Tuesday 10 January 2017 12:34, UK
Young talent is coming through the Six Nations ranks, as Ellis Genge and Baptiste Serin make our team of the week.
15. Jason Woodward (Bristol)
We were a fan of Woodward during his Super Rugby stints with the Rebels and Hurricanes and he is now replicating that form in the Premiership.
Woodward finished with 21 points in Bristol's narrow loss at Northampton, landing six of his seven attempts off the tee. He also scored a superb try from inside his own 22, his deft chip bouncing into Tom Varndell's hands and then sprinting downfield to take the wing's pass and touch down underneath the posts.
Woodward takes the No 15 shirt ahead of Simon Zebo, Peter Murchie and Gaetan Germain, who all impressed over the weekend.
14. Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Solomona's switch from rugby league to rugby union looks to have been a good one, as last year's Man of Steel nominee continues to impress in his new home.
The winger scored two tries over the weekend against Harlequins, with his tally now four tries in four appearances for the Sharks.
13. Matt Scott (Gloucester)
The Cherry and Whites cut loose against struggling Worcester with Scott scoring two of their seven tries.
The Scotland international crossed the whitewash in both halves, breaking from inside his own half for his second try. Scott wins by a nose ahead of Garry Ringrose, who again caught the eye for Leinster in their rout of Zebre.
12. Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne)
France could be dark horses in this year's Six Nations if they can get the best out of Fofana, who once again dazzled during Clermont's landslide win over Toulon.
The 28-year-old is the complete package and he displayed his fantastic handling skills and footwork on Sunday night, as well as some ferocious defence.
Fofana intercepted James O'Connor's pass and showed great gas to hare downfield, although doubts remain whether he actually grounded the ball.
11. Rory O'Loughlin (Leinster)
The 22-year-old retains his place on the wing after helping himself to a hat-trick against a woeful Zebre at the RDS. The academy winger terrorised the Italians, making four line breaks and racking up 154 metres from 13 carries.
O'Loughlin crossed for his first just before half-time, racing up the left touchline after a break by Luke McGrath, and he touched down twice in three second-half minutes, using his momentum in a tackle to twist over and complete his treble.
10. Tim Swiel (Harlequins)
Joel Hodgson was outstanding for Newcastle against Bath but Swiel gets the No 10 shirt after coming off the bench to drag injury-ravaged Quins to victory.
The South African scored 24 points, nailing all seven attempts at goal, and he displayed good pace to race clear for his first-half try.
9. Baptiste Serin (Bordeaux-Begles)
Anyone remember the outrageous flick pass from Serin behind his back to put Louis Picamoles over against the All Blacks in November? The scrum-half is proving a perpetual handful for opposition defences, and on Friday it was Montpellier who were tasked with keeping the 22-year-old quiet.
Bordeaux-Begles lost the game, but Serin made a huge impact off the bench, making 50 metres in two carries, beating three defenders, making two breaks and scoring a try.
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
The Leicester loosehead was central as the Tigers mounted a second-half comeback in Coventry. Genge made a number of powerful carries and ran some excellent lines.
The 21-year-old was the only front-rower to play the full 80 minutes and impressed in both the scrum and breakdown.
2. Niall Scannell (Munster)
Scannell scored his second try in as many Champions Cup appearance in a highly impressive display against Racing 92 in Paris. The 24-year-old's darts were on the money, finding a red jersey with all 12 throws, and he was also a key component of Munster's scrum and maul.
Scannell was just as impressive away from the set piece. He made 11 tackles, missing none, won one turnover, and he put his hand up for some hard carries. He touched down at the back of a maul to clinch Munster's bonus-point try and it was no more than his performance deserved.
Notable mention goes to Tommy Taylor, who shone in Wasps' win over Leicester on Sunday.
3. Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont Auvergne)
Clermont had the Toulon scrum on toast on Sunday night as Zirakashvili and company wreaked havoc. Toulon changed their props after only half an hour but it made little difference as the Georgia tighthead continued to dominate.
Special mention also goes to Jon Welch after helping Newcastle to a comeback win against Bath. He ran a fantastic line in the second half, but got a little carried away and attempted a chip and chase!
4. Calum Green (Newcastle Falcons)
The 26-year-old delivered an awesome 80-minute display as Newcastle overturned a 12-point deficit to defeat Bath in a Friday night thriller.
Green worked his socks off in defence, making 13 tackles, and was also a useful option at the lineout where he took three throws.
He was also influential in both of Newcastle's second-half tries, using his 19-stone frame to shove Mark Wilson and Ben Harris over the whitewash.
5. Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
Gray is another player who put in an impressive 80-minute shift as Glasgow continued their fine form at home to Cardiff Blues.
The Scotland lock wasn't as busy as normal in defence, making just four tackles, but he made up for that in attack as he led the way with 17 carries.
Gray was his reliable self at lineout time, taking nine throws, and he was in the middle of the powerful maul that led to James Malcolm scoring Glasgow's bonus-point try.
Special mention to Munster's unsung hero Billy Holland, who made 17 tackles and missed none in the win at Racing 92.
6. Thomas Young (Wasps)
Will we see Young make his Wales debut during the Six Nations? On current form it will be very difficult for Rob Howley to overlook the 24-year-old.
Young picked up another bottle of bubbly for his display against Leicester, which included an excellent break from inside his own half in the lead-up to Dan Robson's try.
Eleven tackles with none missed, two turnovers, and a gain of 49 metres from nine carries; the plaudits continue to rain down on the flanker.
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
After Ospreys' win over Connacht, Steve Tandy was full of praise for the work of loose forward Tipuric.
The flanker's effort at the breakdown and tackle was highlighted by his coach, who said he was a good example to young players in the squad.
Tipuric is playing some of the best rugby of his career, and will be hoping that Warren Gatland has taken note.
8. Dan Baker (Ospreys)
The entire Ospreys back row was outstanding against Connacht and it was Baker who scooped the man-of-the-match award after a fine all-round display.
The 24-year-old made 11 tackles and a team-high 19 carries for a gain of 65 metres. Baker crashed over for the game's opening try, which set the tone for a superb 80-minute showing.
Baker edges two players who are carrying serious form into the Six Nations, Louis Picamoles and CJ Stander.
