Aviva Premiership: Top Weekend Performers
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Top Performers from the weekend action
Aviva Premiership
Sam James (Sale Sharks) – James scored two tries in a comeback-win against Worcester Warriors to end a three-game winless run in the Aviva Premiership. Sale started the game brightly as Solomona made an incisive break downfield which led to James’ first try of the night. The Sharks centre second of the night was an historic touch down, as he scored Sharks’ 1000th Aviva Premiership try. The recent form of Sam James could easily see him included in Eddie Jones’ plans for the England summer tour to Argentina.
Joel Hodgson (Newcastle Falcons) – The Newcastle Falcons fly-half displayed nerves of steel to nail a last gasp to hand the Falcons a dramatic win over Gloucester at Kingston Park. With the sides closely matched, Hodgson came off the bench to nail three second-half penalties which proved to be the difference. The win keeps Newcastle’s hopes of a top-six Aviva Premiership alive and well.
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) – A late double from the Bath flyer secured victory in ‘ The Clash ‘ at Twickenham. The result moved Bath level on points with Leicester in the table in fourth. Watson’s quick fire double, the first created by a Faletau break, a JP Pietersen yellow card opened the game up for Bath to use their electric back line and Banahan put Watson away for the simplest of run-ins. Watson’s double enhanced his claims for a spot in Warren Gatland’s touring party.
Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs) – The Exeter Chiefs No.8 scored twice to hand the hosts a momentous win over Bristol at Sandy Park. Waldrom’s score three minutes from time secured a 38-34 win for the Chiefs. Rob Baxter’s men took the lead early in the 2nd half as Waldrom touched down after a heavy period of Chiefs pressure before adding the game clinching score, crossing the white wash from close range to take the spoils.
Christian Wade (Wasps) – Wade continued his excellent try-scoring form with an exceptional individual score in the second half against Northampton Saints at the Ricoh Arena. Wade gathered the ball in a seemingly dead end position, before chipping the ball over the Saints defence, to collect in the end zone to score. The livewire has found himself excluded from Eddie Jones’ 6 Nations plans but there have been calls for his inclusion into the Lions squad this summer.
