Round 1 of the 2024-205 BKT United Rugby Championship set the league off on the perfect note for what looks set to be yet another enticing season of top-notch rugby action.

Short of its South African contingent due to the Currie Cup final taking place Saturday afternoon, the league had a compressed round of just six fixtures.

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Nevertheless, the action was exceptional from start to finish, with every fixture painting an intriguing storyline of its own.

Setting their stalls out early were Leinster, Cardiff, Dragons, Munster and Ulster which all secured wins, while Benetton and the Scarlets were left shaking their heads at a a draw.

As ever, certain players soared, while others remained grounded; here is our ultimate XV of the top performers from Round 1:

1.  Mirco Spagnolo - Benetton Rugby 

Almost impossibly, the loosehead carried the ball a jaw-dropping 32 times to top the stat line by quite some distance during his team's 20-20 draw with the Scarlets. 

Defensively, the 22-year-old was exceptional, too, with 10 tackles and two turnovers for what was as close to perfect as you will see this season.

2.  Johnny Matthews - Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow try machine got his 2024-2025 account underway in Round 1 with the opening try in his team's clash with Ulster Rugby. 

Around the park, the nuggety hooker was exceptional with 10 carries and 12 tackles to keep his team in an unlikely lead heading toward the end of the fixture.

3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors

Scotland's incumbent got to work and dominated a new-look Ulster pack at scrum time. 

In the general play, he continued to prove he is one of the top ball-playing tightheads in the world with seven carries, 21 tackles and some superb link play.

4.  Josh McNally - Cardiff 

Cardiff's new addition was an experienced head for his team as it withstood a comeback from Zebre following a fast start that included a try for the 6-foot-7 lock. 

Now in the twilight of his career at 34-years-old, the former Bath powerhouse will be a serious asset for Cardiff this season.

5.  James Ryan - Leinster 

Clearly still aggravated at the thought of having lost his place in the Irish starting lineup, Ryan put on a vintage showing in Edinburgh on Friday evening. 

Mixing things up physically, Ryan was Leinster's enforcer and served a reminder of what he brings when on a song with 10 carries and a table-topping 19 tackles.

6.  Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh 

Scotland's former skipper continues to be the go-to guy for his team when it comes to pulling off big-time moments. 

Coming up trumps once again with a dynamic turnover to deny Leinster a try at the end of the first half, Ritchie kept his team in the fight and ultimately was a key reason Edinburgh secured two bonus points when they could've left with just one. 

7. John Hodnett - Munster 

Irish Rugby's most underrated operator, the Munster backrow was at his abrasive best in Round 1 against a game Connacht side at Thomond Park. 

Completing 16 tackles, a try assist and a score of his own, Hodnett got the first score on the board when it comes to Irish selection on the blindside this year. 

8.  Jack Conan - Leinster

Simply monstrous, the Leinster captain willed his team to victory with a huge shift, carrying the call on 24 occasions for 78 meters. 

Scoring his team's final and decisive try, the British and Irish Lions standout blitzed through the Edinburgh defense and was borderline unplayable all match.

9. Jamison Gibson Park - Leinster

Hamstring injury? No, we are past that! 

Leinster and Ireland's chief playmaker hit the ground running (quite literally) following a summer of rehab. JGP completed 68 passes in his man-of-the-match performance, which saw him pounce for a truly superb try. 

10. Aidan Morgan - Ulster

If you are an Ulster fan and weren't experiencing unbridled joy at the prospect of what your new fly-half could become this season, then you might as well give up watching rugby. 

In short, the former Hurricanes playmaker was exceptional in his debut and capped the occasion with a well-taken try that will have caught the eyes of fans all around the league. 

Mark these words: Morgan will be an Irish international by next season.

11. Duhan van der Merwe - Edinburgh 

Double Duhan was the order of the day for the powerhouse Edinburgh flyer who bamboozled Leinster for two top-quality tries in the Friday Night Lights matchup. 

Utilizing all of his pace on the flank to out streak the Leinster cover defense, van der Merwe continues to be one of the best wingers in the world heading into this season.

12. Charlie Tector - Leinster 

Yet another top-notch Leinster prospect, the fly-half shifted one position out for Round 1, and it was an absolute revelation. 

Taking the pressure off fellow youngster Sam Prendergast as a second distributor, Tector was a key factor in his team's ability to attack the fringes of the Edinburgh defense. 

Scoring a superb try of his own with an outrageous kick chase and dummy will have put questions in the Leinster coaching staff's minds about where he fits into their overall picture this season.

13. Matt Scott - Edinburgh

Replacing Matt Currie early in the match following an injury to the center, Scott shifted between inside and outside center throughout the contest. 

Dotting down for the final crucial try that secured his team a second losing bonus point, the Scottish international showed incredible pace to leave the Leinster defense in his tracks.

14.  Shane Daly - Munster

Munster's Mr. Consistent is just such a good rugby player that it makes his continued absence from the international setup a head-scratching mystery. 

Carrying eight times for 65 meters and a try, as well as all of the work he does off the ball in terms of deception and support running, Daly's work rate once again shined in Round 1. 

15.  Jamie Osborne - Leinster

Now firmly entrenched as a fullback, Osborne's shift from the centers to the No. 15 shirt for Ireland in the July internationals against South Africa appears to have been a masterstroke. 

Bringing a different level of physicality to the world-class Hugo Keenan, Osborne's ability to hit the line as a strike runner, combined with his long-range kicking game and ability in the air, makes him the perfect competitor for Keenan's spot at both provincial and international levels.

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