With the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour getting closer all the time – it pays to keep an eye out for who is turning in the big performances.
As part of a weekly feature on the site – we wrap up the action across Europe this weekend and pick out some stand-out performances across the four countries for you to consider.
TOP POINTS SCORERS
There were plenty of potential British & Lions with their kicking boots on across the weekend but the most impressive was Leinster fly-half Ian Madigan.
The Irishman booted 20 points as Leinster recorded their first win in Europe this term – a 25-11 triumph over Bath.
Freddie Burns also led his Leicester Tigers to a convincing victory as his 15 points helped them down Treviso 47-7, while Ospreys battled their way to a 21-13 win over Clermont-Auvergne thanks largely to the 15 points of Sam Davies.
And a 2013 British & Irish Lion was also on form as Owen Farrell’s 13 points saw Saracens do the double over Ulster with a 33-17 win at Allianz Park.
TOP TRY SCORERS
John Muldoon may only have won three Ireland caps in his career but the back-rower is a Connacht legend and cemented that status with a pair of tries this weekend.
He barrelled over twice at Stade Amedee-Domenech although ultimately couldn’t stop Brive recording a 21-18 win thanks to a last-gasp Thomas Laranjeira penalty.
Cardiff Blues full-back Dan Fish was also in fine try-scoring form despite a losing effort as the Welshman dotted down twice in their 34-26 loss to Harlequins.
Meanwhile, Munster beat Stade Francais 26-13 with 2009 British & Irish Lion Keith Earls and 2013 Lion Simon Zebo both crossing the whitewash.
TOP TACKLERS
Ferocious tackling will be a pre-requisite if the Lions are to beat New Zealand in 2017 and a slew of forwards showed their capability in that department this weekend.
Gloucester’s Jacob Rowan and Ospreys’ Lloyd Ashely topped the charts with an incredible 23 tackles apiece while Sam Jones’ 22 for Wasps was no less impressive.
And two-time British & Irish Lion Alun Wyn Jones showed he is as good as ever as he made 20 stops for Ospreys in their win over Clermont.
TOP METRE MAKERS
There was some breathtaking running rugby on display across western Europe this weekend but no-one made more metres than Newport Gwent Dragons winger Hallam Amos.
The Welshman was making his return from a shoulder injury and scored a try within 50 seconds of Dragons’ 31-18 win over Castres, going on to make 114 metres.
London Irish speedster Alex Lewington took flight for 112m against Grenoble while Harlequins and England full-back Mike Brown notched 108 metres.
Billy Twelvetrees went on the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour and staked his claim for a place in 2017 with 104 metres for Gloucester.
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