Champions Cup SF Stats Leaders: Most tackles, metres gained, defenders beaten & more

The Champions Cup semi-finals concluded with the names of Racing 92 and Exeter as victors and the final two title contenders left in the competition. Racing pulled off a good, four-point win over Saracens (19-15) while Exeter defeated Toulouse 28-18 at Sandy Park.

Now, a look at the stats columns to reveal the top performers in this year’s semi-final round.

Tackles

1. Dave Ewers (Exeter) – 17

2. Francois Cros (Toulouse) – 15

3. Jonny Hill & Jonny Gray (Exeter) – 14

While known for his menacing ball-carrying skills, Ewers proved once more that he is the complete package with a vigorous defensive effort.

Carries

1. Simon Zebo (Racing 92) – 15

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Selevasio Tolofua (Toulouse) – 14

3. Thomas Ramos (Toulouse) – 12

The Racing fullback busied himself from the back in his team’s defeat of the mighty Saracens.

Metres gained

1. Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter) – 75

2. Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse) – 73

3. Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92) – 72

One of the stand-out wingers of this year’s Premiership, O’Flaherty did not disappoint with an energic, work-hungry display which rendered him number 1 in this stat as well as the next one.

Defenders beaten

1. Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter) – 7 

2. Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92) – 6

3. Stuart Hogg (Exeter) & Teddy Thomas (Racing 92) – 5

Turnovers won

1. Julien Marchand (Toulouse) – 4

2. Dominic Morris (Saracens) & Dave Ewers (Exeter) – 2

Despite Marchand’s heroic efforts on the ground, it was not enough to stem the tide of Exeter. Marchand’s massive four turnovers are testament to his skill at ruck time.

Clean breaks

1. Jack Nowell (Exeter) & Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse) – 3

Two of the most elusive runners in the game today, Nowell and Kolbe were at their bamboozling best.