Using the unique Opta Index, we pick our latest data-powered team of the week from across rugby‘s big three European leagues.
The festive period brought us plenty of rugby to enjoy, with the Premiership, TOP 14 and United Rugby Championship serving up a mix of big scorelines, tight tussles and shock results.
In the Premiership, the top two clubs had contrasting results. Bath handed a 14-man Saracens their biggest league defeat (68-10), while Bristol were humbled at home against Sale Sharks who kept the Bears scoreless for the first time since 2016.
Over in France, Stade Toulousain and Bordeaux-Begles continued to keep clear of the chasing pack with each picking up victory at the weekend. Bayonne form part of the chasing pack after they secured a ninth victory of 2024-25 to continue their fine start to the campaign.
The United Rugby Championship saw another round of derby fixtures, with Leinster keeping up their 100% record after a bonus-point win away to arch rivals Munster. The Dublin based outfit extended their lead at the top of the table thanks to Glasgow’s defeat to neighbours Edinburgh, who got revenge for their hammering at Hampden one week earlier.
Individually, 15 men stood out above the rest during the festive fixtures, according to the Opta Index. Our team of the week features players from 10 different teams, with Northampton Saints and Bath’s emphatic victories ensuring they each had three players make the XV.
Opta’s Star Player of the Week
Will Muir was this week’s star player, having had a big role in Bath’s win against Saracens. The winger crossed for three tries, the first Bath player to register a hat-trick in the Premiership in over a year, since Ben Spencer scored three against Newcastle Falcons in the opening round of the 2023-24 campaign.
It wasn’t just his try scoring that helped him stand out though, his overall output in attack caught the eye over the last few days. He gained 153 metres from his 17 carries, more than any other player across the big three European leagues, beating five defenders in the process.
His metres tally came thanks to his ability to find gaps in the defensive line, with his four line breaks the best of any player since Christmas. Even when he was tackled he was still a threat to the Saracens defence, making two offloads in a display that was worthy of his star player status.
It was an excellent win for Bath and one that will give them plenty of confidence going into the new year. Muir was right at the heart of it – why not compare his seasonal performance to other players across the big three European leagues with our Club Rugby Stats Hub.
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