Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 9
The Gallagher Premiership signed off for the upcoming European window in fine fashion, with Round 9 of the competition offering up some eye-catching results.
Harlequins kicked it off by ending Exeter’s unbeaten start to the domestic season, with a 28-26 win at the Stoop, whilst Bristol Bears reaffirmed their ability to cut it at this level, beating Leicester Tigers 41-10 at Ashton Gate.
We have rounded up the top performers across the weekend’s action.
- Mike Brown, Harlequins (RPI – 67)
It’s a mark of the level of Brown’s performance that he sees off fierce competition from Charles Piutau and Jason Woodward here. The full-back was rock-solid under the high and contested balls, brought incision in the back line and on counter-attacks, with his straightening of the line, and made multiple broken field one-on-one tackles, one of which was a certain try-saver.
- Luke Morahan, Bristol Bears (RPI – 54)
The Australian has been one of the most consistent performers at Ashton Gate this season and maintained that rich vein of form against Leicester. He definitely won his duel with Jonny May, grabbed a deserved try and was inches away from latching onto a kick and finishing another. His industry chasing kicks also regularly goes unnoticed.
- Will Hurrell, Bristol Bears (RPI – 56)
Flashes from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant caught the eye, but it was Hurrell that arguably turned in the most complete performance at 13 this weekend. His decision-making at outside centre was excellent, gauging well when to straighten the line and when to involve Morahan and Alapati Leiua. His handling on the gain-line, just prior to and after contact, was also very impressive.
- Francis Saili, Harlequins (RPI – 62)
An insightful glimpse into what Saili could offer this Quins side, if he can stay fit. The former All Black was punching holes in the Exeter defensive line all evening, showed good awareness and ability to free his hands after contact, and a solid array of passing brought the threats of Brown, Nathan Earle and Gabriel Ibitoye into the game.
https://twitter.com/premrugby/status/1068784414241538049
- Ollie Thorley, Gloucester (RPI – 68)
This spot could easily have gone to Earle, with both he and Thorley picking up braces of tries this weekend, but the edge goes to the Gloucesterman, just because of the little bit more he had to do for his two tries and the work he did off of his wing, creating space and opportunities for other players. The 22-year-old is arguably the form wing in the Premiership at the moment and his tormenting of Worcester Warriors was a testament to that accolade.
- Ian Madigan, Bristol Bears (RPI – 58)
The Irishman delivered an extremely composed display at Ashton Gate, guiding Bristol around the pitch with aplomb and rarely putting a foot wrong in his decision-making. Leicester may have been reduced to 14 men for much of the contest, but that shouldn’t detract – too much – from the measured passing, darting runs and clinical boot of Madigan, that handed him a haul of 21 points.
- Cobus Reinach, Northampton Saints (RPI – 64)
A couple of tries and an aggressive tempo from the scrum-half put Northampton into a commanding position against Newcastle Falcons. He did fade out of the game a little in the second half, losing some of his control, but the first 40 was so effective it had put Northampton into a winning position in the game, despite their inability to see it out in the final minutes.
- Joe Marler, Harlequins (RPI – 68)
Marler embraced the battle with Greg Holmes that injury denied him the opportunity of taking part in on the 2016 England tour of Australia and he came out well. His ball-placement on his carries close to the ruck helped Quins deliver the quick ball they needed to test the formidable Exeter defence.
- Harry Thacker, Bristol Bears (RPI – 59)
Jack Yeandle was impressive at the Stoop on Friday night, but there was no denying Thacker, who followed up his hat-trick off the bench last week with a brace of tries in his start against Leicester. In addition to being a threatening and composed operator with ball in hand, Thacker was extremely accurate at the lineout and the Bristol set-piece boasted a significant advantage over their rivals from the East Midlands.
- Nic Schonert, Worcester Warriors (RPI – 64)
Worcester were under the pump for much of the second half against Gloucester, but the visitors at Kingsholm had a solid first 40, with Schonert one of the more noteworthy operators. He was key in repelling several threatening Gloucester attacks.
- Maro Itoje, Saracens (RPI – 92)
The lock looked as if he’d never been away on Saturday, almost single-handedly wrecking the Wasps lineout at Allianz Park. He carried strongly, too, and brought his customary line-speed in defence that regularly had the visitor’s attack stymied. He showed no signs of fatigue after a busy November with England.
- Ed Slater, Gloucester (RPI – 74)
A strong showing from Slater, who kept Gloucester’s lineout ticking along in efficient fashion, as well as providing a powerful carrying presence on the pick and go and as a receiver close to the ruck. His mobility for a tight five forward, to get around the pitch and influence the contact area battle, was also very noticeable.
- Alex Dombrandt, Harlequins (RPI – 63)
The former Cardiff Met and Wales U20 man continued the scintillating start to his Premiership career on Friday evening, giving Exeter a taste of their own medicine with a dynamic power game. The flanker was a force with ball in hand that Exeter had no answer for and he even led Quins in tackles, many of which were textbook, aggressive one-on-one hits on or behind the gain-line. An extremely worthy man of the match-winner at the Stoop.
A mention, too, for Steven Luatua’s heroics in Bristol’s 41-10 victory over Leicester.
- Jaco Kriel, Gloucester (RPI – 82)
Jack Clifford is narrowly denied a spot that would have completed an all-Harlequins back row by the South African fetcher, who is looking every bit as comfortable in the Premiership as he was in Super Rugby. His selective involvement defensively is helping Gloucester prosper with their high-octane, counter-punching style as he bolsters their transition game, whilst he is a dangerous runner, complementing the more physical, direct carriers elsewhere in Gloucester’s back row.
- James Chisholm, Harlequins (RPI – 58)
Chisholm is not only bearing the burden of captaincy well at Quins, he is seemingly flourishing under the increased expectations. He delivered another colossal performance on Friday night, keeping Quins moving forward against a solid and resolute Exeter defence, as well as showing ruthless efficiency at the contact area against adept operators like Dave Ewers and Don Armand. Eddie Jones’ door isn’t just being knocked on, it’s being hammered down.
Watch: The latest episode of The Short Ball, with Scotty, Mils and Ali Williams.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 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)
4 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?
5 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.
6 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.
22 Go to comments