Champions Cup Team of the Week: Round 6

1. Cian Healy - Leinster Rugby

The Ireland international was at his ball carrying best when he came on just after half time, Healy squatted away tacklers for fun on a series of rampaging runs to further establish himself as Leinster and Ireland's premier loose head.

2. Sean Cronin - Leinster Rugby

Three tries in two European weekend's ensures Cronin's selection into our Team of the Week. While his try-scoring figures are impressive, he combines the flashy side of the game with the hard yards to full effect, Cronin has shone with his core duties in recent months, while his ball carrying especially at close quarters continues to improve.

3. WP Nel - Edinburgh

Nel was the cornerstone of the Edinburgh set piece and he came out on top of his battle with Georgian prop Gregory Fichten at scrum time. His work rate was top class and his ball handing around the field was excellent, also throwing a pass through in his legs in his own 22 to round off a Man of the Match display. The Scotland tight head was everywhere in defence, making 13 tackles for his side.

4. Maro Itoje - Saracens 

Itoje was back to his best as Saracens claimed the No. 1 overall seed at Allianz Park. The England forward was almost unplayable at times, displaying his full repetoire of skills on offence and defence. He finished the game with 20 tackles and carried 12 times for a gain of 47 metres.

5. Tadhg Beirne - Munster Rugby

Another incredible performance from the Munster second-row as he helped pave the way for his side's win over Exeter Chiefs. Beirne did well in the line-outs and put in an excellent defensive shift. He leads the Champions Cup turnover charts with 13 won in the pool stages.

6. Iain Henderson - Ulster Rugby

Returned from a thumb injury to send Ulster into the quarter-final of the Champions Cup. Henderson was immense in a physical encounter at Welford Road. Finished the game with 12 carries and 12 tackles in a dominant 80 minute shift.

7. Don Armand - Exeter Chiefs 

The England international simply can't do much more to force his way into Eddie Jones' reckoning. Armand took the fight to the burly Munster forwards and was a willing ball carrier for his side in a game where both sides fought for every inch. He caused a nuisance at the breakdown and also chipped in with an important first half try.

8. Billy Vunipola - Saracens

A fine sight seeing the Saracens No. 8 back fully fit after managing to string a constant run of games together following a couple of injury ridden seasons. Vunipola was back to his all action self, dominating collisions and once again showing his ball carrying prowess. 

9. Antoine Dupont - Toulouse

Playing alongside a natural fly-half in Zack Holmes helped the dimunitive scrum-half to show his full potential this week as Toulouse sealed their passage into the knockout stage of the Champions Cup. Dupont made two clean breaks, ran for a gain of 57 metres, beat three defenders and scored a try at the Stade Ernest Wallon.

10. Finn Russell - Racing 92

The Scottish maestro had his full arsenal of tricks and flicks on show for all to see at the La Defense Arena as Racing assured their position as Pool 2 winners. Russell made all of his kicks after trouble off the tee at Ulster last weekend. Made a try and beat two defenders as his first season in the French capital continues to be heralded as a success.

11. Duhan van der Merwe - Edinburgh

The former Montpellier Academy wing showed the French giants just what they are missing out on in an incredible display of athleticism at Murrayfield. The South African is such a dangerous runner even in the tightest spaces and showed that again, finishing with 10 defenders beaten, gaining 112 metres in attack and making five clean breaks in an excellent performance for the Scottish Pool winners.

12. Virimi Vakatawa - Racing 92

A lethal finisher that has seen him rise to the top of the try scoring charts in the Top 14. Vakatawa touched down for a customary try in the bonus-point win and was a big reason for Racing topping the pool in this year's competition. 

13. Henry Trinder - Gloucester Rugby

The Gloucester centre was a star performer in the Cherry & Whites win over Castres. He scored a try in the narrow loss to the reigning French champions. Ran for a gain of 79 metres, made three clean breaks and beat five defenders.

14. Steff Evans - Scarlets 

The Scarlets wing is coming back into form after a slow start to the season and was an eye-catcher in Scarlets loss to Racing in Paris. Over the course of the 80 minutes, Evans made five clean breaks, beat five defenders, scored a try, made 85 metres and also provided a stellar try assist for Johnny McNicholl.

15. Jack Nowell - Exeter Chiefs

Deployed at full-back for Exeter's trip to Thomond Park, Nowell has quickly recaptured his form prior to his four-month injury layoff. He marshalled the back field with real intelligence and looked dangerous every time the ball was in his possession. Nowell ran for an incredible gain of 176 metres and is set for a exciting return to the Test arena.