Team of the Week: Maro Itoje, Jonny May, Louis Picamoles

RUCK’s Team of the Week: Maro Itoje, Jonny May, Louis Picamoles

Now that the dust has settled after the first round of Premiership and Pro12 fixtures of 2017, RUCK selects the players that stood out over the past weekend’s games.

Fullback: Simon Zebo (Munster)
Zebo’s 50th provincial try sent Munster on their way to a barnstorming 32-7 Champions Cup bonus point win over rudderless Racing 92 at Stade Yves-du-Manoir.

The fullback told Sky Sports: “There is a lot of emotion gone into this fixture. We’ve got a bit of momentum and we’re playing for someone special upstairs. Hopefully it continues.

“It’s a nice milestone to achieve but obviously I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates behind me.”

Honourable Mentions: Mike Brown (Harlequins) Jason Woodward (Bristol)

Winger: Christian Wade (Wasps)
Wade scored his ninth Premiership try of the season early on as Wasps overcame Leicester on Sunday.

Honourable Mentions: Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)

Centre: Matt Scott (Gloucester)
Honourable Mentions: Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Will Addison (Sale Sharks)

Centre: Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Honourable Mentions: Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)

Winger: Jonny May (Gloucester)
David Humphreys has predicted wing wonder Jonny May will go on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand this summer following his stunning performance against Worcester.

The England speedster was a constant threat with the ball in hand all afternoon against the Warriors – putting in a man-of-the-match display.

May sliced his way through the Warriors’ 22 for the opening score at Kingsholm after 15 minutes, before helping creating the second for Matt Scott.

Honourable Mentions: George North (Northampton) Tom Varndell (Bristol)

Fly-half: Tim Swiel (Harlequins)
The South African-born fly-half starred as injury-hit Harlequins rallied to overwhelm Sale 29-6 at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Super-sub Swiel, who replaced the returning Nick Evans after just five minutes, notched 24 points, which included a crucial try just before halftime.

Honourable Mentions: Joel Hodgson (Newcastle), Alex Lozowski (Saracens)

Scrum-half: Dan Robson (Wasps)

Honourable Mentions: Sarel Pretorius (Newport Gwent Dragons), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Prop: Cian Healy (Leinster)

Hooker: Tommy Taylor (Wasps) 

Honourable Mentions: Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)

Prop: Jon Welsh (Newcastle)
The prop was outstanding as the Falcons toppled Bath at Kingston Park – but this attempted chip and chase was the icing on the cake.
Honourable Mentions: Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)

Lock: Maro Itoje (Saracens)

Honourable Mentions: Devin Toner (Leinster)

Lock: Jim Hamilton (Saracens)

Flanker: CJ Stander (Munster)

Honourable Mentions: Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs) Tom Wood (Northampton), Michael Rhodes (Saracens)

Flanker: Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) 
Honourable Mentions: Will Welch (Newcastle)

Number 8: Louis Picamoles (Northampton Saints)

Honourable Mentions: John Barclay (Scarlets)