RUCK's Winners and Losers from the weekend's rugby
Aviva Premiership

RUCK’s Heroes and Zeros from the weekend’s Premiership rugby

9 January 2017
Rugby Rucker
RUCK looks back at a selection of ‘heroes’ and ‘zeros’ from the weekend’s Aviva Premiership action.
Who are our heroes? Who are our zeros? Find out below!
Winners
Jonny May

David Humphreys has predicted wing wonder Jonny May will go on the British and Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand this summer following his stunning performance against Worcester.


The England speedster, who made RUCK’s Team of the week, was a constant threat with the ball in hand all afternoon against the Warriors – putting in a man-of-the-match display as the Cherry & Whites smashed Worcester 55-19 at Kingsholm.

May sliced his way through the Warriors’ 22 for the opening score after 15 minutes, before helping creating the second for Matt Scott.

England head coach Eddie Jones will be very pleased with his form heading into the Six Nations!

Nick Swiel

The South African-born fly-half starred as injury-hit Harlequins rallied to overwhelm Sale Sharks 29-6 at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Super-sub Swiel, who replaced the returning Nick Evans after just five minutes, notched 24 points, which included a crucial try just before halftime.
“It was great to get the try, I managed to get that score and kick my all my penalties and conversions.” revealed Swiel.

“Last year my kicking wasn’t as good, I’ve really been working on that in recent weeks, Nick Evans has really been good to me in helping with that aspect of my game.

“I just need to take all the opportunities I can get, we have two excellent international fly-halves in Ruaridh Jackson and Nick Evans.

“I’m still young, but that doesn’t last long so I just need to keep with my performance when the opportunities are presented to me.”

Newcastle Falcons

For a second week in succession, it was another late, late show at Kingston Park.

Once again Newcastle Falcons started with an early try and finished strongly, but this time their forwards overpowered the visitors to force two close-range tries in a frantic last 10 minutes and overcome Bath 24-22.

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The victory lifts them into the Aviva Premiership top six!

Joel Hodgson, Mark Wilson and hooker Scott Lawson particularly impressed with their brilliant displays.

Special mention to John Welsh too for his outstanding chip and chase.

Wasps
Wasps withstood a second-half onslaught from Leicester to go top of the Premiership standings with a 22-16 win at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

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The hosts return to the top of the Premiership but they were made to work very, very hard in what was a hotly contested East-Midlands derby played in front of a bumper crowd of 27,930.

After 30 minutes, Wasps had three tries but Leicester dragged themselves back into it in the second half as Aaron Mauger’s reign began with a losing bonus-point.

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Losers
George Ford

The England fly-half missed four out of seven kicks at goal at Kingston Park and all of the wayward ones were well within his range and expectation. He also uncharacteristically dropped a ball late in the game.


Newcastle’s Joel Hodgson made Ford look amateur.

The defeat in the North East was Bath’s third in a row but they remain fourth in the Premiership table.

James Haskell

Wasps flanker James Haskell was taken off the field just 36 seconds into his comeback game after appearing to be knocked out in the win over Leicester.


Haskell by lolololol1786


Haskell, who had been out for seventh months with a toe injury, came on as a second-half substitute but was forced off after a tackle on Freddie Burns.

The good news is he seems to be okay!

Richard Barrington

Not a good ending to Richard Barrington’s 100th game and he was devastated.

His shoulder made contact with the head of Exeter Chiefs Geoff Parling after Brad Barritt’s high tackle.


Saracens did well though to battle back and draw 13-13 at Allianz Park.

Worcester Warriors

Another defensive horror show on their travels has pushed Worcester Warriors closer to the Aviva Premiership trap door.

And this seven-try pounding at Kingsholm could leave lasting scars on the struggling visitors, who are just one point above basement boys Bristol.

With the Ashton Gate outfit visibly improving, the manner of this derby capitulation will send shivers down the spine of most Worcester’s followers.