TRU's Rugby Stock Watch - Week 4

It was quite the weekend of domestic rugby. Leicester Tigers lost at home to London Irish, the Ospreys raided Fortress Thomond Park and a plucky Zebre side saw off Ulster in Parma. With the autumn internationals creeping ever closer, these games, and the performances of the players involved, begin to take on even more importance in the eyes of international coaches.

As ever, we ran our eyes over the games and looked at whose stock rose and fell over the course of the past weekend.

Stock Rising

Kyle Eastmond and Semesa Rokoduguni, Bath and England

The duo may have been on the losing side when Bath took on Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens this weekend, but their play, particularly their footwork, continues to dazzle. The pair combined to beat 14 defenders and make five clean breaks with their neat steps and lightning quick changes of direction.

Questions remain over Eastmond’s defence following the second test in New Zealand this summer, but as an attacking threat, there may be no equal at inside centre in the English game. For Rokoduguni, seeing off competition from Christian Wade, Jack Nowell and Chris Ashton for an England spot opposite Marland Yarde won’t be easy, particularly after Wade’s showing in the season opener at Twickenham, but he’s certainly in the mix.

Scott Baldwin, Ospreys and Wales

The hooker was an integral part of Osprey’s impressive 19-14 victory at Thomond Park on Saturday, giving Warren Gatland a welcome dilemma as he looks to find Richard Hibbard’s deputy this autumn. Baldwin not only recorded 13 tackles, but was also on target with 91.7% of his lineout throws and proved to be a willing and effective carrier in the tight. Alongside the impressive Nicky Smith at loosehead, Baldwin is helping form a formidable Ospreys’ front row.

Richie Gray, Castres and Scotland

Though Castres are struggling in the Top 14, Gray is in resplendent form for the men from the south of France. Gray has been a marauding force at the lineout, securing and stealing ball alike, whilst he has also led the team in tackles on more than one occasion. If he can maintain this level of performance, and his brother Jonny can continue his development at Glasgow, it is surely only a matter of time before we see the pair packing down together in the blue of Scotland.

Ian Madigan, Leinster and Ireland

It’s been far from the perfect start to the 2014/15 season for Leinster, who have looked uncharacteristically directionless at times, but one saving grace has been the form of Madigan at inside centre. In his three appearances this season, all of which have been in the 12 jersey, Madigan has contributed 48 points, 167 running metres and has shown impressive decision-making, often keeping the opposition on the back foot with his impressive mix of running, passing and kicking talents.

Other Risers – Alex Corbisiero, Ben Foden, Stuart McCloskey, Gavin Henson, Gerhard van den Heever, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Ross Ford (in the loose), Tom Varndell, Henry Slade.

Stock Falling

Luther Burrell, Northampton Saints and England

The contrasting performances of England’s candidates for the 12 jersey seem to be a permanent feature in these weekly wraps, and this week it was Burrell who potentially ceded ground to his rivals. The aforementioned Eastmond outplayed Burrell despite being on the losing team, whilst Billy Twelvetrees helped spark Gloucester (admittedly, after a move to 10) to a win over London Welsh. Burrell had a tackle success rate of just 50% on Saturday, missing five tackles, many of which were against the fleet-footed Eastmond.

James Hook, Gloucester and Wales

Hopes that Hook might reinvigorate his international career with a move to Gloucester have taken an early hit. He has struggled for cohesion with both Greig Laidlaw and Dan Robson inside of him, whilst the Hook-Twelvetrees axis has yet to set the Premiership alight. It’s early days and the transition at Gloucester is still very much in its infancy, but his display against London Welsh was certainly below par on Friday night. Before his 52^nd minute substitution, Gloucester were only just leading Welsh, 12-10, but 28 minutes later at the full-time whistle, had run out comfortable winners, 46-10. Much of that can be attributed to Welsh’s tiring defence, but a personal tackle success rate of just 50% and a number of straightforward kicks missed are purely on Hook.

Other Fallers – Ross Ford (at the set-piece), David Wilson, Rob Webber, Elliot Stooke, Gareth Davies, Sean Cronin,  Kyle Sinckler.