Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 15
Newcastle Falcons stole the headlines in Round 15 of the Gallagher Premiership, as they beat Worcester Warriors in a must-win relegation battle at Kingston Park. That win pulls them closer to Worcester, with a deficit now of just five points.
Elsewhere, Bristol Bears did their chances of avoiding relegation a world of good by beating playoff-chasing Gloucester, 28-24, at Ashton Gate, whilst Harlequins entrenched themselves into third with a dramatic 31-29 victory over Bath at the Rec.
We have rounded up the top 15 performers from a pulsating weekend of rugby below.
Charles Piutau and Max Malins were close, but Cordero just edges ahead of them in a typically incisive performance from the full-back. An excellent inside offload created Ollie Devoto’s early score and a clever basketball pass over the top did the same for Sean Lonsdale late in the game. His positioning in the back field was also strong and there was little space for Sale to exploit with their kicking options.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1102139182930108416
The wing was in lethal form against Leicester on Saturday, picking up a brace with two displays of raw speed and refined footwork. His second try was scored from deep within in his own half, as he ran a kick back by slaloming through the Leicester defence and twice stepping off his left foot to leave defenders grasping at thin air. His threat on the outside also seemed to bring the best out of Willie le Roux in the South African’s playmaker role, too.
- Joe Marchant, Harlequins
Marchant was electric on Saturday, grabbing two tries and setting up Alex Dombrandt for the back rower’s score. The first try was a showcase of his speed, whilst the second demonstrated his deceptive power in the contact, but both were marks of his rugby intelligence and ability to read the game and be exactly where he needed to be.
A mention, too, for Nick Tompkins. The Saracen was in similarly devastating form, but only one player can make the XV and Marchant just gets the edge with the 19 points he directly scored or created proving decisive in a two-point win for Quins.
A third appearance in as many weeks for Hutchinson, who helped spark a mini-comeback for Saints at Allianz Park. He moved inside to 12 after starring at 13 in recent weeks, as well as taking on goal-kicking duties when James Grayson pulled up in the pre-match warm-up. He continues to distribute very effectively on the gain-line, but also behind it, when the opportunities to move the ball wide with tempo show themselves.
- Ollie Thorley, Gloucester
A valiant effort in defeat from Thorley, who was a constant threat for Gloucester against Bristol. His try epitomised his work rate, with the wing pouncing on a loose ball, whilst his ability to make defenders miss saw him help Gloucester turn deeps kick into their half into positive gains and territorial advantages. He shaded it on overall impact from Sean Maitland, but the Scotland international deserves praise for his two tries.
The fly-half accounted for all 19 of Leicester’s points in their win over Wasps, one which critically gives them some fresh breathing room from the relegation battle. Ford was accurate from the tee, kicking 14 of the 19 points at an accuracy rate of 100%, whilst he showed good awareness and footwork to step back inside the rushing defence and cross the whitewash for Tigers’ sole try of the game.
This was close to a coin toss with Toby Flood, who was similarly pivotal in Newcastle’s much-needed win over Worcester.
- Andy Uren, Bristol Bears
Uren was in lively form at Ashton Gate, finding gaps in the Gloucester defence and pushing the tempo that Bristol love to play at. His second half try helped establish a lead that Gloucester had their work cut out reeling in and his work with ball in hand as a carrier helped negate the Cherry and White’s impressive line-speed.
- Facundo Gigena, Leicester Tigers
A second strong scrummaging display from Gigena in as many weeks and if he can start to add more to his game in the loose, he could begin to cause Premiership directors of rugby plenty of sleepless nights. He went very well against Will Stuart at the set-piece and was solid securing Leicester ball at the contact area. In a low-scoring and tight affair like the one at Welford Road on Saturday, his influence was strongly felt.
The 24-year-old has found a second wave to his professional career at Saracens and was flawless with his set-piece work at Allianz Park on Saturday. That set-piece work gave his side a solid foundation to build upon, whilst he also stepped up as a carrying option close to the ruck, tying in defenders and creating space for Saracens in subsequent phases.
- Greg Holmes, Exeter Chiefs
The veteran Australian filled in admirably for Harry Williams and Tomas Francis, with the pair missing due to international obligations. Holmes spearheaded a strong Exeter scrum in the north-west, as he, Jack Yeandle and Alec Hepburn exerted pressure on the Sale unit. As with Gigena, in a hard-fought, close-scoring game like this one, it was a decisive factor in deciding the contest.
- Will Skelton, Saracens
Back-to-back Aussies here, with Skelton bringing his power game to the fore on Saturday afternoon. Northampton struggled to contain him as a ball-carrier, with the lock frequently able to get two or three metres per carry and allow Saracens to run forward onto the ball. He continues to show the impressive conditioning that was once considered the weakness of his game.
- Chris Vui, Bristol Bears
Nick Isiekwe’s ability to target the Northampton lineout was a big part of Saracens’ success, but it’s impossible to leave out Vui, who emptied the tank for Bristol on Friday night. The Samoa captain was excellent at Ashton Gate, repeatedly repelling Gloucester attacks as his side ceded significant possession advantages to the Cherry and Whites. His efficiency and power in the tackle was exemplary and his handling was also on show, helping Bristol move the ball and attempt to turn the corner against the Gloucester defence.
Nods here for Steven Luatua and Ashley Johnson, who were effective in their respective games. That said, the work rate of Ross was exceptional on Saturday and is backed up by his 35 combined tackles and carries at the AJ Bell Stadium. To put some context on that, he was making the hard yards around the contact area, as well as stopping ball-carriers dead with his tackling. Combined with another healthy display at the breakdown, it makes this one of the more impressive ‘gritty’ performances of the season.
- Dan Thomas, Bristol Bears
The openside flanker showed his class against Gloucester, grabbing an early try, as well as going on to have a decisive influence as a tackler and jackal. He was busy in attack, too, working as a carrier and a link man, before injury forced him from the field late in the second half. It was a performance that should have him mixing it with George Smith and Jack Lam for the remainder of the season.
Ben Earl, Lewis Ludlam and Ben Curry are all also due praise, in what was a very promising weekend for young English opensides.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1101927552904511488
- Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins
An excellent showing from Dombrandt, who not only dominated the gain-line in both attack and defence as he usually does, but also demonstrated a more incisive edge to his game. He pounced on a Bath turnover and kicked through for Marchant’s first try of the game, whilst he was later the lead man in support of another Marchant break and was on hand to take the inside ball and grab a try of his own.
Both Zach Mercer and Ben Morgan are due credit for their performances, and both were unlucky to be on losing sides this weekend.
Watch: The Rugby Pod discuss England’s performance in Wales in the Guinness Six Nations
Comments on RugbyPass
Wow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
1 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
1 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
16 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
16 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
4 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
16 Go to comments