It was between Kearney and Jones but the Munster fullback was disqualified for his reckless trip on Camille Lopez that severely hindered his team’s chances. Kearney was improved from last week’s horror show, and was one of Leinster’s top ball carriers.
14. Tommy Bowe
Presseye / Darren Griffiths/INPHO
Presseye / Darren Griffiths/INPHO / Darren Griffiths/INPHO
It was another strong outing for Bowe who is having one of his best season’s. He made the second most metres on the Ulster team and a late break almost yielded the winning try for his side.
13. Darren Cave
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Like Bowe, Cave is delivering quality performances week after week. He linked very well with his centre partner Luke Marshall to create Ulster’s only try.
12. Luke Marshall
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO
JJ Hanrahan and Ian Madigan would both have been worthy inclusions but it was great to see Marshall back playing well again.
You are always apprehensive when someone with Marshall’s history returns from a long lay-off but the centre got through a lot of work. He was Ulster’s top tackler, made the third most metres and was their third highest ball carrier. You couldn’t ask for more on his return.
11. Simon Zebo
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Should have put the ball into the stand just before half time but besides that, he had another strong performance going forward. In both games against Clermont, he made more metres than anyone else on his team. His spin move is becoming more effective each week and he seems to have kicked on nicely from his spell in the national team in November.
Advertisement
10. Ian Keatley
Inpho / Billy Stickland
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
Firstly, Keatley’s kicking was top class. He nailed a monster penalty to start the game and showed great bottle to nab a losing bonus point for the visitors. But his general play was good too – he floated some nice miss-passes and made a couple of breaks. He seemed to thrive in having an additional playmaker in Hanrahan to share the load.
9. Eoin Reddan
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Conor Murray was much improved from last week but without Reddan, Leinster would likely be facing elimination. Just like against Castres, it was the scrum-half’s contribution off the bench that conjured the winning score. Reddan’s snipe and instinctive quick tap from the penalty was about the only incisive moment Leinster mustered on the night.
1. John Ryan
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
As the game wore on Clermont got the better of the Munster scrum, but for the majority of the game Ryan performed admirably. There probably isn’t a tougher first test in European rugby than playing in Clermont but Ryan burst into the Champions Cup in powerful fashion early on. He can be proud of his effort.
Duncan Casey almost made it in for his spectacular intercept and for having just enough pace to make the line but ultimately we went for one of the few Leinster forwards to meet his ball carrying quota. Cronin popped up all over the field and was able to get over the game line consistently. He also made more metres than any other Leinster player.
For the second week in-a-row, no Irish tighthead performed well enough to be selected. The Leinster scrum was under pressure again so it would be hard to justify Mike Ross’ selection. Likewise, Ulster struggled in that area and Declan Fitzpatrick was sin-binned. Hasn’t been a good two weeks for Irish number threes.
4. Dan Tuohy
Presseye / Ben Evans/INPHO
Presseye / Ben Evans/INPHO / Ben Evans/INPHO
For the second week in succession, Tuohy continued his return to full-fitness with another busy performance. He was Ulster’s top lineout target and also made seven tacklers, which was tied for second on the team. He is playing his way into the 6 Nations squad at the moment.
5. Paul O’Connell
Inpho / Billy Stickland
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
After a subdued outing last week, O’Connell was back to his all-action best in Clermont. Besides the usual tackles and lineout takes, he even threw in a few side-door offloads and a miss-pass to titillate Munster fans.
6. Peter O’Mahony
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Like O’Connell, O’Mahony returned to his usual standard yesterday and he was competing with his fellow flanker to see who could steal the most ball. He was also a very reliable lineout target.
7. Tommy O’Donnell
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
O’Donnell was the best Irish player in round four and it wasn’t even close. He topped the Munster tackle and carries count with 11 apiece and also made the third most metres on the team. He also forced a number of turnovers including one in the opening seconds, which let Clermont know that the Munster pack were a far sharper unit than the one that underperformed at Thomond Park.
O’Donnell is becoming a more complete player with each passing week.
8. Jamie Heaslip
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
The only constant with Leinster this season beside the stuttering attack has been the amazing consistency of their captain. He always seems to be near the top of the tackle and carries count and Saturday was no different – 12 carries and 11 tackles.
N.B. We’ve limited this selection to players who are available to Ireland for the upcoming 6 Nations.
TheScore.ie’s Irish XV of the fourth Champions Cup weekend
15. Rob Kearney
It was between Kearney and Jones but the Munster fullback was disqualified for his reckless trip on Camille Lopez that severely hindered his team’s chances. Kearney was improved from last week’s horror show, and was one of Leinster’s top ball carriers.
14. Tommy Bowe
It was another strong outing for Bowe who is having one of his best season’s. He made the second most metres on the Ulster team and a late break almost yielded the winning try for his side.
13. Darren Cave
Like Bowe, Cave is delivering quality performances week after week. He linked very well with his centre partner Luke Marshall to create Ulster’s only try.
12. Luke Marshall
JJ Hanrahan and Ian Madigan would both have been worthy inclusions but it was great to see Marshall back playing well again.
You are always apprehensive when someone with Marshall’s history returns from a long lay-off but the centre got through a lot of work. He was Ulster’s top tackler, made the third most metres and was their third highest ball carrier. You couldn’t ask for more on his return.
11. Simon Zebo
Should have put the ball into the stand just before half time but besides that, he had another strong performance going forward. In both games against Clermont, he made more metres than anyone else on his team. His spin move is becoming more effective each week and he seems to have kicked on nicely from his spell in the national team in November.
10. Ian Keatley
Firstly, Keatley’s kicking was top class. He nailed a monster penalty to start the game and showed great bottle to nab a losing bonus point for the visitors. But his general play was good too – he floated some nice miss-passes and made a couple of breaks. He seemed to thrive in having an additional playmaker in Hanrahan to share the load.
9. Eoin Reddan
Conor Murray was much improved from last week but without Reddan, Leinster would likely be facing elimination. Just like against Castres, it was the scrum-half’s contribution off the bench that conjured the winning score. Reddan’s snipe and instinctive quick tap from the penalty was about the only incisive moment Leinster mustered on the night.
1. John Ryan
As the game wore on Clermont got the better of the Munster scrum, but for the majority of the game Ryan performed admirably. There probably isn’t a tougher first test in European rugby than playing in Clermont but Ryan burst into the Champions Cup in powerful fashion early on. He can be proud of his effort.
2. Sean Cronin
Duncan Casey almost made it in for his spectacular intercept and for having just enough pace to make the line but ultimately we went for one of the few Leinster forwards to meet his ball carrying quota. Cronin popped up all over the field and was able to get over the game line consistently. He also made more metres than any other Leinster player.
3. N/A
For the second week in-a-row, no Irish tighthead performed well enough to be selected. The Leinster scrum was under pressure again so it would be hard to justify Mike Ross’ selection. Likewise, Ulster struggled in that area and Declan Fitzpatrick was sin-binned. Hasn’t been a good two weeks for Irish number threes.
4. Dan Tuohy
For the second week in succession, Tuohy continued his return to full-fitness with another busy performance. He was Ulster’s top lineout target and also made seven tacklers, which was tied for second on the team. He is playing his way into the 6 Nations squad at the moment.
5. Paul O’Connell
After a subdued outing last week, O’Connell was back to his all-action best in Clermont. Besides the usual tackles and lineout takes, he even threw in a few side-door offloads and a miss-pass to titillate Munster fans.
6. Peter O’Mahony
Like O’Connell, O’Mahony returned to his usual standard yesterday and he was competing with his fellow flanker to see who could steal the most ball. He was also a very reliable lineout target.
7. Tommy O’Donnell
O’Donnell was the best Irish player in round four and it wasn’t even close. He topped the Munster tackle and carries count with 11 apiece and also made the third most metres on the team. He also forced a number of turnovers including one in the opening seconds, which let Clermont know that the Munster pack were a far sharper unit than the one that underperformed at Thomond Park.
O’Donnell is becoming a more complete player with each passing week.
8. Jamie Heaslip
The only constant with Leinster this season beside the stuttering attack has been the amazing consistency of their captain. He always seems to be near the top of the tackle and carries count and Saturday was no different – 12 carries and 11 tackles.
N.B. We’ve limited this selection to players who are available to Ireland for the upcoming 6 Nations.
It looks like Dan Carter is going to move up north after the World Cup next year
Who knew O’Connell and Cudmore could stand together without beating the head off each other?
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
European Rugby Champions Cup dream team Leinster Luke Marshall Munster Rob Kearney Tommy Bowe Tommy O'Donnell Ulster