As the Gallagher Premiership reached the end of Round Seven, it’s time to review the top performances from the return of the English top flight. With the Autumn Nations Series and the first three rounds of the Premiership Rugby Cup in the books, the 10 Premiership clubs enjoyed a brief return to their domestic league campaigns, before they all embark on their respective European ventures next weekend.
Selecting the Team of the Week is never easy, especially with so many individual players making compelling cases for our weekly XV. However, after carefully reviewing the round’s action, we’ve compiled a lineup of those who truly excelled. Whether it was through powerful scrummaging, pinpoint kicking, or game-changing moments of brilliance, these players were instrumental in their teams’ performances. Here is RUCK’s selection for the Premiership Rugby Team of the Week, after Round Seven.
PREMIERSHIP RUGBY TEAM OF THE WEEK (ROUND 7)
15. Santiago Carreras (Gloucester)
“Two tries to his name, only missing one kick during the match. Made most of Gloucester’s attacking game.” Like the Cherry and White fans who made the trip across to the East Midlands, RUCK reporter Tom Harrington was impressed in what he saw from the Argentine.
14. Christian Wade (Gloucester)
Back in the RUCK Team of the Week once again, Christian Wade impressed Tom Harrington, who was watching the action at Franklin’s Gardens. “Assisted one Carreras’ tries by quick-stepping past Ollie Sleightholme. Great attacking and defensive presence on the wing.”
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou (Bristol Bears)
Big impact from the midfielder, as he powered over the top of a Quins defender to score Bristol’s first try of the second half. Ravouvou was too much for Harlequins to contain in their Friday night battle at the Stoop, with the Fijian hitting his full flight on the front foot.
12. Luke James (Sale Sharks)
RUCK Northern Rugby Reporter Charlie Elliott was impressed by James, who has progressed since the Premiership Rugby Cup break. “Really well played from James, who Alex Sanderson said played himself into a shirt after some good games over Autumn. Will likely keep it if he keeps it up.”
11. Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears)
“He’s got it all.” That’s what Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam said about Gabriel Ibitoye, as the high flying wing collected yet another Player of the Match performance. England debut has to happen in the 2025 Six Nations.
10. Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons)
Steering the ship on a memorable day for Newcastle, Brett Connon slotted seven crucial points through the posts, that helped the Falcons over the line in their 17-12 win against Saracens. The 28-year-old was excellent in the win against the six-time Premiership champions, with this efforts duly recognized this week.
9. Kieran Marmion (Bristol Bears)
A top showing from the scrum half. Capped off a nice Bristol move for a try just before the half-time break. Sniped around the blindside of a ruck to send Ibitoye chasing away for an additional score. Excellent from the nine.
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester)
The Gloucester prop was once again showcasing himself against the Premiership’s top tight-heads, as he got the upper hand on Leicester’s Joe Heyes and Dan Cole. Watching on at Welford Road was Midland’s reporter Tom Harrington who said; “Strong scrummage until substituted off early in second half.”
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks)
Watching on for RUCK at the Salford Community Stadium was Charlie Elliott, who rated the England hooker 9/10. “Almost impeccible from the lineout in his 73-minute cameo. He was very smart for his only try of the game and it was no less than his talismanic match deserved. In general, he showed his class after coming back from international duty with England.”
3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks)
Another stand out Sale man, Charlie Elliott added; Formed a brilliant partnership with Bevan Rodd in which they both managed tries. His came from a touch and go, finding space in the way in which a back would be proud of. Overall a very good game as he scored his first senior rugby try.
4. Theo McFarland (Saracens)
Stepping up for Saracens as they travelled up to the North East, Theo McFarland was a bright spark for Sarries, despite the shock Newcastle Falcons win. McFarland elevated his performance in the absence of Maro Itoje, with relentless carries making the Falcons team up to bring the big Samoan to the deck.
5. Joe Owen (Bristol Bears)
Involved in some nice plays in the build up to the numerous Bristolian tries. Owen put his name amongst the top forwards from Pat Lam’s side as he impressed on the offensive foot. Earned his fair share of war wounds, as he put his body on the line in the away win.
6. Jack Kenningham (Harlequins)
Kenningham flew out the blocks with solid carries, as he got involved from the off and bounced through an assortment of Bristol player. Kenningham was good at the line-out as Harlequins made the set-piece a point of disruption. A stand out Quins man on a difficult defeat for the Londoners.
7. Guy Pepper (Bath)
Bath Reporter Sam Jess witnessed Pepper’s Player of the Match outing at the Rec; “Joining from Newcastle in the summer, there were question marks over how much game time
the flanker would get, but so far, he has added plenty and continued his fine form with a great
try. A turnover when his side needed it most, and it was a bright game. Was named man of the
match by TNT.”
8. Bill Mata (Bristol Bears)
Scored his first try of his Bristol career, in what was the perfect start to his time with the club following a long road back from a hamstring injury. Carrying and offloading with full Fijian flair, Bristol have another exciting signing on their hands.
