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Team of the Week: O Fhlùir na h-Alba

The team that made the biggest impression – in terms of growth – is arguably Scotland and their reward comes in the form of five players in the rugby365 starting XV.

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New Zealand, in the wake of their demolition of Wales, are close behind with four starters.

Ireland is next with three – while South Africa, Japan and England make up the numbers with one each.

There is further reward for England in our back-up squad, with four players bubbling under.

Scotland also gets recognition for their efforts with three players in our back-up squad – the same as South Africa.

New Zealand and Ireland have two each, with Argentina (one) completing the squad.

Three players return from last week – centre Huw Jones (Scotland), flyhalf Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) and lock Joe Launchbury (England).

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Team of the Week – November, Week Three:

15 – Rob Kearney (Ireland):

Most will look at his attacking stats, which are indeed impressive. However, it was his defence that helped him ahead of the chasing pack.

Bubbling under: Michael Brown (England)

14 – Waisake Naholo (New Zealand):

He may miss the odd tackle, but ball in hand he is simply the best.

Bubbling under: Ramiro Moyano (Argentina)

13 – Huw Jones (Scotland):

Arguably the best midfielder in the world this year.

Bubbling under: Henry Slade (England)

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12 – Francois Venter (South Africa):

Are the Springboks a step closer to finding a solution to their midfield conundrum?

Bubbling under: Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand)

11 – Byron McGuigan (Scotland):

He clearly knows his way to the tryline. Still a bit rough around the edges, but certainly one to watch.

Bubbling under: Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

10 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand):

Not perfect, but he did his magic when it mattered most.

Bubbling under: Handré Pollard (South Africa)

9 – Aaron Smith (New Zealand):

When on song he is the best, by some distance.

Bubbling under: Ali Price (Scotland)

8 – Amanaki Mafi (Japan):

He is going to be invaluable to Japan at the 2019 World Cup, if he stays injury free.

Bubbling under: Sam Simmonds (England)

7 – Sam Cane (New Zealand):

Apart from the mountain of work he got through in general play, he also made a weekend-high 25 tackles.

Bubbling under: Hamish Watson (Scotland)

6 – John Barclay (Scotland):

He epitomises the grit and endeavour that makes Scotland such a joy to watch.

Bubbling under: Francois Louw (South Africa)

5 – Johnny Gray (Scotland):

The muscle in a Scottish team that embarrassed Australia.

Bubbling under: Ian Henderson (Ireland)

4 – Joe Launchbury (England):

One of those unsung heroes, doing the hard yards where the cameras don't always pick up action.

Bubbling under: Grant Gilchrist (Scotland)

3 – Tadhg Furlong (Ireland):

Continuing the good form he showed for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in June and July.

Bubbling under: Wilco Louw (South Africa)

2 – Stuart McInally (Scotland):

Close to the perfect all-round game, with an immense workrate.

Bubbling under: Jamie George (England)

1 – Cian Healy (Ireland):

More than just scrumming to his game. Adds plenty of value all-round the park.

Bubbling under: Kane Hames (New Zealand)

Our individual selections:

Leezil Hendricks XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Ali Price, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Christiaan Stander, 5 Johnny Gray, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Cian Healy.

Paul Dobson XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Byron McGuigan, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Sam Cane, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Jamie George, 1 Kane Hames.

Andrew Noland XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Byron McGuigan, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Ian Henderson, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Cian Healy.

Jan de Koning XV: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Byron McGuigan, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Sam Cane, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Cian Healy.

Previous selections:

Team of the Week – November, Week Two: 15 Stuart Hogg (Scotland), 14 Jonny May (England), 13 Huw Jones (Scotland), 12 Owen Farrell (England), 11 Rieko Ioane (New Zealand), 10 Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), 9 Will Genia (Australia), 8 Nathan Hughes (England), 7 Kevin Gourdon (France), 6 Vaea Fifita (New Zealand), 5 Courtney Lawes (England), 4 Joe Launchbury (England), 3 Sekope Kepu (Australia), 2 Dylan Hartley (England), 1 Kane Hames (New Zealand).

Team of the Week – November, Week One:  15 Kurtley Beale (Australia), 14 Andrew Conway (Ireland), 13 Huw Jones (Scotland), 12 Bundee Aki (Ireland), 11 Rieko Ioane (New Zealand), 10 Johnny Sexton (Ireland), 9 Conor Murray (Ireland), 8 Nathan Hughes (England), 7 Sam Underhill (England), 6 Peter O'Mahony (Ireland), 5 Samuel Whitelock (New Zealand), 4 Adam Coleman (Australia), 3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (Australia), 1 Mako Vunipola (England).

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