The third round of the Gallagher PREM delivered tries, comebacks and some remarkable individual performances, with Northampton Saints leading the way in RUCK's Team of the Week.
Northampton's extraordinary 71-48 victory over Bath produced 119 points and 18 tries. Defending clearly wasn't on the agenda at Franklin's Gardens.
Ollie Sleightholme scored a hat-trick, Alex Coles was outstanding and Fin Smith gave Steve Borthwick another reminder of his quality.
But the weekend wasn't all about Saints.
Christian Wade scored three tries for Newcastle against Exeter, taking his career PREM tally to 100. Not bad for someone who spent several years trying to crack the NFL.
Leicester made it back-to-back wins, Saracens comfortably beat Bristol, while Sale and Exeter both picked up important victories.
There were some brutal selection calls, particularly at fly-half and across the back row.
Here is RUCK's Gallagher PREM Team of the Week for Round 3.
RUCK's Gallagher PREM Team of the Week – Backs
15. James Pater – Northampton Saints
Another week, another place in our Team of the Week for James Pater.
The Northampton youngster was outstanding against Bath, scoring a superb 50-metre try and making 90 metres from just eight carries.
He also beat four defenders and provided the crucial pass for Ollie Sleightholme's opening try.
An 8.5/10 performance and his second selection in three rounds. Not bad going at all.
14. Christian Wade – Newcastle Red Bulls
Three tries. A century of Gallagher PREM tries. And still no victory.
Wade was simply sensational against Exeter, producing the sort of finishing that has made him one of the competition's greatest-ever wingers.
The 35-year-old now sits just one try behind Chris Ashton's all-time record of 101.
Newcastle might have lost 34-28, but Wade deserves his place in this XV more than almost anyone.
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints
One of several Northampton backs who could have made this team.
Hutchinson was excellent as Saints ran riot against Bath, finding space and helping keep the ball moving at a frightening pace.
His handling and attacking instincts were particularly impressive.
Henry Slade pushed him close after scoring against Newcastle, but Hutchinson gets the nod.
12. Fraser Dingwall – Northampton Saints
Another classy display from one of the most underrated centres in English rugby.
Dingwall might not grab the headlines like some of his teammates, but he makes the Northampton attack tick.
His distribution, movement and decision-making helped Saints cut Bath apart.
When a team scores 71 points, somebody has to be making the right decisions. Dingwall certainly was.
11. Ollie Sleightholme – Northampton Saints
Our Player of the Week.
Sleightholme was virtually unstoppable against Bath, scoring three tries while making 151 metres and beating 11 defenders.
Those are ridiculous numbers against the reigning champions.
His pace and finishing have never been in doubt, but this was another level.
If Steve Borthwick isn't watching closely, he should be.
10. Fin Smith – Northampton Saints
This was arguably the toughest selection of the week.
Marcus Smith scored twice against Sale and made a strong case for inclusion, but Fin Smith gets the shirt after a brilliant display against Bath.
The Northampton playmaker controlled the attacking tempo and repeatedly found ways to unlock the visitors.
He earned a 9/10 in published player ratings.
England's battle for the number ten shirt isn't getting any easier for Borthwick.
9. Alex Mitchell – Northampton Saints
A masterclass in attacking scrum-half play.
Mitchell was at the heart of Northampton's extraordinary victory, moving the ball quickly and constantly asking questions of Bath's defence.
His speed around the breakdown was a major reason Saints scored 11 tries.
Few scrum-halves in Europe are better when a game opens up.
1. Archie van der Flier – Leicester Tigers
One of the easiest selections in the entire team.
Van der Flier was named Player of the Match as Leicester beat Gloucester 38-31 at Welford Road.
The loosehead set the physical tone, worked tirelessly around the pitch and helped Tigers gain the upper hand up front.
He earned 9/10 in RUCK's Leicester player ratings.
A seriously impressive performance.
2. Sam Riley – Harlequins
Two tries from a hooker usually make selection fairly straightforward.
Riley was a major attacking threat as Harlequins pushed Sale all the way in Salford.
However, his late yellow card was costly, with Sale eventually winning through a penalty try.
Kepu Tuipulotu was outstanding for Bath and pushed him extremely close.
Riley gets the nod for his attacking contribution, but this wasn't a flawless afternoon.
3. Joe Heyes – Leicester Tigers
Another strong performance from the England tighthead.
Heyes helped Leicester establish control up front against Gloucester and capped his afternoon with a try.
His scrummaging gave Tigers a platform during the most important periods of the contest.
Not the flashiest selection, but a thoroughly deserved one.
4. Alex Coles – Northampton Saints
An absolute monster performance.
Coles carried like a back-row forward, scored a try and somehow still found the energy to make 17 tackles against Bath.
He also recorded two line breaks, 49 metres and four defenders beaten.
The England lock received a remarkable 9.5/10 in published ratings.
On this evidence, leaving him out of England's starting XV is becoming increasingly difficult.
5. Finn Carnduff – Leicester Tigers
Another Leicester forward making a serious impression.
Carnduff was outstanding against Gloucester, combining athleticism with genuine physicality.
He carried strongly, competed in the air and crossed for a try as Tigers secured another important victory.
The youngster earned 8/10 in RUCK's player ratings.
Leicester have a very exciting talent on their hands.
6. Maro Itoje – Saracens
A slightly unusual position for the England captain, but a thoroughly deserved selection.
Itoje lined up at blindside flanker as Saracens bounced back with a convincing 30-7 victory over Bristol Bears.
He brought his trademark aggression and work rate to the contest, helping Saracens dominate one of the league's most dangerous attacking sides.
A Player of the Match display and another reminder of his versatility.
7. Ross Vintcent – Exeter Chiefs
Two tries and a first win of the season for Exeter.
Vintcent made a flying start against Newcastle, crossing inside the opening minute before adding another as Chiefs built early momentum.
His support running and energy were vital in a match that eventually finished 34-28.
Exeter needed somebody to make a statement. Vintcent certainly delivered.
8. Elia Canakaivata – Sale Sharks
What a way to announce yourself.
Canakaivata marked his first Gallagher PREM start with a try as Sale came from behind to beat Harlequins 28-24.
The Fijian back-rower brought power and aggression to Sale's attack during a hard-fought contest.
Arthur Green was excellent for Bath, but Canakaivata gets the shirt after helping his side secure a crucial victory.
Honourable mentions
There were plenty of difficult calls this weekend.
Marcus Smith was desperately unlucky to miss out after scoring twice against Sale. On another weekend, that would have been more than enough.
Tommy Freeman also scored twice as Northampton demolished Bath, while Kepu Tuipulotu was one of the visitors' best players despite conceding 71 points.
Henry Slade produced an influential display for Exeter, and Freddie Steward impressed again in Leicester's victory over Gloucester.
Noah Caluori also deserves recognition after marking his Saracens return with a try.
Have your say! Who was your Player of the Week, and which player was unlucky to miss out on our XV?
Previous Gallagher PREM Teams of the Week
Round 1
Backs: 15. James Pater (Northampton), 14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol), 12. Max Ojomoh (Bath), 11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol), 10. Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester), 9. Tomos Williams (Saracens).
Forwards: 1. Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton), 2. Dewi Lake (Gloucester), 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), 4. Alex Coles (Northampton), 5. Ted Hill (Bath), 6. Jac Morgan (Gloucester), 7. Henry Pollock (Northampton), 8. Fitz Harding (Bristol).
Round 2
Backs: 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester), 14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol), 13. Will Joseph (Gloucester), 12. Cam Redpath (Bath), 11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), 10. Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester), 9. Harry Randall (Bristol).
Forwards: 1. Beno Obano (Bath), 2. Nathan Jibulu (Sale), 3. George Kloska (Bristol), 4. Arthur Clark (Gloucester), 5. Pedro Rubiolo (Bristol), 6. Guy Pepper (Bath), 7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester), 8. Jac Morgan (Gloucester).
Round 3
Backs: 15. James Pater (Northampton), 14. Christian Wade (Newcastle), 13. Rory Hutchinson (Northampton), 12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), 11. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), 10. Fin Smith (Northampton), 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton).
Forwards: 1. Archie van der Flier (Leicester), 2. Sam Riley (Harlequins), 3. Joe Heyes (Leicester), 4. Alex Coles (Northampton), 5. Finn Carnduff (Leicester), 6. Maro Itoje (Saracens), 7. Ross Vintcent (Exeter), 8. Elia Canakaivata (Sale).
