We select a starting XV of players that excelled in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup on the weekend, with the likes of Toulon, Leinster and Munster making big impressions.
Front rankers: Thomas Gallo (Benetton), Dan Sheehan (Leinster) and Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
In a losing cause, Benetton’s Gallo produced the goods at the scrum, while also scoring a try, making 30-carry metres and 13-tackles.
Sheehan’s superb form continued after he scored again for Leinster, hit nine of his 10 lineout jumpers and made 52-metres in the carry.
Fagerson laid the platform at the scrum for his Warriors’ teammates in an important showing against Tigers loosehead Nicky Smith.
Second rowers: Tadhg Beirne (Munster) and David Ribbans (Toulon)
Beirne was his monstrous self in the win at La Rochelle, putting in 10-tackles and coming up with two game-shaping turnovers that directly helped secure the Red Army the win.
A big shift as well from Somerset West-born Ribbans, who made as many as 16-tackles and produced a great lineout display for Toulon.
Back rowers: John Hodnett (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster) and Facunda Isa (Toulon)
Hodnett came up with nine-tackles and two big turnovers for Munster, while van der Flier scored a try, assisted two more and made 81-metres with ball in hand thanks largely to his three clean breaks.
In spite of two early mistakes, Isa was a giant for Toulon, scooping MOTM thanks to a performance that included three tries, 87-carry metres and 11-tackles.
Honourable mentions: Jack Conan (Leinster), Henco Venter (Glasgow Warriors), Jack Willis (Toulouse)
Halfbacks: Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) and Jack Crowley (Munster)
With Antoine Dupont on the sidelines, there’s no question that Gibson-Park is the current No 1 No 9 in the game, with the former Hurricane again at his absolute best in his 49-minutes of action at Croke Park.
Named MOTM at the Marcel Deflandre, Crowley’s magnificent display against La Rochelle saw him bank 10-points, including an effectively match-clinching drop goal, as well as 10-tackles in as commanding a flyhalf performance as you’ll see.
Honourable mentions: Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors)
Midfield: Ben Tapuai (Bordeaux-Begles) and Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Former Hollywoodbets Sharks man Tapuai made 56-metres with ball in hand, eight tackles and an offload for Bordeaux.
Continuing to push hard for a first Lions tour, Ringrose shone with a try, 67-metres carried, two clean breaks and five tackles.
Honourable mentions: Leicester Fainga’anuku (Toulon)
Back three: James Lowe (Leinster), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints) and Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors)
Lowe scored twice and carried for 120-metres against Harlequins. Like Isa, Freeman helped himself to a hattrick on the weekend, while also contributing with five clean breaks, 84-carry metres and 10-tackles. A ridiculous 154-carry metres by Rowe, as well as a try assist in a fantastic outing at the Scotstoun.
Honourable mentions: Calvin Nash (Munster), Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse)
