Champions Cup XV of Round 5
The penultimate round of the European Rugby Champions Cup brought contrasting fortunes for some of the tournament’s front-runners.
Leinster kept up their recent dominance with an emphatic win over Glasgow Warriors, Exeter Chiefs routed Montpellier to resuscitate their hopes of qualifying and Clermont slipped to a surprising defeat to Northampton Saints, potentially making their route through the knockout rounds that bit more testing.
We rounded up the XV that impressed us the most over the past three days, but do you agree?
- Rhys Patchell, Scarlets
The late change to the Scarlets line-up that saw Patchell drop to 15 to cover the injured Leigh Halfpenny looks like a stroke of luck in retrospect, with the playmaker proving the perfect complement to young Dan Jones at fly-half. Whenever Scarlets were able to generate quick ball, they had either Patchell or Jones ready to pull the strings and the Bath defence just couldn’t cope with the tempo and ingenuity of the Patchell-led back line.
- James Lowe, Leinster
The Kiwi had a fine European debut, scything open his former coach’s side in Dublin, just seeing him pip Josua Tuisova, who also had a superb showing on Sunday afternoon. The interplay between Lowe, Jonathan Sexton, Isa Nacewa and Jordan Larmour was a joy to watch and the sky would look to be the limit for the Leinster back three as they continue to grow together.
- Hadleigh Parkes, Scarlets
Chris Farrell was close, Thomas Combezou was closer, but even with the Scarlets back line decimated by injuries, Parkes was still able to spearhead a unit that tormented Bath, shining both as a ball-carrier and a support-runner. He was able to constantly find gaps and doglegs in the Bath defensive line and put down a big marker ahead of the Six Nations.
- Isa Nacewa, Leinster
The PRO14 dominance of this back line continues, with the Fijian’s biggest challenge coming from the Scarlets’ Scott Williams. Age doesn’t seem to affect Nacewa, whose versatility has been such a valuable weapon for Leinster over the years and never more so than this season. As a distributor and a runner, he had his way with the Glasgow defence.
- Olly Woodburn, Exeter Chiefs
It was a showcase in clinical finishing from Woodburn, who scored two tries in Exeter’s 41-10 victory over Montpellier. In addition to his brace of tries, Woodburn was also his usual reliable self in defence and in the aerial game, as well as never giving the South African midfield of Frans Steyn and Jan Serfontein any sniff of unleashing rapid wing Gaby Ngandebe.
Munster’s Keith Earls was also in fine form.
"That is a world class finish!"
Olly Woodburn scores his second try of the game in absolutely incredible style!
Just look at that finish… and it was the bonus point! ? pic.twitter.com/YiW8AisfdJ
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 13, 2018
- Christian Lealiifano, Ulster
The Australian bid farewell to the Kingspan Stadium in the perfect fashion, guiding Ulster to an impressive victory over La Rochelle. Both Anthony Belleau and Sexton had fine showings from the fly-half position in their respective games, but were given slightly easier rides by their packs in one-sided affairs, whereas Lealiifano was pivotally involved in gifting Ulster the advantage over the French side.
- Danny Care, Harlequins
Maxime Machenaud went well in Paris, whilst Gareth Davies had his way at the Rec, but Care sparked an almighty Harlequins comeback at the Stoop. His passing, kicking, running and tempo was all high standard and whilst the balance of him spelling Ben Youngs for England is unlikely to be tinkered with, the Harlequin could not be doing any more this season to earn the starting spot.
- Dany Priso, La Rochelle
La Rochelle might have been on the losing end of the result in Belfast on Saturday afternoon, but Priso put in a dominant effort at the scrum. He kept himself busy in the loose, too, but it was the dissection of Rodney Ah You at the set-piece that really stood out.
- Ken Owens, Scarlets
A mention here for Dylan Hartley, who put recent criticism behind him to have a very solid outing in Northampton’s win over Clermont, but Owens was the unheralded spark behind Scarlets’ clinical drubbing of Bath. In addition to a fine showing at the set-piece, Owens also carried strongly in the tight, laying the platform for the region’s scything play in the wider channels.
- Uini Atonio, La Rochelle
Atonio was part of the destructive La Rochelle scrum that tore into Ulster at the Kingspan and it was comfortably the standout set-piece unit of the weekend, even in defeat. Stephen Archer went well for Munster, whilst Ben Tameifuna made his presence known at the contact area in that same game, but neither turned in as imposing of a performance as Atonio.
- Tadhg Beirne, Scarlets
The Irishman may be Munster-bound at the end of the season, but he turned in an immaculate performance at the Rec to keep alive the Scarlets’ European title hopes this season. An ankle-breaking step sent the lock in for a well-deserved try in the first half, but it was his constant success as a carrier, breakdown operator and linkman that really saw him stand out in round five.
Trademark @scarlets_rugby ?
"From one side of Bath to the other!"
That's one of the tries of the season ? pic.twitter.com/qh21sN88Vy
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) January 12, 2018
- Scott Fardy, Leinster
Exeter’s Mitch Lees deserves a shout, but the nod goes to Fardy, who capped his excellent performance against Glasgow with two tries. The tries were just reward for his industrious outing at the RDS and added welcome gloss to 80 minutes of keeping everything tidy and organised for Leinster.
- Dave Ewers, Exeter Chiefs
James Chisholm was a big part of Harlequins’ impressive comeback against Wasps, but Ewers put down quite the marker for Eddie Jones ahead of the Six Nations. His carrying stood out, overpowering Montpellier in the tight, an area where they usually exert their will on opponents. He helped generate quick ball for Exeter, too, with smart, accurate clearing at the breakdown.
- James Davies, Scarlets
Chris Cloete and Yannick Nyanga both flashed in Paris but neither quite matched the 73-minute effort that Davies put in at the Rec. It’s hard to imagine the clamours for Davies to get a Wales call-up could get any louder, but with performances like this one in Europe, they inevitably will. In terms of consistency at the breakdown, there is no more proficient operator in the northern hemisphere on current form.
- Zach Mercer, Bath
Sam Simmonds, Alex Tulou and Nizaam Carr all put their hands with noteworthy performances and it might seem odd to go with Mercer, who was part of a well-beaten Bath side. Mercer was a man apart in the Bath pack on Friday night, though, consistently breaking the gain-line and until James Phillips arrived, he was the only Bath forward to do so. A couple of handling errors early didn’t shake his confidence and he battled, with plenty of success, throughout the game, even when Scarlets had the result wrapped up.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments