It has been a great start to the Rugby season. There have been some great performances in the premiership and the European side of the season is on fire too. Coming up with this Top 5 was a challenge and I've tried to cover most of the positions.
1. Tight Five Forward.
Ellis Genge has been a real standout ball carrier for Leicester this season. Nicknamed Stone Genge the man knows how to smash people. When playing against Northampton Saints, Ellis Genge ran through a number of players including putting Dylan Hartley on his arse. Described as being a 'baby rhino with a dart up its backside' Ellis Genge would be one of the first players I would sign if I owned a team. His ball carrying is phenomenal and he is still young. I can't wait to see him develop into a fine international player.
2. Backrow Forward.
Zach Mercer has been one of the standout players for Bath so far this season. With players like Sam Underhill and Francois Louw competing with Mercer for the flanker shirts, Bath are in really strong position in the backrow. Mercer could easily play for England right now. So could Underhill. Mercer just always seems to be there for the offload and he moves so well and has great feet for a forward. Bath are going to struggle to pick a backrow if everyone is fit and not on international duties.
3. Halfback
Marcus Smith has simply been superb for Harlequins. He is leading the points tally in the premiership with 64 points. I think it's fair to say that Harlequins fans were unsure if anyone could fill Nick Evans boots. Marcus Smith has done this and has really done a good job. He is a great example of an attacking 10 who is happy to play the game as well as run it. Another great player with a bright international future ahead of him.
4. Centre
Henry Slade has to play for England. He has it all. He can distribute the ball well, attack with it and kick. Unfortunately Slade almost has too much skill. His ability to play almost anywhere in the back line has led to him being viewed as a utility player. I believe that if he just nailed down on one position he would be much more likely to get a regular starting place in the England team. Having said that, Elliot Daly has done well playing out of position for England. I just hope Eddie Jones gives Slade a chance. He will impress.
5. Back Three
Semesa Rokoduguni has made 503 metres so far in the premiership. He scores for fun. 70m intercepts. Chasing chips. He can do it all. The power that he can generate is truly phenomenal, bouncing defenders out of the way and being an absolute beast every game. I have to question why he is not playing for England. His defense has been questioned and so has his kicking game, but how often has he dropped a high ball? Never. And to counter his lack of kicking, I believe that too often teams are kicking the ball away when they receive it from a kick. When you have a player like Rokoduguni who makes metres so easily why would he kick it?
What strikes me about the majority of these top players so far this season is that few of them have many England caps. This is partly due to their age and I expect most of them will gain many more England caps. What would be interesting to know is what the directors of rugby feel. Do they prefer having quality players which don't play for England meaning that they don't leave their clubs for weeks on end. This would obviously mean that the clubs are more likely to do well throughout the season.
1. Tight Five Forward.
2. Backrow Forward.
Zach Mercer has been one of the standout players for Bath so far this season. With players like Sam Underhill and Francois Louw competing with Mercer for the flanker shirts, Bath are in really strong position in the backrow. Mercer could easily play for England right now. So could Underhill. Mercer just always seems to be there for the offload and he moves so well and has great feet for a forward. Bath are going to struggle to pick a backrow if everyone is fit and not on international duties.3. Halfback
Marcus Smith has simply been superb for Harlequins. He is leading the points tally in the premiership with 64 points. I think it's fair to say that Harlequins fans were unsure if anyone could fill Nick Evans boots. Marcus Smith has done this and has really done a good job. He is a great example of an attacking 10 who is happy to play the game as well as run it. Another great player with a bright international future ahead of him.
4. Centre
Henry Slade has to play for England. He has it all. He can distribute the ball well, attack with it and kick. Unfortunately Slade almost has too much skill. His ability to play almost anywhere in the back line has led to him being viewed as a utility player. I believe that if he just nailed down on one position he would be much more likely to get a regular starting place in the England team. Having said that, Elliot Daly has done well playing out of position for England. I just hope Eddie Jones gives Slade a chance. He will impress.5. Back Three
What strikes me about the majority of these top players so far this season is that few of them have many England caps. This is partly due to their age and I expect most of them will gain many more England caps. What would be interesting to know is what the directors of rugby feel. Do they prefer having quality players which don't play for England meaning that they don't leave their clubs for weeks on end. This would obviously mean that the clubs are more likely to do well throughout the season.
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