TRU's Gallagher Premiership XV of the week: Round 2

 TRU’s Joe Harvey picked out the Premierships outstanding performers from the Gallagher Premierships second round of fixtures.

 1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens) – Making sixteen carries against Bristol at the weekend, Vunipola was one of the most active Sarries players in their victory over the Bears.

Doing much the same in an England shirt, Vunipola has a pivotal role with both club and country.

Dependable at the scrum and a very safe pair of hands when carrying the ball, Vunipola was the start of all Saracens’ attacks and all the good things that they did on the pitc

2. Tom Dunn (Bath) - Scoring two try’s for Bath at the weekend, Dunn played a vital part in Bath’s fight back to draw against Gloucester at the Rec.

Also putting in eighteen tackles on top of sixteen carries of the ball, Dunn was really impressive, putting his hand up to start again after being put on the bench for the Bristol game and making sure that Eddie Jones notices him.

3. Henry Thomas (Bath) – Seemingly much more confident at the Rec in comparison to the surroundings of Ashton Gate, Thomas was probably the form tighthead prop of the second round.

A solid scrummager and a dependable pair of hands, Thomas made nine carries for his side before being replaced by Anthony Perenise in the 51^st minute.

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens) – Part of a second row partnership that played the full eighty minutes against Bristol, Itoje was brilliant against his recently promoted opponents.

Making twenty-eight meters from just the nine carries, Itoje regularly broke the gain line and put Sarries on the front foot at Allianz Park. Also winning a turnover, the England star is picking up form ahead of the Autumn Internationals.

5. Will Rowlands (Wasps) – Standing at over two meters tall, Rowlands is a difficult figure to miss on the rugby pitch and out performed his second row partner, Joe Launchbury, against the Exeter Chiefs.

The second row even threw in a goose-step on his way to making twenty-five meters at the Ricoh Arena. Given that he only made six carries in the game, this meters return is quite remarkable.

6. Don Armand (Exeter) - Making an astonishing forty-four meters in his sides victory against Wasps, Armand had a busy day at the office on Saturday afternoon.

Putting in twelve tackles in Coventry and getting a turnover, Armand was vastly more effective than England rival Brad Shields.

Such an instrumental player for Chiefs, Armand was one of the best players on show at the Ricoh.

7. Matt Kvesic (Exeter) - His second appearance in the best XV of the round, Kvesic did have a more subdued game against Wasps, but did still manage to be effective for Chiefs in the seven shirt.

Playing in a more defensive role this weekend, Kvesic made sixteen tackles against the attacking onslaught of Wasps and also, vitally, made two turnovers, putting Exeter back on the front foot.

This game would have massively helped with Kvesic’s England chances. Proving that he wasn’t just a force to be reckoned with in attack, defensively Kvesic was resolute also.

8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps) – Now back playing at his best, Hughes outplayed his England rival, Sam Simmonds, at the Ricoh on Saturday.

Hughes made sixteen carries before being taken off in the fifty-second minute due to injury. Making forty-seven meter’s from these carries, Hughes also has two turnovers attributed to him from his sides’ loss to Exeter.

Hopefully whatever forced Hughes off the pitch isn’t too serious and won’t keep him out of either the Autumn Internationals or upcoming Wasps fixtures.

9. Sonatane Takulua (Newcastle) - Even though Newcastle lost out to Leicester quite heavily, Takulua was behind all of the good things that Falcons did on their trip to Welford Road.

Scoring a try as a result of running a support line for Sinoti Sinoti, the Tongan’s return to fitness is a welcome sight for many a Falcons fan.

10. George Ford (Leicester) – Gathering a total of twenty-nine points against Newcastle, Ford had a fantastic game at Welford Road as the Tigers responded to their opening day defeat at Exeter.

Looking refreshed with Geordan Murphy at the helm, Ford was completely in control from start to finish. At the heart of every Tigers attack, Ford linked up with Kyle Eastmond really well on their partnerships revival.

Much maligned in recent seasons, the return of Ford’s form will be a welcome sight for Eddie Jones, even if it could cause some selection headaches.

11. Liam Williams (Saracens) – Scoring three tries in the space of twenty-five minutes on his return from injury meant that Williams couldn’t be overlooked for a place in this team.

Only coming on as a replacement for the impressive Alex Lewington, Premiership fans haven’t seen much from Williams since he arrived at Sarries.

Possibly benefitting from Bristol being down to fourteen men, Williams’ return from injury can only be good news for Mark McCall.

12. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester) - Physically dominant against his opposition, fans saw the Manu Tuilagi they remember when he scored his first try of the season, hopefully suggesting that his injury problems are behind him.

Always solid in defence, Tuilagi blew the likes of Chris Harris out of the water with his brutal physicality. Breaking tackles with relative ease, the centre made seventy-two metres at Welford Road.

13. Henry Slade (Exeter) - Scoring two try’s at the Ricoh on Saturday, Slade made a remarkable 103 meters on Saturday, in comparison to his opposite number’s eleven.

Having a subdued tour to South Africa with England, Slade looks to have nailed down a position, after so many years of speculation about where he would play.

Outpacing Elliot Daly and Juan De Jongh to score both of his try’s, Slade was very impressive for Exeter.

14. Santiago Cordero (Exeter) – The fourth and final Exeter player on this weeks list, Cordero looks completely different to the man that arrived at Sandy Park part way through last season.

With quick feet and a turn of pace, Cordero turned Wasps inside out at times and even scored a try for Chiefs. Making 111 meters during the game this is the Argentine’s second week in a row making the team of the week.

It’s difficult to imagine why Cordero is out of the Argentina squad, but Exeter and the Premiership are benefitting massively as a result.

15. Ahsee Tuala (Northampton) - Tuala put on another very good performance for Saints in the fifteen jersey against Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens.

Adding another offload to his highlights reel on Friday night was just one thing that the Samoan did. Making seventy-two meters against the visiting side, Tuala was always a threat with ball in hand.

Whilst only two games into the season, Tuala looks to be the most proficient fullback in the league, pairing defensive and attacking ability almost perfectly.