The Rugby Pod’s Premiership Picks week 4

Jack Pitt rounds up week 4 of the Aviva Premiership with this week’s Rugby Pod Picks:

Ryan Edwards – Hardly got a sniff in the Championship, but has been ever present so far this season and he has not looked out of place at all. His pace is on par with other wingers in the Premiership and he doesn’t shy away from a tackle. If you can watch his try assist from Friday night, do so, it was mesmeric.

Val Rapava-Ruskin – For a prop to be top of the Premiership turnover stats, that’s something special and this man is just that. Worcester need to tie him down ASAP. He is immensely mobile, a good scrummager and defensively sound. This man has been by far Worcester’s best player this season and has grown ten-fold within the Warriors environment.

Jamie Roberts – He was a defensive stalwart in the win over Saracens on the weekend and literally tackled himself into the ground for 80 mins. Harlequins looked the complete team on the weekend and showcased the talent they have. This man was at the centre of it. Some have questioned his attacking prowess, but with talented 13’s outside him it looks to be no issue in a Harlequins shirt.

Guy Thompson – In the form of his life and was keeping Nathan Hughes out of the team at the start of the season, but for a back row shift at the weekend. He has enviable pace, good hands and reads the game excellently. The lines he has run so far this season put all of the centres in the league to shame, great stuff.

Brendon O’ Connor – Mike Williams was Leicester’s best player on the weekend, but you cannot ignore O’ Connor’s support play and work at the break down. His try was an example of the former and his turnover count was near the top of the stats at the weekend. He is English qualified and would be handy for the red rose no doubt.

Matt Banahan – Mr consistent for Bath all of last year and so far this year. He is dependable, adaptable and Bath through and through. Why he doesn’t have more England caps astounds me, but if he can stay fit he is a crucial cog in Bath’s game and helping them get back to the top four.

Written by Jack Pitt for www.TheRugbyPod.com