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
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
7 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
7 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
14 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
14 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
7 Go to comments