The Pro14's Top Attackers Going Into Round 14

After months of waiting, the Guinness Pro14 is finally back. Before the players take the field, we recap and take a look at the tournament’s top attacking players before the commencement of the hiatus after Round 13.

Scarlets’ industrious back-rower, Uzair Cassiem, has launched the most assaults on opposition defensive lines, having made an impressive total of 150 carries thus far. Paul Boyle of Connacht managed 122, just ahead of Rhyno Smith (Cheetahs) with 121.

Pacey South African-born winger Duhan van der Merwe has put his running skills to good use, racking up 765 running metres – the highest in the competition. Following behind him are fellow countrymen Rhyno Smith and Clayton Blommetjies (both Cheetahs) with 742m and 607m respectively.

Van der Merwe and Smith have proved that their metres are not just handed to them, as they are also top of the ‘defenders beaten’ stat. As things stand, Van der Merwe has succeeded in outfoxing 61 defenders while Smith has bamboozled 49. Scarlets’ outside back, Steff Evans, has got past 37.

In terms of ‘clean breaks,’ the SA duo of van der Merwe and Smith rear their heads as the stat leaders once again. Van der Merwe has employed his quick feet to good use, executing 27 clean breaks. Smith has shot through a total of 18 gaps while Edinburgh’s Matt Scott has 16.

The evidence appears to be that Van der Merwe and Smith are the players to keep an eye on as the competition resumes as they appear to be owning the attacking scene with healthy contributions from the likes of Uzair Cassiem, Clayton Blommetjies, Steff Evans, Paul Boyle and Matt Scott as well. Here’s to hoping they pick up from where they left off.