Champions Cup 2018 review As we close out the calendar year, we look back at some of the most memorable moments from 2018. Here are some of our favourites. January Round 6 creates drama year after year in Europe’s elite club competition and last season was no different. Going into the final group match, Saracens required a big win over English Premiership rivals Northampton Saints to take the eighth spot in the rankings - and did so with plenty of panache. The two-time winners scored seven tries and fly-half Owen Farrell kicked 27 points as they sealed a quarter-final slot with a 62-14 success at Allianz Park. March A European fixture at Thomond Park is as poetic as it comes in sporting terms, with Munster Rugby enjoying their home comforts for a number of years. It all looked gloomy, though, for the Irish province with RC Toulon leading 19-13 with six minutes remaining, but wing Andrew Conway’s surging late run secured a dramatic 20-19 victory and a 13th European semi-final for his side. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/980733827655102464 April Scarlets arrived at the Aviva Stadium for their semi-final against Leinster Rugby on a run of five victories and backed by thousands of supporters. It was not to be for the Llanelli outift, though, as the Irish side scored five tries on their way to a 38-16 triumph, with Johnny Sexton capping a flawless performance with the man-of-the-match award. May Leinster’s brilliance in Bilbao handed the Irish province a fourth European title – matching Toulouse’s record. Racing 92 were an immovable force throughout and it came down to nerve at the San Marmes Stadium, with all the points coming off the tee. Isa Nacewa’s 78th penalty ensured the trophy returned to Dublin as Leinster edged out the Parisian outfit 15-12. https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/995393360813740032 October Expectations were low when Newcastle Falcons arrived at the Stade Felix-Mayol to face Toulon for their first Heineken Champions Cup game in 12 seasons. However, Newcastle had other ideas and triumphed 26-25 against the three-time European champions, with fly-half Joel Hodgson pulling the strings in open play and scoring 14 points. https://twitter.com/andNickMullins/status/1051505943010299904 December Since Toulouse won the European Cup in 2010, the TOP 14 club have struggled to challenge for their fifth trophy. However, the four-time European champions have been the team to watch this season, with their mouthwatering attack proving a real hit. They remain one of three sides unbeaten in the 2018/19 Heineken Champions Cup – Saracens and Racing 92 are the others - and their24-16 success at Wasps epitomised the threat they possess across the park, with star wing Cheslin Kolbe crossing for an eye-catching solo effort. https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1071462362794856460