After a hiatus for European action, attention once again returns to the Guinness PRO14 this weekend as the battle to make the Final Series nears the business end of the season.

Only eight rounds remain before the standings are settled and both Conference A and B are finely poised, with Munster and Leinster currently the two teams leading the way.

The individual player statistics are just as fascinating and ahead of Round 14, here’s a rundown of the key men who have been tearing it up for their clubs so far this season.

TACKLING MACHINE TURNBULL

It has been a campaign to remember so far for Cardiff Blues forward Josh Turnbull, whose performances for the region have earned him a Six Nations call-up for Wales.

Turnbull, who can play lock, flanker or No.8, was last selected for his country for the Six Nations in 2011 but his consistent form for the Blues has caught the eye of head coach Warren Gatland.

His work-rate in defence has been particularly impressive, with the 30-year-old sitting at the top of the tackle charts, with 155 successful hits to his name going into Round 14.

Ospreys flanker Olly Cracknell is his nearest rival with 148 while Cardiff teammate Olly Robinson (147), Connacht’s Jarrad Butler (143) and John-Charles Astle (140) complete the top five.

Top tacklers overall after Round 13

Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues) – 155

Olly Cracknell (Ospreys) – 148

Olly Robinson (Cardiff Blues) – 147

Jarrad Butler (Connacht) – 143

John-Charles Astle (Southern Kings) – 14

NOBODY CARRIES LIKE MATA

It looks like it will take a monumental effort for another player in the Guinness PRO14 to overhaul Viliame ‘Bill’ Mata when it comes to totting up carries this season.

The 27-year-old has been a linchpin for Edinburgh during this campaign and has opened up a sizeable lead at the top of the standings for the most carries made.

While Glasgow Warriors No.8 Adam Ashe finished with the most carries in Round 13 with 26, Mata has racked up a monumental 168 overall so far in the 2018-19 campaign.

Ashe, on the other hand, has 119 to his name and sits just outside the top five, with Marcell Coetzee of Ulster (143) and Mata’s teammate Luke Hamilton (142) his nearest challengers.

Most carries overall after Round 13

Viliame Mata (Edinburgh) – 168

Marcell Coetzee (Ulster) – 143

Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh) – 142

Nico Lee (Toyota Cheetahs) – 121

Stuart McCloskey (Ulster) – 121

DUHAN DAZZLES DEFENDERS

It was not surprising to see Duhan van der Merwe once again leading the way for defenders beaten after Round 13, with the Edinburgh man adding another ten to his total.

The 23-year-old has been leaving opposition players in his wake all season en route to scoring six tries during this campaign – the third-highest in the Guinness PRO14.

His tally of defenders beaten in Edinburgh’s 38-0 win against Isuzu Southern Kings took his overall figure up to 50 overall, with Scarlets’ Johnny McNicholl his closest rival on 40.

The Connacht pairing of Thomas Farrell and Kyle Godwin have also been busy with 37 and 32 defenders beaten respectively while Jordan Williams of Dragons (31) caps off the top five.

Most defenders beaten overall after Round 13

Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 50

Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets) – 40

Thomas Farrell (Connacht) – 37

Kyle Godwin (Connacht) – 32

Jordan Williams (Dragons) – 31

CATCH JAER IF YOU CAN

While Toyota Cheetahs have work to do if they are to reach the Final Series, their chances will be significantly boosted by having Malcolm Jaer on the pitch.

The 23-year-old South African has been too hot to handle for many opposition sides so far this season as he has racked up the metres run with the ball in hand.

His total of 821 gives him a clear advantage over closest rival Duhan van der Merwe (786), while Dragons’ Jordan Williams (725) and Cheetahs’ Sibhale Maxwane (715) are also in the top five.

Van der Merwe has the edge over Jaer when it comes to clean breaks, though – 19 to 16 – with Maxwane leading the way in that category with 22 for the Cheetahs.

Most metres made after Round 13

Malcolm Jaer (Cheetahs) – 821

Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 786

Jordan Williams (Dragons) – 725

Sibhale Maxwane (Cheetahs) – 715

Dan Evans (Ospreys) – 701