By Charlie Elliott
Fantastic finishing from Fitz Harding, Alex Lozowski’s impeccable kicking and a vintage Elliot Daly performance were the standouts in the Gallagher Premiership.
After an entertaining weekend of rugby, with four out of five of the games being within 6 points of each other, it was fine margins that separated winners from losers.
The team of the week consists of some players who provided these fine margins and others who stood out despite defeat.
Forwards
1: Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers)
It wasn’t a vintage performance from the Tigers to secure a tight win over Gloucester, but Nicky Smith was one of the key reasons that they got over the line.
The loosehead prop has flourished since joining Tigers from Ospreys in March this year, and he will be hoping that he can force his way back into Warren Gatland’s plans for Wales soon.
2: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
With Falcons getting their first Premiership win in 26 attempts, it is only right that they get some, well-deserved, representation in the team of the week.
Jamie Blamire scored two tries and was arguably the best player on the pitch for Newcastle. His ball-carrying work was crucial for Steve Diamond’s side as he gained 30 metres with ball in hand, which is great production from a hooker.
3: Max Lahiff (Bristol Bears)
Despite a last-minute loss against Saracens this week, Bristol can hold their heads high and Max Lahiff at tighthead was one of the main reasons for this.
He was superb in the scrum and after coming off in the 53rd minute, Bristol looked a poorer side.
If he had stayed on, maybe the Bears would have held on…
Second Row
4: Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Joint top in Saracens tackle count with 16, Itoje was not as potent in attack as he usually is, but his defensive work kept Saracens in a game that they would eventually go on to win.
Playing on after receiving treatment in the 50th minute showed a fighting spirit that would have spurred his teammates on as well.
Saracens’ strong set-piece showing, an area which was vital in helping Sarries get over the line, was headlined by Itoje who showed his dominance at lock throughout.
5: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Having recently been called up for the England squad for the Autumn Internationals, Chessum had a spring in his step as he looks to cement himself in England’s starting side.
His recent performances will have significantly increased the likelihood of this being the case (which was pretty certain anyway), and his work against Gloucester was a key reason the Tigers held on for victory.
Back Row
6: Guy Pepper (Bath)
Pepper got the ball rolling for Bath, scoring their first try of the match, and although he got a yellow in the 60th minute, the fact that many still considered him as player of the match shows just how strong his performance was, despite a brief lax in discipline.
With three turnovers won in addition to his side winning 100% of their own scrums, Pepper was dominant against Quins.
If he and Bath iron ill-discipline out of their games, they could really be onto something special this season.
7: Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons)
Although he played as an 8, it is impossible to have not included both Callum Chick and Fitz Harding in this week’s team.
The Falcons captain was exceptional against Exeter, both in and out of possession, and his performance was a key reason that the Falcons got their first win of the season.
Chick had a 100% tackle success rate, as well as 17 carries and 25 contact metres, showing the quality he had on and off the ball.
8: Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears)
A hat-trick from Fitz Harding means that he is an absolute shoo-in for the team of the week, as he put Saracens to the sword.
He would have been the match-winner if not for a last-minute Alex Lozowski penalty, and despite these fine margins, he displayed a performance to be proud of.
Backs
9: Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)
Randall’s performance, like a lot of Bristol players, did not warrant being on the losing side against Saracens.
He showed why he has been selected in England’s Autumn Internationals squad, and with how he played, he could have earned himself a start at scrum-half for Steve Borthwick’s side.
His work to get over 70 metres carried is certainly reflective of his and Bristol’s attacking ability in this game.
10: Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Pulled the strings for Saints and showed some simply brilliant kicking ability to find gaps in the Sale defence and also had a major involvement in a Sleightholme try.
Only missed one out of seven conversion attempts, but with the rest of his performance, I’m sure Saints fans will forgive him for that one.
Two try assists for him represent the quality playmaking he showed.
Outside Backs
11: Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints)
Two tries for the prolific Sleightholme, and he very nearly got himself a hat trick if not for some incredible Joe Carpenter defending to deny him.
He was one of the driving forces in Northampton’s capitalisation on Sale mistakes, taking any opportunity to pounce and capitalise on his wasteful opponents’ mistakes.
Could performances like this lead to him adding to his two England caps soon?
12: Joe Jenkins (Bristol Bears)
His ability to find gaps and get past defences was on full display against Saracens, relentlessly putting his opposition on the back foot.
If it’s true that he wants to play for Wales, then surely there needs to be some questions asked about why he isn’t being picked at the moment.
110 metres gained shows just how much he found space against Saracens, and the fact that both him and Lozowski have kept out Max Llewellyn shows just how well he played, even without scoring or assisting.
13: Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
This was a toss-up between Lozowski and Max Llewellyn for Gloucester, who did score a hat-trick in their defeat to Tigers.
Lozowski gets in because of his kicking, something which he is becoming increasingly known and respected for.
England Chances?
His 100% success rate from conversions, as well as showing extreme composure to convert a penalty during stoppage time amidst a cacophony of boos from the Bears fans, means that he gets in at centre this week.
There have even been shouts for him to be involved in the England set-up and performances like this will give Steve Borthwick some food for thought.
14: James Ramm (Northampton Saints)
To get in this team after coming off the bench shows the massive impact that James Ramm had on the Saints, even if he was on from the 16th minute.
He took his chance with a great assist following a kick up the pitch and ended up on the scoresheet himself with a brilliant run from halfway, spotting the gaps in Sale’s defence.
Northampton were praised for the clinical nature in this game and Ramm was a main driver of this as he ended the game with a try and two assists.
15: Elliot Daly (Saracens)
Daly scored two tries, got an assist and caused a yellow card in the win against Bristol.
Both of his scores came in the second half and he was one of the main reasons that Sarries ended up coming back to win.
The only negative for him on the day was a cheap turnover that led to a Harry Randall try, but apart from this he was unstoppable.
A well-deserved player of the match and one of the standouts for the whole league this weekend.
