Premiership Team of the Week: David Campese hails England hopeful for ‘all-court game’ as Bristol Bears dominate selection
Following the conclusion of a superb Round Seven of the 2024/25 Premiership season, we welcome back Wallabies great David Campese to pick our Team of the Week.
For the second season in a row we have partnered with eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby, to bring you a best XV from every Premiership round, each one chosen by a famous face from the world of rugby.
Let’s hear what the Campese makes of the weekend’s activities in England.
eToro Premiership Team of the Week
15 Santiago Carreras (Gloucester): Such a classy operator, the Argentina international returned from Autumn Nations Series duty and slotted right back into the Gloucester set-up. Scored two tries which he converted and also fired over a couple of penalties as the Cherry and Whites won at Northampton Saints.
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs): I was tempted to shift Arron Reed across from the left wing to this jersey but felt the England finisher offered enough to lock down this position. He was solid under the high ball, made the most metres while beating the most defenders in a workmanlike shift.
13 Kalaveti Ravouvou (Bristol Bears): A hugely impressive try-scoring performance from the Fijian, who finished his score well down the left side of the field. His combination in midfield with a soon-to-be eligible England centre (more below) was outstanding and they look full of confidence at the moment.
12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears): Up there with one of the players of the round, Van Rensburg was brilliant in Bears white on Friday as he brought an all-court game that sees him get in ahead of Sale Sharks’ Luke James. The ex-Cheetahs centre distributed, ran and defended superbly well.
11 Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears): The third Bristol Bears player to make the team was Ibitoye, who came back to haunt his former club Harlequins with an impressive performance. His link-up play and ability to always be in the right place at the right time made him a standout performer as he also scored a try.
10 George Ford (Sale Sharks): The England international controlled the game nicely at 10 for Sale Sharks on Sunday. While he was not kicking at goal due to a minor injury, Ford did manage the game well against Leicester. AJ MacGinty is fully deserving of his mention for his part in Bristol’s incredible win.
9 Kieran Marmion (Bristol Bears): That snipe down the blindside of a ruck where there was seemingly no room to manoeuvre showed just how high his confidence is right now. Marmion suits Bristol’s style down to the ground and his work with Ibitoye and many other Bears teammates was a joy to watch.
The forwards
8 Zach Mercer (Gloucester): 12 carries for 41 metres from the Gloucester number eight in a try-scoring performance against a stunned Northampton Saints. A mention for Exeter’s Greg Fisilau who made a game high 17 tackles and nine carries for the cause, but I believe the former Montpellier star had the edge.
7 Guy Pepper (Bath): 11 carries and two tries for the Bath flanker while he also topped his team’s tackle count with 13. Had a major hand in the first try he scored at the Rec and added his second from the back of a maul later in the game. An impressive performance as he edged Bears flanker Fitz Harding.
6 Tom Gordon (Newcastle Falcons): Newcastle really put in a defensive shift against Saracens and Gordon was a key contributor as they saw off the former champions 17-12. He made 24 tackles on the night as the Falcons ended a 15-year wait for a victory over Saracens, one they rightly celebrated.
5 Joe Owen (Bristol Bears): Galloped down the left wing after demanding Marmion’s long pass and he then linked up with Ibitoye who found his scrum-half for the run-in, it was a fantastic day at the office for lock Owen. He gets in ahead of Gloucester’s Freddie Thomas, who made 14 tackles in their win.
4 Philip van der Walt (Newcastle Falcons): A match high 15 tackles was not enough to see Arthur Clark (Gloucester) get the nod as I had to reward Van der Walt for his efforts on Friday night. A whopping 26 tackles from the South African while he also put in a team high 10 carries in a famous victory.
3 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks): Sale’s scrum initially struggled against Tigers, but they adapted and the youngster was superb after that. Contributed plenty in the loose, especially in the second period, and his try showed incredible pace and awareness for a prop who is set for a bright future.
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks): Pats on the back for Bristol’s Gabriel Oghre and Newcastle’s Jamie Blamire but the shift of Sale Sharks’ Cowan-Dickie on Sunday sees him edge this battle. Grabbed a key try late in the game to seal victory over Leicester. What a signing he has turned out to be.
1 Thomas du Toit (Bath): What a year it has been for the Springboks prop as for both club and country he has been outstanding. Made 20 metres with ball in hand and was a rock at the scrum while also chipping in with nine tackles – two of which were dominant – as the prop yet again showed his worth.
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