Kadan Merli's 15 attempts and his flamboyant, dynamic style bet on a challenge to England. Photo: Bob Bradford /CameraSport via Getty Images
With the Premier League regular season over, all eyes are on this weekend's semi-finals.
While the English national rugby season has come to a close, the league has begun . back in September — with 13 teams — and eight months later, many players have proven themselves in a grueling campaign.
Charlie Morgan and Charles Richardson choose their team for this Premier League season — feel free to choose yours in the comments.
15. Alex Good (Saracens)
Joe Carpenter was another highlight of Sale's season, George Furbank is consistently excellent at Northampton and Mike Brown has a case to make given his influence at Leicester. But the Goode class, which turned 35 on Sunday, just refuses to dim. During a season in which the creativity and ambition of the Saracens proved to be the defining factors, he remains a driving force. As Mark McCall said earlier, Goode is a master of the subtle. Luckily, he also spent time in the spotlight this season, scoring the last penalty to win at Sandy Park and beating Sale with virtuosity on the day he became the most decorated Saracen.
Evergreen Alex Hood continues to shine for the Saracens. Photo: Ben Wheatley/PA Wire 14. Kadan Merly (Harlequins)
Wing selection was fairly simple, although Tom Roebuck achieved an attractive style to sell. Not only did Merli rob 15 tries to keep Mateo Carreras as the league's top scorer. He has proven himself to be much more than a finisher, rushing around the field throwing defensive shots. The latter manifested itself during an intriguing duel with Max Malins at Tottenham. All in all, there was little Merley could do to signal his readiness to play for England.
13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath)
Even before the Worcester Warriors collapsed, Lawrence was in top form and determined to catch up after a string of injuries. He was superb in all three games before his boyhood club went into administration and has shone at Bath ever since. His explosive low-slung demeanor is a big plus, especially considering that Lawrence is also a decent distributor. But some smart breakdown protection was another huge plus. Matt Scott has become one of Leicester's most important players and Elliot Daley was at his best before the injury that kept him out of the Six Nations.
Benhard van Rensburg makes the list of honorable mentions along with a number of his London Irish counterparts. Resilient and resourceful, he deserves additional credit for moving to the outfield center after the departure of Curtis Rona. Dingwall has shown similar versatility for the Saints, often pairing neat commanding moves with unfussy passing or reasonable running angles. He has made seven attempts so far, more than any center, and will be a key figure in the fight to defeat the Saracens in the first semi-final.
11. Mateo Carreras (Newcastle United)
Rounding off his game to become an active fullback and confident kicker, as well as a devastating runner, Ollie Hassel-Collins earned his Test debut. Tommy Freeman's progress also continued. However, it was not possible to defeat Carreras. Despite the struggles of bottom-placed Newcastle, his best moments this season will be spellbinding. He finished with 13 tries, and most of them — with the notable exception of «Gimme» given to him by Adam Radvan at Twickenham Stoop — were fantastic, fast-paced results. Now we look forward to seeing Carreras at the Rugby Championship and the World Cup.
At home with Mateo 🏡
Earlier this season @btsportrugby sat down at a table with one of this year's big stars Mateo Carreras 🔥@FalconsRugby visited the Harlequins on Saturday 🦅#GallagherPrem pic .twitter.com/SuTQlhivu0
— Rugby Premier League (@premrugby) April 12, 2023 10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Like the Leicester Tigers last season, the Saracens have retained their top spot thanks to some very difficult wins. In many of them — the Harlequins away, the Gloucester twice, at home in Bath — Farrell showed himself at decisive moments. For more comfortable victories, the skipper of the Saracens and the England team controlled the situation. Rob du Preece and Paddy Jackson are to be commended, while Handre Pollard led the Leicester Tigers to the playoffs and Santiago Carreras made a brilliant impression.
9. Gus Warr (Sale)
Ben Spencer and Ivan van Zyl, Saracens past and present, have been impressive all season. Alex Mitchell kicked down the door to England and Ben White was a powerful leader of the London Irish. Warr is sneaking ahead of everyone, establishing himself as the first pick in the sale, exuding tenacity throughout a great campaign. The 23-year-old is a runaway, growling fighting terrier with sharp skills.
Gus Warr uses space to push @SaleSharksRugby lead even further 💨#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/91NeE3B9ga
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) April 14, 2023 1. Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester)
The libertine has been very unfortunate not to have been in the payoff for England this season after a string of brilliant performances for Gloucester. The injury meant Rapawa Ruskin's season was cut short — and Gloucester missed him. Possibly the best jackal in the league, Rapawa Ruskin rides like a truck and has proven himself to be an improved grappler. Bevan Rodd, Ellis Jenge, Tom West and Beno Obano pressed him close.
2. Julián Montoya (Leicester)
The world's supply of prostitutes is running out, but the Argentine captain who took over the Leicester captaincy may be one of the best. After a few shake-ups from standard, Montoya is now leading the league's best lane, jackals like a back rower and like a bull in contact.
3. Will Stewart (Bath)
Only seven matches were played, but four of them were consecutive bonus points wins that ended the season and snatched Batu a place in the Champions Cup the following season. Stewart played an important role; some of his handling of the ball during Friday's win at Kingsholm was intimidating. Confidence in the World Cup.
4. George Martin (Leicester)
Another man who will no doubt be featured in the World Cup standings, Martin has been a revelation since switching to lockdown for good earlier this season. The one-puck England international has always been a defensive titan, but Martin has greatly improved his ball game. Steve Borthwick is a fan.
Steve Borthwick appreciates George Martin. Photo: Malcolm Cousins/Getty Images 5. Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale)
Du Prie has every chance of finishing 8th in this team, but moving to the second row at the end of the season will save Jasper Wiese from the headache of selection. The Sale package was granite this season and Du Preez was at the center of it, along with Johnny Hill, in the AJ Bell engine room. The duo's matchup against young duo Martin and Cameron Henderson this Sunday in the Premier League semi-final is mouth-watering. For cattle, Du Pree is deceptively agile and is an excellent representative of a dominant hold.
6. Theo McFarland (Saracens)
McFarland may have been injured at the end of the season last fall, but his impact on the Premier League in such a short period of time cannot be overestimated. Dynamic, athletic, McFarland showed all the qualities of the new blind spot prototype. The master is both on the corridor and on the loose. Sale's trio — brothers Curry and Jono Ross — may feel offended if they are not introduced.
7. Tom Pearson (London Irishman)
Pearson will certainly feature in England's World Cup squad as he has established himself as a regular in the Exiles' back line this season. Like all good sevens, he excels in breaking, it is Pearson's strength with the ball that sets him apart from the competition. He is also very skilled.
8. Jasper Wiese (Leicester)
Weese's reputation preceded him this season and there has always been concern at Welford Road that the exuberant number eight might be discovered. Not this way. Wiese's explosive shooting and powerful defense led to him being nominated for the league's best player; the only striker.
Who is on your premier league team this season? Join the conversation in the comments section below
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