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It was a messy week and took a while to appraise some performances, but at last we’ve got our weekly XV picked. Some positions were less exceptional than others. Thankfully this weekend we have six international teams to choose from, with competition for each and every position!
1 – Marcos Ayerza (Leicester) He made headlines by scoring his first try in three years, but it was his huge defensive effort that cements his spot this week. Honourable mention to Titi Lamositele, who had a storming 25 minute cameo for Saracens.
2 – Martín García Veiga (Jersey) His second straight super-sub role. Came on at half after his team took a beating from Bristol in the first forty, he could not inspire a win this time but at least the second stanza was even-steven.
3 – Damian Arias (Montauban) Not the greatest week for tightheads. The big Argentine gets the nod for holding down the winning scrum in a decent 45 minute shift against the massive Albigeois forwards.
4 – Greg Peterson (Glasgow) Starting to make his mark in European rugby. Put in a shift going forward both in the carry and the clear-out. Not yet 25 years old, the best is yet to come from the Eagles big man.
5 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres) Big performance from the Olympique skipper in their win over Bordeaux. Thunderous line break in the first half earned three points (and should have been seven) and his timely scoop on a loose ball late in the game created a try to end any hope of a rebuttal.
6 – Justin Blanchet (Bedford) Big game for the Blues as they absolutely obliterated London Welsh with a clinical second half performance. Offered himself more as a carrier this week and bashed his way over for a try in the 70th minute.
7 – Robert Barbieri (Benetton Treviso) Made the hard yards at the back of the scrum in a losing effort to Ulster. We need a flanker, so he slides up to help us out of a bind.
8 – Aaron Carpenter (Cornish Pirates) No tries this week, but Captain Carps led from the front once again as the grand voyage continues. Five consecutive league victories, the latest over Ealing, has completely turned their season around and they are now in 6th spot on the Championship log.
9 – Nicolás Vergallo (Tarbes) Admittedly a default selection, with no competition in any league this week. Tough match behind a beaten pack as Narbonne stole a vital road victory at Stade Maurice Trélut.
10 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres) Second start since returning from injury, and a second consecutive win. Kicked four penalties and one conversion,
11 – DTH van der Merwe (Scarlets) His team lost but the Canadian still found a way to the try line once again. Must be desperate for Scarlets to find some help in the offseason, and maybe some new jerseys!
12 – Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle) Under pressure a bit in defense, but overall a strong performance as Falcons scored a massive victory over Harlequins. Ran hard and consistently made the gainline to keep his team moving forward.
13 – Marcelo Bosch (Saracens) Not much to talk about, really, with a few average carries and some decent tackles. No mistakes, however, and with the rest of the competition struggling that’s just enough to get him into the team sheet.
14 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Routine finish for a first half try in the win against Oyonnax. Continues to rack up the metres with every touch of the ball.
15 – Martín Bustos Moyano (Bayonne) A one-man-gang, scoring all 16 points in a ferocious derby win over Basque rivals Biarritz. Scorched past the cover to nab the winning try – which he converted himself – in the 65th minute.
