TRU Position Watch - Hookers

Fresh on the heels of our look at the Aviva Premiership’s best loosehead props last week, we now turn our attentions to their comrades-in-arms, the hookers. With a few new imports this summer and a growing pool of English talent at the position, compiling this list was significantly more difficult than it was for the looseheads.

A number of eye-catching displays to start off the season has caused some surprise climbers in the rankings, whilst honourable mentions must go to Scott Lawson, David Paice, Dave Ward and Jamie George, all of whom were right on the cusp of breaking into the top eight.

8. Tommy Taylor, Sale Sharks

One of the finds of last season, Taylor was in superb form for Sale in the 2013/14 campaign. Such was his form that he found himself representing England against the Barbarians earlier this year, but unfortunately for Taylor and Sale, a knee injury suffered in that game will likely keep him out for the rest of the calendar year.

The fact that Taylor has seen off competition from seasoned internationals like Lawson and Paice to sneak into these rankings should speak volumes for just how impressive he was last season.

7. Joe Gray, Harlequins

Gray heads up a trio of talented English hookers at Harlequins and has done well to cement himself as the number one choice over the last few seasons.

After having picked up his first cap for England this summer on their tour of New Zealand, Gray would’ve been hoping to make a fast start to the Premiership season with Quins, but unfortunately his club’s lacklustre performances so far have not helped Gray build on his growing reputation. On a positive note however, Gray’s work at the lineout has been one of very few silver linings for Harlequins so far this season.

6. Rob Webber, Bath

After impressing on England’s tour of New Zealand this summer, Webber has started the season in good form for Bath. He has played important roles in Bath’s opening victories over Sale and London Welsh, both with his set-piece prowess and his ability to always seemingly pick up a metre or two when he gets his hand on the ball.

Webber is in strong contention for the role of England’s deputy at the position and being part of a dynamic and successful Bath side certainly won’t hurt his prospects.

5. Tom Youngs, Leicester Tigers

Rewind 16 months and Youngs is England’s first choice hooker and preparing himself for a tour to Australia with the British and Irish Lions. The Leicester Tiger performed superbly Down Under and was arguably the form player at his position, but since then has struggled to find the consistency he had in such abundance before.

One of the best defensive hookers currently plying their trade in either hemisphere, Youngs’ engine is awe-inspiring, but occasional struggles with accuracy at the lineout have proven to be costly for both club and country.

4. Leonardo Ghiraldini, Leicester Tigers

Ghiraldini headlines a growing contingent of Italians at Welford Road these days and just manages to pip his club teammate to the fourth spot on this list. With 67 caps for the Azzurri, the former Treviso man is a welcome addition to the Premiership, whilst his duel with Youngs for the starter’s jersey at Leicester should be one of the most intriguing this season.

A strong start to his time in England was cemented on Saturday, as he played a vital role in getting Ben Youngs across the try line against Exeter, in what proved to be a match-winning score.

3. Richard Hibbard, Gloucester

Not too dissimilar to the aforementioned Youngs, Hibbard’s playing style is very reminiscent of the Leicester man. Defensively, Hibbard’s presence in any XV is akin to selecting an extra flanker, whilst his hard-hitting tackling has become feared the world over.

Lineout accuracy has been an issue at times in the past, but the former Osprey has been on the money for Gloucester so far this season and was one of the few players to come out of Gloucester’s humbling at the hands of Northampton without their reputation tarnished.

2. Schalk Brits, Saracens

There has been no hooker, or many other players for that matter, that have shown the consistency that Brits has displayed over the last five seasons since he moved to Saracens in 2009. The South African has scored 21 tries in his time with London-based club and his ability when he has ball in hand and space ahead of him has become feared.

At 33 years of age, logic dictates that time must be beginning to run out on Brits at the highest level, but his recent performances and call-up to the Springboks suggest otherwise.

1. Dylan Hartley, Northampton Saints

If it were not for a pair of South Africans by the names of Bismarck and Adriaan, Hartley would likely be frontrunner for the accolade of best hooker in world rugby, let alone the Premiership. For every biting offence or red card for swearing at an official, Hartley counters with exceptional accuracy at the lineout, strong scrummaging and rampaging ability in the loose.

There is certainly no hooker outside of South Africa that has the same well-rounded skill set that Hartley has to offer, which the Saint demonstrated admirably in the opening two games of this season, not putting a foot wrong against either Gloucester or Wasps.