Champions Cup Team of the Week: World’s ‘form player’ joined by ‘joyous free spirit’ Henry Pollock while fly-half produces the ‘toughest call’
Henry Pollock and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both make the team.
A monumental weekend in Europe saw holders Toulouse given a breakdown lesson by Bordeaux on the Atlantic Coast, whilst champions elect, Leinster, found themselves at the wrong end of arguably Northampton’s finest ever performance.
Without further ado, let’s see who made our side.
Investec Champions Cup Team of the Week
15 Romain Buros (Bordeaux-Begles): A really classy outing that demonstrated why France are so keen to have him around their squad. Pivotal in setting up the first try for Pete Samu with a magnificent miss pass to Matthieu Jalibert, he takes the shirt from Saints’ James Ramm and Toulouse’s Juan Cruz Mallia, one of the few ST players that did themselves justice in the Bordeaux humidity.
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints): The big man just keeps delivering. What a season he’s had and continues to have. Sometimes his size belies just how quick he is. A word for Tommy O’Brien, easily Leinster’s best performer, whilst UBB will wait anxiously on the fitness of Damian Penaud who limped off early.
13 Nicolas Depoortiere (Bordeaux-Begles): The big centre had another thrilling outing as his breakdown and defensive work was a feature of the way UBB closed down Toulouse. A word for his opponent – Pierre Louis Barassi has been in great shape for Toulouse all season and once again kept fighting to the end.
12 Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints): There’s a good chance that Dingers may be winging it Down Under with the Lions, such is his form. Once again the mortar in the Saints bricks, although Yoram Moefana once again shone for UBB. Note to ed: why on earth did Jordie Barrett not start for Leinser? Mindboggling decision.
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Begles): Wow. That second try was something to frame. The little magician is the form player of the world right now – so much so that we’re not even naming a runner-up since no one can get anywhere near him right now.
10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints): Our toughest call of the weekend given Matthieu Jalibert‘s genius at the Matmut Atlantique. However, for Smith to steer a team of underdogs to win on the road against the tournament favourites underlines just how brilliant he was. Jalibert is a close runner-up and needs singling out for his brilliance in that first movement try for Bordeaux.
9 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints): Another blistering performance of spike and control from the brilliant Saintsman, Mitchell has booked his place on the Lions tour. However, just like our selection at 10, there was little to choose between Mitch and the brilliant Maxime Lucu for Bordeaux, who is having the season of his life.
The forwards
8 Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints): A thundering performance that completely eclipsed Caelan Doris’ effort in defeat. Augustus has looked fitter than ever this season and Saints benefit from his sharpness. Toulouse may be ruing leaving Anthony Jelonch on the bench as he was one of their most dangerous carriers once he entered the fray.
7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints): When Pollock picked up the ball on the 29th minute mark he instantly transformed Sam Prendergast into Sam Pondergast, effectively put paid to the glacial Leinster 10’s Lions chances. Pollock may lack a tad of the physical in close quarter exchanges, but the man is a joyous free spirit with ball in hand, even if his post-match interview made Matt Damon’s performances in Invictus seem almost plausible.
6 Guido Petti (Bordeaux-Begles): Petti might just be one of the most underrated players in rugby. The veteran back five utility player was a crucial cog in the UBB wheel, delivering a magnificent and super accurate performance of pressure and intelligence. Josh Kemeny shone like a beacon for Saints and deserves a mention.
5 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints): Coles has been utterly magnificent this year and might even be a Lions option on his current form. Massive in every way and made a crucial try-saving intervention. It’s certain he’ll tour, it’s just not certain where.
4 Cyril Cazeaux (Bordeaux-Begles): A very industrious performance from the big man, his was another breakdown to be proud of. For all of Toulouse’s woes, Thibaud Flament showed precisely why many consider him one of the best three locks in the world.
3 Ben Tameifuna (Bordeaux-Begles): His huge frame rumbled on after 54 minutes and he then delivered a 26 minute shift to be proud of, as he scored a crucial try but also offered scrummage solidity. Saints’ Trevor Davison saw off the Leinster front-row in fine style in a high quality outing that might slip under the selectorial radar.
2 Maxime Lamothe (Bordeaux-Begles): All of the starting hookers this weekend did their trade proud as Julien Marchand, Dan Sheehan and Curtis Langdon all delivered action packed performances. However, with three key turnovers, Lamothe is the man.
1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints): The young England hopeful has found his feet in the elite level game over the past couple of years, and Saturday’s performance shows just how far he’s come. Putting his body on the line, he tackled everything that moved and helped to secure a solid Northampton scrum and he just gets into our team ahead of the consistency of Jefferson Poirot.
