Monday 4 January 2016 13:58, UK
Conrad Smith's show-and-go against Toulon, James O'Connor's two-try haul against Pau and a devastating performance by the Saracens' front row feature in our Team of the Week...
15. Dan Fish (Cardiff Blues)
The Cardiff full-back scored one of his side's four tries and combined well with Tom James for the Blues' second as Cardiff snatched a thrilling 29-27 win over league leaders the Scarlets. Fish was an enterprising and creative presence throughout a thrilling Guinness PRO12 derby at the Arms Park.
14. James O'Connor (Toulon)
The Australian scored two tries, one in either half, and set up another as Toulon survived a late Pau rally to win 21-17 at the Stade Felix Mayol. The victors lead by 21-3 with just over a quarter remaining before Pau's late surge.
13. Conrad Smith (Pau)
The two-time World Cup winner got one over Ma'a Nonu, dummying past his All Blacks centre partner as he beat five Toulon players to score a stunning try for Pau. However, Nonu had the last laugh against his former midfield partner, with his Toulon side holding on to secure victory.
12. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
The inside centre impressed in midfield alongside fly-half James Hook as the Cherry and Whites fought back from an eight-point interval deficit to win 27-14 against London Irish. Irish deservedly led 14-6 at half-time through converted tries from Alex Lewington and Ciaran Hearn as they sought to make it back-to-back Premiership wins for the first time in nine months. But James Hook kicked 17 points as Gloucester staged a second-half recovery.
11. Charlie Walker (Harlequins)
We're switching Walker onto the left wing as both of his tries came down that side. He showed great hands and a lovely step to score his first and raced onto Danny Care's grubber for his second. Worcester dominated possession and territory but their opponents were more clinical in the 24-20 win as the Warriors wasted opportunities and could not fully capitalise on the sin-binning of both Quins centres Jamie Roberts and George Lowe.
10. Dan Carter (Racing 92)
Dan Carter admitted to shelving thoughts of a hot New Zealand beach as he battled driving rain and wind to lead Racing 92 to the summit of the Top 14 table in a hard-fought 23-18 victory over Bordeaux Begles.
Carter was instrumental in the win in his first Top 14 start at Stade Yves-du-Manoir in the Parisian surburb of Colombes.
While the inclement weather might have been more winter in Dunedin than springtime in Paris, a smart show and give from the Kiwi playmaker set up the decisive try in the 53rd minute of a real slog.
Carter burst inside Felix Le Bourhis' right shoulder, a one-handed offload finding Brice Dulin to break clear and the international full-back's pass to Alexandre Dumoulin gifted the centre a clear run-in.
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
The Wales scrum-half made an impressive return from injury at the Arms Park. Davies forced his way over for the Scarlets' third try to crown an assured display with ball in hand despite going down by a scoreline of 29-27 to Cardiff Blues. He completed 71 of his 73 passes, gained 62 metres from seven carries and beat six defenders.
Julien Dupuy also changed the game when introduced against Toulouse.
The Saracens front row
1. Mako Vunipola 2. Schalk Brits and 3. Petrus du Plessis sent Leicester's scrum hurtling backwards and secured the momentum that saw Saracens run out 26-6 victors over the Tigers at Allianz Park. Hooker Jamie George also impressed when entering for Brits on 40 minutes, while Northampton No 2 Mike Haywood stood out in Saints' win over Exeter.
4. Sean Robinson (Newcastle)
Robinson was excellent in the lineout as the Falcons won their first Premiership game of the season. He won 10 of the Falcons' throws and stole two of Bath's. He also chipped in with 10 tackles. Craig Willis booted two late penalties to secure the 19-14 victory at Kingston Park.
5. George Kruis (Saracens)
Kruis won 11 lineouts, made seven tackles and gained 36 metres from his seven carries, including one electric break that should have yielded three points, only for Alex Goode to fluff his kick.
Steve Borthwick was watching the 26-6 win from the stands and will have been impressed by the player he mentored during his six years as Saracens captain.
"He's a real student of the lineout, but he's also magnificent around the park," said Sarries director of rugby Mark McCall. "I think he's a dead cert for a starting position for England.
"If you talk to George, he will tell you that Steve Borthwick and (former Saracens, now England defence coach) Paul Gustard have had a lot of influence on him."
6. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Don't be surprised if Robshaw remains in the England back-row for the coming Six Nations after another excellent performance through Quins' 24-20 win against Worcester. The flanker completed 12 tackles, won a turnover and made a team-high nine carries in the Sixways mud.
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Van der Flier made an incredible 24 tackles against Connacht, missing none. He also forced a turnover and scored the controversial try that should never have stood in the 13-0 win. The young flanker's converted score on the hour mark was awarded by referee George Clancy and TMO Marshall Kilgore, despite no clear grounding of the ball on the replays, with Connacht captain John Muldoon appearing to hold him up.
8. Camille Gerondeau (Clermont Auvergne)
Gerondeau scored two tries and completed all 15 of his tackles in the away win over Agen. Eoghan Masterson also deserves a mention for an excellent defensive display against Leinster.
