Sale Sharks claim bragging rights in Premiership Team of the Season as Lions and England snubs named
Sale Sharks claim bragging rights in Premiership Team of the Season as Lions and England snubs named
Sale Sharks have dominated the 2024/25 Premiership Team of the Season with four players selected, including their esteemed captain, Ben Curry.
Finishing in third place in the league standings, Sale were back to their best this season thanks to their dogged defensive displays, as they won exactly two thirds of their matches.
Joining Curry in the squad was England fly-half George Ford, South African centre Robert du Preez and recent England call-up Tom Roebuck.
The playoff-heavy squad
Second-placed Leicester Tigers had just the one inclusion in the XV, with 31-year-old Welsh prop Nicky Smith getting the plaudits for his hard work in the scrum.
League leaders Bath have been given plenty of credit for their immense forward pack this season, so it’s no surprise to see three of their members included in this line-up. Front-row titans Tom Dunn and Thomas du Toit join the aforementioned Smith, while Ted Hill settles in on the flank alongside Curry.
Bristol Bears remain in contention for the Premiership title, and their players have certainly been recognised for their efforts this season. Electric winger Gabriel Ibitoye and giant second-row Joe Batley were issued their well-deserved spots, while Benhard Janse van Rensburg completes an impressive South African centre partnership.
The best of the rest
Despite missing out on the Premiership play-offs, Saracens fans will be pleased to see British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje join Batley in the second-row, while England teammate Tom Willis takes his place at number eight.
Finally, Gloucester boast two inclusions, with the future British and Irish Lions tourist Tomos Williams taking his spot at scrum half, and the Bath-bound Santi Carreras securing the full-back spot.
2024/25 Premiership Rugby Team of the Season
- Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers)
- Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
- Thomas du Toit (Bath Rugby)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens)
- Joe Batley (Bristol Bears)
- Ted Hill (Bath Rugby)
- Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
- Tom Willis (Saracens)
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
- George Ford (Sale Sharks)
- Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears)
- Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears)
- Robert du Preez (Sale Sharks)
- Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
- Santi Carreras (Gloucester Rugby)
The Gallagher Premiership Rugby Team of the Season was chosen by an expert panel consisting of Rachael Burford (RPA), Christian Day (RPA), Jill Douglas (ITV, BBC), Ali Eykyn (TNT Sports), Hugh Godwin (The i Paper), Chris Jones (BBC), Alex Lowe (The Times), Gavin Mairs (Telegraph), Ugo Monye (BBC, TNT Sports), Nick Mullins (TNT Sports) and Claire Thomas (BBC, TNT Sports).
