Brendan Gallagher’s Champions Cup team of the tournament
For some reason his stellar performances for Clermont seem to have attracted more attention than similar displays for Bath. Worthy of his place on the strength of the Northampton quarter-final alone but outstanding throughout the pool stages as well. Stand-out performances at various times also from Alex Goode and Leigh Halfpenny.
14 Noa Nakaitaci – Clermont
If I could select a player on one moment of individual brilliance it would be Christian Wade‘s electric try against Leinster – the highlight of the entire season in my view – but over the campaign Nakaitaci earns selection. Chris Ashton wasn’t far behind with his brace in Saracens thumping 33-10 win over Munster particularly eye-catching.
13 Mark Bennett – Glasgow
Tight call but I’m going with Bennett who lit up Glasgow’s spirited campaign particularly in the two games against Bath. The best individual display at outside centre came from Jonathan Joseph when his mesmerising performance heralded a great win. Mathieu Bastareaud continued to be twice the player for Toulon than he is for France.
12 Wesley Fofana – Clermont
One of the easier decisions with Matt Giteau injured for much of the European campaign. Fofana is another who is much neglected by France but at Clermont – along with Abendanon, Jonathan Davies and their Fijian flyers – his world-class talents blossom. Jamie Roberts was excellent in Racing’s demolition of Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens.
11 George North – Northampton
A difficult season for the Wales wing with a number of concussions but he made his presence known with six tries in the pool stages including four against Ospreys during Saints’ 36-6 victory at Franklin’s Gardens. Napolioni Nalaga is never less then dangerous for Clermont and Bryan Habana also struck at crucial times.
10 Brock James – Clermont
Nick Evans, Freddie Michalak, George Ford and Jonny Sexton had their moments – but the two most telling performances came from Clermont’s veteran Aussie when called in for the injured Camille Lopez. His display against Northampton was consummate and he conjured a moment of magic for Fofana’s winning score in the semi-final against Saracens.
In the absence of the retired Jonny Wilkinson and the injured Matt Giteau the diminutive Tillous-Borde has been a key man in keeping the Toulon show on the road. Elsewhere Maxime Machenaud hardly deserved to be on the losing side for Racing in their quarter-final against Saracens. Joe Simpson also had his moments.
1 Mako Vunipola – Saracens
A knee injury in the first half of the season reduced his involvement but he still produced three massive performances for Saracens – against Munster in Round 5 and then the two knock-out games. Matt Mullan waged a fine campaign for Wasps and Eddy Ben Arous was a stand-out for Racing, as he was for France in the Six Nations.
2 Benjamin Kayser – Clermont
A good tournament for French hookers with Toulon’s Guilhem Guirado and Racing Metro’s Dimitri Szarzewski also in prime form but the experienced Kayser has been on top of his game and Europe usually brings out the best in him. Saturday will be his fourth European Cup final having also appeared for Stade Francais and Leicester.
3 Davit Zirakashvili – Clermont
One of the unsung stalwarts who keep Clermont ticking over, putting in the hard yards when they are needed or simply securing set-piece ball when their backs are in the mood. Gives away very few penalties which is quite an achievement given the differing refereeing interpretations. Another stand-out was Leinster’s Mike Ross.
4 Sebastien Vahaamahina – Clermont
The lock from New Caledonia in the Pacific is a serious lump of a man and after moving from Perpignan last summer is beginning to flex his muscles. Very strong in the loose and starting to push his weight in the tight. Bradley Davies, George Kruis and Paul O’Connell also went well at various times but Vahaamahina shades it.
5 Ali Williams – Toulon
Much as I was outraged that Williams was even on the field to score his try to seal Toulon’s quarter-final win over Wasps – he should have been binned 90 seconds earlier for a deliberate shirt tug on Elliot Daly – it is beyond dispute that the former All Black has been putting it in big-time for Toulon again this year. Devon Toner was very good for Leinster.
With three of the five nominated European players of the year operating at No.8 the backrow is ridiculously packed with talent so I have taken the liberty of moving Leinster captain Jamie Heaslip to blindside flanker where I am confident he will flourish. Leinster’s was not an easy campaign but Heaslip didn’t falter at any stage.
7 Steffon Armitage – Toulon
Continues to relish his role as unheralded worker and breakdown king in a team of superstars. Strong in the pool stages, notably in the game at Scarlets, outstanding in a misfiring Toulon team in their quarter-final against Wasps, exceptional on one leg when he came off the bench in the semi-final against Leinster.
8 Billy Vunipola – Saracens
Fritz Lee is the unlucky Top Five nominee to miss out, narrowly, to the younger Vunipola. The burly No.8 had his tail between his legs after a disappointing autumn Test series but used the back-to-back games against Sale in December to kick-start his season, was exceptional in Saracens’ vital home win against Munster and MoM in the quart-finals at Racing.
