Team of the Weekend - Champions Cup

Team of the Weekend - Champions Cup

1. Danny Priso - La Rochelle

 
Priso was instrumental in La Rochelle's energetic win over Wasps. Priso was a beast at scrum time and constantly put his opposite number under severe pressure. Priso also looked extremely nimble for a front row and managed to beat a total of 6 defenders in what was a highly impressive performance.

 

2. Rhys Marshall - Munster

The kiwi played one of his best games in a Munster shirt on Saturday night. He started the scoring off, going over for the first try of the game after he received a short ball from Murray 10m out. He played the role of a dynamic hooker, often being found on the wing in defence, which enabled him to disrupt Leicester’s ball out wide. He won a couple of fantastic turnovers, including one over his own try-line, preventing a certain try. A physically dominant performance from the number 2.


 

3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster


The Lions front-rower was in his element in the harsh conditions at Sandy Park on Sunday. It more than suited him to pick and go in tight for the duration of the game. He carried 16 times for a small gain of 11 metres, but every inch was crucial, as the relentless Exeter defence tried to keep the men in blue at bay. He beat a total of 3 defenders today and his work at the scrum was also invaluable as piled the pressure on the Exeter front row. He got through a mountain of work and played the 73 minutes, something that is unheard of for a tighthead. Deservedly was given the MOTM award for his efforts.

 

4. Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg – Montpellier

The South African played a blinder for Montpellier on Friday night, as they became the 2nd side this season to beat Glasgow at Scotstoun. He carried powerfully, beating 4 defenders and making 35m from his 7 possessions. His lineout work was particularly impressive, as he upset the Glasgow lineout, which contains many Scottish internationals, stealing the ball 3 times. He didn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities either, making 10 tackles with a perfect success rate.

 

5. Scott Fardy – Leinster

The Australian showed his class against the Chiefs at Sandy Park in the final game of Round 3. He was one of Leinster’s primary ball carriers today as well as acting as an effective link man from McGrath to Sexton. He carried 10 times and made one clean break for a total of 14m, against a formidable Exeter defence. The Irish side are certainly helped at the breakdown contest by having an extra player that can cover backrow on the field. That proved to be a big difference today, as they moved through a huge number of phases to win away from home.

 

6. Kelian Galletier – Montpellier

The French side’s hero on Friday night was their blindside flanker. He managed to get over for a brace of tries on the night. His carrying ability emerged as a real shock to the Warriors, who were probably focussed on shutting down his teammate Louis Picamoles. The flanker went under the radar to make 56m from 10 carries, breaking the line a massive 3 times and beating 1 defender.

 

7. Levani Botia - La Rochelle
 
Botia optimises what La Rochelle are about this season. He's physical, athletic and an absolute workhorse and his performance today showed us all of the above. Botia's physicality was unmatched by the Wasps and he scored twice showing what a handful he can be. 

 

8. Robert Barbieri - Benetton

It looked as though the Italian international was going to lead his side to a famous victory for much of the 2nd half at Parc Y Scarlets. He was the Italians primary ball carrier, making 36m from 13 carries in attack. He got over for a crucial try in the 14th minute, which kept his side in a game that looked like it was getting away from them.

 

9. John Cooney – Ulster

The scrum-half has assimilated well to life at Ravenhill after his move from Connacht in the summer. He drove his pack around the field in blistering conditions, putting the Quins back three under severe pressure with an effective kicking game. Some intelligent snipes kept the Quins defence honest all game. He beat 5 defenders for a gain of 76m and set up Ulster’s only try, as he pounced on a loose ball and ran it back to 5m out before Stockdale finished it off. On a hard day for goal-kicking, he made it look easy, slotting 4 of his 6 shots at goal to get Ulster the crucial victory.

 

10. Johnny Sexton – Leinster

The St. Mary’s college man has been in fantastic form in recent weeks and he kept it up today, leading his side to a fantastic away win. He looked to have set up a wonderful try for Luke McGrath in the opening minutes but was judged to have just brushed the touchline as he got his offload away. He made up for it minutes later, as he went over in the corner for the first try of the game. His kicking game was an effective tool in the Leinster armoury tonight. He put the Chiefs back three under pressure again and again, forcing them into knock-ons and winning the ball back for his side. In a game that was very much in the balance, he identified that what his side needed was to keep it in the pack, even when they had an international calibre back-line on the field.

 

11. Steff Evans - Scarlets

The Welsh winger has been in scintillating form this season, threatening defences every time he touches the ball. His ability to beat the first defender has been unbelievable this season and it was on show again on Saturday. He beat 4 defenders and made 3 clean breaks against a strong Benetton side, for a gain of 42m. The hot-stepper wasted no time in getting into the game, beating a couple of defenders in midfield to set up a try for Gareth Davies after just 6 minutes. He then single-handedly hauled his side back into the game, scoring a brilliant solo score with a show and go, to level the scores with 6 minutes left. Following that he ignited another counter attack with his dazzling footwork, before putting a pinpoint accurate grubber through for Asquith to snatch the victory.

 

12. Pierre Aguillon - La Rochelle
 
Aguillon proved La Rochelle can bring more than physicality to the Champions cup with silky hands and dancing feet. Aguillon was rewarded for his attacking efforts with a try but it wasn't all attacking from Aguillon as he had a 100% tackle success rate.
 
 

13. Jonathan Joseph - Bath

The English international is back in top form, following a disappointing summer as he failed to make it into the Lions test side. He was the catalyst for Anthony Watson’s opening try, as he spun a beautiful cut-out pass to Aled Brew on the gainline, which left Tuisova in no-mans land. The Welshman then hit Watson on the inside to get the 3 points. That partnership of Brew and Joseph ran Toulon ragged all day as they almost upset the odds to come away with the win. The centre beat 3 defenders and made 2 clean breaks for a gain of 31m. He even nabbed himself an opportunistic try after a blunder from Chris Ashton.

 

14. Aled Brew - Bath

The winger gave an immense performance up against the formidable Fijian, Josua Tuisova, on Saturday. His opposing winger couldn’t lay a hand on him all day as the big Welshman beat him on the outside consistently. He made an amazing 4 clean breaks, beating 5 defenders for a gain of a massive 96m on the day. His breaks down the left wing into the 22, put his side in position to get on the scoreboard time and time again. Could a potential international recall be on the cards?

 

15. Dan Evans - Ospreys

The 2-cap Welshman was given the MOTM award for his performance in his side’s crucial away win over Saints on Saturday. He bagged himself a couple of tries and a try assist as his side got the BP win. His ability to beat defenders on the counter attack is an extremely valuable asset to the Welsh side, as they go through this difficult period of poor results. He beat 6 defenders and made 2 clean breaks for a gain of 101m, from his 15 carries at Franklin’s Gardens.

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