The second round of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season is in the books, with the English top flight continuing to roll on at a meteoric pace. This weekend was kicked off by one of the greatest recent West Country derbies, as Gloucester and Bristol Bears battled tooth and nail at Ashton Gate, in an unforgettable 44-41 away win for the Cherry and Whites.
Saturday’s action saw Harlequins and Saracens record side by side London wins in the afternoon kick off, as they despatched of Newcastle Falcons and Sale Sharks respectivley. The late Saturday fixture saw Northampton Saints claim the victory over Exeter Chiefs, before Leicester Tigers fell victim to a formidable Bath Rugby, who took the away win back to Somerset on Sunday.
RESULTS: PREMIERSHIP RUGBY ROUND TWO
Bristol Bears 41 – 44 Gloucester Rugby I Harlequins 28 – 14 Newcastle Falcons
Saracens 45 – 26 Sale Sharks I Northampton Saints 30 – 24 Exeter Chiefs
Leicester Tigers 15 – 20 Bath Rugby
Here are RUCK’s picks for the Premiership Rugby Team of the Week, after the second round.
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
Proving his worth to England, Furbank controlled well from the back and found teammate Rory Hutchinson with a beautiful cross-field kick. A solid performance for the England international.
14. Christian Wade (Gloucester Rugby)
A Premiership hat-trick for the former Racing 92 man, Wade is setting down the marker on how he wants to break Chris Ashton’s Premiership try scoring record. The former Buffallo Bills running back was electric against the Bears, and helped the Cherry and Whites to their first win at Ashton Gate, since Pat Lam took charge of Bristol.
13. Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Given the long awaited duties of place kicking, midfield maestro Alex Lozowski stepped up to the tee and sent eight efforts sailing through the uprights. The centre has long sort after the Saracens goal kicking duties, and bided his time whilst Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly shared the role. Aside from his kicking, Lozowski was instrumental in orchestrating the Saracens attack, and carved many paths through the Sale Sharks defence.
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)
Ruck Bath Rugby Reporter Sam Jess witnessed the England midfielder at his very best: “The centre has been a consistent weapon for Bath since arriving from Worcester two years ago, but he had a slight dip off, from his very high stands, in form come the end of last season.
“However, today, Lawrence was his electric best again, causing havoc in attack but also showing his defensive improvement as he and Will Butt denied the Tigers any access through the midfield.”