Champions Cup XV of Round 1
The Champions Cup kicked off this weekend and reminded us all just what we have been missing over the last five months.
Making their debut in the competition, La Rochelle pulled off an impressive 34-27 victory over Harlequins in London, whilst other highlights included a clinical 24-17 victory for Leinster over French high-fliers Montpellier and a frenetic and intense affair at the Stade Mayol, where Toulon narrowly bested Scarlets, 21-20.
Reigning champions Saracens set out their stall for the campaign, too, thrashing Northampton Saints 57-13 at Franklin’s Gardens, scoring eight tries and signalling their intent as they look to win the title for the third-consecutive season.
We have rounded up who we think were the best performers from round one of the competition, but do you agree?
- Charles Piutau, Ulster
It may not have been a classic from Piutau, but the Kiwi was still a cut above all other full-backs in the opening round of action. The assist to Jacob Stockdale – in the video below – was a fantastic example of doing the basics to perfection and allowing the other players around him to shine as a result. Joey Carbery also impressed for Leinster, but it was Piutau who takes home the 15 jersey.
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/918932786056134658
- Josua Tuisova, Toulon
Liam Williams, Tommy Seymour and Johnny McNicholl all had good outings, but the Fijian was a constant threat for Toulon, as well as a defensive force. Tuisova barrelled over or through the Scarlets back three on multiple occasions, keeping Toulon on the front foot and sparking a dominant first half performance.
- Robbie Henshaw, Leinster
The Irishman revelled in the move back to the position he played earlier in his career and proceeded to carve the Montpellier defence open in the extra space he was afforded. He contributed significantly in defence, too, providing plenty of defensive line speed and threat to steal the ball at the breakdown.
A mention, too, for the defensive clinic Henry Slade put on for Exeter, a player normally more noted for his attacking ability.
- Geoffrey Doumayrou, La Rochelle
Doumayrou enjoyed plenty of success with ball-in-hand at the Stoop, consistently breaking the line with his carries and then having the acceleration and speed of thought to turn those breaks into considerable gains. Defence seemed optional at times during the game with Quins, but the Frenchman wasn’t simply opportunistic, he was causing defensive errors with clinical attacking play.
Owen Watkin deserves a mention for his strong second half performance in a spirited, but ultimately unsuccessful, comeback from the Ospreys.
- Jacob Stockdale, Ulster
If we were looking purely at attacking play, it would be all but impossible to ignore Montpellier’s Nemani Nadolo, who caused Leinster plenty of problems on Saturday, but his performance was mitigated by defensive errors and that let Stockdale just shade this spot.
The powerful wing put in a very solid all-round performance and is surely playing his way into Joe Schmidt’s plans for the autumn. He potentially gives Ireland a physical presence on the wing that they have not had since Shane Horgan was pulling on the green jersey.
- Owen Farrell, Saracens
It was another masterclass in attacking playmaking and game management from Farrell, who oversaw a rout of Northampton at the Gardens. Leinster’s Ross Byrne had a good game, as did Glasgow’s Finn Russell, but Farrell was in a league of his own in round one, orchestrating the standout team performance of the competition so far.
- Nic White, Exeter Chiefs
It was a two-horse race with Richard Wigglesworth, with both scrum-halves delivering exceptional control, swift tempo and good chemistry with their fly-halves. The competitiveness of Exeter’s game with Glasgow made White’s contribution seem that bit more pivotal, swinging the pendulum in his direction, but either player would have been a valid choice.
- Joe Marler, Harlequins
Quins may have ultimately lost to La Rochelle, but they certainly fronted up at the set-piece and Marler had his fair share of joy against Uini Atonio. He was also industrious with ball-in-hand, showing his value in the loose at an opportune time, just before he begins his annual battle with Mako Vunipola for England’s one jersey.
Apart from a late conceded penalty that almost gave Castres a win, Munster loosehead Dave Kilcoyne also enjoyed a very strong outing.
- Guilhem Guirado, Toulon
So often the heartbeat of Toulon and France, Guirado was the standout forward in his side on Sunday. He provided the French side with plenty of go forward and stability at the set-piece and his early substitution coincided with Scarlets growing into the game and almost stealing a win.
- Simone Ferrari, Benetton Rugby
The Italian was given a run for his money by Vincent Koch, but the 23-year-old was a cornerstone in a dominant pack effort by Benetton Rugby against Bath. He gave Nick Auterac a tough day at the office and Conor O’Shea will be encouraged by what he saw, with Ferrari named in the Azzurri squad for the November Tests last week.
- Nick Isiekwe, Saracens
Isiekwe and Jake Ball were neck and neck in terms of set-piece contribution and the physicality and work rate they brought to the breakdown and in defence, but it was the attacking contribution of Isiekwe in the loose that swung it his way. The young lock was constantly popping up as a first receiver and support runner, as well as keeping phases alive with offloads and short passes to put runners through holes.
- Leone Nakarawa, Racing 92
An honourable mention is due for young James Ryan, who more than adequately filled in for Scott Fardy at late notice in Dublin, but Nakarawa was his usual one-man-offloading army in Paris. He consistently drew multiple defenders to him, freed up his hands and sent runners through holes with pinpoint pops to his supporting teammates.
- Zach Mercer, Bath
The versatile back row picked up from where he left off in the Premiership, playing with a dynamism that singled him out as a special talent at the age-grade levels. His work in defence and doing the unglamorous nuts and bolts around the pitch was equally impressive.
His opposite number, Sebastian Negri, also deserves an honourable mention.
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/919602183120834560
- Kevin Gourdon, La Rochelle
A yellow card slightly blighted Gourdon’s performance, but he did more than enough in the other 70 minutes to earn his spot here. It was an all-action, physical outing from the Frenchman, who was particularly abrasive at the contact area, helping generate the fast ball that La Rochelle thrived on at the Stoop.
- Maama Vaipulu, Castres
This spot could have easily gone to Yannick Nyanga, Sam Simmonds, Fritz Lee or Facundo Isa, but Vaipulu was a talismanic figure for Castres and he was unlucky not to finish on a winning side, with some questionable refereeing decisions ultimately seeing Castres settle for a draw with Munster. The former Chief seemed to be constantly involved with the play and was error-free in a contest that struggled for chemistry and composure for large periods.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments