Champions Cup Team of the Week: Gibson-Park, Cros and Esterhuizen : Planet Rugby

After a gripping weekend of Investec Champions Cup action, we’ve selected our Team of the Week as Toulouse and Leinster booked their place in the final.

Leinster were the first to seal their place in the final after taking a 20-3 lead. Northampton Saints fought back but ultimately fell short of a memorable victory as the Irish team held on for a 20-17 victory.

On Sunday, Toulouse and Harlequins delivered a 10-try thriller, with the French giants claiming a 38-26 victory despite Quins threatening another famous comeback.

The weekend’s results set up a powerful Investec Champions Cup final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 25.

There were a lot of impressive performances this weekend, forcing some tough decisions to be made in our Team of the Week, but all four teams are represented.

So, without further ado, here’s our Investec Champions Cup Team of the Week.

Champions Cup Team of the Week

15 Tyrone Green (Harlequins): A Test debut for England or South Africa appears to be on the cards for the brilliant full-back if he continues this form. He scored a marvel thanks to his excellent work rate against Toulouse and accumulated more than 140 linear meters. Blair Kinghorn He is unlucky to miss out after impressing at full-back and on the wing.

14 Cadan Murley (Harlequins): We have changed the wings to accommodate the Quins speedster. His finishing in the corner was nothing short of spectacular and posed a constant threat every time he had the ball. Juan Cruz Mallia He was solid for Toulouse despite his limited opportunities.

13 Pablo Costes (Toulouse): The rising star delivered another standout performance on the big stage for the French powerhouse. The 21-year-old’s deft footwork caused all sorts of problems for the Harlequins defence, while also creating opportunities for those around him. Leinster’s Robbie Henshaw and Northampton Tommy Freeman In the first semi-final there was an entertaining confrontation.

12 André Esterhuizen (Harlequins): The Springbok powerhouse did everything in their power to take Quins to the final with their huge carries, slippery hands and ferocity in defense and breaking. His 12th opponent, Pita Ahkialso had a good performance at the Toulouse Stadium, while Jaime Osborne He once again impressed in Leinster’s midfield.

‘Definitely the best’: Andre Esterhuizen ranks Marcus Smith ahead of his Springbok teammates

Hat-trick hero, world-class Gibson-Park

11James Lowe (Leinster): An easy decision as the Irish star crossed all three of his team’s tries in the 20-17 win over Northampton Saints. This comes after five tries from him in the quarter-finals. Lowe criticized his team’s performance in the second half, but they were again excellent.

10Marcus Smith (Harlequins): A really difficult decision since Fin Smith and Romain Ntamack He also had good outings this weekend, but the Quins playmaker gets the nod. He gained the advantage over Ntamack even though his team ended up on the losing side of the result after backing himself up to finish off an excellent try and set up another.

9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster): Another world-class performance from Leinster’s star man who gets the nod despite a classy performance from the Toulouse captain. Antonio Dupont. Gibson-Park was named Player of the Match after leading Leinster to victory with two try assists. He really is the heart of the Leinster team.

Leinster player ratings: Jamison-Gibson Park and James Lowe star in another Champions Cup final assured

8Caelan Doris (Leinster): As usual, the Irishman was combative and relentlessly pushed his workload on both sides of the ball, something Leinster desperately needed against a spirited Saints effort. On the opposite jumper, John Augustus made another abrasive change on both sides of the ball as he continues to push for greater honors.

7 Francois Cros (Toulouse): There are few players in better form in Europe than the Les Bleus workhorse who spearheaded Toulouse’s march to the final. He led the tackle count in the win over Harlequins and was sensational at the break. Elsewhere, Quins Will Evans It was sharp despite Toulouse’s conservative efforts to nullify its impact.

Toulouse player ratings: Antoine Dupont double and Francois Cros masterclass take French team to Champions Cup final

6 Courtney Laws (Northampton Saints): It turned out to be his final Champions Cup appearance for his beloved Saints, and he gave it his all, starring on and off the ball while racking up 18 tackles and two turnovers. Ryan Baird He also made a notable change like the Harlequins youngster Chandler Cunningham-Souththose who were unlucky enough to get lost.

Toulouse second line

5Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse): It was difficult to ignore the French team’s gigantic second line. He wreaked havoc on the Quins defence, drawing in multiple defenders with the carry before unloading expertly into contact. Leinster’s Joe McCarthy enjoyed another strong performance against Northampton, as did the Quins captain. Stephan Lewis.

4 Thibaud’s Flament (Toulouse): He combined superbly with Meafou to provide the Top 14 team with a double whammy of power and work rate. He stole the ball from Cunningham-South to score a deserved try and cut a lineout to put Toulouse on course for a try.

3 Tadhg Furlong (Leinster): The Irish front row did a stellar job in their win over the Northampton Saints, and the veteran tighthead was back to his best. A mention for Quins Will Collier who beat Cyril Baille in Toulouse.

2Dan Sheehan (Leinster): Three true protagonists in the middle of the front row with Toulouse Peato Mauvaka and Northampton Curtis Langdon putting in stellar performances this weekend and we are unlucky to miss out on Leinster’s star striker. Sheehan was precise on the set piece, he had many hands on the ball while putting in a strong defensive performance.

1 baxter fin (Harlequins): Taking on a powerful French group like Toulouse is a daunting task, but Quins’ young loosehead rose to the challenge just as he did against Bordeaux. He surpassed Dorian Aldegheri and was no slouch on the park either. andres porter Leinster also shone in their victory over Northampton.

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