PRO14: Team of the Week

PRO14: Team of the Week

1. Jamie Bhatti - Glasgow Warriors

A comprehensive defensive effort from the Glasgow loose-head, Bhatti impressed us with 13 tackles and he was part of a dominant pack effort at Scotstoun on Saturday. His physicality and work at set-piece stood out on his first season as a professional with the club.

2. Sean Cronin - Leinster

After a long time out of the game through injury, it was staggering to see the impact Cronin made off the bench on Friday. Coming on as a 2nd half replacement, the Leinster hooker scored a magical 40metre solo effort latching on to a loose ball before powering away from Blues defence.


3. Zander Fagerson - Glasgow Warriors

Fagerson did well in the tight exchanges and stood firm in the scrum throughout. Fagerson made some important tackles, especially around the fringes of rucks and mauls. The 21 year-old tight-head finished off the game with 13 successful tackles. Promising talent.


4. Ultan Dillane - Connacht Rugby 

Dillane was at the forefront of Connacht's victory over the Southern Kings at the Sportsground. The powerful lock delivered a pleasing performance to help Kieran Keane secure his first Pro14 victory. Dillane powered over from close range to score in the first half and carried 10 times in attack during his 54 minute shift. His all-round game was superb and he also chipped in with 6 tackles.

5. David Bulbring - Scarlets Rugby

Bulbring performed admirably in victory as Scarlets continued their impressive start to the Pro14 campaign in rain-soaked Parma. He combined impressively with fellow in-form lock Tadhg Beirne to bring the fight to the Italians. Bulbring shone in the forward battle especially in the defensive duties as he made 14 tackles and carried 5 times on the night.

6. Jamie Ritchie - Edinburgh Rugby

The young back-rower was a colossus in another brilliant display from Richard Cockerill's men at the Myreside on Friday night. Ritchie totally deserved his man-of-the-match award as Edinburgh secured the bonus-point to extend their promising start to the new season.

7. Tommy O' Donnell - Munster Rugby

Impressive performance from the Munsterman as he delivered an energetic display in front of the Thomond Park faithful. O'Donnell opened the scoring for the home side before the floodgates opened against the South African franchise. The openside finished the game with 7 tackles, 5 carries and ran for a gain of 22m in attack.

8. Jack Conan - Leinster Rugby 

Following on from an excellent June series with Ireland, Conan burst into action at the RDS on Friday night as he delivered a superb man-of-the-match display and led the way up front with a fine all round showing. Gained 103 m in attack, beat 4 defenders, made a clean break, threw an offload, notched a try assist and he also stood out in defence making 9 tackles. 

9. Luke McGrath - Leinster Rugby

McGrath was integral to the Leinster gameplan as he helped secure a bonus-point victory against Cardiff on Friday night. The 24-year old took a lot of pressure off his fly-half with his accurate distribution and his option-making was top class. Ulster's John Cooney deserves praise for a man-of-the-match effort in Treviso, the former Connacht man is flourishing for his new club.

10. Rhys Patchell - Scarlets Rugby 

Patchell proved to be a real handful for the Zebre defence in Parma on Saturday as he put on a masterclass in the No.10 shirt for the reigning champions. The former Cardiff Blues fly-half delivered a faultless kicking display off the tee scoring 16 points (100% kicking success) and played his part in attack with a gain of 50 metres. 

11. Alex Wooton - Munster Rugby

Wootton scored four tries in a scintillating individual performance against the Cheetahs. The former Academy star efforts saw him enter the Pro14 record books as Munster hammered Cheetahs at Thomond Park. The 23-year-old wing, who crossed after 19, 34, 54 and 60 minutes, matched former Munster centre Mike Mullins (2001), Cardiff's Lee Abdul (2003) and Jamie Robinson (2004) and Glasgow's Tommy Seymour (2016) in scoring the most tries in a single game.

12. Bundee Aki - Connacht Rugby

The Connacht centre seemed to be everywhere on Saturday, crunching tackles in defence, bullish carries in attack and the occasional jaw-dropping offload to set his side off in attack. Aki ended the night with 8 tackles, 57 metres in attack and the game high 6 defenders beaten. After a opening day defeat at the Sportsground, the imperious figure of the Auckland born centre helped secure Kieran Keane's first Pro14 win.

13. Alex Dunbar - Glasgow Warriors

A brace of tries from the Scotland centre earned Glasgow a bonus-point win over Ospreys at Scotstoun. Dunbar touched down first to open the scoring before powerfully driving over from short range to secure the maximum points haul. Glasgow have now won both of their opening Pro14 fixtures under new head coach Dave Rennie.

14. Johnny McNicholl - Scarlets Rugby

McNicholl is quickly becoming one of the most devastating finishers in the league after scoring his third try of the season in Parma on Saturday night. Gained 60 metres in attack, beat three defenders, three clean breaks, threw three offloads and grabbed another try assist while finishing off this excellent back-line move.

15. Blair Kinghorn - Edinburgh Rugby

Kinghorn seemed to ghost through the Dragons defence with relative ease on Friday night as he shone for the Black & Red. The full-back is pushing for a Scotland call-up after a host of impressive performances. He finished the game with 111 metres gained, 7 defenders beaten, 4 clean breaks, one offload and a try assist. 

 

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