15. James Wilson (Northampton Saints)
It was exhibition stuff from Northampton against Treviso and at the heart of it was the classy Kiwi Wilson. Some of his handling was utterly sublime and while he didn’t cross the line himself, he was instrumental in the build-up to several of the Saints’ 11 tries. Mention to Anthony Watson who was a real livewire for Bath.

14. Ken Pisi (Northampton Saints)
Two of his tries were regulation finishes but the third was a gem, and besides Pisi looked so dangerous every time he got the ball. Sure, they were up against a flaky Treviso defence, but you still have to score the tries and Pisi did just that. Mention to fellow hat-trick hero Matt Banahan.

13. Ben Jacobs (Wasps)
You can’t really argue with two tries and two assists. Both his scores were fairly opportunistic, but did showcase good footwork and pace, and his passing was pinpoint all day – which allowed the likes of Varndell outside him to thrive.

12. Ian Madigan (Leinster)
It wasn’t a vintage weekend for inside centres, so Madigan gets the nod for mostly keeping his composure to kick important penalties, especially when his opposite number couldn’t do the same thing. That he makes the team despite such an outrageously bad hairstyle says much for the low standard of inside centre play this weekend.

11. Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne)
Nakaitaci may not have scored as many tries as other wingers this weekend, but the one he did score, was a thing of real beauty. After a quick line-out, he found himself in space and ghosted through the defensive line, before jinking past the remaining Munstermen on his way to a superb try.

10. Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne)
Sure there were a few missed kicks that detracted from Lopez’s performance, but overall it was another overwhelmingly positive outing for the French fly-half, who has been a revelation this season. Playing behind the brutally physical Clermont pack, he controlled the game well and showed flashes of brilliance in attack.

9. Sebastien Bézy (Toulouse)
If Lopez was off radar from the tee, the same cannot be said for Bézy, who nailed four from four. And it turned out to be crucial, as opposition kicker Finn Russell only finished with a 50% success rate, which ultimately was where the difference came. Another assured performance from the young half-back.

1. Rob Evans (Scarlets)
It was an immense scrummaging performance from Evans, who forced Ulster’s Declan Fitzpatrick to concede five penalties and eventually a yellow card from the set-piece, all of which allowed Priestland to thump the Scarlets into what turned out to be an unassailable lead and keep their European hopes alive. Uncompromising stuff.

2. Duncan Casey (Munster)
Sure, the lineout wobbled on occasion but Casey’s reading of the play to intercept Lee’s pass, and subsequent show of pace to reach the line, gave his side the crucial score that brought them back into bonus point realm. Super stuff from the hooker.

3. Census Johnstone (Toulouse)
The giant Samoan absolutely munched Ryan Grant in the scrums, forcing the Scot to concede three set piece penalties. Johnstone also chipped in with 10 tackles made and none missed to complete a superb shift.

4. George Kruis (Saracens)
Saracens’ win over Sale wasn’t the prettiest at the best of times, but that won’t have bothered Kruis who was brutally physical amongst a pack that ultimately won the game for their side.

5. Ali Williams (Toulon)
A try and an assist were the rewards for a barnstorming performance from Williams, who outplayed old sparring partner Brad Thorn with ease. Some of his handling was a joy to behold from such a big man – he made more passes than the Tigers’ centres combined, in fact.

6. Damien Chouly (Clermont Auvergne)
It was a case of captain fantastic for Clermont, as Chouly crossed twice for his side to give them an unassailable lead against Munster. He summed up the power element of their game perfectly, dovetailing gloriously with the flair in the backs.

7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
It may have been ultimately in a losing cause, but Tipuric’s contribution against Racing Métro was out of the top draw for the second week in a row. He made a game high 16 tackles, was a good source of possession at the lineout and gave a couple of nice passes with ball in hand.

8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Hughes just cannot stop scoring tries. Most centres would have proud of his effort at the weekend, as he picked a glorious line to break through the Castres defence, before sidestepping the fullback and crashing over. Mention to Toulon’s Chris Masoe and Saracens’ Billy Vunipola who were similarly immense.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images