The RugbyPass 'Champions Cup XV' - Round 3
It was a weekend to forget for the English clubs in the Champions Cup, whilst it offered much-needed lifelines for the two Welsh regions in the competition. The Irish provinces reaffirmed their strength and La Rochelle and Montpellier spearheaded a good round for the leading French sides.
Unfortunately, the weather conditions caused the flagship encounter between Saracens vs Clermont, a repeat of last season’s final, to be postponed, but there was still plenty of compelling action, from the snow drifts of Harlequins vs Ulster to the high-octane, free-flowing match-up between La Rochelle and Wasps.
We picked our team of the week from the nine matches, but do you agree?
- Dan Evans, Ospreys
The Ospreys’ Mr Consistent shone at Franklin’s Gardens, scything his way through the Northampton defence multiple times and was rewarded with two tries for his efforts. Not only was Evans a threat as a ball-carrier running lines off of Sam Davies and Owen Watkin, he was another playmaker further out wide, putting teammates through holes with accurate passes.
On another week, the performance from Benetton’s Jayden Hayward would have been enough to earn him this spot.
- Leonardo Sarto, Glasgow Warriors
The Italian was a notable silver lining in a disappointing defeat for Glasgow. He was always looking for work, coming off of his wing and testing the fringes around the breakdown, as well as chasing kicks with commitment and beating defenders with solid footwork. He was fair value for the two tries he picked up.
- Mathieu Bastareaud, RC Toulon
There was no shortage of impressive outside centres this weekend, with Jonathan Joseph, Sam Arnold and Kieron Fonotia chief among them, but Bastareaud reminded us all what he is capable of when used correctly. The Bath defensive line performed admirably on the Côte d’Azur, but if there was one player they struggled to contain, it was Bastareaud. He was either bullishly breaking the line or drawing so many defenders to him as to create space for his teammates.
HIGHLIGHTS: @RCTOfficiel and @BathRugby? were embroiled in a tough tussle at the Stade Félix Mayol. Take a look! pic.twitter.com/GeZ9VVp2h6
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2017
- Pierre Aguillon, La Rochelle
Geoffrey Doumayrou may have caught the eye more in the 13 jersey for La Rochelle, but it was Aguillon’s work inside him that allowed him to thrive. Aguillon was powerful and ran well outside of Brock James, providing the go-forward that any team as eager to play with width as La Rochelle desperately need.
- Steff Evans, Scarlets
The Scarlets were well off the pace on Saturday, but Evans came alive at just the right time and not only saved his side from a humbling defeat, but also delivered a priceless win that kept alive their European hopes. His nimble footwork saw him dart inside for a late try, before he set up his side’s winning score, first by breaking from deep within Scarlets territory, then putting in the deft kick for Paul Asquith to collect and score.
Honourable mentions are due for Benetton’s Monty Ioane and Ospreys’ Jeff Hassler.
- Ian Keatley, Munster
There were certainly fly-halves who played with more carefree abandon this weekend, such as Brock James and Sam Davies, but the control Keatley exhibited was superb and, along with his half-back partner, identified just where to hurt Leicester. With the Munster pack delivering a rock-solid platform and complete dominance at the contact area, Keatley didn’t need to overplay his hand, just make the right decisions and consistently execute the basics.
His biggest challenge came from his countryman Jonathan Sexton, but contrary to their international rivalry, Keatley bags this one.
- Conor Murray, Munster
The term “floor general” is often reserved for basketball players, but that is exactly what Murray was against Leicester on Saturday evening. His measured box-kicks were always able to be competed for by his chasers, his passing was crisp and accurate, and he picked good holes in the Leicester defence and turned them into sizeable gains.
Murray was pushed close by Ulster’s John Cooney, who exhibited excellent control and decision-making in the wild tundra of the Stoop.
- Beno Obano, Bath
Nicky Smith came close in a dominant Ospreys pack, as did La Rochelle’s Dany Priso, but Obano just pips them both in what was arguably his coming out game at this level. The behemoth of a loosehead has been impressing in the Premiership as he continues to garner experience and he translated that to an even higher level on Saturday, coming out on top against a formidable Toulon pack. He defied belief with the work rate he showed in defence for a man of his size, too.
- Anthony Étrillard, RC Toulon
This could have easily gone to Étrillard’s opposite number, Tom Dunn, with both hookers excelling at the Stade Mayol on Saturday. The Frenchman shone in the absence of Guilhem Guirado, with a faultless display at the lineout, great work rate in defence and he seemed to always make a metre or two on his carries, helping keep Toulon on the front foot. He also played the full 80 minutes for his side and didn’t tire or fade out of the game, as can often be the case with Top 14 tight five forwards.
- Dmitri Arhip, Ospreys
The Moldovan tighthead was turning the screw in the scrum at Franklin’s Gardens and his team seemed to feed off that early scrum dominance and asserted themselves on a beleaguered Saints side. Put himself about in the loose, too, tackling and clearing at the breakdown industriously.
Just sees off Leinster’s Tadhg Furlong.
Almost too close to call.
Can I pick them both?
- Nico Janse van Rensburg, Montpellier
The big South African wreaked havoc on the Glasgow lineout, stealing three throws, as well as constantly disrupting the Scottish’s side ball at the set-piece. He carried and tackled forcibly throughout, too, in a fine overall performance that managed to see him just ahead of the Ospreys’ Bradley Davies, who also shone this weekend.
- Alun Wyn Jones, Ospreys
A real captain’s outing for Jones, who helped lift the Ospreys out of their recent slump and inspire them to a dominant 60-minute effort that blew Northampton away at Franklin’s Gardens. He was cruelly denied a 40m try by a teammate being offside, but he did more than enough elsewhere on the pitch to warrant his spot here.
Scott Fardy was a brick wall in defence and went a long way to shutting down Exeter’s power carriers, more than making him worth a mention here.
HIGHLIGHTS: @Ospreys? put themselves 35 points ahead before @SaintsRugby? delivered a rousing fightback at Franklin's Gardens. pic.twitter.com/H3EnnFs3ml
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2017
- Kélian Galletier, Montpellier
The flanker bagged himself a brace on Friday night at Scotstoun, playing a pivotal role in an equally pragmatic and dynamic Montpellier performance that Glasgow had no answer for. With plenty of defensive attention heading the way of Louis Picamoles, Galletier profited and was a constant source of gain-line success for the French side.
- Chris Cloete, Munster
A dominant display from Cloete in his Champions Cup debut, as the South African hounded Leicester at the breakdown for 80 minutes at Thomond Park. Tigers had no answer for him on the floor and he even turned his hand to holding up the Leicester carriers and forcing turnovers from the ensuing mauls. Capped his display with a well-earned try towards the end of the game and gave the home side perfect balance alongside Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander in the back-row.
Bath’s Paul Grant and La Rochelle’s Levani Botia were both right on Cloete’s heels.
- Maama Vaipulu, Castres Olympique
Victor Vito, Jack Conan and Louis Picamoles all had good games, but Vaipulu was the difference in a tight match between Castres and Racing 92. The Kiwi is one of the most underrated players in rugby and delivers consistently every time he takes to the pitch, particularly with his carrying. Really stepped up as a link man this weekend, shifting the point of contact and keeping the ball away from the jaws of Racing’s defence.
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
30 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
30 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
30 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
30 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
30 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
30 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
30 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to comments