The performances of Leicester and Wasps are rewarded but there is no room for Saracens on a weekend when Lions scored an impressive win.
15. Charles Piutau (Wasps)
Thirteen carries for 126 metres gained and two tries - the second arriving in the dying moments to secure a remarkable victory over Exeter - Piutau delivered a muscular, stubborn performance.
Meanwhile, over in France, Connacht's Matt Healy also pitched in with a performance of note. He was picked out of position for the Westerners visit to Grenoble but his scintillating breaks were a feature of what was a compelling contest.
14. Rieko Ioane (Blues)
The winger's pace and power caused problems for the Chiefs every time he got the ball. The 19-year-old has only played three games of Super Rugby this season but his star is rising and he can only get better.
In the Champions Cup, Chris Ashton's 69th minute try secured victory for Saracens over Northampton, but Ioane gets the nod.
13. Samu Kerevi (Reds)
Kerevi scored a great try but his two assists allied to the seven clean breaks he made cut the Highlanders defence to ribbons. The outside centre made sixteen carries in all for 161 metres gained in the 28-27 victory.
It was a performance that left critics clamouring for the Fijian's inclusion in Michael Cheika's Australia squad.
12. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester)
The centre's presence in midfield fixed the Stade defence and he crossed for the game's opening try after some quick thinking from Freddie Burns early on.
Tuilagi was imposing on the front foot but also caused Stade Francais problems when they attacked.
11. Vereniki Goneva (Leicester)
Two tries in three minutes from Fijian, Vereniki Goneva, helped Leicester into a 24-6 lead half-time lead against a disappointing Stade Francis.
Tigers ran out 41-13 winners with Goneva using his pace and power to cruise through the Stade defence.
Special mention also for All Blacks' winger Julian Savea, who marked his return to the Hurricanes line-up with a hat-trick of tries against the Jaguares.
10. Elton Jantjies (Lions)
Jantjies controlled the show as the Lions stunned the Sharks with an impressive victory. The fly-half finished with 14 points on the night but it was his composure and influence that caught the eye.
With the new Springbok coach set to be announced on Tuesday, Jantjies must be high on his list for more international honours.
Owen Farrell's accuracy from the boot was crucial in Saracens 29-20 win while Jimmy Gopperth's late winning conversion for Wasps against Exeter was also notable.
9. Benoit Paillaugue (Montpellier)
The dead-eye boot of Paillaugue saw Montpellier through to the European Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 25-19 win over Sale.
1. Dylan Smith (Lions)
Smith dominated Sharks Coenie Oosthuizen so much that the Springbok prop was eventually substituted.
Smith represented everything that was good about the Lions win against the Sharks - doing the basics right and being aggressive in defence as well.
2. Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
The Jaguares went down 40-22 to the Hurricanes and Coles impressed against a well-regarded Jaguares eight. He does the basics well at both scrum and lineout but adds so much extra around the park with his pace and ability to offload.
3. Rabah Slimani (Stade Francais)
Despite being on the losing side - and throwing an early pass that was picked off by Leicester and put Stade on the back foot - the tighthead dominated Leicester in the scrums early on and forced Marcos Ayerza to concede four penalties.
4. Dom Barrow (Leicester)
The lock made 16 tackles in the match, was a strong ball-carrying option and helped keep Tigers on the front foot throughout.
5. Luke Charteris (Racing 92)
Not sure what the stats say, but he appeared to be all over the pitch putting in tackle after tackle and slowing down Toulon when they were in possession.
He was excellent in the lineout too and put Toulon under immense pressure on their throw.
6. Lewis Evans (Dragons)
The acting Dragons' skipper showed his mettle by turning down a penalty and a possible draw and going for broke in the final three minutes against Gloucester.
His gamble paid off as the Dragons won the lineout and got the drive going from the set-play for Charlie Evans to score.
It was a remarkable win and Evans led the way.
7. Liam Gill (Reds)
Gill caused chaos at the breakdown against the Highlanders and was excellent with ball in hand too. He made 71 metres with his nine carries including three clean breaks and was solid in defence making seven tackles.
8. Teimana Harrison (Northampton)
Harrison caused Saracens a world of problems at the breakdown, but also put in a shift in defence and a couple of breaks in attack. He somehow managed to keep Billy Vunipola quiet which is no mean feat.
"Teimana was outstanding. He's been good for us all year. I'd say he should be on the tour to Australia - I definitely think that," said Saints boss Jim Mallinder.
"He's not particularly big for a No 8 but he plays above his weight. Some of his carrying was absolutely immense.