United Rugby Championship

United Rugby Championship | Team Of The Week | Round 6

United Rugby Championship | Team Of The Week | Round 6

Discover the United Rugby Championship Round 6 Team of the Week, featuring top players’ standout performances, including Caelan Doris.

Oct 28, 2024 by Philip Bendon
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The United Rugby Championship Team of the Week for Round 6 features standout performances from players across the league. 

These 15 players delivered incredible performances that drove their teams to victory or gave them a fighting chance. 

From Gareth Thomas' commanding presence in the Ospreys' scrum to Ioan Lloyd’s brilliant playmaking at fullback for the Scarlets, each player on this list contributed significantly. 

This lineup highlights the depth of talent in the URC and showcases some rising stars who could be key figures in the international arena. Here’s a breakdown of their performances.

1. Gareth Thomas - Ospreys

A big-time performance by the experienced Welsh international against a fancied Edinburgh team on the road went a long way toward getting his team over the line. 

Getting the upper hand in a messy scrum battle, the 33 times-capped loosehead put himself front and center to start against Fiji on Nov. 10.

2.  Johnny Matthews – Glasgow Warriors

The truck keeps on trucking, as Glasgow’s try-scoring machine once again dotted down, helping his side claim a crucial win over the DHL Stormers in Stellenbosch. 

Completely outplaying his opposite numbers in their head-to-head matchups, the 31-year-old scouser served as a clear reminder that he is one of the very best in his position in the URC.

3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye – Emirates Lions

Finally playing like a man of his stature, the giant Lions tighthead obliterated the Leinster scrum single-handedly at times. 

In open play, his physicality was telling as he bumped off several would-be tacklers as his side’s key go-forward option. 

It is unsurprising that Toulouse reportedly is offering him a big-money salary for next season.

4. Eben Etzebeth – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Leading from the front, as he has done all of his career, the Sharks skipper melted several Munster ball carriers as he led the line in defense. 

One such hit saw him scoop up Munster tighthead Stephen Archer and drive him back the best part of 5 meters. 

Playing firmly on a razor edge with the offside line, Etzebeth’s intensity in defense inspires his teammates to push that bit further.

5. Teddy Williams – Cardiff Rugby

Overcoming a 19-point halftime deficit takes some doing, no matter what level of rugby you play. 

To do so against an in-form Ulster side showed exactly why Cardiff was tipped as the preseason favorite to win the Welsh Shield. 

Taking the fight to his Irish opponents, Williams had a hand in everything good his side did in its comeback.

6. Cian Prendergast – Connacht Rugby

Connacht’s young skipper may be the less-spoken-about member of his family, with younger brother Sam tipped as the next big thing at fly-half, but he is one heck of a rugby player in his own right. 

Slipping through contact for a brilliant try this weekend, Prendergast was at his menacing best. 

Often, his work can go unnoticed as an old-school No. 6, but when he does get on the ball, he is ultra-dynamic.

7. Vincent Tshituka – Hollywoodbets Sharks

From one set of brothers to the next, the Tshituka boys are having dominant seasons of their own. 

This time, it was older brother Vincent who, for our money, was close to being a man of the match against Munster. 

Regarded as somewhat of a nuisance to play against, the backrow wreaked havoc at the breakdown and was strong in the carry as the Sharks continued their ascent up the URC table.

8. Caelan Doris – Leinster Rugby

For fear of repeating ourselves, the Leinster and Ireland captain now is head and shoulders above the rest as the best No. 8 in the world. 

Against the undefeated Lions, he was unstoppable. He taught the highly touted Lions pack a lesson or two. 

When carrying the ball, his footwork before contact gets him in such a strong position to pump his legs that he always makes crucial meters.

9.  Grant Williams – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Like a thief in the night, the Sharks scrumhalf humiliated the Munster defense for his side’s first try. 

Spotting a gap around the ruck where Munster defenders should’ve been, the lightning-quick halfback broke before finding an on-rush Aphelele Fassi to get his team up and running in the opening minutes. 

All told, he was untouchable Saturday and should be regarded as the first choice for the Springboks.

10. Kade Wolhuter – Emirates Lions

It was a coming-of-age performance for the highly regarded 23-year-old who has returned from a stint in the Top 14 as a well-rounded playmaker. 

Possessing a huge boot, physicality at the line and a superb passing game, I’m not surprised to see Wolhuter in the green and gold of the Boks in the not-too-distant future.

11. Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors

What more can be written about the former Amazon employee (yes, that happened) than what already has been written? 

From his luscious mullet to his outlandish footballing skills, the Warriors winger is just so well-rounded. 

Finishing a superb effort against the Stormers, Rowe firmly entered the conversation as a starter for Scotland in November.

12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors

Scotland’s new captain was rightly awarded the Player of the Match award in Stellenbosch, where he handled the Stormers' defense with ease. 

Breaking tackles, distributing well and blitzing ball carriers, the center was a step above the competition on the weekend.

13. Jude Postlethwaite – Ulster Rugby  

One position Irish Rugby has been crying out for in terms of options has been the outside center berth, with Garry Ringrose clearly head and shoulders above the rest. 

Previously, it was Posthlewaite’s Ulster teammate, James Hume, who was tipped as a challenger to the Leister star’s throne. In reality, the ultra-physical Posthlewaite has leapfrogged all other contenders as a viable alternative who certainly has his best years ahead of him. 

While those around him disintegrated against Cardiff, the center looked the most likely to bring his team back into the contest. At 6’4” and over 100kg, he is built for the big time and should get the opportunity next season.

14. Shayne Bolton – Connacht Rugby

Continuing his meteoric rise up the ranks, the powerhouse winger had yet another big-time showing for the Galway side. Combining pace, footwork and a desire to dominate at the contact point, Bolton showed why he is in the wider Irish squad for November. 

Like Posthlewaite, you can expect to see him in the green jersey next season when the frontliners are away with the British and Irish Lions.

15. Ioan Lloyd – Scarlets

Shifting to fullback has been a masterstroke for the Scarlets playmaker, who links well with fellow youngster Sam Costelow as a double-headed distribution monster. 

Possessing enough pace to play in the outside backs, Lloyd brings a unique skillset to the fullback position with his ability to step in at first receiver. 

Against the Bulls, it was his kicking game that stood out, as he pinned back the powerful South African side.

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