Champions Cup XV of the Week - Semi-finals
European knockout rugby seemingly never fails to deliver and that has never been truer than of this past weekend.
Saracens got the ball rolling with a ruthlessly efficient 32-16 victory over Munster at the Ricoh Arena, before Leinster booked their place in the Newcastle final with a 30-12 win in Dublin against Toulouse. For all the highs that Munster and Toulouse have given the competition this season, it was a case of a bridge too far for both of them this weekend, as Saracens and Leinster looked, comfortably, the best two sides in Europe this season.
Below is our selection of the most impressive performers from the two days of knockout rugby, but who makes your XV?
- Alex Goode, Saracens
A typically well-rounded performance from Goode, who was able to impact the game positively in attack and defence. He was strong in the air when challenging contested balls and his footwork and vision consistently allowed him to find space against the Munster defence.
- James Lowe, Leinster
Not always involved in Leinster’s big European games due to the foreign player rule in the competition, the winger made Leo Cullen think twice about dropping him for the final next month. He showed great power and balance to finish off a try early in the first half, whilst he went on a number of other incisive forays with the ball in hand.
- Chris Farrell, Munster
The outside centre was crucial to Munster staying in touch with Saracens early on at the Ricoh Arena. There was a gulf in class between the two teams and Saracens’ exerted plenty of possession and territorial pressure, but it was the excellent defensive reads and physicality of Farrell in one-on-one tackles that repeatedly shut down the English side. He carried well, too, as he stood out in a Munster back line denied decent ball.
- Robbie Henshaw, Leinster
Henshaw was incredibly lively in Dublin, frequently hitting lines as a carrier that saw him build-up considerable momentum before even taking the ball, whilst his kicking and chase work were both very effective, particularly in the first half. He was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on, but Leinster only conceded three points during his sin-bin period, with the knock-on itself potentially having denied Toulouse a try that would have brought the French side within a score of the hosts.
- Liam Williams, Saracens
The Welsh international was imperious in the air for Saracens, as well as weaving his way through would-be Munster tacklers on multiple occasions. His good hands and dummy run helped create Mike Rhodes’ second half try, from which Saracens were able to stretch the lead and see out the game. His defensive contributions were every bit as valuable as his attacking influence, too.
- Owen Farrell, Saracens
In addition to contributing 22 points from the boot, in which he missed only one kick at goal, Farrell was the puppeteer running the show for Saracens in Coventry. He took every inch of advantage that his forward pack gave him and turned that into overlaps, field position and general composed execution in the back line. The game may have been won up front, but Farrell didn’t put a foot wrong on Saturday.
- Ben Spencer, Saracens
As performances go, Spencer’s showing on Saturday felt like a passing of the torch. He has been playing well for a number of seasons now, but Saracens have tended to go to Richard Wigglesworth in the crunch fixtures. Spencer’s distribution, kicking game, carries, control of tempo and defensive work in the semi-final suggest that a new era may have officially dawned in north London.
- Dave Kilcoyne, Munster
Kilcoyne was one of the few Munster players to come out of the province’s semi-final with real credit, repeatedly stymying Saracens close to the ruck. The loosehead got through a mountain of work in the loose in a performance that was not dissimilar to those usually put in by his opposite number, Mako Vunipola.
- Jamie George, Saracens
It’s no easy feat to have a smooth-running lineout when Peter O’Mahony and Tadhg Beirne are lining up opposite you, but that’s exactly what George delivered. He was flawless at the lineout, helped Saracens’ scrum more than hold its own, and then delivered in the loose both as a carrying option close to the ruck and a willing tackler in his side’s aggressive defensive line.
- Tadhg Furlong, Leinster
The tighthead’s conditioning well outlasted that of his opposite number and was made all the more noteworthy by the amount of work he got through. He contested the physical arm wrestle with Toulouse’s tight five, did so cleanly throughout and softened up the French side’s underbelly, for the likes of James Ryan and Sean O’Brien to go to work on in subsequent phases. He was also busy at the contact area, clearing out and spoiling with equal abandon.
- Maro Itoje, Saracens
The lock led the way for Saracens’ impressive forward effort, taking away the physicality of Munster, which is often the primary weapon in the province’s arsenal. His carrying repeatedly dented the Munster defensive line and, in turn, he delivered big hits on powerful runners such as CJ Stander and Jean Kleyn. He coughed up a couple of penalties, but generally prospered with what he was legally able to get away with at the breakdown.
- James Ryan, Leinster
Leinster’s new talisman was typically busy in Dublin on Sunday, offering himself up as a one-out runner repeatedly and often leading the province’s defensive line. He was able to get to Toulouse’s first receivers behind the gain-line a number of times and deny the French side any sort of front-foot ball or momentum. With Toulouse seemingly double-teaming both Ryan and Furlong throughout the game, the lock did exceptionally well to win as many collisions as he did.
- Rynhard Elstadt, Toulouse
Elstadt must have watched Rhodes’ performance on Saturday and seen that abrasive and physical showing as a challenge from his national compatriot. The Toulouse flanker delivered every ounce of power and work rate that Rhodes did the previous day, and he gets the nod on the basis he didn’t quite have the helping hand from his other seven forwards that Rhodes enjoyed in Coventry.
- Sean O’Brien, Leinster
Tough on Jackson Wray, who was very effective in his own right, but O’Brien was a major source of go forward for Leinster, with his carrying tough for Toulouse to deny in one-on-one situations. His offload also set up Lowe for the first try of the game and his work at the contact area was proficient, particularly in clearing out Toulouse counter-ruckers and providing Leinster with quick ball.
- Billy Vunipola, Saracens
Vunipola ended his controversial week in positive fashion on the pitch, as his bruising carries consistently broke the gain-line for Saracens and allowed them to play with tempo and relative security at the breakdown. The performance won’t make his opinions more palatable, but he took some pressure off his shoulders with people once again talking about his impact on the field, rather than off it. His late try killed off any hopes of an unlikely Munster comeback.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments