England hopefuls impress to make our Premiership Team of The Week for Round Six

There were plenty of thrills and spills from round six of the Gallagher Premiership, with Bath finishing the first six weeks at the 'top of the log'. There was an emphatic win for the blue, black and whites, as they ran in a rampant six tries to send Sale Sharks packing back up to the North West. Another notable win was for Bristol Bears, who ended their wait for a home victory at Ashton Gate, as Pat Lam's men fired past a valiant effort from Northampton Saints.

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

Friday: Bristol Bears 31 - 23 Northampton Saints

Saturday: Gloucester 36 - 7 Newcastle Falcons / Bath Rugby 40 - 13 Sale Sharks / Saracens 29 - 32 Leicester Tigers

Sunday: Exeter Chiefs 19 - 36 Harlequins

Despite coming away from the Friday Night trip to Bristol on the losing side of the score-line, there was plenty for George Hendy to be happy with from his individual performance. The red-haired flyer was in fine form for the green, black and golds, and got his side on the score-board with a fine try in the early goings at Ashton Gate.

The former Buffalo Bills running back looks to be the opportune replacement for NFL contracted Louis Rees-Zammit. After a string of solid performances in Cherry and White, Wade was tipped for an England return, but failed to make the grade for Steve Borthwick's Autumn squad. The wing has clearly not been fazed by the set-back, and continues on his quest to become the Premiership's all-time top try scorer, as he crossed over in the closing stages against a defeated Newcastle Falcons.

The Fijian maestro lit up Ashton Gate, in what was the dream return to the home of Bristol Bears. The midfielder has long been missed by the West Country fans, as Ravouvou sustained a shoulder injury in a pre-season clash with the Dragons. The Pacific Islanders stormed back into action, as he bagged two tries for the Bears, and put his name forward to be a late addition to the Fiji squad to play Scotland this Friday.

Watching on at Ashton Gate was Ruck's Bristol Reporter Ben Thorne, who wrote; "An absolute monster with the ball in his hands, carried relentlessly throughout the game and took both of his tries really well. Considering it was his Premiership debut there was great cohesion across the Bristol back line and he slotted in brilliantly. He could be crucial for the Bears in the coming months."

Despite starring in the 13 jersey for Leicester's win against Saracens, we have moved Izaia Perse to the inside shirt, due to the undeniable efforts of Ravouvou. Perese was all action for Tigers, and Ruck's Midland's Reporter James Logan witnessed the Wallaby in full flight for the famous win at the StoneX Stadium.

"The Leicester centre was electric. Scoring a try and setting up another he was a handful for the Sarries defence. His strength and speed made him difficult to tackle was brilliant in covering the role that Solamone Kata has left through his suspension."

Bath fans were delighted to see resident flyer Will Muir back in action, after the wing sustained an injury against Bristol Bears in early October. It took just 65 seconds for Muir to get back over the try-line in blue, black and white, as he exploded in off his touch-line, and onto the dutifully executed pass from du Toit. Muir left the last defender red in the face after a neat side-step, in what marked a long-awaited return for the man nicknamed in the West Country as 'Horse'.

Leading the line in blue, black and white before he dons the tartan of Scotland this Friday, Finn Russell put in an excellent performance for Bath before the Autumn break. The 'Messi of Rugby' put in a footballing performance that the Argentine would have been proud of, with metronomic kicking off the tee, after his under-park efforts from the boot against Harlequins. Russell's unique combination of unexpected flair and meticulous game management enabled his outside backs to break the Sale line time and again. Mesmeric from the magician.

One of the regular faces for our Premiership Team of the Weeks, Gloucester scrum half Tomos Williams continued his form as the league's most consistent halfback. Once again shining in Cherry and White as his side recorded an important win against Newcastle Falcons, Williams has rightfully been called up to Warren Gatland's Wales squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Effortless distribution at a blistering rate of knots, Newcastle had no answer for when Williams deployed quick-ball to his carriers.

Given the opportunity to start in the famous Harlequins quarters, Jordan Els made the most of his run out in the number one shirt. Els stepped up to the vacancies left by England loose-heads Fin Baxter and Joe Marler, and put in a solid scrummaging performance against a capitulated Exeter pack. The South African will be looking to roll this momentum on into the Premiership Rugby Cup, with Danny Wilson eyeing up his squad depth throughout the international break.

After Newcastle achieved their long awaited first win in the Premiership since March of 2023, there was plenty of anticipation for the Falcons to win two on the bounce. Hooker Jamie Blamire was at the forefront of the Falcons efforts, as he crossed over for the sole try for Steve Diamond's side. It was another difficult day on the road for Newcastle, but Blamire would be hopeful that his efforts were noticed ahead of a potential return to the England A squad.

Thomas du Toit was at his very best against Sale Sharks, and began the match with an immediate assist for Will Muir's try. There is a real conversation to be had regarding his involvement with the Springboks, with genuine claims to be involved in Rassie Erasmus' squad this Autumn. As close to a perfect performance as possible, du Toit did it all against the Sharks, with the prop integral to Bath's position at the top of the Premiership table.

With Maro Itoje away with the England squad, the opportunity was plentiful for Theo McFarland to step up against Leicester. The lock certainly impressed Ruck's Midland's Reporter James Logan, who travelled down for the clash at the StoneX. Logan wrote;

"The Samoan was outstanding yet again, from his ball carrying to his lineout work he really stood out in a young Saracens squad. Theo took control of the game and when the Tigers were pressuring the host line made really important interventions to keep his side in the game."

The personification of unsung hero, Joe Batley's tireless work ethic has finally got the attention it deserves. The lock embodied the old-school mentality of 'head down and work hard', with his relentless efforts praised after Bristol's win over the Saints. Tackling, carrying, break down work and set-piece leadership, Batley presented his multi-tool skillset in the victory against Northampton, and was pivotal in Bristol ending their run of defeats at Ashton Gate. Should the lock ranks thin out for England this Autumn, Borthwick could well call up the in-form Bristol man.

After missing out on the initial squad for the Autumn Nations Series, Ted Hill's awe-inspiring efforts earned him a spot in the latest England squad. Borthwick added Hill, George Ford and Alex Coles to the Pennyhill Park training group this past Sunday, with Hill's brilliant performance against Northampton clearly at the forefront of the England head coach's mind. Hill broke away to score a stunning try from the Saints 22m, as he re-started the second half scoring at the Rec.

Watching on in Bath was Ruck Reporter Sam Jess, who highlighted Hill as the Player of the Match, and wrote this before his England re-calling. "There are a few players that can feel miffed about not being selected for England and Ted Hill is one of them. Once again he showed he abrasiveness as a flanker as he helped Bath stifle the Sharks pack while also showing his attacking presence with a wonderfully taken try."

The Argentine impressed the Ashton Gate faithful with his first start of the season, having taken up the 20 shirt for the previous five rounds of the Premiership. Grondona reminded Pat Lam of his qualities from the kick off, with crunching tackles flying in on the battered and bruised Northampton players. Grondona worked well in the back row with Steven Luatua, and put his name up for Pumas contention ahead of their Autumn Tests against Italy, Ireland and France.

Another England hopeful who can feel generally frustrated by not making the England squad, Tom Willis is certainly making the most of his situation. The back row was heavily tipped for a call-up into Borthwick's plans, after a series of strong performances in the Saracens eight shirt. This past weekend's effort against Leicester was no different, with Ruck Reporter James Logan also suprised after watching Willis in action at the StoneX.

"The question on everyone’s lips is, how is Tom Willis not in Steve Borthwick’s England squad? The No.8 showed his experience and took the lead in the Saracens scrum. He carried hard and was rewarded with a try to his name. With players like Ben Earl and Andy Onyema-Christie missing it could be his shirt to lose."