1 – Ellis Genge (Leicester)
He may have been on the losing side but he absolutely didn’t deserve to be as the loosehead prop made two huge powerful breaks in which he garnered 83 metres. 83 metres! That’s more than the entire Northampton back 3 made altogether (which by the way was 64). It was his deft offload and potent break that lead to Telusa Veainu’s score. He was again dominant in the scrum and although Saints did force a couple of turnovers, there has been some suggestion that this was because the replacement front row weren’t pushing straight.
2 – Schalk Brits (Saracens)
Another great round from the former Springbok as he bundled his way over from a maul, made a stunning cricket-style catch that Faf du Plessis would have been proud of and was a constant threat ball in hand with his dazzling footwork and offloading ability.
3 – Paul Hill (Northampton)
Since his breakthrough season 2015/16, England international Hill has been quite anonymous however he returned with a bang after a few months’ absence with a considerable contribution to his side’s huge upset over Leicester. It was his loose play that will grab the attention as he made 33 metres in total and almost all of that came from a great break from the ruck. He also posed a decent threat to Genge in the scrum. Is this enough to merit a place to South Africa? I’m not sure, but let’s hope he continues this form in the last two rounds.
4 – Calum Green (Newcastle)
As ever, magnificent in the lineout, but he also popped up on the left wing to finish well in the corner to get his maiden Premiership try. Not only that but his defence was top-notch too as he made 15 tackles and missed none. Another grafting shift from the lock-forward who I think as been one of the top forwards this season in the Premiership.
5 – Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
My chosen second row could be a starting England second row in South Africa, you never know what Eddie Jones has got up his sleeve. Against the Warriors, the Wasps captain was a dominating presence in the skies as he made a difficult lineout steal, ran onto a Dan Robson pass at full speed to burst through Worcester’s defence to grab his side’s first score and he also completed 13 tackles without missing a single one.
6 – Jake Polledri (Gloucester)
Saints fans will call for Gibson but he didn’t make a legal turnover all game so I’m giving my blindside flanker position to Jake Polledri who has continued his staggering breakthrough season. It just seems his power has no bounds, he handed off Mat Luamanu, yes big 127kg weighing Mat Luamanu, in a sweeping blitzkrieg that saw him beat 6 defenders and make 40 metres as he showed a clean pair of heels to score underneath the posts.
7 – Gary Graham (Newcastle)
Came back with a bang from injury, raising the possibility of another surprise recall to the England EPS squad, as he was Falcons’ most prominent ball-carrier as he made an exciting clean break and powered his way over the tryline after the next couple of phases. As a whole, he made 64 metres and 8 defenders shrugged off. Another hard-working shift from the flanker.
8 – Sam Simmonds (Exeter)
The England No8 was in the right place at the right time to get his maiden Premiership hat-trick. Like his teammate and soon-to-be predecessor Thomas Waldrom and the unforgettable Neil Back, Simmonds is just a player who will always run that supporting line and get the try. On Sunday, he showed the pace to dot down a gorgeous attacking move from the Chiefs to score his 1st, was driven over by his teammate to score his 2nd and showcased his grit to suppress the efforts of the Exiles’ defenders to get his hat-trick shortly after halftime. If not at 8, then Simmonds must play somewhere in the England backrow against the Springboks.
9 – Cobus Reinach (Northampton)
Another player essential to Saints’ shock win over Tigers, his pace and finish to a scintillating training-ground try which left Tigers players shellshocked extended his side’s lead at Welford Road and organised his troops well for the entirety of his tenure.
10 – Stephen Myler (Northampton)
His calm and composure kept his side in the game as the hosts were chasing the win, made the pass to Ben Foden for Northampton’s first try despite with Genge in his sights and was sensational off the tee, kicking over all his conversions and penalties to perfection.
11 – Willie le Roux (Wasps)
Marland Yarde played well but Willie le Roux’s and Jason Woodward’s performances at fullback meant that I am moving the Springbok international to the left wing. Key to most phases of attack, le Roux was one of Wasps most dangerous players to contend with and provided the tryscoring pass for Christian Wade.
12 – Mark Atkinson (Gloucester)
The powerful centre was simply everywhere on Saturday, providing a lovely cutout pass to fellow centre Billy Twelvetrees making a break and his perfectly-judged overhead pass to Henry Trinder in the lead-up to Jason Woodward’s try was top class.
13 – Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
Central to all the good things that happened to Gloucester, made an excellent break thanks to teammate Atkinson’s pass, but ultimately it was his boot that was his most pleasing attribute, with all tries converted and three penalties nailed to kick over 17 points.
14 – Christian Wade (Wasps)
Does he deserve an England recall? No? Does that matter? No, not really. Wade continued his jaw-dropping striking rate against the Warriors but boy he still had some finishing to do, especially for his 1st score which was one of the best tries of the weekend. In total, he made 67 metres ball in hand and I think Warriors do have nightmares about the World-renowned finisher.
15 – Jason Woodward (Gloucester)
One of the signings of the season, the potential England international made a mouth-watering 205 metres as he was too quick and difficult for Quins to handle. His footwork and offloading set up Jake Polledri’s try while his finish in the corner to top off my try of the weekend was exemplary.
Do you agree?
By Jacob Bassford
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Have not seen the Wasp match but would have expected to see Alex Brew mention after his display even though he was on the losing side.
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The Brits love in on the tv commentary was a huge turn off. Grown men were acting like love struck teenagers. Can we have some perspective please? Yes, the guy can handle and run, but he makes mistakes, doesnt exactly graft at the breakdown and his tackle count is usually low. Dunn may not do any fancy dan slip catching but grafts all day and rarely makes dull errors.
Thought Ross played well on Friday, as did Sam James.
Gibson was excellent for Saints and it was pleasing to see Hill start a game and play pretty well.
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Some perspective is very welcome
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I realise this is futile; but why shouldn’t Wade be in with a look for England? We don’t see the defensive errors of a years ago, his positioning is much much better. He’s also got a lot better under the high ball which was a criticism of him. Oh yeh, and he is a better finishing than any English wing by a country mile.
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I agree. Criticism levied against Wade, and similarly Roko, is that they can’t defend well enough. Both have improved on this and Wade has also improved immensely under the high ball. However, for their “faults” defensively, these players are game-changers. Each time they get ball in hand they have the ability to make something happen. England has very few of these types of players in the current squad, maybe Daly or Watson. The only other England player who I would consider as truly having the x-factor is Tuilagi.
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Start of the season i would have said Wade isnt up to international rugby, being too small and lacking in the required defensive nous and physicality.
I’ve revised my view. I think he’s come on a bundle this season. His defence, though far from watertight, is at least adequate, and he does seem to have beefed up a bit. You rarely see him bullied in contact, or swatted away in a tackle.
His finishing is still exceptional and for that alone he’s worth looking at. I’d take him to SA.
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I agree – have always thought Wade deserves another shot with England. Yes he’s small, yes he’s not a great kicker and yes his defence is ‘just ok’, but the stuff he can do with the ball is magic. I still remember an early game way back in 2013 against Leinster where he terrified a backline including the likes of Gordon D’Arcy and Rob Kearney (Wasps still lost though), massively experienced players were totally flummoxed by what to do with him.
Particularly what I like is every time he touches the ball, you can see he worries the opposition defensive line and it shifts a little out of shape to make sure they have him covered – that opens holes up elsewhere, even if its not Wade going through them. Bit like Tuilagi (sorry to mention him ha) did against the All Blacks when Brad Barritt ran through the line.
However, he is one that people will always disagree over and I understand why he’s not picked – his issues would be amplified at international level at coaches can be risk-adverse – but I still wish he would be!
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It’s a shame Roko is injured just as he looked like he was getting in favour with EJ
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“The England No8 was in the right place at the right time to get his maiden Premiership hat-trick.”
I think this does a disservice to Mr Simmonds, who contributed a lot more in this game than the tries. His work off the ball was impressive, got through a mountain of work. Don’t know about stats, but I was at the game and he seemed to be everywhere, defending and carrying well.
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Interesting maybe with some of the ‘new breed’ inserting themselves here. However, of the English qualified players, how many would go to SA? The press seem to clamour for Woodward (that well known Kiwi Englishman, not to mention ‘the opportunistic’ Brad Shields who hasn’t even finished his NZ season yet, but that’s another story) & are for resting the ‘tired’ vets, but England will find SA is no country for green men. Not to say that Woodward shouldn’t go (leaving aside moral issue of his potential selection of course), how else are England going to find out if he’s any good at the higher level unless they PLAY him? However, the team will need a core of experience & so I’d be reluctant to to rest too many of these guys. Having stated that, Wade is a guy I’d personally take. Again however, he’ll need QUICK ball in SPACE to max his ability, otherwise even taking will be a waste of time. Also what about guys like Ben Morgan & Matt Kvesic? After all the former has been about for a bit, but seems out of fashion, as does MK who is at least a proper 7 (maybe he’s injured?).
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