Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 6
The Gallagher Premiership called time on its first block of fixtures of the season this past weekend, as all 12 teams now turn their attention to European competition for the next two weeks.
A Danny Cipriani-led Gloucester pulled off a very impressive 35-21 victory over Wasps at the Ricoh, as the fly-half made his former team pay for letting him go, whilst Leicester Tigers took the spoils in the East Midlands derby at Twickenham, beating Northampton Saints, 23-15. Elsewhere, Worcester Warriors were rampant at Sixways, beating Bristol Bears, 45-7, adding further excitement to the relegation battle that will play out in the Premiership this season.
As ever, we have rounded up the top performers in the competition from the past three days, but do you agree with our calls?
- Jonah Holmes, Leicester Tigers
The full-back excelled with his decision-making and execution in challenging conditions at Twickenham. He set up both of Leicester’s tries with good counter-attacking play and did not look at all fazed by the rain and wind at HQ, competently passing, offloading and dealing with high balls, whilst others struggled to keep hold of the pill.
- Charlie Sharples, Gloucester
Sharples was fizzing at the Ricoh and was fair value for the two tries he picked up. Running back inside against the grain, Wasps struggled to pick up the veteran wing defensively, whose footwork and eye for a gap were key in the Cherry and Whites picking up the away win over their playoff rivals.
A try-scoring performance from Bryce Heem for Worcester is also worthy of mention, with the Kiwi enjoying a productive afternoon against Alapati Leiua.
- Elliot Daly, Wasps
Daly was the standout player in an out of sorts performance from Wasps. His positional kicking was precise, he threatened with the ball in hand and his ability to move through the gears was difficult for Gloucester to contain. Gloucester had a stranglehold on possession and field position for much of the game, but Daly shone in the limited opportunities that Wasps got.
A mention, too, for Worcester’s Francois Venter, with the outside centre showing off his defensive instincts in a rampant win for his side against Bristol.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1048856786730713090
- Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Sale Sharks
Nods to Kyle Eastmond, Ryan Mills and Alex Lozowski, but the South African was pivotal for Sale at the AJ Bell. His direct carrying gave Sale better penetration than they’ve had for most of the season so far and his ability to draw in defenders to the tackle area let the Sharks thrive in subsequent phases. He wasn’t a one-dimensional sledgehammer, either, with his pace, footwork and offloading also impressive against the Falcons.
- Santiago Cordero, Exeter Chiefs
Cordero’s ability to make the first one or two chasing players miss continues to be vital to Exeter in this young season. His counter-attacking allowed Exeter to exert a territorial advantage, particularly in the second half, and with Jack Nowell lined up opposite him, it was a case of Bath having to pick their poison when kicking the ball away to the visitors at the Rec.
- Danny Cipriani, Gloucester
A fitting performance to celebrate winning the Premiership Player of the Month award for September, the fly-half was in complete control at his old stomping ground. Cipriani’s play on the gain-line was ruthless as usual, ghosting towards holes on multiple occasions, only to make a pinpoint pass and send a runner free, having drawn defenders inside to him. He also created Ben Vellacott’s try with a perfectly weighted kick inside off his left foot, whilst running at full-tilt.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1048839663631454209
- Francois Hougaard, Worcester Warriors
Hougaard was extremely sharp at Sixways and the Worcester attack flowed around him in a relentless first half. His quick tempo, accurate distribution and proclivity to keep phases alive, Hougaard was an energy that Bristol just could not deal with defensively. In a more even second half, he stood out with his defensive work and an efficient kicking game, which saw Worcester survive multiple Bristol forays into their 22, maintaining the large margin of victory they built in the first half.
- Ben Moon, Exeter Chiefs
The game at the Rec on Friday night played host to perhaps the two best pure scrummaging looseheads in the Premiership, and it was Moon that came out of the contest with his stock boosted the most. He had a lot of joy at the set-piece against Henry Thomas and though he didn’t need to get through a mountain of work in the loose, he provided his side with a solid platform when Bath had threatened to head into a potentially significant lead early in the game.
- Jamie George, Saracens
Another flawless performance at the lineout, as well as proving to be a creative threat in loose play. George didn’t run Quins ragged, which is partly due to their efficient defensive display, but he was frequently looking for space to run into it and mixed it up well with some strong carries in the tight, keeping Quins honest around the breakdown.
An honourable mention goes to George’s opposite number, Max Crumpton, who turned in a strong display of his own.
- Joe Heyes, Leicester Tigers
The man Heyes replaced in the 73rd minute, Dan Cole, also showed up well at Twickenham, but it’s a mark of the seven-minute spell Heyes put in that he warrants mention here. The 19-year-old crumpled the Northampton scrum on three occasions after coming on, as well as tidying up loose ball, with the game still in the balance. There are tightheads who did more this past weekend, but none who operated as effectively as Heyes, albeit in a short cameo.
- David Ribbans, Northampton Saints
Ribbans fronted up physically at Twickenham and though his side slipped to defeat, he was a thorn in Leicester’s side throughout. He carried strongly around the fringes, tackled powerfully and frequently, and was a disruptive force defensively at the mauls.
- Gerbrandt Grobler, Gloucester
An all-South African engine room, with Grobler continuing to make his mark down at Kingsholm. It was a performance not too different to the one Ribbans put in, with Grobler’s impressive physicality key to Gloucester picking up the win at the Ricoh. His carrying found soft spots in Wasps’ fringe defence and he was a brick wall on the gain-line defensively.
- Marco Mama, Worcester Warriors
Mama was a spark plug for Worcester at Sixways. He danced his way to a try with some exceptional footwork, caused all kinds of problems for Bristol at the contact area and carried and tackled strongly throughout the game. Zach Mercer was also in fine form for Bath, but Mama just edged him out, such was his contribution in Worcester’s heavy win.
- Chris Robshaw, Harlequins
A mention for the impressive Tom Curry up at the AJ Bell, but it is Curry’s international teammate who stole the show at the position this week.
Not only was Robshaw tireless in defence, something which we have all come to expect from him, he was frequently making tackles on the gain-line that were throwing Saracens’ ball-carriers back, denying the likes of Mako Vunipola, Will Skelton and George Kruis the front-foot ball they usually thrive on providing around the fringes. His 30 tackles were tied for the most in the match and given that very few of them were passive tackles, the fact he missed none over 80 minutes is quite the achievement.
- Billy Vunipola, Saracens
It was a gargantuan performance from the bullocking N8, who was frequently Saracens’ go-to man to carry off of nine. He clocked up a quite extraordinary 28 carries against Quins, the last of which saw him cross the try-line for a much-deserved score. He was clean dealing with the high balls, too, and despite all of his recent injury struggles, looked in top physical condition at the Stoop.
In other news: World Cup-winner Mike Tindall picks his preferred England midfield ahead of the autumn internationals.
Comments on RugbyPass
True Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
21 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
21 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
21 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
21 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
21 Go to comments