Lock: Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs) – When the Scotland forward gets to work, he’s absolutely brilliant. 12 strong carries and nine tackles, missing none.
Lock: Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby) – Probably the in-form second-row in the Gallagher Premiership. Two tries, one assist, 12 strong carries for 27 metres and 10 tackles.
Blindside-flanker: Alfie Barbeary (Wasps): My player of the week. Barbeary, who can also play hooker, was selected ahead of in-form England prospect Jack Willis at blindside flanker and on this man-of-the-match evidence Eddie Jones will soon have another back-row option on his radar.
Openside-flanker: Ben Curry (Sale Sharks) – it was Curry’s breakdown work that continued to keep the Sharks in the fight against Saracens.
He won a couple of crucial onball penalties while also making 18 tackles.
Number 8: Ben Earl (Bristol Bears) – The Bristol Bears No.8 edged out Sam Simmonds for a place in our team of the week. Assisted Andy Uren’s try with an outstanding line break and then showed impressive speed of thought to pick and go through the ruck for his try.
