Following the conclusion of the 12th round of the PREM season, here is the latest Planet Rugby Team of the Week!
A weekend of big games, at various venues, saw important victories for Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Northampton Saints and Bath.
Without further ado, here’s who made us PREM XV!
PREM Rugby Team of the Week
15 Louis Rees-ZammitBristol Bears): It was a good day for the back rowers at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, in Jamie Benson they are also doing well, but Rees-Zammit is moving forward. The Welshman was also a power ball in hand, making 21 carries for 137 meters as well as the number of seven defenders beaten and three linebreaks, proving exactly why Pat Lam passed him to 15 this season. His side could have come out victorious, but it wasn’t his fault.
14 Paul Brown-BampoeLords of Exeter): Much of the focus has been on Brown-Bampoe’s attacking prowess, but he put in an all-round display on Friday night to help his team emerge victorious against Newcastle Red Bulls. While catching two regular season steal attempts, he came up with a strong defensive effort to deny receivers tackles and opportunities, which shows how far he has come since last year’s breakout season. Gabe Hamer-Webb also impressed by Leicester.
13 Come Wand (Leicester Tigers): He is also good from an impressive centre, who has been raising his profile in the Test ranks with an eye on the July campaign. He was always able to make the ball-in-hand happen, tallying 83 yards from his nine carries while making three tackles and hitting seven defenders, and earned a tryout award as a result. Louie Hennessey caught the eye of Bath.
12 Tom LitchfieldNorthampton Saints): There is a lot to like about the Litchfield game, and it was a complete display for the Spurs. He just charged up the field for fun against Saracens, and unfortunately he kept finding himself cutting the right line needed to break through the line, which helped him score a good try from 79 yards from his nine carries. Orlando Bailey was not far, while Northampton’s actual number 12, Rory Hutchinson, it can also feel poorly designed.
Saracens v Northampton: Five takeaways as Saints edge ahead in “game of the season” as “arithmetic is uncomfortable” for Sarries.
11 Campbell RidlLords of Exeter): Another year, another Exeter player is enjoying a season of success, and boy is Ridl going to the PREM well. This proved to be another display from the South African native, who scored two tries as well as a career-high 88 meters from just seven, making four clearances and beating three defenders. Rodrigo Isgro it was a close second.
10 Billy Searle (Leicester Tigers): However, another inclusion in the Team of the Week for Leicester man Searle, who was once again scintillating. He just put those two threats out of the park as he grabbed two assists from within 30 yards of his three shots, and served as the final scorer for the Tigers in their victory. It’s hard to ignore England’s view even now, looking ahead to the Nations Championship campaign.
9 Archie McParlandNorthampton Saints): A truly mature performance from the Saints scrum-half, arguably his best at senior level to date. McParland looked to dominate his side big time on Saturday evening, much like Alex Mitchell it must be said, injecting the right tempo into their attack while adding his layer of threat to the carry – which resulted in his brace. Stephen Varney I had the shirt until Saturday evening, though.
Those who go forward
8 Alex DombrandtHarlequins): Great performance on the big occasion from the Quins man, who looked to be back to his best this week. He was always there to make a big play for his side, evidenced by his 13 disposals, 14 tackles and three turnovers, and led from the front to drive his side to victory. Olly Cracknell put in another monster conversion for Leicester.
7 Henry PollockNorthampton Saints): He made headlines a week after signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom agency, and again made headlines at Spurs to avoid his vocal critics. Pollock has recently put in a big effort on both sides of the ball, showing off his 16 carries for 45 yards and a conversion, and he looked to be a good pick for his side. Ethan Staddon it was too good for Bath too, and it would be hard to miss that Pollock was wearing eight on his back this weekend.
Bristol v Harlequins: Five takeaways as Quins end long wait, spoil Bears’ Big Day and silence ‘fair’ criticism
6 Guido PettiHarlequins): Tom Hooper it was also in a good relationship for Exeter, but we did not ignore Petti’s change in the Principality. The Argentine ace recently added another layer of iron to Quins’ efforts in Cardiff to get them over the line, making eight tackles, six clearances and a turnover for good measure, and once again proved himself to be a key leader in this side.
5 Hanro Liebenburg (Leicester Tigers): It seems to be love life in the engine room, with another great effort in Leicester’s win at Gloucester. He never stopped working for his side all afternoon, making 10 disposals, 13 tackles and a huge tackle while beating three defenders in the process. Andrea Zambonin it was also high for Exeter.
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens): A tough call for them, by Kieran Treadwell interesting for Quins, but we have the England skipper up front. He looked more refreshed after his bye week last season, giving Saracens more room to defend with 14 shots and a conversion to his name.
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3 Jimmy RootsLords of Exeter): You’ve gotten into serious shape in recent weeks, haven’t you? J. Roots may have been in his brother’s shadow with Exeter since joining Ealing, but he has come alive in recent weeks and his display against Newcastle was arguably the best in Chiefs colours. He held his own in the scrum and chipped in with a game-high 14 tackles and seven tackles. Thomas du Toit had a big impact for Bath off the bench.
2 Kepu Tuiplutu (Bath): Jamie Blamire it was very close for this side, but the introduction of Tuipulotu turned the game on its head on Sunday and helped propel Bath to victory. He was always willing to put his body on the line for a reason, on both sides of the ball with a game-high 13 carries for 32 yards along with five tackles, and showed that little glimmer of pride with a kick-kick-assist as well. Someone from this side who could knock on England’s door.
1 Nicky SmithLeicester Tigers): Beno Obano’s an effort from the bench almost sees him jump into the area, but Leicester’s Smith comes first. His work in the scrum played a key role in Leicester’s record-setting start, extracting penalties from Gloucester’s pack in the process.
READ MORE: Sale v Bath: Five takeaways as Bomb team make ‘dramatic rescue’ to leave Sharks ‘searching for souls’.
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