Team of the Week: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals

04/14/2025 07:48 AM

We continue to push on through the knock-out stages of the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup, with the quarter-finals of both competitions wrapped up this past weekend. We are down to the final four across both tournaments, with the latest weekend of action providing plenty of highlights from the top two tiers of European club rugby.

Starting off with the Champions Cup, and Leinster set the tone with another monstrous win under the Friday night lights, as they ‘nilled’ the reigning URC champions Glasgow Warriors. Bordeaux-Begles then handed Munster their exit from Europe, with the Top 14 heavyweights ready for a star-studded semi-final.

Northampton then booked themselves a re-match with Leinster after picking up the win over Castres. The Saints head back to Dublin to re-visit their 2024 Champions Cup semi-final clash in a couple of weeks time. Toulouse then outlasted Toulon in a nail-biter of a French derby, with the Champions Cup title holders back in the final four once again after an exhaustive effort in the South of France.

FULL RESULTS: INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Leinster Rugby 52 – 0 Glasgow Warriors / Bordeaux-Begles 47 – 29 Munster Rugby

Northampton Saints 51 – 16 Castres Olimpique / RC Toulon 18 – 21 Stade Toulousain

The quarter-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup brought the same level of drama, with the action ignited in the Scottish capital. Edinburgh battled past the Bulls for a place in the next round, in what was an inspired effort to eliminate the last South African side from the competition. Lyon then edged past Ospreys in the following match, as the French side secured the win on a scrappy afternoon in South Wales.

Connacht and Racing 92 then had an absolute barnstormer out in Galway, with the French visitors narrow winners in the 83-point classic. The main event of the Challenge Cup weekend was the West Country derby between Bath and Gloucester, with the blue, black and whites impressive in their one-sided win over their ancient regional rivals. The treble is still on for Bath after the Premiership Rugby Cup success, with their campaigns going strong in the league and now into the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

FULL RESULTS: EPCR CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Edinburgh Rugby 34 – 28 Vodacom Bulls / Ospreys 18 – 20 Lyon OU

Connacht 40 – 43 Racing 92 / Bath Rugby 61 – 26 Gloucester Rugby

TEAM OF THE WEEK: 2024/25 CHAMPIONS CUP & CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINALS

15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints)

It was a tremendous return to the pitch for George Furbank this past weekend, with the fullback looking back at his best after spending a prolonged amount of time on the injury wards. Furbank suffered a broken arm towards the end of 2024, with the win against Castres marking his comeback in green, black and gold.

Furbank started the match hot with a stunning offload try assist for Tommy Freeman, and sent a grubber kick through for Curtis Langdon’s try. Furbank added a score of his own mid-way through the second half, yet was withdrawn after scoring the try with some issues around his previously injured arm. Thankfully for Saints fnas, Director of Rugby Phil Dowson ensured that his Northampton star will be fine.

14. Tommy O’Brien (Leinster)

It was difficult to not assign the entire Leinster back-line a place in the Team of the Week, after the Dubliners were so dominant in their win over Glasgow Warriors. Whilst we have opted for George Furbank ahead of Hugo Keenan, there is no denying Tommy O’Brien a place on the right wing.

The flyer bagged a nice try in the demolition job of the Scottish visitors, and showcased why Leinster have arguably the best squad depth of any team in the world. Simon Easterby will likely look to O’Brien this Summer, as Ireland have two Test matches lined up against Georgia and Portugal.

13. David Kriel (Vodacom Bulls)

Despite coming away from the Scottish capital on the wrong side of the score-line, Bulls centre David Kriel left with his head held high after a tremendous personal performance for the Pretorian side. Kriel contributed two tries to the Bulls hard-fought effort this past weekend, with his scores coming at pivotal times to keep the match competitive for the final South African side in European competition.

Ultimatly, Edinburgh proved too solid for the Bulls, yet Kriel’s efforts gain him a place in out Team of the Week. There is also an honourable mention to Leinster and Ireland battering ram Garry Ringrose, after the midfielder contributed a try to the Dublin destruction of Glasgow. Ringrose narrowly misses out on our Team of the Week, yet has re-ignited his claim for a place upon the Lions tour this Summer – arguably a more important accolade.

12. Jordie Barrett (Leinster)

Whilst Jordie Barrett did not get on the score-board for Leinster in their emphatic win this past Friday night, the All Blacks midfielder could not be denied a place upon our Team of the Week. Earning nines and tens wherever you look for his Player Rating, Barrett pulled the strings of each atritional attack, with try assists galore bestowed upon the iconic New Zealander.

There is also an honourable mention in store from the Challene Cup, as James Lang was in tremendous try-scoring form for Edinburgh. The centre crossed over for two tries in Edinburgh’s victory over the Bulls, yet Barrett’s commanding performance at the Aviva Stadium could not be overlooked this time around. Whether Barrett will play against the Lions this Summer in the Australia-New Zealand combined country remains to be seen, with a potential reunion with an array of his Leinster teammates looking likely.

11. Andrew Smith (Munster)

Another player who will progress no further in European competition this season, but has dutifully won a place in this week’s star XV, Munster’s Andrew Smith was a shining light on a difficult day for the Irish province. Munster are steadily building themselves back up to be the Irish iron-clad outfit of old, and players like Smith are helping the province establish a solid foundation for the future. Two tries to his name in a tough defeat to Bordeaux-Begles, Smith could be proud of his contribution against the Top 14 heavyweights.

Another Leinsterman gains an honourable mention, as James Lowe was mesmeric along the left wing this past Friday night. With Duhan van der Merwe seemingly out of the picture for the Lions tour, Lowe’s stock continues to build as a first choice man upon Andy Farrell’s Test match contenders. Another try to his personal tally took Lowe up to five for the season, with the New Zealand born flyer steadily returning to his very best along the touchline.

10. Sam Prendergast (Leinster)

We can assure you that there is no Leinster bias at RUCK headquarters, but a 52-0 win over the reigning URC champions is too impressive to be ignored. There were a handful of solid performances at fly half this week, with Northampton and England man Fin Smith steering his side to the final four, and Finn Russell masterfully leading Bath to a West Country derby win. However, we give the nod to Sam Prendergast, as the young Ireland halfback made a statement in Leinster’s one-sided win.

The young halfback has been battling tooth and nail for the Ireland 10 jersey, with Jack Crowley hot on his heels throughout the 2025 Six Nations. Prendergast was on-point with his goal-kicking against Glasgow, with five conversions sent through the sticks amidst his classy play-making around the park. The odds are stacked against Prendergast for a Lions place this Summer, yet starring roles in high stakes matches will certainly put Andy Farrell on notice.

9. Nolann le Garrec (Racing 92)

Three men could have claimed the scrum half shirt this week, with two of them coming from the same match. Honourable mentions are in store to Northampton’s Alex Mitchell, who claimed the Player of the Match accolade in the win over Castres, and the Olimpique’s own Jeremy Fernandez, who contributed all 16 points for the French visitors.

However, only one man can hold down the halfback spot, with Racing 92’s Nolann le Garec getting the nod this week. The Frenchman was on fire for the Parisians in their dramatic win over Connacht, as he contributed two tries, slotted a conversion and even nailed two penalties in the hard-fought win. Le Garec held down the halfback channel for Racing when Owen Farrell was sent to the sin-bin, for the final five minutes of the drama-fueled contest.

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)

On to the forward pack and you guessed it, Leinster contribute the first front row to the Team of the Week. Andrew Porter put in a resiliant shift against Glasgow, as Cian Healy was withdrawn from action after just 31 minutes. Porter stepped up for the early introduction off the bench, and anchored down the scrum effort for the Irish province.

It was a domiant display from front row to fullback, with Porter’s influence noticed ahead of his long awaited Lions tour hopes. Porter was called up for the 2021 tour of South Africa yet was forced to miss the trip with an untimly foot injury. The Irish powerhouse is out to make amends this year, and has established himself as the first choice loose-head for the Test matches against the Wallabies.

2. Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints)

There is plenty of excitement surrounding Northampton Saints hooker Curtis Langdon, with a Summer tour call-up on the cards with England. Langdon was in excellent form as the Saints dumped Castres out of the Champions Cup, as he contributed a try to the winning effort at Franklin’s Gardens.

Langdon was quickest to react to Furbank’s grubber kick, with the front row’s pace on full display. With a Lions call-up expected for former England captain Jamie George, there will be a vacancy in the hooking ranks for Langdon as England embark on a tour of Argentina and the United States this Summer.

3. Ben Tameifuna (Bordeaux-Begles)

Back in our Team of the Week for the second week in a row, Ben Tameifuna is a joy to watch when he is in such solid form. The mountain of a man who is known as ‘Big Ben’ by his Bordeaux-Begles buddies, Tameifuna was an immovable pillar this past Saturday, who proved to be too much for the Munster front row effort to handle. The prop was impressive against Munster’s Josh Wycherley, with the 25-year-old given a Tongan-sized introduction to life in the front row hot-seat.

4. Thibaud Flament (Stade Toulousain)

The battle between RC Toulon and Stade Toulouse this past Sunday, was real chess match between two of the French league’s biggest and best. At the heart of the Toulousain effort was French-capped lock Thibaud Flament, who orchestrated his side’s set-piece proficiency when the time called for Toulouse to go back to basics.

So often Stade Toulousain run away with their matches, yet when a challenger arrises that forces the French high-flyers back to the drawing room Flament steps up to lead his side with a calm head. France are booked in for a Summer tour of New Zealand, yet Fabien Galthie has already hinted that he will not be bringing a full-strength side. We can only hope that this attitude sub-sides, as it would be brilliant to see Flament lock horns with All Blacks captain and tactical aficionado Scott Barrett in the upcoming series.

5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh)

Joining Flament in the engine room this week, is Scotland international Grant Gilchrist. The second row ruled the air against the Bulls, and put his body on the line when the South African bruisers tried to break into the back-field. Gilchrist contributed a try to Edinburgh’s efforts, with the lock proving himself on the front foot amidst his well regarded defensive capabilities. Currently on the fringes of the Lions set-up, more strong performances like this would force Andy Farrell to take notice.

6. Max Deegan (Leinster)

The last Leinster player to make our Team of the Week, back row Max Deegan has put his name forward for the upcoming Ireland tour of Georgia and Portugal. The 28-year-old has received two previous caps on the international stage, with this Summer providing a golden opportunity for him to add to his tally.

Deegan crossed over for two tries this past weekend, with a stand-out brace that put Simon Easterby on notice. There’s an honourable mention in store for Deegan’s Ireland positional rival Cian Prendergast, as the blind-sider scored a brace of his own for Connacht in their losing effort against Racing 92.

7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints)

At the centre of attention once again, Northampton Saints back row Henry Pollock was at his livley best for the men in green, black and gold. The flanker contributed two tries against Castres, yet it was not just his scoring that has built a buzz around Pollock this week. The 20-year-old has an incredible attitude to the game, with a fearlessness to showcase his personality though entertaining try celebrations and getting in the mix of a heated on-field flare-up.

Pollock goaded Castres with his two try celebrations, to the point that Remy Baget flew into the back row at an unprovoked breakdown. This sparked a mass brawl at Franklin’s Gardens, with Baget and two other players sent to the sin bin. Pollock looks all-but nailed on for his first England start this Summer, with the senior stars away on Lions duties. However, Andy Farrell may well throw a spanner into Steve Borthwick’s plans and call-up Pollock for the Australia tour, in a shocking twist to the Summer plans.

8. Alfie Barbeary (Bath)

Rounding off the Team of the Week is Bath back row Alfie Barbeary, who will be gunning for a place upon the England Summer tour. Barbeary was at his bulldozing best against Gloucester, with two tries to his name in the lastest Challenge Cup edition of the West Country derby.

It was all smiles for the blue, black and white faithfuls, with Barbeary at the hart of the celebrations with his well deserved Player of the Match performance. Barbeary has been on the cusp of an England involvment for a while now, with the eight-man earning recent England A caps throughout the latest Autumn and Six Nations campaigns. Expect the Bath man to make an appearance in Argentina, as he looks to get his international career back on track.

EDITORS PICKS:

• "George Furbank's return" – Northampton 51-16 Castres – Saints Player Ratings from Champions Cup quarter-final
• Son of England legend ditches dad's nation to play for Six Nations rivals
• England flanker Henry Pollock kicks off huge brawl, three players get yellow carded
• Owen Farrell 'Fortunate' to Escape Red as Lions Hopes Hang in the Balance
• Statement: Newcastle Falcons boss handed HUGE BAN for referee comments

QUIZ: Can You Name Every Winner of the Champions Cup? (1995 – 2023)

We have laid out the challenge to see if you can name all 13 clubs, that have climbed to the mountain top and won the Champions Cup from 1995 to 2023. Six minutes is on the clock for this one, with the greatest club sides of rugby’s professional era, all celebrated in this assorted list of past victors. Good luck!

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