Team of the Week: Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3

01/13/2025 07:35 AM

The third round of the cross-continental club rugby competitions have come to a close, with plenty of impressive performances taking place across Europe and South Africa. The battle lines continue to be drawn in the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup pool stages, as anticipation builds for a place in the knock-out stages.

It was a disappointing week of results for the Premiership clubs, beginning with Sale’s emphatic defeat to the Stormers down in Cape Town. The Sharks could not handle the heat of the South African side, with Manie Libbok orchestrating an immense 40-0 shut out of Alex Sanderson’s men. Exeter Chiefs, Saracens, Northampton Saints and Harlequins also found themselves on the receiving end of Champions Cup defeats, with Newcastle Falcons chalking up an ‘L’ in the Challenge Cup.

Bristol Bears, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Bath flew the Premiership flag with pride, as they all achieved wins in their respective fixtures. Bristol’s dramatic home triumph over Benetton went right down to the wire, as a last-ditch Treviso try was disallowed, for the Bears to cling on to victory. Here is a run down of all the results from the two competitions, and a look at RUCK’s Team of the Week for the fourth round of the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup.

FULL RESULTS: 2024/25 INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP ROUND 3

Glasgow Warriors 29 – 19 Racing 92 / DHL Stormers 40 – 0 Sale Sharks

Hollywoodbets Sharks 8 – 20 Stade Toulousain / Exeter Chiefs 17 – 69 Bordeaux-Begles

Munster Rugby 17 – 12 Saracens / Stade Francais 45 – 35 Northampton Saints

Castres Olimpique 49 – 10 Vodacom Bulls / Leicester Tigers 38 – 10 Ulster Rugby

RC Toulon 33 – 21 Harlequins / Stade Rochelais 14 – 16 Leinster Rugby

Bristol Bears 35 – 29 Benetton Treviso / Bath Rugby 40 – 21 Clermont Auvergne

FULL RESULTS: 2024/25 EPCR CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 3

Gloucester Rugby 31 – 7 Scarlets / USA Perpignan 23 – 20 Cardiff Rugby

Vannes 25 – 29 Edinburgh Rugby Black Lion 16 – 41 Aviron Bayonnais

Ospreys 35 – 15 Newcastle Falcons / Montpellier 28 – 5 Emirates Lions

Connacht Rugby 52 – 24 Lyon OU / Cheetahs 22 – 18 Zebre / Dragons RFC 15 – 24 Section Paloise

TEAM OF THE WEEK: CHAMPIONS CUP & CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 3

15. Jack Walsh (Ospreys)

Starring in an impressive win for the Ospreys, Jack Walsh takes the 15 shirt following his side’s triumph over Newcastle Falcons. The versatile back took his chances well against the Premiership club, with two tries to his name in this Challenge Cup battle. Walsh’s first score was a fine retaliation from Newcastle’s opening strike, before he collected his brace mid-way through the second half.

14. Josh Bassett (Leicester Tigers)

Plenty of plaudits to go round for the Tigers, as the East Midlanders chalked up a rare win for the Premiership clubs in this weekend’s European action. At the heart of the try-scoring was wing Josh Bassett, who crossed over for a stunning hat-trick against Ulster. An honourable mention goes to Ollie Hassell-Collins, as the one-cap England wing bagged a brace against the Belfast side.

13. Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Treviso)

Despite coming away from Ashton Gate on the losing side of the score-line, Tommaso Menoncello had plenty to be pleased with from his own personal performance. The Italian centre was everywhere up against Bristol, and lead the second half comeback charge with a stunning solo score. The midfielder evaded a trio of Bears defenders to run in from the Bristolian 10m line, and was a thorn in Pat Lam’s side for the duration. Menoncello provided the assist for Rhyno Smith’s ‘match-winner’ that was later chalked off for an early obstruction.

12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors)

The Scotland captain is playing some mesmeric rugby in the lead up to the 2025 Men’s Guinness Six Nations, and led his club to victory over Racing 92 this past Friday. Glasgow pulled no punches in their pummeling of the Parisians, with Tuipulotu at the helm with nice link plays, offensive strike moves and an unrelenting shoulder to spearhead the defence. Brilliant from the skipper, with plenty of hope and expectation from Gregor Townsend.

11. Remy Baget (Castres Olimpique)

It was a challenging trip to Castres for the Vodacom Bulls, who were hammered 49-10 by their unforgiving hosts. Wing Remy Baget was in excellent form for Olimpique, as he bombarded the Bulls with a hat-trick of tries, and a fine attacking performance in all areas of his game. Baget impressed with some nice improvisation on the front foot, that made it a long afternoon for the visitors from Pretoria.

10. Jack Crowley (Munster Rugby)

A real marksman’s performance, as Jack Crowley led Munster to a famous win at Thomond Park. The Irishman put his name forward to retain his 10 jersey for the 2025 Men’s Six Nations, as he gets set to wrestle it from Sam Prendergast over the coming months. Crowley’s sharpshooting was critical to Munster’s triumph over Saracens, and he conducted his attacking line like a veteran wise beyond his years.

9. Kieran Marmion (Bristol Bears)

Two tries for Kieran Marmion propels him into the Team of the Week, following his stand-out performance for Bristol yesterday evening. An awesome improvisation to nudge Thacker's poor offload into the Benetton back-field, and win the foot race to dot down for Bristol's second try. Heads up play to spot the space along the blindside touchline, as Bristol sent him in for a try after a rolling maul trundled the ball into the red zone.

1. Rodrigue Neti (Stade Toulousain)

The loose-head spot this week goes to Rodrigue Neti of Stade Toulousain, who held his own against some opposition of the highest calibre. Neti went toe-to-toe with Ox Nche at the scrum, and got the better of the Springbok on a handful of set-piece occasions. It was a real clash of the titans in Durban, with Neti shining bright for 60 minutes, that laid the foundations for Cyrille Baille to see out for the win.

2. Harry Thacker (Bristol Bears)

Dutifully awarded the Player of the Match, following some explosive carrying over the front foot. A Nice overthrown line-out to his backs ignited Bristol's opening try of the match, and another brillaint line break was key in in the lead up to Kieran Marmion's try. Got his well deserved try just before the hour, as he supported Fitz Harding's line-break for a simple score under the sticks. A strong ovation upon his 67th minute exit summarised his strong showing.

3. Thomas du Toit (Bath Rugby)

Watching on as Bath recorded an impressive win over Clermont Auvergne at the Rec was Ruck’s Bath Reporter Sam Jess; “The prop was at his powerful best but was unable to force Mike Adamson's whistle until the second half. The South African showed his power with a crucial try before grabbing his
brace moments later.”

4. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby)

The Welsh lock continues to push from strength to strength, and Ruck reporter Matt Priest was impressed by Freddie Thomas efforts, as Gloucester defeated the Scarlets at Kingsholm on Friday night. “Thomas is having an unbelievable breakout season and with another strong showing today he is quickly securing himself as one of the first names on the Gloucester team sheet. The Welshman has been an integral part of the Gloucester pack and is certainly on Warren Gatland's radar for a six nations call up.”

5. Emmanuel Meafou (Stade Toulousain)

Packing down the engine room is Toulouse lock Emmanuel Meafou, who was another key man in the French club’s hard-fought win over the Sharks. The second row battled his way over the line for an early try after just nine minutes, and excelled at the set-piece with a commanding aerial presence. Whilst he did not have Eben Etzebeth as his opposite man, Meafou left it all on the line against the hungry shark locks.

6. Ted Hill (Bath Rugby)

Another stand out from Bath’s win over Clermont, Sam Jess said the following from the Rec; “Back after being rested last week, Hill was a useful presence in the 10m channel. Despite a few fumbles, Hill was having a solid game and produced a great, bruising run.” With Steve Borthwick set to name his England squad for the 2025 Six Nations tomorrow afternoon, Hill ensured that he took his chance on his last opportunity to impress the head coach.

7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby)

The first of two Leinster back rows who round of our Team of the Week, Josh van der Flier put in a clinic for any prospering back row to emulate. A tireless performance on the defensive foot against an exhaustive Stade Rochelais attack, the Irish flanker starred against Leinster’s recent European rivals. Covering the action was Ruck reporter Ollie Watson; “Week after week the open side provides Leinster with everything. 21 tackles completed in a powerful display.”

8. Caelan Doris (Leinster Rugby)

And we round up with Caelan Doris, who is kicking into his revered top gear ahead of the incoming Six Nations. Ollie Watson wrote the following in his Leinster Player Ratings, with Doris picking up a 9/10. “Doris was instrumental to Leinster coming away with a win. 3 turnovers, 28 tackles, and determination matched with skill and dynamism. The Leinster captain was a deserved man of the match.”

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