Following the conclusion of the opening round of the 2026\/27 PREM Rugby season, here is the\u00a0latest Planet Rugby Team of the Week.<\/p>\n
There were big wins for Northampton Saints, Bath, Gloucester, Bristol Bears and Saracens on the first weekend of the season, which also broke the record for most tries across an opening round of fixtures in league history.<\/p>\n
Without further ado, here is who made our\u00a0PREM<\/a>\u00a0XV!<\/p>\n PREM Rugby Team of the Week<\/p>\n 15 James Pater (Northampton Saints):\u00a0What a way to announce yourself as Northampton\u2019s new number 15! The youngster has big shoes to fill following the departure of George Furbank, but took to his role superbly well against Newcastle and bagged himself a hat-trick alongside a tally of 58 metres from 10 carries, two linebreaks and two defenders beaten.\u00a0Santi Carreras\u00a0was not far behind, and his try alone nearly got him into this side.<\/p>\n 14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints):\u00a0Simply carried on from where he left off last season for the Saints, in a big effort. Like his full-back colleague, Freeman got himself a tidy hat-trick in a proper poacher\u2019s effort, and showed further flashes of quality in attack with 53 metres from seven carries and a tally of two defenders beaten. Will Joseph\u00a0went well for Gloucester.<\/p>\n 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears):\u00a0It\u2019s normally his attacking output that takes the headlines, but against Sale, it was his defence that really came to the fore. Stood tall for his side through a busy midfield channel, ending his shift with 13 tackles in the process, which in turn helped Bristol keep the Sharks at arm\u2019s length.\u00a0Oscar Beard\u00a0looked in good touch for Harlequins, which is pleasing considering his injury run.<\/p>\n Leicester Tigers v Saracens: Five takeaways as Tomos Williams \u2018shows his class\u2019 with \u2018Welsh influence\u2019 inspiring record-breaking PREM round<\/a><\/p>\n 12 Seb Atkinson (Gloucester):\u00a0Really grew into the game as it went on against Exeter, becoming an ever-increasing focal point in their win. Bossed proceedings through the midfield, making 19 tackles and really limiting Exeter\u2019s attacking shape in the process, while also making himself busy in attack with 12 carries for 28 metres and getting a nice try too.\u00a0Fraser Dingwall impressed for Northampton.<\/p>\n 11 Ben Loader (Gloucester):\u00a0Spoilt for choice in the 11 shirt this weekend, with George Hendy, Gabe Hamer-Webb and Rotimi Segun\u00a0all impressing, but Loader gets the nod after his exploits at Sandy Park. Showed his finishing prowess with two very well-taken tries, beating the covering defence in almost identical ways, and just looked for organic ways to get himself into the game with a nice stats sheet of 12 carries for 56 metres.<\/p>\n 10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints):\u00a0The beating heart of Northampton Saints\u2019 impressive victory over Newcastle Red Bulls on Friday night, which sees him edge out both\u00a0Charlie Atkinson\u00a0and\u00a0Fergus Burke\u00a0in the process. Played in a dinner jacket at the Gardens with classy touch after classy touch, be it with his distribution, kicking or even running, and was rightly named Player of the Match for his efforts.<\/p>\n 9 Tomos Williams (Saracens):\u00a0Not that we needed it, but this was a proper reminder of Williams\u2019 brilliance. Seemed to really inject a new desire and intent into Saracens\u2019 attack at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Sunday, all while mixing in some flashes of individual flair along the way. Caolan Englefield\u00a0and\u00a0Dan Robson both filled their boots well for Gloucester, though.<\/p>\n 8 Fitz Harding (Bristol Bears):\u00a0Ben Earl\u00a0was really not far off here, but we\u2019ve yet again got Harding in the PREM Rugby Team of the Week! The Bristol skipper was simply sensational for his side in their win over Sale, making 14 tackles, 17 carries for 24 metres and winning three turnovers. When will the England phone call come?<\/p>\n