TRU's Gallagher Premiership XV of the week: Round 1

TRU's Joe Harvey has picked out the stand-out players from Round 1 of the Gallagher Premeirship, in the first intalment of the 18/19 season.

1. Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester) - The Georgian prop’s performance on Saturday afternoon has been hailed as 'exceptional' by Head Coach Johan Ackermann.

In what is the players’ second season in Cherry and White, Ravapa Ruskin enjoyed arguably his best game in a Gloucester shirt since joining the club. Continually putting a former All Black, Ben Franks, under pressure at scrum time.

2. Jamie George (Saracens) - George was a constant thorn in the side of Newcastle on Sunday. The Lion got on the receiving end of a fluid Sarries attack, for which his handling had to be at it’s best.

He could have had two tries though. The hooker was dragged down by a dogged Falcons defence on the five meter line to prevent him from a brace.

It wasn’t just in attack George was at his best. Regularly contributing at the ruck, whether clearing out or attempting to jackal the ball, George left everything out on the field.

 3. John Afoa (Bristol Bears) - This former All Black was instrumental in the Bears’ scrum, stunting Baths’ hopes of gaining the front foot. Not giving Bath an inch at the scrum Afoa performed his role perfectly.

Afoa is essentially the start of Pat Lam’s Bristol revolution. Having struggled massively in the scrum when last in the top flight, an experienced head at tighthead is exactly what Bristol needed to go forward as a club.

4. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) - Attwood’s return to Bath will be a welcome sight to the Rec faithful. Blessed with immense physicality and work-rate the England international was the most exceptional second row at Ashton Gate that evening.

Despite having being shipped out to Toulon by the club’s hierarchy, he was welcomed back with open-arms despite the result.

5. Will Skelton (Saracens) - Another outstanding performer for Saracens at the weekend, the 18-time-Wallabie was instrumental in Saracens win at Kingston Park.

Reportedly having shed 12kg ahead of this season Skelton looks the fitter than he has ever looked before.

Now more mobile, Skelton was constantly seen with ball in hand and at the ruck, clearing out defenseless Falcons’ players.

6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) - A two-try haul isn’t a regular weekend for Falcons and England back-row, Wilson. Regardless, the blindside flanker was constantly involved in Falcons’ play wether in defense or attack.

One of the first at the breakdowns, the Cumbria native was extremely energetic for his side. Scoring his first try by confounding Saracens at the ruck with a pick-and-go, his second try was off the back of a Falcons rolling-maul.

Possibly frustrated to not get more game time in South Africa, Wilson looked hungry, which will greatly benefit Falcons.

7. Matt Kvesic (Exeter Chiefs) - Quite simply, Matt Kvesic was everywhere against Leicester. The openside flanker did every job that could be asked of him against Tigers, aside from kick goals.

Breaking tackles to get over the gainline and bringing his teammates into the game it was a superb display from the former Gloucesterman that saw him grab a try in his Man of the Match performance.

Not just immense in attack, Kvesic was at virtually every breakdown for the Chiefs and was a vital cog that didn’t let Leicester score any try’s at Sandy Park.

8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) - Since bursting onto the scene last season Sam Simmonds has been virtually everpresent in the Exeter and England squad. At number eight the 23-year-old was a handful for the Leicester defence.

Scoring just the one try, Simmonds was part of the reason Leicester were so jumbled in defence. The pace that the Exeter pack were able to change direction meant that Leicester became unorganised.

It is rightfully Simmonds’ workrate that see’s him in this side. Just another brilliant performance from the Torquay back-rower.

9. Danny Care (Harlequins) - Now more than a seasoned campaigner for the Quins, Danny Care’s performance largely explains why he is England’s most capped scrum-half.

His usual energetic self, Care tried to get Harlequins through the phases with his high tempo approach.  Often finding his men too, Care made a total of sixty-six passes.

Care will be so important for Harlequins this season. His experience alone will be vital as Quins hope to better their fortunes after last season.

10. Danny Cirpriani (Gloucester) - Cipriani’s preseason for Gloucester will best be remembered by events that happened off the field, but his first Premiership game will be remembered for one long pass.

His pass to Charlie Sharples in the 33^rd minute wasn’t Cipriani’s only contribution to the game though. Directing his side throughout the game, the fly-half picked up exactly where he left off in South Africa.

His presence in the Glaws back-line was impressive as he seemed to get them moving like we didn’t see last season.

11. Luke Morahan (Bristol Bears) - Making 108 metres on his Premiership Rugby debut, Morahan was the pick of the wingers last weekend in the Gallagher Premiership.

The former Wallaby enjoyed a try-laden season in the Championship, with 17 efforts, it seems like he will carry on that way in the top tier of English Rugby. Morahan looks like he has adjusted to the English game expertly and will undoubtedly be one to watch as the season goes on.

12. Ben Tapuai (Harlequins) - Moving from Bath, Tapuai had a mightily impressive debut against the Sharks. Scoring two tries, Tapuai also put in a very solid defensive effort too.

Making 50 metres along the way it seems like Tapuai will most likely be a success in Quins colours.

13. Ian Whitten (Exeter Chiefs) - Having made 19 carries against Leicester, Whitten had a brilliant game against the old kings of English rugby. The Irishman, who found himself on the wing at times last season, but his typically no-nonsense approach was rewarded with a try in the seventy-eighth. minute.

Twice capped by Ireland, Whitten brought his teammates into the game wonderfully. He often acts as the link between Steenson and the wingers and Saturday was no different.

14. Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) Whilst the diminuative winger didn’t get a score for Exeter at the weekend, Cordero was mightily impressive against Tigers.

Always a threat with ball in hand, the Argentine looked to be giving Leicester’s defence a hard time whilst on his trademark mazey runs. With quick feet and a turn of pace, Cordero looked much sharper than he did after he first joined the Chiefs.

Putting his teammates over for a couple of try’s as well means that Cordero’s contribution to Exeter’s win cannot be overlooked.

15. Aaron Morris (Harlequins) - As if being preferred to Mike Brown at full-back wasn’t enough, Aaron Morris put in a borderline man of the match performance against Sale Sharks.

Making 68 metres overall in the game, Morris completely outplayed his opposite number, Byron McGuigan.