Champions Cup semifinals: Key head-to-head battles
SPOTLIGHT: Countless world-class head-to-heads promise to light up the semifinals as the likes of Finn Russell and Matthieu Jalibert could face off.
The stakes are higher than ever this weekend as the four sides left in the Champions Cup eye up one of the two coveted spots in Bilbao.
While Leinster, RC Toulon, Union Bordeaux Bègles and Bath have all shone collectively up until this point, individual brilliance could prove decisive.
Take a look at some potential head-to-heads that could take the semifinals to another level this weekend.
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Matthieu Jalibert v Finn Russell
It’s the flyhalf battle we’ve all been waiting for. The pair have both been in top form throughout the competition so far – so much so that they’ve both earned themselves a spot in the final five of the Player of the Year shortlist.
Russell’s unrivalled rugby IQ has often been the root of Bath’s brilliance, while his kicking game has defences in a spin.
Similarly, Jalibert seems to exploit gaps that don’t appear to exist thanks to his feints and through balls. UBB’s 10 has also been able to dance through defences this season, going over four times.
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Jack Conan v Charles Ollivon
Both Leinster and RC Toulon boast hordes of international talent amongst their squads, but it’s in the pack that things could get fascinating.
Should Jack Conan and Charles Ollivon start, the pair will meet for a highly anticipated back-row battle.
Both explosive in the scrums and tenacious at the breakdown, Conan and Ollivon’s international pedigree will come in handy too on Saturday.
The Irish side’s scrum is infamous for its reliability, but Toulon boast a 98 percent success rate so far this season – joint second with Union Bordeaux Bègles.
Tadhg Furlong could face Jean-Baptiste Gros in the front row too should both be fit, while James McCarthy and David Ribbans may be opposed in the engine room.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey v Henry Arundell
While Jalibert and Russell will be dictating the middle of the park, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Henry Arundell will hope to dominate the wings.
The French winger has been unstoppable this campaign, going over seven times in six outings to jointly lead the standings. His pace and ability to change direction and break lines for fun mean he’s earned himself a spot in the Player of the Year Final five too.
Similarly famed for his pace, Bath’s Henry Arundell will be hoping to bring his A-game in Bordeaux.
The English youngster has five scores and has often been the go-to option for Bath’s attacks this season.
Source: Champions Cup
