Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 5
Saracens’ run of bonus point wins to start the season continued unabated in Round 5, as they dispatched Bath 50-27 at Allianz Park in a ruthless display of clinical attacking rugby.
Other notable results included Newcastle Falcons slipping to a third-straight home defeat, as Wasps snuck a narrow one-point win at Kingston Park, and Harlequins ending their away day woes, beating Gloucester 27-25 at Kingsholm.
Read on for our pick of the performers from a busy weekend of Gallagher Premiership action.
- Alex Goode, Saracens
The performance of the weekend, without a shadow of a doubt. Goode was lethal on the counter-attack against Bath and every time he got his hands on the ball, he seemed to make a break through the Bath defence. He teed up three tries for his teammates and crossed for one of his own, as well as covering the backfield well in defence. The only blemish on his game came when he kicked through for what would have been his second try, only to narrowly knock-on as he tried to regather the ball over the try-line.
- Nathan Earle, Harlequins
Earle was busy at Kingsholm, looking for plenty of work off of his wing, in addition to being the finisher in the wide channels that Quins need him to be. He bagged a brace as the Londoners snuck a narrow win, running in two long distance tries, the first of which was an opportunistic swoop on a Gloucester mistake, and the second finishing off a Joe Marchant break.
Liam Williams continued his impressive start to the season, securing himself a hat-trick at Allianz Park, as he feasted on the attacking masterclass put on by Goode.
- Will Hurrell, Bristol Bears
A robust performance from the former Leicester Tiger, who barrelled his way through the Northampton defence for two tries, as well as setting up Alapati Leiua for his late score, which won Bristol their second bonus point of the day. He consistently managed to find gaps or weak inside shoulders in the midfield and was unlucky to be on the losing side at Ashton Gate.
- Johnny Williams, Newcastle Falcons
A second strong showing from Williams in as many weeks, with the former London Irish man scooting over for two tries against Wasps and continuing to tie in defenders with his dual-threat as a runner and a distributor. It’s still early days in a Falcons jersey, but Williams looks as if he could provide the best of both worlds between Juan Pablo Socino and Maxime Mermoz, both of whom left the club in the summer.
- Sinoti Sinoti, Newcastle Falcons
The Samoan was particularly difficult to bring down at Kingston Park on Friday night, where he showcased his footwork and power to devastating effect against Wasps. He didn’t manage to cross the try-line himself, but his breaks brought big gains for Newcastle, as well as one unleashing Mark Wilson for his try in the first half.
That step 👀🔥
A brilliant try for @FalconsRugby made by the lightning-fast feet of @notz09 ⚡️
Catch all the highlights on Monday on @channel5_tv 📺 #GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/yKFuWBJkjY
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) September 29, 2018
Taqele Naiyaravoro also impressed on the left wing, turning in a performance that will have Northampton fans salivating for more.
- Owen Farrell, Saracens
Guided Saracens around the Allianz Park pitch with aplomb and dissected the Bath defence with consummate skill. There were times when the game seemed to be going in slow-motion for Farrell, who sent runner after runner through holes in the Bath defence, as well as taking the odd gap himself, before turning playmaker at the second level.
- Cobus Reinach, Northampton Saints
A strong show of decision-making from the South African, who imposed a tempo on Northampton that the East Midlanders thrived on. Bristol’s attacking game may be built around tempo, too, but their defence struggled to stay organised with Reinach orchestrating things from half-back and it minimised the effectiveness of their usually impressive back-row trio.
- Joe Marler, Harlequins
Just days after announcing his international retirement, Marler looked rejuvenated for his club side. Maybe it was a burden lifted from his shoulders or maybe it was just a good game, but the loosehead was powerful and dynamic in the loose, effective at the contact area and squared off well against Fraser Balmain in the scrum.
- Harry Thacker, Bristol Bears
A flawless set-piece display from Jamie George came close but didn’t quite match the influence Thacker had in his game. The mobile hooker ran in a try after a John Afoa break and proved hard to contain for Northampton, as he repeatedly broke the line and kept phases alive with accurate offloading.
- Titi Lamositele, Saracens
With Vincent Koch and Juan Figallo unavailable, Lamositele really stepped up to the plate for Saracens. Apart from one troublesome early scrum, he dealt well with Jacques van Rooyen, whilst he was also busy in the loose, providing solid defence around the fringes and carrying strongly. He set up Williams for one of his three tries and was unlucky not to add to the scoresheet himself, when his try was ruled out due to crossing by Brad Barritt.
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Watch: The Rugby Pod discuss how players deal with retirement.
- Will Rowlands, Wasps
One of Rowlands’ best games in a Wasps jersey, with a dominant carrying performance befitting a man of his size. His teammates did an excellent job of putting him in the right spots, but the lock still had to run the lines and break the tackles himself. He made several important one-on-one tackles in Wasps’ multiple second half defensive stands, too.
- Jonny Hill, Exeter Chiefs
A typically reliable and polished showing from Hill, who contributed effectively at the set-piece and in the loose in equal measure. The lock softened up Worcester around the fringes with his carrying and kept the lineout ticking over well at Sandy Park. He also dominated the collision in a number of tackles on Worcester’s forwards.
- Dave Ewers, Exeter Chiefs
A timely reminder of what Ewers can bring to a game when he is fully fit, as the Zimbabwean grabbed two tries at Sandy Park and proved a colossus in defence. The blindside owned the gain-line on Saturday, both with and without the ball, and he brought front-foot ball for Exeter, as well as denying Worcester Warriors the same luxury.
- Lewis Ludlam, Northampton Saints
A mention for Chris Robshaw, who was impressive at Kingsholm, but Ludlam sneaks in ahead of him for his second appearance in this XV in as many weeks. The openside was again impressive at the breakdown and with ball in hand, showing that whilst he may not have the reputation or experience of some his back-row colleagues, he brings just as much impact on the pitch.
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- Mark Wilson, Newcastle Falcons
The change of number on his back has done nothing to change the workhorse nature and reliability of Wilson’s performances for Newcastle. He ran himself into the ground in defence, repelling Wasps’ carriers, as well as carrying with purpose. He showed good mobility, too, to keep up with Sinoti and be on hand to take the Samoan’s offload and canter over the try-line.
In other news: Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie discusses his international ambitions.
Comments on RugbyPass
Havili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
7 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
7 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
7 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
61 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
61 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to comments