Champions Cup by the numbers: Bok on the double
SPOTLIGHT: Following the past weekend’s Champions Cup Round One matches, we take a look at key data and the top performers.
Top performers – Round One
Points: 16 Emiliano Boffelli (Edinburgh), Antoine Hastoy (Stade Rochelais)
Carries: 23 – Zach Mercer (Montpellier Hérault)
Metres: 132 – Mike Haley (Munster)
Defenders beaten: Eight – Tom Willis (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
Tackles: 22 – Maxime Baudonne (Racing 92), Tom Staniforth (Castres Olympique)
Offloads: Five – Leone Nakarawa (Castres Olympique)
Key stats
* Sale Sharks made the most running metres (540), beat the most defenders (32), and made the most clean breaks (14) in Round 1 in their win against Ulster.
* Harlequins are the only team who had two players score two tries in a single match (André Esterhuizen and Josh Bassett) during their defeat by the Sharks in Durban. Leinster was the only side to achieve this last season, with Jack Conan and Dan Sheehan both scoring braces against Montpellier Hérault in Round Three.
* Stade Toulousain kicked the ball in play more times than any other side during their win over Munster (38). Eleven of these kicks found grass and eight were retained. They were also the only team in the opening round that didn’t lose a single attacking ruck.
* Montpellier Hérault’s Zach Mercer made more carries individually than any other player in Round 1 (23). He also made the most metres in contact (28).
* Stade Rochelais won 14 turnovers against Northampton Saints – the most of any side in Round 1. Two of their six tries came from turnovers.
Source: @ChampionsCup
