Wednesday 14 December 2016 10:21, UK
Players from Ulster, Munster, Saracens and Leinster lead the way in our team of the week alongside a number of individuals that delivered on French soil.
The first half of the European back-to-back rounds showcased a couple of notable away wins, try-scoring debuts and memorable home outings.
Before we turn our attentions to the second act let's cast our eye over those that stood out this weekend.
15. Charles Piutau (Ulster)
During last season's Champions Cup Piutau made the most metres, clean breaks and defenders beaten of any player and as expected he's continuing where he left off.
In a nine-try thriller at the Kingspan Stadium the full back excelled making 10 carries and topping the charts for defenders beaten with four.
His 53rd minute try showcased the quality of footwork and pace that comes so naturally to him.
Piutau often delivers rugby from another planet and will be integral to Ulster's chances at the intimidating Stade Marcel-Michelin.
14. Timoci Nagusa (Montpellier)
At the Altrad Stadium Montpellier overcame a man disadvantage for 62 minutes to deliver a bonus-point victory over Castres.
Nagusa brought Montpellier right back into the game when he read a floating pass from Jesse Mogg and scored an interception try on 36 minutes.
The winger's break also set-up Nic White for the final try of the game, that secured their bonus-point, and throughout looked dangerous and sharp.
13. Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon)
At the Stade Félix Mayol Toulon's outside centre was at his bulldozing and barnstorming best.
For the full 80 Bastareaud gave Scarlets a torrid time as he punched holes left, right and centre in their defence.
The centre's physicality provided options around him in attack and equally reinforced their defence.
He showcased what Mike Ford called his 'point of difference' and his head coach has now challenged the centre to deliver in that manner every week.
Also an honourable mention must be made for Munster's Jaco Taute.
He coupled a double of tries with physical hits around the park and it's no wonder that Rassie Erasmus wants to keep the South African beyond his current short-term contract.
12. Kurtley Beale (Wasps)
Beale has had to wait much longer for his Wasps debut than he would have liked but when it arrived he made sure that it was a good one.
His try, just six minutes in, was expertly finished and although a card followed shortly after once he was back on the field the Australian sparkled.
After such a long time out with a serious injury the fact that he looked as if he had never been away is a credit to his ability.
Wasps' backline is an exciting place to be and, as he showed on Sunday, Beale is set to add greatly to it over the coming months.
11. Sean Maitland (Saracens)
The Scotland international looks sharp at his new club and is benefiting from playing behind a dominant pack with great distributors all around him.
Individually Maitland made 81 metres in total with 8 carries and notched up a brace for his evening's work.
The winger looks sharp as a pin right now and if selected for the away fixture in Manchester should continue to cause the Sharks defensive headaches.
10. Finn Russell (Glasgow)
Glasgow Warriors' win at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir was hailed by Gregor Townsend as their 'best ever win in Europe - by a long way'.
At the heart of their victory was Russell as he orchestrated everything. He kept Racing 92 on the back foot with his kicking game and ensured that his backs could shine with pinpoint passing.
Two conversions and three penalties off the tee provided the points to match as the fly-half enjoyed a memorable day in Paris.
9. Conor Murray (Munster)
At Thomond Park Munster delivered another outstanding European outing as they humbled Leicester Tigers.
The thoughts pre-match were that the Murray versus Ben Youngs head-to-head could be a tight one but in reality Murray excelled and Youngs didn't find his form.
Once again Munster's scrum-half controlled the game with ease and delivered first-class box-kicking. His inside pass to Simon Zebo was inch perfect and an exhibition of his impressive instincts.
Without question he is the form scrum-half in Europe and some may say in the world right now.
1. Jack McGrath (Leinster)
At Franklin's Gardens Northampton Saints' front row were overpowered the work of McGrath and Tadhg Furlong.
The set piece is normally an area of strength for the hosts yet they were pushed about and never allowed to wrestle control in that area.
The prop's form continues to surge forwards and he showed his industry around the park alongside his set piece proficiency.
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
At Allianz Park Saracens' hooker provided a timely reminder of his skills with a head-turning display.
George finished off Saracens' powerful drive during the 46th minute and throughout his time on the field was his usual rumbustious self.
Conditions weren't ideal and yet as part of a focused Saracens side the forward played his role perfectly.
3.Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Another young man that continues to go from strength to strength is Leinster's tight-head prop.
Furlong's set piece prowess belies his age and the best thing is that he's only going to get better and better over the coming months and years.
Alongside McGrath the 24-year-old overpowered their opponents at scrum time and he also firmly made his presence felt in defence.
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Saracens' lock has slipped seamlessly back into rugby after his recent injury and against Sale Sharks looked as hungry as ever for victory.
Itoje was absolutely everywhere delivering his trademark work rate and frustrated Sale with the amount of turnovers he delivered.
Eddie Jones has asked his England squad to continue to play like international players at their clubs and without question Itoje did that with ease at Allianz Park.
5. Romain Taofifenua (Toulon)
Back at the Stade Félix Mayol Taofifenua was another man that frustrated Scarlets and put in a big European shift.
The lock stole crucial turnovers when Scarlets were building into the game and was Toulon's go to man at the lineout.
Equally a mention for Glasgow Warrior's Jonny Gray who was superb in defence against Racing 92. The lock made 19 tackles and went a long way towards stopping a side filled with threats across the board.
6. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
In Ulster's thriller at Kingspan Stadium Henderson stepped up and delivered a man of the match performance.
The forward carried 13 times and alongside that made 12 tackles - he was everywhere for the home side.
Henderson's hard work was capped by ensuring that there was a try next to his name too and without a doubt he will lead the charge again at the Stade Marcel-Michelin.
7. Kelian Galletier (Montpellier)
In a seven man pack Galletier really stood out and had an extremely busy day at the office.
It was Galletier that was on the end of an excellent line-out drive to score in the second half and he was Montpellier's top tackler with 15, five more than any of his team mates.
8. CJ Stander (Munster)
Our Team of the week is completed by a familiar face, CJ Stander, who once again put in a gargantuan performance for Munster.
The engine on Stander never ceases to amaze and at Thomond Park he topped the carrying statistics with 18 to his name.
The No 8 coupled his carries with physicality and he overpowered the Tigers on numerous occasions as he wrestled the ball out of their grasp with ease.
