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
This is might be the most generalised, entitled, patronising, out-of-pocket cultural indictment on a group of people you’ll ever see on what is supposedly a sports publication. I can only assume the author is weak like a woman or homosexual. I’m feeling an incredible range of emotions but I am not quite sure how to express them. I might go beat up a hockey player - assuming that’s okay with Duane and the boys? 🙂
9 Go to commentsBest thing the Welsh clubs could do is apply to join Gallagher prem surely be more exciting matches for there support than they have now.
2 Go to commentsRugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
9 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
24 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
64 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
24 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
64 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
9 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
9 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
9 Go to comments