- Cyrill Baille (Toulouse)
The French international was a standout for Toulouse in their victory over Clermont. Baille worked tirelessly around the pitch and was important in helping his side win a few scrum penalties. He also showed his handling ability throwing several offloads about in a confident performance.
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
It was a tough choice at Hooker with Kelleher and Luke Cowan-Dickie both putting in impressive performances. However, it was the Irishman who edged it in a thrilling and intense match. He showed his International quality with his defensive work and ball carrying.
3. Uini Atonio (La Rochelle)
Atonio performed admirably in a dominant pack. He was strong at scrum time, giving his opposite number Bevan Rodd a tough day at the office. Lasted nearly an hour and was taken off with the result in sight.
4. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
His side may not have won, but they put in some performance against the newly crowned Pro14 champions. He made 15 tackles, won a turnover and offered himself as a constant ball carrier. Mr consistent, and fully deserving of a place in my side two weeks in a row.
5. Will Skelton (La Rochelle)
The Australian has been a big signing for La Rochelle, a big man who threw his weight around on Saturday. Was just one of a number of standouts from a terrific European performance, putting Sale to bed comfortably.
6. Jack Conan (Leinster)
Played in his usual position of Number 8 but gets in on the flank. Was great in the contact area showing his physicality, put a shift in with ball in hand making over 40 metres. A special mention to Exeter’s Dave Ewers who is very unlucky not to be in the team himself, after working tirelessly in a match of test match standard.
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
He will be making a late claim for a spot on the Lions tour, did himself no harm this weekend. He was a constant threat at the breakdown, winning two turnovers. Also made 22 tackles in a relentless performance.
8. Victor Vito (La Rochelle)
He’s 34-years-old and still performs at the highest standard. His offload to set-up Gregory Alldritt’s try was sensational. The man is also a great leader and is helping guide this La Rochelle side into what is turning in to a memorable European campaign.
9. Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
It wasn’t a typical Dupont performance, but it was still vital in Toulouse’s win in Clermont. His kicking game was impressive, and he controlled the game alongside half- back partner Romain Ntamack.
10. Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeuax–Begles)
The guy is phenomenal. A 55-metre kick at the death to send his side into their first ever Heineken Champions Cup Semi-Final shows his quality. Apart from that he kicked six other penalties in a mature display. The Frenchman knows how to control games when his side is ahead, putting his team deep into the Racing half on several occasions.
11. Raymond Rhule (La Rochelle)
The Springbok scored two excellent tries in a phenomenal second half display. The first cutting straight through the Sale defence to score under the posts. The second came after Simon Hammersley failed to gather Brice Dulin’s kick, allowing Rhule to capitalise on his hesitation to increase his side’s advantage.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
After a terrific Six Nations campaign, Henshaw has carried that into his club form with Leinster. Always an option to carry off 10, but his defensive work is his main quality, constantly stepping up in defence as pointed out by Sam Warburton in commentary. Deserves to start the first test on the Lions tour after a great 2021 so far.
13. Geoffrey Doumayrou (La Rochelle)
I could’ve picked the whole La Rochelle backline, which shows how impressive they were. Doumayrou thoroughly deserves his spot here, taking two tries very well and was always a constant threat with ball in hand.
14. Tom O’Flaherty (Exeter Chiefs)
The story of this man is incredible, Rob Baxter discovered this gem while he was playing in the Welsh Premiership for Bridgend Ravens. He scored two early tries, splitting the Leinster defence to put his side 14-0 up. He’s been so important to the success of the Chiefs in recent years and deserves all the plaudits he gets.
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
He may have missed an early tackle on O’Flaherty, but he made up for it later in the game. A stunning offload helped James Lowe cross for his try, as well as a pass which helped send Jordan Larmour over. Stepped up after a cagey first ten minutes.
Tobias' Sports Journalism Blog 