Champions Cup: The key head-to-heads to watch during the last-16 ties

Colin Newboult
champions cup last-16 head to heads

With the Champions Cup reaching the knockout stages, we discuss the main battles from each of the eight round-of-16 encounters.

Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) v Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh)

The Champions Cup kicks off with an intriguing battle between these two international fly-halves, who are beginning to hit some good form. Pollard endured a difficult start to his Leicester career, with injuries hampering his chances of getting regular game time, but since returning to full fitness he has really hit his stride. The Springbok has been magnificent over the Tigers’ past two home wins in particular, racking up the points against both Bath and Bristol Bears.

At his best, Pollard is key for both club and country, and he quite frankly is a level above Kinghorn in that sort of form. Like the Bok, the Scotsman is currently playing very well, ending the Six Nations in fine style with a hat-trick against Italy, but he has a few more question marks over him. There is no doubting his running game, while he also has an impressive range of passing, but there are still concerns over his game control and decision-making at this level. We are looking forward to seeing if the 26-year-old can allay those worries at Welford Road.

Eben Etzebeth (Sharks) v Jean Kleyn/RG Snyman (Munster)

It is going to be a brutal battle up front this weekend, and leading the charge will be these South African locks. Snyman interestingly makes his first start following that nasty ACL rupture and the Springbok will play a significant role in Durban alongside Kleyn, who is seeking to continue his fine form and prove a point to his ‘former’ countrymen.

After not getting international recognition in the country of his birth, he moved to Ireland in 2016 and duly became a Test player under Joe Schmidt. Despite not featuring since 2019, Kleyn has impressed this season, elevating his game and getting himself back into the thoughts of head coach Andy Farrell. He will therefore be confident as he comes up against one of the toughest players in the game in Etzebeth.

The Bok enforcer was arguably his country’s best player last year, and with the Rugby World Cup taking place in September, he will be seeking to maintain his level of performance. The Sharks as a team have not played well recently, however, and the onus will be on Etzebeth to lead the way in both the loose and the tight. He has a big role to play against a Munster side who always impresses in this competition.

Frans Malherbe (Stormers) v Joe Marler (Harlequins)

There are a few fascinating duels in this Cape Town clash, including the battle at fly-half between the two mavericks, Manie Libbok and Marcus Smith, but ultimately the match will be decided up front, and especially in the front-row. Malherbe has dominated England at international level, bullying them most famously in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final before also gaining the upper hand in 2022.

Interestingly, Marler, who is still renowned as England’s best scrummaging loosehead, did not directly come up against Malherbe in those matches, so this will be a unique and interesting duel. With Wilco Louw on the opposite side, their first-choice front-row is one of the better units in the Premiership, but can they tame Steven Kitshoff and Malherbe? We’re not so sure.

Teddy Thomas (La Rochelle) v Ollie Thorley (Gloucester)

It is a shame that Albert Tuisue is out, otherwise his clash with Gregory Alldritt would have been box office, so in his absence, we’ve gone for two talented wings who are on the fringes of international selection. Thomas remains one of the most exciting players to watch in Europe, and Thorley, who is back in form after a disrupted period through injury, will certainly have to be on his toes.

The Frenchman is also an outstanding finisher, and he will tend to stay on his wing, waiting for the opportunity to pounce. His opponent on the other hand tends to go searching for work and is effective in the midfield off first-phase ball. Thorley is also comfortable in contact, with his deceptive power enabling him to get across the gain line. They are two very different wings who will be incredibly important to their respective sides this weekend.

Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) v Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)

Two Ireland centres who featured in the Six Nations go head-to-head on Saturday. McCloskey began the tournament at 12, rewarded for his performances in the Autumn Nations Series, but he picked up a niggling injury which ruled him out of the final two rounds. As a result, that opened the door for the returning Henshaw, who took his place in the midfield for the Grand Slam decider against England.

With that in mind, there is perhaps more on the line than just a last-16 Champions Cup tie, as they will want to impress national team head coach Farrell ahead of the World Cup. Henshaw undoubtedly plays in the better team and will have the platform to work from, but McCloskey has rarely played poorly for Ulster. Expect Leinster to win, but a good performance from the visiting centre could be key on a personal level as everyone looks towards the global tournament in France.

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) v Zach Mercer (Montpellier)

One of the most intriguing individual clashes this weekend could come in Exeter as Montpellier’s current number eight faces off with the club’s future number eight. That’s right, Mercer, who will be leaving Philippe Saint-Andre’s outfit in July, will take on the France-bound Simmonds at Sandy Park.

The 28-year-old Chief has shaken off the injury which forced his withdrawal against Bath last Sunday, which means a full-blooded battle is on the cards between the two, who are both are very quick, athletic and have tremendous footwork. Simmonds is the faster, while Mercer is more powerful and has the better skill set, so who wins out on Sunday? If form is anything to go by, it will be the Montpellier man as the Exeter back-rower has not been at his best this season, but he is too good to be written off.

Maro Itoje (Saracens) v Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)

They were partners during the 2017 and 2021 British and Irish Lions tours, starting five Tests together, but these two outstanding locks have generally been on opposite sides of the field over the years. Itoje and Jones love nothing more than to wind people up, so expect them to confront each other directly at some point.

Neither had especially great Six Nations, but they should enjoy playing for clubs that are actually going in the right direction. Although Saracens will be favourites, with Itoje a crucial part of their Premiership dominance, they face a Welsh region that will be a threat. The Ospreys showed with their victory at Leicester Tigers in January that they can win big games away from home in the Champions Cup, so Itoje and Sarries better beware of Jones and co.

Thomas Ramos (Toulouse) v Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)

A couple of players who have shown that size isn’t everything in rugby. Despite their diminutive stature, both are excellent under the high ball and excel in other areas some might not expect them to. However, no doubt their biggest strengths are their ability to counter-attack and create opportunities with their running skills.

Ramos also provides a very useful kicking game, especially off the tee, while his passing ability means he acts as an extra playmaker. Arendse, meanwhile, is the slightly quicker and more agile full-back, using his footwork and pace to weave his way through and around defences. Toulouse will have to watch out for the Springbok and his partnership with youngster Canan Moodie, which has thrived this season.

READ MORE: Champions Cup: Stats and facts ahead of the Round of 16

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