"No wonder Jones doesn't pick him" - 4 players who underperformed in the Premiership semi-finals

Sunday, 12 June 2022 at 08:10

byRugby Rucker

Given how underperformance can happen with any rugby star, even world-class players can face spells of poor performance.

Great rugby players can often jump back from poor spells easier than others. This will be the priority of the next four names from the world of rugby who played well below their abilities during the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals.

In the first game of the day, Saracens overcame a nine-point deficit and survived three second-half yellow cards to beat champions Harlequins 34-17 at the Stone X Stadium.

Later on, George Ford inspired Leicester to a 27-14 victory against Northampton in his final home game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road to send Tigers to the Premiership final against Saracens.

#1. Danny Care (Harlequins)

For all his attacking prowess and fantastic ability to dictate the tempo of the Quins attack, Care was targeted as the weak link in their defence by a a merciless Sarries side. One missed tackle in particular will give the former England scrum-half nightmares.

#2. Courtnall Skosan (Northampton)

Absolute nightmare. One fan said to me that Leicester might be in trouble if the winger decided to catch a ball, which he failed to do more often than not to butcher at least three try-scoring opportunities. Making him watch the video review on Monday would almost be classed as cruelty.

USARugbyFan

@USARugbyFan115

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Skosan had a tough day at the office.

10:36 PM · Jun 11, 2022

#3. Max Malins (Saracens)

If you play rugby in black full length tights, you have to play well and if we’re being honest Malins fell way below his usually high standards. The Premiership’s too try scorer didn't offer any of his usual threat with the ageing Sean Maitland the more dangerous wide-man for Sarries.

#4. Julian Montoya (Leicester)

It was evident throughout that the Tigers hooker was struggling to reach his usually world0class levels of performance as he'd only just returned from a three-week lay-off. A few struggling scrums and missed line-outs summer up his difficult afternoon.