Aviva Premiership XV of 2017/18
It won’t go down as a blockbuster year in Premiership rugby history, with only Saracens qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Champions Cup and Gloucester English rugby’s sole representative in Bilbao this coming weekend, but it hasn’t been all doom and gloom in the competition this season.
A number of individuals have stood out, with some bursting on to the scene at club level, whilst others have gone on to debut in international rugby, such have been their performances at this level.
With the regular season now done and dusted, we have put together a XV of the most impressive players in the Premiership this season.
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- Willie le Roux, Wasps
The South African full-back is tailormade for the Wasps back line. You could be forgiven for losing count of the amount of times this season that le Roux has popped up inside Christian Wade, Elliot Daly or Josh Bassett, drawn the last man and then played a simple, precise pass to put the speedsters in for tries. Facilitator, finisher and fielder, le Roux has been sublime in Wasps’ backfield.
Honourable Mentions – Telusa Veainu, Alex Goode
- Vereniki Goneva, Newcastle Falcons
The Alan Shearer celebration at St James’ Park was one of the moments of the season, but it was a campaign full of highs for the Fijian wing, who finished the regular season with 13 tries, enough to put him joint top of the try scoring chart. Despite turning 34 last month, there still seems to be plenty of gas left in the tank.
Honourable Mentions – Christian Wade, Matt Banahan
- Henry Trinder, Gloucester
It has just been a joy to see Trinder back out on the pitch and injury-free and he quickly showed us all what we’d been missing in recent seasons. There’s a case to be made that Trinder runs the most incisive lines in English rugby, whilst he certainly doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities, either. He’d be a valuable addition to the England squad out in South Africa next month.
Honourable Mentions – Rob Horne, Joe Marchant
- Brad Barritt, Saracens
If Trinder is the knife in this XV, Barritt is the hammer. We’re all guilty, from time to time, of looking at playmaking 12s and thinking that’s the only way, but Barritt delivers so much and makes plays in other ways. He softened opposition up for Saracens this season, spearheaded the line in defence and led them with a composure and leadership that make him in the prototype captain.
Honourable Mentions – Jackson Willison, Matt Toomua
- Josh Adams, Worcester Warriors
Adams partners Goneva on the wing, just as he did atop to the try scoring charts this season. The last nine months have been a coming out party for the Welshman and Worcester now face an unenviable battle to keep him away from the WRU and any one of the Welsh regions, all of whom would love to add him to their ranks in the coming seasons.
Honourable Mentions – Olly Woodburn, Marland Yarde
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- Owen Farrell, Saracens
Even with international obligations and a couple of minor injuries, Farrell still takes this spot with a bit of comfort, such is his impact and all-round game. He plays at 12 for England because George Ford is a good fly-half and Farrell is the best 12 in the country, but he is also the best 10 in the country and that’s probably a conversation Eddie Jones and his coaching staff need to have this summer.
Honourable Mentions – Marcus Smith, Danny Cipriani
- Faf de Klerk, Sale Sharks
It’s fair to say that de Klerk has had a Francois Hougaard-like influence on Sale. Hougaard was the spark that saved Worcester from relegation last season and whilst Sale weren’t in similarly dire straits this season, de Klerk has helped them lift their game and is capable of the moments of individual magic that can change a match in an instant.
Honourable Mentions – Dan Robson, Sonatane Takulua
- Ellis Genge, Leicester Tigers
Stone Genge. If there’s a more exciting front-row forward in the loose, we’re yet to see him. The most impressive thing about Genge this season, though, has been the improvements he’s made at the set-piece and with his discipline, two areas you may have flagged up as concerning in previous years. He is now very close to being the complete prop.
Honourable Mentions – Ross Harrison, Beno Obano
- Luke Cowan-Dickie, Exeter Chiefs
If Jones is picking on form this summer, Cowan-Dickie should have first crack at the two jersey. Like Genge, he’s tightened up his set-piece work, most notably his throwing, whilst retaining all the power and dynamism that makes him such a threat in the loose. Minor, niggly injuries at the wrong times are all that is holding him back.
Honourable Mentions – Tom Dunn, Schalk Brits
- Dan Cole, Leicester Tigers
This man’s durability is incredible. Even with heavy workloads with both the British and Irish Lions and England, Cole has still been a stalwart for Leicester this season. As the form of other tightheads around the Premiership wax and wane, Cole continues to anchor scrums and exhibit his work rate and engine year after year.
Honourable Mentions – Nick Schonert, Vincent Koch
- Calum Green, Newcastle Falcons
Green was pivotal this season to Newcastle’s success, proving an extremely proficient operator on both sides of the ball at the lineout. He led the league in lineout steals and was second for lineouts won, allowing Newcastle to both build a solid platform from which to attack and to also turnover ball and hit teams on the counter-attack.
Honourable Mentions – Jonny Hill, Joe Launchbury
- Nick Isiekwe, Saracens
With Maro Itoje busy with England and George Kruis suffering from injuries as well as Test call-ups, Isiekwe has risen to prominence in north London this season. Like Green, he was one of the premier operators at the lineout, making the top six in both lineouts won and lineouts stolen, but also showed his mobility, frequently playing at blindside and notching up over 200 tackles across the season.
Honourable Mentions – Will Spencer, Maro Itoje
- Don Armand, Exeter Chiefs
He has seemingly yet to convince Jones of his merit, but Armand has been in thunderous form for Exeter and played a key role in their table-topping effort this season. With Dave Ewers’ injury problems and Sam Simmonds involved with England, Armand was the consistent tone-setter in the Exeter back-row and punished fringe and wide defences alike with his ball-carrying.
Honourable Mentions – Jamie Gibson, Lewis Ludlow
96% – @WaspsRugby's @jackswillis7 has a 96% tackle success rate in @premrugby this season (134/140), only 6 players to make as many hits have a better rate, whilst only 1 player to play 500+ mins had a better mins/jackal rate. Introduced. #RPAAwards18 pic.twitter.com/QonTqJmWkc
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) May 1, 2018
- Jack Willis, Wasps
Just as it has been for Adams and Isiekwe, this was Willis’ breakout season. He was a spark plug for Wasps and given they’re not quite the defensive masters that Saracens and Exeter are, his turnovers were invaluable to keeping Wasps in possession and attacking. Jones is very particular about his opensides but there’s not much more Willis could have done this season to warrant a place on the tour to South Africa.
Honourable Mentions – Ben Curry, Jake Polledri
- Sam Simmonds, Exeter Chiefs
Simmonds has taken over right from where Thomas Waldrom left off, scoring tries at an astonishing rate from number eight. His form has seen hm crack the England squad and whilst Waldrom was the master of the pick and go score from a metre out, Simmonds’ elusive running and pace have added another dimension to Exeter offensively.
Honourable Mentions – Sione Kalamafoni, Jono Ross
12 – @ExeterChiefs' @samsimmonds_ is the top try scoring (12) forward in @premrugby this season; of the 7 players to score 10+ tries he has the best rate (78 mins) whilst only 4 players to make as many tackles as him have a better success rate (95%). Scorching. #RPAAwards18 pic.twitter.com/vmrFhlPSix
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) May 1, 2018
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
3 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
3 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
3 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments