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URC team of the week: Irish provinces back with a bang

Updated / Monday, 28 Nov 2022 06:39
Rob Russell scored a hat-trick in Leinster's win over Glasgow
Rob Russell scored a hat-trick in Leinster's win over Glasgow

There were some dazzling individual displays and a couple of big shocks as the BKT United Rugby Championship returned.

Leinster and Ulster maintained their dominant starts with landslide victories while Munster broke their derby duck with a bonus-point success against Connacht.

The DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls picked up where they left off before the international break while there were superb wins for Benetton and Cardiff, the latter thumping the Sharks 35-0 in Durban.

15. Stewart Moore (Ulster)

Moore stepped his way through four defenders to grab Ulster's bonus-point try against Zebre.

The 23-year-old looks more comfortable at full-back with each passing game and further showcased his versatility by stepping in at scrum-half while Nathan Doak was in the bin.

14. Rob Russell (Leinster)

It is six tries in appearances for Russell after he scored his first professional hat-trick in the win over Glasgow.

The 23-year-old clearly has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. He took Charlie Ngatai’s brilliant pass for his first before reading Luke McGrath’s blindside snipe and running a good support line for his second, while Chris Cosgrave’s jinking run allowed him to make it a treble.

13. Antoine Frisch (Munster)

The French centre shone on his first URC start as Munster avenged last month’s loss to Connacht in Galway.

Frisch produced some lovely touches as Munster carved Connacht open on a number of occasions, while there was also a big ball strip on opposite number Tom Farrell. Munster’s attack remains a work in progress but there were definitely green shoots on Saturday night.

12. Dan du Plessis (DHL Stormers)

Du Plessis beat a team-leading six defenders as the URC champions ran in four first-half tries against the Scarlets.

The 27-year-old crossed for his side’s fifth try within a minute of the restart to put the game to bed.

11. David Kriel (Vodacom Bulls)

Kriel bagged a brace against the Ospreys as the Bulls maintained their impressive start to the season with a seven-try victory.

The wing acrobatically finished off a slick lineout move to open the scoring, and then seized on a loose ruck ball to combine with Lionel Mapoe for his second.

Kriel made four clean breaks against the Welsh strugglers, beating six defenders.

10. Jordan Hendrikse (Emirates Lions)

The 21-year-old scored 21 points as the Lions snapped a two-game losing streak in Johannesburg against the Dragons.

Hendrikse was handed the No 10 shirt ahead of Gianni Lombard and justified his selection by kicking three penalties, two conversions and a drop-goal, while he spun over for his side’s third try.

9. Dewaldt Duvenage (Benetton)

The scrum-half had a hand in all four of Benetton’s tries as they made light of their numerical disadvantage to upset Edinburgh.

The Italians had Matteo Minozzi dismissed inside 10 minutes, and even had two spells with 13 players, but Duvenage’s game management saw them not only win the game, but also pick up a try bonus point.

The South African’s passing was on point while a lovely chip over the top put Rhyno Smith in for their fourth try.

1. Rhys Carre (Cardiff)

Wayne Pivac’s decision to omit Carre for the autumn Tests is looking all the more ludicrous. The loosehead was outstanding for 68 minutes in a soaking Durban.

Carre was in the middle of mauls, hit rucks and was solid at scrum time to help Cardiff claim a stunning win over the Sharks and lift some of the gloom around the Welsh rugby.

2. Tom Stewart (Ulster)

Stewart continued his fine start to the season with a two-try showing against Zebre.

The hooker crossed early on in both halves off lineout drives and was busy with ball in hand as Ulster eased to a one-sided win.

3. John Ryan (Munster)

Ryan crossed for a try within 10 minutes of his introduction against Connacht and shored up a creaking scrum as they claimed a much-needed victory.

He marked his introduction by combining with John Hodnett to win a turnover and was at the front of the maul that resulted in fellow replacement Niall Scannell touching down for the bonus-point try.

4. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton)

The Italy lock powered over from close range for Benetton’s third try against Edinburgh and led a dogged defensive effort as the outnumbered Italians claimed their fourth win of the season.

5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster)

Saturday’s derby was Beirne’s fourth start in four weeks but his high standards show no signs of slipping.

Brilliant at the breakdown, Beirne also formed part of a strong Munster maul that delivered two of their four tries.

6. Nizaam Carr (Vodacom Bulls)

Carr scored a try on a barnstorming return to Bulls colours against the Ospreys.

Back in Pretoria after his second stint with Wasps ended in abrupt fashion, the flanker’s link-up play and breakdown work was excellent, while he produced pace, power and a nice step to beat two defenders and finish in the corner for the Bulls’ second try.

7. Thomas Young (Cardiff)

Young was the best player on the park as Cardiff nilled the Sharks. The openside’s kick and chase earned his side a penalty try and he crossed for two tries either side of the interval to put them on course for a big win that lifted them up to sixth in the standings.

8. Max Deegan (Leinster)

Deegan delivered another excellent 80-minute display at the RDS, making seven successful carries as he racked up 57 metres with ball in hand.

Watch Connacht v Benetton live on RTÉ1 and RTÉ Player from 2.45pm on Saturday

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