PREM Rugby Team of the Week: Six Nations stars ‘hit the ground running’ on club returns while Test hopeful ‘edges his way up the pecking order’
Henry Arundell (left), Billy Searle (centre) and Arthur Clark (right) feature in the latest PREM Rugby Team of the Week.
Following the conclusion of round 11 of the PREM season, here is the latest Planet Rugby Team of the Week!
The weekend action showed no signs of a Six Nations hangover with five blockbuster games across the top flight. Bath kicked the round off with a thrashing of Saracens, while Saturday saw Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and Northampton Saints beat Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Newcastle Red Bulls respectively. Sunday was by no means a filler, either, as Leicester Tigers beat play-off rivals Bristol Bears.
Without further ado, here is who made our PREM XV!
PREM Rugby Team of the Week
15 Ben Redshaw (Gloucester): The ex-England U20s hotshot played a key role in Gloucester’s comeback win over Harlequins, and just nudges Olly Woodburn out of this selection in the process. Always seemed to make something happen whenever he touched the ball, reflected in his tally of 54 metres from just eight carries, and got himself on the scoresheet in the process.
14 Henry Arundell (Bath): This felt the perfect tonic after a trying Six Nations campaign for the back, as he hit the ground running back in the PREM. His poacher’s touch was again on full display with a well-taken brace, with one coming from an exceptional interception, and notched a game-high 123 metres from just three carries along the way. Paul Brown-Bampoe was also in good touch for Exeter.
13 Orlando Bailey (Leicester Tigers): Seems to have found a home in midfield, and looks all the better for it. It just felt like a really complete overall performance from Bailey, finishing with 13 tackles and 62 metres from 12 carries, while also playing a crucial linking role within their attack as well. Henry Slade again impressed for Exeter, and can feel unlucky to miss out here given Bailey actually played with 12 on his back.
12 Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints): A tough call at 12, with Seb Atkinson impressing on his return from Six Nations duty, but Litchfield was a rock of stability for Northampton this weekend and gets the nod as a result. Consistently looked to get involved in the attack, and did so to good effect with 100 metres from his 15 carries alongside a pivotal try in the final moments of the game, and backed that up with some strong defensive efforts as well.
11 Harrison Obatoyinbo (Newcastle Red Bulls): Will Muir was very close to making it a Bath double on the wings, but we couldn’t overlook Obatoyinbo’s performance at Franklin’s Gardens. Was just a real thorn in Northampton’s side all afternoon, tallying 175 metres from 12 carries and five linebreaks alongside a tally of five defenders beaten, and deservedly got himself on the scoresheet as well.
10 Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers): The form player heading into the Six Nations break just carried on from where he left off, in another superb performance for Leicester. Offered that typical dual-threat we’ve come to expect from him in their win over Bristol, with his distribution key to unlocking their defence while also making 88 metres from 22 carries of his own, alongside beating five defenders, and was again solid from the tee. Seems to be edging his way up the pecking order for a Test call-up. Charlie Atkinson and Harvey Skinner were leading the hunt after Saturday’s games.
9 Ben Spencer (Bath): Another England Six Nations returner makes the cut, and it’s another fully deserved nomination. Just bossed the game from start to finish against Saracens, effortlessly guiding Bath around the pitch and getting them playing in the right areas. Also got himself a try in the process, which is what his efforts deserved. Caolan Englefield impressed for Gloucester, while Stephen Varney also went well for Exeter.
The forwards
8 Alfie Barbeary (Bath): The Saracens-bound number eight gave his future employers a real advert for what he could bring to the mix next year, with a blockbuster performance on Friday night. Barbeary just charged around the pitch like an angry freight train across his shift, ending his night with 34 metres from 10 carries, 10 tackles, a turnover and a try for his efforts. Callum Chick wasn’t far behind, though.
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7 Josh Bayliss (Bath): Simply superb, as he just edges Ross Vintcent into this team. Bayliss has become an integral part of this Bath back-row this season, leapfrogging into the starting side in the process, and Friday night was the perfect example as to why, as he just left everything on the pitch with 13 tackles, a turnover and 90 metres from 12 carries ball-in-hand to his name. His try was also very well taken, and very well deserved.
6 Tom Hooper (Exeter Chiefs): A big return to action for the Wallaby, who has been a huge presence for Exeter all season. His steely efforts were so crucial in keeping Sale Sharks at bay on Saturday, consistently popping up when his team needed him most to change the momentum of the game. Again ended the game with a healthy stats sheet, too, with 13 tackles and 46 metres from seven carries to his name come full-time. Fitz Harding, while deployed at seven, came close here.
5 Arthur Clark (Gloucester): Andrea Zambonin and Ollie Chessum were certainly in the discussion this week, but we’ve opted for Clark after his strong effort against Harlequins. The one-capped England international seemed to channel his Six Nations disappointment into a huge effort for the Cherry and Whites, contributing massively on both sides of the ball and ending his shift with 15 tackles, a turnover and nine carries for 18 metres, all before scoring the match-winning try.
4 Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs): Brought his Six Nations form back to Sandy Park, as he dropped yet another monstrous effort for the Chiefs. 21 tackles tell a story of its own, but he just led from the front and seemed to galvanise his team when they were under the cosh, which eventually powered them home. Charlie Ewels also impressed for Bath.
3 Archie Griffin (Bath): Seems to be maturing rapidly this season, and enjoyed a fine day against Saracens this weekend. While he was given limited exposure in the scrum, he was excellent in defence with 14 tackles to his name come full-time. Joe Heyes again went well for Leicester.
2 Gabe Oghre (Bristol Bears): A good day for hookers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday, with Jamie Blamire impressing, but Oghre just slots in above him. His clearance kick alone warrants a spot in this selection, but the England hopeful was just everywhere for his side in a valiant effort. Oghre contributed superbly on both sides of the ball across his shift, with 11 carries for 28 metres in attack and 14 tackles in defence to his name.
1 Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints): One of the harder picks, with Nicky Smith and Beno Obano both leaving a mark for Leicester and Bath respectively, but it’s the Northampton man who edges in this weekend. Got himself involved in the ugly stuff from minute one, and ended the game with six tackles, a turnover and 17 metres from just four carries.