This weekend saw the big three European leagues all take place on the same weekend for the first time in over a month– we take a look at the standout players.
The Autumn Nations Series reached its conclusion this weekend, with just one match taking place in the final round of action as Ireland narrowly defeat the Wallabies.
As such, the focus of many fans across Europe and South Africa switched to club rugby as the Premiership and United Rugby Championship both returned, with the TOP 14 blowing the cobwebs off one week earlier.
The return of the big three European leagues also signals the return of the Opta Team of the Week, which this time features players from 12 different sides.
There were some incredible performances from players across Europe and South Africa, but only 15 can make the XV. Let’s find out who the Opta Index selected.
Opta’s Star Player of the Week
Gabriel Ibitoye is this week’s star player and he (once again) gave Steve Borthwick something to think about between now and the Six Nations with a scintillating performance for Bristol Bears.
The Bristol winger gained the most metres of any player in the Premiership at the weekend and was one of three players to make a round-high three line breaks in the English top flight.
He was also just one of three players in the league to both score and assist a try at the weekend, alongside teammate Kieran Marmion and Newcastle’s Alex Hearle.
The Best of the Rest
Newcastle’s victory at the weekend was their first against Saracens in the league since 2009, and Philip van der Walt’s performance epitomised the work rate put in by the Falcons on Friday night.
Playing in the second row, Van der Walt made 26 tackles – the most by any player in the Premiership at the weekend. On top of that he ran with the ball on 10 occasions and recorded 27 breakdown arrivals, with his combined tally of 63 carries, tackles and rucks the most of any player in Europe.
Canan Moodie came close to pipping Ibitoye for the star player accolade, following a sensational attacking performance against Connacht. Along with scoring and assisting a try for the Bulls, he made four line breaks, the most of any player across the big three leagues.
His tally of 193 metres gained was also the most of any player and over 50 more than any other player has managed in a URC match so far this season, surpasing the 138 metres gained by Duhan van der Merwe against Cardiff in October.
Benjamin Urdapilleta was at his creative best for Clermont Auvergne as they hammered Castres Olympique in the TOP 14. As well as assisting a try, he recorded four line break assists – the most of any player in Europe at the weekend.
He was equally as dangerous with ball in hand, gaining 63 metres when he decided to carry, which was the most by any fly-half in the big three leagues.
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