TRU's Position Watch - Wingers

This weeks Position Watch focuses on the Aviva Premiership’s wingers and in a season where tries have been in anything but short supply, the quality is high.

The quality is so high in fact that a current England international only just manages to sneak into the top eight.

Despite the fact Anthony Watson is currently in possession of England’s 14 jersey, his tendency to be played at full-back by Bath, as well as history there through age-grade rugby, means he will not be considered in these rankings and will instead feature in next week’s look at the Premierships’ full-backs.

8. Jack Nowell, Exeter Chiefs
The likes of Tom Varndell, Will Addison and Matt Banahan all have strong claims on this spot, but Nowell narrowly edges them out, thanks in large to the promise he offers. A hybrid fullback-wing, Nowell headlines an extremely exciting group of youngsters down in Exeter and has become the first of Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie et al. to win his first England cap. His elusive footwork and ability to spot a gap sometimes feel slightly wasted on the wing, but when given an inch of space out wide, Nowell will take a yard. A long-term England back line boasting Nowell, the aforementioned Slade and teammate Sam Hill is not hard to imagine.
 
7. Ken Pisi, Northampton Saints
Pisi lives, somewhat, in the shadow of his more illustrious wing partner at the Saints, not to mention his older brother, George, but the younger sibling has really shone in the 2014/15 campaign so far and has developed a skill set which compliments what Northampton ask of their wingers superbly. Pisi frequently comes off his wing looking for work and links-up terrifically with his brother, as well as full-backs Ben Foden and James Wilson, whilst he has the pace and power to win one-on-one match-ups out on the wing, too.

6. David Strettle, Saracens
A consummate finisher, Strettle is arguably the best poacher the Premiership has to offer. Do not take that as a criticism, as his work rate is extremely high, but being able to be in the right place at the right time is an undervalued attribute, as France’s Vincent Clerc has demonstrated for years now. The argument for Strettle to return to England contention has been significant, though at the age of 31 and with a plethora of young talent the current incumbents for England, Strettle’s future is now probably limited to club rugby.

5. Chris Ashton, Saracens
Just as was mentioned with Strettle previously, Ashton is amongst the very best finishers in the game and when in form, is as prolific try-scorer as there is on display in the Premiership. Again, like Strettle, defence is at times an issue but that negative is usually far outweighed by the threat he offers in attack. Ashton will always be polarising figure, but the lines he runs when he breaks off the wing and comes inside are usually perfectly crafted and rarely fail to catch defenders on the heels, making him one of the more exciting wingers the Aviva has to offer.

4. Jonny May, Gloucester Rugby
A rejuvenated display in the autumn for England plays a large role in May’s position in these rankings, especially after a fairly flat year. His try against New Zealand was a reminder of the extraordinary talent May has, demonstrating a good step and searing acceleration, but displaying these gifts at the highest level on a consistent basis remains the last obstacle preventing May from taking off as a real star. The struggles of Gloucester have obviously impacted on what May has been able to show this season, as have the injuries to favoured outside centre Henry Trinder, but with the Cherry and Whites looking to have partially turned the corner over the last few weeks, 2015 could be a far more enjoyable year for May.

3. Christian Wade, Wasps
A prodigious attacking threat, the only thing that prevents Wade from competing for the number one spot in these rankings – and a regular England berth – has been his defending. It’s become commonplace to denounce Wade as a poor defender, but the flyer has taken considerable strides in this area of his game and that is now largely a lazy criticism. At times he can still struggle with his positioning, but both his tackling and ability in the air have been much-improved over the last two seasons. With the ball in hand, Wade is deadly, as he can turn on a sixpence, move through the gears as quick as anyone in world rugby and has deceptive lower body strength that can see him break out of tackles. There’s actually a lot of Wille le Roux about Wade’s skill set, sans the kicking game.

2. Marland Yarde, Harlequins
It’s been a disappointing 2014/15 campaign for Yarde, who has struggled to assert himself at Harlequins. A couple of niggling injuries have not helped and he has lost his place in the England XV as a result, with May and Watson currently holding down starting spots on England’s wings. Injuries and poor form have plagued Harlequins this season and that hasn’t helped Yarde develop chemistry with his teammates, but his ability is considerable and he has shown glimpses of that since the turn of the year. Powerful and quick, strong in the air and a committed defender, Yarde has all the intangibles needed to be amongst the best in the world at his position but just hasn’t been able to put it all together consistently this season.  

1. George North, Northampton Saints
His form may have stuttered slightly recently for Wales, but North has been in a rich try-scoring vein for Northampton in both the Premiership and Champions Cup. The Welshman is a formidable physical presence and alongside the likes of Julian Savea and Nemani Nadolo, has become the physical prototype for what teams want on at least one of their wings. At 6 ft 4 in and weighing in at over 17 stone, North would be an intimidating opponent without his abundant pace, but with it, he has become one of the most feared opponents in the rugby world, just ask Israel Folau. In addition to his considerable attacking threats, North is also comfortable in the air, defensively solid and has an underrated work rate, certainly when wearing the green of Northampton.