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Team of the week: Facundo Isa and George North star

Facundo Isa (2nd-L) vies for the ball with New Zealand's All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick (L) and  New Zealand's scrum half TJ Perenara
Image: Facundo Isa takes on Brodie Retallick (L) and TJ Perenara

Plenty of competition this week but fly-half and the No 7 jersey were the most fiercely contested, with a young gun taking the latter and an old hand taking the former.

15. Gaetan Germain (Brive)

Pinpoint accuracy from the tee in Brive's win over Racing. Five penalties and one conversion as they won 25-16.

14. Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont)

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Noa Nakaitaci showed a piece of individual genius to produce this incredible try against Castres in the Top 14.

The video above says it all. Another epic try from the Fijian-born flyer.

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)

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Anton Lienert-Brown produced an incredible performance for the All Blacks against Argentina in the Rugby Championship

A shout-out to Elliot Daly of Wasps but Lienert Brown was superb against Argentina and already looks a natural at international level. One try, one assist and he even packed down in the scrum at one stage.

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12. Peter Robb (Connacht)

Connacht's Peter Robb beats the tackle of Edinburgh's Damien Hoyland on his way to sco
Image: Connacht's Peter Robb beats the tackle of Edinburgh's Damien Hoyland

Scored the bonus-point try in Connacht's much-needed win as the defending PRO12 champions got their first win of the season. With 15 carries and three defenders beaten, Robb was also crucial for Connacht in defence with 10 tackles. 

11. George North (Northampton)

George North scores a try against Wasps
Image: Northampton's George North

George North is in serious form for Saints. He powered over for a try against Exeter and from the restart, he made a brilliant break from inside his own 22 that resulted in a try for debutant Rory Hutchinson.

10. Danny Cipriani (Wasps)

Danny Cipriani makes a break against Harlequins
Image: Danny Cipriani makes a break against Harlequins

We went back-and-forth a few times with this one with Gareth Anscombe, Morne Steyn, Jonathan Sexton and Alex Lozowski all vying to be picked. However, we opted for Cipriani as he was instrumental in Wasps' 47-18 win over Harlequins. He played a huge part in four of their seven tries and his kicking out of hand was exceptional. We imagine it was a tough week for Cipriani, who once again missed the England cut, but he let his rugby do the talking against Quins. We are looking forward to seeing him and Lozowski clash when Wasps take on Saracens next weekend. 

9. TJ Perenara (New Zealand) 

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Highlights of the round 5 Rugby Championship clash between Argentina and the All Blacks

Took his chance with both hands against the Pumas. Finished off a stunner team score and kept the All Blacks playing at a tempo that Argentina couldn't cope with. Could do with easing up on the verbals though as he could well find himself on the wrong side of referees. We also thoroughly enjoyed Mike Phillips' performance for Sale against Leicester. The 34-year-old looked as hungry as ever as he helped the Sharks to a win over the Tigers. 

1. Alex Allan (Glasgow)

Glasgow's Alex Allan on the charge
Image: Glasgow's Alex Allan on the charge

Scored a wonderful try as the Warriors beat Newport Gwent Dragons. Waller, who played centre in his early days, showed some excellent footwork to produce a great sidestep and score under the posts. Did the prop basics well too. 

2. Adriaan Strauss (South Africa)

Adriaan Strauss of South Africa passes the ball during The Rugby Championship match between the  Springboks and the Wallabies
Image: Adriaan Strauss of South Africa passes the ball during The Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and the Wallabies

The Springbok skipper led from the front as they secured a vital win over Australia on Saturday. 11/11 at the lineout and was destructive with ball in hand. Ran some great lines - 54 metres from nine carries - and was busy at the ruck. 

3. Vincent Koch (South Africa)

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Highlights of the Rugby Championship clash between South Africa and Australia from Pretoria

Put in a good shift for the boks on Saturday. Helped win several penalties at the set-piece and also did more than his fair share around the fringes. Koch was also excellent in defence - 11 tackles in all.

4. Patrick Tuipolotu (New Zealand)

Had some big carries right into the heart of the Pumas defence. Tackled like a demon although he was lucky not to have been sin-binned for his tackle on Nicolas Sanchez.

5. George Kruis (Saracens)

BATH, ENGLAND - APRIL 01:  George Kruis of Saracens during the Aviva Premiership match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on April 1,
Image: George Kruis back to his best for Sarries

There was no sign of the back problems that has kept him out for the last three weeks as Kruis threw himself into everything against Bristol. He took control of the line-out, was massive in defence and punched holes in the Bristol line with some impressive carries.

6.  Sam Jones (Wasps)

Wasps Sam Jones will be eligible to play in the Premiership semi-finals
Image: Sam Jones was excellent for Wasps

A superb defensive display from Jones, who was at his destructive best against Harlequins, with his coach Dai Young comparing him to Richard Hill. George Smith is another huge fan of Jones and it was his recommendation that saw him make England's training squad. It will be interesting to see if he can make the jump up to international level. Sale's Cameron Neild was unlucky to miss out this week. 

7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)

Justin Tipuric looks to attack for the  Ospreys
Image: Justin Tipuric looks to attack for the Ospreys

There was plenty of eye-catching performances this weekend and it was great to see Northampton's Calum Clark back in action. Guy Thompson also was impressive for Wasps but Tipuric gets the nod this weekend for his tireless performance against Ulster with 18 tackles made, five carries and four gainline successes.

8. Facundo Isa (Argentina)

Argentina's Los Pumas number 8 Facundo Isa (C) is tackled by New Zealand's All Blacks centre Ryan Crotty (R) and wing Damian McKenzie
Image: Facundo Isa on the charge for Argentina

Nathan Hughes was impressive for Wasps but Isa once again showed his class for Argentina. A work-horse performance, he consistently got over the gain-line and was ferocious in the tackle. While his team-mates were struggling to cope with the All Blacks' high tempo, he looked comfortable, and was rewarded with his late try.

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