Champions Cup XV of the Week - Round 5
The penultimate round of the group stage of the Heineken Champions Cup played out this weekend, with Leinster, Exeter Chiefs and the French trio of Racing 92, Toulouse and Clermont all booking their places in the quarter-finals with a week to spare.
Elsewhere, Ulster remain in a strong position despite their loss to Clermont, whilst wins for Saracens, Gloucester and Northampton Saints put the three English clubs in the mix for the final spots in the knockout rounds.
Check out our XV of the week below.
- Dan Evans, Ospreys
The Ospreys may have slipped to a disheartening defeat at home to 14-man Saracens, though that does not diminish the standout display of Evans. The full-back’s consistency has never been in question and even in an Ospreys team that is struggling across the board, he continues to turn in excellent performances.
Silver – Jeremy Sinzelle, La Rochelle
Bronze – Brice Dulin, Racing 92
Continue reading below…
Watch: The Rugby Pod discuss Nigel Wray and the future of Saracens
- Louis Rees-Zammit, Gloucester
The upward trajectory continues for Rees-Zammit, as the Welsh youngster produced another skilful and clinical display at Kingsholm. Not only did he show his scintillating pace to score a try, he also set another up with excellent handling. The potential Six Nations call-up hype continues to grow around the wing.
Silver – Dave Kearney, Leinster
Bronze – Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Bath
- Garry Ringrose, Leinster
Ringrose was a constant threat with ball in hand against Lyon and he repeatedly made the most of the front-foot that his pack gave him. He didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, but his incisions into the Lyon defence laid the groundwork for the success that Dave Kearney and the rest of the Leinster squad had.
Silver – Virimi Vakatawa, Racing 92
Bronze – Fraser Dingwall, Northampton Saints
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1216407630068973569?s=20
- George Moala, Clermont
Moala was superb at the heart of Clermont’s midfield against Ulster and he repeatedly barrelled and cut his way through the Irish province’s usually stout back line. A lot of Clermont’s success in the game came directly off the back of the line-breaks and territory gains that Moala was able to provide.
Silver – Paul Lasike, Harlequins
Bronze – Rory Hutchinson, Northampton Saints
- Ollie Thorley, Gloucester
Almost forgotten in the media furore around Rees-Zammit, Thorley may have even had a better game than the Welsh youngster on Saturday. Montpellier looked turgid and ineffective at Kingsholm and they had no answer for the raids of Thorley and Rees-Zammit in the wide channels. It’s one of the youngest wing combinations in European rugby, but it is also one of the most ruthless.
Silver – Taqele Naiyaravoro, Northampton Saints
Bronze – Gabriel Ibitoye, Harlequins
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1216392331571748864?s=20
- Manu Vunipola, Saracens
With his side reduced to 14 men after just five minutes, Vunipola guided and managed Saracens to a very impressive win at the Liberty Stadium. His decision-making was excellent, as was his kicking at goal, both of which were vital in such a close game. He continues to shine in just his second professional season and the club will be a lot less worried about losing Owen Farrell during the Six Nations now.
Silver – Adam Hastings, Glasgow Warriors
Bronze – Finn Russell, Racing 92
- Tawera Kerr-Barlow, La Rochelle
Kerr-Barlow was a livewire against Sale Sharks, hurting the English side with not only his darting runs around the fringes, but also his crisp and accurate passing. With the La Rochelle back line given quick and precise ball like that, they were able to push the tempo against Sale and make the English side uncomfortable.
Silver – Nic White, Exeter Chiefs
Bronze – Luke McGrath, Leinster
- Dave Kilcoyne, Munster
It was a fruitless afternoon for Munster in Paris, although Kilcoyne distinguished himself with his work in the loose and at the scrum. The Irish loosehead was able to live with physicality of Racing and responded with plenty of his own.
Silver – Val Rapava Ruskin, Gloucester
Bronze – Cian Healy, Leinster
- Julien Marchand, Toulouse
A strong showing from Marchand at the set-piece and in the loose, with the Toulouse hooker laying the foundation for his side’s win away at Connacht on Saturday. He also grabbed a try to add further gloss to what was already an impressive outing from the 24-year-old.
Silver – Todd Gleave, Gloucester
Bronze – Luke Cowan-Dickie, Exeter Chiefs
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1216339875936509953?s=20
- Tadhg Furlong, Leinster
A potent reminder of what Furlong can bring to the mix and it will have put all of Ireland’s upcoming Six Nations opponents on notice. The big tighthead was as effective in the loose as he was at the set-piece in a truly dominant game for Leinster’s pack.
Silver – Zander Fagerson, Glasgow Warriors
Bronze – Charlie Faumuina, Toulouse
- Paul Jedrasiak, Clermont
The French lock was in bullocking form with the ball in hand against Ulster and, along with Moala, helped provide the front-foot ball that Clermont were able to prosper with. In addition to providing punch with the ball in hand, Jedrasiak was physical around the fringes and was key to preventing Ulster having similar gain-line success to Clermont.
Silver – Florian Verhaeghe, Toulouse
Bronze – Joel Kpoku, Saracens
- Scott Fardy, Leinster
There is very little on the field that Fardy doesn’t do to an incredibly high standard. The Australian put in a typically refined and composed performance against Lyon and was influential as a carrier and ball-handler, facilitating the success of the players around him.
Silver – Jonny Gray, Glasgow Warriors
Bronze – Gavin Thornbury, Connacht
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1216312996231860224?s=20
- Wenceslas Lauret, Racing 92
The Frenchman helped deliver a physical advantage for Racing in what was, for vast swathes, a very tight game with Munster. He had several crucial carries that broke Munster’s defensive line and kept the exciting Racing back line operating on the front-foot.
Silver – Rynhardt Elstadt, Toulouse
Bronze – Kevin Gourdon, La Rochelle
- Colby Fainga’a, Connacht
Connacht may have been outplayed by Toulouse in Galway, though that didn’t stop Fainga’a from continuing his sublime season on the flank for the Irish province. He was all over the pitch, influencing the game as a ball-carrier, defender and breakdown specialist. He was anything but outclassed by Toulouse.
Silver – Jacques Vermeulen, Exeter Chiefs
Bronze – Lewis Ludlam, Northampton Saints
- Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins
An encouraging performance from Dombrandt for Harlequins, who will need him to replicate the dynamism of his ball-carrying from Friday night if they are to move up the Premiership table. He had his way with the Bath defence at the Rec and it was a timely marker to put down, with Eddie Jones currently finalising his England squad for the Six Nations.
Silver – Gregory Alldritt, La Rochelle
Bronze – Marcell Coetzee, Ulster
Watch: Life After Rugby – Andy Powell
Comments on RugbyPass
Exeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
29 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
29 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
86 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
4 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
29 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
4 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
4 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
11 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
11 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
11 Go to comments