Following last weekend’s EPCR   Challenge Cup Round 1 matches, CLICK HERE for a comprehensive review that includes results, updated pools, key data, and top performers.Top performers – Round 1

Points:   17 Luke Matkava (Black Lion)

  

Carries:   22 Lucas Martin (Aviron Bayonnais)

  

Metres:   152 Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (Section Paloise)

  

Defenders beaten: 21 Nadir Megdoud (Aviron Bayonnais)

  

Lineouts won: 9 Simon Augry (RC Vannes)

  

Tackles:   26 Jac Price (Scarlets)

  

Key   Stats – Round 1

  • On debut for Connacht at the weekend, Chay Mullins scored the only hattrick of Round 1.
  • Luka Matvaka (Black Lion) scored more points than any other player at the weekend, a total of 17; he was flawless off the tee.
  • Lucas Martin (Avirion Bayonnais) made the most carries (22) and post-contact metres (31) in Round 1. He and teammate Manu Tuilagi made the joint-most dominant carries (seven).
  • Jeandre Rudolph (Toyota Cheetahs) made the joint-most dominant carries (seven), won the most turnovers outright (four), and scored a try at the weekend.
  • Jac Price and Alex Craig (both Scarlets) made more tackles than any other players in Round 1: 26 and 24 respectively.
  • In total, 49 tries and 384 points were scored over all EPCR Challenge Cup Round 1 matches.
  • The quickest try came from Antoine Aucagne (USAP) in the Toyota Cheetahs v USAP clash at 2 minutes into the match.
  • Aurelian Barreau (Montpellier Hérault Rugby) put the first points of the season on the board in the Dragons RFC v Montpellier Hérault Rugby opener with a penalty at 3 minutes.
  • Seb Blake (Gloucester Rugby) scored the season’s opening try 10 minutes into the Gloucester Rugby v Edinburgh Rugby match.