Team of the Week: 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup Round 2

12/16/2024 11:29 AM

As the second round of the Investec Champions Cup unfolded, fans from Europe and South Africa were treated to a weekend of thrilling rugby. With breakout performances across the board and after plenty of deliberation, we've selected our standout XV from the second round of the competition. Here's RUCK’s Team of the Week:

15. Jordie Barrett (Leinster)

An exsquisite performance from the New Zealand international, Jordie Barrett was at his very best in the fullback spot as Leinster secured a hard-fought 15-7 win over Clermont Auvergne. Constantly peppering the French side with swirling spiral kicks, Barrett also impressed with the ball in hand. The All Black racked up a try within his 13 first half carries.

14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)

Watching the action as Northampton Saints secured a memorable away win against the Vodacom Bulls was Ruck Reporter Olly Powell: “Northampton's flying winger came to life after half-time, scoring the crucial tries to see them to victory following a low-key first half outing.”

13. Wandisile Similane (DHL Stormers)

On the losing effort of a tough day out against Harlequins, Wandisile Similane was the brighest spark on a difficult day for the South African side. He was ever-present on the front foot, and would send a handful of the Quins defenders back-peddling in each of his powerful carries. The centre had a key touch in the build up to a Stormers try, and assisted a subsequent score at the end of the match.

12. Solomone Kata (Leicester Tigers)

The Leicester Tigers man was excellent, as his side ran rampant on the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Welford Road came unglued at the sight of their monstrous centre cascading into contact, as he scored a stunning try for the hosts in a strong win against the Durban visitors.

11. Tom Wyatt (Exeter Chiefs)

Another difficult outing for Exeter Chiefs, but this match is not one that their wing Tom Wyatt would want to forget anytime soon. The flyer crossed over for two impressive tries against the French titans, and took the attacking lead with over 100m of ground gained with ball in hand.

10. Sam Prendergast (Leinster)

The Leinster fly half is back in our Team of the Week, as he led the line with great aplomb in a technical bout with Clermont. It was a real game of battleships this past weekend, with Prendergast applying an astute technical masterclass to his passing and kicks into the French back-field. Equally as impressive in defense, as he put his body on the line time and again, to see the Dubliners over the line.

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

Ruck Reporter Olly Powell was delighted to see the England scrum half back at his best in the famous green, black and gold. “A very welcome return to the lineup following some time out injured, Mitchell was at the heart of most good things Northampton did, notably a 50:22 kick that was inch-perfect and resulted in the first of Freeman's tries.”

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)

Always looking to win the mental battle against the hard to phase Clermont forwards. Porter was a wrecking ball in the loose, as he coupled his well regarded power with an incredible change of pace. The Irish prop has staked his claim to start in the 2025 Six Nations and subsequent Lions tour this season, as he is playing in some mesmeric form. A noteable involvement saw him chase down a Clermont break and halt a definite try just after the hour mark.

2. Julien Marchand (Toulouse)

Marchand was thrust back into the Toulousain starting two shirt,with Peato Mauvaka dropped from the first XV. Marchand took his opportunity with both hands, as he got his name on the score-sheet as Toulouse mauled the Chiefs to death. Marchand would further dent the Devonshire defense with some gut-punching carries, that were felt all the way around the Sandy Park stands.

3. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks)

Tasked with being Sale’s iron-man for the afternoon, WillGriff John was flung off the bench after just 10 minutes of play, following an injury to starting tight-head James Harper. John stuck out the duration against the Parisian props, and battled valiantly to help Sale gain the upper hand at the set-piece, with the scrum dominance key in their eventual win over Racing.

4. Olujare Oguntibeju (Glasgow Warriors)

Ruck Reporter Max Drinkwater Jones watched on as Glasgow Warriors succumbed to a one-point comeback defeat to RC Toulon. He picked out the Scotland A star as a stand-out of the Warriors side. “A really industrious showing in the second half from Oguntibeju. He was everywhere in defence and really shone in the second half and was rewarded with a try for his good efforts.”

5. James Ryan (Leinster)

Working tirelessly as he ever does in royal blue of Leinster, James Ryan was a pivotal player in the Irish province’s win over Clermont. Turning the French side’s attack on it’s heels with some expertly timed turnovers, Ryan kept the opposition at bay with such excellent defensive breakdown work. Ryan was involved in his side’s second try, with a neat carry which showed off his pace.

6. Theo McFarland (Saracens)

The Samoan international was excellent against Stade Francais, with Saracens truly blessed with an unreal squad depth across the back row. McFarland carried with a phenom’s intent against the Parisian side, and battered his way through for some hard fought gain-line successes. It often took two or three men to bring the big man down, who is steadily becoming one of the Premiership’s finest back rows.

7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)

Watching on at the Salford Community Stadium, for Sale Sharks’ win against Racing 92 was Ruck Reporter Charlie Elliott, who wrote: “Awarded player of the match for a very strong game, the highlight of which came from him crashing over the line following a lineout. His defensive work was unmatched, and holding Racing to a solitary try was largely due to a Curry masterclass.”

8. Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls)

Rounding off the Team of the Week are words from Ruck Reporter Olly Powell, who pinpointed the efforts of Vodacom Bulls man Cameron Hanekom, in his side’s defeat to Leicester Tigers. “No doubt the standout performer on the pitch, Hanekom scored a couple of powerful tries and had a ridiculous engine on him all game. Very hard done by to be on the losing side.”

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