Marcus Smith and Ben Earl Selected for Our Premiership Team of the Week in Round Three
10/07/2024 10:22 AM
The 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season continues to roll on at a whirlwind pace, with the third weekend of action already chalked up for the history books. Saracens remain the only unbeaten team in the league, with their third win on the bounce coming against Exeter Chiefs in Sunday’s fixture at the StoneX Stadium.
There has once again been plenty of stand out talents to chose from, as we select Ruck’s Team of the Week for the third round of the Gallagher Premiership. Two Saracens stars retain their place in the XV, as the Men in Black remain to be the most in form side in the league.
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RESULTS: 2024/25 PREMIERSHIP RUGBY ROUND THREE
Sale Sharks 31 – 27 Gloucester Rugby / Northampton Saints 33 – 29 Harlequins
Bath Rugby 26 – 36 Bristol Bears / Newcastle Falcons 10 – 42 Leicester Tigers
Saracens 29 – 14 Exeter Chiefs
TEAM OF THE WEEK: PREMIERSHIP ROUND 3
15. Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs)
Despite coming away on the losing side of the score-line, Exeter fullback Josh Hodge was a shining light on a dark day for the Chiefs. Hodge tore up the StoneX artificial turf with a series of searching runs, and bagged himself two tries on the day. Hodge’s quick thinking turned a charge down into his try, with his second being a walk in finish. Couple this with his solid conversions, and the 24-year-old continues to add strings to his bow.
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks)
Sale Sharks wing Tom Roebuck entered this weekend full of momentum, after being named in Steve Borthwick’s wider training squad for the pre-Autumn Series training camp. Roebuck will be out to build upon his one previous England cap, and was flying for their Sharks in their win against Gloucester on Friday evening. Roebuck contributed to tries to the impressive points tally, as Alex Sanderson’s men bounced back from the previous defeat to Saracens.
13. Izaia Perese (Leicester Tigers)
The new arrival at Welford Road lived up to the hype, as Australian centre Izaia Perese put in a stand out effort in the win against Newcastle Falcons. Watching the match live was Ruck’s Midland’s Reporter George Wellbelove, who gave his thoughts on Perese’s efforts at Kingston Park.
“Leicester's star signing of the summer produced a great showing of aggression and forward running. The last two matches vs Exeter Chiefs and Bath were defined by his haphazard style of play. However, Perese was able to gain control over his unpredictable nature and become more tenacious. A strong performance overall from the Australian.”
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears)
Benhard Janse van Rensburg put in a scintillating performance in the win against Bath, with the South African back hitting his top strides in the Premiership’s midfield. Constantly a threat against the blue, black and white’s gain-line, van Rensburg powered over for a try just before the half hour mark, as he helped the visitors get a stronghold in the West Country derby.
11. Tobias Elliott (Saracens)
Continuing to push on from strength to strength for Saracens, Tobias Elliot impressed with his third Premiership try in as many games for the North Londoners. The 21-year-old has now dotted down against Gloucester, Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs, with his most recent try coming in fine fashion. Retaining his place in Ruck’s Team of the Week, Elliott missed out on the Autumn Series training squad, but Six Nations nod with England could be in his future if he keeps up this form.
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