RUCK's Team of the Weekend: The best from the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup
Rugby NewsMonday, 16 October 2017 at 16:28
There were plenty thrills and spills on the opening rounds of European Cups this weekend.
Back-to-back Champions Cup winners Saracens showed their impressive title credentials, once more, as they smashed Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.
Elsewhere, Racing 92 edged past Leicester Tigers and Bath smashed Treviso at the Rec.
But which individuals put in the finest shift of the lot for their team?
Fullback: Charles Piutau (Ulster)
The former All Black provided the X-factor and Jacob Stockdale provided the cutting edge as Ulster got their European campaign off to the perfect start with a 19-9 win against Wasps at the Kingspan. Bar one comically bad pass, Piutau was imperious and at the heart of the Irish provinces cutting-edge attack.
Honourable Mentions: Joey Carbery (Leinster), Simon Hammersley (Newcastle Falcons)
Wing: Liam Williams (Saracens)
The defending champions put 57 points on Northampton at Franklins Gardens on Sunday. That's fifty-seven. The British and Irish Lions full-back scored two tries, created another and made 125 metres from his 17 carries – a hugely impressive showing.
HM: Josua Tuisova (Toulon), Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets)
Centre: Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
Only recently returning from injury, Henshaw was the official man of the match as Leinster overcame Montpellier 24-17, scoring a try from his 17 powerful carries that included three clean breaks. He was busy on defence too as he made 11 tackles.
HM: Garwyn Smith (Cardiff Blues), Maama Vaipulu (Castres)
Centre: Geoffrey Doumayrou (La Rochelle)
The star of the show at the Stoop. Among the multitude of impressive La Rochelle displays, Doumayrou was sensational as the French side overcame Quins 34-27. He made three clean breaks, gained 98 metres and scored two tries, and the first is one of the best you will see in the Champions Cup this season
HM: Solomoni Rasolea (Edinburgh)
Wing: Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
As mentioned above, Stockdale was one of two players who proved the difference in the Ulster-Wasps game, and the young Ulsterman earned the man-of-the-match award for his display. Instrumental in both tries, Stockdale finished magnificently for Ulster's first and threw in a fabulous offload for Stuart McCloskey's vital score.
HM: Matt Healy (Connacht)
Fly-half: Owen Farrell (Saracens)
His impressive leadership and that massive hit on definitely definetly contributed to Sir Clive Woodward calling for Farrell to be England captain this morning. His kicking both from the tee and hand was immaculate, while his control of the game was masterful. A genuine world-class player.
HM: Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Gareth Steenson (Exeter Chiefs), Ryan Lamb (La Rochelle)
Scrum-half: Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
With a performance as unworldly as that, almost the whole Saracens squad could have been named in this team in truth, but we've plumped for Wigglesworth, who was classy in everything he did. His kicking game was utterly glorious, his pass crisp and his management of a stunning pack dazzling. What a team they are.
Prop: Dany Priso (La Rochelle)
His workrate and role as part of a pack which thrived at the set-piece was what saw La Rochelle clinch a confidence-boosting win. A France international in waiting surely.
HM: Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Hooker: Bismarck du Plessis (Montpellier)
The experienced South African hooker tackled relentlessly and helped his side come away from Ireland with a losing bonus-point. It's baffling that he's continuously overlooked for the Springbok squad by Alistair Coetzee. He's a quality operator.
HM: Joe Taufete'e (Worcester Warriors)
Prop: Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
The Lions tighthead has continued his fine form in the 2017/18 season and was a lynnchpin of the Leinster scrum that had an epic tussle with the Montpellier pack. Probably the best No.3 in the world right now!
HM: Vincent Koch (Saracens), Rabah Slimani (Clermont)
Lock: Leone Nakarawa (Glasgow Warriors)
The Fijian superstar ran riot, utilising his full range of offloads to rip open the Leicester defence as Racing overcame Tigers 22-18 in a closely-fought European encounter. A try, plus outrageous assists for both of Racing's other two scores was the difference in winning and losing.
HM: Jake Ball (Ospreys)
Lock: Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
Hill's blonde hair shone throughout and England could do worse than having a look at the 23-year-old. After chiefs dreadful start, he dragged his side back into the game with a number of powerful, drives and was rewarded for his efforts when he scored Exeter's second try. Chiefs went on to beat Warriors 24-15 at Sandy Park.
Flanker: Viktor Gresev (Krasny Yar)
Former Wasps flanker Gresev crossed for two tries in the spectacular 34-29 victory against reigning champions Stade Francaise, as Krasny Yar made it a European debut to remember in Siberia.
HM: Semi Kunatani (Toulouse), Zach Mercer (Bath)
Flanker: Facundo Isa (Toulon)
The Argentine international was the go-to-man as a ball carrier in Toulon's pack and constantly crossed the gainline with several barnstorming runs. Isa eventually gained 90 metres from 15 runs which included one clean break, four defenders beaten as well as an offload.
HM: Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle), Sam Simmons (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
Number 8: Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby)
One of the players to stand out in Bath's dominant win against Benetton Treviso, Faletau ensured the Italians could make little headway by dominating the breakdown. He also led the home sides attack with a number of powerful drives.
HM: Maama Vaipulu (Castres)
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