Premiership Team of the Week: Handre Pollard links up with ‘all-court’ star while ‘everyone’s favourite unsung hero’ selected
And then there were two. After a pulsating play-off weekend that saw Bath progress to their second successive final, and Leicester Tigers seeing off a spirited fightback by Sale Sharks, here’s the players that made the cut in our Gallagher Premiership 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.
Without further ado, here’s our Premiership Team of the Week.
eToro Premiership Team of the Week
15 Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers): A consummate display of aerial skills and wet weather control, Steward’s return to form is a godsend for England head coach Steve Borthwick. Tom de Glanville was a rock for Bath at the Rec as their back three all stood up under pressure.
14 Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers): Two brilliantly taken tries demonstrated once again just what Radwan can achieve when he gets a supply of good ball. He was electric, although Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga also shone in his try-scoring performance while Kalaveti Ravouvou showed flashes of brilliance.
13 Solomone Kata (Leicester Tigers): Kata was a human bowling ball, crashing into the Sale defence time and time again in one of his best displays this season. Max Ojomoh‘s return to fitness and form for Bath comes at a time when England are looking to finalise their squad for the Americas tour and again he shone with ball in hand while Benhard Janse van Rensburg was also impressive.
12 Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks): Ma’asi-White was a shining beacon of excellence in an otherwise average display from the Sale three quarters. His stock is rising fast and he might just be the man England need in the inside centre berth. Cam Redpath is unlucky to miss out after another gritty performance both sides of the ball for Bath.
11 Will Muir (Bath Rugby): Some defensive lapses early doors and he’ll rue the kick that allowed Ravouvou to skin him on the outside early in the game but once again, ‘The Horse’ showed his skill around the paddock. Tigers’ Ollie Hassell-Collins was magnificent in the aerial battle, whilst Bristol’s Gabe Ibitoye tried his heart out, spending some of the game at scrum-half!
10 Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers): A really tough choice between the double world champion Pollard and the Lions 10 elect, Finn Russell. But Pollard’s kick for Radwan’s try and the way he kept Tigers moving forward in mucky conditions sees him take this week’s shirt.
9 Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby): Another wonderfully assured performance at the base where Spencer again showed his all-court game. An essential man in the blue black and white. Jack van Poortvliet gave Tigers surety with kick and snipe, whilst Bristol’s Harry Randall inspired a tremendous first-half showing of pace and ambition.
The forwards
8 Miles Reid (Bath Rugby): Fast becoming everyone’s favourite unsung hero, Reid’s 18 tackles came in only 40 minutes after he replaced the concussed Alfie Barbeary. Surely he’s done enough for an England call-up? We shall see. His opposite number Bill Mata had a massive game for Bears and their loss certainly wasn’t down to the lack of effort from Bristol’s brilliant number eight.
7 Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby): Another statement performance from another brilliant Bath back-rower. In the first half it seemed like it was Bristol versus Pepper, as the ex-Falcon’s breakdown work kept his team in the game. If you want a linking seven, there’s no better player around than Bristol’s Fitz Harding, surely their forward of the season?
6 Ted Hill (Bath Rugby): His try was brilliantly taken, but his last effort tackle on the touchline against Ravouvou needed to be seen to be believed. Exceptional outing, and he keeps out the two combatants at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Leicester’s Hanro Liebenberg and Sale’s Tom Curry.
5 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers): A massive performance where he totally eclipsed the man he replaced in the England engine room, Sale’s Jonny Hill. Bath’s Charlie Ewels was a banker in the lineout, whilst Bristol’s Joe Batley showed his handling skills in another pacy performance.
4 James Dun (Bristol Bears): Galloped in to open the scoring and delivered a massive 60 minute shift of clatter and carry. Quinn Roux did similar in opposition as the pair had a right old ding dong battle.
3 Thomas du Toit (Bath Rugby): Came on for Will Stuart who was under a little bit of pressure from his England teammate Ellis Genge, and simply sorted stuff out. Joe Heyes had a powerful scrummaging afternoon for Tigers, enjoying a great battle with Sale’s Bevan Rodd.
2 Julian Montoya (Leicester Tigers): A clearly emotional performance from a world class exponent of his art. You could see what Tigers means to the Puma as he tearfully waved goodbye to the Welford Road faithful. It took a massive performance to see off another emotionally captivating player in Bath’s Tom Dunn, but Montoya is our Player of the Week.
1 Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers): Smith gave Asher Opoku-Fordjour the test of his life in the tight and very much got the upper hand on the young England tighthead. Ellis Genge bled for his club in a wonderful personal contribution but it simply wasn’t enough to see Bears over the line.
The Premiership Team of the Week is brought to you by eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby.
Tackle investing the smart way and join millions of UK investors on eToro today. The friendly platform for serious investors.
eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.
