Team of the Week: Champions Cup, semi-finals

David Skippers

Now that the dust has settled on the Champions Cup semi-finals, we have gone through the action to pick the best players from the matches.

Following their dominant victory over Toulouse, Leinster lead the way with eight nominations while Saracens are next best with six and Munster have one representative. So, without further ado, here’s our selection.

Champions Cup: Team of the semi-finals

15 Alex Goode (Saracens): The former England full-back was in fine form for Sarries in their 32-16 triumph over Munster at the Ricoh Arena. Goode was solid under the high ball, provided attacking momentum from the back and finished with 68 metres gained from 17 runs which included three clean breaks and seven defenders beaten.

14 James Lowe (Leinster): The New Zealander played on the left wing but gets into our team on the right flank after shining in Leinster’s 30-12 victory over Toulouse at the Aviva Stadium. Scored a well-taken try and was unlucky to have another one disallowed after a fine finish. Lowe’s prowess on attack led to him gaining 56 metres from a clean break with five defenders beaten and he also managed an offload. Comes in ahead of Sarries flyer David Strettle.

13 Chris Farrell (Munster): The Irish province were under pressure for most of the match against Saracens but Farrell can hold his head high after delivering a solid performance. The Ireland international was impressive on attack and eventually gained 31 metres from 14 runs but also did his bit on defence with seven tackles. Leinster’s Garry Ringrose was next best.

12 Robbie Henshaw (Leinster): Although he received a yellow card in the first half against Toulouse, Henshaw put that setback behind him and came to the fore with a good attacking display. Did well on attack, gaining 27 metres from 10 runs, but also caught the eye with his defensive organisation and made 11 hits in the process. Saracens replacement Nick Tompkins gets a mention.

11 Liam Williams (Saracens): The Wales flyer was full of running and proved a handful to the Munster defence as he constantly got over the gain-line on attack. Williams’ ability to beat defenders was a shot in the arm for Sarries and he gained 64 metres from 11 runs with two clean breaks, five defenders beaten as well as a couple of offloads.

10 Johnny Sexton (Leinster): Owen Farrell deserves a mention after a superb goal-kicking display in Coventry but the Leinster captain comes in ahead of him after a fine effort in Dublin. The current World Rugby Player of the Year’s game management and playmaking skills played a big part in his side’s win but he also kept the scoreboard ticking with his kicks at goal, contributing 12 points via a couple of penalties and three conversions.

9 Luke McGrath (Leinster): The nuggety number nine provided slick service to his outside backs and was an excellent link between forwards and backs for the champions. Combined well with Sexton and also helped Leinster’s pack get over the gain-line with clever offloads. McGrath also crossed for a deserved try and edges out Ben Spencer of Saracens.

8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens): Came into Sarries’ encounter with Munster with a point to prove after hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons earlier in the week, but the England back-row showed his class with a superb display and walked off with the official man-of-the-match award. Vunipola did well with ball in hand, gaining 43 metres from 21 carries and was rewarded with a try for his efforts.

7 Sean O’Brien (Leinster): The veteran back-row was back to his best and played a leading role in the champions’ semi-final victory in Dublin. O’Brien was a menace at the breakdown, where he did well to slow down Toulouse’s ball, was a willing ball carrier but made his biggest impact on defence and finished with 14 tackles made. Beats out Jackson Wray of Saracens.

6 Michael Rhodes (Saracens): This was a tough decision as Rynardt Elstadt and Scott Fardy delivered excellent performances in their direct duel in Dublin. But, in the end, Rhodes gets the nod after a fine showing in Saracens’ victory over Munster. Scored an important try but impressed most on defence where he executed 12 hits without missing any.

5 James Ryan (Leinster): The young second-row was involved in a tight tussle with Toulouse’s Richie Gray but the Leinsterman eventually got the better of his Scottish counterpart. Ryan will be happy with his effort as he stood up well in the lineouts and shone on attack and defence. His defensive prowess was particularly impressive and he finished with 17 hits made in that department.

4 Maro Itoje (Saracens): Another fine performance from the England lock, who was at the forefront of Sarries’ forward effort against Munster. Itoje ran hard and gained 23 metres from 12 carries which included one defender beaten. Also won his fair share of lineout ball and stood up well defensively, making 16 tackles.

3 Tadhg Furlong (Leinster): Put in a huge shift as part of a hard-working performance from the champions’ pack. As usual, Furlong impressed with his scrummaging but also did well on defence with six tackles and he cleaned out the rucks with great intent. Also won a turnover and makes the team ahead of Saracens’ Titi Lamositele, who played well against Munster.

2 Jamie George (Saracens): Sean Cronin impressed for Leinster but the England and Lions hooker gets in ahead of him after starring in Sarries’ semi-final triumph. George impressed with the execution of his core duties especially his throw-ins at the lineouts which were accurate throughout. Also scrummed well and put in a fine defensive display with 11 tackles.

1 Cian Healy (Leinster): Sarries’ Mako Vunipola and Dave Kilcoyne of Munster both impressed in their semi-final but we’ve given the nod to the Leinster veteran, who put in a huge all-round effort against Toulouse. Healy was prominent in the loose and did well in the build-up to Lowe’s try but also stood up well in the scrums and was solid on defence with nine hits and also won a crucial turnover.