NEWS » giving game this week.In that vein, he

After another eventful round of Aviva Premiership, Guinness PRO12 and Top 14 action, based on last weekends form, heres our composite British & Irish Lions team of the week.BACKS15. Tiernan OHalloranThe Ireland full-back had a solid all-round game as Connacht defeated Edinburgh 28-15. Such performances can only help OHalloran in seeking to secure more Ireland caps, after making his debut in the summer series against South Africa.14. Darren SweetnamSweetnam had a quality all-round game for Munster as they demolished visitors Zebre 49-5. The winger scored after just three minutes, and would have had a second try later on but he was taken out in the act of scoring.?13. Elliot DalyDaly keeps his spot in our side after yet another excellent performance, and a try, as Wasps thrashed Harlequins. Will Addison is unfortunate to miss out after a strong performance for Sale. Addison kicked 14 points after taking over the responsibility from AJ MacGinty, as Sale defeated Leicester 34-30.12. Rory HutchinsonHutchinson had a dream debut for Northampton, scoring a crucial try as the Saints edged past Exeter 20-19 . The centre, whose ambition is to play for Scotland at Test level, will certainly achieve that if he can regularly replicate performances like the one delivered on Friday night.11. George NorthNorth retains his spot in our side from last week. The Welsh winger grabbed Northamptons first try against visitors Exeter, and followed that by setting up another score for Rory Hutchinson. North was a constant attacking threat and his contributions proved crucial as Northampton secured a 20-19 victory over Exeter.10. Alex LozowskiLozowski marked his England elite player squad call-up by scoring two tries, notching in either half during a 39-0 bonus-point victory for Saracens over Bristol. The fly-half also kicked two conversions in the second half, as his fine recent form continues.Finn Russell and Jonathan Sexton are unfortunate not to make selection.9. Lloyd WilliamsWilliams put in a strong all-round performance despite Cardiff losing narrowly to Leinster. The Welsh No. 9 will need to keep playing well to remain in the thoughts of Warren Gatland, given the intense competition in that position from Rhys Webb and Gareth Davies.FORWARDS1. Alex AllanScottish prop Allan had an excellent game and provided a moment of magic to decide the game as Glasgow won 26-17 at Newport Gwent Dragons. The dazzling sidestep from the prop and subsequent try under the posts is a moment that will live long in the memory.2. Rory BestIreland captain Best was making his first start of the season for Ulster, and used all his extensive experience to put in a good shift in a narrow win against Ospreys.?3. Stephen ArcherArcher had a good game for Munster as they thrashed Zebre. The 28 year-old also scored a try in the second half. Archer has represented Ireland at U20 level and more recently Emerging Ireland, and is making his case for further recognition through such performances.4. Maro ItojeItoje has been a regular feature in our weekly Lions side and, after his sensational winning streak ended last week, he returns to our side this time around. Itoje was excellent yet again in combination with George Kruis as Saracens comfortably beat Aviva Premiership newcomers Bristol 39-0.5. George KruisKruis was the stand-out performer for Saracens as he led a pack that battered Bristol. Kruis dominated the line-out, was everywhere in the loose and drive relentlessly at the home defence. The performance was described as exceptional by Mark McCall. Not a bad way to mark your return following a three match absence due to a back spasm.6. Cameron NeildThe Sale blindside flanker faced a daunting individual battle against opposite number Mike Williams, and outplayed the man who may well feature in Eddie Jones plans in the autumn. Such a feat reflects both a fine individual display and a clear sign of the progress Neild is making.7. Justin TipuricWelsh international Tipuric was the man-of-the-match despite being on the losing side as Ulster defeated Ospreys 9-7. Tipuric has been putting in consistently good performances this season that can do his international and Lions chances no harm.8. Nathan HughesThe Wasps No.8 was in sublime form for the league-leaders as they took down Harlequins at the Ricoh Arena. He features in Englands EPS ahead of the autumn Tests and will be hopeful of a first cap. Cheap Saucony Shoes Outlet . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Cheap Saucony Shoes Outlet Free Shipping . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. http://www.sauconyoutletonline.com/ . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Sale Saucony Shoes Outlet . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. China Saucony Shoes Outlet . James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heats overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive loss. Your kids might be elite competitive athletes. Or maybe you just want them to be. They could be your average rec-league player, part of the team with their neighborhood pals. They could be a nonathlete. Regardless, the essence of sports -- for all of them -- likely emerges later this week.Someone will nominate a place and time, and everyone will convene for an impromptu (or improbably annual) touch-football game, the Turkey Bowl.Why is this moment the essence of sports for the kids (and, frankly, the adults, too)?The motivation is to have fun. Yes, even with That Parent who takes it all too seriously. Trick plays, trash talk and end zone dances are not only OK but encouraged.It is competitive, sure, but also inclusive. The best athletes on the field rarely begrudge the plays run to make sure the least-accomplished athletes on the field get a chance for Turkey glory.Three words: Two-hand touch. The risk of injury is always there (especially with the adults -- watch those hamstrings, friends!), but it is incidental, rather than built into the game.The rules are ... the rules. Thanksgiving football might be universally appealing, but the real joy is in the customization on every field, backyard and street in the country. And, mostly, the rules are constructed to boost the friendly nature of the game. (See the terrific series by the Wall Street Journals Jason Gay.) Beyond an essential friendliness, improvisation and innovation are great lessons for the younger players.Play for the sake of play. No scholarship on the line. No AAU ttournament trophy.dddddddddddd No all-star status. No tryouts or cuts. Aside from That Parent, no one really remembers the outcome. (A wacky or what-a-play! moment? Absolutely -- and hopefully!) The bragging rights extend through the weekend -- maybe to the following years game -- but thats as far as it goes.There is a reason your kids look forward to that Thanksgiving touch-football game, and it has very little to do with the reasons you dwell on their sports career throughout the rest of the year. Intensity over your kids youth sports career is your prerogative, of course. But dont forget to enjoy -- and let the kids enjoy -- the unfettered fun of the annual Thanksgiving game this week.In that vein, here are a few other things Im thankful for this year:Volunteer coaches, always.The epiphany of my kids team getting obliterated.Jessie Graff and American Ninja Warrior.My 7-year-old picking Villanova on his bracket. Sigh.Layup-line music for 10-year-olds. (2017 sneak peek: Juju On That Beat, obvs.)Camp Dad.Letting your kid pick their own sports heroes. (Or, at the very least, nudging them toward sports heroes who arent necessarily on the field.)Aly Raismans parents, and all parents of Olympians.The brief, brilliant moment of the ultimate Daaad shoe -- those Curry 2s.As a sports-focused parent, what are you thankful for this year? Join me in a conversation, and add your ideas at espnWs Facebook page. ' ' '