Scarlets the main attacking threat in Challenge Cup
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With the pool stage of the EPCR Challenge Cup now over, we look back at the leading attackers over the four rounds, with players from Pool B winners Scarlets heading two categories.
Carries – Friedle Olivier (44)
The Toyota Cheetahs back-row forward was key to the South African side marking their debut in the competition by squeezing into the qualification places in Pool B.
The 30-year-old pipped veteran RC Toulon No.8 Sergio Parisse and Bristol Bears centre Semi Radradra by one, with the latter notching a joint round-high of 18 in Round 4.
Metres – Johnny McNicholl (331)
The Welsh international back-three expert was just as important to Scarlets’ qualification, helping them seal a home tie in the Round of 16 with his runs from deep.
He finished 29m clear of Connacht Rugby and Ireland wing Mack Hansen, who achieved his total of 302 metres made from just two games.
Line breaks – Steff Evans (8)
Wing Evans makes it a Scarlets double by heading the line breaks category, chalking up two more than McNicholl and three more than another seven players.
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Defenders beaten – Nadir Megdoud (14)
The Stade Français Paris wing has beaten the most defenders so far despite playing in only three games, although three players are hot on his heels on 13.
They are Glasgow Warriors flanker Jack Dempsey, Toyota Cheetahs wing Daniel Kasende Kapepula and RC Toulon wing Cheslin Kolbe, who soared up the table with a round-high nine in Round 4 against Zebre Parma.
Offloads – Semi Radradra (8)
The Bristol Bears centre climbed to the top of this list thanks to a round-high five in the English side’s victory over USAP in Round 4. The Fijian flyer heads team-mate Fitz Harding and Scarlets prop Sam Lousi by one.
