Round 1 of the BKT United Rugby Championship delivered some outstanding individual performances. We take a look at the best players by position from the weekend’s matches, with each side afforded a maximum of four representatives in the final XV.
15. Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma)
Scored one of Zebre's six tries in the 40-36 home defeat to Ulster and his 89 metres made were more than any other player on the pitch. He also led Zebre in clean breaks and offloads with two apiece while making 100 per cent of his attempted tackles.
14. Michael Lowry (Ulster)
Crossed for Ulster's second score in the 12-try thriller with Zebre while leading the Irish province with 69 metres made. His three clean breaks and four defenders beaten were also the most for his side.
13. Antoine Frisch (Munster)
Went over for one of his side's five tries and his three offloads led Munster as they began the defence of their URC title with a 34-21 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
12. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors)
Scored a try and was named player of the match in the 43-25 home win over Leinster. His eight defenders beaten was the most in the match and he led the Warriors with four offloads.
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
Stockdale started the season with a pair of tries as Ulster edged to victory over Zebre and his seven successful carries led the Irish province.
10. Ben Healy (Edinburgh)
Healy kicked five penalties and a conversion for a personal haul of 17 points on his Edinburgh debut to help them to a season-opening 22-17 win over the Dragons.
9. Caolin Blade (Connacht)
Launched the season with a hat-trick of tries in the 34-26 win over the Ospreys at The Sportsground and led his team with four clean breaks.
8. Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)
Turned in a man-of-the-match display on his Vodacom URC debut in the 63-21 win over the Scarlets and crossed for a first-half try double. His relentless running saw him lead the Bulls with seven successful carries and four defenders beaten.
7. Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
Another back-row forward to impress against the Scarlets, he led a dominant Bulls forward group with four clean breaks and 106 metres gained. His 14 tackles were the most on the pitch too.
6. Taine Plumtree (Scarlets)
Was a shining light for a Scarlets side well beaten in Pretoria and as well as crossing for a pair of tries on his URC debut, he also led the Scarlets with 52 metres gained and two clean breaks.
5. Joe Joyce (Connacht)
Joyce was part of a forward group that excelled against the Ospreys to pave the way to victory and he also led Connacht with two offloads.
4. Ruan Vermaak (Vodacom Bulls)
One of four members of a Bulls pack to make the team which emphasises the dominance they had up front to build the platform for a big opening victory over the Scarlets.
3. Jack Aungier (Connacht)
Connacht were impressive up front in their win over the Ospreys and Aungier was a key member when putting in a tireless shift.
2. Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls)
Grobbelaar was everywhere and crossed for a deserved try as the Bulls sent out an early-season marker in Pretoria against the Scarlets.
1. Rhys Carre (Cardiff)
Crossed for one of Cardiff's tries as they were beaten 23-22 at home by Benetton and his two turnovers won led the Welsh region.