Top 3 performers of the weekend

Ben Youngs

The scrum-half is widely touted to be named in the Lions squad next month and after his performance this weekend it is easy to see why. The scrum-half played a key role in everything that came good for the Tigers against the Saints on Saturday. As always he was a threat around the ruck area. Although he didn’t make many of his trademark breaks from his forays, he drew defenders in and was able to consistently put his teammates through the holes that opened as a result. He set up both Adam Thompstone’s and Lachlan McCaffrey’s scores with perfectly weighted passes and even got over himself after some good link play with JP Pieterson down the left touchline. A magnificent performance, which we have come to expect of the scrum half.

Niall Scannell

Fresh off his maiden Six Nations Championship appearance the hooker wasted no time in getting back into the swing of things, getting over the try-line at the back of a rolling maul after just four minutes. His accurate lineout throwing was imperative to his Munster side’s victory in Italy as they went over for tries from rolling maul a total of three times in the game. He was also part of a dominant Munster front row that got the shove on time and time again, putting their team on the front foot. James Cronin was the benefactor of that on a couple of occasions going over a couple of phases after strong five metre scrums.

Brad Barritt

The Saracens captain was absolutely incredible this afternoon in his side’s Premiership clash with Bath and was the rightful earner of the man on the match award. He was unstoppable in attack, time and time again he barrelled his way through the Bath defensive line constantly making vital yards for his side. He played a key role in several of the Saracens tries and even managed to bag one for himself after some excellent individual work. Defensively he was a menace, never giving Bath a second and consistently getting in over the ball to force turnovers at the breakdown. The simple fact that he stood out in an overall incredible team performance clearly highlights just how high his level of play was today and it is for that reason he was awarded the man of the match accolade.