TRU's Gallagher Premiership XV of the week: Round 7

After an excellent weekend of rugby following the return of the Gallagher Premiership, who makes Joe Harvey's Team of the Week?

1. Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby) – Catt has been an extremely consistent performer for nearly three seasons now and kept up that good form on the weekend. As per usual, Catt didn’t give away any yards at scrum time, helping to give Bath the advantage in the forwards.

Despite carrying the ball on 10 occasions and only making four meters, he performed a vital role for his club in retaining possession of the ball.

2. Jack Yeandle (Exeter Chiefs) – Scoring a try in Exeter’s win over Bristol, Yeandle played an integral part in Chiefs’ victory. A long-time servant of the club, Yeandle made 15 tackles for Exeter and got himself a turnover.

Leading from the front as always, Yeandle’s made six carries, but achieved 20 meters as a result. Whilst never a star performer, Yeandle always puts in an extremely good performance when starting for Chiefs.

3. Greg Holmes (Exeter Chiefs) – Former Australian international Holmes was an influential figure against Bristol. A dependable scrummager, Holmes didn’t give away many yards against his opposite number.

Also making 17 tackles during his time on the pitch, Holmes is a solid performer for the Chiefs and was key in defence for Exeter. Added to this, Holmes made the hard yards as Exeter continued building throughout the game.

4. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby) – Bath’s lock pairing was so good, both players have made this team. Attwood is in the side as he got through so much work and still played the full game.

Carrying the ball on 13 occasions for 27 meters, the lock also made nine carries for his side. Attwood tends to perform well for Bath in every game, so this has come as no real surprise.

His performances do leave many wondering why Eddie Jones can’t seem to find a place for Attwood in his squads.

5. Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby) – Like Attwood, Stooke got through a lot of work for Bath on Saturday afternoon. Recently involved with England squads, Stooke put in another extremely solid performance for his club.

Getting both a try and a turnover at the Rec, Stooke got through 19 carries, making around a meter each carry. With eight tackles added to this, Stooke had a very well-rounded performance as his side prevailed over Worcester.

6. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins) – Dombrandt joined Quins off the back of a remarkable season at Cardiff Met RFC. Scoring over 20 tries, Dombrandt has converted to flanker from lock with impressive ease.

In this game, the Londoner made 16 tackles to keep Falcons at bay for much of the match. Added to this, he made 48 meters from 10 carries of the ball. To cap it all off, Dombrandt scored the opening try of the game.

7. Jack Clifford (Harlequins) – Given the horrific injury troubles that Clifford has had in past seasons, it was great to see him back on the rugby pitch.

Clifford contributed to the Quins defence with 18 tackles and the openside flanker also made nine carries for his team. Finally, Clifford also got himself two turnovers which highlighted his strengths which he displayed before his injury.

8. Tom Lawday (Exeter Chiefs) – A BUCS Super Rugby winner, Lawday has been pulling up trees since he started getting regular game time for Rob Baxter’s men. What was so unbelievable about Lawday’s performance against Bristol, was his incredible workload.

Making 14 carries to make an astonishing 47 meters, Lawday also managed 13 tackles in defence. Added to this, Lawday even secured a turnover and played the full 80 minutes. Astonishing.

9. Cobus Reinach (Northampton Saints) – For a scrum-half to be getting two turnovers, he thoroughly deserves a mention. South African Reinach has been extremely consistent since joining the club over the summer.

Understandably the nine passed the ball on 57 occasions, and with nearly every pass, he put Saints on the front foot. In addition to this, the scrum-half even made seven tackles to show it was also a good defensive performance for Reinach.

10.  Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) – Despite being Bristol’s back-up flyhalf, Sheedy produced a masterful display for Bristol, despite still being in his formative years. Kicking five penalties and two conversions, Sheedy outplayed his opposite number, Steenson.

Sheedy was particularly influential for the two Bears tries. Contributing to the quick ball that Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan benefitted from to get their scores, Sheedy also possesses an impressive kicking game.The young man is certainly giving Ian Madigan a run for his money.

11.  Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby) – Scoring two phenomenal tries, Thorley played a massive part in Gloucester’s win over Leicester on Friday night. It’s hard to believe that Thorley is just 22, having made his debut for Gloucester aged 17, but he showed his class against top quality opposition.

Making an impressive 143 meters with ball in hand, Thorley beat his opposite men for fun as he ran in for his two scores. Even making six tackles, it was a busy night for Thorley as Gloucester beat Tigers at Kingsholm.

12.  Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs) – Whilst Devoto’s name wasn’t plastered all over the scoresheet, his performance was a catalyst for Chiefs eventual win at Ashton Gate. Once capped for England, Devoto’s displays haven’t warranted a recall to the international side for some time.

With ball in hand, Devoto made over 60 meters from 17 carries of the ball. The Englishman regularly broke the gainline, but in defence Devoto, made ten tackles. The inside centre had an integral influence on the game.

13. Nick Tompkins (Saracens) – A Saracens academy product, Tompkins has played extremely well since being given his chance. He backed up those performances with a try-scoring game against Sale on Saturday.

Making 13 tackles at outside centre, Tompkins probably got through more than most players who wear the 13 shirt for Sarries. Breaking the gainline with nearly every carry, the young Englishman was a thorn in the side of Sale the entire game.

14. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Northampton Saints) – Renowned for causing havoc, Naiyaravoro continued that reputation as Northampton turned over Wasps at Franklin’s Gardens for a bonus point win.

Scoring one try, the Australian ran for 183 meters, swatting off his opposite numbers with relative ease. Considering that their meters were made from only 17 carries of the ball, it shows how comfortable it was for the Barbarian to get over the gainline.

15.  Mike Brown (Harlequins) – Whilst not scoring a try in this game, Mike Brown managed to be influential for Harlequins against Newcastle. Not in Eddie Jones’ plans for England recently, Paul Gustard and Quins have benefitted as a result.

Brown managed to get himself a turnover from fullback and carried the ball a lot. So much so, he made 82 meters for Harlequins, causing havoc for Falcons.