Champions Cup team of the season: The best XV from this year’s tournament

Selection of the top players in Europe this season – with no more than four from any one club to keep things interesting

Johnny Sexton during the Champions Cup final against La Rochelle at Stade Velodrome.

15) Michael Lowry (Ulster).

The fact that Lowry made the most metres in the tournament as well as the joint-most clean breaks despite Ulster going out in the last 16 says everything about what a running threat he is. His performances in the pool stages earned him a nomination for the European player of the year award and though Ulster were edged out by Toulouse despite a famous away win in the first leg, Lowry lit up the competition during the dark winter months.