Team of the Weekend: 5th March
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1. Dave Kilcoyne – Another trademark action packed display from the Munster loose head.
An influential ball carrying presence for his side in a tight win in Cardiff, Kilcoyne carried 13 times for a gain of 32 metres & completing 7 tackles in a hard fought encounter.
2. Tommy Taylor – Taylor put in a huge 53 minute effort for Wasps in a comprehensive victory over Bath at the Rec, helping to stretch their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership.
3. Wiehaan Herbst – In a game played in poor conditions, Herbst worked hard in the loose, tackling & making carries despite the lack of front foot ball for the home side.
4. Brian Alainu’uese – The Glasgow second row dominated in the carry in a man of the match performance for Warriors at Scotstoun. Glasgow were winless in the Pro 12 since 7th Jan but secured a vital win producing a phenomenal fight back over the Dragons.
5. Michael Paterson – The Saints second row scored two tries in an emphatic win over Sale at the AJ Bell. A powerful Saints scrum gave Paterson the chance to barrel over from close range. Paterson made 8 tackles and 4 carries in a dominant performance.
6. Conor Oliver – The young Munster back-rower scored in his 2nd successive match. Coming on as 2nd half replacement, Oliver raced clear from the breakdown to touch down for the game clinching score. After his impressive effort at No. 8 last week, Oliver’s versatility across the back row gives Munster plenty of options.
7. Dan Leavy – Leavy was excellent in the Leinster back-row. Putting in another eye catching effort for the Irish province in a bonus point victory at the RDS.
Leavy’s work at the breakdown and his ball carrying abilities are two of his main attributes. Narrowly missing out of Ireland match day 23 v France, Leavy will be looking to impress in camp this week to force his way into the Irish set up v Wales.
8. Billy Vunipola – Billy returned from injury to play 70 minutes at Kingston Park. The England No. 8 made his first start for 4 months. His powerful run forced an early penalty and he quickly returned to his previous heights, finishing with 11 carries and 8 tackles.
9. Luke Mc Grath – The Leinster scrum-half scored twice in a seven try rout for Leinster over Scarlets at the RDS. Mc Grath ran for a gain of 72 metres from 5 carries. Mc Grath scrambled over from a close in scrum before adding his 2nd by blocking down a kick from Jones before finishing smartly. A man of the match performance from the scrum half.
10. Alex Lozowski – The Saracens fly-half scored two tries as Saracens notched a win at Newcastle. He latched onto a Wigglesworth kick to score his opening try and intercepted a Joel Hodgson pass to secure the bonus-point win.
11. Francois Hougaard – The former Springbok international was instrumental as Warriors secured a bonu-point win over Bristol. Hougaard scored one and was the provider for another with Heem touching down after the break.
12. Kurtley Beale – The Australian crossed for a double as Wasps stretched their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership with an impressive win over Bath. Beale crossed in both halves to continue his fine try scoring form notching his 3rd in 6 games.
13. Francis Saili – The former All Black scored a fine solo effort to lead the Munster fightback in Cardiff. Saili carried 5 times for 41 metres. He charged through the Blues defence before side stepping the last defender to dot down under the posts.
14. Christian Wade – The Wasps wing scored a 1st half try to open the scoring at the Rec. Wade was on terrific form making a gain of 99m from 15 carries. Wade showed his worth in defence with a try saving tackle on Denton to keep the visitors in front.
15. Joey Carbery – The Leinster man scored another brace of tries in a home win at the RDS. Carbery is the Pro 12 leading try scorer with 8 to his name. From his less favoured role at full-back, he hit two tries in three minutes and his influence grew as the game went on.
