Heineken Champions Cup XV of the 2018/19 season
After an intense first 40 minutes at St James’ Park, where Leinster had threatened to swing the momentum in their favour, Saracens emerged victorious in the Heineken Champions Cup showpiece with a consummate second half performance.
The reigning Gallagher Premiership champions picked up their third European title in four years, a feat which makes them the most successful English side in the competition, bypassing Wasps’ and Leicester Tigers’ marks of two titles apiece.
That said, the final alone does not tell the story of the entire competition and there are a surprising number of non-Saracens and non-Leinster players that have cracked our XV of the tournament. But, do you agree with our assessment?
- Alex Goode, Saracens
Saracens’ Mr Consistency delivered again in the final, reaffirming his spot in this XV. Not only did he repeatedly provided his side with a dangerous source of counter-attacking and incisive attacking play, his competitions for the ball in the air and his pressure-relieving tactical kicking also bordered on flawless. He played every minute of Saracens’ Champions Cup campaign and there’s a good chance that, without him, they wouldn’t have lifted the trophy on Saturday.
The diminutive South African has been in sublime form all season for Toulouse and some of his very best performances have come in the Champions Cup. He didn’t quite trouble the top try scorers in the competition, but his evasive footwork and elusive running lines tormented everyone that French side came up against. Plenty of flowing breaks that were started by Kolbe were finished off by the likes of Maxime Médard and Sofiane Guitoune cruising over the try line.
- Garry Ringrose, Leinster
A strong showing in the final from Alex Lozowski did give plenty of pause for thought, here, but Ringrose was one of the shining lights that helped Leinster get to St James’ Park in such emphatic fashion. Whether running dangerous lines off of Robbie Henshaw or a Johnny Sexton loop, or making pinpoint defensive reads in the 13 channel, Ringrose delivered clinically throughout the tournament.
- Brad Barritt, Saracens
Never the most exciting player, Barritt is the heartbeat of Saracens and the blood, sweat and tears he shed this season were what lubricated the cogs of that relentless north London machine. His work in defence was a given, such are the standards he has driven there, but it was also the composed execution in attack – and not just as someone who can straighten the line – which really proved the difference this season.
Perhaps no player flourished under the bright lights of the Paris La Défense Arena in big European fixtures as much as Zebo did. Just like Kolbe, he thrived with his combination of fast feet and ability to quickly move through the gears, leaving plenty of would-be tacklers clutching at thin air in his wake. He switched between full-back and wing throughout the tournament but wherever he was deployed on the pitch, the Irishman added a cutting edge to Racing in attack.
- Owen Farrell, Saracens
One position battle which went all the way to the final, with Farrell just about edging it on the day. Finn Russell had a good competition in the French capital, whilst Danny Cipriani’s efforts in the pool stage were also noteworthy, but Farrell just oozed class on the big stage. He also led the tournament in points scored for the fourth season in a row, which is a remarkable individual achievement.
- Antoine Dupont, Toulouse
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last three or four seasons and it is arguably this Champions Cup campaign where he has firmly established himself as one of the most incisive scrum-halves in the global game. In attack, he repeatedly showed his game-changing ability, whether as a carrying option or a support runner, or in his penchant for providing as quick ball as possible to his dangerous back line. Were it not for France’s struggles at international level, Dupont may be being discussed as the top nine in the game right now.
Edinburgh’s unlikely run to the quarter-finals was one of the stories of the season and Schoeman was front and centre in that charge. Acknowledgement is due for finalists Mako Vunipola and Cian Healy and whilst their consistent, high level of play deserves plenty of applause, neither felt quite as decisive in how their team went over an 80-minute period as Schoeman did for Edinburgh. Between him, Stuart McInally and WP Nel, Edinburgh’s front row looks to be in good shape for the coming seasons.
- Jamie George, Saracens
Another spot where the performances in the final were needed to separate the two top candidates. Sean Cronin was unlucky to be coming off an injury, although that should not detract from George’s excellence and precision at the set-piece. Saracens’ lineout was ruthlessly efficient this season and the hooker played a major role in that, whilst continuing to deliver impactful carrying and tackling, often for long shifts.
- Tadhg Furlong, Leinster
It’s a mark of Furlong’s quality that even though he didn’t seem quite as effective this season as he was in the last campaign, he’s still the standout tighthead in the competition. He kept Leinster’s scrum ticking along nicely from the pool stage to the final and his energy and work rate in the loose continued to amaze for a man his size. The rest of the world is still playing catch up with the man mountain from Wexford.
- James Ryan, Leinster
Talking of mountainous men with an abundance of energy and work rate, Ryan never stopped this European season. He frequently led the province in both tackles and carries and these were not ‘stat sheet-stuffers’, these were dominant one-on-one tackles on the gain-line and powerful forays with the ball in hand that would regularly see him break the first line of defence and give Leinster plenty of forward momentum. The ongoing battle between him and Maro Itoje continued to delight, too.
Munster’s sole representative in the XV which speaks to both how well Beirne has performed this season, and how intense the competition is at every spot, with so many stellar performances this campaign. Beirne edges out the likes of Itoje and Leone Nakarawa for this final spot in the engine room and that is largely based on his turnover work at both the breakdown and the lineout. He led the competition with a staggering 15 won turnovers and he was consistently able to alleviate defensive pressure on the province.
Coetzee slides over from number eight, where he played for most of the tournament, in order to accommodate an indisputable selection, as the South African put last year’s injury struggles behind him in emphatic fashion. His physicality and work rate in defence, in particular, was vital in the narrow wins over Scarlets and Racing 92, two results which helped book Ulster a quarter-final that not many predicted prior to the season. His complementary role alongside Jordi Murphy was one of the most encouraging things about Ulster’s campaign.
- Hamish Watson, Edinburgh
Just like Schoeman, Watson was integral in Edinburgh’s march to the knockout rounds, with his work at the contact area providing his side with plenty of opportunities to attack on the transition. It wasn’t just at the breakdown where he excelled, either, with his tireless work as a carrier and a tackler also helping to separate him from the likes of Francois Louw and Jackson Wray, both of whom also impressed.
- Viliame Mata, Edinburgh
Coetzee, as mentioned before, slides to six, whilst CJ Stander and Jack Conan both had good seasons, but Mata’s performances at time bordered on unplayable. It wasn’t just his powerhouse carrying and flashy offloads that ensured he rounded out a trio of Edinburgh players in this XV, it was also the endurance and industry of his displays. The Fijian got through a mountain of work throughout the tournament and his selection wasn’t just down to the eye-catching attacking ability that made the highlight reels.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments