Team of the Week: EPCR Challenge Cup Round 3

In bizarre circumstances rarely seen in the professional game, the pool stage clash between Toyota Cheetahs and Ulster was cancelled due to a frozen pitch in the Netherlands. The Cheetahs managed to escape the nation-wide ban on outside sport due to the adverse weather conditions that had cut across Amsterdam, yet the proposed 'behind closed doors' match at Dukes Rugby Club was eventually cancelled.

As a result, Ulster were awarded a 28-0 bonus point win, with the full five points heading back to Belfast. The on-field action saw Newcastle Red Bulls continue their unbeaten start to 2026, with an impressive win over Perignan. The same could not be said for Exeter Chiefs' latest run in agvainst French opposition, as the men from Devon threw away a 22-point lead for a gut-wrenching defeat against Stade Francais.

There was double delight for the Italian sides, as Benetton and Zebre both triumphed over Welsh regions. Benetton dropped the hammer on the Dragons for an emphatic win in Treviso, before Zebre edged past the Ospreys for a famous Challenge Cup win in Parma. Cardiff were able to bring some success back to land known as Cymru, with a hard-fough victory over Parisian outfit Racing 92. There was also a milestone win for Black Lion, as the Georgian club outlasted a resilient Montauban side out in France.

We commence this latest installment of the EPCR Challenge Cup Team of the Week, with Newcastle Red Bulls flyer Elliott Obatoyinbo. The fullback was paramount to his side's success this past weekend, as Newcastle continue their unbeaten start to 2026 with a triumph over Perpignan. Obatoyinbo was a rock in defence, comfortable under the high ball and capped his afternoon off with a try to hand the French side a hard-fought defeat up at Kingston Park.

Moving swiftly onto the wide channels, with Benetton's blistering wing Louis Lynagh on hand for the number 14 shirt. The Italian international crossed over for a stunning brace of tries, as Benetton pulled no punches in their one-sided beat down of the Dragons. Lynagh, who is famously the son of Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh, could have represented England, Australia or Italy, before making his debut for the Azzurri back in the 2024 Six Nations. Gonzalo Quesada will be eager to unleash his in-form wing with Lynagh all-but nailed on for a starring role in the upcoming Championship.

We keep it all things Italian for the next entry, with Louis Lynagh's club and country teammate Paolo Odogwu taking a shift in the centres. Odogwu was once on England's radar back in the tail end of the Eddie Jones era, before the former Wasps man made the jump to Benetton after the club's collapse. Odgowu ran out another stellar performance for the Treviso side this past weekend as he crossed for two tries in the emphatic win over the Dragons. With a devastating first step and bulldozing power game, you can see why the regular wing is being steadily unleashed in the midfield ahead of Italy squad return.

We hand an honourable mention to former All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa, in what would have formed an all-Benetton pairing in our Team of the Week partnership. Despite Fekitoa's impressive try-scoring efforts against a hapless Dragons side, we hand this week's inside centre slot to Cardiff's Ben Thomas, who's tireless engine helped his side over the line against Racing 92. It was an ardous effort from the Weslh capital city club, with Thomas contributing a commanding performance in the midfield, with neat interplay, a high attacking tempo and a try to cap off his day.

The first, but by no means the last man on this list to suffer a defeat this past weekend, the left wing shirt goes to Perpignan's Maxim Granell for his strong attacking efforts against Newcastle Red Bulls. Granell was arguably the most reliable attacking threat from the French side, as he crossed the whitewash for two tries to keep his side within range of their hosts. It was a tough loss for the Top 14 side to take, yet the promising 20-year-old can be proud of his individual efforts at Kingston Park.

Once again, we hand an honourable mention to a Benetton star, as Jacob Umaga was breathtaking at the helm of his side. The Samoan international picked up two tries, whilst commanding the intense attacking display against the Dragons. However, we hand the out-half reins to Luke Tsirekidze of Black Lion, who bagged two crucial tries in his side's long awaited Challenge Cup victory. It went down to the wire out in France, with Tsirekidze's unflappable calmness able to guide the Georgian club to a hard-fought narrow win over Montauban.

Coming in at scrum half is Thibaut Motassi of Stade Francais, who's 'never say die' attitude helped galvanize his teammates to a memorable comeback win over Exeter. After taking a heavy 22-point deficit, Motassi spearheaded his side's late resurgence, as he marshaled his troops with a war general's vigor. A well taken try also helped reduce down the deficit, in a stand-out performance from the halfback.

We kick off our forward pack with Exeter Chiefs prop Scott Sio, who thundered home for two tries early in the second half. Having already battled against the hulking Stade Francais pack for 40 minutes, Sio forced his way across the whitewash with a blistering start immediately after half-time. Sio was impressive upon his 52 minute shift, and cannot be faulted for the eventual Parisian capitulation from the Chiefs.

There are two honourable mentions to award, as the Montpellier v Connacht clash showcased two stand-out performance from opposing hookers. Montepllier's Lyam Akrab and Connacht's Dylan Tierney-Martin both commanded their respective packs and entertained the fans with an astute scrum-time clinic. Both men also crossed over for tries, with solid on-field contributions across the board. However, there is no looking beyond Benetton this week, as Nicholas Gasperini led a dominant forward pack which laid the foundations for the ruthless Dragons defeat.

We hand the tight-head shirt to a man that Wales fans are excited to see back hitting his best, no matter their regional preference. Kieron Asseratti is steadily ticking back up to the form, with the prop putting out impressive on-field metrics in time for a recalling to the Wales squad ahead of the 2026 Six Nations. Asseratti left a sizable dent in the Racing 92 defensive line, and also picked up a well taken try to cap off a solid afternoon in his country's capital. We hand an honourable mention to Giorgi Melkidze, who's explosive efforts from the Stade Francais bench helped turn the tide against the Chiefs.

Next up is a lock that will hoping to make a long awaited return to the France squad for the 2026 Six Nations, as Paul Gabrillagues continues to keep his name in contention for Fabien Galthie's squad. The 32-year-old has not ran out for Les Bleus since the 2024 Six Nations, yet such impressive shifts, like what was witnessed against Exeter, could well keep the 18-capped international on track for his Test match return. Gabrillagues was a relentless workhorse in the close quarters, with a adamant determination to win the ball from the Devon side. Whilst excelling in defence, the lock also popped up for a try, to help Stade Francais mount their unexpected comeback win.

Partnering up in the engine room for our Team of the Week, 30-year-old Rory Thornton could well be on his way to bringing an end to his time as a member of the 'one cap wonder' club. After making his Wales debut against Samoa in the Summer of 2017, Thornton was unable to follow this up with an extended international run, despite remaining in Wales for selection. His latest efforts for Cardiff reminded once again as to why he reached the Test level, as his try-scoring contribution coupled an exhaustive shift across both fronts of the gain-line.

The excitement continues to build around Alessandro Izekor, as the 25-year-old gears up for a return to Italy duties in time for the 2026 Six Nations. The hard-hitting back row pulls no punches in defence, with his reputation as one of the hardest workers rightfully proceeding his efforts against the Dragons. Izekor nullified countless attacks from the Welsh side, and also produced a score of his own once the floodgates had opened in Treviso.

24-year-old back row Samuele Locatelli continues to make waves with Zebre, as the flanker is enjoying a break-out year with the Italian club. Whilst as yet uncapped by Gonzalo Quesada on the Test match stage, Locatelli is certainly giving the Italy head coach plenty to consider as we approach the 2026 Six Nations. Locatelli put in a starring performance in Zebre's 23-19 win over the Ospreys, with a series of nice line breaks putting his attacking talents on the match. The back row capped off the day with a late try, that edged his side in front of a dejected Ospreys outfit.

Rounding off the back row is one such dejected Osprey, as Morgan Morse left it all on the pitch out in Parma. The back row emptied the tank with his efforts across the gain-line, as he punched repeated holes into the defensive structure of the hosts. Morse wrestled his way across the whitewash to punctuate his efforts with a five-point contribution, yet he simply could not win the match on his own as the Ospreys' hopes of knock-out stage progression took a serious hit.