My Premiership team of the year
My Aviva Premiership team of the season is made up of the lads who week in, week out have put a shift in for their club. International players have struggled to make this team, with many of them missing up to 10 league games.
15 Telusa Veainu Leicester
Richard Cockerill might still be in the East Midlands had Veainu not been injured, such is his brilliance. Always beats the first man and is happy joining the line or getting his hands on the ball in and around the ruck. His brightly coloured boots light up the pitch when he plays. This was perhaps the hardest position to fill. Jason Woodward nearly rly rescued Bristol on his own when en he arrived mid-season. Phil il Dollman missed so much of the season but has looked strong in n Exeter’s push up the table.le. Mike Haley, of Sale, will be top class s in time, but his error count is too high. Tom Marshall looks a class signing for Gloucester. Veainu has got the nod for his magic in a small l number of games. es.
14 Christianan Wade Wasps
I have become a real fan of Charlie Sharples’s contributions ributions to Gloucester, and d Niki Goneva at Newcastle is a human wrecking ball. But Wade is all about the wow factor. He has a clear ability to finish, to makeke something out of nothing. No need to focus on a weakness; just marvel at his brilliance with the ball. Leicester’s Adam Thompstone is worth a mention; a lumpy lad who can fly.
13 Will Hurrell Bristol
Will Addison, of Sale, would have pushed him close but for a late injury. Elliot Daly was scintillating in the early part of the season before England robbed Wasps fans of his game time. When Ian Whitten plays for Exeter the back line will be direct and threatening. But Hurrell, from a relegated Bristol team, may go close to being my favourite player of the year. He is a lower-league player who has waited for his chance, and other clubs should now be desperate for his signature. A 22-game man, who smashes, who carries, and who wins the turnover stats is a man any club would love to have.
12 Brad Barritt Saracens
Has moved on from international rugby and Saracens are tremendously grateful. Jimmy Gopperth, of Wasps, could have grabbed the slot if Danny Cipriani had won the nod at 10. But Barritt has been a man mountain for Saracens. He does all the basics, all the tough stuff, all the horrible yardage, the nasty gain-line tackles, , every y Saturday.
111 Semesa Rokoduguni BathBa
IaI am gutted to leave out O Olly Woodburn, of Exeter. Deceptively quick, very strong, great defender, superb offloader and scores tries. But S Semesa Rokoduguni w was like a grown-up pl playing in a kids’ game on so many occasions. He does have defensive we weaknesses but when h he pins his ears back, n not many can stop him.
10 Jimmy Gopperth Wasps
HowH on earth did I leavele out Cipriani? ThisTh is all down to simplysim being unable to leave out Barritt and HurrellHurr in the centre. I cannotcann pick everyone, and Gopperth has to be in the team. He will probably win player of the season across the league. Gopperth is top of the points charts, is happy at 10 or 12, and has been a brilliant combination with Cipriani. Tough in the tackle, a brilliant runner and an excellent ball carrier when needed.
9 Kahn Fotuali’i Bath
The Dan Robson-joe Simpson double act at Wasps has been mesmerising: both rapid, both score tries, both suit Wasps. Saracens have a similar double act, with Richard Wigglesworth, who was close to selection here, and Ben Spencer – a bit more kicking, but perfect for Saracens. But Kahn Fotuaili is an absolute rock star of a scrum-half. He provides tempo, accuracy of pass and all the basics, defensive qualities, and turnovers galore.
1 Ellis Genge Leicester
Alex Waller has always been my go-to guy here for his durability, and he put in another season with 100 per cent attendance at Northampton. Ben Moon went very close indeed and has contributed hugely to Exeter. But Genge gets the nod. Powerful in the tackle and the carry thanks to his standingstart acceleration. He leads the defensive line from the inside and is happy hunting down fast men in wider channels. Excellent at scrum time, where he is a very low and powerful scrummager. Handles well and also gets over the try line.
2 Tommy Taylor Wasps
Jamie George had a huge season at Saracens, with his accuracy at the line-out, carries and tackles, but was away with England enough to cost him the jersey. Richard Hibbard came into contention with a late flurry at Gloucester. I would pick Dave Ward every week for his energy and turnovers, but he has played at seven a fair amount at Quins. Tommy Taylor has been fantastic. Cracking arrows at the set-piece, huge amount of carries and tackles, and happy to handle in the Wasps style. A bit of bulk could put him in the World Cup 2019 picture for England.
3 Nick Schonert Worcester
Saracens rotated their tightheads – all of whom were excellent. I
loved watching Jake CooperWoolley of Wasps – he has played a huge role in their ability to score tries. Halani Aulika, of Sale, wins turnovers galore, smashes tackles, carries hard and is really happy with his hands on the ball, but discipline is too often a factor. Schonert has been the epitome of rock-like solidity: huge, straight back, never goes backwards and a tough man.
4 Calum Green Newcastle
I nearly shifted Michael Rhodes to his less-accustomed role of second row, so outstanding has been his contribution at Saracens. But I wanted to keep people in the position of their greatest contribution. Jim Hamilton has been stellar for Saracens, while Matt Symons has been at the heart of so many massive Wasps performances. Mitch Lees has been a monster for Exeter, and hits rucks with real ferocity. But Calum Green has been the man around whom Dean Richards is building his pack. He nearly tops the tackle charts – from second row. Confident line-out exponent with an incredible engine. Rarely wins man of the match, probably makes top three every time.
5 Bryn Evans Sale
Tom Savage, of Gloucester, has had his best season, really becoming the senior pro and leader. Dom Barrow has been one of the few constants up at Leicester, alongside Genge. He is a nasty, old-school second row: hits things, carries hard, gets involved in enforcing and is not afraid of getting in the air in the line-out and pilfering ball. But Bryn Evans has steadied the ship time and again for Sale. His line-out work is of the highest calibre – he leads the league in line-out steals. Evans’s ability to handle and contribute to a one-touch-pass game has added immense value. He would be a wonderful netball player.
6 Jackson Wray Saracens
The lad is an absolute sensation for Saracens. Mark Wilson again had a huge season for Newcastle. Michael Rhodes played six a lot for Saracens this year and was my hardest omission from the team. Bath’s Matt Garvey would have pushed but injury has hurt his and their season. Chris Vui has been unbelievable for Worcester. But Wray is Mr Consistently Excellent. Even when Saracens had a wobble he never dropped his standards. Wray does everything and is a ridiculously talented competitor. He could be the most valuable non-international in the league.
7 Thomas Young Wasps
Leicester’s Brendan O’connor pushed Young close, and I enjoyed watching Ollie Robinson for Bristol when he was fit. But Young has been magnificent. He rarely, if ever, makes a bad decision or puts a foot wrong. Never looks as though he is sprinting at full tilt. Everything is under control. As is his mind. He knows when to commit to the breakdown and when to leave it and get in the defensive line. Young plays with his head up and is the perfect link man for Wasps’ flying backs.
8 Thomas Waldrom Exeter
There were loads of contenders here. Louis Picamoles will win Northampton’s player of the year. Nathan Hughes’s carries and offloads for Wasps have been Billy Vunipola-esque. Billy was massive when fit. Josh Beaumont gets better. Ross Moriarty is a titan. And Mitch Eadie was brave and full of class for Bristol. But Mr Dependable gets the shirt. Waldrom is miles clear in total carries. Over the course of a season the man consistently climbs to the top.