We’re only halfway there but Irish provinces are certainly making their voices heard.
Leinster and Munster top their pools, Ulster beat Clermont Auvergne and scored 39 points in the process and Connacht, while losing to Wasps, could reclaim top-spot by this Saturday afternoon.
There were outstanding performances by a host of players from the provinces over the weekend but some men excelled even our high expectations.
Here is the best XV from the four Irish provinces.
15. Charles Piutau (Ulster)
Had to be pretty special to get this spot after a great weekend for fullbacks. Simon Zebo was excellent for Munster, Tiernan O’Halloran gained metres for fun and Rob Kearney was in inspired form until he limped off. Piutau was best of the bunch though.
The Kiwi was a force of nature with ball-in-hand and caused Clermont no end of trouble. Fell off a couple of tackles and will need to sort that for the return tie in France. His try was sensational.
A deserving winner, @CPiutau‘s magnificent solo try was voted the moment of the round.? #ChampionsCup https://t.co/n542a1oLYJ
— BT Sport Rugby (@btsportrugby) December 11, 2016
14. Darren Sweetnam (Munster)
This lad is putting it in very consistently now. Munster targeted Adam Thompstone and George Worth with high balls and Sweetnam had them plagued. Supreme in the air, strong in the tackle and came up with a couple of big offloads, including one for Jaco Taute’s second try.
13. Jaco Taute (Munster)
Nine games into his Munster career and already beloved by the fans. Put in another bruising defensive performance that included a number of wincing hits. Powered over for a fine try off a Munster mauling drive, showed up in support for a second and was denied a hat-trick but won his side a penalty try after being illegally dragged down short of the line.
I'd sell my granny if I had one to keep Jaco Taute at Munster #MUNvLEI
— Cormac (@Cor_mee) December 10, 2016
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Outshone by the two-try performance of midfield partner Luke Marshall but only just. McCloskey is only a few games back for Ulster but looking back to his best and the sort of form that won him an Ireland debut earlier this year. A number of strong carries, support lines and clear-outs as Ulster asserted 60 minutes of dominance before Clermont pushed back. Stuck 12 important defensive hits.
11. Keith Earls (Munster)
Looked dangerous each time he got ball in hand. Munster went heavily down the right wing in the first half but, once the game opened up, hurt Leicester with the wide game. No better man than Earls, who made 62 metres off six speedy carries that included a couple of line breaks, offloads and a clatter of beaten Tigers defenders.
10. Paddy Jackson (Ulster)
Enjoying a fine season and revelling in a greater play-making role for his province. Often accused of sitting too deep in the pocket, Jackson was very often up and pressing the Clermont line. His chip and collect for his try was a joy to behold and he set up another two Ulster scores. Fell off two tackles but just about every Ulster player was guilty of that. Munster’s Tyler Bleyendaal also enjoyed himself against Leicester.
9. Conor Murray (Munster)
Kieran Marmion and Luke McGrath were very good for Connacht and Leinster but Murray showed them who the boss is. He showed Warren Gatland who Europe’s best No.9 is while he was at it. His box-kicking was on the button perfect and his reverse pass for Zebo’s try was sublime. Nice line break in there too, and a couple of offloads. Directed traffic superbly.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN19FVNhpQx/?taken-by=sportsjoedotie
1. Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Leinster’s front five bossed Saints from the opening exchanges and McGrath’s strength and physicality played a big part of it. Did a fine job in the set-pieces and was his usual, busy self in the loose.
2. Niall Scannell (Munster)
The progress the hooker and his brother, Rory, have made over the past 12 months must be hugely satisfying for all involved in Munster, and Irish rugby. Brought the fight to Leicester, earned a couple of key turnovers and was a nuisance at the breakdown. Tasty out-the-back flick to Murray from a Munster maul shows he is not afraid to unleash the skills.
Here's a rehearsed move. Murray gives Scannell the go ahead, Scannell waits and then flicks out the pass pic.twitter.com/bN8rSFwHw6
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) December 10, 2016
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
In the space of a year, or less, Furlong has gone from a supporting role to Ireland’s best tighthead and a genuine Lions contender. Mashed the Saints front row to a fine paste and won his team a couple of important penalties. Busy lad in the loose as well – six carries, seven tackles and over 20 rucks hit.
4. Devin Toner (Leinster)
Just pips Donnacha Ryan to the spot after putting in a second row clinic. Decent carries from standing starts, strong presentation, slick hands in close and claimed a lot of important lineout ball. Part of a pack that made its mark at Franklin’s Gardens and was effective around the breakdown.
Brilliant tonight from @leinsterrugby – aesthetically pleasing and bloody tough – we have to mention @DevinToner4 for @lionsofficial
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) December 9, 2016
5. Billy Holland (Munster)
Munster needed to bring the fight to Leicester and yet remain mobile around the park as their opponents had a few dangerous players capable of attacking from all over. Holland covered most blades of Thomd Park grass while Donnacha Ryan was the enforcer. The hosts had their way at the breakdown and Holland played a key role here.
Special mention to Robbie Diack, who had 40 excellent minutes for Ulster. Diack the flanker was perfect for his second row duties and attack Clermont with zest. Made every tackle stick and carried well.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
Have rarely seen him look better or do more damage to a team. O’Mahony and CJ Stander were two huge reasons why Munster annihilated Leicester. Choke tackles, big hits and vital poaches – O’Mahony was at his very best. Took some important lineouts and drove his team forward. Got a couple of lovely turnovers.
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Edges out Ulster’s impressive Chris Henry. Van der Flier was indefatigable in a winning effort at Franklin’s Gardens. Saints were sick of seeing him as he showed up for carries, run support lines and tackled everything in is wheelhouse. Topped the tackle count, got through a bundle of work and claimed one crucial turnover.
8. CJ Stander (Munster)
As one man remarked after Munster’s 38-0 win over Leicester, ‘Why don’t they call it the CJ Stander award and get it over with?’
CJ Stander's game
20 carries
67 metres gained
3 defenders beaten
2 offloads
10 successful tackles
4 turnovers
1 MOTM award pic.twitter.com/a6yVSQxGIu— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) December 10, 2016
Man-of-the-match for the umpteenth time and richly deserved, as usual. Kicked it all off with a 30-metre clean break and carried on with a number of bruising hits and carries that got Munster on the front foot and far beyond. Won a couple of excellent turnovers [jackal steal and choke tackle] in the Munster twenty-two to keep Leicester at ‘0’.
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