1 – Greg Bateman (Leicester)
Heck it, just for that try he scored against Harlequins I’m including him in the XV. No one else shone for me in the loosehead this week so Bateman it is. You can watch his try below.
2 – Santiago Socino (Newcastle)
As well as being solid in the set-piece, Socino almost always put the Falcons on the front foot and had some lovely hands which created several chances for Newcastle.
3 – Dan Cole (Leicester)
Cole outmatched his opposite numbers in the scrum and was very sound defensively on Saturday, the England stalwart has still got what it takes.
4 – Christian Scotland-Williamson (Worcester)
The Worcester replacement injected some much needed pace into the Warriors and put in some solid hits for which he is becoming renowned.
5- Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Maro was great at Allianz Park on Saturday, doing almost everything including a surprising sprint down halfway.
6 – Mark Wilson (Newcastle)
Wilson shrugged off his disappointment of not being recalled by Eddie Jones with a resounding performance against Bath on Saturday during which he also got the decisive score.
7 – Don Armand (Exeter)
Armand again proved difficult to handle with strong ball-carrying and a lovely finish on Sunday. Questions will once again be raised as to why he is not in Jones’ plans.
8 – Mat Luamanu (Harlequins)
Constantly causing Leicester problems and his try demonstrated both his power and his pace.
9 – Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle)
I really like the look of Tongan Takulua at the moment, he is in really good form and scored a good try for Newcastle on Saturday.
10 – George Ford (Leicester)
Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith are unlucky to miss out but Ford’s composure, his kicking and his effective partnership with Ben Youngs means he is my flyhalf of the week.
11 – Olly Woodburn (Exeter)
Woodburn comfortably outmatched Wade in his side’s convincing victory over Wasps on Sunday. His two tries were thrilling and he also produced moments of magic elsewhere.
12 – Matt Toomua (Leicester)
Toomua is beginning to show his class at Tigers, producing some big hits in defence and he made a majestic pass for Jonny May to score in the corner.
13 – Rob Thorne (Northampton)
The Aussie centre is settling quickly into life at Northampton who soundly beat London Irish on Sunday. He showed both his pace and strength as he scored two tries against the Exiles.
14 – Telusa Vieanu (Leicester)
Vieanu was electric against Harlequins including a blistering run which nearly ended in a try. He also scored his first try of the season.
15 – Jason Woodward (Gloucester)
Woodward is really starting to mix well at Gloucester and was good on Friday night, running a great line before offloading to Thorley for him to score the first try and caused Worcester problems throughout the rest of the game.
By Jacob Bassford
Two very good tries from Ben Spencer who is stepping into the void left by Neil Dr Kick at Saracens marks him out as the top 9 for me this week.
How’s his overall game looking? Loads of ability but was making a few glaring errors last season.
His overall game seems much better. Certainly in attack. His kicking also improved and his support play is outstanding. With Wiggy injured he is stepping up at the moment. He needs to as well because Henry Taylor is hot on his heels.
Please stop saying “outmatched” There is no such word. You can outclass, outshine or out do your opponent(s) . Yes I am a grammar nazi and no,I don’t care what others think!
The dictionary disagrees with you, mate.
ArCee
How about ‘out played’ then.. even if yr grandma is a Nazi!
PS Sure you weren’t once a Sex Pistol?
If we are complaining about the use of the English language, someone champs at the bit, they don’t chomp at the bit. I wish the commentators would get that right
“proved more than a match for”
Oh, and ACee, please leave a single letter after your commas in future please;-)
He should also have placed a full stop after “outmatched” if he wants to use a capital for “There”.
I am slightly biased but I would have Spencer and Farrell in there. Combined really well and were individually excellent.
Spencer’s all round game has improved a lot, but his kicking and support play are now top drawer. His awareness and speed of thought for the Williams try was superb and both his tries were well taken. He was probably helped out by some sloppy defending but you still have to be aware of it and take advantage.
Farrell’s passing and kicking were top class and his dummy for Spencer’s second try was quality.
Yes good points about Spencer and Farrell, however I chose Ford over Farrell simply because Ford was surprisingly so good in defence whereas in the past we have seen him reluctant to tackle
Fair enough Jacob. As I said I am biased, but also I did not see enough of the Tigers match to see how good Ford was.
It is nice to see both Ford and Farrell in such good form with the AIs coming up though. Especially as Ford is now playing so much with Youngs!!
yes it’s is I’m definitely looking forward to Internationals. Also I’m slightly biased towards Leicester
Anyone else think Woodward could be good for England at 15 moving forward?
Solid at the back and deceptively quick. Haven’t seen much of him under the high ball, but is progressing well.
Great player and one i would consider but will have the “Overseas Player” brigade having fits again
Isn’ t he Australian Dazza?
He’s a Kiwi
Father is English
Leon
Lets have him then. Is he a PI from Vavua or a pakeha?
Neither his Dad is English (and possibly his mum), he emigrated to NZ where Jason was born in Wellington
I had stupidly assumed he was English, don’t know why!? Maybe it was the surname?