In many ways, the sensible thing would have been to simply insert Toulouse’s entire team onto this list after another supernatural performance from the defending champions, but ultimately diplomacy reigned supreme in Shaun Goosen’s weeks two ToTW.
Front rankers: Andrew Porter (Leinster), Julian Montoya (Leicester Tigers) and Kyle Sinckler (Toulon)
Porter’s work rate on both sides of the ball against Clermont was superb and he finished with 14 tackles and three carries across the gainline. Argentina captain Montoya crossed over twice against the Hollywoodbets Sharks from the back of some dominant driving mauls, while he also hit all six of his darts at the lineout – he even managed a try assist. Sinckler tackled 16 times in a solid Toulon scrummaging performance.
Honourable mention: Julien Marchand (Toulouse)
Second row: Thibaud Flament (Toulouse) and James Ryan (Leinster)
Flament’s lineout prowess is ridiculous, particularly when competing for opposition ball, and he showed that again at Sandy Park while also scoring one of his side’s 10 tries. Ryan had a busy 80-minute shift against Clermont, carrying for 55 metres, making two clean breaks and 12 tackles.
Honourable mention: George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
Back row: John Hodnett (Munster), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) and Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
Hodnett bagged a brace and made 12 tackles in a losing cause for Munster. Curry was highly influential against Racing, scoring a try, winning two turnovers and making 16 tackles for the Mancunian club. Never one to shy away from the tryline, Dombrandt bagged a hattrick in Quins’ rout of the Stormers while also assisting two more tries and making nine hits on defence.
Honourable mentions: Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Jack Willis, Francois Cros (both Toulouse)
Halfbacks: Danny Care (Harlequins) and Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Veteran Care rolled back the years with a commanding performance at scrumhalf, scoring one try, assisting two more and even winning a turnover. Pollard was named Man of the Match for the Tigers in a display that saw him rack up 16 points thanks to a try and six conversions in a flawless goal-kicking performance.
Honourable mentions: Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack (both Toulouse), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
Midfield: Solomone Kata (Leicester Tigers) and Pierre-Louis Barassi (Toulouse)
An ever-present danger with ball in hand, the Tongan Kata scored a try, won a turnover, made 10 hits on defence and carried for 59 metres in a devastating showing against the Sharks. Man of the Match Barassi bagged two on the weekend, with his partnership with Chocobares causing havoc for Chiefs.
Honourable mention: Santi Chocobares (Toulouse)
Back three: Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints) and Jordie Barrett (Leinster)
Not to be outdone by teammate Dombrandt, Murley’s sublime finishing saw him match the back rower’s three-try game at the Stoop while Freeman touched down twice at Loftus. Meanwhile, some are already calling Barrett the “signing of the season” after the versatile All Blacks international had another blinder in the colours of his new club, scoring his second try in two games and carrying for a massive 128 metres. Could he be the missing ingredient Leinster have been looking for?
Honourable mention: Matthis Lebel, Thomas Ramos (both Toulouse)
