The Investec Champions Cup kicks off this weekend, with the best of the Premiership, Top 14 and URC battling it out to be crowned the best in Europe (and South Africa).
There are some very tasty ties on offer and here are The Rugby Paper’s matchups that you need to watch.
Thomas Du Toit v Uini Atonio
Two of the best props in the world will go toe-to-toe when Bath face La Rochelle. Thomas Du Toit is undisputably top three if not the best in the world at prop right now, and La Rochelle legend Uini Atonio has been in that conversation for many years now.
The power of Du Toit is what sets him apart from others, but Atonio is simply raw strength and size, with his weight being listed at a massive 147 kg.
Les Maritimes have been dominant in the past couple of games against their opponents, but with one of the best in the world in their ranks, they stand every chance of breaking the recent duck.
Dan Biggar v Manie Libbok
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Dan Biggar comes up against South African Manie Libbok when Toulon host Stormers.
It will be a test of whether Biggar’s experience is enough to handle test experience, with Libbok coming off a decent Autumn with the Springboks after a poor World Cup campaign.
If Dan can channel his former glory, then there is every chance that he could lead Toulon to a big win.
Siya Kolisi v Greg Fisilau
When Siya Kolisi plays, the rugby world watches. Sharks are expected to get a big win on home turf over Exeter Chiefs, and this matchup between Kolisi and Greg Fisilau is one of the reasons why.
With Fisilau being inexperienced in comparison to his opposing number eight, it could be an absolute bloodbath.
While it isn’t the most even of matchups, it is one to watch to see whether Fisilau can hold Siya off at all.
Santiago Arata v Alex Mitchell
Diminutive Santiago Arata has had a steady rise since signing for Castres in 2020 and comes up against Alex Mitchell of Northampton Saints.
Mitchell is looking to get back into the England frame, and performing on a European stage is the perfect chance to do that.
An international battle is always good to watch, and this should be no different.
Jack Crowley v Zack Henry
England and Ireland will trade blows at ten when Stade Francais travel to Munster.
Zack Henry may not be a feature for his country due to playing outside England, but has the quality to give Jack Crowley a good game.
Crowley had a decent Autumn, but will be wanting to bounce back more, and properly cement himself as a regular feature for his country and will be seeing this as an opportunity to properly prove his worth.
Henry is a point-scoring machine and may well lead the French side to victory, but has a tough test.
Maro Itoje v Ruan Vermaak
If South African rugby is known for one thing, it is being physical. Ruan Vermaak fits this definition but has one of the toughest players in his way.
Maro Itoje is an absolute beast and has experience on his side, with Saracens and Bulls being such a tight game, winning the strength battle will likely decide the fate of the game.
Zander Fagerson v Asher Opoku-Fordjour
Zander Fagerson has put himself well in the frame for Lions contention but will come up against a potential future Lions man in Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
It is the perfect chance for Asher to mark his stamp on his true potential, and if he has a good game against Fagerson then his stock would rise even higher than it is currently.
Neither will have it easy and Fagerson has a tough challenge on his hands, because a failure to compete against a young Englishman may hamper his chances of heading to Australia.
Cameron Woki v Chandler Cunningham-South
Another English young talent who has proved a lot over Autumn but still has a long way to go is Chandler Cunningham-South. His opposite number is Frenchman Cameron Woki, who has featured for his country previously.
Cunningham-South will need to continue his rise against a high calibre of players, with Woki being of a good enough standard to provide a strong but winnable test for Chandler.
Harlequins will be eager to win after a good but inconsistent start, with European glory potentially being of high interest to them.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey v Freddie Steward
A player who has burst onto the scene recently and someone whose stock has slightly fallen in the past couple of months is bound to have a bit of bite to it.
Bielle-Biarrey was outstanding over Autumn for France, while Steward had limited numbers and did okay but not up to his usual standard.
Steward will be looking to regain some momentum and prove that he is still up there in terms of full backs.
Ange Capuozzo v Werner Kok
Werner Kok may have had the bulk of his success at sevens level, but is more than adept in 15s too.
Ange Capuozzo is a relatively unsung hero in the Toulouse squad, but keeps things ticking amongst the sea of big names in the team.
This matchup is interesting because it is between two players who are capable of moments of magic, but often go under the radar despite their work being very important.
Josh van der Flier v Fitz Harding
Bristol Bears head across the Irish Sea to face Leinster in what is arguably the best game of the weekend, with current Premiership runners-up Bristol facing the URC leaders.
It is littered with good matchups, but Josh van der Flier facing Fitz Harding at flanker is the pick of the bunch, no less so than because Harding is captaining the Bears.
Josh van der Flier was one of the shining lights for Ireland across Autumn, and Harding has been an absolute scoring machine, especially when he scored a hat-trick against Saracens.
It is a tight battle and one which will likely set the tone for each team as a whole.
READ MORE: Bath vs La Rochelle – Champions Cup Preview
