15 Rob Miller (Wasps)
Wasps’ 32-17 win over Castres gives them hope of reaching the quarter-finals in what was a high tempo encounter. A well worked team try early on in the first half, including some great hands from captain James Haskell, led to Rob Miller getting on the end of Tom Varndell’s kick and putting Wasps ahead.
14 Tommy Bowe (Ulster)
Every rugby coach wants a player like Tommy Bowe in their team. A beautifully floated pass set up Darren Cave for Ulster’s first try having broken the Scarlets line. Bowe was then on the end of some Ruan Piennar trickery to finish strongly at the end.
13 Darren Cave (Ulster)
A Man of the Match performance from Darren Cave who made some fantastic breaks in Ulster’s win over the Scarlets. Managed to get a try following Tommy Bowe’s break and bundled through Scarlets defence later on before offloading to Pienaar to score. Credit must go to Alex Dunbar who was lively despite Glasgow’s mistake riddled defeat to Toulouse.
12 Luther Burrell (Northampton)
An impressive performance from Burrell who England fans will be desperate maintains his form and solves their midfield crisis during the Six Nations. A very well taken try and several powerful breaks capped off a good day in Northampton’s 38-15 win over Treviso. Special mention to Wesley Fofana who may have been fortunate in getting the ball from a deflected tackle but there was no doubting the finish, skinning Simon Zebo to score in the corner.
11 Richard Smith (Cardiff Blues)
A crucial win for Cardiff over London Irish in the European Challenge cup was helped by a try and assist from Richard Smith at Cardiff Arms Park including a real moment of magic in creating a try from their own 10 metre line.
10 Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers)
Kicked twenty points and kept Toulon at bay, Williams managed the game masterfully in what was a significant win for Leicester. Dan Biggar must also get a mention for a good performance again Racing Metro showing a continuation of his Autumn International form while Charlie Hodgson proved he is still an attacking threat with a wonderful break and assist against Sale.
9 Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)
Showed pace and strength to score in the first half and some magic hands to set up Tommy Bowe in the second. A late yellow card slightly tarnished a complete performance from the returning South African. Special mention to Rhys Webb who had the upper hand in his intriguing battle with Racing Metro’s Mike Phillips.
8 Nick Easter (Harlequins)
This is a tricky one. David Flatman described Nick Easter as a ‘phenomenon’ following his display against Leinster and it’s hard to disagree. The Quins talisman doesn’t seem to be troubled by age and produced a splendid finish during a thrilling encounter. However special mention must go to Fritz Lee, the huge Clermont number 8 scored a try and was everywhere during their 16-9 upset against Munster.
7 Damien Chouly (Clermont)
A last gasp steal in the lineout from Paul O’Connell by Chouly summed up a gutsy Clermont performance, becoming only the third team to win at Munster in the European Cup. The victory marks a defiant statement of intent. Credit also to Chris Robshaw – once again it’s a case of the old cliché’s in what was his 200th game for Harelquins. A tireless, unremitting, workhorse who always looks exhausted but seems to be at every single breakdown while also being crucial to Quins’ link play.
6 Magnus Lund (Sale)
The Pool of Death clash between Sale and Saracens proved to be a fairly sluggish affair. The hyped showdown between Cipriani and Farrell failed to live up to expectations but there were some notable individual performances, not least from Lund who scored a try in the seventh minute from a lineout catch and drive and generally disturbed Saracens at the breakdown during the game. Special mention must go to Racing Metro’s Wenceslas Lauret who had a fine game with the ball in hand as well as in defence.
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
Mr consistent. A huge casualty list for the Ospreys meant that their leaders had to have a big game and Alun Wyn Jones did just that – thriving under the pressure. Francois Van der Merwe’s rumbling try and brilliant finish in the 17th minute for Racing Metro minute also deserves recognition.
4 Brad Thorn (Leicester)
It’s not often you see Thorn crossing the line but the seasoned second row did just that in what was a strong start for his team who led 13-0 before Bryan Habana helped bring Toulon level at half time.
3 Census Johnston (Toulouse)
The four-time European simply overpowered Glasgow at times, disturbing their scrum throughout which let the boot of Sebastien Bezy punish Glasgow who struggled to deal with Johnston’s strength.
2 Rory Best (Ulster)
Rory Best wound back the years with an energetic performance against the Scarlets. The Ulsterman got his hands on the ball several times in attack and managed to drive over the line to score a try in the first half.
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Quins’ front row laid the foundation for victory over Leinster by asserting their dominance in the scrum. Skipper Marler put in an eye catching shift which had extra significance as Mako Vunipola returned for Saracens this weekend and will be making his claim for Marler’s position in the England team.
So much for Burns getting back into the England squad once signing for the Tigers!! Didn’t even get off the bench! Surely Wales will have to look at Williams as back up for Biggar?
Yes a lessoon for Dan Robson who is leaving Glos as he is now stuck behind Laidlaw in the pecking order. Choose your green pasture carefully!
Any idea where Robson is going. Seems like a good signing for someone.
No idea yet. A shame to be losing him, but I can understand why. All sorts of clubs rumoured but he needs to go somewhere where he has a good chance of starting. I’ve said before that I think he is a future England SH although his form seems to have dipped a bit this season. Well wait and see I guess.
His future England prospects probably depend largely on who he signs for. If he signs for one of the bigger clubs, they will probably already have other SH’s above him. If he signs for one of the others, he will have to play outstandingly well to get selected. The form of messrs Youngs and Care was not great coming into the AI’s, but they still got starts and bench spots? Dickson has lost form big time, and although there are others putting there hands up, unless they are playing top level, and starting SL will probably not even look at them. I think Robson and Spencer are two of the best SH’s around at the moment. But Spencer is playing third fiddle behind Wiggy and De Kock at Sarries and Robson needs to find a club where he’s going to get plenty of top game time. Not many clubs around he’s going to get that in the Premiership.
I know we see glimpses of players like Robson and Spencer (who I like the look of), but if we agree that they’d be unlikely to get ahead of the SH at top clubs – isn’t that for a reason? It’s because they are not as good.
If Robson was the best 9 around, he’d start ahead of Laidlaw, Same said for Spencer.
Jacob, to be fair, Laidlaw is playing some great rugby at the moment and is also our goal kicker, so Robson hasn’t really got a chance of extended game time at Glos. Last season I thought that he was playing better than Cowan, but they stuck with the big contract player which was harsh. I think Robson can start somewhere, or at least get better playing time, but at the moment and sadly Glos is not that place. But as is rightly said he needs to pick his landing spot carefully, otherwise he could end up as another F Burns shaped spare part. Moving for the right reasons has worked for many other players Ford and 12T among them. Moving for the money ie to France or Leicester often doesn’t.
The Wales 6Ns squad will be interesting. Williams has clearly done enough to be backup 10. But will Gats persist with Priestland or even call up freshly dual contracted Anscombe?
The rumour is that Williams is being chased by The Scarlets for the start of next season – dual contract and a chance to join the world cup squad. Intriguing. Wonder if we’ll see him cursing at Cockers in a few years time?
He’s been a revelation at Tigers. Once Flood left a lot of people assumed Burns would take over as first choice, but Williams is keeping his place on merit. Burns is probably wishing he’d stayed where he was now!!
Marler was immense. Not just dominant in the scrums but putting in some huge tackles and carrying as well
He’s really come on a lot in the last year or so
Given the Leinster front 5, which consisted of 4 current first team Ireland players, were destroyed by a Quins front five with only one current first team international, it doesn’t bode well for Ireland in the 6 Nations
PS – he may have his haters but Easter was brilliant
Aye, the Irish forwards still seem to struggle when seperated for their teams … maybe it indicates Ireland’s coach can make a team that is more than the sum of it’s parts? They didn’t seem to have any issues with the SA pack.
Not really separated for their teams though Brighty. The only difference between the Leinster pack from the Quins game and the Irish pack from the SA game is no Paul O’Connell and no O’Mahony
Personally I don’t think the SA scrum is all its made out to be and any weaknesses in the Irish scrum weren’t going to be picked up on in the Aus game.
I think its an area other teams can exploit in the 6N. The Leinster scrum on Sun reminded me of the Ireland scrum vs England in the 2012 6N
I think it’s fair to assume it was a one off – the Irish pack is brilliant. A fully fit Irish front 5 will only see Healy and Ross start probably, with Best, O’Connoll, and Ryan making up the rest. I certainly would not worry if I was Irish.
Marler is THE GUY
Id have Auterac ahead of marler this weekend. Destroyed a french pack and immense around the park. Funny how a team who won in france by 25 points have noone in the team. Thought watson has a great game at 15 again!!!
That’s a very strong showing for Ulster with 4 / 15
Great to see Richard Smith on this list – the only Challenge Cup player? He’s been a real find for The Blues this season.
No Bath representative? Joke.