Gallagher Premiership XV of the Week - Round 1
The Gallagher Premiership returned with a bang for the 2018/19 season this weekend, with Bristol Bears’ 17-10 victory over fierce rivals Bath stealing the headlines.
Relegation rivals Worcester Warriors almost joined them in wrapping up four opening weekend points, only for Wasps to steal a narrow one-point victory at Sixways, whilst Harlequins dispelled plenty of notions of a troubling season, as they put over 50 points on Sale Sharks at the Stoop.
We have rounded up our pick of the performers from the opening round of fixtures below.
- Aaron Morris, Harlequins
Potentially a surprise inclusion at 15 over Mike Brown, who was shunted to the wing, but Morris repaid the faith shown in him from Paul Gustard with a polished performance in the season opener. He linked up well with former Saracens and England U20 teammate Nathan Earle and the full-back’s inclusion added another comfortable ball-handler and playmaker to the Quins back line.
- Luke Morahan, Bristol Bears
A fine debut Premiership performance for the former Wallaby, who was a constant threat for Bristol on Friday night. His work rate was excellent, popping up in the midfield and identifying mismatches multiple times, and he showcased speed that will give opposition sides plenty of sleepless nights this season.
- Alex Lozowski, Saracens
The former fly-half looked increasingly comfortable in the midfield last season and he reinforced his international credentials as a centre with a fine showing at Kingston Park. A couple of big breaks in the first half led to scores for Jamie George and Alex Lewington and he continued that form into the second half, repeatedly finding space in the Newcastle defensive line.
- Ben Tapuai, Harlequins
A brace of tries at the Stoop is not a bad way to go about ingratiating yourself to your new supporters. The Australian’s footwork before contact was particularly impressive and saw him make a number of defenders miss, most notably so in the phases when Quins were camped down near Sale’s try line and they were trying to unlock the defence.
- Santiago Cordero, Exeter Chiefs
A midseason recruit in 2017/18, Cordero had his hands full acclimatising to a new environment at the end of last season, something which he looks to have done successfully this summer. He was in electric form against Leicester on Saturday, consistently scything his way through their defence with his footwork and pace.
- Marcus Smith, Harlequins
It’s tough on Danny Cipriani to miss him out, as he put in a man of the match-winning performance on his Gloucester debut, but unfortunately for him, Smith stole the show later that afternoon. The 19-year-old fly-half showed no signs of a sophomore slump as he masterfully guided the Harlequins back line against Sale Sharks, also accounting for 26 points in the process.
- Francois Hougaard, Worcester Warriors
Hougaard looked lively against Wasps and it’s clear that his recent comments about being in great shape, having enjoyed his first proper offseason in years, were not unjustified. He kept Wasps honest around the fringes and put in his side into excellent attacking positions with an efficient kicking game from hand.
- Val Rapava Ruskin, Gloucester
A really strong all-round performance from Ruskin that impressed as much at the set-piece as it did in the loose with ball in hand. His scrummaging helped lay a foundation for Gloucester and his carries in the loose kept his side moving forward and enabled the back line to shine.
- Jamie George, Saracens
Quickly shook off the disappointment of missing his first lineout throw and provided a solid foundation from that point until his subbing in the 51st minute. George was his usual busy self away from the set-piece, too, including a highlight reel gather from a low David Strettle offload in the wide channels, that ultimately saw the hooker crash over for Saracens’ opening try. A late return to the field also see the hooker make a big break, which set up the try that sealed the game.
- Will Stuart, Wasps
A player that has been waiting in the wings for too long, Stuart impressed in his first start of the season, particularly with his power in the carry. Callum Black gave him a stern test in the scrum, a contest which swung both ways over the course of the game, but he kept Wasps moving forward, adding a threat in the loose that Wasps lacked at tighthead last season.
- Joe Launchbury, Wasps
A traditionally tireless and self-sacrificing outing from Launchbury, who looks in midseason form already. Worked his socks off in several key defensive stands by Wasps, who looked on the ropes early on against Worcester, and kept his side in it until they were in a position to strike back and steal a narrow win.
- Chris Vui, Bristol Bears
Vui was one of Bristol’s main sources of front-foot ball and the Samoan lock showed that what the club may lack in grunt and size in the engine room, they more than make up for in dynamic ball-carrying ability. Although not mentioned alongside the Piutaus, Luatuas and Madigans, Vui is another player who will be vital to Bristol’s chances of avoiding the drop this season.
- Steven Luatua, Bristol Bears
There were few opportunities for Luatua to show off his impressive carrying but he did put on a clinic with his tackling, both with his technique and the power of his hits, as well as playing a significant role at the lineout and as captain. He repeatedly stopped Bath’s power-carriers in their tracks.
- Matt Kvesic, Exeter Chiefs
With the transition of Julian Salvi from player to defence coach at the club, is this a new era for the Exeter back-row? Not usually among the preferred trio of back-rowers last season, Kvesic got his 2018/19 season off to a flier on Saturday, carrying with menace, securing quick ball for his side and, of course, proving a thorn in Leicester’s side at plenty of defensive rucks.
- Sam Simmonds, Exeter Chiefs
Alongside Kvesic, the performance of Simmonds certainly does make this feel like a new era for the Exeter back-row, following the departure and retirement of Thomas Waldrom and Salvi respectively. Simmonds picked up from where he left off last season, adding a mobility and dynamism in the back-row that Leicester had no answer for.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to comments