Ahead of this weekend’s European Rugby Champions Cup final between Clermont Auvergne and Toulon, we’ve put together a combined XV made up of the best players from each side. Do you agree with it?
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon)
Halfpenny just edges out the brilliant Nick Abendanon, who is in the form of his life. The reason? In a final, I want Halfpenny kicking goals. Simples.
14. Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont)
Nakaitaci has stepped into Sivivatu’s shoes with aplomb this season, and is one of the most devastating finishers around, as he showed to a wider audience during the Six Nations. His solo score against Munster remains one of the best in this year’s competition.
13. Jonathan Davies (Clermont)
Davies hasn’t had it all his way in his first season at Clermont but more recently there have been glimpses that he is starting to find his feet. Bastareaud can be dangerous but it always feels like he should be doing more for a man of his size. Davies’ added subtlety and guile see him win this spot.
12. Matt Giteau (Toulon)
Probably the most closely-contested shirt in the team. Wesley Fofana deals exclusively in the sublime when wearing the yellow of Clermont, but for sheer class and composure, there are few that come close to Giteau. 12 is his best position, where he can both pose his own running threat and also bring others into the game around him.
11. Bryan Habana (Toulon)
He might not have the same top speed of old but he is now one of the most experienced wings on the planet. It has heightened his sense of anticipation, as he showed with the try that won Toulon’s semi-final. It may have been an interception, but anticipating the pass and time the run to perfection are harder skills than people realise.
10. Brock James (Clermont)
With Camille Lopez only just returning to fitness, Brock James has been Clermont’s number one at fly-half recently, and he has been doing a superb job of it. There have been none of the nerves that have permeated his game towards the business end of the season in years past, and there are few better at utilising the immense talents outside than the Aussie.
9. Morgan Parra (Clermont)
Probably the weakest position in the team, Parra edges out Seb Tillous-Borde despite a recent spate of injuries that has sapped him of his best form. Parra can be a game changer on his day, and offers another kicking option from the tee should others have an off day.
1. Vincent Debaty (Clermont)
The Belgian-born prop showed what an engine he has with a stunning support run to score a try in that England vs France game, and is rarely anything less than solid at the scrum.
2. Guilhem Guirado (Toulon)
Guirado is a late bloomer but he has emerged as comfortably France’s best hooker in the past year. He is devastatingly mobile, often breaking the defensive line, and his set piece work is solid. One of the most underrated players in the squad of galacticos.
3. Carl Hayman (Toulon)
Hayman might be coming to the end of his career but he is still as effective as ever in the tight. He may not offer a great deal in the loose but he is the cornerstone of a strong Toulon scrum – and a vastly experienced captain to boot.
4. Sebastian Vahaamahina (Clermont)
Amongst the veterans like Botha, Williams and Cudmore, Vahaamahina offers something different – youthful exuberance. And when that exuberance is carried out in a 6’8″, 125kg frame, it can be devastating. The 23 year old has a big future.
5. Ali Williams (Toulon)
Williams’ experience makes him one of the most intelligent players around, and yet he has still managed to maintain impressive mobility for a man of his age. He is also integral to the Toulon lineout.
6. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon)
When Toulon defeated Clermont in this fixture two years ago, it was Lobbe that stole the crucial turnover and lobbed the ball to Armitage to race away and score. There are few players that brim with as much passion as Lobbe, and while there’s no guarantee he will start the final given Toulon’s ridiculous options in the back-row, he’d make my team.
7. Steffon Armitage (Toulon)
He was benched for the semi-final, but proved his class after he came on. Shortlisted for the European Player of the year once again, he is bidding to become the first man in history to win the award two years in a row. A savage ball-carrier and relentlessly difficult to move at the breakdown.
8. Fritz Lee (Clermont)
With Samoan and New Zealand nationalities, it is baffling that the number eight is yet to win a cap for either nation. He is touch and go fitness-wise for the final, but he could genuinely make the difference for Clermont with his devastating carrying and soft offloading skills. One of the players of the tournament this year.
Final player count: Clermont 7, Toulon 8
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images