Every year, an unexpected player rises to perform on the European stage, with it being a great place for both young and fringe talent to get a bit of extra game time compared to league rugby.
Here are The Rugby Paper’s picks for some players who may make their names more well-known over the Champions Cup campaign.
Ethan Hooker – Sharks
Sharks centre Ethan Hooker is potentially the next one up for the Springboks, with many believing that he is the heir to the current generation of World Cup winners.
He has moved around a bit, having gone from centre to the wing and is equally as adept at either position. As a winger, he is very bulky and powerful and could go toe-to-toe with anyone in that position right now in terms of strength.
It will be interesting to see how he fares against Europe’s best and at only 21-years-old, the sky is the limit for Hooker.
Paul Costes – Toulouse
Paul Costes is a completely different profile at centre to Hooker, with him being smaller at only six feet tall, but he is another who could go to the very top.
In a Toulouse side littered with talent, Costes provides the consistency and steadiness needed to balance out the star power and is an essential cog in the machine that is Stade Toulousain.
Already a winner of this competition last year, he will be a big help in their quest to make it three from three.
With a big impact in the final last year, it may be harsh to call him a breakout star, but he still has to prove quite a bit to reach the next level.
Andre-Hugo Venter – Stormers
Hooker Andre-Hugo Venter, son of Andre Venter, has a big future ahead of him for the Springboks.
He is a dominant player who has pure rugby in his veins, mixing intelligence with raw power.
At only 23-years-old, there is plenty of promise and he is one to watch for a decent Stormers side who could be outsiders for the trophy should they give it a full showing.
Having been referred to as ‘the hooker version of his dad’, that statement alone is enough to prove that he could be destined for big things.
Siya Masuku – Sharks
The only player on this list who can be considered to not be young, Siya Masuku has had a sudden and recent rise for the Sharks following an unremarkable career in South Africa.
Rassie Erasmus has recently alluded to Masuku potentially being in contention for the Springboks at number ten.
His kicking ability is what sets him out for the rest and who doesn’t love a rags to riches late bloomer story in rugby.
Hugo Reus – La Rochelle
The youngest player on this list at only 20 years old, Hugo Reus is still awaiting his first senior international cap, but after winning the Golden Boot in the World Rugby under-20 Championship, could make the step up soon.
Only a year has passed since his senior debut and his rise has been immense so far, if he is able to perform on the Champions Cup stage then it is the perfect next step for his career.
Theo Ntamack – Toulouse
The second Toulouse player on this list, such is the strength of their youthful depth, Theo Ntamack is an eight who has impressed in his limited minutes for the French side.
A bulky and powerful player, unlike his fly-half brother Romain who has already played for his country, Ntamack will be hoping to replicate the success of his sibling.
At only 22 years old, Theo is another Toulouse player who could well contribute to another potential success at club level.
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