TRU's Rugby Stock Watch - Week 6

A number of high-profile games this week provided the perfect stage for players eager to make an impression ahead of the upcoming autumn internationals.

Amongst these were the seesaw affair at Adams Park between Wasps and Bath, the Welsh derby between Ospreys and Cardiff Blues and a hugely impressive win for Ulster at home to league leaders Glasgow.

Plenty of players put their hands up for recognition this week, not least so an Irish midfield combo determined to prove life goes on after Brian O’Driscoll, whilst we saw further evidence that there could be significant upheaval in the England back three ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Stock Rising

Nathan Hughes, Wasps and England, Fiji, Samoa or New Zealand
The monstrous number eight has several international coaches watching on with bated breath. Fijian by birth, Hughes is also qualified for Samoa and has already expressed interest in representing England after his residency period is up in 2016. Having now left New Zealand, where he would have qualified on residency prior to moving to Wasps, a career with the All Blacks seems unlikely, but shouldn’t necessary be ruled out.
Still relatively new to rugby, Hughes’ potential is scary, after transitioning from hockey six years ago. The industry of James Haskell and Ashley Johnson in Wasps’ back row allows Hughes to focus on what he does best – carrying the ball and swatting defenders aside. His power allows him to break defensive lines with ease, whilst his soft hands make him a dangerous threat in the offloading game. There may be no more offensively dangerous forward in the Premiership.  

Hallam Amos, Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales
Though Amos was on the losing side as Newport fell to a 24-10 defeat to Edinburgh on Saturday, his play was a real shot in the arm for the struggling Dragons. He frequently came in off his wing in search of the ball and his distribution on or near the gain-line was highly impressive. His footwork was also eye-catching and clearly evident of a player who has spent much of his career at full-back.
We’re now starting to see the beginning of Wales’ 2013 Junior World Championship class hitting the big stage and it bodes well for Wales’ future. Amos may have his work cut out breaking into a talented Welsh back three, but his efforts in a Newport side bereft of top talent will have Warren Gatland eagerly wondering what he can do in a fit and firing Wales side.  

Stuart McCloskey and Jared Payne, Ulster and Ireland
McCloskey featured here last week following a standout performance against Edinburgh, but a step up in opposition combined with no faltering in his own sparkling form, ensures he stays here for at least another week. Again, McCloskey illustrated his polished distribution skills and ability to beat defenders on both the inside and outside, but it was his composure and decision-making which shone above all else.
Centre partner Payne joins him this week, as he helped the youngster cut open the Glasgow midfield with his instincts for a good line and a weak inside shoulder. The pair combined for 26 tackles, with none missed, something you don’t often seen from backs and paved the way for try-scorers Tommy Bowe and Craig Gilroy.

Grant Gilchrist, Edinburgh and Scotland
The Gray brothers’ rise to international dominance seems just a matter of time, but if one player is standing in their way, it’s Gilchrist. The second row was in resplendent form against Newport on Saturday, not only helping keep Edinburgh’s lineout functioning, but also wreaking havoc on the Dragons’ set-piece. Gilchrist finished the game with 10 lineout takes, including two steals.
Gilchrist was run close for this spot by young openside Hamish Watson, who really imposed himself on the breakdown at Murrayfield. Both players will need to maintain this level of form if they are to help Edinburgh turn around their season.

Other Risers – Ben Foden, Finn Russell, Chris Henry, Hamish Watson, Kristian Phillips, Robbie Henshaw, Matt Mullan, James Haskell, Semesa Rokoduguni, Graham Kitchener, Blair Cowan, Brad Barritt, Dan Baker.

Stock Falling
Mike Brown, Harlequins and England
Harlequins were anything but impressive at Welford Road on Friday night, but a lacklustre performance from England’s current incumbent at full-back stood out particularly, albeit in difficult conditions. Normally the epitome of industrious, Brown rarely looked for work in attack and when he did, often ran down blind alleys, isolating himself from his team’s support.
It’s been a fairly flat start to the season for Brown in general, something which has been compounded by the good form of Ben Foden and Semesa Rokoduguni, the latter of whom could force the likes of Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson into contention for England’s 15 shirt, rather than on the wing. Brown’s incisive, ‘north-south’ running style is rare amongst full-backs, who often like to run laterally, but given the respective form of both he and Foden, his place could soon be under threat.

Rhys Priestland, Scarlets and Wales
It’s not the best time to be a Welsh fly-half named Priestland. Dan Biggar is in possession of the test jersey, James Hook is finding his feet for Gloucester, Owen Williams is pressing a claim in Leicester, Gareth Anscombe is readying himself to join Cardiff and youngster Rhys Patchell seems to have all the talent in the world.
Inconsistency from Priestland, and the Scarlets in general, are damaging any hopes he has of regaining his place in the Wales XV. Errant displays such as the one we saw against Munster on Friday night will only hasten Priestland’s slipping from Gatland’s consciousness.  

Euan Murray, Glasgow and Scotland
Murray is the second Scottish prop in as many weeks to be given a torrid time by Ulster’s summer recruit, Wiehahn Herbst. It was an impressive Ulster performance, who had Glasgow’s number at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday, but it all started up front, where the Irish province built a solid foundation at the set-piece.
It used to be that Father Time would be kindly to props on the wrong side of 30, but given the increased physical demands of the modern game, effective props in their mid-30s look to be a thing of the past. A lack of top quality competition at the position could keep Murray in Scotland contention for the autumn internationals, but whether or not he can hang on through to RWC is another matter.

Other Fallers – Chris Fusaro, Greig Tonks, Rhodri Jones, Billy Twelvetrees, David Wilson, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins.