Team of the Week: EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4

Tuesday, 20 January 2026 at 17:22

byTom Sansom

By Harvey Allen

The Challenge Cup’s pool stages drew to a close, with the pressure only heating up as the competition progressed. With four rounds of intense rugby action saw huge results, controversy as well as some of the finest rugby played in the world.

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With the stakes higher than ever in the last round, we saw some incredible results, shocks and performances from some of the world’s best.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: 2025/26 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 4 (POOL STAGE)

15. Angus O’Brien (Dragons)

The full-back defined the Dragons performance in a tough Red Bulls challenge. Perfect from the tee, O’Brien was pivotal. Not only his scoring record from the boot, but also his presence in the backfield made it hard for Newcastle to exploit any open space in their kicking game. Paired perfectly with his boot from hand, O’Brien was able to put on a show helping Dragons gain territory. With the Six Nations around the corner, it was a near-perfect audition for the 31-year-old to gain a Welsh call-up.

14. Rio Dyer (Dragons)

Ever the try scorer, Dyer bagged two more on the weekend in the Dragons’ dispatching of the Newcastle Red Bulls. Suffering with a slow start to the season, the Welsh international has really turned it on since the Christmas period hit. Dyer has scored four tries in his last four matches, as the Dragons’ European campaign continues into Easter. Recently a first choice for the Welsh coaches, the winger has really been able to turn it up at the right time heading into a crucial tournament for the Welsh.

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

A key presence in the resurgent Exeter side, Henry Slade has gone from strength to strength. Playing both in the 10 and 13 shirt, the once-regular England international can provide utility on both fronts. Slade has been crucial off the boot for the Chiefs, scoring three conversions in his side’s decimation of Cardiff, as well as being creative in attack, helping to put his side through the Cardiff defence.

12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)

The centre has been a servant to the Northern province his whole career, putting in world-class performances for years, and this weekend was no exception. A strong running option within the backs, McCloskey abused the Stade Francais defensive line, as well as finishing off his own try with some good team play. With the centre partnership in the Ireland team ever-changing, McCloskey has more than put his hand up to secure a place in Andy Farrell’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations.

11. Onisi Ratave (Benetton)

Part of a free-flowing attack that loves to run the ball, Benetton’s Ratave has made the most metres out of any Challenge Cup player so far this tournament. Running in one of the five that his team scored in their big win over Lyon on Sunday, the Fijian has cemented not only himself, but his team’s attack as one of the most dangerous in the tournament. A side that has never made a European final before, this arsenal of backs could take them all the way to Bilbao come May.

10. Giacomo Da Re (Zebre)

The 26-year-old has been a key figure for Zebre in finishing second against tough opponents within their own pool. A point tally of 13 for Sunday’s game, which saw them defeat Black Lion to seal a home knock-out match. Not only successful from the boot, but a creative point within the side, Da Re has helped orchestrate his side in the victory over the Georgian outfit, and will continue to be an important weapon in Zebre’s arsenal.

9. Simon Benitez Cruz (Newcastle Red Bulls)

Newcastle’s Puma scrum-half has completely changed the attack after he arrived in October. Able to control the tempo to a perfect speed, Benitez Cruz isn’t afraid to have a snipe at the defence, spotting gaps around the ruck. He was able to link up with Alex Hearle to score one on Friday night, effectively as another nippy support line to compliment Red Bulls’ quick back-three. As Newcastle progress now to the knock-outs, he’ll provide a strong place in the spine of the team.

1. Scott Sio (Exeter Chiefs)

The once-Wallaby’s experience can only be beneficial for this dangerous Exeter side. Their shut-out against Cardiff saw the power of the forwards shine, something that Scott Sio showed in plenty. As the Devonshire outfit progress through the tournament, a pivotal individual such as Sio proves to move them forward in the right direction in this comeback season.

2. Siua Maile (Benetton)

The big Tongan loves a set piece, and has been incredibly important in achieving Benetton’s 92% lineout success, the best so far in this tournament. Scoring off the back of mauls is what he does, taking two scores for himself in Sunday’s performance. If Benetton are going to be one of the teams to beat in this competition, Maile will be one of their most important assets as he helps to control the forwards.

3. Bachuki Tchumbadze (Exeter Chiefs)

The Georgian prop has become a regular for Exeter this season, and scored his debut try for the club in their victory over Cardiff. If one wasn’t enough, he scored his second try for good measure. His power and scrummaging was an important aspect of Exeter’s performance on the weekend, which he will only develop over the course of the season as he continues to feature for the rejuvenating PREM side.

4. Iain Henderson (Ulster)

A huge presence in defence, Henderson’s workrate to keep Racing’s second half surge at bay proved to be so wholly important for Ulster. Having been out since November, the second-rower returned to action a couple of weeks ago against Munster, before featuring for a 63-minute stint on Saturday, and did he impress! Having been selected for Andy Farrell’s squad in the Autumn, there are obviously injury concerns if he was to be in contention for the Six Nations squad, but you simply cannot rule him out on his class alone.

5. Niccolo Cannone (Benetton)

A well-known fearsome figure in the rugby world, the Italian second rower has instilled terror into all of Benetton’s opponents so far this season. This was again the case on Sunday in Benetton’s five star performance against Lyon. Cannone put his body on the line in both attack and defence, whilst also a key target in the line-out which worked so well. With a huge opportunity in Italy’s upcoming Six Nations, the second rower has surely locked himself into the teamsheet.

6. Tom Christie (Newcastle Red Bulls)

Quite universally acclaimed as one of the most difficult players to face this season, the New Zealander has been one of the most dangerous players around the ruck. “Tom Christie and the loose forwards for Newcastle did a good job of slowing the ball down and staying in the tackle lane” was one of the praises that Dragons boss Filo Tiatia gave in his post-match thoughts, proving that the Kiwi’s presence defensively has not gone unnoticed around the leagues this season.

7. Paul Boyle (Connacht)

Two tries in his 80 minutes in Connacht’s demolition of French side Montauban, the one-time Irish player added to his mighty Challenge Cup tally for the season. Now with five tries in four games played, the back-rower has an eye for the line when up the pitch. Add up to his 126 metres made in just 28 carries so far this tournament, the 29-year-old packs a punch going forward for the Western Province. Capped earlier this year by Ireland As, the Connacht man is already on the radar of the IRFU coaches.

8. Nick Timoney (Ulster)

Having avoided a second half shock at the hands of Stade Francais, real credit has to be given to Henderson, Bryn Ward, and especially Timoney. The workrate at the breakdown to disrupt the tempo of the French side went a long way into defending their early lead. Of course looking at the Six Nations impending squad selections, Timoney has been capped five times by the Irish team, including two in the Autumn just gone. That graft cannot be looked over when Andy Farrell comes to selecting his side.