Another thrilling week of URC action saw front-row dominance, Glasgow’s backline precision, and Cardiff’s pack asserting control across the field. Here’s this week’s XV, selected from performance data, rankings, and overall impact.
🏆 Player of the Week: Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 84.3
A commanding, complete performance. Brown led every key category — carrying, contact, tackling — and set the tone for Glasgow’s dominant defensive performance. His work rate was unmatched.
1. Loosehead Prop — Danny Southworth (Cardiff Blues) – 76.1
Southworth topped the carrying and placement charts among props, combining power and accuracy in contact. With 10 possessions and top-3 rankings across carry and contact metrics, his performance reflects both work rate and precision — a relentless anchor in Cardiff’s dominant front row.
2. Hooker — Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls) – 77.1
Grobbelaar was everywhere — 25 possessions, strong in ruck and tackle counts, and clinical in set-piece execution. His rating was built on precise lineout throwing and top-3 discipline, anchoring the Bulls’ set piece.
3. Tighthead Prop — Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions) – 77.9
A force in every metric — #1 in carrying, contact, and possession involvement. His 3.4 speed grade and 3.1 physicality underline why he’s one of the league’s most dynamic front-rowers.
4. Lock — James Ratti (Ospreys) – 78.7
All-round consistency again from Ratti, who ranked top-3 across carry, contact, and ruck metrics. Mixed set-piece stability with a high work rate around the park.
5. Lock — Fineen Wycherley (Munster Rugby) – 74.8
Wycherley was rock-solid — dependable in lineout, hard-hitting in defense, and quietly influential in ruck accuracy. The kind of unseen work that builds Munster momentum.
6. Blindside Flanker — Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 84.3
Dominant everywhere — #1 in carrying, contact, and tackling. Brown’s combination of power, speed, and breakdown control led to the highest grade of the round. Glasgow’s tempo and territorial control stemmed directly from his work.
7. Openside Flanker — Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby) – 73.1
Leinster’s talisman added poise and precision. With top-3 rankings in speed and contact efficiency, his breakdown pressure and defensive reads were vital in a close contest.
8. Number 8 — Alun Lawrence (Cardiff Blues) – 78.6
Lawrence was colossal — 26 possessions, 22 contacts, and top marks for placement accuracy and physicality. His carrying volume and consistency gave Cardiff front-foot ball all match long.
9. Scrum-Half — George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 82.1
Electric tempo and sharp decision-making. 26 carries with #1 speed onto ball, plus top-3 ranks in passing and counter-rucking. A complete display from one of the most efficient nines in the league.
10. Fly-Half — Callum Sheedy (Cardiff Blues) – 78.3
Controlled, clinical, and confident — 47 possessions and flawless distribution. Sheedy managed territory beautifully, adding smart defensive positioning and accurate kicking under pressure.
11. Left Wing — James Lowe (Leinster Rugby) – 80.7
Lowe delivered a trademark all-action game — 22 possessions, 5.8 meters after contact, and top-tier aerial control. A complete performance that balanced power and skill.
12. Inside Centre — Keiran Williams (Ospreys) – 72.0
Direct, aggressive, and effective. Ranked #1 across carry, contact, and placement accuracy, forcing five missed tackles and setting the tone for Ospreys’ midfield collisions.
13. Outside Centre — Aneurin Owen (Dragons) – 75.3
Balanced both sides of the ball — incisive in attack, assured in defense. His top-5 rankings for speed and contact efficiency showcase his growing consistency.
14. Right Wing — Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) – 79.2
Steyn’s blend of pace and power continues to shine — 7.3 meters after contact, top-ranked in carry and contact metrics, and decisive in transition. A complete winger’s performance.
15. Fullback — Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Blues) – 72.8
Calm and composed at the back, with elite positioning and catching. Steady hands under pressure and consistent returns made him the foundation of Cardiff’s defensive structure.
📊 Full Team Stats
| Pos | Player | Team | Overall Grade | Carry Rank | Contacts | Phys Grade | Tackling Rank | Rucking Rank | Passing Rank | Lineout Rank | Kicking Rank | Discipline | Catching |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danny Southworth | Cardiff Blues | 76.1 | 1 | 10 | 2.8 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Johan Grobbelaar | Bulls | 77.1 | 16 | 30 | 3.0 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 3.8 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 | Asenathi Ntlabakanye | Lions | 77.9 | 1 | 8 | 3.1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 3.6 | 21 | 2 |
| 4 | James Ratti | Ospreys | 78.7 | 1 | 15 | 3.1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 10 | 3.5 | 16 | 3 |
| 5 | Fineen Wycherley | Munster | 74.8 | 5 | 9 | 3.0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 3.5 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Gregor Brown | Glasgow Warriors | 84.3 | 1 | 17 | 3.1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 3.7 | 8 | 7 |
| 7 | Josh van der Flier | Leinster | 73.1 | 6 | 9 | 3.2 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 3.6 | 12 | 6 |
| 8 | Alun Lawrence | Cardiff Blues | 78.6 | 1 | 26 | 2.8 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 2 | 3.9 | 1 | 9 |
| 9 | George Horne | Glasgow Warriors | 82.1 | 8 | 26 | 3.0 | 28 | 11 | 1 | 12 | 3.0 | 3 | 30 |
| 10 | Callum Sheedy | Cardiff Blues | 78.3 | 4 | 47 | 3.5 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 5.0 | 7 | 5 |
| 11 | James Lowe | Leinster | 80.7 | 3 | 22 | 3.1 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 3.8 | 7 | 1 |
| 12 | Keiran Williams | Ospreys | 72.0 | 1 | 30 | 3.1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 19 | 3.3 | 11 | 1 |
| 13 | Aneurin Owen | Dragons | 75.3 | 3 | 18 | 3.1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 3.5 | 1 | 8 |
| 14 | Kyle Steyn | Glasgow Warriors | 79.2 | 1 | 14 | 3.3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 4.1 | 4 | 15 |
| 15 | Cameron Winnett | Cardiff Blues | 72.8 | 2 | 25 | 3.1 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 3.5 | 2 | 1 |