of his tackles, as well
as winning a turnover for his side in a valiant effort which
unfortunately wasn’t quite enough to give Stade Français the four
match points.
The Best
of the Rest
Union Bordeaux-Begles’ Salesi Rayasi was the only player to gain
more metres post-contact that Leo Barre in the TOP 14 at the
weekend and his tally of 168 metres gained overall was the best of
any player in Europe. His four line breaks were also a joint
match-high, alongside Bristol’s Max Malins and Sale’s Alex Wills,
helping him take the number 14 jersey in our team.
Elsewhere in the back line, Ulster’s Jude Postlethwaite slots in
at inside centre after a fine display against Benetton. He beat
eight defenders in the URC at the weekend, a joint-high alongside
teammate Jacob Stockdale, while no one bettered his three line
breaks (level with Stravino Jacobs). 91 metres gained, 2 try
assists and 100% tackle completion rate underlined a fine
performance from the 23-year-old.
At fly half, Matthieu Jalibert gets the nod after slotting 4/4
kicks at goal against Bordeaux-Begles, as well as registering a try
assist. As ever, the Bordeaux-Begles playmaker was electric with
ball in hand – his seven defenders beaten and two line breaks were
the most by any fly half across Europe, while no one bettered his
four offloads (level with Jimmy O’Brien).
In the pack, Dafydd Jenkins gained 54 metres with ball in hand,
the joint most of any tight five forward in Europe (level with
Harry Thacker and Renzo Du Plessis) and his overall work rate was
immense – he tallied a combined 61 carries, tackles and ruck hits,
more than any other player across the Big Three leagues.
It was a fine weekend for another Dafydd, with Cardiff hooker
Dafydd Hughes dotting down three times for the only hattrick by any
player across the European top-flight leagues at the weekend. His
work at the lineout was almost flawless too, finding a teammate
with 16 of his 17 throws. In the back row, Lenni Nouchi was perhaps
the standout, crossing for two tries for Montpellier. From his 12
carries he gained 73 metres, beat four defenders and made three
line breaks – no forward broke the line as often at the
weekend.
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