15. Felix Jones - Following a lengthy injury, Jones has been slowly but surely getting back to the type of form that made him a strong contender for a 2011 World Cup place in the Ireland squad before his untimely injury occurred, and the full-back again caught the eye as Munster secured a comprehensive 31-3 victory over Glasgow.
14. Andrew Trimble - Responded well to being dropped from the Ireland side. Trimble played with a noticeable degree of confidence and showed both pace and intelligence for his intercept try that ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides, as Ulster beat Scarlets.
13. Gordon D’Arcy - Revelled in the open space afforded by the 13 jersey and a hesitant Zebre defence. Showed up on both wings to spark attacks, was strong in defence and set up Fergus McFadden for his first try with an offload that was all strength and vision.
12. Danie Poolman - The player, only recently signed by Connacht, scored a superb try in a spirited display, which would ultimately see his side endure a narrow one-point loss.
11. Fergus McFadden - Deservedly won the man-of-the-match award in Leinster’s home win. Knocked an early up-and-under forward but was brilliant thereafter. His break, flummoxing Mirco Bergamasco, set up the attacking platform for Andrew Conway’s try. Crossed for two scores of his own out wide and kicked a penalty and conversion.
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10. Jonathan Sexton – Only played 40 minutes but it was one of his best in blue this season. Solid place kicking, numerous line breaks, a stretched touch-down for Leinster’s second try and almost had assists in two other tries but for poor handling by teammates.
9. Paul Marshall - Marshall played the game with a conspicuous level of intelligence for the most part. There wasn’t too much that was flashy about his play, but Ulster merely needed a scrum-half who did the simple things well on account of the rainy surface on which they played, and Marshall consistently obliged.
(Ulster’s Paul Marshall clears the ball – INPHO/Huw Evans)
8. James Coughlan - You’d have never guessed Coughlan was returning from eight weeks out with injury the way he played. The number eight put in a good shift over the 70 minutes he was on the field and seemed to be involved in most of Munster’s attacking play.
7. Tommy O’Donnell - O’Donnell played a huge role in the province’s opening try before rumbling over for one of his own after 23 minutes. Had he not retired injured early in the second half, O’Donnell may well have been awarded the Man of the Match.
6. CJ Stander - The South African took advantage of his first full start for Munster with a two-try, Man of the Match performance. The sight of the flanker galloping in from a distance for his second try of the game was the highlight of a solid display for Munster.
5. Damien Browne - Gave himself every chance of starting against Clermont in the Heineken Cup after a dominant display in the second row. Made his presence felt with a number of crunching tackles and carried hard in his 60-minute outing.
4. Johann Muller - The Ulster captain produced a solid display on his return from injury, helping his side to win the scrum battle and playing a significant role in their astute decision-making in difficult conditions. Ulster consequently missed Muller’s leadership late on, as his replacement, Dan Tuohy, was sin-binned for a silly moment of ill-discipline.
3. BJ Botha - Botha, along with Sherry, helped Munster dominate at the scrum. Combined with Dave Kilcoyne’s showing, Rob Penney will be more than happy with the performance of his front row ahead of back-to-back Heineken Cup games.
2. Mike Sherry - The hooker was unlucky not to score Munster’s fourth try of the game when he was held up on the line by Rob Harley. However, three collapsed scrums later, Munster were awarded a penalty try and Sherry played a large role in that.
1. Callum Black – The game between Ulster and Scarlets was won and lost up front, and this was in no small part thanks to the efforts of the American-born prop, enabling the Irish side to consistently get the better of their opponents in the scrum.
PRO12 Team of the week
15. Felix Jones - Following a lengthy injury, Jones has been slowly but surely getting back to the type of form that made him a strong contender for a 2011 World Cup place in the Ireland squad before his untimely injury occurred, and the full-back again caught the eye as Munster secured a comprehensive 31-3 victory over Glasgow.
14. Andrew Trimble - Responded well to being dropped from the Ireland side. Trimble played with a noticeable degree of confidence and showed both pace and intelligence for his intercept try that ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides, as Ulster beat Scarlets.
13. Gordon D’Arcy - Revelled in the open space afforded by the 13 jersey and a hesitant Zebre defence. Showed up on both wings to spark attacks, was strong in defence and set up Fergus McFadden for his first try with an offload that was all strength and vision.
12. Danie Poolman - The player, only recently signed by Connacht, scored a superb try in a spirited display, which would ultimately see his side endure a narrow one-point loss.
10. Jonathan Sexton – Only played 40 minutes but it was one of his best in blue this season. Solid place kicking, numerous line breaks, a stretched touch-down for Leinster’s second try and almost had assists in two other tries but for poor handling by teammates.
9. Paul Marshall - Marshall played the game with a conspicuous level of intelligence for the most part. There wasn’t too much that was flashy about his play, but Ulster merely needed a scrum-half who did the simple things well on account of the rainy surface on which they played, and Marshall consistently obliged.
8. James Coughlan - You’d have never guessed Coughlan was returning from eight weeks out with injury the way he played. The number eight put in a good shift over the 70 minutes he was on the field and seemed to be involved in most of Munster’s attacking play.
7. Tommy O’Donnell - O’Donnell played a huge role in the province’s opening try before rumbling over for one of his own after 23 minutes. Had he not retired injured early in the second half, O’Donnell may well have been awarded the Man of the Match.
6. CJ Stander - The South African took advantage of his first full start for Munster with a two-try, Man of the Match performance. The sight of the flanker galloping in from a distance for his second try of the game was the highlight of a solid display for Munster.
5. Damien Browne - Gave himself every chance of starting against Clermont in the Heineken Cup after a dominant display in the second row. Made his presence felt with a number of crunching tackles and carried hard in his 60-minute outing.
3. BJ Botha - Botha, along with Sherry, helped Munster dominate at the scrum. Combined with Dave Kilcoyne’s showing, Rob Penney will be more than happy with the performance of his front row ahead of back-to-back Heineken Cup games.
2. Mike Sherry - The hooker was unlucky not to score Munster’s fourth try of the game when he was held up on the line by Rob Harley. However, three collapsed scrums later, Munster were awarded a penalty try and Sherry played a large role in that.
1. Callum Black – The game between Ulster and Scarlets was won and lost up front, and this was in no small part thanks to the efforts of the American-born prop, enabling the Irish side to consistently get the better of their opponents in the scrum.
Ireland to face France, Italy at 2015 Rugby World Cup>
‘It’s weeks like this you play rugby for’ – Sexton on Clermont challenge>
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Andrew Trimble BJ Botha CJ Stander danie poolman Felix Jones Gordon D'Arcy James Coughlan Paul Marshall picks Tommy O'Donnell