Rugby Union: Heineken Cup Team of the Tournament

Ball in Touch: Our rugby columnist, Jeff Ball, takes a look back at who has impressed in this season's Heineken Cup and picks his best XV of the year

Can you feel it? It€™s coming, that inevitable period of boredom that is the off-season. While our favourite players sun themselves or are beasted by their fitness coaches during pre-season, the humble rugby fan is left to scavenge the back pages of the local rag for a smidgen of rugby news, normally without success.

With only the Premiership and Championship Finals still to come, the domestic season is all but finished. Even the overseas tours of the home nations is only delaying the inevitable. That leaves us with two options. Look forward, or look backward.

Given it is still May and squads and fixtures are still being decided, it seems apt today to look back. And, given that the last match fresh in our memory is the Heineken Cup Final, I thought I may as well stretch my memory back to select a Heineken Cup Team of the Tournament.

As with any of these kinds of articles, they are a perfect opportunity to join in to express scorn or agreement at the choices and non-choices, so feel free to join in the debate in the usual formats, either in the comments below or on Twitter, @ballintouch

Ball in Touch's Team of the Tournament:

15 Rob Kearney

One of the images of the season has been Kearney charging up to float through the air to snatch a high ball from all comers time and again. Solid at the back and a constant threat going forward, a key part of Leinster€™s success.

14 Tomoci Matanavu

The Toulouse winger topped the try scoring charts with 8 for the season made all the more impressive seeing as his team exited at the quarter final stage. A exciting threat with gas to burn. Sitiveni Sivivatu was another to remind former employers what they were missing.

13 Brian O€™ Driscoll

Yes, yes, he only played three games but after his performance in the Final, it is hard to choose anyone else. I believe in BOD. Rougerie was integral to the Clermont effort and DarrenC ave showed he was one to watch.

12 Wesley Fofana

The Frenchman who was one of only a few bright lights in the French backline during the Six Nations kept that form going in the European competition. Constantly threatening and a tip of the hat to the Clermont backline that was so impressive, especially against Saracens.

11 Tim Visser

A difficult one to select as Malzieu, Trimble, Bowe and Zebo all showed talent but I€™m going to go for Tim Visser, not just for his four tries in eight games but as recognition of the attacking verveEdinburghplayed with this season.

10 Jonny Sexton

The tournament€™s top point scorer yet again, despite his inability to shake the shadow of O€™Gara when playing for Ireland he was yet again immense for his club, ticking all the boxes of what is expected of a top quality fly half. Paddy Wallace also impressed but his lack of experience eventually caught up with him. Another for the future.

9 Ruan Pienaar

Another player who has been hugely impressive all season. He constantly gives the impression of being able to win a game almost single-handedly. His 60m penalty just before half time in the Final said it all.

8 Netani Talei

Faded slightly in the semi-final but was immense in the lead up to that stage. His performance against Toulouse particularly caught the eye. Jamie Heaslip showed he was still a quality operator at the back of the scrum to put himself forward for consideration.

7 Sean O€™Brien

Hasn€™t always captured the headlines but has been excellent both in defence and attack this year and has well and truly thrown a big reminder at any Lions selectors watching.

6 Stephen Ferris

Too good at times, fearless in all aspects and turning into one of the greats of his era.

5 Nathan Hines

A mountain of a man and a good old fashioned second row. Dominated his battles with forward play that would make many an opponent cry. Special mention to Leo Cullen for leading his side to another trophy.

4 Brad Thorn

The New Zealander filled the gap left by Hines at Leinster and has now won just about everything bar a few egg and spoon races. And even those are a matter of time. Dan Tuohy seemed to spend all his time between the set pieces smashing into people.

3 John Afoa

The big man has made heck of an impression since swapping hemispheres and proved another success story that helpedUlsterto the Final. Davit Zirakashvili was another prop that was noticeable around the field.

2 Rory Best

Joint top with quite a few other Irish names for appearances this year with 9. Constantly doing what was required of him to provide a platform for the rest of the team and not afraid to get involved in the loose too.

1 Cian Healy

It€™s another Irish man but given the run Leinster andUlsterhad, it€™s hardly surprising. Continued to prove his capability in both the tight and the loose.Tom Courtwill be relieved to restore his reputation after the Six Nations.

So there we go, Ball in Touch's Team of the Tournament. Admittedly the passing of time has meant memories of the efforts of some players in the pool games has dulled and some Harlequins, Saracens and Munster players have every right to feel aggrieved. If there is someone you feel strongly should be featuring then jot it down in a comment below.