Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 12
The headline result of Round 12 in the Gallagher Premiership saw Sale Sharks force their way into playoff contention with a 24-18 win over Saracens at the AJ Bell, with the reigning champions well-beaten in the north-west.
There were markedly different fortunes for another London side in the north this weekend, as Harlequins romped to a 38-17 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park, ending their recent away day blues. A bonus point win for Leicester Tigers also set them up for a strong second half of the season.
We have rounded up the top performers from the round below, but do you agree with our calls?
(* denotes RugbyPass Index score)
- Jonah Holmes, Leicester Tigers (67)
The former scrum-half turned wing turned full-back was in fine form at Welford Road on Saturday and his involvements in the back line on attack were a big part of why Tigers looked so incisive and dangerous. He showed the full array of running lines against Gloucester, coming in hard and straight, stepping back inside and even running some nice loops around the back of ball-carriers. He took his try well on a no-look pass from Matt Toomua and set up Jonny May for one of his two scores as well.
- Jonny May, Leicester Tigers (75)
Arguably the toughest call this weekend, with both Denny Solomona and Bryce Heem also deserving of the 14 jersey. Between May’s brace and the efforts of those other two, the trio scored or assisted on six tries this weekend. May just caught the eye that fraction more, with his kick chase and work in the midfield doing just enough to push him above the other two, although there was very little in it. The only thing that detracted from the performance was the late withdrawal of Ollie Thorley for Gloucester pre-match, in what should have been one of the box office match-ups of the weekend.
- Sam James, Sale Sharks (68)
James was pushed hard by Joe Marchant and this spot could have gone either way. The Sale man was excellent at the AJ Bell, however, and with the exception of one kick that went out on the full after he had made a break, he didn’t put a foot wrong all game. His mixture of short pops and accurate long passes caused problems for the Saracens defence and his threat as a runner was constantly evident, with James happy to take the space and exploit any disconnects in the defensive line that Saracens’ blitz gave him.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1081475502991380480
- James O’Connor, Sale Sharks (70)
The chemistry between O’Connor and James seems to be growing by the day and it has been a significant factor in Sale’s rise up the table. The pair dovetailed excellently on Friday and seemed always to be creating space for each other, running incisive lines and showing great awareness of where the other was on the pitch. For the second week in a row, O’Connor was again a great creative spark plug for Sale at inside centre.
- Gabriel Ibitoye, Harlequins (51)
A breakout performance at this level for Ibitoye, who showed he can more than backup the potential and talent he has previously shown in the age-grades. He helped create his own try with neat hands to Mike Brown, before racing up the pitch and getting himself involved in the midfield on second phase to strike through the heart of the Newcastle defence. The wing also set up Jack Clifford’s try with a nice step inside, creating space for the flanker, and then delivering a pinpoint offload.
https://twitter.com/Harlequins/status/1081855939039412224
- George Ford, Leicester Tigers (71)
One telegraphed pass and intercept aside, Ford was in excellent form at Welford Road, pulling the strings on a much-needed bonus point win for Leicester. He was on the same wavelength as Toomua and Manu Tuilagi throughout the game and with those threats holding the defence outside him, he was unafraid to take off on his own and gouge the Gloucester defence as a runner. It was just reward for the work he had done creating opportunities for others that he was the man to go over the try that sealed the bonus point.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1081845460229332992
- Faf de Klerk, Sale Sharks (76)
Ben Youngs came close to completing an all-Leicester half-back combination, whilst Cobus Reinach was also in the mix, but de Klerk was pivotal in Sale’s upsetting of Saracens at the AJ Bell. He wasn’t his usual effervescent self with ball in hand and that wasn’t surprising, given the tightness of the contest, but some of the defensive reads he made were momentum-shifting, and potentially even game-changing. He stopped a number of Saracens attacks dead with his opportunistic shooting out of the line and he certainly gave the north Londoners a taste of their own defensive medicine.
- Joe Marler, Harlequins (67)
A nod to Ellis Genge, who had a good game at Welford Road, but Marler turned in an equally strong showing up at Kingston Park. His strong work at the set-piece helped give Harlequins a solid foundation from which to launch their dangerous back line, whilst he put in the work in the loose, too, keeping his side resolute around the fringes in defence.
- Max Crumpton, Harlequins (56)
It is no coincidence that Quins’ long-term lineout issues look lessened when Crumpton is on the pitch. The former Bristol Bears hooker was again in fine form at the set-piece on Saturday and even came up with a try on a neat move at an early lineout, throwing short to Alex Dombrandt and then receiving the ball back after the back rower had broken the first line of defence. He’s not a ‘star’ name, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more influential player this season than Crumpton.
- WillGriff John, Sale Sharks (72)
The big tighthead definitely enjoyed his tussle with Mako Vunipola on Friday night and, at the set-piece at the least, got the better of the battle. The Sale scrum had the ascendancy and John’s strong, square engagement had a significant role to play in that. He kept himself busy in the loose, too, making a couple of big tackles around the fringes that helped deny the visitors the usual front-foot ball they can generate on the pick and go.
- Mike Fitzgerald, Leicester Tigers (64)
It was a very compelling match-up between Fitzgerald and Gerbrandt Grobler at Welford Road and whilst Grobler broke off some eye-catching carries, it was arguably Fitzgerald’s performance which played a larger role in deciding the match. The Kiwi lock was tireless in defence and seemed always to be on hand to deal with the likes of Grobler, Ben Morgan and Gloucester’s other power carriers. If Leicester bended defensively without breaking, Fitzgerald was that man bringing the resolute stopping power inside the Tigers’ half.
- Jonny Hill, Exeter Chiefs (87)
The return of Hill is a welcome one for Exeter, who have missed his powerful carrying and lineout ability over the last month. He performed both of those roles very well against Bristol, who arguably shaded the physicality and set-piece battles overall. Hill just kept things ticking over smoothly for Exeter, when there was a real threat of them becoming flustered from the aggressiveness of Bristol’s defence.
- Freddie Clarke, Gloucester (72)
Unlucky to be on the losing side, Clarke came out of Gloucester’s match against Leicester with real credit. He was a threat as a carrier, targeting the space and keeping phases alive, linked up play well and was effective in defence, both with his line-speed and his ability to drive ball-carriers backwards. He could not have done much more to throw his name into the mix with Jake Polledri, Jaco Kriel and Ruan Ackermann, when all three are fit.
- Tom Curry, Sale Sharks (68)
Curry was a force at the breakdown on Friday night and it was his play, as much as anyone else’s, that got Saracens out of their comfort zone. He slowed down ball at the breakdown and denied the reigning champions the quick ball that they thrive off in attack. Equally, his presence meant that Saracens had to commit numbers to the contact area, something which they usually don’t need to do and thus tend to benefit from having a larger number of players on their feet and ready to contribute in the loose, both in attack and defence. He measured at a 90 on jackal and an 85 on tackle turnover on the RPI this week.
As good as Curry’s performance was, Wasps’ Thomas Young also deserves an honourable mention for his individual excellence at the Ricoh against Northampton.
- Zach Mercer, Bath (67)
There could be no qualms if this spot were to go to Dombrandt, who was excellent once again, but the job Mercer did in a pack that were struggling get front-foot ball, was exceptional. Worcester’s defence close to the ruck was effective all game and it seemed as though Mercer was the only player capable of unlocking it. He carried for over seven times as many metres as the other seven starting Bath forwards combined and clocked up 22 carries compared to their 23 combined as unit, in an incredibly hard-working performance.
Raw power from @Mercer8Zach ?
The No. 8 crashed over for @bathrugby in the dramatic match with @WorcsWarriors, was that the most tense conclusion of the season?
Watch all the #GallagherPrem highlights on Monday at 7pm on @channel5_tv ? pic.twitter.com/SFCoMSxpYU
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) January 6, 2019
Watch: Rugby World Cup city guide: Oita
Comments on RugbyPass
Good to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
17 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
17 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
7 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
7 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
17 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
17 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
7 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
17 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
17 Go to comments