Champions Cup Team of 2017/2018: Finalists Leinster and Racing 92 lead the way

As the dust settles on Leinster’s fourth European Cup success, they picked their best XV which saw the inclusion of four Fijian rugby players from what was termed as another memorable tournament.

Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92)

He may have made a couple of mistakes in the final against Leinster, but for the majority of this season he has been devilishly difficult to contain.

Played in his favourite position of outside-centre for the most part, Vakatawa’s strength, power and speed of foot, combined with his super hands, make him a player most clubs would love to have.

Isa Nacewa (Leinster)

He may have finished the campaign on the wing, but arguably where Nacewa thrived most this season for Leinster was at inside-centre – plus we had to find a way to get him in!

Playing in his final campaign, it was fitting the 35-year-old hit the winning penalty so late on against Racing in the final after his remarkable service to the Irish province.

His performance in the centre against double reigning European champions Saracens during the quarter-final sticks out most. He was magnificent that day.

He now has four European Cup medals…what a career.

 

Nemani Nadolo (Montpellier)

Montpellier may have been knocked out in the pool stages this year, but Nadolo still finished as the tournament’s top try scorer following six in six games.

The Fijian’s stats for the campaign are quite extraordinary, as he finished top of almost every category dominated by backs – and that without playing a knockout game!

He covered a monstrous 553 metres with ball in hand – 26 more than the next best – beat 38 defenders – eight more than anyone – and made 16 clean breaks – three more than the next.

How do you stop him?!

Leone Nakarawa (Racing 92)

Very harsh on Leinster’s James Ryan, but 2018’s official European Player of the Year Nakarawa, like Beirne, simply cannot be left out.

The Fijian is a truly unique talent and his stats for the season say as much.

The second row made 124 carries – second only to Munster’s CJ Stander in the entire tournament – and threw a competition high 22 offloads – a whole 10 more than anyone else.

He scored four tries and claimed 38 lineouts, stealing four – second only to Peter O’Mahony in both respects – and, perhaps most incredibly, he beat 23 defenders – only four players (backs) beat more!

He’s a joy to watch.