English and Pacific Islanders dominate Top 14 overseas team of the season

With just three rounds remaining before the knockout stage of the 2024/25 Top 14, we’ve taken a look at the most in-form overseas players lighting up the competition.

Here’s our pick for a starting XV and a power bench featuring those who’ve consistently delivered for their sides. Let us know in the comments if you agree with our selection!

STARTING XV

1. Mako Vunipola (RC Vannes)
In his first season abroad, the former England prop has been immense for RC Vannes—not just at scrum time, but in the loose as well. Vunipola’s last five outings have been close to flawless, carrying hard and dominating at the set-piece with the same physical edge he brought to Saracens.

The Pro D2 champions may be bottom of the table, but Vunipola’s experience and impact remain vital to their survival hopes.

Top 14

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Toulouse

23

17

5

1

84

2

Bordeaux

23

15

8

0

69

3

Toulon

23

14

9

0

67

4

Bayonne

23

13

9

1

60

5

Castres

22

11

9

2

53

6

Montpellier

23

11

12

0

52

7

Stade Rochelais

23

11

11

1

52

8

Lyon

23

10

11

2

49

9

Clermont

22

10

12

0

48

10

Pau

23

10

13

0

48

11

Racing 92

23

9

12

2

47

12

Perpignan

23

8

13

2

40

13

Stade Francais

23

8

15

0

37

14

Vannes

23

7

15

1

36

2. Sam Matavesi (Lyon)
A human bulldozer, Matavesi has brought real bite to Lyon’s forward pack. His lineout accuracy has added composure, while his linking with the backs has brought an extra dimension in attack.

Injuries have limited his minutes, but his presence has still been felt as Lyon push for a strong finish.

3. Kieran Brookes (Perpignan)
Another former England international, Brookes has been a rock for USAP. After two years with Toulon, his move to Perpignan has seen him become a stabilising presence for a club battling relegation.

His experience in the tight and resilience under pressure have been key assets.

4. Leone Nakarawa (Castres)
At 37, Nakarawa is still offloading like a trebuchet. The Fijian lock has moved between bench and starting roles but continues to bring his lineout nous and game-breaking ability. Six of his 22 offloads have led directly to tries, underlining his unique influence in attack.

5. David Ribbans (Toulon)
In his debut Top 14 season, Ribbans has become a fan favourite at Toulon. A strong carrier, tackler, and lineout option, he’s added real quality to the Var outfit.

Toulon’s title ambitions are no longer fanciful with players like him in form.

6. Lewis Ludlam (Toulon)
Ludlam has been a tackling machine in France, completing over 90% of his 190-plus attempts. Even as Toulon have dipped in form, Ludlam’s work rate hasn’t dropped.

He’ll be a key figure come the knockout rounds.

7. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
There’s no need to over-explain Willis’ value—his turnover stats say it all. The English openside has completed more than 20 breakdown steals in each of the last three seasons, unmatched since John Dyer’s 39 in 2022.

Leadership, impact, consistency—Willis has it all.

8. Sione Kalamafoni (RC Vannes)
The Tongan veteran leads the league in tackles, and his relentless physicality has given Vannes hope in their battle to stay up.
His performances against Toulon and La Rochelle—20 tackles and a turnover in each—were inspirational.

9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (La Rochelle)
La Rochelle may be struggling, but Kerr-Barlow has been a constant for Ronan O’Gara’s side. His tempo, control and durability—playing 80 minutes in six of the last seven matches—have kept them in playoff contention.

10. Joe Simmonds (Pau)
Before injury struck, Simmonds was in the form of his post-Exeter career—three tries, three drop goals and an 85 per cent kicking rate underline his value.

Pau have missed him badly in the run-in.

11. Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse)
The electric Italian has nine tries so far and is still in the hunt for the golden boot. His mix of pace, evasiveness and finishing gives Toulouse a different gear in tight contests.

12. Josua Tuisova (Racing 92)
Tuisova has been one of the few bright spots in a flat Racing campaign: 68 defenders beaten, eight assists, 15 linebreaks and three tries tell the story.

A timely return to form from one of the league’s most destructive runners.

13. Sireli Maqala (Bayonne)
Maqala is staking a claim as Fiji’s next great centre. With 10 tries, an average of 1.5 linebreaks and four defenders beaten per game, he’s everywhere.

He’s top-four in linebreaks, metres, offloads, and tries—elite by any measure.

14. Dillyn Leyds (La Rochelle)
Leyds and La Rochelle have both found form again, and the Springbok winger has been central to it. He’s played a hand in three of their last eight tries and is showing signs of peaking at just the right time.

15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse)
The Scottish utility back has been outstanding, particularly from fullback, where his boot has proved a potent attacking weapon.

His ability to slot in at 10 or on the wing only strengthens his Lions credentials.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Giorgi Akheladze (Clermont)
Solid debut Top 14 season for the scrummaging specialist.

17. Jordan Uelese (Montpellier)
Five tries and strong form in his first overseas stint. One for Joe Schmidt to monitor.

18. Joel Merkler (Toulouse)
Tameifuna, Collier and Gigashvili pushed him, but the Spanish powerhouse gets the nod after winning key scrum penalties and offering real go-forward.

19. Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
As dominant as ever. Skelton’s maul disruption and ball-carrying remain vital for ROG’s playoff push.

20. Billy Vunipola (Montpellier)
Rejuvenated and relentless. Has featured in 19 of 27 games and been a force in defence and set-piece.

21. Santiago Arata (Castres)
Five tries and eight assists from the Uruguayan scrum-half. Castres owe him plenty.

22. Juan Cruz Mallía (Toulouse)
A creative spark for the champions, Mallía has starred in multiple backline roles with his vision and kicking game.

23. Davit Niniashvili (Lyon)
Four tries, 1,500 metres, 21 offloads, 12 linebreaks. Just misses the XV, but an undeniable star.