Round 3 showcased powerful forward play, precise kicking, and some standout defensive efforts across the league. Here are our top performers by position. All data sourced from MatchSense Rugby Performance Index. If you’d like to see more stats like these send us an email: [email protected].
🏆 Players of the Round
- Player of the Week: Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears) — total control at the breakdown and tireless defense.
- Top Forward: Will Goodrick-Clarke (Exeter Chiefs) — front-row workhorse who led from the front.
- Top Back: George Ford (Sale Sharks) — tactically flawless and cool under pressure.
1. Loose-Head Prop: Will Goodrick-Clarke (Exeter Chiefs) – 80.9
Goodrick-Clarke anchored the Exeter scrum. His lineout lifting efficiency ranked 1st among props, and he contributed in both the set piece and breakdown, earning Exeter valuable momentum in tight exchanges.
2. Hooker: Gabriel Oghre (Bristol Bears) – 78.8
Oghre continues to be one of the most balanced hookers in the league — top-ranked in carrying, tackling, and rucking among the hookers this round. His consistency at the lineout and ability to link play in attack made him an easy choice at #2.
3. Tight-Head Prop: Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks) – 80.5
A dominant scrummager and relentless worker in open play, Opoku-Fordjour led all tightheads in ruck effectiveness and carrying and showed impressive defensive work rate, contributing to Sale’s strong platform up front. Although he ranked 13th in tackling, leaving some room for improvement.
4. Lock: Guido Petti Pagadizabal (Harlequins) – 79.8
The Argentine lock brought physicality and control to the Quins pack. Petti combined top-tier carrying with aggressive counter-rucking, helping his side perform at key moments.
5. Lock: Hyron Andrews (Sale Sharks) – 80.8
Andrews quietly dominated the second row this week — #1 in rucking efficiency and top marks for discipline. His work rate in tight phases was a major factor in Sale’s continued defensive resilience.
6. Blind-Side Flanker: Fergus Lee-Warner (Newcastle Falcons) – 77.1
A high-motor performance from the Falcons’ flanker, Lee-Warner topped the tackle count for his side and consistently pressured opposition breakdowns. His mobility and commitment on defense stood out despite Newcastle’s struggles.
7. Open-Side Flanker: Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears) – 84.3
Our Player of the Week, Harding was immense. He ranked #1 in both tackling and rucking across all forwards, disrupted multiple attacking phases, and provided steady leadership at the contact area. A strong performance from start to finish.
8. Number 8: Tom Willis (Saracens) – 83.4
Willis was a constant outlet in attack, leading all forwards in carrying and counter-ruck impact. His physicality and composure gave Saracens control in key moments, rounding out a strong back row trio this week.
9. Scrum-Half: Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs) – 81.8
Varney’s tempo control and sharp decision-making kept Exeter’s attack flowing. He ranked highly for passing and breakdown speed, adding crisp service and a few clever kicks to relieve pressure.
10. Fly-Half: George Ford (Sale Sharks) – 83.5
Ford once again dictated proceedings with clinical precision. The MatchSense model rated him #1 for passing and tactical kicking, and his game management underlined why he remains one of the most reliable playmakers in the league.
11. Left Wing: Edoardo Todaro (Northampton Saints) – 82.2
Todaro showed pace and composure on the touchline, combining a strong rucking contribution for a winger with accurate finishing. His defensive coverage and aerial control added balance to Northampton’s back three.
12. Inside Centre: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester) – 76.2
Atkinson provided physicality through the midfield, carrying hard into contact and staying active defensively. He ranked highly in carrying and breakdown support, linking well with both fly-half and outside backs.
13. Outside Centre: Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby) – 73.4
Lawrence was direct and dangerous with ball in hand, punching holes in the defensive line. His discipline and defensive reads helped Bath stay organized under pressure.
14. Right Wing: Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks) – 80.0
A consistent finisher, Roebuck impressed with both try-scoring threat and off-the-ball work rate. He topped winger rankings for rucking involvement and remains a vital part of Sale’s counter-attack.
15. Full Back: Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers) – 79.5
Steward delivered a classic performance — composed, dominant under the high ball, and strong in attacking decision making. His catching score ranked #1 across the league, reinforcing his reputation as the Premiership’s most reliable full back.
Each player below earned their spot through standout performances across key metrics such as carrying, tackling, rucking, and overall game impact.
| # | Player | Team | Position | Grade | Carrying | Tackling | Rucking | Counter Ruck | Passing | Lineout | Kicking | Discipline | Catching |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will Goodrick-Clarke | Exeter Chiefs | Loose-Head Prop | 80.9 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 1 | – | 8 | – |
| 2 | Gabriel Oghre | Bristol Bears | Hooker | 78.8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Asher Opoku-Fordjour | Sale Sharks | Tight-Head Prop | 80.5 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | – | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Guido Petti Pagadizabal | Harlequins | Second Row | 79.8 | 1 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
| 5 | Hyron Andrews | Sale Sharks | Second Row | 80.8 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Fergus Lee-Warner | Newcastle Falcons | Blind-Side Flanker | 77.1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | Fitz Harding | Bristol Bears | Open-Side Flanker | 84.3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | 1 | 14 |
| 8 | Tom Willis | Saracens | Number 8 | 83.4 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | Stephen Varney | Exeter Chiefs | Scrum-Half | 81.8 | 6 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 2 | – | 9 | 15 | 4 |
| 10 | George Ford | Sale Sharks | Fly-Half | 83.5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | – | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 11 | Edoardo Todaro | Northampton Saints | Left Wing | 82.2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | – | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 12 | Seb Atkinson | Gloucester | Inside Centre | 76.2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | – | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| 13 | Ollie Lawrence | Bath Rugby | Outside Centre | 73.4 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 12 | – | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 14 | Tom Roebuck | Sale Sharks | Right Wing | 80.0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 5 | – | 12 | 1 | 10 |
| 15 | Freddie Steward | Leicester Tigers | Full Back | 79.5 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 3 | – | 1 | 2 | 1 |