Aviva Premiership - Team of the Week

Aviva Premiership - Team of the Week
1. Greg Bateman - Leicester Tigers
 
Bateman was one of the key performers in his side's demolition of Worcester this afternoon. He made 13 carries for a staggering total of 46 metres gained. He was also dogged at the breakdown, stood up to the test defensively and capped off his brilliant performance with a try. 
 
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - Exeter Chiefs
 
Yet again, the young English hooker was one of the standout performers as his side secured a vital victory over Saracens this weekend. He made 14 carries for an impressive total of 34 metres gained, recorded a 100% tackle success rate and won a crucial turnover when defending his own try line.
 
3. Kyle Sinckler - Harlequins
 
 
Despite only coming on for the last 25 minutes or so of the game, Kyle Sinckler was a major player in Harlequins securing a convincing victory over Bath. He was rock solid at scrum time, locking out defensive scrums well and getting after his opposite number when Quins had the put in. He topped off this great performance with a try from close range. 
 
4. Api Ratuniyarawa - Northampton Saints
 
The gigantic Fijian lock forward was comfortably one of the best performers on the pitch as his lost out to Sale. He was impervious in defence and provided an excellent option at the lineout throughout, both offensively and defensively. Most impressive of all was his willingness to get his hands on the ball at every available opportunity. He carried 18 times and consistently got over the gain line.
 
5. Jonny Hill - Exeter Chiefs
 
Not for the first time this season Jonny Hill sails into our Premiership team of the week with another truly incredible performance. He carried really effectively throughout, provided his hooker with an excellent attacking option at the lineout and completed an impressive 17 tackles while missing none.
 
6. Zach Mercer - Bath
 
Despite being convincingly beaten by Harlequins this weekend, Mercer put in a remarkable performance for Bath and looked to lead from the front. He was rock solid in defence, dogged at the breakdown and dynamic in attack; making 14 carries for a total gain of 42 metres. He also secured a huge turnover at a crucial moment of the game.
 
7. Thomas Young - Wasps
 
For the fourth week in a row, Young was the standout performer in an impressive Wasps forward pack performance. He was rock solid in defence, making all his hits when required and consistently getting stuck in at the breakdown to disrupt the London Irish attack. Perhaps most impressive, was the threat he posed when running with ball in hand. His combination of pace and power proved to be a real handful for the opposition throughout.
 
8. Josh Strauss - Sale Sharks
 
 
The South African born Scot put in a truly incredible defensive performance this weekend as his side secured an important victory over Northampton. He made a whopping 24 tackles and missed none, consistently smashing the opposition attackers backwards and stifling any potential momentum. He also got through a huge amount of work at the breakdown, slowing down the attacking play of the opposition and forcing several penalties.
 
9. Micky Young - Newcastle Falcons

The Newcastle halfback gave a MOTM performance as his team edged a tight game over Gloucester. The number 9 was dangerous all evening as he sniped from the base for 57m from 2 clean breaks. He beat 3 defenders and contributed with a try of his own and a try assist to lead his team to the win. He didn’t shirk his responsibilities in defence either as he made 5 tackles and missed none.


10. Joe Simmonds - Exeter Chiefs

The youngster stepped up to the plate this afternoon and grabbed this rare opportunity to start a Premiership match with both hands. From the start, he immediately stamped his authority on the game with accurate kicking, both out of hand and from the tee. He showed some lovely touches in attack, dazzling footwork and beautiful offloading. He slotted 4/5 kicks and was responsible for 12 of Exeter's 24 points. Definitely an exciting prospect for English rugby.
 
11. Tim Visser - Harlequins
 
 
Picked off a pass from James Wilson and ran the length of the pitch to give Quins their opening score of the game. Visser was also impressive in defence as he won two jackling penalties at the breakdown and also brought his usual aerial dominant game.
 
12. Josh Matavesi - Newcastle Falcons
 
In a a real ding dong battle between the Falcons and Gloucester, it came down to the tightest of margins with Falcons coming away with the win. This was down to a well drilled defence from the Falcons, Matavesi highlighting the defence, making 22 tackles and missing none. Also contributed with a try assist.
 
13. Manu Tuilagi - Leicester Tigers
 
Slowly getting back to his best that we all know of the midfield bruiser. Played the full 80 and made some nice breaks with some good offloads. Scored late on to help Tigers rally to a BP away at Worcester.
 
14. Denny Solomona - Sale Sharks
 
 
Put his hand up for a re-call to Eddie Jones' England side. A first half hat-trick from Solomona as he helped set up the Sharks for a BP away win at Northampton. Looked dangerous throughout making 60 metres and made 3 clean breaks.
 
15. Telusa Veainu - Leicester Tigers
 
Outstanding day at the office for Veainu who stood out in a lacklustre game. Inspired his Tigers side to a late BP win over Worcester with a brace of tries and some silky breaks. Beat an impressive 12 defenders and made a huge 103 metres going forward. 
 

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