Combined Champions Cup XV: 15 players to watch this weekend
European Champions CupFriday, 30 March 2018 at 12:33
With the Six Nations over and the European Champions Cup quarter-finals just around the corner, we’ve put together a combined XV of all 8 quarterfinalists purely based on their performances in the cup so far. What a team this would be!
15. Liam Williams (Saracens)
- 3 tries in 3 games
- 11 clean breaks
- 11 clean breaks
Recently arrived at the Allianz Park for the 2017/18 season and has already impressed supporters by scoring some important tries to keep the hopes of a third consecutive title alive. An integral player in the Lions tour of New Zealand and easily one of the best attacking full-backs in world rugby at the moment. His 2 tries in the opening weekend against Northampton Saints was his biggest performance yet.
14. Alivereti Raka (Clermont Auvergne)
- 4 tries in 4 games
- Hat-trick versus Saracens
- 348 metres gained
- Hat-trick versus Saracens
- 348 metres gained
A flying Fijian with plenty of pace and an eye for the try-line. His standout performance of the competition was against Saracens as he scored 3 tries in last than half an hour and made 161 metres in the match. He will be hoping to add more tries to his tally in the knockout stages.
13. Geoffrey Doumayrou (La Rochelle)
- 2 tries in 5 games
- 11 clean breaks
- 11 clean breaks
After making over a century of appearances for Stade Français, Doumayrou moved to La Rochelle for the 2017/18 season and has already won over his supporters through his excellent attacking skills. He stood out in his Man of the Match performance against Harlequins after scoring 2 tries including 4 line breaks and 4 defenders beaten.
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
- 81 points in 6 games
- Reached 3rd place of all-time point scorers
- Reached 3rd place of all-time point scorers
Despite playing the majority of his club rugby at fly-half, Farrell has adapted to the centre role excellently for England and has earned his place in this XV. Just 26 years old and already in 3rd position of top point scorers in the competition behind Ronan O’Gara and Stephen Jones. Champions last year as well as Player of the Year – Farrell will be hoping to add another winner’s medal to his collection.
11. Isa Nacewa (Leinster)
- 2 tries against Glasgow Warriors
- 90% kicking rate
- 90% kicking rate
Difficult to believe Nacewa is 35 years old and still at the peak of his game. Played a lot at centre this season but his try-scoring prowess is stronger from the wing. 3 winners medals to his name and will be hopeful of adding 1 more this year. His 2 tries against Glasgow Warriors were taken excellently well as you would expect from the experienced utility-back.
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster)
- 3 tries in 4 games
- 39 points
- 570+ overall points in the competition
- 39 points
- 570+ overall points in the competition
The key player for Leinster that gets everything ticking and one of the best fly-halves in world rugby on his day. 3-time winner of the competition and has the hopes of his province firmly on his shoulders as they seek another title this year. Excellent kicker and has the ability to read the game better than anyone, he certainly proved this for Ireland in their Grand Slam victory.
9. Alexi Bales (La Rochelle)
- 29 points
- 1 try in 6 games
- 1 try in 6 games
Probably the most unknown player from the XV after staying under the radar for Agen before joining La Rochelle in 2016/17. Bales has now emerged as an exciting talent this season after his goal kicking display against Ulster and his Man of the Match performance against Wasps really stood-out. He is certainly one to watch in their clash with Scarlets in the quarter final.
8. CJ Stander (Munster)
- 89 carries - 78 tackles
7. Levani Botia (La Rochelle)
- 2 tries in 4 games - 33 carries in 2 games
Powerful Fijian centre that is playing in the back-row for La Rochelle this season and is proving he is a menace on the pitch whichever position he plays. 16 carries and 2 good tries against Wasps was his highlight as well as a Man of the Match performance against Ulster. He is one of the favourites to be this year’s Player of the Year if his team can reach the later stages.
6. Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)
- 94 carries - 17 offloads - 26 lineouts won - 3 tries in 6 games
One of the best all-round players in the world at the moment and is in exceptional form for Racing 92. Sevens rugby gold medallist for Fiji in Rio 2016 and was one of the stand-out performers in that star-studded team. He’s the leading try scorer for his club in Europe so far with 3 in 6 and has more carries and offloads than anyone else in the competition. He seems to be playing in a league of his own on times and he’ll be looking to win his first title this year for the Parisians.
5. Tadgh Beirne (Scarlets)
- 2 tries in 6 games - 73 tackles completed out of 74 - 14 turnovers
Not many people would have heard of Tadgh Beirne after he was released from Leinster in 2016, he was picked up by the Scarlets where he won the PRO 14 in his debut season with the club. He’s now emerged as a key player for the Welsh region and has put in some superb performances so far. His Man of the Match performance against Bath was his stand-out moment where he racked up 20 completed tackles, 2 line breaks and 1 try.
4. Scott Fardy (Leinster)
- 2 tries against Glasgow Warriors - Unbeaten with Leinster
Signed from the Brumbies last season, Fardy has become an instrumental player for the unbeaten Leinster and will hope to bag some silverware in his first appearance in the competition. He made 11 tackles and a turnover against Exeter and is massively important during set pieces from scrums and line-outs.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
- 15 carries and 3 defenders beaten against Exeter - 23 tackles completed
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets)
- 88 tackles completed - 15 tackles against Bath
Owens captained the Scarlets throughout their title winning season last year and has been leading from the front once again, this time in Europe. He’s been at the club for over a decade and is a firm crowd favourite because of his high work rate and defensive abilities. This was proven in his away performance against Bath where he managed 17 tackles and won 7 line-outs.
1. Dany Priso (La Rochelle)
- 1 try and 12 tackles against Harlequins - 15 carries and 6 defenders beaten against Wasps
Just 23 years old and already a key player for this La Rochelle side in the Champions Cup. With 15 carries and 63 metres against Wasps, Priso earned a call-up to the national side for the Six Nations and will be hoping to continue his good form into the later stages of the competition.
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