The business end of the domestic season is just around the corner with the play-offs in the Guinness PRO14 starting next week and the final round of regular season action taking place in the France and England.
In a crucial round of matches this weekend, plenty of players stood out across Europe and we have picked out some of the top statistical performers. PICA ON FIRE It is hard to look past France No.8 Louis Picamoles after he played a leading role in Montpellier’s 45-13 victory over Pau that clinched top spot in the Top 14.
Picamoles grabbed a late try as part of a strong back-row performance with France teammates Kelian Galletier and Fulgence Ouedraogo.
And while he will not be part of France’s summer tour to New Zealand – the No.8 will undergo an operation on an outstanding injury – Picamoles made a huge impact in this game.
His 84 metres and three clean breaks would be impressive for a three-quarter, let alone a No.8, while he also chipped in with a couple of offloads and took his season try tally to 11.
Picamoles made exactly the same number of metres as Wales winger George North, whose Northampton team went to Wasps, for whom Elliot Daly made 99 metres.
However it was Italy full-back Jayden Hayward who was the standout metre-maker among NatWest 6 Nations players with 125 in Benetton Rugby’s defeat to Zebre. Selected top metre-makers Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby) – 125 Elliot Daly (Wasps) – 99 Louis Picamoles (Montpellier) – 84 George North (Northampton Saints) – 84 BEATING DEFENDERS FOR FUN In the Guinness PRO14, the Scarlets clinched second place in Conference B with a convincing win over the Dragons and Wales winger Steff Evans was a key part of that.
His seven defenders beaten was the same number managed by Ireland centre Bundee Aki as Connacht finished their season on a high with victory over Leinster.
Matteo Minozzi was not far behind with six for Zebre in their win over Benetton, while Virimi Vakatawa continued his fine form for Racing 92 with five defenders beaten, and an offload that set up Teddy Thomas for a try. Selected defenders beaten Steff Evans (Scarlets) – 7 Bundee Aki (Connacht) – 7 Matteo Minozzi (Zebre) – 6 Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92) – 5 Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets) – 5 Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors) – 5 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) – 5 Liam Williams (Saracens) – 5 Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 5 TOP NOTCH DEFENCE Conditions in some parts of Europe made attacking difficult in some places, while there were plenty of players who showed their defensive commitment.
That was clear in Cardiff where the Blues made a remarkable 253 tackles in their 26-23 defeat to the Ospreys, with Gareth Anscombe making 19 tackles from fly-half.
That was not top of the pile though, Kevin Gourdon and Taulupe Faletau made 22 apiece for La Rochelle and Bath respectively. Selected top tacklers Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle) – 22 made, 2 missed Taulupe Faletau (Bath) – 22, 2 Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) – 19, 1 Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 18, 1 Yoann Maestri (Toulouse) – 17, 3 Jack Conan (Leinster) – 17, 1
