Skip to content

Team of the week: A retiring legend and try scorers galore

Rhys Webb scored twice in the final ten minutes to hand Ospreys the win
Image: Rhys Webb darted over from close range against Cardiff

Eleven different teams are represented in our team of the week, featuring a retiring legend and try scorers galore.

15. Phil Dollman (Exeter)

In the 62 minutes Dollman was on the field, he was a shining light for Exeter at the back as they racked up an impressive 24-3 victory over Wasps on Sunday.

The full-back contributed to the cause with 13 carries, a tally only bettered by team-mate Jack Nowell, making 110 metres in the process.

Phil Dollman of Exeter Chiefs celebrates his sides second try during the Aviva Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons
Image: Phil Dollman was a rock at the back for Exeter Chiefs as they overcame Wasps

Dollman topped off his afternoon with a try in the 57th minute when he cut his way through the Wasps defence to dot down.

The Exeter man faced stiff competition from Racing 92's Brice Dulin for the full-back shirt who made 114 metres in their victory over Clermont.

14. Marland Yarde (Harlequins)

Also See:

Yarde was on fire in attack as Harlequins condemned London Irish to relegation with their 32-25 victory at the Madejski Stadium.

The England wing topped the Harlequins metres-made statistics with 10 as well as racking up an impressive 118 metres in the process.

13. Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders)

Fekitoa was a standout performer as the Highlanders' held off the Brumbies to secure a 23-10 victory. He was at his explosive best in Invercargill and overshadowed his opposite number Tevita Kuridrani.

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 01: Malakai Fekitoa of the Highlanders on the attack during the round six Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the We
Image: Could Malakai Fekitoa fill the boots of Conrad Smith in the All Blacks midfield?

With Conrad Smith gone, there is a big hole to fill in the All Blacks midfield and with eye-catching performances like this Fekitoa shouldn't be too far away from that role. 

12. Jan Serfontein (Bulls)

Serfontein was back to his best as the Bulls got their overseas tour off to a winning start with a 42-20 bonus-point win over the Western Force.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Jan Serfontein of the Bulls tackles Luke Morahan of the Force during the round 10 Super Rugby match between the Force and the
Image: Jan Serfontein was back to his best against the Bulls

The centre scored a pair of tries in the rout but provided much more than that throughout his instrumental performance.

11. Marcus Watson (Newcastle)

Marcus Watson scored twice as Newcastle raced into a 14-3 first-half lead against Saracens.

The north London club fought back to take the victory but Watson exploited the off-colour defence of his former employers with ease.

Ben Ransom of Saracens is tackled by Marcus Watson of Newcastle Falcons during the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and Newcastle Falcons
Image: Marcus Watson brings down Ben Ransom in an impressive first-half performance by the winger

Extra marks go to Watson for his finish of the first try. The former England sevens star managed to ground the ball and avoid touch despite the extra-attention he received from the shoulder of Chris Ashton, that escaped punishment.

10. Paddy Jackson (Ulster) 

Jackson was instrumental in his side's 30-6 victory over Leinster at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Guinness PRO12 round 21 clash between Ulster and Leinster

The fly-half made the most metres in the match with 109, while he also contributed 16 points to the cause, including a intercept try at the death, as Ulster remain in the hunt for a PRO12 semi-final spot.

9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Guinness PRO12 round 21 clash between Cardiff Blues and Ospreys.

Webb scored two tries at the death to hand the Ospreys a 40-27 derby win over Cardiff Blues in the Judgement day double header at the Principality Stadium.

The Blues were guarding a one-point lead entering the final five minutes of the match before the Welsh No 9 sparked the comeback with a cheeky dart from the base of a ruck to go over in the corner. 

Webb, not content with just scoring the once, added a further score in the dying seconds to secure the victory for his side. 

1. Jeremy Tilse (Waratahs)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18: Jeremy Tilse of the Waratahs passes during a Waratahs Super Rugby pre-season training session at Moore Park on November 18
Image: Jeremy Tilse was influential in the Waratahs' last gasp win over the Stormers

It is a rare occurrence that a player makes his way into the team of the week having just played for just six minutes in a match however the impact that Jeremy Tilse and his fellow prop Angus Taavao-Matau had justifies their inclusion.

With the game entering the final six minutes, the Waratahs ran everything at the Stomers in an attempt to close the five-point deficit, however a knock-on close to the line ended the threat, or so we thought. 

However, the visiting scrum, including replacement prop Tilse pushed their counterparts off the ball to reclaim it, and launched one final attack, that was rounded off by Michael Hooper securing a 30-32 victory for the 'tahs

2. Adriaan Strauss (Bulls)

Adriaan Strauss
Image: Adriaan Strauss scored twice in the Bulls' victory

Adriaan Strauss booked his place in the team of the week as the Bulls secured a bonus-point victory over the Force. 

The hooker scored twice in the comprehensive win, securing the bonus-point for his side in the 61st minute before driving over for his second just six minutes later.

He also made his presence tell in the loose against a free-running Force side.

3. Angus Taavao-Matau (Waratahs)

Like his teammate, Tilse, a six-minute cameo appearance was enough to make our team for Taavao-Matau.

It might have been try scorer Michael Hooper that stole all the headlines post match, but the effort from his fellow forwards to take the scrum against the head provided the platform for the flanker to secure victory in the dying minutes.

4. Manuel Carizza (Racing 92)

Racing 92's Argentinian lock Manuel Carizza catches the ball during the French Top 14 rugby union match between Racing 92 and Agen
Image: Racing 92's Argentinian lock Manuel Carizza dominated the lineout against Clermont

Maxime Machenaud dominated the scoreboard but Carizza ruled the airwaves in Racing 92's 26-20 victory over Clermont in the Top 14.

The lock took six of his side's 12 lineouts in the match as well as contributing 5 carries around the park.

The win takes Racing up to third in the Top 14 table, and keeps momentum going as time ticks down to their Champions Cup final against Saracens on May 14th. 

5. Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow)

Leone Nakarawa touched down xxx times for Glasgow Warriors on Friday
Image: Leone Nakarawa was a hat-trick hero as Glasgow ran in 10-tries against Zebre

Nakarawa starred as Glasgow ran-in ten tries as Glasgow demolished Zebre 70-10 and moved to the top of the Guinness PRO12 table. 

The towering lock crossed three times in the one-sided affair at the Scotsun Stadium, in a victory that saw the Warriors secure their place in the end of season play-offs. 

Nakarawa, who completed his hat-trick 12 minutes into the second half, also provided the assist for team-mate Greg Peterson's score.

6. Dave Ewers (Exeter)

Dave Ewers of Exeter breaks with the ball during the Aviva Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Wasps at Sandy Park
Image: Dave Ewers caught the eye as Exeter Chiefs put in a impressive performance against Wasps

Dave Ewers looked back to his best in Exeter's 24-3 victory over Wasps on Sunday.

It was a powerful performance from the back-rower who put in 11 tackles and 10 carries in the match that saw Exeter edge ahead of their opponents into second place with just one game remaining. 

Speaking after the game his director of rugby Rob Baxter said: "Dave is back to bang on form, he was rampant today.

"His physicality was outstanding, and it was a reminder from him to Eddie Jones. I know he was playing bang-on at the start of the season, and it looks like he is bang-on again now. He has hit some form at a great time for us."

7. Jacques Burger (Saracens)

Jacques Burger of Saracens celebrates at the final whistle during the Aviva Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs a
Image: Jacques Burger hangs up his boots after an influential career at both club and international level

Saracens may have secured a home-semi final in their victory over Newcastle but the day belonged to this man. 

It was not close to his finest performance but he put in one final shift for his side battling through the pain barrier with his ever-temperamental knee.

He is one of the true greats of the game and deserves to be recognised for his achievements.

8. Jackson Wray (Saracens)

Jackson Wray of Saracens is tackled by Jamie Roberts of Harlequins during the Aviva Premiership between Saracens and Harlequins
Image: Jackson Wray crashed over for two close range tries as Saracens secured a home semi-final

Jackson Wray put in a man-of-the-match performance as Saracens beat Newcastle Falcons 24-13.

The game was far from easy for the Champions Cup finalists who found themselves trailing badly at half-time, with Wray playing an instrumental role in the fightback.

The No 8 was an energetic figure in the Sarries forward pack, putting in 16 carries and crashing over for two tries from the back of dominant rolling mauls.

An honourable mention goes to Teimana Harrison of the Northampton Saints, however. The 23-year-old scored as his side edged past Bath, and was a shining light in a below-par performance from Jim Mallinder's men. 

Around Sky