England youngster described ‘as young Richie McCaw’ following Prem Final performance
Rugby NewsSaturday, 14 June 2025 at 19:39
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Standing tall at 6ft 2in and packing 16st 7lb of pure grit, Guy Pepper’s style has already got Johann van Graan throwing around legendary comparisons — yes,
that Richie McCaw.
With his ash-brown mop and relentless engine, Pepper’s making waves like the All Blacks great himself.
Fuller's London Pride powers our Premiership Final content.
? Van Graan’s Verdict: “McCaw-Like Engine, 80 Minutes Non-Stop”
Johann’s not shy about the hype: “I saw something McCaw-like in him the moment I signed him — that rare spark that sets him apart.
"The guy just doesn’t quit. Last week he was phenomenal, and on Sunday? 80 minutes of pure workhorse magic, with three poach turnovers back-to-back. Even a big knock at the end didn’t slow him down — no way he was coming off.”
⚡ Premiership Final Powerhouse: Bath’s Secret Weapon
Bath clinched their first Premiership title in 29 years with a nail-biting 23-21 win over Leicester Tigers — and Pepper was the beating heart of the team. His breakdown mastery, killer turnovers, and defensive steel earned him rave reviews, even if a world-class try got harshly ruled out.
? Star Ratings Speak: The Pepper Phenomenon
Planet Rugby 9/10: “Quiet start, then exploded into man of the match with crucial turnovers and fearless defense. That disallowed try? Pure robbery.”
Rugby Pass 9/10: “Breakdown marauder, cunning and relentless. Deserved first England cap after another masterclass. That knock-on call? Heartbreaking.”
RUCK 10/10: “Dominant carrier, phase play maestro, and rightful man of the match. His brilliance lit up Bath’s title-winning charge.”
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2/10: 5 Big-Name Underperformers from the Premiership Final
Bath finally broke their 29-year title drought with a nervy 23-21 win over Leicester Tigers, wrapping up a historic 2024/25 treble. But while the blue, black, and white were partying, some big names had a day to forget...
Honourable Mention: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
? Farewell in a fog
A brief cameo turned sour as the veteran prop bowed out of professional rugby with a controversial yellow card for a late hit on Finn Russell. Rugby Pass called it "a tragic way to finish his career."
Rating: 2/10
A brief cameo turned sour as the veteran prop bowed out of professional rugby with a controversial yellow card for a late hit on Finn Russell. Rugby Pass called it "a tragic way to finish his career."
Rating: 2/10
#1. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath)
? Big Joe's big slip-up
He found himself in good positions but couldn’t make them count. Handling errors crept in, undermining his usual wrecking-ball threat.
"Unusually mistake-filled… unable to hold the ball," noted RUCK.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby), 6/10 (RUCK)
He found himself in good positions but couldn’t make them count. Handling errors crept in, undermining his usual wrecking-ball threat.
"Unusually mistake-filled… unable to hold the ball," noted RUCK.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby), 6/10 (RUCK)
#2. Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers)
? Nowhere to run
Radwan had flashes of pace, but spent much of the match marooned in heavy traffic. His defensive work didn’t help either.
"Bath dominated in the air and Radwan also missed quite a few tackles," Planet Rugby observed.
Rating: 5/10
Radwan had flashes of pace, but spent much of the match marooned in heavy traffic. His defensive work didn’t help either.
"Bath dominated in the air and Radwan also missed quite a few tackles," Planet Rugby observed.
Rating: 5/10
#3. Handré Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
? The pass that broke the Tigers
Started brightly, directing play with authority, but his second-half unravelled. A stray pass to Russell led to a decisive Bath try, and he missed a crucial kick at goal.
"Blew white hot and ice cold," summed up Planet Rugby.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby & Rugby Pass)
Started brightly, directing play with authority, but his second-half unravelled. A stray pass to Russell led to a decisive Bath try, and he missed a crucial kick at goal.
"Blew white hot and ice cold," summed up Planet Rugby.
Rating: 5/10 (Planet Rugby & Rugby Pass)
#4. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
? Grounded under pressure
The safest hands in England were tested—and cracked. Bath’s tactical kicking drew him out of position, and a few spilled catches followed.
"Not his imperious best under the high ball," said Rugby Pass.
Rating: 4/10
The safest hands in England were tested—and cracked. Bath’s tactical kicking drew him out of position, and a few spilled catches followed.
"Not his imperious best under the high ball," said Rugby Pass.
Rating: 4/10
#5. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers)
? Breakdown? Break-gone.
Normally a menace at the ruck, Reffell struggled to assert himself and racked up penalties instead. Bath kept him largely out of the contest.
"Found himself on the wrong side of Dickson’s whistle… not Leicester’s afternoon at the breakdown."
Normally a menace at the ruck, Reffell struggled to assert himself and racked up penalties instead. Bath kept him largely out of the contest.
"Found himself on the wrong side of Dickson’s whistle… not Leicester’s afternoon at the breakdown."
Quiz! Can you name every club that has played in the Premiership?
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
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