After a weekend of last-minute defeats, long-awaited victories, and that drop goal, Round 7 of the Gallagher Premiership is firmly in the rear-view mirror for our West Country sides.
Gloucester were up first on Friday night, making the trip to the nation’s capital where they defeated London Irish 22-21 at the Gtech Community Stadium thanks to a Adam Hastings’ match-winning strike that defied belief.
Exeter Chiefs suffered a harrowing 22-20 defeat to league leading Saracens at Sandy Park on Saturday, as Alex Goode broke hearts with the final kick of the game. And Bath at last secured much-awaited first victory of the season, defeating top-four candidates Northampton Saints 27-14 in a convincing showing at The Rec on Saturday.
Rugby reporter Nathan Russell gives his verdict of the weekend’s action as he selects his West Country Team of the Week.
15. Matt Gallagher (Bath)
If I was a betting man I’d put my house on this man’s fuel tank being infinite, and he’s got a work ethic to match.
Tricky to get to ground with the ball in hand, and a threat creating chances off it. His kicking game continues to flourish; he has an absolute rocket in his boot.
A fourth consecutive team of the week selection for the most in-form full-back in the league.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester)
In a game that greatly emulated his showing last week, he had limited opportunities with the ball in hand, but instead made his presence known without the ball in hand.
The Wales international has at times left much to be desired defensively in his young career, but so far this season you really cannot fault him in this portion of the game, with his 11 tackle total on Friday night being a wonderful number for a wide man.
Nice to see his growth as a player, being far more comfortable venturing off his wing.
13. Henry Slade (Exeter)
Some response to his England omission. Imperious from the tee, putting Exeter in the lead with some vital penalties before Alex Goode’s last-minute heroics.
Fearlessly floored the rampaging Maro Itoje, who was ramming his way to the line, and out-sprinted Elliot Daly (which is no mean feat) as he hared after a loose ball.
Following a plethora of injuries to internationals over the weekend, he gets a deserved call-up from Eddie Jones for the Autumn Nations Series.
12. Cameron Redpath (Bath)
His midfield partnership with Ollie Lawrence really is something to behold.
Marked his Scotland call-up with a classy attacking performance, line breaking to create the Miles Reid try, before sharply scouting an interception at halfway for a score of his own, putting the game beyond Northampton’s reach. A sensational team-leading 66 metres.
11. Santiago Carreras (Gloucester)
Started in the 15 shirt, but shifted to the left wing following Jonny May’s concerning elbow injury early in proceedings, and the versatile back flourished in the wide channel.
His adjustment didn’t affect his menacing kicking game, identifying space in the backfield to exploit throughout.
A player who makes you sit up in your seat each time he gets the ball in hand, and infinite threat with a frightening skill set.
Reliable on either side of the ball.
10. Adam Hastings (Gloucester)
How dare you, Adam Hastings?
The sheer audacity to even consider striking that ball in the direction of the posts deserves a degree of praise (or perhaps ridicule), but hitting it right on the sweet spot to perfectly angle the trajectory of the kick from past the half-way line is simply ridiculous. Bravo, Adam.
Put it on a plate for Santiago Socino’s first score, expertly spotting the dog leg before unselfishly passing outside the hooker for the easiest score of his career.
His tackling continues to be an underrated weapon, particularly off the set-piece.
Demonstrating the confidence of an international player at the perfect time, with Gregor Townsend appearing to phase Finn Russell out of the Scotland team. A third consecutive team of the week selection for the fly-half.
9. Jack Maunder (Exeter)
Allowed the Chiefs back line to flourish with a steady, yet sprightly pace. Breaking apart the Saracens defence is one hell of a task at the best of times, but he eased his way into things as the game loosened following the interval. Steady with the box kick as always.
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester)
The man of the moment following his England call-up, this proved a trademark performance from the most in-form loosehead in the league as he secures his third consecutive team of the week selection.
I heard a stat this week that despite his activity in forcing holding-on penalties at the breakdown and scrummaging at loosehead, he has only infringed once all season. That is a simply incredible statistic.
Held up the ball as Irish searched for a second try early in the game, which could have had major consequences in the late minutes.
Showed his dominance over the ball by winning a hat-trick of turnovers at the breakdown, and joint-led his team’s tackle charts with 13.
Was out on his feet by the full time whistle, travelling from flank to flank in the 79 th minute, stopping a barnstorming carry from Will Joseph as the Cherry and Whites defended for their lives on one wing before hitting breakdowns first on the other. Incredible.
2. Santiago Socino (Gloucester)
Fast out the blocks with a score in the corner after receiving magnificent service from Adam Hastings, before adding another as he steered Gloucester’s storied driving maul over the line.
Omnipresent throughout, and provides absolute security at the set-piece. He continues a stellar run of form.
3. Fraser Balmain (Gloucester)
Fantastic in the loose as he got over the gain line on demand with consistent carrying. Deserves a standing ovation for going the full 80 – has he ever done that before?
Led the defensive effort with his propping partner, tallying 13 tackles against a livewire London Irish attack and delivered a great shift anchoring the scrum against a quality loosehead in Danilo Fischetti.
4. Freddie Clarke (Gloucester)
The Gloucester line-out continues to be an absolute force to be reckoned with this lock pairing.
Clarke continues to showcase his high work rate with an undeniable presence across the field, hunting for collisions throughout the 80 whether with or without the ball in hand. Some nice work in the breakdown at crucial moments.
5. Matias Alemanno (Gloucester)
The Argentina international fittingly completes the Gloucester front five, who ultimately got the Cherry and Whites over the line on Friday night.
Dominant in the air as an option for Socino, and a battering carrier once his feet are on the ground.
Ben White’s box-kicks suffered on Friday night with this lumbering giant hanging around the fringes.
6. Josh Bayliss (Bath)
An underrated operator that once again earned a well-deserved Scotland call-up from Gregor Townsend in the week.
It’s his breakdown presence where he thrived most on Saturday, thieving the ball with turnovers and steals close to his own try-line that made for a difficult day as the Northampton pack struggled to completely exert themselves with their big carriers.
Had some daring moments with the ball in hand, and provided support to otherwise isolated runners.
7. Miles Reid (Bath)
His discipline may continue to be a blemish, but he has an otherwise extraordinary skillset that he put to full use on Saturday as Bath secured their deserved maiden win of the season.
Picked a good support line after Cameron Redpath’s break to score the Blue, Black and White’s first try of the day.
Led Bath’s vastly improved defence with 17 tackles, which included a great hit, hold up and turnover on the England-selected Alex Coles.
JP Ferreira’s philosophies really seem to be coming together for the side, and Reid’s efforts were absolutely crucial in achieving this on Saturday.
8. Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester)
Timed and targeted the white line with a short range drive for the score that greatly reduced his side’s deficit with force.
One of many players that made a lead-retaining play, holding up and Irish maul that seemed destined for the line.
Accumulated a meteoric total of carries, and made some crucial defensive contributions. How this man provides hard-working showings like these week in, week out, is beyond me.
