4. James Dun (Bristol Bears)
The Bristolians go back to back in our team of the week, with lock James Dun given the go ahead for the number four jersey. With an honourable mention in store for Dun’s engine room partner Joe Batley, Dun’s red scrum cap was constantly in the contact area. With a tireless work rate that racked up an impressive heat map, Dun’s 12 tackles and countless breakdown involvements impressed the purists in his 72 minute shift.
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)
Ruck Midland’s Reporter George Wellbelove said: “A man of the match performance from the Leicester captain capped off a fine showing. Nine carries, 37 metres made with gain-line success being achieved six times through his work. Chessum will be extremely pleased and is surely going to take a starting spot in England’s Autumn Internationals.” Speaking after the game, Chessum said to TNT Sports: ‘It’s always tough coming up (to Newcastle). We came out wanting to make a statement…we kept scoring and I am really proud of the boys.’
6 Ben Earl (Saracens)
Ben Earl was at his brilliant best for Saracens, with the all-action back row even cropping up on the StoneX scoreboard. Earl powered his way to the line on two occasions, with his 10-point contribution going a long way towards Saracens’ overall win. Earl made 11 tackles in his 67 minute outing, and England fans are excited to see such a key figure of Borthwick’s side hit his stride ahead of the Autumn Series.
7. Santiago Grondona (Bristol Bears)
Our fourth and final Bristol Bear that makes up the Team of the Week, Santiago Grondona had a stunning performance at the Rec. In what was the Argentine’s long awaited Bristol Bears debut, despite having been with the club since the previous Summer, Grondona has put the knee injury woes behind him, and will be out to only build on this dominant display in future Bristol appearances.
8. Sam Graham (Northampton Saints)
Ruck Northampton Saints Reporter Ben Grundy watched on, as Sam Graham took home the Player of the Match award from Franklin’s Gardens. Sam Graham was listed in the top three performers of the fixture, alongside the duelling fly halves Marcus and Fin Smith.
Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Phil Dowson commended the number eight’s man of the match performance: “I think if the game had gone another way, I think Will Evans and Marcus Smith (could have got man of the match). But yeah Sam kept turning up, carried a lot of ball and looked like he made a lot of dents and you know what you are getting from Sam, his work-rate is outstanding.”
