Top Scorers Go Head To Head In Heineken Champions Cup Final
Top Scorers Go Head To Head In Heineken Champions Cup Final
The Heineken Champions Cup final between Leinster and Stade Rochelais on May 20 is set to feature the leading players in the try and points-scoring tables.
The Heineken Champions Cup final between Leinster Rugby and Stade Rochelais in Dublin on May 20 is set to feature the leading players in the try and points-scoring tables.
Leinster flanker Josh van der Flier leads the way on tries, with six to his name so far, one more than La Rochelle scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
The reigning champions’ fly-half, Antoine Hastoy, is the chief points-scorer heading into the final at the Aviva Stadium, having amassed 85 so far, four more than Leinster counterpart Ross Byrne.
Leinster has scored the most tries of any team in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, running in a staggering 43 over their seven games, 15 more than La Rochelle.
2022 EPCR Player of the Year Van der Flier has been at the heart of the Irish province’s efforts, crossing in five of the six games he’s featured in, including a brace at Racing 92 in Round 1.
The unsung heroes of @leinsterrugby & @staderochelais 🦸♂️
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) May 9, 2023
Ross Byrne and Antoine Hastoy are the leading points scorers this season 👏
Do they deserve more plaudits for leading their sides to the #HeinekenChampionsCup Final? pic.twitter.com/X3GMMyobe4
Meanwhile, Kerr-Barlow has found his clinical edge in the knockout stage, going over against Gloucester Rugby in the Round of 16, before doubles against Saracens and the Exeter Chiefs in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
Leinster also has notched the most points in this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, accumulating 310 so far – 90 more than La Rochelle.
Byrne has been a superb deputy for the injured Johnny Sexton, converting 30 tries and kicking seven penalties, with his best match haul an 18-point effort against Leicester Tigers in the quarterfinals.
But Hastoy holds the edge in the individual table, with the former Section Paloise man adding 22 conversions, slotting 12 penalties and registering a try against Ulster Rugby in Round 2, which contributed to his best match tally of 26.
Van der Flier and Byrne’s personal battles against Kerr-Barlow and Hastoy are added ingredients to what is poised to be a thrilling Heineken Champions Cup final, as Leinster bids for a record-equaling fifth crown, and La Rochelle seeks to retain its title.