Biggest Winners and Losers in World Rugby for Weekend of December 12-14
Another edition of the biggest winners and losers in world rugby focuses almost entirely on the European ranks as the southern hemisphere enjoys a well-deserved hiatus.
This weekend saw numerous sides soar and slump in the European Rugby Champions Cup, with certain results in particular having a grave bearing on how the rest of the competition will unfold.
Read on for discussion of which teams and players came out of this weekend's rugby schedule with improved prospects and who saw their reputations dive in the wake of recent actions.
Winner: Clermont Take Vital Steps in Conquering Pool 1
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With three of Europe's biggest outfits in the running, Pool 1 was always going to be a fierce battleground for Munster, Clermont, Saracens and Sale Sharks.
And after managing to walk away from Thomond Park with four points last Saturday, the French contingent sealed back-to-back wins over Munster this Sunday, beating Anthony Foley's men 26-19 on home turf.
In managing to claim a losing bonus point, Munster have at least kept some hope alive in their bid to progress past the pool stage, but their campaign is in doubt following successive defeats.
Clermont, on the other hand, are now firm favourites to top the group, boasting a one-point advantage over Sarries as things stand and with a home fixture still to come against the Londoners.
Munster are a team hoping to recapture the magic of the side that was so successful in Europe in past years, but they nevertheless present a major obstacle for any team, one that Clermont have now firmly done away with.
Loser: Former French Fancies in Rapid Decline?
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Clermont may be riding high in the ERCC, but Montpellier and Castres certainly aren't enjoying their stacked schedule with the same success and have plummeted in the estimations of some.
After making several big signings this summer, Montpellier in particular were a side being tipped to ruffle some feathers in Europe, while 2012-13 Top 14 champions Castres also had expectations upon them.
However, the pair have mustered only three points combined in European competition this season, with no chance left of making their way into the second round of the tournament.
The Castres coaching staff is set to be replaced by Oyonnax helmsman Christophe Urios and his understudies next summer, but the crisis at the club requires answers now.
Winner: Sam Burgess Showing Signs of Promise After First Start
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As the ticking diary of Sam Burgess' rugby union conversion enters its latest phases, the English community (and more) was on full alert this Friday as the Bath utility made his first start for the club.
Helping Bath claim a 32-12 win over Montpellier at home, the potential England international lined up at inside centre and, for the most part, did a reliable job in his duty.
Burgess tackled well—contributing 17 in total, per ESPN Scrum—and his decoy running even aided in setting up several tries for The Rec's hosts.
This isn't to say the former South Sydney Rabbitohs' star is ready to be a talisman just yet, but it's encouraging for Stuart Lancaster that his prospect is at least competent in the role.
Given that he's still mere weeks into his union adaptation, there's plenty of time for Burgess to fine-tune his game and add a technical mastery to the already evident physical attributes he possesses.
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Loser: United States' Perry Baker Involved in Sad Fan-Kicking Controversy
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Bad sportsmanship doesn't go down well in any sporting atmosphere, rugby being among the least tolerant of underhanded behaviour. But this week, USA sevens player Perry Baker committed an offence that was somewhat more obvious.
With the United States trailing South Africa at the South Africa Sevens tournament, a fan made his way onto the pitch and, according to Fox Rugby, tackled Baker. But the drama wouldn't stop there.
As the website shows, American speedster Baker proceeded to kick the supporter while he lay on the turf. Granted, streakers and others who seek to interrupt any game are seen as intolerable by some, and though the fan reportedly tackled him, for Baker to show such aggression was a bit ruthless.
Thankfully, Baker did reach out through his personal Twitter account to make his apology, but even with a match's worth of adrenaline, the punishment was harsh to say the least.
One would think the fan will think twice before stepping into Baker's territory again any time soon.
Winner: Racing Metro Close to Agreeing Dan Carter Coup
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In what would be his second trip to France, Dan Carter could make a Top 14 comeback in 2015 after he completes his international duty with New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup.
Tom Hamilton of ESPN Scrum reports that Racing Metro could announce the deal as early as next week, the idea being that Carter will replace Leinster-bound Jonathan Sexton upon the expiration of his contract in Paris.
Despite the fact he'll turn 33 next November, Carter would bring a huge amount of experience to the Racing dressing room, and were it not for the class of Aaron Cruden, the Crusaders fly-half would probably find his All Blacks place more secure.
Racing may hope to see the No. 10 emulate fellow veteran Jonny Wilkinson and lead the club to glory both foreign and domestic, just as Wilkinson did during his twilight years at Toulon.
Carter spent a season at Perpignan between 2008 and 2009 after deciding to take a break from southern hemisphere rugby, but this would more likely be considered a longer-term switch, likely leading into retirement.
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