European Rugby Team of the Week: Louis Lynagh Leads the Way in Combined Prem, TOP 14 and URC XV ...Middle East

News by : (The Analyst) -

Our rugby experts cast an eye over the weekend’s action and pick out their standout XV, with the help of the Opta Index.

There was a feast of rugby over the weekend, with the ‘big three’ European leagues all beginning to take shape as the international period looms on the horizon.

The Prem Rugby Derby Weekend was played with the level of ferocity one would expect when neighbours compete for bragging rights, with some close contests that ultimately saw all five home sides claim victory over their rivals. Three games in and reigning champions Bath are the only side with a 100% record intact, also picking up three bonus points along the way.

URC title holders Leinster got their season back on track with a 31-5 dismantling of the Sharks, however, it’s 2022 champions the Stormers who are top of the pile, with Munster the only other side with a 3/3 record.

Over in France, Toulouse once again got the better of their final opponents from last season, Bordeaux-Begles. However, there was no extra-time required this time around as they condemned UBB to a resounding 56-13 defeat and moved to second in the rankings, behind only Section Paloise, who they face next.

A good weekend for the big-hitters all in all, but which players stood out across Europe? Using the Opta Index, let’s delve into our Team of the Week.

Opta’s Star Player of the Week

Louis Lynagh was in electric form as his four-try haul helped Benetton to a second successive URC victory and launched the Italian side into the play-off places, where they’ll be keen to remain for some time yet. While their two-point win against Glasgow Warriors last week was as nail-biting as they come, their 41-15 victory against the Lions in Round 3 was more of a showcase in attacking efficiency, spearheaded by the imperious Lynagh.

The Treviso-born winger became the first player to score four tries in a URC match since Dan Sheehan did so against Benetton in September 2022, and the first ever to do so for an Italian side. It’s now five tries in three URC games for Lynagh this season, having gone scoreless in six last term before injury curtailed his campaign in December.

The 141 metres he gained also represented his highest tally in a domestic or European game, either with Benetton or his former employers Harlequins.

He’s set to face Australia in Italy’s opening Test of the 2025 Quilter Nations Series this November. While his father Michael and brother Tom have helped the Wallaby cause in different eras, if Lynagh keeps this form up, he could prove quite the problem for Joe Schmidt’s side.

4 – @BenettonRugby's Louis Lynagh is the first player to score four tries in a @URCOfficial game since Dan Sheehan did so against Benetton in September 2022, and the first ever to do so for an Italian side. Lightning. pic.twitter.com/N1v1HAZHL4

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 14, 2025

The Best of the Rest

Lynagh may have been the star player thanks largely to his try-scoring efforts, but his teammate on the other wing for Benetton was just as dangerous against the Lions.

Ignacio Mendy gained 202 metres against the Johannesburg side, the first player to gain 200+ metres in a URC match in three years (Rio Dyer, 205 vs Ospreys in Oct 2022) and just the fifth overall in the competition since Opta have collected this data.

Mendy also beat 12 defenders in the process, more than any other player in a URC fixture since the beginning of last season. He may not have forced his way onto the scoresheet but a couple of try assists capped a fine outing for the Argentinian flyer.

Freddie Steward took the number 15 jersey in our team thanks to a spirited display in defeat to Northampton Saints. His tally of 18 carries was the joint most of any back in Europe’s big three leagues at the weekend, while his 139m gain was a match-high for anyone in Prem Rugby. Three line breaks, three defenders beaten and a try secured his place in our lineup.

It’s rarely a surprise to see a Toulouse number nine in a Team of the Week, although with Antoine Dupont not yet back from injury, it is his backup Paul Graou who made his way into our side.

The 28-year-old was one of just five players to both score and assist a try in the TOP 14 at the weekend, while his four line break assists were the most of any player in the French top flight as he helped his side carve open Bordeaux-Begles time and time again.

Another player to both score and assist at the weekend was Kalvin Gourgues, who also did so for Toulouse. At just 20 years old, the French centre is one for the future and he put in a real shift in both attack and defence against Bordeaux-Begles. In fact, he was the only back to make more than 10 carries and more than 10 tackles in the TOP 14 (13 carries, 11 tackles).

In the pack, Bath’s Ewan Richards and Munster’s Michael Milne both made our team, being the only forwards to score more than once at the weekend and taking the number four and number one shirts respectively.

Joining Richards in the second row was Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu, who dotted down for a try against the Bulls and made four offloads – no forward made more across Europe’s big three leagues.

Sam Simmonds (100m) and Morgan Morse (77m) gained the most metres of any forwards in Europe at the weekend and made up two thirds of our back row as a result, with Simmonds’ tally of nine defenders beaten also being a match-high for the men up front.

Of course, not every electric performance can secure a spot in our XV and the curse of the hat-trick struck once again this week, with Tom Roebuck’s trio of tries not being quite enough to cement a place in our lineup after an incredible display for Sale against Newcastle. There’s always next week.

Check out our other Rugby Union content on Opta Analyst. You can also follow our social accounts over on X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

European Rugby Team of the Week: Louis Lynagh Leads the Way in Combined Prem, TOP 14 and URC XV Opta Analyst.

Hence then, the article about european rugby team of the week louis lynagh leads the way in combined prem top 14 and urc xv was published today ( ) and is available on The Analyst ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( European Rugby Team of the Week: Louis Lynagh Leads the Way in Combined Prem, TOP 14 and URC XV )

Last updated :

Also on site :

Most Viewed News
جديد الاخبار