Champions Cup round one Irish team of the week: Leinster lead the way

The Irish provinces only picked up six points from four Investec Champions Cup games over the weekend, with Leinster taking four and Munster two.

Leo Cullen's side dug deep to win a street fight against European champions and rivals La Rochelle, 16-9, while Munster were pegged back by two second-half tries in their 17-17 draw with Bayonne.

Elsewhere, Ulster were leading in the 45th minute at Bath but fell away sharply and ended up losing 37-14.

Bordeaux Begles put a flat Connacht to the sword on Friday night, running in six tries in their 41-5 win.

Here’s our Irish team of the week.

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster)

The Ireland full-back was his usual brave and dependable self in terrible conditions away to the European champions. Solid under the high ball and positional awareness was superb as is his standard.

14. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)

The centre was excellent on the dirtiest of days at Stade Marcel-Deflandre. Nothing spectacular but it was a match for experience and good decision making; was switched to the wing when Charles Ngatai came on.

13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)

Worked well in tandem with Ringrose and Ngatai when he replaced Jordan Larmour in the 56th minute. Carried solidly as required and always there in defence.

12. Alex Nankivell (Munster)

The Kiwi centre carried strongly throughout, all elbows and knees, and a nightmare to tackle. Was a vital link in the move that led to Shay McCarthy's try.

11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)

Dan McFarland’s side got off to a decent start and the Ireland wing was to the fore, carrying cleverly and testing the Bath defence. His run put Ulster on the front foot for their second try.

10. Ciarán Frawley (Leinster)

Came on as a replacement for Harry Byrne just before the break and his