The Gallagher Premiership Round 15 produced several eye-catching results, but not every player covered themselves in glory.
Exeter Chiefs stunned Bath Rugby 35-12 at Sandy Park, Saracens defeated Bristol Bears 41-26, Leicester Tigers dominated Northampton Saints 41-17 in the East Midlands derby, Harlequins ran riot in a 76-17 demolition of Newcastle Falcons, and Gloucester Rugby edged Sale Sharks 21-15.
While some players boosted their reputations heading into the closing weeks of the season, others endured performances they will be desperate to put behind them. From costly defensive mistakes to frustrating tactical errors, here are five players who flopped in Gallagher Premiership Round 15.
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Santiago Grondona endured a quiet afternoon as Bristol Bears fell to Saracens
Bristol Bears needed their back row to front up against Saracens, but Santiago Grondona struggled to make any real impact in the 41-26 defeat.
The Argentina international was unusually subdued and was directly responsible for one of the game’s decisive moments. Grondona failed to stop Fergus Burke when the Saracens fly-half burst through his channel, allowing Burke to race clear and set up Rotimi Segun for a crucial try.
Against one of the Premiership’s most clinical sides, Bristol could not afford defensive lapses of that nature, and Grondona’s error summed up a disappointing outing.
Christian Wade exposed as Newcastle Falcons were thrashed by Harlequins
There were numerous candidates from Newcastle Falcons after their humiliating 76-17 loss to Harlequins, but Christian Wade’s defensive display stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Wade remains a dangerous attacking threat, but Harlequins repeatedly targeted his channel and found success with alarming ease. Missed tackles, poor positioning and ineffective reads made for a torrid afternoon.
When a side concedes 76 points, criticism can be spread across the entire team, but Wade’s defensive shortcomings were particularly noticeable.
Henry Pollock suffers disastrous cameo in Northampton Saints defeat to Leicester Tigers
Henry Pollock’s cameo in Northampton Saints’ 41-17 East Midlands derby defeat to Leicester Tigers was one to forget.
The young flanker’s abrasive approach, which often draws strong reactions from opponents and fans, unravelled quickly. With Wright in the sin bin, Pollock was asked to fill in as an emergency hooker at the lineout.
He attempted two throws and failed both times. The second overthrow triggered a heated confrontation with Leicester players, and the referee was forced to warn him about his use of expletives.
Instead of injecting energy into the Saints, Pollock’s appearance added to the chaos
Alex Mitchell outplayed by Jack van Poortvliet in East Midlands derby
Alex Mitchell endured one of his poorest performances of the season as Northampton Saints were comprehensively beaten by Leicester Tigers.
England rival Jack van Poortvliet controlled the game with far greater composure and execution, underlining the gulf between the two scrum-halves on the day.
Mitchell’s frustration was encapsulated by two poor kicks that went directly into touch in the first half, surrendering valuable territory. In contrast, Van Poortvliet produced a beautifully weighted kick that led to Adam Radwan’s try early in the second half.
Mitchell was replaced shortly afterwards after failing to impose himself on the contest.
Finn Russell unable to inspire Bath Rugby in Exeter Chiefs defeat
Finn Russell is renowned as one of world rugby’s most creative playmakers, but the Scotland star was unable to influence Bath Rugby’s 35-12 defeat to Exeter Chiefs.
Following Bath’s Champions Cup semi-final loss to Bordeaux-Bègles, Russell would have been eager to respond. Instead, Exeter’s aggressive defence and Bath’s ill-discipline prevented him from establishing any rhythm.
Russell and scrum-half Ben Spencer were expected to take control of proceedings, but neither managed to stamp their authority on the match.
For a player of Russell’s quality, it was a frustrating and unusually ineffective performance.
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