http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_6949767,00.html
Now that the dust has settled across Europe, Planet Rugby thought it was only right to dish out some praise to the star men of the Heineken Cup.
What a final it was at the Millennium Stadium over the weekend as the two top teams remaining in the 2010/11 competition put on a real show.
Yes, I will pull out the cliche that it was a game of two halves but that it was, with Leinster prevailing thanks to a marvellous 28 points from their maturing fly-half Jonathan Sexton - apparently he also pulls off a mean Istanbul-like team-talk.
Northampton will of course be wondering what might have been in the aftermath, but credit where it is due, they have enjoyed a remarkable season and few would disagree that they will be back at the business end of things this time next year.
And so we come to our Team of the Tournament. It was difficult to find space for players from those sides not hailing from Dublin or the East Midlands of England. However, tried PR did and it would be great to hear your own selections...
Planet Rugby's Team of the Tournament
15 Isa Nacewa (Leinster) - A toss-up between Ben Foden and this lively, hard-hitting full-back went the way of the Leinster hero. A top European season from the former Blue.
14 Matt Banahan (Bath) - He came a close second to Paul Diggin in the try-scoring tally and fully deserves his place on the right wing. Chris Ashton was much better in the Six Nations.
13 Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster) - Florian Fritz and Jon Clarke were battling hard for this spot but the experienced O'Driscoll gets the nod for being in key in sealing the Cup.
12 James Downey (Northampton) - We have been hearing on the wires a great deal of Ireland fans wanting this guy in their national side. We have to echo that sentiment.
11 Paul Diggin (Northampton) - If there was a way to get Ben Foden and Isa Nacewa in the same team we would. But instead we go with the numbers and that sees 2010/11's top try-scorer Diggin claim our number 11 jersey. A mention too for Maxime Medard.
10 Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) - 28 points in the Heineken Cup final and 138 in all, Sexton's game-management pushes him into our playmaking position with relative ease.
9 Lee Dickson (Northampton) - Only when Dickson was injured did we realise how important he is to Saints. This busy number should be in England's World Cup squad.
8 Louis Picamoles (Toulouse) - This was our toughest call as Roger Wilson, Jamie Heaslip and Joe van Niekerk pushed hard. But his endless carries sees him at the base.
7 Phil Dowson (Northampton) - A try in the final was the icing on the cake for what has been a strong campaign for Dowson. He's such a good link-man between forwards and backs.
6 Sean O'Brien (Leinster) - Such a powerful runner and tackler, we think that barring BOD, O'Brien would be the first name on Ireland's team sheet. 6,7 or 8, he is always a warrior.
5 Leo Cullen (Leinster) - It is tough to find a lock in Europe with as much European know-how as the ex-Tiger. Calm, assured and technically superb, he had to make the cut.
4 Johann Muller (Ulster) - His second-row partner Dan Tuohy deserves a mention as their combination was key to Ulster making the quarter-finals. What a signing he has been.
3 Brian Mujati (Northampton) - Adam Jones made our weekly XV twice this year, but the Opta stats say it all with Brian Mujati getting almost twice what an average tighthead got in terms of scrummaging points in 2010/11. Much-improved since moving from the Stormers.
2 Richardt Strauss (Leinster) - It was a strong Heineken Cup term for the former Cheetah, who does enough to pip William Servat and Dylan Hartley to our hooking jersey.
1 Soane Tonga'uiha (Northampton) - What a campaign for this Saint. Cian Healy had a good term but in truth, no one comes close to the strength and speed of Tonga'uiha.
Now that the dust has settled across Europe, Planet Rugby thought it was only right to dish out some praise to the star men of the Heineken Cup.
What a final it was at the Millennium Stadium over the weekend as the two top teams remaining in the 2010/11 competition put on a real show.
Yes, I will pull out the cliche that it was a game of two halves but that it was, with Leinster prevailing thanks to a marvellous 28 points from their maturing fly-half Jonathan Sexton - apparently he also pulls off a mean Istanbul-like team-talk.
Northampton will of course be wondering what might have been in the aftermath, but credit where it is due, they have enjoyed a remarkable season and few would disagree that they will be back at the business end of things this time next year.
And so we come to our Team of the Tournament. It was difficult to find space for players from those sides not hailing from Dublin or the East Midlands of England. However, tried PR did and it would be great to hear your own selections...
Planet Rugby's Team of the Tournament
15 Isa Nacewa (Leinster) - A toss-up between Ben Foden and this lively, hard-hitting full-back went the way of the Leinster hero. A top European season from the former Blue.
14 Matt Banahan (Bath) - He came a close second to Paul Diggin in the try-scoring tally and fully deserves his place on the right wing. Chris Ashton was much better in the Six Nations.
13 Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster) - Florian Fritz and Jon Clarke were battling hard for this spot but the experienced O'Driscoll gets the nod for being in key in sealing the Cup.
12 James Downey (Northampton) - We have been hearing on the wires a great deal of Ireland fans wanting this guy in their national side. We have to echo that sentiment.
11 Paul Diggin (Northampton) - If there was a way to get Ben Foden and Isa Nacewa in the same team we would. But instead we go with the numbers and that sees 2010/11's top try-scorer Diggin claim our number 11 jersey. A mention too for Maxime Medard.
10 Jonathan Sexton (Leinster) - 28 points in the Heineken Cup final and 138 in all, Sexton's game-management pushes him into our playmaking position with relative ease.
9 Lee Dickson (Northampton) - Only when Dickson was injured did we realise how important he is to Saints. This busy number should be in England's World Cup squad.
8 Louis Picamoles (Toulouse) - This was our toughest call as Roger Wilson, Jamie Heaslip and Joe van Niekerk pushed hard. But his endless carries sees him at the base.
7 Phil Dowson (Northampton) - A try in the final was the icing on the cake for what has been a strong campaign for Dowson. He's such a good link-man between forwards and backs.
6 Sean O'Brien (Leinster) - Such a powerful runner and tackler, we think that barring BOD, O'Brien would be the first name on Ireland's team sheet. 6,7 or 8, he is always a warrior.
5 Leo Cullen (Leinster) - It is tough to find a lock in Europe with as much European know-how as the ex-Tiger. Calm, assured and technically superb, he had to make the cut.
4 Johann Muller (Ulster) - His second-row partner Dan Tuohy deserves a mention as their combination was key to Ulster making the quarter-finals. What a signing he has been.
3 Brian Mujati (Northampton) - Adam Jones made our weekly XV twice this year, but the Opta stats say it all with Brian Mujati getting almost twice what an average tighthead got in terms of scrummaging points in 2010/11. Much-improved since moving from the Stormers.
2 Richardt Strauss (Leinster) - It was a strong Heineken Cup term for the former Cheetah, who does enough to pip William Servat and Dylan Hartley to our hooking jersey.
1 Soane Tonga'uiha (Northampton) - What a campaign for this Saint. Cian Healy had a good term but in truth, no one comes close to the strength and speed of Tonga'uiha.
. But if you didnt base it on cliche riddled leinster centric bias, what did your opinion on? Was Clarke better offensively? Defensively? Tuilagi made an impression where?
