There were standout performances across Europe’s big three leagues, but which players made our latest Team of the Week?
The Prem and URC both entered a second week, with players battling Storm Amy as well as their opponents, while Round 5 of the TOP 14 served up another feast of drama.
In the URC, reigning champions Leinster slipped to a second straight defeat, this time against the Bulls, who have taken 10 points from a possible 10 so far. Over in England, Bath and Saracens also have a perfect record, occupying the top two spots in Prem Rugby.
Meanwhile in France, ASM Clermont and US Montauban traded blows in an extraordinary 84-31 encounter – the highest-scoring match in TOP 14 history – while Bayonne continued their strong start by toppling the reigning champions to stay top with four wins from five.
But who were the individual stars of a weekend packed with drama? Using the Opta Index, here’s our latest European Rugby Team of the Week.
Opta’s Star Player of the Week
Nicolas Depoortère was a class apart during Bordeaux-Begles’ convincing win against Lyon, showcasing the power, precision, and polish that made him one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders last season.
Depoortère registered a try and an assist but it was his ball-carrying which really caught the eye. The 22-year-old gained 154 metres from his 12 carries, the most by any player across the three major leagues, and made all the more impressive given he plays at inside centre where space is often a little more limited. He also beat five defenders and made two line breaks in the process, adding two offloads for good measure to keep the Bordeaux attack flowing.
His performance underlined why Bordeaux’s backline remains one of the most potent in Europe, with Depoortère’s balanced running providing the spark on this occasion.
154 – @UBBrugby's Nicolas Depoortère gained 154 metres v Lyon, the most by any player in Europe's big three leagues at the weekend; in fact, it was the most by an inside centre in a @top14rugby game since Julian Savea gained 166 v Stade Français in October 2019. Electric. pic.twitter.com/XZACUPu5NG
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) October 6, 2025The Best of the Rest
Louis Bielle-Biarrey needs little introduction, and the electric winger was another standout in Bordeaux colours. The 22-year-old gained 122 metres, beat four defenders and scored twice – including one assisted by an excellent Depoortère break – picking up where he left off last season.
At fly-half, Matthieu Jalibert pulled the strings superbly for Bordeaux-Begles, registering three line-break assists and two try assists, both from kicks. With ball in hand he also broke the 100-metre mark, gaining 106 metres and beating eight defenders – no player in Europe beat more.
Jack Bracken continued to make his mark on the Prem Rugby stage for Saracens, scoring twice, gaining 117 metres and beating six defenders in an impressive attacking display.
However, it was his defensive contribution which really caught the eye. The young winger made an incredible 17 tackles – the joint-most by any winger in a Prem Rugby match since Opta have collected this data (since 2008/09). That ties him with Noah Heward, who hit the same mark for Worcester Warriors in 2020, also against Bristol Bears.
Up front, Amanaki Lelei Mafi put in a tireless shift for Newcastle Red Bulls, making 15 carries and 15 tackles in defeat to Exeter Chiefs. His combined total of 30 carries and tackles was the most of anyone in Prem Rugby at the weekend.
Mafi’s ball carrying in particular caught the eye. He made three line breaks – more than any other player, forward or back, in the English top flight – and gained 92 metres, the most of any forward in Europe. Get that man an energy drink.
The Opta Index takes into account the men who work tirelessly off the ball, including Leinster’s Alex Soroka who hit 35 rucks – more than any other player in the big three leagues at the weekend – and Afolabi Fasogbon who hit the joint-most in Prem Rugby (34, also Ross Molony).
Unfortunately, there was no room for Rory Hutchinson, who ranked seventh overall on the Opta Index but was edged out by Depoortère, while in a rare quirk, all three players who scored hat-tricks at the weekend missed out on selection.
Tom Bowen (Cardiff), Kieran Marmion (Bristol) and last week’s player of the round Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter) all proved that standout scoring feats alone weren’t enough to crack this week’s top XV.
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European Rugby Team of the Week: Depoortère Dominates in Combined Prem, TOP 14 and URC XV Opta Analyst.
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