"Brutal 3/10" - Five players who FLOPPED in opening PREM round

While the likes of Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock and Gabriel Hamer-Webb caught the eye, several big names endured afternoons they will want to forget.

Here are five players who struggled during the opening weekend.

RUCK rating: 3/10

The lowest score of the weekend from RUCK.

Isiekwe's afternoon unravelled when he was shown a red card for a high shot on Freddie Steward during Saracens' dramatic 40-38 victory over Leicester Tigers.

The England forward's dismissal left Saracens fighting to protect their lead, with the lock named the biggest underperformer in RUCK's Leicester Tigers vs Saracens player ratings.

Fortunately for Isiekwe, his teammates eventually bailed him out as Rotimi Segun's late score secured a remarkable victory at Welford Road.

There had been plenty of talk about Courtney Lawes potentially forcing his way back into the England conversation following his return to the PREM.

But his first afternoon back in English club rugby didn't quite deliver the statement many expected.

Sale were beaten 34-24 at home by Bristol, with Lawes arguably out-fought in the back-row battle by uncapped Englishman Fitz Harding.

Harding was everywhere for the Bears, producing three turnovers and 17 carries as Bristol secured a bonus-point victory on the road.

The contrast was particularly interesting given the recent debate around Lawes and a possible England recall. Harding, meanwhile, remains uncapped despite consistently impressing for Bristol.

Lawes still had his moments, but if this was an early audition to force himself back into Steve Borthwick's thinking, Harding certainly made sure he wasn't the only English back-rower demanding attention.

You can see how the rest of Sanderson's side performed in RUCK's Sale Sharks vs Bristol Bears player ratings.

RUCK rating: 4.5/10

A difficult first night of the season for the young Harlequins fly-half.

With Marcus Smith unavailable, Slevin was handed the No.10 shirt against champions Bath but struggled to take control as Quins slipped to a 33-17 home defeat.

RUCK named him the hosts' biggest underperformer in our Harlequins vs Bath player ratings, with much of their attacking success coming from moments of individual brilliance rather than sustained control.

He was eventually replaced after 73 minutes.

RugbyPass rating: 5/10

Exeter's opening afternoon quickly turned sour as Gloucester ran in seven tries during an emphatic 45-24 victory at Sandy Park.

Skinner did have his moments, including an excellent final pass to release Ethan Roots for his first-half try.

However, RugbyPass gave Skinner 5/10 in their Exeter Chiefs player ratings, with the fly-half unable to wrestle control of the contest away from Gloucester as the visitors repeatedly found gaps.

It was ultimately a frustrating afternoon for Exeter's No.10 as last season's finalists were handed a brutal opening-day reality check.

RUCK rating: 4/10

A difficult opening night for Newcastle's midfield.

Outside centre Alex Hearle was handed a 4/10 rating in RUCK's Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Red Bulls player ratings, with the visitors simply unable to contain Northampton's devastating attack.

Tommy Freeman helped himself to a hat-trick, James Pater also crossed three times and Saints finished with nine tries in a thumping 59-26 victory.

There were positives for Newcastle — particularly Christian Wade and Werner Kok — but it was an opening night to forget for much of their defence.