Team of the Week

There were no international fixtures on the weekend but there was a glut of domestic action spread across the globe. This week’s team reaches into eight different divisions to bring together a scratch side – the URBA Top 12, the French Fédérale 1 and Pro D2, the English Premiership and Championship, the Guinness Pro 14, Australia’s NRC and New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup.

1 – Carlos Muzzio (Mont-de-Marsan) A fixture in a team that looks well on course to earn promotion to the Top 14 next season. The Argentine prop put in a solid all-around performance in the big win over Oyonnax to secure Montois’ spot at the top of the table.

2 – Benoît Pifféro (Blagnac) First choice for his club who continued their perfect start to the season with a fourth consecutive win. The Canadian international drove over for a try early in the second half in the dominant win over Céret. Will he be driving east to Marseille in November?

3 – Paul Mullen (Newcastle ‘A’) Held off Campese Ma’afu, the experienced Fijian campaigner, in the scrum and on his way to scoring a prop’s dream try with a 22m run-in against Leicester’s development side on Monday. In a real battle to earn a permanent place and the respect of those who have little time for an ‘American’ import.

4 – Ben Landry (Ealing Trailfinders) Often used as a battering ram in the back row for the USA, it’s the ‘donkey work’ of the engine room that Landry has been tasked with at Ealing. Thus far he looks good, with a strong performance in the win over Doncaster and his Eagles teammate mate Nick Civetta.

5 – Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates) While Trailfinders have started well, it’s the Pirates who are at the top of the Championship. Their Canadian captain is leading the charge as they rattled off their 11th consecutive league victory, a perfect four-from-four to start the new season. Beukeboom was a banker at the front of the lineout against Richmond and kept the team in check against a scrappy Richmond side.

6 – Evan Olmstead (Auckland) Relishing his run on the side of the scrum in the Mitre 10 Cup’s best team. He was a leading tackler in the narrow win over Taranaki on the weekend. Will Kingsley Jones consider him in the back row, or will it be the second row for Canada in the World Cup Qualifiers?

7 – Tony Lamborn (Southland) A one-man army at times. He has consistently been the best player for the Stags this season while playing across the back row. Lamborn was back at his preferred openside spot against Northland. It was another loss but the Eagles flanker was class in all facets once again.

8 – Francisco Gorrissen (Belgrano) Looked close to Jaguares selection as a flanker with the Argentina XV. He has added a little extra muscle and switched to the back of the scrum this season with great success. Gorrissen’s speed and linking ability make him a very useful attacker, and he found the tryline for the fourth time this season in the convincing win over Alumni.

9 – Gregorio del Prete (San Luis) It’s been a wonderful campaign for San Luis who currently lead the URBA Top 12, ahead Alumni, Belgrano, and powerhouse Hindú. San Luis have never before won the competition and the form of their nuggety scrumhalf is a significant part of their success. The once-capped Puma scored a second half try in the blowout win over San Martín on the weekend.

10 – Shane O’Leary (Nottingham) The Canadian international was a major part of history as Nottingham got their first ever win at Headingley over Yorkshire Carnegie. O’Leary scored 16 points including a breakaway try and five successful kicks. Also playing well were Argentine pair Bautista Güemes of Barcelona and Ordizia’s Valentín Cruz.

11 – DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors) The Warriors came up short in Port Elizabeth but van der Merwe made the most of his opportunities on South African soil. He scored two tries and had a trio of line breaks as his fine season continues. Manuel Montero touched down for Pucará and earned a recall to the Pumas training squad.

12 – Ronnie McLean (Richmond) The amateurs are struggling a bit after their opening week win, perhaps to be expected given the rise in standards across the board in the Championship this season. They aren’t getting blown out, however, and their veteran midfield is playing a key role in that. McLean picked up a try in the loss to Pirates that saw Richmond ask questions of the undefeated league-leaders.

13 – Marcel Brache (Western Force) His two tries played a crucial role in the 42-40 win over Queensland Country. After playing exclusively as a center this season he started on the right wing, but with wing once again heavily populated this week we’re picking him in the midfield.

14 – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) Continues his rich vein of form with another fine match for the Chiefs in the win over Newcastle. Cordero is leading the Premiership in clean breaks by a distance. Ciaran Hearn started on the wing for London Irish against Northampton Wanderers and picked up a try.

15 – Juan Bautista Daireaux (Newman) The Pumitas star is enjoying a breakout season with Newman. Though he played flyhalf in the World Rugby u20 Championship, it’s at fullback where he has been in spectacular form in the URBA Top 12. He scored two tries against CASI to make it 11 on the season, a remarkable number given he has only played nine games!