Premiership Team of the Week - Round Five
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After another thrilling round of the Premiership we select our team of the weekend.
15. Charles Piutau - Bristol Bears
He was unable to inspire the Bears to victory in a game that ended all square but did do all that he could.
He made a massive 201 running metres and scored a great try in a brilliant performance.
Charles Piutau‘s MOTM performance v London Irish 📊
2️⃣5️⃣ Carries 🏃
1️⃣2️⃣ Defenders beaten 🕺
0️⃣2️⃣ Clean breaks ⚡️
0️⃣1️⃣ Try 🏉
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ Running metres 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FUgcUevzxa
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 1, 2019
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro - Northampton Saints
Man of the match in the victory over Leicester Tigers, Taqele Naiyaravoro was at his destructive best against the Tigers as he racked up a mamoth 174 running meters, beat 7 defenders, assisted a try and made 2 clean breaks.
The former Wallaby has been key to Saints success so far this season as they have claimed 4 wins from a possible five and looked on track to top the table come the end of the season.
Northampton extend their lead!
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 30, 2019
Matt Proctor at the heart of it once again as his break sets the foundations for Apo Ratuniyarawa to score for @SaintsRugby. pic.twitter.com/oqaAGobyWB
13. Matt Proctor - Northampton Saints
Matt Proctor caused havoc for the Leicester Tigers' defence on Saturday as he shined on his Premiership debut. The former Hurricane and All Black scored a brace inside the first half hour of his Premiership debut while also providing the magic in the build up to Api Ratuniyarawa's try.
He too made over 100 running metres, 142 to be exact, beat 9 defenders and made two clean breaks to add to his pair of tries.
12. Ashley Beck - Worcester Warriors
Extremely efficient and effective in the win over the Sale Sharks. Beck was solid defensively and scored one of Worcester's two tries on their way to a 20-13 victory.
Over 50 running metres and three defenders beaten Ashley Beck was one of the most influential 12s this weekend with James Lang not too far off.
11. Tom O'Flaherty - Exeter Chiefs
Ollie Thorley almost snuck in with a stellar game in defeat against the Harlequins but Exeter's O'Flaherty takes the 11 jersey after another outstaning performance this weekend.
O'Flaherty was excellent during the two weeks in the Champions Cup, picking up a try in each game of the two games and made it three from three today.
He racked up 146 running metres, beat 10 defenders, made 4 clean breaks and took home the man of the match award in a truely fantastic performance.
How about this finish 🔥pic.twitter.com/AOCO0w73yh
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 1, 2019
10. Owen Farrell - Saracens
The England captain kicked 20 points on his return to club duty as Saracens began to chip away at their points deduction with a 25-12 win at Bath.
The flyhalf was back to some of his best form controlling proceedings and hardly looked off the pace for a full 79 minutes.
He also made all 15 of his attempted tackles in a near perfect performance.
9. Cobus Reinach - Northampton Saints
A few standout performances make this a particularly tough call this week.
Faf de Klerk scored a wonderful interception try, Francois Hougaard was equally brilliant for the Warriors, Danny Care starred for the Harlequins but in the end Cobus Reinach takes this one.
The World Cup winning halfback shone as they took apart the Leicester Tigers with the scrumhalf at the heart of most the attacks.
He came up with two try assists and overall, he was excellent in all facets of the game.
1. Joe Marler - Harlequins
Excellent in the scrum, strong on defence and excellent with ball in hand.
Marler was excellent for the Harlequins and edges a few standout looseheads for a spot in our team of the week, including a superb performance from Mako Vunipola.
Joe Marler is the gift that keeps on giving. 😂 pic.twitter.com/VdoPY9btrN
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 1, 2019
2. Harry Thacker - Bristol
Jamie George shined on his return to the starting XV putting in a busy shift against Bath but he is beaten to a place in the side due to an outstanding game from Bristol's Harry Thacker.
The Bears hooker maintained a 100% lineout success in the draw against London Irish while also making 11 tackles, two turnovers, 16 carries, 116 running metres, 1 try assist and beat 8 defenders.
3. Titi Lamositele - Saracens
Powerful, accurate and busy performance from the Saracens tighthead.
There weren't too many standout performances from tightheads this weekend with Lamositele, Dan Cole and John Afoa all getting through a mountain of work.
4. Stephan Lewies - Harlequins
Lewies has quickly become a key member of the Harlequins set up. Again this weekend he was excellent at the lineout and racked up 17 tackles and 12 carries.
Elsewhere, Ruan Botha was solid for the Exiles, Dave Dennis worked hard for Exeter and Elliott Stooke was busy for Bath.
5. Api Ratuniyarawa - Northampton Saints
Carried strong, tackled well and finished off a fine try. Ratuniyarawa was on top of his game in the derby against Leicester Tigers and earns a spot over another impressive game from Franco Mostert.
6. Ted Hill - Worcester Warriors
Fresh off the back of a new contract extension, Ted Hill showed exactly why Worcester were keen to tie the England International down for the comming seasons.
He was physically dominant, jumped well in the lineout and was absolutely everywhere as he helped his side to victory.
Tom Curry narrowly missed out to young Worcester blindside making over 20 tackles, without missing. While Maro Itoje also had a strong game.
7. Lewis Ludlow - Gloucester
Another strong performance making our team of the week, despite Ludlow's side going down to the Harlequins.
He made a massive 20 tackles and claimed two turnovers. Ben Curry was also excellent in defeat for Sale Sharks, Don Armand was excellent for Exeter as too was Lewis Ludlam and Chris Robshaw.
8. Nathan Hughes - Bristol Bears
Alex Dombrandt may have claimed man of the match with a strong performance against Gloucester but he misses out in our team of the week thanks to an outstanding game from Nathan Hughes,
Hughes also edges out Matt Kvesic who made 14 carries and a massive 22 tackles in a stellar game that saw Exeter smash Wasps 38-3.
Hughes furthered his claim for a test recall with a destructive display against London Irish where he made 81 running metres, beating 7 defenders and gaining 81 running metres and bagged a try.