TRU's Rugby Stock Watch - Week 1

In the first of a new series, we run the rule over the performances of players on the edge of/looking to cement a place in their respective international teams. With this current season culminating in a Rugby World Cup, the club form of prospective internationals is more important now than it has been at any point over the last three seasons.  

Stock Rising:

Calum Clark, Northampton Saints and England

Clark may not have grabbed the headlines, but the blindside flanker put in a stellar performance at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night. Not only did he lead his side in tackles with 13, but he also put in more tackles than any of the Gloucester players, who were seemingly defending for 60 minutes of the game. In addition to his proficient tackling, Clark seemed to be ever-present at the breakdown and proved a useful target at the lineout alongside specialists, Courtney Lawes and Christian Day. There are plenty of players currently ahead of him in the pecking order for a spot on England’s bench (James Haskell, Ben Morgan, Tom Johnson), but if Clark continues to put in performances like this, he may force Stuart Lancaster’s hand.

Ashley Johnson, Wasps and South Africa

The South African was the best player in a Wasps shirt at Twickenham on Saturday and coupled with his displays last season, could be giving Heyneke Meyer pause for thought. The Springboks continue to select European-based players in their squads and Johnson’s experience in England could make him an outside bet to feature for the Boks when they travel north for the Autumn Internationals later this year. Injuries have prevented Willem Alberts from having he impact he would like on The Rugby Championship so far and Meyer could do worse than having another powerful ball carrier ready to assist and/or deputise for Duane Vermeulen.

Duncan Taylor, Saracens and Scotland

The outside centre was lively with ball in hand, but really shone defensively, forming a highly-effective combination with Brad Barritt at the forefront of Saracens’ famed blitz defence. There are a number of positions up for grabs in Vern Cotter’s new-look Scotland side and if Taylor can consistently turn in performances of this calibre, there’s no reason why he can’t make Scotland’s 13 jersey his own.

George Ford, Bath and England

A flawless kicking display from the young fly-half, coupled with guiding his team to a tough away victory against Sale, will have done his international prospects no harm whatsoever. Ford’s accuracy and consistency with the boot are frequently brought up by his detractors, but he displayed no such problems on Saturday.

Nicky Smith, Ospreys and Wales

The 20-year old prop was in barnstorming form for the Ospreys on Friday night, as he picked up a try and the man of the match award in their 44-13 win over Treviso. The Italian side may not be the toughest challenge Smith will face this season, but his scrummaging display will have pleased Warren Gatland, who will have one eye on his post-Gethin Jenkins loosehead options.

CJ Stander, Munster and Ireland (or South Africa)

Munster may have slipped to a 14-13 home loss to Edinburgh, but regardless of the result, Stander was in exceptional form for the Irish province. Two tries, eight tackles (with none missed), three defenders beaten and 60 running metres aren’t a bad return for a loose forward, especially in a losing effort. He could be a welcome new weapon for Joe Schmidt when he qualifies for Ireland on residency in 2015.

Stock Falling:

Billy Twelvetrees, Gloucester Rugby and England

The inside centre had torrid time in Gloucester’s season opener against Northampton, whilst a solid showing for his opposite number, and rival for England’s 12 jersey, Luther Burrell, will only have compounded his disappointing night. It should be noted that Gloucester’s pack were manhandled all game long, often leaving Twelvetrees to take the ball under extreme pressure, but a number of avoidable handling errors and penalties will not have escaped Lancaster’s attention.

Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler, Harlequins and England

Both of these young props are hugely talented and full of potential, but they displayed the negative side of their games on Saturday, as both were yellow carded at the London Double Header. Marler was sent to the sin-bin for a tackle which took a player off his feet and saw him land on his back, whilst Sinckler was pinged for a high tackle shortly after. Neither incident is enough to seriously harm either player’s international ambitions, but they will have been noted by Lancaster, as similar actions on the international stage could prove to be extremely costly.