FloRugby's Gallagher Prem Round One: Team Of The Week
FloRugby's Gallagher Prem Round One: Team Of The Week
Gallagher Premiership Round One delivered blockbuster action and breakout stars. Here’s our Team of the Week with standout performers across the league.
Ever wondered why many regard the Gallagher Premiership as the toughest and most unpredictable league in club rugby? Round one offered the perfect reminder, with blockbuster clashes, breakout performances and more than a few statement victories.
Opening on Thursday evening with Sale’s clinical win over Gloucester at the AJ Bell, the weekend rolled into Bath’s statement victory at The Stoop, Bristol’s backline fireworks, Saracens’ ruthless efficiency and a thrilling draw at Franklin’s Gardens.
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With so many standout individual displays, narrowing it down to a matchday-15 was no easy task. But here’s our Team of the Week for Round One.
1. Beno Obano – Bath Rugby
Utterly central to the champions recovering from the early Quins sucker punches. Barged over from close range to make hay from a Henry Arundell long-range strike to give his side their first lead of the match. At scrum time, Obano ensured that Bath maintained a 100% win rate.
2. Gabriel Oghre – Bristol Bears
Bristol’s one-time capped English international started this season in red-hot form against Leicester. Featuring heavily in the Bears’ expansive attacking game, Oghre got on the ball frequently with nine carries, beating two defenders, making 10 tackles and scoring a try. At line-out time, he hit his marks perfectly, closing his account with a 100% return.
3. Marco Riccioni – Saracens
Supremely powerful, Sarries’ Italian tighthead gave the Newcastle Red Bulls all they could handle on what was a momentous occasion for rugby in the north of England. Secured a 100% win rate at scrum time on his own feed and went after Newcastle on theirs. In combination with Theo Dan and Rhys Carre, Riccioni showed that alongside Bath’s first-choice front row, they are the standard-bearers in the Premiership.
4. Alex Coles – Northampton Saints
Effortlessly good once again, Coles’ ability to get through a ton of work in what was a helter-skelter shootout at Franklin’s Gardens was a sight to behold. Made 12 tackles, nabbed five line-outs, carried the ball 12 times and scored the opener in an industrious 80-minute display.
5. Ben Bamber – Sale Sharks
Supremely dominant at line-out time, Bamber’s 11 grabs laid the platform for the Sharks’ highly effective strike play against Gloucester. Around the park, his work at the breakdown was exceptional, paving the way for the Sharks to steal nine balls.
6. Jack Kenningham – Harlequins
One third of a top-class back row, Kenningham relished the open nature of the clash with Bath. Carried for 54 metres, beat four defenders and scored a try. Defensively, he was equally productive, making 16 tackles and winning a brilliant turnover.
7. Will Evans – Harlequins
Stole the show on Friday night. The Harlequins' hat-trick hero set his side up with a well-deserved half-time lead. For all his attacking panache, Evans was equally impressive in defence, completing 20 tackles.
8. Tom Willis – Saracens
Arguably the best number eight in English rugby, Willis was immense for Saracens in what had the potential to be a banana-skin match against Newcastle. Dominated the carry charts with 17 for 72 metres and nine defenders beaten. On the other side of the ball, he topped the Sarries’ tackle charts with 13 (four dominant) and added a well-executed turnover.
9. Jack van Poortvliet – Leicester Tigers
Having overcome a challenging period where he was in and out of the England squad, the Tigers scrum-half looked mightily impressive in his first outing of the season. Set up two tries and finished one of his own. From the base of the ruck, his box kicking was pinpoint and allowed the Tigers’ back three to compete.
10. Tom Jordan – Bristol Bears
Despite starting in the number 15 shirt, Bristol’s new recruit played all but 12 minutes at fly-half due to AJ MacGinty’s injury. Dictated proceedings as he has done for Glasgow in recent seasons, Jordan was immensely impressive on debut. Set up a try and kicked 14 points in a standout performance.
11. Henry Arundell – Bath Rugby
Back with a bang! Very few players in the Premiership can pull off a long-range strike quite like the former London Irish star. Made 86 metres on just eight carries with four line breaks, two defenders beaten and two tries. Arundell sent out a message that he is back and ready to compete for a place in the England squad.
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg – Bristol Bears
Will he be an England international or won’t he? That is a question for another day. For now, the South African-born powerhouse had a solid start. Operated as Bristol’s direct option with 10 carries for 23 metres and four defenders beaten. It wasn’t the flashiest day, but it was crucial to the Bears’ win.
13. Ollie Lawrence – Bath Rugby
Despite still clearly working his way back from last season’s serious injury, Lawrence was a monster for Bath in round one. Carried the ball 18 times for 71 metres and beat five defenders, looking more powerful than ever.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit – Bristol Bears
Who needs the NFL when you are clearly one of the most talented finishers in rugby? LRZ made his much-anticipated return with a world-class performance. Shredded the Tigers’ defence with two line breaks, two offloads, four defenders beaten, 148 metres gained and two tries. He is all the way back.
15. Tyrone Green – Harlequins
Approaching the territory of “surely he will play Test rugby.” The Quins' fullback will no doubt have caught Steve Borthwick’s eye following yet another top-drawer display at The Stoop. Caused Bath’s normally resolute defence major problems with five defenders beaten, 115 metres made and a try.
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