With this season’s Heineken Champions Cup kicking off on Friday, when Leinster Rugby begin the defence of their title at home to Wasps, we take a look at five players who could be key members of your Champions Fantasy Rugby XV this season. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby) €7.0m New Zealand wing James Lowe made a sensational start to his Champions Cup career with two tries in his first three matches last season, including one in Leinster Rugby’s quarter-final victory over Saracens. He wasn’t in the Irish province’s matchday squad for their semi-final and final wins, but he is expected to play a more prominent role in Leinster’s defence of their crown this season. The explosive 26-year-old has flourished in the Guinness PRO14 so far this term, having scored four tries in as many matches, so he could be a shrewd buy at just €7m. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1049743929455898625 Simon Zebo (Racing 92) €8.0m You want a player who is a guaranteed points-scorer in the Heineken Champions Cup? Look no further than Simon Zebo, who has a superb record in the competition. In his seven seasons with Munster Rugby, the 28-year-old averaged a try every two matches, including three in last year’s pool stage and a try in the Irish province’s semi-final defeat against his current club, Racing 92. Furthermore, the Irish international is currently top try-scorer in the TOP 14 alongside Stade Français Paris centre Gaël Fickou. George Ford (Leicester Tigers) €8.5m Leicester Tigers fly-half George Ford is another in-form player who has to be in your Champions Fantasy Rugby XV reckoning ahead of the English club’s Pool 4 opener at Ulster Rugby on Saturday. The 25-year-old England international has chalked up 94 points in the Gallagher Premiership already this season, 25 more than any other player. Ford also has an impressive scoring record in Europe’s elite competition, having notched 313 points in 32 European Cup matches. https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1048913581813714944 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) €7.0m Ellis Jenkins, Cardiff Blues’ European Rugby Challenge Cup-winning captain, will now be looking for success in the Heineken Champions Cup this season. The Welsh international flanker may not be a prolific try-scorer, but he popped up with a crucial score in the Blues’ Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Edinburgh Rugby last term and always features highly on tackles made lists. You are also likely to get full playing time out of the 25-year-old, who played every minute of the five matches he took part in during the Welsh region’s successful Challenge Cup campaign. Jamie George (Saracens) €7.5m Saracens hooker Jamie George has three tries in the European Cup to his name from 47 appearances and the 27-year-old would offer plenty elsewhere in any Champions Fantasy Rugby XV. The England forward has started all six of Saracens’ Premiership matches this season, scoring two tries and ranking highly in metres gained, carries and tackles made. With Saracens scoring the most points of all 20 teams in last season’s Champions Cup pool stages, expect George to chip in with double-figure fantasy points throughout the season. To pick your Champions Fantasy Rugby XV, click HERE!