Gallagher Prem Team Of The Week Round 5 | Powerful Pre-Break Displays
Gallagher Prem Team Of The Week Round 5 | Powerful Pre-Break Displays
Gallagher Premiership Team Of The Week Round 5 features Marcus Smith’s brilliance, Tommy Freeman’s four-try haul and Northampton’s dominance over Saracens.
Round 5 of the Gallagher Premiership delivered a weekend of statement performances and shifting storylines.
The Northampton Saints remain the benchmark after dismantling Saracens 43-31 at Franklin’s Gardens, their attack flowing through Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell with ruthless precision.
Leicester edged Sale 36-35 in a bruising classic at Welford Road, while Bath continued its surge under Johann van Graan, crushing Bristol 40-15 behind a dominant pack and the unstoppable Ollie Lawrence.
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Harlequins was in party mode, as Marcus Smith orchestrated a 52-14 demolition of Newcastle, while Exeter maintained its unbeaten home record by overpowering Gloucester 39-12.
Across the round, the league’s blend of youthful fearlessness and international class was on full display.
From Henry Pollock’s rampaging performance at No. 8 to Tommy Freeman’s four-try masterclass, this weekend felt like a reminder that England’s next generation already is here and thriving.
With the November tests looming, several internationals picked the perfect moment to hit form, and a few newcomers may have forced their way into Steve Borthwick’s plans.
1. Fin Baxter – Harlequins
The Harlequins loosehead set the tone for his side’s dominant win over Newcastle.
His work at the scrum was flawless, maintaining a 100% success rate while applying real pressure on the opposition front row.
Around the park, he was active, hitting rucks and producing three purposeful carries.
Baxter’s defensive work and breakdown accuracy helped keep Quins on the front foot in transition.
It was a performance that blended set-piece dominance with relentless energy, confirming his rise as one of England’s top young props.
2. Luke Cowan – Sale Sharks
The veteran hooker continues to defy time with the kind of form that makes selectors take notice.
Fourteen carries, 26 meters gained and 17 tackles told the story of his impact in both tight and loose play.
Cowan combined physicality with intelligence, operating as the heartbeat of Sale’s pack against an abrasive Leicester side.
His offload and tackle count show a player as sharp as ever at 32. With his 50th England cap on the horizon, he looks more complete now than at any stage of his career.
3. Thomas du Toit – Bath Rugby
Bath’s Springboks powerhouse again was the foundation of his team's dominance at The Rec.
Du Toit carried 12 times, won every scrum and produced a turnover in a performance of pure authority.
His ability to get over the gain line repeatedly sucked defenders in and freed space for Bath’s backs to operate.
His sheer presence in contact remains unmatched in the Premiership front rows.
It was another all-round statement from a prop redefining what “world-class” looks like at the club level.
4. JJ van der Mescht – Northampton Saints
The giant South African has transformed the physical edge of Northampton’s pack.
He carried 14 times and made 12 tackles, regularly driving defenders backward and blowing open rucks for Alex Mitchell to exploit.
His turnover work and ability to get over the gain line gave the Saints a platform to unleash their backs.
Van der Mescht’s influence stretches beyond numbers, adding bite and brutality to a previously finesse-heavy side. The Saints look like title contenders, and their arrival is a key reason why.
5. Ross Molony – Bath Rugby
Molony quietly did the hard yards that make Bath’s flashier forwards shine.
He claimed 12 line-outs, made 17 tackles and contributed seven carries in a performance built on precision and consistency.
His understanding with Thomas du Toit and Beno Obano created set-piece control that suffocated Bristol.
The former Leinster lock brings the work rate and discipline every elite side needs. He is the unsung hero of Bath’s rejuvenated pack.
6. Hanro Liebenberg – Leicester Tigers
Leicester’s captain was immense in one of the most physical matches of the season.
He produced 18 tackles, six carries and a try assist, while calling four line-outs cleanly under heavy pressure.
Liebenberg’s leadership was crucial as the Tigers eked out a one-point win against Sale.
His work rate and clarity in defense defined Leicester’s identity in a game of inches. It was a captain’s performance that spoke louder than any stat line.
7. Tommy Reffell – Leicester Tigers
Leicester’s breakdown machine was at it again, proving why he’s one of the best turnover operators in Europe.
Three turnovers, nine tackles and 10 carries highlighted his relentless involvement across the park.
Reffell’s ability to slow opposition ball killed Sale’s tempo time and again.
His intensity at the ruck remains unmatched, and his performance sent a strong reminder to Wales’ selectors.
He was missed for the November internationals, but impossible to ignore for long.
8. Henry Pollock – Northampton Saints
Still a teenager, Pollock produced a performance that would make any international No. 8 proud.
Sixteen carries, 84 meters made and two line breaks were matched by 11 tackles and a turnover.
His blend of power and control allowed the Saints to stay on the front foot for nearly the full 80 minutes.
Pollock’s confidence and physical dominance against Saracens’ back row was eye-catching.
England’s future at No. 8 looks in safe hands.
9. Alex Mitchell – Northampton Saints
Mitchell was the metronome behind the Saints’ attacking symphony.
He threw 88 passes, kicked 14 times and carried 10 times for 38 meters, including two try assists and a line break.
His tempo control and sniping runs continually shredded the Saracens’ defensive spacing.
In defense, he contributed eight tackles and constant line speed.
It was another commanding display from England’s premier scrum half.
10. Marcus Smith – Harlequins
The Quins' playmaker put on a show that reminded everyone of his world-class ceiling.
Seven carries, two line breaks and 100 meters gained were matched by five defenders beaten and three try assists.
He dictated pace, varied his kicking game superbly and scored 12 points with the boot.
Smith’s ability to unlock space for others, while staying a running threat himself, was vintage Harlequins rugby.
England’s fly-half debate officially is alive again.
11. Adam Radwan – Leicester Tigers
Once again, electric Radwan was lethal every time he saw daylight.
Two tries, two line breaks and 34 meters from just four carries showcased devastating efficiency.
His footwork left defenders grasping at air, while his defensive effort and turnover added real balance to his game.
Leicester’s wide attack thrives on speed, and Radwan provided it in abundance.
He's a winger in career-best form.
12. Fraser Dingwall – Northampton Saints
The Saints center combined intelligence with aggression to edge his personal duel with Owen Farrell.
Dingwall made nine carries for 48 meters and 11 tackles, including a key turnover that stalled Saracens’ momentum.
Dingwall’s distribution gave Fin Smith an extra layer of control in attack.
His versatility between power and playmaking is invaluable to Northampton’s structure. He was calm, clinical and crucial once again.
13. Ollie Lawrence – Bath Rugby
Completely dominant, Lawrence was unplayable in Bath’s thrashing of Bristol.
He carried 12 times for 42 meters, scored a try and broke four tackles, blending raw power with subtle skill.
His connection with Finn Russell continues to grow into one of the league’s most dangerous partnerships.
Lawrence’s defensive reads and breakdown pressure were equally sharp. Simply put, the best center performance of the round.
14. Tommy Freeman – Northampton Saints
Four tries say everything about Freeman’s form.
He carried 12 times, made seven line breaks and beat eight defenders in a display of complete attacking authority.
His timing, movement and finishing instincts were elite, and he backed it with seven tackles defensively.
Freeman looks increasingly like England’s long-term answer at outside center or wing.
This was a performance of an international standard from a player in full flow.
15. Luke James – Sale Sharks
Lethal whenever he saw space, James made every touch count.
He ran for 41 meters off eight carries, scored three tries and made two line breaks as Sale’s backfield weapon.
His acceleration and awareness punished every defensive lapse from Leicester.
Beyond the scoreboard, his positioning and communication were top-tier. IT was a reminder of why he remains one of the most reliable fullbacks in the Premiership.
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