After one of the most captivating rounds of rugby in Premiership Rugby history, we have the near impossible task of reviewing each of our West Country sides thrilling games and selecting a team of the week.
Bath took on Wasps in the weekend’s curtain-twitcher at The Rec on Friday night, coming excruciatingly close to securing a miraculous 29-point comeback as they were defeated 39-31. Bristol Bears followed the next day, surviving a late scare to remain undefeated with a 40-36 victory over London Irish at Ashton Gate.
Gloucester were not so lucky at the StoneX Stadium, as last year’s Premiership finalists Saracens clawed back a game that was the Cherry and Whites to lose, with a late Tom Woolstencroft brace and a match-winning conversion from Owen Farrell handing George Skivington’s men a 41-39 loss.
After a weekend of non-stop action across the Gallagher Premiership, Exeter Chiefs perfectly capped off the weekend with the best game of the lot, defeating the visiting Harlequins 43-42 at Sandy Park thanks to a final play score from Christ Tshiunza.
Enjoy what will likely be the only team of the week lacking a certain Henry Arundell.
15. Charles Piutau (Bristol)
Even Serge Blanco himself would’ve been outshone by Henry Arundell, so that by no means should be a black mark against the former All Black.
Piutau is omnipresent in all Bristol’s attacking movements, whether it be punching holes, agile movements or clearing out jacklers, this man’s involved.
His magnificent offload to Piers O’Conor in the build up to the scintillating Luke Morahan try offers just a glimpse of what he can do with the ball in hand. Play on.
14. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath)
Isn’t always able to exert his skillset on oppositions due to a lack of service, but that was no problem on Friday night.
61 metres is a nice total for a game-leading 12 carries, and the big man also threw himself about under the high ball, keeping his side in possession underneath box kicks and kick offs.
Three defenders beaten isn’t bad either, the winger secured his place in Eddie Jones’ training squad announced on Monday.
13. Henry Slade (Exeter)
A stellar showing as he made his first appearance on a rugby field since the final round of the regular season back in late May. After missing out on England’s tour Down Under, it was not surprising to see the centre itching to go.
I was particularly impressed with his support play, evidenced by his clear-out of Archie White that ensured quick service to Patrick Schickerling on the next phase, leaving the disorganised Quins defence scrambling as the tighthead barrelled towards the try line. He even got his kicking boots on at one point.
12. Mark Atkinson (Gloucester)
Did exactly what it says on the tin; punch holes and offload. Expertly kept his hands free and allowed attacks to flourish – he was at the source of many of the Cherry and Whites’ breaks on Saturday.
Formed a nice impromptu midfield partnership with Billy Twelvetrees, providing service to those outside him in the process.
11. Will Muir (Bath)
The horse most definitely galloped on Friday night. An inherent ability to break tackles (and make it look easy while doing so) made for a game-leading 122 metres gained, four defenders beaten and four clean breaks (in only six carries!) – the man is an attacking menace.
Had complete authority when challenging for high balls, proving that challenging the former Sevens player in the air is a foolish action. The most underrated player in the Premiership.
10. Adam Hastings (Gloucester)
This was Adam Hastings at his absolute best. His finish for his try in the corner defied belief, somehow keeping his foot in play despite pressure from none other than the reigning Premiership player of the year in Ben Earl.
Was denied 100 per cent from the tee by a post’s width, but a total of 19 points on the day isn’t all bad I suppose. Had he not missed that single conversion perhaps the result may have been different, but ultimately the defeat was due to Gloucester’s crumbling defence in the closing minutes rather than the Scotland international’s boot.
9. Harry Randall (Bristol)
Some quick thinking identifying a gap between Ollie Hoskins and Paddy Jackson close to the line combined with a convincing dummy to Charles Piutau sent the scrum-half over for a try on Saturday, capping off another game in which he puts his hand up for England selection.
A demon around the fringes, leading his side with 65 metres.
Shows great adaptability to acclimatise to whatever pace a game will take – and thankfully (and predictably) for spectators, it was a fast one.
He’s responding perfectly to being lost in the international shuffle, particularly considering the positional depth Eddie Jones has on offer.
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol)
Capped his second Bristol appearance with another try, spotting a lack of guard around the breakdown for the score.
His score was possibly the simplest thing he did against London Irish, with each given carry gaining as the loosehead continues to establish himself as one of, if not the most feared ball carrier in the world.
Reduced Ollie Hoskins to mincemeat at scrum-time too as the pack conquered proceedings up front.
Had to put in quite something to pip Val Rapava-Ruskin to the spot, but the England international managed it.
2. Tom Dunn (Bath)
Wore that captain’s armband like it was made for him.
An absolutely tireless display from the England international, who dragged his side kicking and screaming back into a game they had absolutely no right to still be in.
He exemplified leadership, with the burden having no effect to him as he led his troops into battle with each bludgeoning carry causing the raucous Rec to roar once more.
Expertly steered his pack (along with most of the backline) to the line for a pair of driving maul tries that perfectly highlighted his game.
3. Patrick Schickerling (Exeter)
When he keeps putting in game-changing performances from the bench there’s absolutely no reason why he shouldn’t stay there.
Perhaps got a little lucky he didn’t get penalised for the three metres he gained crawling in the lead up to his try, but regardless, overcoming four defenders to the line is no mean feat.
While the angle at which Stuart Hogg threw that pass will be debated all week, what can’t be disputed is the destructive carry that followed from Schickerling, overcoming Tyrone Green to make it into the 22 in the lead up to Christ Tshiunza’s match winning score.
4. Josh McNally (Bath)
The England-capped lock was present in much of what went well for the Blue, Black and White on Friday.
Steadied Bath’s breakdown woes in the second half as they rallied, posing far more of a challenge to the Willis brothers’ supremacy over the breakdown with some fast clear-outs.
One of Bath’s leading tacklers, and a reliable target for Tom Dunn in the lineout.
Seeing his set-piece dominant engine room pairing with Dave Attwood has been a joy to watch, even if Bath still remain winless; both these guys need some credit after the mass accumulation of minutes for the both of them in the opening rounds.
5. Jonny Gray (Exeter)
While the Scotland international’s defensive capabilities are hardly much of a secret, the lock emulated a member of the backline for much of Sunday’s clash with Harlequins.
With a plethora of offloads, some crucial tackles and resolute jumping in the lineout to his highlight reel, Gray delivered entirely in every area on Sunday as he helped keep his side unbeaten despite the late scare from the unpredictable Harlequins.
6. Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester)
A real all-action player delivered another performance of that ilk in an absolute barnstormer at the StoneX on Saturday.
To lead a team containing Albert Tuisue in carries (14) isn’t the easiest task, but to also hammer the defence with each given opportunity is something else; 30 metres gained is a pretty tricky number to reach against Saracens.
The Gloucester pack remains a force to be reckoned with, led by Ackermann they convincingly won the game up-front both in collisions and at the set-piece.
7. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter)
Our player of the week – has gone from an outsider to a shoo-in for Wales’ autumn internationals in the space of three weeks.
I’d imagine seeing this man thundering towards you at full tilt is not exactly a pleasant sight – to see his confidence with the ball in hand seem to grow tenfold from what we saw last week was a pleasure.
Made three defenders look like mugs in his first score, most of all Tyrone Green - who isn’t exactly an easily intimidated tackler.
Regardless of whether or not Stuart Hogg’s pass to Patrick Schickerling was flat or forward, Tshiunza was undeniable from the second Olly Woodburn popped him the ball as he charged over for the match-winner.
The frenzy that followed at Sandy Park was enough to put him in the team of the week alone – his second try capped off perfectly what in my opinion was the greatest round in Premiership rugby history.
8. Magnus Bradbury (Bristol)
I simply could not deny him for a third week running, particularly when he performs like he did on Saturday.
Pat Lam appears to be breeding a sleuth of damaging carriers, with the numbers speaking for themselves when you look at the forward.
While 47 metres from 12 runs is unquestionably striking, it was without the ball in hand he impressed me most. He took on the London Irish pack head on, with a team-leading 15 tackles as the sides went hell for leather.
