Team of the Week: PREM Rugby Cup Round 1

Tuesday, 16 September 2025 at 10:30

byTom Sansom

The opening round of the 2025/26 PREM Rugby Cup is in the books, with competitive club rugby back up and in full flight for the top tier sides across England. Eight of the 10 newly-minted PREM clubs embarked upon a fresh campaign in the domestic cup, whilst champions Bath were handed the bye week along with Northampton Saints.

Having been put through their paces in the pre-season, this past weekend marked the ultimate chance for the PREM players to let off steam in a competitive fixture. Newcastle kicked off their Red Bulls era with a solid win over Harlequins, whilst Louis Rees-Zammit completed his return to rugby union upon making his debut for Bristol Bears. But who stole the show upon the new season's curtain raiser - here's RUCK's Team of the Week from Round 1 of the PREM Rugby Cup.

FULL RESULTS: 2025/26 PREM RUGBY CUP ROUND 1

GLOUCESTER RUGBY 29 - 15 EXETER CHIEFS / NEWCASTLE RED BULLS 26 - 14 HARLEQUINS

LEICESTER TIGERS 20 - 7 SARACENS / SALE SHARKS 24 - 15 BRISTOL BEARS

15. Josh Carrington (Bristol Bears)

On debut for Bristol Bears, Carrington made an immediate impression with a smartly taken try in the corner against Sale. His pace and positioning shone throughout, providing attacking spark from full-back. Despite Bristol’s defeat, he offered composure under the high ball and looks a promising long-term option for Pat Lam’s back three.

14. Oli Spencer (Newcastle Red Bulls)

Spencer played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s historic opening-night victory to get the Red Bulls era off on the right foot. Spencer pounced on a grubber for a decisive score before creating another with a line break and assist for Alex Hearle. Electric in attack and defensively sound, Spencer epitomised the energy of the Red Bulls’ bold new era at Kingston Park.

13. Joe Jenkins (Bristol Bears)

The Bears’ brightest performer in Salford, Jenkins powered through Sale’s defence to open the scoring with a well-timed run off Harry Thacker’s break. Constantly challenging the gain line, he brought Bristol go-forward when others struggled. Jenkins' combination of strength and footwork marked him as a standout in a losing effort for the Bears.

12. Will Wand (Leicester Tigers)

Making an instant impact off the bench, Wand sealed Leicester’s bonus-point win with a sharp short-side finish. Wand's energy and direct running injected fresh momentum at a crucial stage against Saracens, with the Londoners on the cusp of a comeback. For a player only just entering the first-team fold, it was a composed performance that highlighted his huge potential.

11. Tom O’Flaherty (Sale Sharks)

Tom O’Flaherty was a live-wire throughout Sale’s win, finishing a well-worked try after linking with Obi Ene and cutting through Bristol’s defence. His pace stretched the Bears’ back line, and he constantly threatened with ball in hand. A reliable finisher and a tireless worker, he set the standard for the Sharks.

10. Brett Connon (Newcastle Red Bulls)

Connon steered the Red Bulls brilliantly in their debut outing, kicking three crucial conversions and directing play with authority in testing conditions against Harlequins. His calm presence at fly-half gave Newcastle structure, while his touchline conversion of Spencer’s try was a standout moment. A leader in both game management and execution.

9. Dom Hanson (Sale Sharks)

The academy scrum-half seized his chance in style, marking his Sale debut with a crucial try from the bench as the Sharks overturned Bristol’s lead. Sharp around the breakdown and composed in decision-making, Hanson injected tempo when the game was in the balance. A breakthrough performance that underlined Sale’s exciting depth at half-back.

1. Murray McCallum (Newcastle Red Bulls)

McCallum’s close-range try just before half-time ensured Newcastle entered the break with the momentum. Beyond his score, he anchored the scrum and carried hard, consistently winning collisions. McCallum's work rate set the platform for the Red Bulls’ pack dominance, making him an integral figure in their winning start to the season.

2. Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers)

On debut, Jamie Blamire made an immediate mark by scoring from a powerful maul to give Tigers the lead. His lineout throwing was accurate, and his presence around the field added energy. The England international showed leadership in a new-look side, proving both a try-scoring weapon and a reliable set-piece operator. Two tries upon his Leicester debut, it was the perfect start to life in the East Midlands.

3. Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby)

The young tighthead impressed at Kingsholm with his strength at the scrum and determination in the loose. Fasogbon came agonisingly close to a try, only to be held up, but his contribution to Gloucester’s forward dominance was immense. A strong, physical performance that underlined his potential as a front-row force in Cherry and White, and as the future of England's front row.

4. Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby)

A tireless presence in the engine room, Freddie Thomas worked hard in both defence and attack to help Gloucester overpower Exeter. His lineout efficiency and carrying offered balance to the pack, and he was central to the Cherry & Whites’ second-half surge. A quietly influential showing that highlighted his growing importance at Kingsholm.

5. Rusi Tuima (Exeter Chiefs)

Rusi Tuima was Exeter’s standout forward, powering over for a try from a rolling maul in the first half at Kingsholm. His physicality and work around the park consistently put Gloucester under pressure. While Chiefs fell short, Tuima’s strength in tight exchanges and set-piece reliability made him impossible to overlook. Another talent on the England fringes, Tuima reminded why he's within the Test discussion.

6. Hanro Liebenberg (Leicester Tigers)

The Tigers captain led from the front, his physicality in contact and relentless tackling anchored Leicester’s second-half resurgence. Liebenberg’s influence was clear throughout, setting standards in a pack that grew stronger as the game wore on. A true leader’s performance.

7. Lewis Ludlow (Gloucester Rugby)

Lewis Ludlow sparked Gloucester’s comeback with their first try, finishing off Will Joseph’s break. Beyond the score, his defensive graft and leadership kept the Cherry & Whites composed despite a high penalty count. A typically gritty captain’s performance that combined hard work with the ability to deliver at key moments. Beloved at Kingsholm, Ludlow gave his passionate fans plenty to shout about.

8. Nathan Michelow (Saracens)

Though Saracens slipped to defeat, Michelow opened the scoring early with a powerful finish from close range, to set the tone for the afternoon. The back row carried with intent throughout and was central to Sarries’ physical edge in the first half. The young gun showed signs of becoming a dependable ball carrier in a competitive Saracens pack.