We select a starting XV of players that excelled in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup on the weekend, with Leinster looking particularly unstoppable as the competition draws to a head.
Front rankers: Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints) and Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
Baille was solid enough for Toulouse, getting his job done with very little fuss against a pumped up Toulon pack. Langdon scored a try, hit all 13 of his lineout jumpers and carried for 35-metres. Furlong continues to find his best form after his lengthy injury layoff. He made some cracking carries and looked his old self in the scrum.
Second rowers: David Ribbans (Toulon) and RG Snyman (Leinster)
England reject Ribbans was titanic for Toulon, leading from the front in a towering performance in the second row that included 12-tackles, 21-carry metres and some fine lineout work. Snyman was as good as ever, chucking four offloads, putting in nine tackles and carrying for 25-metres in what was also a supreme lineout showing.
Honourable mention: Manny Meafou (Toulouse)
Back rowers: Francois Cros (Toulouse), Josh van der Flier (Leinster) and Pete Samu (Bordeaux-Begles)
Cros was brutal against Toulon, putting in some thundering hits on defence, winning a turnover and popping up at crucial moments for his side. Van der Flier made 38-metres with ball in hand, 12-tackles and a try assist for Leinster. A try, 71-carry metres and three clean breaks for former Wallaby Samu, who was deadly with ball in hand for the hosts.
Honourable mentions: Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse)
Halfbacks: Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast (both Leinster)
Gibson-Park gets the nod for the second successive week after another masterful display. His pass to set up James Lowe for Leinster’s third was a proper thing of beauty. Prendergast struck five from six off the tee and looked excellent on
attack, albeit largely thanks to his dominant pack. The real test for him will come in the semi-finals and beyond.
Honourable mentions: Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux), Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith (both Northampton Saints)
Midfield: Jordie Barrett (Leinster) and Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Begles)
Barrett again seemed untouchable in an exceptional all-round midfield showing that included three won turnovers, 13-tackles, 44-carry metres and some exceptional tactical kicking. France midfielder Moefana was all class against Munster, winning a turnover, putting in 13-tackles and making some great decisions on both sides of the ball in another tremendous Bordeaux backline display.
Honourable mentions: Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
Back three: Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Begles), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster) and Malvern Jaminet (Toulon)
Bielle-Biarrey dotted down at the death to seal the win for his side against Munster, while also assisting another try and making 48-metres with the ball. A try, an assist and 62-metres with ball in hand for the high-forging O’Brien. Jaminet kicked six from six and carried for 49-metres in a highly influential display for Toulon and one that nearly got them over the line against the defending champions.
Honourable mentions: Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Begles)
