Champions Cup XV of the semi-finals
It wasn’t quite the classic weekend of European semi-final rugby that we all hoped for, with two one-sided results, but what it has done is create a tantalising final between two clinical and in-form teams.
Leinster got the ball rolling by defeating the Scarlets, 38-16, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, before Racing 92 saw off Munster, 27-22, in Bordeaux.
We have put together a XV of the best performers from this weekend’s action and it only whets the appetite for what should be an exciting final in Bilbao in three weeks’ time.
Continue reading below…
- Rob Kearney, Leinster
In a time when Leinster’s young guns are coming to the fore and shining bright, not enough is made of the reliability and stabilising influence that Kearney brings at the back.
The control and consistency Kearney brought on Saturday may not have seemed as influential as it was due to the gulf in class between the two teams, but he did not put a foot wrong and had the game been closer, it’s a performance that would’ve looked even more impressive.
- Teddy Thomas, Racing 92
Thomas blew Munster away with a breath-taking opening quarter, as the lethal winger ran in two tries and selflessly gave up his hat-trick to hand a try to his teammate, Maxime Machenaud.
His speed and footwork were a nightmare for Munster defenders to try and track and it often saw him power his way through would-be tacklers as he repeatedly gouged Munster for big gains. An engaged and confident Thomas is up there with the most lethal wings in European rugby and it looked on Sunday as if he was back to somewhere close to his best.
- Virimi Vakatawa, Racing 92
Vakatawa dovetailed superbly with Thomas on his outside shoulder and the pair proved far too potent of a combo for the Munster defence to deal with.
Vakatawa punched the holes in the defensive line and then used his speed and his comfort shifting the ball between hands to unleash the supporting Thomas and wrap up the result in the early exchanges.
- Robbie Henshaw, Leinster
It was a fine return from injury on Saturday for Henshaw, who made it look as if he’d never been away.
Time and time again, Henshaw’s smart lines, many back against the grain, found holes in the Scarlets’ defensive line and though he never ripped off any massive runs, he was a constant source of line-breaks and front-foot ball.
- Steff Evans, Scarlets
In a usually potent back line, Evans was the only player to remain a threat to Leinster, as the rest of the Scarlets struggled to deal with the lack of front-foot ball that the pack was delivering.
Evans’ ability to create something from nothing with his footwork and change of pace produced a couple of moments of worry for Leinster – even if the outcome seemed beyond doubt – and his performance was noteworthy, if not result-defining.
- Jonathan Sexton, Leinster
The arch puppeteer continues to have the Leinster team dancing to his jig.
Sexton’s performance on Saturday bordered on immaculate, as he pushed and prodded his Leinster teammates around him and found hole after hole in the Scarlets defence. Not only did he facilitate the success of the players around him, but the fly-half also shone as a ball-carrier himself, in an excellent playmaking outing.
- Maxime Machenaud, Racing 92
Both Machenaud and Jamison Gibson-Park were given armchair rides by their packs and both were fitting candidates for this spot, but the Frenchman’s goal-kicking gave him a narrow edge over the Leinsterman.
Machenaud has carried his form with France in the Six Nations into the latter stages of European competition and he ran the game for Racing in Bordeaux in exemplary fashion.
- Dave Kilcoyne, Munster
It was a day to forget for Munster in Bordeaux, but if one player stood out, it was arguably Kilcoyne.
The loosehead helped Munster to a scrum advantage in the first half, really the only area of the game where Munster had the number of their opposition. He also delivered powerful carries in the tighter areas of the pitch, a facet Munster usually do very well in, but something which they found themselves largely unsuccessful at due to rabid Racing defence.
- Sean Cronin, Leinster
Not only was Cronin his usual energetic self in the loose, he also spearheaded the most consistent and accurate lineout of the four sides involved in semi-final action.
He connected well with James Ryan, Devin Toner and Scott Fardy and his mobility and intensity in the loose was key to Leinster’s dominance around the fringes, as he helped deliver quick ball and provided a reliable carrying option.
- Tadgh Furlong, Leinster
Cedate Gomes Sa went well for Racing, but it was another impressive all-round performance from Furlong, who has surely now cemented his status as the most valuable tighthead prop in world rugby.
Not only was his scrummaging of its usual high standard, he also delivered in the loose, sucking in Scarlets defenders with his carrying and repeatedly showing good hands to link play and shift the point of contact.
- Tadhg Beirne, Scarlets
It was a largely abject performance from the Scarlets, who just couldn’t get anything going against Leinster, but if there was one man who had parity with the Dubliners, it was Beirne.
The second-row’s fine form shows no signs of ending anytime soon and the Irishman was a pest at the breakdown and with ball-in-hand. The Leinster lineout was a well-oiled machine at the Aviva, so he couldn’t have his customary spoiling presence there, but otherwise it was an outstanding performance in a losing cause.
- James Ryan, Leinster
This season continues to be an extravagant coming out party for Ryan, who has excelled in demanding arenas of Champions Cup and Test rugby.
His powerful carrying and tackling around the fringes played a significant role in Leinster’s dominance of the gain-line, both in attack and defence. Everything Leinster did well fed off this and everything Scarlets struggled with also seemed to stem from the battle lost in this area.
- Scott Fardy, Leinster
If there were still any people questioning the wisdom of Fardy’s signing, given the wealth of riches Leinster have coming through in the second and back-rows, they were surely convinced on Saturday.
The Australian did all the gritty, unseen work that any good side needs to be effective, including supporting ball-carriers, preventing counter-rucks and slowing down opposition ball. He grabbed a well-deserved try for his efforts and was only denied a second by being slightly too advanced in a ruck.
- Dan Leavy, Leinster
Just like Ryan, this young forward’s star continues to rise in a season where it seems he cannot put a foot wrong.
He was the perfect foil to the grinding and glue-like game of Fardy on the opposite flank, swooping in to steal ball at the breakdown, popping up with impactful carries at the space between defenders and lining up carriers for big tackles in the areas between the fringes and the wider channels.
- Yannick Nyanga, Racing 92
Nyanga belied his advancing years in Bordeaux on Sunday, playing with the freshness and stamina of a man 10 years his junior.
The versatile back-rower wrought havoc early on at the breakdown and disrupted Munster’s lineout, as well as being a powerful and elusive carrier. The Frenchman delivered a physicality and energy that Munster couldn’t live with.
Comments on RugbyPass
Are the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
2 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
2 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to comments