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URC team of the week: Irish trio enjoy impressive away wins

Updated / Monday, 31 Oct 2022 15:54
James Hume (second from right) celebrates after scoring Ulster's third try against Munster
James Hume (second from right) celebrates after scoring Ulster's third try against Munster

All four Irish provinces are well represented in our team of the week as the BKT United Rugby Championship signed off in style ahead of the November internationals.

Four Ulster players make the cut after their one-point win over Munster, who produced a gutsy second-half fightback at Thomond Park, while Connacht and league leaders Leinster both registered impressive away victories in Wales.

15. John Porch (Connacht)

The Australian scored his first try of the season as Connacht came from 12 points down to win away to the Ospreys.

Porch switched to full-back after Tiernan O'Halloran was forced off injured and helped inspire a spirited fightback in Swansea.

He crossed for Connacht’s third try from close range and made six successful carries along with a couple of offloads.

14. Sebastian Cancelliere (Glasgow Warriors)

The Puma scored a try and had another chalked off as a rampant Glasgow nilled Benetton at Scotstoun.

Cancelliere profited from Jamie Dobie’s chip over the top to score Glasgow’s second try and he scythed through the Benetton defence during the second half for a lovely individual effort, only for the TMO to rule the try out for a forward pass in the build-up.

13. James Hume (Ulster)

Hume made a welcome return from injury with a try against Munster. The Ireland international combined well with Luke Marshall in midfield and brushed off two defenders to score Ulster’s third try on half-time.

Hume outshone opposite number Malakai Fekitoa and will look to continue their form when he lines out for Ireland 'A’ against a New Zealand XV on Friday.

12. David Hawkshaw (Connacht)

Connacht’s player of the season to date? Hawkshaw once again delivered in spades as the Westerners picked up their first away win of the campaign, and he edges out Edinburgh’s Chris Dean.

His defence has impressed in recent weeks and this time it was his attacking game that caught the eye. He made a powerful break downfield for Connacht’s second try, which included a neat give-and-go with centre partner Tom Farrell.

Hawkshaw made two clean breaks on Saturday night and beat four defenders, while also making some vital interventions in defence.

11. David Richards (Dragons)

Richards won’t be forgetting his first league start for the Dragons in a hurry. The 23-year-old crossed for a try in each half as they crushed Zebre Parma by 40 points at Rodney Parade.

Richards pounced on a stray pass on halfway to race downfield for his side’s second try and he produced a spectacular finish in the corner for his second with 15 minutes remaining as the Dragons headed into the international break on the back of successive wins.

10. Jack Crowley (Munster)

Having impressed at full-back against Leinster, Crowley moved back to 10 against Ulster and took his game to another level.

The 22-year-old continued the excellent form he produced with Emerging Ireland by helping drag Munster back into the contest. Crowley mixed up his game brilliantly to keep the Ulster defence guessing, carrying to the line and showing good distribution skills.

He kicked two penalties and had a hand in Shane Daly’s try, only to see a difficult conversion attempt come back off the post. A missed tackle for Hume’s try will also rankle.

9. Caolin Blade (Connacht)

Blade joined the Ireland ‘A’ squad on Monday brimming with confidence after leading Connacht to a crucial comeback win over the Ospreys.

The scrum-half started and finished a brilliant attacking move off a scrum from inside their own half, Blade dummying over from close range.

He also provided assists for both of Connacht’s other tries, teeing up Alex Wootton and John Porch.

1. Aki Seiuli (Dragons)

The Samoa international set the tone with a big ball steal and break from inside his own half on eight minutes to put Rhodri Williams over for the opening try.

Seiuli formed part of a dominant home pack that overpowered Zebre at set-piece time and was central to their mauling game.

Special mention to Rory Sutherland, who won three turnovers on his Ulster debut after being introduced at half-time.

2. Tom Stewart (Ulster)

Stewart is a player to watch with Ireland in November after another barnstorming performance at Thomond Park.

Ulster’s driving maul created all three first-half tries, with Stewart’s darts on the money. The hooker crossed for Ulster’s second try and was inches away from a second before half-time, with James Hume crossing a couple of phases later.

Stewart led the way with 10 successful carries and six defenders beaten, but will be annoyed by some wayward lineout throws as the game wore on.

3. Marty Moore (Ulster)

Marty Moore spoke to RTÉ Sport after his player-of-the-match performance in Ulster's win over Munster

Moore continued his excellent start to the season with an all-action 80-minute display against Munster.

The 31-year-old was strong in the set-piece and defence, making 17 tackles which included a big hit on Edwin Edogbo, and he also showed some deft touches in attack.

Moore deservedly won the player of the match award and looks on course to win his first Ireland cap since 2015 in the coming weeks.

4. Edwin Edogbo (Munster)

Edogbo shone in an inexperienced Munster pack, making a lung-busting 17 tackles and winning two turnovers.

The 19-year-old is only five games into his senior career but already looks at home. The lock produced another mature performance against Ulster, showcasing his power and leadership qualities.

5. Alan O’Connor (Ulster)

The Ulster captain had a hand in all three of his side’s first-half tries in Limerick. O’Connor spearheaded a driving maul that created scores for Jordi Murphy and Tom Stewart, while he stepped in at scrum-half for their third try as his pass allowed Billy Burns to put Hume over.

6. Rhys Ruddock (Leinster)

Leinster’s Mr Dependable delivered another player-of the-match display as an understrength side went to Parc y Scarlets and made it seven wins from seven.

Ruddock’s leadership qualities were evident throughout the 30-point victory, where constantly put his hand up for hard carries and worked his socks off in the tight.

7. Scott Penny (Leinster)

No try for Penny this week but there were a team-leading 21 tackles as the openside helped keep the Scarlets scoreless for the final 60 minutes.

8. Sione Vailanu (Glasgow Warriors)

The Tonga international enjoyed a home debut to remember by scoring two tries against Benetton.

Vailanu opened the scoring in spectacular fashion when he sped away from an unguarded ruck near halfway and sold Giacomo Da Re a dummy before diving over the line.

His second came on the hour courtesy of a powerful lineout drive.

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