Best XV from European Rugby Champions Cup for Weekend of October 24-26
Some big names came to the party this weekend as the pools of the European Rugby Champions Cup began to take shape.
Away wins were a highlight of the weekend, with Glasgow, Toulouse, Toulon, Racing Metro, Harlequins and Leinster all finding their hosts happy hunting grounds and taking hold of their sections in the process.
Among those victories were some fine individual efforts that have propelled players into the team of the week, so let’s see who makes the cut.
Full-Back
1 of 7
15. Maxime Medard
Toulouse’s full-back had an impressive afternoon at the Rec, joining attacks well, scoring a try for himself and making one for Vincent Clerc.
Honourable mentions go to Leigh Halfpenny for a fine kicking display in Ulster and Nick Abendanon for his try for Clermont.
Wings
2 of 7
14. Napolioni Nalaga
Clermont’s Fijian wrecking ball helped himself to two tries against Sale. Given space, as he was by the Sharks, Nalaga remains one of Europe’s deadliest finishers.
11. George North
George North turned himself into a one-man bonus point, as his four tries helped Northampton to a comprehensive win over the Ospreys.
One was a walk-in, one came with a step, the third was scored with all the power of a prop, and the last one saw him chase down his own kick and muscle through two Ospreys to get the touch down—all that after ripping the ball from an Ospreys forward as though he were taking a dummy from a sleeping infant.
Centres
3 of 7
13. Mark Bennett
Bennett was the closest thing Glasgow came to a try in Montpellier.
He was held up just short in the first half and went on a scything run in the second, only to be hauled down less than 10 metres out.
If he can transfer his current form to the international stage in the coming weeks, Scotland will have a new gem on their hands.
12. Ian Madigan
Leinster’s Madigan kicked all their points in a hard-fought win at Castres for the Pro12 champions.
Madigan hit his key penalty with less than five minutes to go to claw his team back into the lead after his forwards had struggled all afternoon.
Having a player like Madigan to keep you in the hunt when you’re playing poorly is a huge bonus.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Half-Backs
4 of 7
10. Camille Lopez
Three penalties and three conversions made for a successful night’s work for Clermont’s Lopez, who also orchestrated his team’s potent back line for four tries at home to Sale.
9. Conor Murray
Munster’s No. 9 was at the fulcrum of their gritty win over Saracens.
The Irish scrum–half kept the visitors' back row honest with his powerful probing from behind the Munster pack. His kicking game was on song, and he marshaled the Thomond Park pack well.
Back Row
5 of 7
8. Steffon Armitage
Another impressive display from Armitage heaped yet more angst on English fans' fears that they will not have this man playing for them at next year’s World Cup.
Worse still, he could be playing for France. He wore the No. 7 shirt this week but so often plays No. 8 for Toulon that we pick him here in order to accommodate another stellar display from a French club’s openside flanker.
7. Imanol Harinordoquy
Veteran back-rower Harinordoquy was in fine form for his new club at the Rec. The former Biarritz man scored one, made another and was superb throughout, constantly roaming the wide areas to bring his considerable skill to Toulouse’s superb off-loading game.
6. Calum Clark
Northampton’s blindside flanker was impressive against the Ospreys, backing up Stuart Lancaster’s decision to bring him into the full England squad. Steve James of The Telegraph revealed:
"This season Clark has been the best back-rower in England contention in terms of work over the ball and turnovers. He also outran all the other England forwards in their most recent testing, outlasting all on the Yo-Yo test - the modern equivalent of the dreaded ‘bleep test’, when players have to complete shuttle runs at ever-decreasing intervals of time.
"
Second Row
6 of 7
5. Yoann Maestri
Toulouse built their win over Bath on a solid forward platform, a large part of which was provided by French international Maestri.
The lock played the entire 80 minutes and made 13 tackles, providing the second-most-used option at the Toulouse lineout after Harinordoquy.
4. Charlie Matthews
As well as being part of a dominant Harlequins pack, Matthews was prominent for Quins in the loose.
He was denied a try by the TMO before making sure with a run-in after hanging out on the wing to create an overlap.
He continued to cause Wasps trouble with his ball-carrying and will not have done his chances of England recognition any harm.
Front Row
7 of 7
3. Ramiro Herrera
The young Argentine tight–head was a major part of a dominant Castres scrum in their defeat to Leinster and got cheered from the field when he took his leave, according to the Press Association, via The Guardian.
We saw good things from the Pumas man in the Rugby Championship, and it seems he has gone back to his club in the same strong form.
2. Corey Flynn
Toulouse’s All Black import had another busy afternoon, making 10 tackles and running for 21 metres, per ESPNScrum.com
His scrum may have gone backward under pressure from Bath, but his upbringing as a New Zealand front-row forward has made Flynn a good fit for Guy Noves’ style, with Flynn comfortable joining attacks together in the wide channels.
1. Mark Lambert
Harlequins captain and England loose-head Joe Marler was a late withdrawal before their clash with Wasps, who have been scrummaging well this season.
So it was a huge surprise to see the visiting pack dominate this area emphatically. Lambert deserves the credit for this and the scrum that yielded the winning penalty try as he and his mates ploughed through the home pack.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
