Team of the Week: Champions Cup, Round Three

Colin Newboult

Now that the dust has settled on Round Three of the Champions Cup, we’ve gone through the action to pick the best players from the games that took place.

Leinster unsurprisingly dominate following their group-defining triumph over Northampton Saints and are represented by four players, while Racing 92 and Glasgow Warriors are next best with two apiece. Be sure to comment and also leave your own line-up in the comments section below.

Team of the Week: Champions Cup, Round Three

15 Jordan Larmour (Leinster): Was in outstanding form as the four-time champions displayed their title credentials for this season’s tournament following a dominant victory over Northampton Saints. The full-back ran for 112 metres, which included four clean breaks and seven defenders beaten, in the impressive win. There was excellent competition from Gloucester’s Tom Marshall and Racing’s Simon Zebo, but Larmour did enough to fend them off.

14 Samuel Ezeala (Clermont Auvergne): A new star of French rugby? Despite being Spanish-born, Ezeala joined Clermont’s academy four years ago and was handed his opportunity against Bath on Friday. The wing impressed throughout but particularly came to the fore later on after touching down twice and setting up Alexandre Lapandry’s try. As a result, he edged out Racing’s Teddy Thomas and La Rochelle’s Vincent Rattez.

13 Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92): Another superb performance from the French centre, who enjoyed the extra space afforded to him by a succession of cards handed out to the Ospreys. At one stage, the hosts were reduced to 12 men and, as a result, Racing dominated with Vakatawa particularly prominent. In total, the Fijian-born player made 81 metres, which included three clean breaks and five defenders beaten, as he took his position in the XV ahead of Northampton’s Matt Proctor.

12 Stuart McCloskey (Ulster): Despite being consistently excellent at provincial level, the centre has never quite nailed down a spot in the Ireland squad, but perhaps this is the season where he finally breaks through? McCloskey certainly didn’t do his chances any harm with a game-winning performance against Harlequins on Saturday as he scored a try, set up another and ran for 116 metres in total. It was therefore an easy selection, despite the presence of George Moala and Romain Ntamack, who impressed for Clermont and Toulouse respectively.

11 Maxime Medard (Toulouse): Ntamack may not get in but Medard does after the wing enjoyed his day against fellow Frenchmen Montpellier on Sunday. Medard may well be 33 now but the back three player still has plenty left and was a crucial part of their victory after running for 87 metres. It was enough to get in ahead of Leinster’s James Lowe and Gloucester’s Ollie Thorley, who once again showed their quality at the weekend.

10 Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors): A few players put their hands up with Danny Cipriani dictating proceedings well against Connacht and both Johnny Sexton and Ross Byrne playing a big part in Leinster’s win, but Hastings’ vast array of skills were on display as Glasgow stunned La Rochelle. The Scotsman is a huge talent and his efforts, which included a fine cross-field kick for Kyle Steyn’s match-winning try, were vital as the Warriors came from behind to defeat the French outfit.

9 Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92): Ulster’s John Cooney was close after his composure and kicking accuracy help them to snatch a win over Harlequins, while Jamison Gibson-Park impressed for Leinster, but we’ve gone for the outstanding Machenaud. Although the Ospreys’ ill-discipline helped the visitors significantly, the French scrum-half was at his best and took the right decisions throughout. His passing was also sharp and that allowed their talented backline to thrive.

8 Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins): Ulster’s Marcell Coetzee, Teimana Harrison of Northampton Saints, Glasgow Warriors’ Matt Fagerson and Munster’s CJ Stander all had their moments, but Dombrandt gets the nod after an excellent performance in his side’s narrow defeat at Ulster. Dombrandt impressed on attack, gaining a team-high 94 metres from 14 carries with four clean breaks, eight defenders beaten and a try for his efforts. Also made his mark on defence with a match-high 16 tackles.

7 Josh van der Flier (Leinster): The Irish province’s forwards delivered a fine performance at Franklin’s Gardens and Van der Flier led the way with a fine all-round effort. The Ireland tearaway was a tireless runner but got through plenty of work off the ball and stopped several Northampton attackers in their tracks with his brilliant defensive work. Eventually made 17 hits, without missing one, won a couple of turnovers and won the official man-of-the-match award.

6 Nick Isiekwe (Saracens): Saracens came off second best in a tightly fought contest against Munster at Thomond Park but not through a lack of effort from Isiekwe, who came to the fore with a massive defensive performance. Isiekwe put his body on the line and finished with an incredible 21 tackles made. Beats out opposite number Tadhg Beirne, who also shone for Munster, and Sebastian Negri of Benetton.

5 James Ryan (Leinster): Another Leinsterman makes our team after coming to the fore with a fine effort in his side’s memorable victory over Northampton. Ryan was at the forefront of Leinster’s forward effort, making 17 carries, but made his biggest impact on defence where he completed 18 hits. Comes in ahead of Ireland team-mate Iain Henderson, who also played well in Ulster’s home win against Harlequins.

4 Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors): The Scottish outfit stunned La Rochelle and Cummings was one of their standout performers after emptying the tank at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre. The young Scotland second-row won his fair share of lineout ball and did well on attack with 26 metres gained, which included a clean break, but also impressed on defence with 13 hits.

3 Andrew Porter (Leinster): The 23-year-old Ireland international’s stocks continue to rise after he delivered the goods in his side’s triumph over Northampton Saints. Porter impressed with his scrummaging, gained 20 metres with ball in hand and scored one of his side’s seven tries. Glasgow Warriors prop Zander Fagerson is unlucky to miss out after a fine effort in his side’s win against La Rochelle.

2 Akker van der Merwe (Sale Sharks): Although Exeter Chiefs’ Luke Cowan-Dickie and Elia Elia of Harlequins caught the eye, we could not exclude Van der Merwe from our selection after he put in a huge effort in his side’s narrow loss to Exeter. The Springbok crossed for a couple of tries and eventually gained 59 metres from seven runs which included three clean breaks, six defenders beaten and an offload. He was also effective on defence with eight tackles.

1 Raphael Chaume (Lyon): The Frenchman’s stocks continue to rise after another strong performance in his side’s demolition of Benetton. The 30-year-old was particularly impressive in the scrums and continued where he left off against Northampton Saints with another dominant display in the set-piece. Was also at the forefront of his side’s defensive effort with nine tackles.

Champions Cup