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European Rugby Team of the Week: December 13-15 by Opta

European Rugby Team of the Week: December 13-15 by Opta

Discover the standout performers from Round 2 of the thrilling Champions Cup in the latest Opta Rugby Team of the Week.


The Champions Cup pools are beginning to take shape as the initial block of fixtures has concluded. The reigning champions, Toulouse, along with Bordeaux-Begles and Northampton Saints, are undoubtedly the happiest teams, each securing the maximum of 10 points from their opening matches. This strong start sets a competitive tone for the tournament, showcasing the dominance of these clubs in European rugby.

The performance of French clubs in this tournament has been impressive, with a TOP 14 side leading three out of the four pools. The only exception to this dominance is the aforementioned Saints, who have also made a significant impact. As the tournament progresses, several teams are well-positioned to challenge for the top spots in each pool, promising thrilling matches when the Champions Cup resumes in January.

Focusing on Round 2, it was a weekend of success for both French and English teams, with each achieving five victories. Only Leinster and Benetton managed to restore some pride for the URC. This balance of power highlights the competitiveness of the tournament and sets the stage for future rounds.

However, the Opta Index emphasizes individual performances, so let’s spotlight the players who truly excelled in Round 2 of the 2024-25 Champions Cup. This week’s Team of the Week features players from eight different teams, with Bordeaux and Harlequins each earning three spots following their impressive wins.

Champions Cup Team of the Week - Round 2

Unveiling the Star Player of the Week: Alex Dombrandt

Alex Dombrandt has been crowned the player of the week for Round 2 of the Champions Cup, and the reasons for this accolade are crystal clear. The dynamic number eight played a pivotal role in Harlequins’ attacking strategy, finishing the match with a remarkable tally of three tries and two try assists, showcasing his exceptional skill and versatility.

His impressive total of five try involvements matches the performance of Antoine Dupont from the previous week, who had one try and four assists. However, this feat is particularly notable for a forward, as such contributions are rare. According to Opta’s analysis, this marks the first instance of a forward being directly involved in five tries during a single match in the history of the Champions Cup. In fact, it has been nearly eight years since any forward managed four try involvements in a single game, with Jack Conan being the last to do so in January 2017.

Champions Cup - Try Involvements by Forwards

Dombrandt’s overall performance was outstanding, placing him among the top five forwards in several key metrics: carries (15), defenders beaten (5), line breaks (2), and offloads (2). His commitment to his defensive responsibilities was equally commendable, as he made nine tackles with a perfect success rate, engaged in 26 rucks—of which seven were defensive—and managed to win one turnover. This well-rounded display solidified his status as a formidable player on the pitch.

Despite Dombrandt’s stellar performance, it was tough competition for the title of best player, especially for the Bulls’ Cameron Hanekom, who also had an impressive showing. Nevertheless, the overwhelming consensus is that Dombrandt rightfully earns the star player recognition for this round.

Highlighting Other Exceptional Performances

It often raises eyebrows when a winger is selected for the Team of the Week without scoring any tries, yet Arthur Retiere deserves his spot in the lineup. His defensive prowess against Ulster was nothing short of spectacular; he recorded eight tackles without a single miss and dominated defensive rucks, totaling nine—more than any other back during the weekend.

Retiere’s contributions at the defensive rucks proved crucial, as he successfully won five turnovers throughout the match, a feat that set him apart from all other players that weekend. These turnovers were instrumental for Bordeaux-Begles, especially during critical moments when the score was tight or unfavorable. His defensive work laid the groundwork for his team’s eventual success.

Retiere’s impactful turnovers came in key situations, with the first three occurring through jackals within his own 22, during moments when UBB was either level or trailing. His selfless play helped stabilize the team during challenging periods, allowing them to regain composure before ultimately securing a convincing victory.

Retiere also had the opportunity to add to his tally, as he assisted Damian Penaud in a play where he could have easily gone for the line himself. This unselfishness exemplifies the spirit of teamwork that is essential in such competitive matches.

On another note, Benetton celebrated a fantastic home victory over Premiership leaders Bath, with Rhyno Smith playing a central role in their success. He was directly involved in three of Benetton’s four tries, scoring twice and assisting on another, demonstrating his offensive capabilities and strategic awareness.

His four line breaks were the highest of any player that weekend, contributing to a total of 94 metres gained from only 10 carries. His average gain of 9.4 metres per carry stood out among all full-backs who carried the ball more than three times, showcasing his efficiency and effectiveness in advancing the play.

Champions Cup Round 2 - Line Breaks

After Dombrandt, only two other forwards achieved the impressive feat of both scoring and assisting a try during the weekend. Nick Timoney accomplished this for Ulster, while Guido Petti managed to do the same for Bordeaux-Begles later in their match. Timoney was dominant with the ball, leading all openside flankers in carries (13) and defenders beaten (6), while only two players made more tackles than him (17, with Lachlan Swinton at 23 and Louw Nel at 18).

Petti matched this intensity with a dedicated work rate; his total of 46 combined carries, tackles, and rucks was only surpassed by one second-row player, Iain Henderson, who accounted for 48. Petti also excelled in the lineout, winning six against Ulster, showcasing his all-around contributions to his team.

Champions Cup forwards - try and assist in the same game

It’s a rare occurrence when a player scores three tries, yet is overshadowed by a teammate, but that’s precisely the case for Cadan Murley this week, who shared the spotlight with Alex Dombrandt following their remarkable performances against the Stormers. Murley not only contributed a hat-trick but also made three line breaks, a figure only surpassed by Smith, while gaining 89 metres with just seven carries.

Among the 244 players who made five or more carries during the weekend, only Jack Bates from Bristol could claim a better average gain than Murley, who averaged 12.7 metres per carry. This showcases Murley’s efficiency and ability to create scoring opportunities for his team, solidifying his reputation as a key player.

Lastly, let’s acknowledge Killian Tixeront, who has remarkably made the Team of the Week in both rounds of this season’s Champions Cup. The Clermont flanker once again proved to be a formidable presence at the lineout, stealing more opposition throws than anyone else, with a total of two. This takes his overall tally for the competition to five steals, which is two more than the next best player, Guillaume Ducat.

Tixeront also made 17 tackles, contributing significantly to his team’s defensive efforts. Although he had the ball in hand only three times, he made notable gains, carrying the ball for 57 metres, with an impressive average of 19 metres per carry, making him the most effective player in this regard.

Killian Tixeront Tackle Map v Leinster

Explore more of our Rugby Union insights on Opta Analyst. Follow us on social media for the latest updates on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.


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