5 Players to Watch in 2015/16 Rugby Champions Cup

The European Rugby Champions Cup makes its way back into the spotlight this weekend as a superb year for the sport carries on spinning with the return of the continent's premier tournament.

Super Rugby's recent exodus means a raft of new names are poised to grace the continental competition, while the border-hopping between England, Scotland and Wales has also been in full swing.

Defending champions Toulon have been busy in their recruitment, but other European teams are baying for their blood in a bid to prevent the French side from claiming a fourth successive title.

We've picked out a selection of players worthy of attention this season, with a couple of summer transfers making the grade along with some more established club names.

1. CJ Stander, Munster

Following Paul O'Connell's move to Toulon and the serious knee injury sustained by Peter O'Mahony at the World Cup, CJ Stander has been elected to stand in as Munster captain for the 2015/16 campaign.

It's a big season in more ways than one for the South Africa native, who is now seeking to earn his place in Joe Schmidt's Ireland squad after qualifying to represent his adopted nation recently, per the Irish Times.

Stander was named Munster's Player of the Year last term, and coach Anthony Foley has spoken at length of the leadership qualities his stand-in captain possesses, per Rory Keane of The42.ie:

"

CJ has a massive role to play within the club, both on and off the pitch. 

CJ’s been announced as captain for the group stages of the European Cup, that’s where we see his influence at the moment.

We have other great leaders within the group. We’ve got guys like Denis Hurley, Billy Holland and Conor Murray who are all earning their stripes in terms of the leadership side of the game.

"

The 25-year-old has grown to become an essential cog at Thomond Park since arriving in 2012, and Munster are on a road to redemption after failing to advance from their group in 2014/15.

Combine that with Stander's motivation to impress selectors in his pursuit of an Ireland call-up and one has the formula for a potentially devastating back-row utility.

2. Dan Carter, Racing 92

Dan Carter's return to French rugby has seen him become the highest-paid player in the sport, per the Telegraph, and we in the northern hemisphere couldn't be more pleased to have his talents once again.

His previous sabbatical spell with Perpignan was all too short lived, however, and the three-year contract he's penned with Racing 92 is far more promising for Champions Cup audiences.

Anyone who watched the World Cup knows what the two-time world champion brings to the table, and even at 33, he showed in the final against Australia that he can still be an effective back-line catalyst.

The signs in Paris are promising, too, with Carter set to be reunited with former All Blacks team-mate Joe Rokocoko, while Alexandre Dumoulin, Casey Laulala, Juan Imhoff and Teddy Thomas also add some flair.

Fellow fly-half newcomer Remi Tales may rue the arrival of the New Zealander following Johnny Sexton's departure, but Carter has the assets to light this Racing lineup like never before in search of another Top 14 title and more.

3. DTH van der Merwe, Scarlets

A terrific year of rugby is set to continue for DTH van der Merwe following his blistering start to life in Llanelli, where he notched a brace of tries during a debut defeat of Pro12 giants Leinster.

The signing already looks likely to go down as an astute piece of business, and Rugby World's Paul Williams was among those impressed with the Scarlets' initiative to add the winger.

Van der Merwe, 29, finished the first phase of the World Cup as the only player to score a try in each of his four pool-stage outings, and he stood out as an asset Canada are lucky to have at their disposal.

Fortunately, he's surrounded by players of a higher calibre at Parc y Scarlets and can expect to be facilitated with much more ease following his exit from Glasgow Warriors.

4. Steffon Armitage, Toulon

For reasons right or wrong, we failed to see Steffon Armitage in action at the World Cup due to England's policy on overseas selection, but a summer of built-up tension is ready to be unleashed on Europe once more.

The early signs this season suggest the former London Irish back rower, 30, is taking no prisoners in his rampage either, having recently scored a hat-trick of tries in a Top 14 defeat to Grenoble.

The Guardian's Robert Kitson has touched on the delightful rugby we're likely to see at Stade Mayol following Quade Cooper's arrival, while Ma'a Nonu, Samu Manoa and Duane Vermeulen are also huge captures.

But for all the latest signings, it's a more seasoned figure—2014 European Player of the Year, Armitage—who will look to make England regret his non-inclusion at the World Cup and continue tearing enemy defences to shreds.

5. George North, Northampton Saints

As much as it might pain Scarlets fans to see, George North has elevated his club game to new heights since moving to Northampton Saints two years ago and finished last season's Champions Cup as top try-scorer.

That's despite the fact Jim Mallinder's men exited at the quarter-finals and didn't score any tries after their pool stage; depicting just how potent the Welsh wing can be if the team can churn out results.

Ensuring those results may be tough after the Saints made such a poor start to their Premiership campaign, however, winning just one of the first four games. Having said that, the return to full fitness of their World Cup players promises to be a big boost.

North and Northampton have a massive task on their hands in attempting to escape Pool 3, where Racing 92, Glasgow Warriors and Scarlets all have fierce assets out wide.

In theory, it could be the making of North if he stays fit and reaches his peak in what promises to be a very stern examination of the 23-year-old's talents.