TRU's Gallagher Premiership XV of the week: Round 15
Rob Webber made his 200th appearance in the Premiership
©PA
On what was the final round of the Premiership for many, Joe Harvey picked out 15 players that caught the eye for their sides on Saturday afternoon
1. Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks) – Making a monstrous 25 tackles for Steve Diamond’s side, Ross Harrison has again outdone himself to be the stand-out loosehead prop this weekend. Added to this, some strong scrummaging, Harrison is playing well beyond his 26 years.
2. Rob Webber (Sale Sharks) – Already the second Sale Shark in this side, Webber capped his 200th Premiership appearance with another outstanding performance. Playing just shy of an hour, the former Bath man scored a try and also got a turnover to contribute to Sale’s final win of the season.
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) – Whilst Cole was not on the winning side, his performance was one of many that gave the Tigers a chance of victory at Welford Road. Having an impressive three turnover attributed to his name, Cole was as reliable a scrummager as ever, for his 76 minutes on the pitch.
4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps) – Wasps missed Launchbury massively at times this season, the lock’s injuries leaving a large hole in Dai Youngs’ side. Since returning to fitness, the England international was immense on Saturday afternoon, making dominant tackles and being a leading light on the field for a side that has struggled for large parts of this season.
5. Michael Fatialofa (Worcester Warriors) – An impressive addition to Worcester’s pack since arriving from Wellington, Fatialofa had a very solid performance for Alan Solomons’ side, particularly in the first half. Scoring a try early on, the lock was an influential figure in breaking the will of a less experienced Sarries side.
6. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) – Arguably outperforming twin brother, Tom, in this fixture, Ben Curry had a day to remember at the A J Bell. Getting two turnovers in the fight to beat a play-off bound Gloucester, Curry made 16 tackles and carried well every time that he touched the ball. Huge player for Steve Diamond.
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) – Aged only 20, Tom Curry has made the seven shirt his own at both club and international level. Having another dominant game against Gloucester at the weekend, Curry scored a scintillating try in the opening minute of play and went from strength to strength from there on in. Substituted shy of the hour mark, Curry’s performance was impressive.
8. Jono Ross (Sale Sharks) – Another mesmerising performance from Sale’s very own captain fantastic. In a back-row that’s going to get even more talented after the World Cup, Jono Ross once more has backed his England ambitions with another strong performance. Carrying the ball wel, the South African was as ruthless in contact as ever. A leaders performance.
9. Joe Simpson (Wasps) – On his final game before leaving for Gloucester, Simpson had potentially his best game of the season. Scoring two quickfire tries early into the second half, Simpson was a constant menace for the Harlequins defence to deal with. What a way to leave your childhood club.
10. AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks) – MacGinty’s final game before jetting off on international duty couldn’t have gone better for the USA international. Having a commanding effect on the tide of this fixture, MacGinty ran some beautiful lines to befuddle Gloucester defenders, kicked extremely well and even scored a try of his own. England watch out.
11. Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks) - Scoring a spectacular try is certainly one way to put your hand up for England selection. Having a relatively quiet season up until the last few weeks, Solomona showed what he was about on Saturday afternoon. Linking well with his teammates and making a couple of dominant tackles, Solomona is slowly becoming another cross-code success at Sale.
12. Matt Banahan (Gloucester Rugby) – More accustomed to being on the wing, Banahan proved his worth once more to Gloucester’s title tilt, despite being on the losing side. An intelligent and dominant performance, the former England international showed every aspect of his game, even providing a cross-field kick assist at one point. A magnificent rugby player.
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) – Back fit after nearly a year out with injury, Joseph is slowly becoming the force we once all knew. Not scoring a try in this game, it was Joseph’s calm distribution that caught the eye, bringing in Joe Cokanasiga, Ruaridh McConnochie and Anthony Watson into the game regularly, Joseph was a vital cog in Bath’s win.
14. Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors) – Josh Adams leaves Worcester as an international, just four years after he left Wales without a club. On his way to the Cardiff Blues via a Rugby World Cup in Japan, Adams showed the Sixways faithful what they would be missing next season. Scoring one try Adams’ bulldozing runs were a sight to behold and will be missed in the Premiership.
15. Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby) – Whilst McConnochie is generally a winger, we’ve put him at full-back because the former England sevens star showed again why he is the form Premiership wing. Getting two turnover and running for 58 meters with ball in hand, McConnochie was a big player yet again for Todd Blackadder.
