Team of the Week

European rugby returned in full flight on the weekend with the Aviva Premiership, Guinness Pro 12, and Greene King IPA Championship all back on the menu. Combined with some cracking rugby from the Top 14 and Pro D2 in France, it’s an all-Euro offering this week.

1 – Marcos Ayerza (Leicester) His first pre-season away from Los Pumas in years and the cagey veteran looks refreshed. Part of a crazy yo-yo battle at Kingsholm, Ayerza seems to have found a few new tricks, adding some useful ball carrying to his repertoire.

2 – Agustín Costa Repetto (Colomiers) Has carried over his great form of last season and he is keeping Romanian international Otar Turashvili out of the starting lineup. Spearheaded the pack that smashed Carcassonne in the scrum en route to a 24-3 win.

3 – Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon) A fine outing as the anchor of a dominant Lyon scrum in the comprehensive win over Grenoble. Early second half pushover try was scored by Carl Fearns but earned by Gomez Kodela.

4 – Demián Panizzo (Colomiers) Another outstanding Argentine for Colomiers. An 80-minute shift from the big fella with his huge physicality proving an overwhelming obstacle for his opposites.

5 – Mariano Galarza (Gloucester) Will have to concede this round to Ayerza, but can stand tall after a typically strong performance in the engine room. Stood tall in the lineout and defended particularly well.

6 – Evan Olmstead (Newcastle) High work rate demanded his inclusion on the blindside, and he didn’t disappoint in his Aviva Premiership debut. Cleaned up a lot of dirty ball to keep Falcons moving forward and eventually earned a win over Sale Sharks.

7 – Martín Chiappesoni (Dax) On the receiving end of a very dangerous tip tackle that earned Clement Otazo a red card early on. Despite the man advantage Dax failed to find the win, but Chiappesoni was once again their outstanding player in the forwards. A 65th minute try gave his team a temporary lead they couldn’t quite hold.

8 – Tyler Ardron (Ospreys) Finally back on the pitch and while it might not have been the toughest opposition in Zebre, he made the most of the day with an all-action performance at the back of the scrum. Carried with purpose and linked well in a great start to the season.

9 – Agustín Ormaechea (Mont-de-Marsan) A marvelous performance from the Uruguayan maestro, who was forced to step up with halfback partner Otazo was sent off in the 12th minute. Grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, scored a try from in close, and almost single-handedly willed his team to victory.

10 – Patricio Fernández (Clermont) A whirlwind of a match at Stade Jean Bouin saw Clermont play to a draw with Stade Français. The young Argentine flyhalf impressed for an hour, taking on the line repeatedly and making plenty of ground weaving his way through the defense.

11 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Another carrying over his fine form from last season after a summer away from test rugby. Showed Yoann Huget a clean pair of heels to wrap up the 28-14 win over Toulouse.

12 – Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle) A key cog in the midfield, the creative Argentine looks in good form with his strong running and excellent passing game. His ability to hit wide targets had the Sale defense on edge and put Sinoti Sinoti into the corner for a vital score.

13 – Conor Trainor (Vannes) Only a 78th minute penalty goal saved Charente from defeat, with Trainor’s intercept try from 75 metres away early in the first half setting Vannes up for another win. It was not to be, but the Canadian centre has made his mark in each of his first two professional outings.

14 – Jeff Hassler (Ospreys) Also returning after an injury layoff, the Canadian flyer looks as menacing as ever prowling on the right wing. If he can stay fit for the season he should be a certainty to challenge for Pro 12 Dream Team honors once more.

15 – Matt Evans (Cornish Pirates) New season, same results. His incredible try-scoring record continues for the Pirates and it’s a complete mystery why he isn’t playing in the top division somewhere. Started on the wing but we’ll take him at his favored fullback spot.