Top 3 Premiership Players who started 2025 with a bang
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The new year started the way the old one had ended in Gallagher Premiership Rugby; a glut of tries, a feast of unpredictability and a smattering of sensational individual displays.
We’ve picked out three players who particularly stood out in Round 10…
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
The scrum-half has been in exceptional form this season and was instrumental as Gloucester Rugby defeated in-form Sale Sharks at Kingsholm.
Williams’ day began with a perfectly-timed pop pass off the floor to release Santi Carreras for the game’s opening try.
He then began the sweeping move from left to right which sent Josh Hathaway over for their third score before rounding off the victory by winning the footrace to his own inventive kick for a superb solo try.
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Williams was one of several standout Welsh performers for the Cherry & Whites on a day which saw Max Llewellyn also score twice.
All in all, it was a performance which left both the Shed purring and rugby fans over the Severn Bridge with renewed hope for 2025 after a tough year last time out.
Tom Willis (Saracens)
The New Year is always a good time to stake international claims, with the Six Nations around the corner, and Tom Willis did just that with a barnstorming display in Saracens’ win over Bristol Bears.
His first try showcased brute force, as he refused to be held up five metres out – despite the attentions of several Bears tacklers – and powered over.
His second, on the stroke of half time, was a thing of beauty.
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The move was started by a Maro Itoje interception, the lock seizing on a loose pass by his England teammate Ellis Genge and surging from inside his own 22 over the halfway line, even throwing a dummy in along the way.
When the ball was switched across the field, Willis still had more than plenty to do when he received possession just inside the Bears half.
But with a step to the right, the No.8 went past Noah Heward and Bill Mata before holding off Rich Lane for a try which showed pace, power and execution – and, he will hope, caught the eye of Steve Borthwick in the process.
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Fin Smith is another who will hope to play a prominent part in an England shirt in the coming weeks and did his case no harm at all with a Player of the Match display in a thriller at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The visit of league leaders Bath Rugby for a rematch of last season’s Final proved the tonic Saints needed to kickstart their domestic campaign, Smith holding his nerve with two late penalties – including the match-winner with the clock in the red – as Saints won 35-34.
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There was plenty more to the fly-half’s display than his late clutch kicks.
He gathered his own well-judged poke into the Bath 22 to help set up his side’s second try, Fraser Dingwall the beneficiary, and showed his defensive mettle by driving Miles Reid backwards with a huge hit towards the end of the first half.
There is nothing Fin Smith can't do 💥
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) January 5, 2025
Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺#GallagherPrem | #NORvBAT | @SaintsRugby pic.twitter.com/wi8BUFLrPp
Smith’s 45-metre penalty extended Saints’ lead to 29-19 on 50 minutes and though Bath launched a stirring comeback, the 22-year-old’s boot ensured a memorable contest ultimately ended in favour of the hosts.
“We’ve been crying out for a result like that all season,” he said. “Hopefully this time it can be something to really springboard us onwards.”
