The rugby pitch has erupted in excitement once again, with Premiership round three delivering heart-pounding matches and spotlighting players who are not just performing, but potentially reshaping the landscape of English rugby! As fans, we're all hooked on these weekend warriors pushing boundaries, but here's where it gets controversial: are these standout displays enough to secure international spots, or is there more to selection than a single game's heroics? Stick around as we dive into the Planet Rugby Team of the Week, breaking it down step by step for beginners who might be new to the sport's intricacies.
And this is the part most people miss—the derby weekend kicked off in the North West with Sale Sharks dominating Newcastle Red Bulls in a display of sheer power and control. This victory set a fiery tone for Saturday, where Bristol Bears narrowly outshone Exeter Chiefs in a nail-biting thriller at Ashton Gate, while Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby claimed bragging rights against Leicester Tigers and Gloucester, respectively, with bonus-point triumphs that underscored their attacking prowess and defensive resilience. To cap it all, Harlequins surged past London rivals Saracens, snagging their maiden win of the season and proving that momentum can shift dramatically.
Without wasting another moment, let's unveil our PREMIERSHIP XV (drawing from the official Planet Rugby selections at https://www.planetrugby.com/tournament/premiership). Each pick highlights not just stats, but the narrative of rising stars and seasoned pros making waves. We'll explain terms simply—for instance, a 'brace' means scoring two tries, and 'carries' refer to how many times a player handles the ball in attack.
15. Tom de Glanville (Bath Rugby): This fullback is steadily inching toward an England call-up, and his performance here was a massive leap forward. His ball-carrying was pivotal in Bath's victory, covering an impressive 65 meters in eight carries, evading four defenders, and even dotting down a well-deserved try. Even in defeat, Leicester's Freddie Steward put up a valiant fight that deserves a nod.
14. Anthony Belleau (Northampton Saints): After being on the sidelines in our previous honors, the French star finally breaks into the starting lineup. Saints were already clicking, but his two tries (that's a brace, for clarity) elevated them further, complemented by his dynamic presence with eight carries for 87 meters. And get this—he only played 35 minutes and was out of his usual position on the wing, making his impact even more remarkable. Henry Arundell was unfortunately edged out, but he's a talent to watch.
13. Will Joseph (Gloucester): In a losing effort, Joseph delivered a scintillating show, outpacing Sale's Rob du Preez for this spot. His zigzag, explosive runs troubled Bath immensely, racking up 85 meters from just nine carries, breaking through eight defenders, and securing a try. He's clearly climbing the England hierarchy with displays like this.
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby): We're bending the rules a tad since he wore the 13 jersey against Gloucester, but his contribution was undeniable. The England center, fresh back from injury, was a powerhouse in Bath's structured offense, tallying 10 tackles, two turnovers, and seven carries for 29 meters. Bristol's Benhard Janse van Rensburg came awfully close to claiming this.
11. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks): Roebuck's attacking flair was a joy to behold, with his stock soaring higher than ever. He terrorized defenses with 13 carries for 120 meters, earning a hat-trick of tries (three in one game—a rare feat!). His aerial prowess and adaptability, shifting to the 13 channel when needed, showcased his versatility. Edoardo Todaro wasn't far behind in impressing.
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins): Forced to juggle between fly-half and fullback lately, Smith silenced doubters with a poised, mature outing in his favored role. His all-round mastery—unlocking Saracens through passes and kicks—proved he's capable of brilliance when given consistent opportunity at number 10. But here's where it gets controversial: is this versatility a strength that makes him indispensable, or does it dilute his focus? Finn Russell and Fin Smith also stood out upon returning to Premiership action.
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints): Another returning British & Irish Lion in our team, Mitchell reinforced his importance with dynamic work at the rucks—speedy play and sneaky attacks, leading to 11 carries for 52 meters. Bristol's Kieran Marmion was hot on his heels.
For deeper insights, check out our analysis of Harlequins vs. Saracens: Five takeaways as ‘sharp’ Marcus Smith returns and ‘wrecking ball in a tailored suit’ (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/harlequins-vs-saracens-five-takeaways-as-sharp-marcus-smith-returns-and-wrecking-ball-in-a-tailored-suit1).
And Bristol vs. Exeter: Five takeaways as injury ravaged Bears make Chiefs rue ‘costly moment’ (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bristol-v-exeter-five-takeaways-as-injury-ravaged-bears-make-chiefs-rue-costly-moment).
8. Sam Dugdale (Sale Sharks): Number eights had a banner weekend—think Callum Chick and Tom Willis—but Dugdale earned the nod. He was the backbone of Sale's pack, handling the gritty tasks like 11 tackles and a turnover, freeing up teammates to shine.
7. Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints): Tough choices abound, especially with Sam Underhill's efforts at The Rec, but Pearson prevailed. He was a destructive force in Saints' derby triumph over Leicester, excelling defensively with a team-high 16 tackles and offensively with five carries for 34 meters. Hats off to Premiership newcomer Tristan Woodman too.
6. Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears): Harding embodied leadership in Bristol's victory over Exeter, anchoring both attack and defense with 17 tackles, numerous carries, and two turnovers that energized his team. Ernst Van Rhyn made his presence felt as well.
5. Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby): Coach Johann van Graan called him the 'next man up' after Charlie Ewels' injury, and Richards delivered spectacularly. The young lock dove into every challenge, accumulating eight carries for 45 meters, beating four defenders, and scoring two tries. Exeter's Dafydd Jenkins shone with class despite the loss.
4. Guido Petti (Harlequins): Ben Bamber held this position all weekend until Petti unleashed a standout performance. The Argentine star, on his Premiership debut for Quins, was dominant everywhere—rucking, tackling, and carrying—amassing 11 tackles, eight carries, and breaking two defenders to win the forward battle.
3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks): For the third consecutive week, Opoku-Fordjour claims this spot. His scrummaging was rock-solid, augmented by nine carries across the field. His peak form signals great things for England in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series. Trevor Davison impressed on his Northampton return.
2. Nathan Jibulu (Sale Sharks): Narrowly surpassing Sale teammate Luke Cowan-Dickie and Bath's Tom Dunn, Jibulu played with ferocious intensity on Friday. His attacking involvement was mesmerizing—56 meters and four defenders beaten from seven carries—matched by his toughness in scrums and rucks. This switch has been perfect for him, propelling him toward England contention.
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears): The elite loosehead prop hit the ground running back in the Premiership, aiding Bristol in breaking down Exeter's defense with 10 carries and seven tackles. Fin Baxter kept up his strong personal streak.
For more, read Bath vs. Gloucester: Five takeaways as England dealt ‘major blow’ while Finn Russell ‘masterclass’ elevates Prem champions (https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bath-v-gloucester-five-takeaways-as-england-dealt-major-blow-while-finn-russell-masterclass-elevates-prem-champions).
But here's where it gets controversial again: With so many talents vying for spots, is the Premiership truly the best gauge for international selection, or should we look beyond stats to intangibles like leadership and adaptability? Who do you think deserves the England call-up based on these performances? Is Marcus Smith's positional flexibility a secret weapon or a potential vulnerability? And could someone like Anthony Belleau, playing out of position, inspire a rethink on tactics? We'd love to hear your opinions—agree, disagree, or share your own takes in the comments below!
