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Our Investec Champions Cup team of the week - round two
By Josh Raisey
Round two of the Investec Champions Cup is in the books, and just six unbeaten sides remain – Bordeaux-Begles, Leinster, Glasgow Warriors, the Stormers, Northampton Saints and Bristol Bears.
There were, once again, many eye-catching displays, but the truth is that there were very few matches over the weekend where two full-strength sides went head-to-head. Instead, there were often mismatches, with the scorelines reflecting that.
That also came into consideration when deciding our team of the week, with players up against stronger outfits getting the nod. Here’s the team:
VIDEO
15. Nick David (Harlequins)
When your team posts 68 points (the most of the weekend), scoring 10 tries in the process, it may be a little strange that a player who failed to score a try makes the cut, but David posted some impressive numbers nevertheless. Nine defenders beaten from 17 carries, with two line breaks and six offloads – the full-back was untouchable.
14. Adam Vargas (Castres)
Castres looked good in their 33-0 drubbing of Edinburgh, and the whole backline stood up. Not only did Vargas score, but he was threatening throughout, beating six defenders from 14 carries.
Investec Champions Cup
Pool 1
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Glasgow
2
2
0
0
10
2
Saracens
2
1
1
0
6
3
Toulouse
2
1
1
0
6
4
Sale
2
1
1
0
6
5
Sharks
2
1
1
0
5
6
Clermont
2
0
2
0
0
Pool 2
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Bath
2
1
1
0
6
2
Castres
2
1
1
0
5
3
Munster
2
1
1
0
5
4
Toulon
2
1
1
0
5
5
Gloucester
2
1
1
0
5
6
Edinburgh
2
1
1
0
5
Pool 3
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Stormers
2
2
0
0
9
2
Leinster
2
2
0
0
9
3
Harlequins
2
1
1
0
6
4
Stade Rochelais
2
1
1
0
5
5
Leicester
2
0
2
0
0
6
Bayonne
2
0
2
0
0
Pool 4
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Northampton
2
2
0
0
10
2
Bordeaux
2
2
0
0
10
3
Bristol
2
2
0
0
9
4
Scarlets
2
0
2
0
1
5
Bulls
2
0
2
0
1
6
Pau
2
0
2
0
0
13. Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Begles)
Bordeaux racked up a half-century against the Scarlets, but this wasn’t necessarily a case of a weakened side fielded by the losers, just a gulf in class with the reigning champions looking close to their best. Moefana, starting at inside centre, was at the heart of everything good Bordeaux did.
12. Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks)
The Sharks’ captain stood up both sides of the ball in some torrid conditions against Saracens, topping the carry charts for his side and tackle charts for the entire match.
11. George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
A hat-trick against a weakened Bulls side, and though his first two were more about the work of Fin Smith setting the tries up, his third required some finishing in the corner.
10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers)
Marcus Smith made a good account of himself in Quins’ victory, but it’s impossible to ignore Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The Bok was just playing on another level against what was admittedly a severely depleted La Rochelle outfit. 2 line breaks, 6 defenders beaten, 4 try assists are impressive figures, but it’s the flamboyance that marked him out, producing one-handed passes in every direction.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
Leinster were not at their best, nor did their backline fire on all cylinders against Leicester Tigers, but Gibson-Park’s try was the catalyst for their comeback win. On top of that, he controlled the game in the second 40 to ensure the hosts could barely make a mark after the break.
1. Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Begles)
The French veteran was a try-scorer in Bordeaux’s victory, but his defensive work was most noticeable, producing 11 tackles in 47 minutes, and these were some tackles.
2. Gregor Hiddleston (Glasgow Warriors)
A lineout success rate of 92 per cent in those conditions in Scotstoun is remarkable, but it is what Hiddleston did in the loose in the epic win over Toulouse which stood out. 20 tackles and two turnovers in 70 minutes is a huge shift, particularly in limiting the visitors’ points haul in the first half when the wind was against the Warriors.
3. Kyle Sinckler (Toulon)
An 80-minute display from the former England tighthead, and produced some huge scrums against a Bath pack who is used to dominating opponents. Chipped in with the second-most tackles for his side, too.
4. Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
A total of 13 carries at Welford Road is respectable, but it was the brutality of the British and Irish Lion’s carrying, and general play, that helped Leinster win an arm wrestle in England.
5. Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks)
There are few players that hit harder in the Gallagher PREM than Sale’s Bamber, and the 134kg lock brought all of that physicality to the Stade Marcel-Michelin on Saturday as the visitors came away 35-14 victors against ASM Clermont Auvergne.
6. Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
The only substitute to make this team, but the Scotland flanker was monumental from the bench against Toulouse. Brown was introduced by Franco Smith shortly after half time, and, as far as he’s concerned, he won 28-0 against the European giants. Scored Glasgow’s second try in the comeback win, but it was the ferocity of his carries that gave his side momentum.
7. Charles Ollivon (Toulon)
The Stormers’ Paul de Villiers was a contender for this place, but given the star-studded Bath side Toulon defeated, it is hard to look past Ollivon, who was relentless in the victory over the PREM champions, producing a combined 30 tackles and carries.
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)
One try and deprived of a second due to the faintest of tap tackles, Pollock was everywhere at Franklin’s Gardens, running a match-leading 82 metres from 13 carries.
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