Premiership Team of the Week: David Campese picks Michael Lynagh-esque fly-half while Christian Wade ‘rolls back the years’
Following Round Two of the 2024/25 Premiership season, it’s the great David Campese’s turn 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 Wallaby legend makes of the weekend’s activities in England.
Premiership Team of the Week
15 Elliot Daly (Saracens): A really close call for me as I also thought Saints’ George Furbank had a magnificent match and Max Malins grabbed two in a very narrow but exciting loss at Ashton Gate. But Daly had a stormer for Saracens in their win, grabbing two scores. Leigh Halfpenny crossed for his first try for Quins.
14 Christian Wade (Gloucester): He absolutely turned back time in his hat-trick performance, proving that pure gas is the hardest thing to defend against. Magnificent. Harlequins’ Cassius Cleaves looks an absolute baller and I’ll be tracking his progress with interest whilst Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is unlucky not to get the nod as he had another corker of a game v Saints.
13 Ollie Lawrence (Bath): The form player of the Premiership season so far. Brilliant on both sides of the ball in a wonderful display. A word for Saracens’ Alex Lozowski who had a great day off the tee and in defence, whilst Gloucester’s Chris Harris was another classy operator who impressed me.
12 Will Butt (Bath): My mates in the Pom press tell me that this guy was almost unheard of last year – well he’s looked special this season and I really like the pace and power he brings. Saints’ Rory Hutchinson is my runner-up as he again gave us a powerful demonstration of centre play.
11 Max Llewellyn (Gloucester): For some reason this weekend I could have picked any of four great performances on the right wing, but on the left, only Llewellyn is a strong candidate, although Bath’s Will Muir was great until his knee injury.
Bath hand Michael Cheika first Premiership defeat in charge of Leicester Tigers
10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints): A thrilling display of fly-half control from a young master. He reminds me of Michael Lynagh, both in appearance and play! Gareth Anscombe was great for Gloucester, whilst Finn Russell again lit the Bath touchpaper in attack.
9 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears): Another man with that wonderful quality – pure pace. He was outstanding in defeat, but Ben Spencer (Bath) and Tomos Williams (Gloucester) also excelled.
The forwards
8 Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints): Massive display from a massive man. He’s said to be a 40-minute player but I see him getting fitter and fitter. Bristol’s Fitz Harding is another who caught my eye – real engine on that guy and he goes deep.
7 Guy Pepper (Bath): One of the most impressive players of the weekend, I can see why there was a queue to sign him up. Gloucester’s Harry Taylor was also brilliant all evening at Ashton Gate, whilst Will Evans put in another classy display for Quins.
6 Jack Clement (Gloucester): Clement carried like a demon and his power was often the catalyst for what transpired afterwards. I also thought Ted Hill‘s impact off the bench demonstrated just what a great athlete he is.
5 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints): I reckon Coles could be a vital player for England this season – offering true versatility off the bench in either the 5 or 6 shirt. Hugh Tizard had a lovely romp at the StoneX for Saracens too.
4 Quinn Roux (Bath): Roux was such an influence on Bath’s set-piece as he pressured the Tigers lineout. By saying that, his opposite number, George Martin, also put in a big shift in defeat, but Roux is my man for this team.
3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers): Dan is so old I think I must have probably played against him! But his impact was huge and he almost got his team home. I almost picked Gloucester’s Afo Fasogbon just for his send-off of Ellis Genge as he also impressed.
2 Curtis Langdon (Northampton Saints): Urban myth has it that Langdon, who coaches with Nick Easter at Chinnor, was disappointed that Easter didn’t pick him last weekend. So I’ve made up for it, but in truth he deserves it for an all-action display. Jamie George showed his qualities for Saracens in another try-scoring display.
1 Fin Baxter (Harlequins): The baby faced assassin had another impressive outing and again showed poise with ball in hand. Another who impressed me was Manny Iyogun for Saints, who held up against a massive tighthead in Ehren Painter.
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