Team of the Week: November Tests

After the completion of the fourth round of Test matches this November, we select who stood out and chose our Team of the Week.

After notching a half century of points against Australia, Scotland lead the way with five representatives in our team and there’s a fair spread amongst the other countries who were in action.

15 Rob Kearney (Ireland): Kearney made 105 metres, beating six defenders in a mesmerising display against Argentina in Dublin. The 77-capped international also made eight tackles and did his shift in defence finishing with eight tackles. Sean Maitland was a potent attacking force in Scotland's demolition of the Wallabies, scoring a try and setting up another while making 166 metres.

14 Waisake Naholo (New Zealand): Naholo made five clean breaks and beat three defenders from his ten carries. But it was his clinical finishing especially for his second try in dotting down in the corner that was so impressive. Meanwhile, Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade's decision to bring Ramiro Moyano in to los Pumas' starting XV was vindicated as Moyano was heavily involved, beating eight defenders and grabbing a try from his 17 carries for 129 metres.

13 Huw Jones (Scotland): A fine display from Jones who showed his strike running and finishing abilities with a superb try after beating six defenders. That superb performance earns him a spot in our team for the third week in a row. Meanwhile, Henry Slade was creative and full of flair for England scoring a try and setting up two others while Japan's Timothy Lafaele was in top form against France also bagging a try while beating four defenders.

12 Francois Venter (South Africa): The Cheetahs captain had an exceptional outing in Padova and could be the solution to the Boks' midfield conundrums of late. Perhaps shifting usual 12 Serfontein to his outside would be ideal as Jesse Kriel has been noticeably ineffective. Venter scored a try and was busy on defence with 14 tackles. Sonny Bill Williams impressed for the All Blacks as well.

11 Rieko Ioane (New Zealand): The World Rugby 2017 Player of the Year nominee continued his terrific form grabbing two tries an making an impossible offload for Anton Lienert-Brown's try. Ioane showed great anticipation for his first – an opportunistic intercept try – and searing pace and great running lines for his second in which he dotted down from forty metres out after an excellent All Blacks scrum set-piece move. Byron McGuigan deserves a mention for his fantastic display for Scotland against Australia in which he grabbed two tries as well as England's Elliot Daly and Jacob Stockdale of Ireland.

10 Finn Russell (Scotland):  New Racing 92 recruit Russell attacked the gainline with excellent maturity beating seven defenders, making two clean breaks as well as four telling offloads. He showed quick thinking with an intelligent quick tap penalty to set up Huw Jones' try and kicked well from the tee as well as in general play. Handre Pollard also shone for the Springboks.

9 Ali Price (Scotland): The nuggety scrum-half was a constant menace, grabbing a try and a try assist for his efforts. Combined well with Russell and could be following his halfback partner on to more lucrative things abroad. All Black Aaron Smith gave another high-intensity all-action display creating two tries for his team-mates as they overcame Wales.

8 Amanaki Mafi (Japan): This was a difficult choice as England's Sam Simmonds also shone in his side's demolition of Samoa at Twickenham but Mafi edges him after a hugely influential game in the Brave Blossoms' draw with France in Nanterre. The Melbourne Rebels stalwart was superb on attack gaining 83 metres from 19 runs with one clean break, seven defenders beaten and two offloads.

7 Josh Navidi (Wales): Was superb in his side's loss to the All Blacks and his duel with direct opponent, Sam Cane, was one of the highlights in Cardiff. Navidi was a constant threat with ball in hand and led his side's defensive effort against the world's best attacking team. Eventually made 45 metres on attack from 14 carries with two clean breaks and beat four defenders. Also made 16 tackles.

6 John Barclay (Scotland): Another member of the fast-improving Scotland side to make our team, Barclay put in a solid performance in a memorable win against the Wallabies and scored one of his side's seven tries. Led his troops well and although he did not make a big impact on attack, he certainly did so on defence and eventually made 15 hits.

5 Alun Wyn Jones (Wales): The Wales captain might have finished on the losing side against New Zealand but he can hold his head high after impressing in the forward exchanges. Jones marshalled his troops well, shone in the lineouts and was good in his defensive duties with nine tackles. Beats out Fiji's Leone Nakarawa and South Africa's Lood de Jager.

4 Peceli Yato (Fiji): Delivered a busy shift at the coalface of Fiji's forward effort in their runaway win over Canada in Toulouse. Yato was a willing ball carrier who crossed the gainline at will and was eventually rewarded with a try. Also did well in the lineouts as well as on defence and beats out England's Joe Launchbury.

3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland): The British and Irish Lion prop was his usual solid self in the scrums against Argentina but also made a big impact on defence and eventually finished with 17 tackles which was more than any other player in his team. Wilco Louw of South Africa also impressed.  

2 Stuart McInally (Scotland):  Played a pivotal role up front which helped to lay the platform for his team's backs to launch several attacks against the Wallabies. Shone at his his core duties and scored a deserved try. Made his biggest contribution on defence, however, with 20 tackles. Ken Owens of Wales and South Africa's Bongi Mbonambi also played well.

1 Steven Kitshoff (South Africa): Came on as a replacement for Beast Mtawarira in the Springboks win over Italy in Padova and put in a fine all-round performance. Kitshoff stood up well in the scrums but also crossed the whitewash after doing his bit with ball in hand. Completed an solid shift with 16 hits and comes in ahead of Wales' Rob Evans.