Rugby Union Today: Team of the Week and Hot and Not

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Finn Russell of Racing and Teddy Thomas of Racing during the Heineken Champions Cup Round 2 match between Munster Rugby and Racing 92 at Thomond Park in Limerick, Ireland on November 23, 2019 (Photo by Andrew SURMA / SIPA USA).

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we look back at the action in the Champions Cup and name our best XV from the matches that took place.

What’s on the site

It was a busy weekend in Europe and there were some exceptional performances in the Champions Cup. We have put together a Team of the Week for the second round with five sides having two representatives apiece.

That competition is also discussed in ‘Who’s hot and who’s not,’ which delves into the main talking points from the past seven days. We duly look at Exeter Chiefs’ impressive victory and Pierre Bourgarit’s stupidity after the hooker was sent-off for making contact with the eye area of Tom Curry.

Elsewhere, Lewis Moody’s latest After the Whistle podcast sees the former England flanker candidly talking about his life and career to former Leicester team-mate Leon Lloyd.

Finally, check out the latest ‘My rugby hero’ feature which moves onto one of the greatest centres of all time in Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll, who was a vital part of Leinster’s Heineken Cup success.

What’s in the news

Sale Sharks are looking to bring in a new lock as injury cover for Josh Beaumont and Lood de Jager, and Fijian Leone Nakarawa is the player they have targeted. According to director of rugby Steve Diamond, they have opened negotiations with the talented second-row.

Meanwhile, the Wallabies will play its first Bledisloe Cup game in Melbourne since 2010 after Rugby Australia announced that Marvel Stadium will host their opening match of the Rugby Championship against the All Blacks.

Continuing in Australia and Karmichael Hunt has signed a contract extension at the Waratahs, keeping him at the franchise until at least the end of the 2020 season.

What’s on social media

Certainly the best bit of skill from the weekend…

What’s on TV

Domestic action in Europe returns for one week with BT Sport showing three games from the Premiership as Bath face Saracens, Northampton host Leicester in the East Midlands derby and Harlequins take on Gloucester.

In the PRO14, all the matches will be broadcast on Premier Sports with Ulster v Scarlets, Munster v Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors v Leinster the standout fixtures.

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