TRU's Rugby Stock Watch - Week 8

With the home nations having named their squads for the upcoming autumn internationals during the previous week, another weekend of European club rugby gave players the perfect opportunity to either show the international coaches what they could be missing this November, or reward them for their faith.

Glasgow once again turned heads with a 15-13 victory over Montpellier in France, whilst Northampton bounced back from disappointment in Paris with a stunning 34-6 demolition of the Ospreys, and both teams feature heavily as a result.

Stock Rising

Calum Clark, Northampton Saints and England

Following quickly on the heels of being selected in the England squad for the upcoming autumn internationals, Clark put in another eye-catching display, helping the Saints to a comprehensive 34-6 victory over the Ospreys. Along with teammate Tom Wood, Clark overpowered the Ospreys at the breakdown, formed an impenetrable wall defensively and continued to prove his usefulness as a lineout target.

Clark, alongside Dave Ewers, has been the standout blindside flanker in the Aviva Premiership so far this season, and his chemistry with fellow Saints Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Wood could prove enticing to Stuart Lancaster. England have favoured Ben Morgan as their bench back rower in the past, but with the number eight far from setting the league alight at Gloucester and the versatile James Haskell recovering from a virus, Clark could be stealing a march for a spot on the bench against New Zealand in England’s opening test next month.

Rhys Webb, Ospreys and Wales

As mentioned before, the Ospreys were comfortably beaten by Northampton on Saturday, but the performance of scrum-half Webb was a real silver lining to that defeat. He was constantly under pressure from the swarming Northampton defence, but still managed to deliver good quality ball to Dan Biggar, as well as limiting damage with his decision-making, as opposed to compounding mistakes, something which half-backs seem all to prone to doing when on the back foot.

Yes, Mike Phillips’ role as a fourth back rower suits Warren Gatland’s system well, but if the team is picked on form, there is no question that Webb deserves to start for Wales this autumn. An impact role off the bench could also help lengthen Phillips’ international career, especially with the extra physical demands of a Rugby World Cup on the horizon.

Jonny Gray, Glasgow and Scotland

The giant Scottish lock was a difference-maker in Glasgow’s impressive win in Montpellier this weekend. Gray’s contribution defensively was pivotal for Glasgow, as he helped his team survive desperate Montpellier attempts to keep alive their European hopes, leading both teams with 11 tackles. His work at the lineout also provided Glasgow with the territory required for Finn Russell to kick them to victory.

Grant Gilchrist’s broken arm will keep him out of Scotland’s tests this autumn, opening up an opportunity for the Gray brothers to pack down together in Scotland’s engine room. A core of Glasgow players in the Scotland squad has fans excited about the potential of Vern Cotter’s side and the younger Gray brother could be the most exciting of bunch.

Dave Foley, Munster and Ireland

The uncapped lock has been included in Ireland’s squad this autumn and reinforced just why he should be there with a great performance against Saracens on Friday night. Foley led his team in tackles, as well as leading both teams in lineout takes. His defensive effort and control at the set-piece, two areas where Saracens usually excel, were vital in helping Munster take control of Pool 1.

Joe Schmidt likes players who know his system well, perhaps swaying him towards Mike McCarthy or Devin Toner over Foley, but neither of the Leinster locks have been playing at the same level as Foley. The understanding and cohesion Paul O’Connell has with club teammate Foley could be enough to see them earn significant playing time together this autumn.

Other Risers – Graeme Kitchener, Finn Russell, Samson Lee, Mark Bennett, Aled Davies, Nicky Smith, Dave Sisi, Paul James, Anthony Watson, George Kruis, Ian Madigan, Dave Ward, Charlie Matthews, Sam Jones, Sam Hill, Thomas Waldrom, Robbie Henshaw, Tom Heathcote.

Stock Falling

George Ford, Bath and England

It was not a disastrous performance from Ford, but missed tackles, turnovers and a lack of direction all ensured it fell well short of the standards he had been setting in the Premiership before the European break. His struggles against Glasgow last week, where his pack were comprehensively outplayed, were a little more forgivable, but against Toulouse the Bath pack held their own and even had an advantage at the scrum.

Owen Farrell shook off some rust against Munster, showing some nice playmaking ability on the gain-line, whilst Stephen Myler orchestrated Northampton’s dismantling of the Ospreys, both of which compounded Ford’s errant display on Saturday. He offers more game-changing ability from the bench than Myler, but his two poor displays in the ERCC will not have gone unnoticed by Lancaster.

Jared Payne, Ulster and Ireland

The so-called successor to Brian O’Driscoll’s 13 jersey has proven so far this season that he is not an outside centre. Aside from Ulster’s game against Glasgow where Payne and Stuart McCloskey went to town on the Scottish side’s midfield, this season has been a consistent reminder that Payne’s best position is full-back.

Payne is in the Ireland squad for the autumn internationals, but Schmidt has surely seen enough evidence to know that he is not the answer to Ireland’s midfield questions. At full-back, Payne is one of the most deadly in the northern hemisphere and would provide top quality competition for current incumbent, Rob Kearney. It remains to be seen whether Schmidt will try to fit a square peg into a round hole when Ireland take on South Africa next month.

Other Fallers – Rory Best, Paddy Jackson, Rhys Priestland, Dan Biggar, Euan Murray, Kyle Sinckler, Danny Care, Christian Wade.