Team of the Week: Champions Cup, Round Two

Adam Kyriacou
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Now that the dust has settled on the second round of the Champions Cup, we have gone through the action to pick the best players from the games.

Three players from Munster, Racing 92 and Bristol Bears make the cut this week while we have two from Bordeaux Bègles amongst those selected.

Champions Cup Team of the Week

15 Mike Haley (Munster): A brilliant away win at Clermont saw Haley rack up 131 metres from 11 carries and he takes the shirt from Bristol’s Max Malins, who produced a performance of high calibre in the gales of Connacht, carrying 13 times for 81 metres and setting up a try for his team, with Simon Zebo back to his best for Racing 92 in their demolition of Harlequins.

14 Santiago Cordero (Bordeaux Bègles): The Argentine hat-trick hero was in exquisite form as his club ran riot, bagging seven tries against an underpowered Dragons outfit. He sees off a thundering display from Racing’s Teddy Thomas, whilst Munster’s evergreen Keith Earls also impressed.

13 Kurtley Beale (Racing 92): Wallaby veteran Beale is relishing the service of Finn Russell and put in a performance of stepping and running that is the hallmark of his play. He takes this week’s honours despite strong showings from Garry Ringrose (Leinster) and Piers O’Conor (Bristol Bears).

12 Damien de Allende (Munster): The Springbok world champion is a strong contender for the title of the best centre in world rugby and his directness in both defence and attack was an integral part of Munster’s stunning win in France. Elsewhere, Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) and Mark Atkinson (Gloucester) were also pivotal in their clubs’ wins.

11 Donovan Taofifenua (Racing 92): The former France U20 flyer showed his promise again as he ran 11 carries for 83 metres including a try assist. Elsewhere, Gloucester’s Louis Rees-Zammit may have made the grade but for a couple of poor moments, whilst Clermont’s Damien Penaud was excellent despite his side’s defeat.

10 Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux Bègles): ‘La Jalib’ could arguably be the hottest property in world rugby right now as he put in yet another precocious masterclass of fly-half control to drive his club to a seven-try win, bagging a score for himself in the process. It means that despite his impudence at the Stoop we can find no place for Racing’s brilliant Finn Russell, nor the solidity of Edinburgh’s emerging talent, Jaco van der Walt.

9 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears): With England still in the market to find a credible successor to Ben Youngs, Randall’s speed of pass and decision making is a level above a lot of the competition. He drove the Bears to a convincing win in Connacht, whilst veterans Maxime Machenaud and Conor Murray also impressed.

8 Alfie Barbeary (Wasps): Dynamic is the word that characterises Wasps’ electric hybrid eight-cum-hooker, as evidenced by his brace of tries that contributed hugely to his team’s success. Pace and a nose for the line outweighs any perceived questions about size and Barbeary looks sure to be an integral part of England’s international campaign in 2021. He beats off the substantial challenges of CJ Stander (Munster) and Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester).

7 Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92): A seasonal pick as the Good King of back-row play put in a masterclass in the openside role the French describe as ‘La Gratteur’, further underlining the ridiculous talent France have at the back of the scrum. Lewis Ludlow shone for Gloucester, whilst Ben Earl also put in a strong display for Bristol, with 19 tackles on the night.

6 Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh): Scotland discard Bradbury put in a mountain of graft, with 20 carries and 13 tackles as his powerful presence was influential in his team’s win versus Sale. Steven Luatua seemed back to his best for Bristol, whilst young Irishman Gavin Coombes also had a day to remember for Munster.

5 Ed Holmes (Bristol Bears): Holmes put in a staggering performance in the wind and rain of Galway, netting five lineouts, eight carries and 14 tackles. Elsewhere, big Scottish lock Ben Toolis was in fine form for Edinburgh, with 21 tackles and six lineout takes, whilst Ed Slater also impressed for Gloucester in the tight exchanges.

4 Tadhg Beirne (Munster): There is no more combative forward in Ireland than the utility man, Beirne. Able to play across the back five with ease, his showings at lock this season have been from the highest standard and he sees off Racing’s brilliant Bernard Le Roux and a rumbustious try-scoring display from the veteran Wasp, James Gaskell.

3 Rabah Slimani (Clermont): It’s always hard to pick a losing player, but Slimani is still one of the most destructive tightheads in world rugby and he demolished the debutant Josh Wycherley in a power display that was quite remarkable, lifting the Munstermen so high that the local air traffic control might have been forgiven for spotting him on their radars. Elsewhere, Georges-Henri Colombes put in a try scoring cameo for Racing 92, whilst for Bristol, Kyle Sinckler was his normal rumbustious self.

2 Bryan Byrne (Bristol Bears): On a fine day for the West Country club, hooker Byrne’s powerful try-scoring display in the loose and accurate darts in the lineout helped lay Bristol’s foundations in their win. Elsewhere, Tom Cruse handled well in Wasps’ victory, whilst Scotland’s Stuart McInally was typically impressive for Edinburgh.

1 Cian Healy (Leinster): The veteran Irish loosehead can’t stop scoring right now and he put in a typically committed shift of technical scrummaging, intense defence and strong carrying. Elsewhere, Val Rapava-Ruskin showed why he’s so highly rated in a dynamic display for Gloucester, with Eddy-Ben Arous back to his jackaling, scrummaging best in a memorable display for Racing 92.

by James While

 

Bristol