Marcus Smith ran the show, Leicester battered their biggest rivals, and Newcastle finally remembered how to win.
Round 4 of the Gallagher PREM delivered some cracking individual performances, with several players making strong cases for England selection.
Leicester hammered Northampton 28-7, Gloucester brushed aside Bath, and Newcastle stunned Sale to claim their first league win of the season.
There were some brutal selection calls, particularly on the wings and across the back row.
Here is RUCK's Gallagher PREM Team of the Week for Round 4.
RUCK's Gallagher PREM Team of the Week – Backs
15. George Barton – Gloucester
Barton was outstanding in Gloucester's 23-5 victory over Bath, earning a superb 9/10 in the player ratings.
The full-back dealt with Bath's kicking game, looked dangerous when given space and barely put a foot wrong.
Freddie Steward produced another excellent display for Leicester, but Barton gets the nod. He's becoming a very difficult man to leave out.
14. Christian Wade – Newcastle Red Bulls
Two weeks ago, Wade was scoring a hat-trick in a losing cause. This time, he finally had something to celebrate.
The 35-year-old scored his 101st Gallagher PREM try against Sale, drawing level with Chris Ashton at the top of the competition's all-time list.
His finish helped Newcastle secure a priceless 17-3 victory.
A remarkable achievement for a player who spent several years chasing an NFL dream.
13. Luke Northmore – Harlequins
Northmore produced a strong defensive performance against Saracens, helping Harlequins contain a dangerous midfield.
The centre was physical in contact, worked tirelessly without the ball and played his part in an impressive team display.
He earned 8/10 from RugbyPass and gets the shirt ahead of Newcastle's Chris Harris.
12. Max Llewellyn – Gloucester
Llewellyn was a handful throughout Gloucester's victory over Bath.
The Wales international crossed for an important try and brought plenty of physicality to the midfield battle.
He carried hard, challenged defenders and helped Gloucester control a match that was never going to be pretty.
Another big performance from a player who continues to impress at Kingsholm.
11. Gabriel Ibitoye – Bristol Bears
Ibitoye doesn't need much room to cause problems. Give him half a yard and somebody usually ends up chasing shadows.
The Bristol winger scored the opening try in their 20-7 victory over Exeter and remained a threat whenever he got the ball.
He also made an important contribution in defence, helping Bristol secure a hard-earned win in difficult conditions.
Cadan Murley was unlucky to miss out, but Ibitoye takes the shirt.
10. Marcus Smith – Harlequins
RUCK's Player of the Week
Two hundred appearances for Harlequins, and Smith marked the occasion with a performance worthy of the milestone.
The England fly-half scored an early try, controlled his side's attack and repeatedly found ways to trouble Saracens.
He also produced a remarkable defensive intervention to deny Max Malins.
Smith earned 8.5/10 from RugbyPass and was the standout performer in a hugely impressive Harlequins display.
When he plays with this much confidence, very few fly-halves in England can match him.
9. Harry Randall – Bristol Bears
Randall wasn't going to let a bit of miserable weather ruin his afternoon.
The Bristol scrum-half was excellent against Exeter, controlling territory with his kicking game and keeping the Chiefs under pressure.
He kicked for 689 metres from 25 kicks, a remarkable contribution in a contest dominated by territory.
Named Player of the Match, Randall edges out Harlequins' Will Porter after another mature display.
RUCK's Gallagher PREM Team of the Week – Forwards
1. Archie van der Flier – Leicester Tigers
Twenty-two tackles and two turnovers. Not a bad afternoon's work for a loosehead prop.
Van der Flier was immense in Leicester's 28-7 victory over Northampton, putting his body on the line throughout a fiercely contested East Midlands derby.
His defensive contribution was vital as Tigers frustrated their rivals and took control after the break.
A proper shift from the Leicester front-rower.
2. George McGuigan – Newcastle Red Bulls
McGuigan picked the perfect moment to deliver one of his biggest performances of the season.
The experienced hooker powered over from a driving maul against Sale, helping Newcastle secure their first league victory.
He also contributed to an excellent defensive effort that kept the Sharks tryless.
Newcastle have endured some miserable afternoons recently. This certainly wasn't one of them.
3. Joe Heyes – Leicester Tigers
One of the easiest selections of the weekend.
Heyes was outstanding against Northampton, earning Player of the Match honours and an impressive 8.5/10 in RUCK's ratings.
The England tighthead helped Leicester establish control up front and played a major role in their dominant second-half performance.
Steve Borthwick won't have missed this one.
4. Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers
Henderson delivered the sort of performance that makes life thoroughly unpleasant for opposition forwards.
The Scotland international scored a second-half try and made 15 tackles as Leicester dismantled Northampton.
He brought physicality in defence and provided the finishing touch to an excellent team performance.
A deserved place in the second row.
5. Ollie Chessum – Leicester Tigers
Chessum led from the front as Leicester brushed aside Northampton 28-7 in a fiery East Midlands derby.
The England international was immense in the physical battle, putting in a huge defensive shift and helping Tigers take control after the break.
He earned an impressive 9/10 in the player ratings from Planet Rugby and showed exactly why he's become such an important figure for club and country.
Northampton had plenty of big names in their pack. Chessum made sure they had a miserable afternoon.
6. Max Hicks – Newcastle Red Bulls
Sale arrived at Kingston Park expecting to leave with a victory. Hicks and his teammates had other ideas.
The Newcastle back-rower produced a tireless defensive display as the Red Bulls frustrated their visitors.
He earned 7/10 in RUCK's ratings and played his part in restricting Sale to just a penalty.
There were more glamorous performances this weekend, but few more important to their teams.
It's no wonder Steve Borthwick is reportedly keeping a close eye on the former Māori All Blacks forward, who qualifies for England through his mother.
7. Jac Morgan – Gloucester
Another week, another performance that shows why Morgan is regarded as one of the best defensive back-rowers around.
The Wales international was relentless against Bath, throwing himself into tackles and making a nuisance of himself around the breakdown.
His physicality helped Gloucester control the contest and shut down Bath's attacking opportunities.
Morgan continues to be one of the most consistent performers in the competition.
8. Greg Fisilau – Exeter Chiefs
Exeter might have lost at Bristol, but Fisilau refused to go quietly.
The powerful number eight scored the Chiefs' only try and provided one of their few consistent attacking threats.
His carrying gave Exeter some much-needed momentum in a difficult contest.
Lucas Schmid impressed for Harlequins, but Fisilau gets the nod despite finishing on the losing side.
Honourable mentions
Several players were desperately unlucky to miss out.
- Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers): Scored a superb try and earned 8/10 against Northampton.
- Cadan Murley (Harlequins): Another dangerous attacking display, capped by a try against Saracens.
- Will Porter (Harlequins): Scored a try and combined superbly with Marcus Smith.
- Fin Baxter (Harlequins): An impressive return, earning 8/10 from RugbyPass.
- Josh Hodge (Newcastle Red Bulls): Played an important role in Newcastle's victory over Sale.
- Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers): Made 22 tackles in an enormous defensive shift against Northampton.
Gallagher PREM Round 4 results
- Gloucester 23-5 Bath
- Newcastle Red Bulls 17-3 Sale Sharks
- Leicester Tigers 28-7 Northampton Saints
- Bristol Bears 20-7 Exeter Chiefs
- Harlequins 35-15 Saracens
Have your say: Who was your Player of the Week? And who should have made our XV?
Previous Gallagher PREM Teams of the Week
Round 1 – Northampton dominate opening weekend
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 – Four Gloucester stars make the XV
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 – Northampton stars dominate
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).
