The BKT United Rugby Championship continues to provide thrilling action, and Round 2 was no exception. Standout performances from some of the most talented players in the league. As teams continued to battle it out, a number of individuals rose to the occasion, putting in remarkable displays to help their respective sides gain the upper hand. 

• Subscribe To Watch The Rugby Championship On FloRugby
• 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: Here's The Full List
  
• Who's The Best Rugby Team In The World? Here Are The Top 50 Rugby Clubs

From record-breaking achievements to game-changing moments, this week's "Team of the Week" is jam-packed with top-line international talent as well as several up-and-comers. Cian Healy’s historic appearance for Leinster and Alessandro Fusco’s electrifying performance for Zebre are just a few highlights in an action-packed round. Here, we break down the top 15 players who shined brightest across the league, showcasing their skills, tenacity, and undeniable contributions to their teams' success.

1. Cian Healy – Leinster Rugby

Breaking Leinster’s all-time appearances record with his 281^st outing for the province, the 36-year-old further solidified himself as Irish Rugby’s greatest ever at his position. Putting in a serious shift for 52 minutes, Healy, along with the rest of the Leinster pack, got on top of the Dragons at set piece time. Around the pitch, he carried six times, made seven tackles and dominated at the breakdown.

2. Dave Heffernan – Connacht Rugby

Living in a world where Irish Rugby is blessed with world-class hookers, Heffernan is arguably the most underrated number two amongst the Irish provinces. Combining a top-notch work ethic with an eye for the try line, Heffernan is the glue that holds the Connacht pack together. Dotting down for two tries against the Sharks in round two, the hooker played a key role in his team coming out on top against the powerful South African side.

3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye – Emirates Lions

Tipping the scales at 155kg, the Lions tighthead is a modern marvel, with his exceptional engine seeing him get through a mountain of work every week. Hitting the ground running this season, the 25-year-old had a productive sixty-six-minute showing for the Lions with six carries, eleven tackles and a strong scrummaging performance. Given the age profile of the top-line Springbok tightheads, if he can continue this form throughout the season, then an international call-up does not feel unattainable.

4. Ruan Vermaark – Vodacom Bulls

Driving his pack forward, Vermaak does a lot of unseen and less glamorous work to ensure the likes of Cameron Hanekom shine. Once again, he is dictating proceedings for his side against a strong Edinburgh side. Completing fifteen tackles, winning three line-outs and carrying the ball on a handful of occasions, Vermaak did his job superbly.

5. James Ryan – Leinster Rugby

This sends out a timely reminder that despite the world-class showings of Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy in recent seasons, Ryan remains a world-class operator in his own right. Aptly named ‘the big cheese’, Ryan blitzed the Dragons with big-time tackles, an unrelenting physicality at the breakdown and a masterful set-piece showing.

6. Gavin Coombes – Munster Rugby

Just about the only Munster player to depart Parma with his reputation intact, the industrious backrow started at number eight and got through a mountain of work. For our team, he slots in at six, given his undeniable work rate in round two. Topping the carries (18), meters made (54), tackles (18), turnovers (1) and tries (2) for the men in red, Coombes looked likely to drag his team over the line. Yet it would prove to be all in vain as Munster fell to arguably their worst result of the Graham Rowntree era.

7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors

Scotland’s captain employed a seek-and-destroy mentality against Benetton with sixteen tackles, nine carries and a turnover. Capping off this exceptional showing with a try, the openside picked up where he left off last season as a British and Irish Lions front-runner.

8. Jack Conan – Leinster Rugby

The number eight bulldozed his way through the Dragons, leading Leinster to back-to-back dominant victories to open the season. Such was the level of his dominance that at times it looked as though he was playing a different sport to the Dragons’ backrow. Ending his account with fourteen carries, thirty-six meters made and a try, Conan once again posed the question as to what Leinster’s best backrow balance is when Caelen Doris and Ryan Baird return.  

9.  Alessandro Fusco – Zebre

Simply unplayable… The nippy scrumhalf shredded Munster as he led his club to their greatest-ever victory with two tries, which were both moments of individual brilliance. Time and again, Fusco exposed the Munster ruck defence as he got his team on the front foot with a sniping running game, which complimented his top-notch passing game.

10. Dan Edwards – Ospreys

In arguably the most positive development so far in this young season for Welsh Rugby, Edwards is firmly putting his hand up for the number ten Welsh shirt.  Slotting two penalties, three conversions and a drop goal to go with his try, Edwards shocked the Stormers as he guided his team to a huge 37 – 24 victory to get their season back on track.

11. Canan Moodie – Vodacom Bulls

Watching his international teammates secure the Rugby Championship against Los Pumas, the winger had a strong showing as he returned to the Bulls set-up. Shredding Edinburgh with thirteen carries, a line break, an offload, two defenders beaten and a try, Moodie reminded everyone why he is one of the most exciting prospects in South African Rugby.

12.  Andre Esterhuizen – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Bulldozing his way through Connacht, the Shark's big offseason signing offered a glimpse into what he will bring to the Durban-based side this season. At 6’4” and 115kg, Esterhuizen is one of the most physically imposing centres in professional rugby, and he uses this frame to great effect. Carrying the ball sixteen times for fifty-seven meters with two line-breaks and five line-breaks, Esterhuizen was rewarded with two tries on his URC debut.

13. Erich Cronje – Emirates Lions

Entering the round's action, few people would’ve had Cronje on their scratch card as the standout number thirteen. Yet, this is exactly what happened as the 27-year-old got stuck in with eighteen carries, two line-breaks, and five defenders beaten, all leading to one hundred and two meters made performance. This showing catalysed his team to get their campaign off to the perfect start against a surging Ulster side.

14. Shane Jennings – Connacht Rugby  

Connacht’s rangy and pacy winger is fast becoming one to watch in Irish Rugby and the URC this season. Carrying for a whopping one hundred sixteen meters, Jennings led his team as they downed the Sharks. Scoring his try as he intercepted the Sharks deep inside his own twenty-two before racing away, Jennings showed his elite pace and finishing abilities.

15. Jamie Osborne – Leinster Rugby

As the saying goes, ‘Never give a sucker a chance’, despite being regarded as the best fullback in the world, Hugo Keenan will no doubt be biting his nails watching Osborne rack up impressive performance after impressive performance for both province and country. Topping the carries chart (24) as he made over one hundred meters, Osborne was everywhere against the Dragons as he exposed the Welsh side’s defence with his deep box of tricks.

How To Watch Rugby Matches In the United States On FloRugby

FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to: 

• Investec Champions Cup
• EPCR Challenge Cup
• Currie Cup
• Top 14
• Super Rugby
• And more

FloRugby is also home to match archives and match replays. 

Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social

• Follow us on Twitter @florugby
• Follow us on Instagram @florugby
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook