Champions Cup Team of the Competition After Two Rounds
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Following two rounds of fantastic action in the Champions Cup, we take a look at what a potential team of the competition would look like.
There are a few changes from our team of the week from last week with a few players getting the edge over their competitors.
15. Simon Zebo - Racing 92
The former Munster man leapfrogs the likes of Thomas Romas, Gareth Anscombe, Blair Kinghorn and Ulster's youngster Michael Lowry to claim the no.15 jersey.
Zebo was solid on the wing against Scarlets last week and was simply superb against Ulster this weekend at fullback.
The 28-year-old has run intelligent lines and has been in excellent form for his new side prompting calls for him to get a recall to the test side.
14. Semesa Rokoduguni - Bath Rugby
Rokoduguni has made at least 100 running metres in the opening two games of the Champions Cup and replaces Toulouse's Cheslin Kolbe in the side.
The Bath flyer was finally rewarded for his efforts with a try against Wasps. Jacob Stockdale has also made a strong claim for a place in the side but narrowly misses out.
13. Sofiane Guitone - Toulouse
Guitone went head to head with the leading contender for the no.13 jersey this weekend and came out on top as he guided his side to an impressive win over the Champions.
His showed off his fantastic sidestepping ability to score a sublime try and has now registered 3 tries in the competition.
Manu Tuilagi also came close with another strong performance for the Tigers but ultimately misses out.
What a step! π±
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 21, 2018
Sofiane Guitoune with the filthy footwork to deliver a sucker-punch right as Leinster looked to be back in it!
We've got a cracking contest on our hands here...
BT Sport 2 HD π± pic.twitter.com/QOTZ43eays
12. Robbie Henshaw - Leinster Rugby
Henshaw retains his place in the side despite being unable to help his side to victory this weekend.
The Irish International was excellent against Wasps in round one and had another great game for Leinster on Sunday.
His running lines tested Toulouse's defence and he has come up with a few superb pieces of play including a lovely touch finder that ultimately led to Sean Cronin's try.
Stuart McCloskey was good in defeat while Newcastle's Johnny Williams can feel hard done by.
11. Maxime Medard - Toulouse
James Lowe's brilliance against Wasps and a great game against Toulouse is not enough to hold onto his place in the side after yet another match-winning performance by Toulouse's Maxime Medard.
Medard was pivotal in the win over Bath as his never say die attitude saw him deny Freddie Burns a try in round one.
He was no different against Leinster as he scored two tries, with the second proving to be the match winner.
Vintage Toulouse π
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 21, 2018
The French side just refuse to quit as they re-take the lead on the back of a huge interception!
Superb π pic.twitter.com/6OWkUID9Dy
10. Finn Russell - Racing 92
Joey Carbery enjoyed what was arguably his best game in a Munster shirt but his efforts were in weren't enough to see him displace Finn Russell.
The Scottish International continued his fine form as he scored 17 points against Ulster as his side claimed a 44-12 victory.
Russell has controlled the Racing attack brilliantly so far in the competition and also has Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton breathing down his neck for a place in our Team of the Competition.
9. Joe Simpson - Wasps
Joe Simpson grabs a place in the side following a stellar outing against Bath. His side are yet to register a win in the competition but the Wasps' halfback features in the side after assisting 4 tries against Bath.
Tomos Williams held the jumper last week but was outdone by the Wasps man this week. Luke McGrath was brilliant last week and this week but falls just short with his pass leading to Medard's match winning try.
8. Louis Picamoles - Montpellier
Picamoles holds onto the no.8 jersey despite his side losing out to Newcastle in a thrilling match at Kingston Park.
The French no.8 earned a recall to the test side and showed exactly what Jacques Brunel has been missing out on.
He made at least 20 tackles in both matches and just edges out the likes of CJ Stander, Jack Conan and Viliame Mata who have all been brilliant so far in the competition.
7. Baptiste Delaporte - Castres
Delaporte quietly goes about his work as he racks up the tackles and terrorises sides at the break.
The Castres flanker is another player who has made at least 20 tackles in the opening two games.
Thomas Young and Hamish Watson made strong claims for the jersey this week while Ellis Jenkins' injury meant that he was unable to properly compete for the jersey.
6. Maro Itoje - Saracens
A fantastic performance by Itoje against Lyon sees him retain the no.6 jersey.
The 23-year-old may well be asked to wear the no.6 jersey for England next month and judging on his current form he will not disappoint.
He put in a man of the match performance in against Glasgow and narrowly missed out on the accolade this week.
Rhys Ruddock was solid once again for Leinster while Mark Wilson made a massive claim for the jersey with a stellar outing against Montpellier.
Oohhhhh Maro Itoje! π
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 20, 2018
BEAST MODE = β
He just takes the opponent's lunch money and sprints under the posts! pic.twitter.com/dJn303kEch
5. James Ryan - Leinster Rugby
Ryan had some tough competition for the no.5 jersey with Leone Nakawara, Jonny Gray, Charlie Ewels and Tadhg Beirne all breathing down his neck for a spot in the side.
His 16 carries, 10 tackles and a try sees him keep a place in the side despite suffering his very first Champions Cup defeat.
4. Steve Mafi - Castres
A sublime performance by Mafi inspired Castres to fantastic victory over Exeter Chiefs seeing the Tongan international take his place in the side.
The second rower made strong carries throughout the game and scored a great try beating five would-be tacklers.
Mafi was effective off the bench last week and earned a place in the starting line up this week.
Steve Mafi behave - that step π
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) October 21, 2018
Was he the man of the match for @CastresRugby as they held on against @ExeterChiefs? #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/j5yZ9aXZUX
Iain Henderson and Nico Janse van Rensburg are unlucky not to have claimed a place in the side.
3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster Rugby
Furlong's performance against Wasps and a solid outing against Toulouse keeps him in the side for another weekend but the Irish international came under considerable pressure from Dan Cole and Daniel Kotze this week.
2. Sean Cronin - Leinster Rugby
Cronin's try-scoring efforts continued against Toulouse this weekend as he rampaged through the defence following a lovely inside ball from Sexton.
That Johnny Sexton reverse pass π
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 21, 2018
You know it's coming and you still can't stop it!
Leinster lead for the first time in the match through Sean Cronin. pic.twitter.com/EVHPs2HBh6
The 32-year-old has been solid in all facets of the game over the past two games seeing him take the no.2 jersey off Luke Cowan-Dickie.
1. Tudor Stroe - Castres
Stroe was effective as an early substitution for Castres as they held on to beat Exeter this weekend with just 14-men.
His opposite number Ben Moon also enjoyed another fine performance but it wasn't enough to claim the loosehead jersey.