Today we start having a closer look at our European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-finalists by picking out five key players for each team. We begin with top seeds ASM Clermont Auvergne, who host Northampton Saints at Stade Marcel Michelin on March 31, live on BT Sport, FR4 and beIN SPORTS. Peter Betham The New Zealand-born utility back was an outstanding ever-present as Clermont amassed a record-equalling 30 points from their six Pool 1 ties. The 30-year-old tops the try charts with Sale Sharks’ Chris Ashton on seven and heads the table for breaks (17) with Bristol Bears’ Tom Pincus, as well as beating 23 defenders, executing 65 carries and making 462 metres. Pato Fernandez The Argentinian fly-half ensured Clermont’s try sprees against Timisoara Saracens in October and Dragons in January were fully rewarded with 17 conversions from 17 attempts. Along with Ospreys’ Sam Davies, the 24-year-old was the only goalkicker with a 100% record from the tee in the pool stage and after also scoring a try against Dragons, he climbed to sixth in the points-scorers' table. Apisai Naqalevu Naqalevu’s powerful runs in the centre have been an important factor in many of Clermont’s tries. As well as scoring five times himself in five appearances, including a hat-trick against Timisoara Saracens in October, the 29-year-old Fijian leads the table for defenders beaten (27) and appears in the top 10 lists for carries (62), metres made (358), breaks (9) and turnovers (5). https://twitter.com/ERChallengeCup/status/1098170252071002112 George Moala Together with Naqalevu, Moala provides an immense physical presence in the Clermont backs. The 28-year-old Tongan has beaten 24 defenders in his four appearances to lie joint fourth in that category and also crossed the whitewash against Timisoara Saracens in December. Greig Laidlaw The Scotland scrum-half gives Clermont the luxury of two deadly goalkickers. Although not as immaculate from the tee as Fernandez in the pool stages, Laidlaw still had a success rate of 87%, landing 12 conversions and a penalty from his four appearances for a tally of 27 points.