Each Premiership Club's Best Signing This Season

With the Premiership currently on pause due to the global pandemic, we take a look at the season so far and picked out the top signing from each club.

With nine rounds remain in the currently suspended season, there may be time for other players to make their mark later in the season but the 13 games played so far have given us enough evidence to make a call for now.

Exeter Chiefs - Jacques Vermeulen from Sharks (Durban)

Exeter made same great signings before the current season with Stuart Hogg standing out and impressing since his arrival. The sharing working Jannes Kirsten was another clever bit of business with the South African slotting in with ease.

But Vermeulen has stood out more than any other player and will be up there as one Exeter's best players this season.

Few in Exeter may have ever heard of the former Sharks' flanker before he arrived at the club but is quickly becoming a fan favourite in Devon.

  

Another hard-working South African, Vermueln has been destructive with ball in hand, hard as nails on defence and has been superb at the breakdown for Exeter.

Sale Sharks - Dan du Preez from Sharks (Durban)

Plenty to chose from at Sale as Steve Diamond brought in the likes of Coenie Oosthuizen, Akker van der Merwe, Robert du Preez, Dan du Preez and Simon Hammerlsy - all which have stuck their hand up and helped the side to second place in the table.

But the no.8 Dan du Preez takes the cake after hitting some of his best form of his career. Jean-Luc is viewed as the better of the two looseforward du Preezs but Dan has been performing at an extremely high standard this season and has been doing it consistently.

His form could lead to a recall to the test team after missing out on the Rugby World Cup. No Premiership forward has made more offloads than the 24-year-old while he ranks 4th for tackles made by a Sale player this season.

Bristol Bears - Nathan Hughes from Wasps

It's hard to believe that Eddie Jones still hasn't turned to the former Wasps man with Billy Vunipola out injured.

Hughes has returned to some of his best form under Pat Lam's stewardship and has been given more freedom to run on the outer channels with Bristol.

 He leads the way in defenders beaten by a forward in the competition and is just two defenders away from Charles Piutau. He has also dotted down twice for the Bears and has averaged over 10 carries per game.

Northampton Saints - Matt Proctor from the Hurricanes

 

A handy bit of business from Chris Boyd bringing in his former go to man at the Hurricanes. During his time in New Zealand, fans and pundits alike were left perplexed by the fact that Proctor couldn't force his way to into the All Blacks squad with many labelling him as the best #13 in the country.  

Although his career at Saints was a slow one as he was unable to play for the club while being on the All Blacks' standby list for the World Cup, Proctor quickly settled at the club and starting performing immediately.

In his 6 Premiership appearances, he has scored two tries made over 200 running metres beating 18 defenders and collected 8 clean breaks. Defensively he has been sound and has snuffed out more than his fair share of dangerous attacking plays and looks as if he will be a key cog in the side going forward.

Wasps - Malakai Fekitoa from Toulon

Zach Kibirige certainly deserves a mention after a rip-roaring start to his time at Wasps but we have been particularly impressed by the impact of former All Black Malakai Fekitoa. 

Wasps had a testing start to the season but when the club has performed, Fekitoa has been at the forefront and the driving force of the attack and defence.   

Fekitoa looked particularly great before the competition was brought to a halt and the new coaching staff will look to make the most of that if he continues in that manner.

  

Bath - Will Stuart from Wasps 

Bath beefed up their front row before the start of the season and Stuart's addition has certainly been the stand out of the signings.

His workrate around the park has been sublime while his set-piece work has been the cornerstone of his game, solidifying the Bath pack.

His form earned him a call up to the England squad for the Six Nations and ultimately a test debut.

Harlequins - Stephan Lewies from Sharks (Durban)

Paul Gustard was a busy man signing up new recruits for the 2019/20 season and has enjoyed plenty of success with his new signings stepping up at the London-based club.

Tom Lawday, Will Evans, Glen Young, and Scott Baldwin have all impressed at some stage of the season so far but Lewies work at the lineout and across the park.

Like most South African locks, Lewies has brought an added grunt to the Harlequins pack and has worked exceptionally hard.

London Irish - Curtis Rona from the Waratahs

A notable mention for Adam Coleman who has made an immense impact in the London Irish pack but our pick goes to the man that played every game for the club since their promotion.

Rona has dotted down twice for his new club in the Premiership and has reasonably sound on defence throughout the season while being an excellent link with the rest of his fellow backs.

Gloucester - Joe Simpson from Wasps

With Braley and Heinz away at the World Cup, Simpson seized his opportunity to impress at his new club and produced scoring eight tries in 18 appearances for the Cherry and Whites since switching from Wasps.

His electric form saw Gloucester act swiftly to hand him a new contract just months after joining.

Worcester - Matt Moulds from Blues

Moulds has made a massive impact at Worcester, so much so that he has since been handed the captain's armband.

He has become a regular start and a consistent performer at the club.

There is still time for the likes of Melani Nanai, Ed Fidow, Graham Kitchener and others to make a bigger impact. 

Leicester Tigers - Noel Reid

Leicester's new recruits haven't turned the club's fortunes as of yet and Leicester may feel lucky that Saracens have been automatically relegated this season.

But we have been particularly impressed with two players in particular. First off, Jordan Taufua has shown glimpses of what he is capable of and will want to kick off later this year.

And secondly, Noel Reid who has played across the backline for the club. He has been operating reasonably well in all his roles and will want to build on that once rugby resumes.

Saracens - Rhys Carre

Saracens added few squad members to their squad ahead of this season with Elliot Daly, Rhys Carre and Jack Singleton the three big signings for the club.

All of which went to the World Cup and the two Englishman also being involved in the England Six Nations squad.

But Carre's small sample of game time at Saracens gets the nod. The Welshman has shown off his powerful carries and solid scrum work and will hope he can continue that before heading back to Wales at the end of the season.