England and Leicester fullback Freddie Steward made his presence felt with a huge tackle on Wales international Joe Hawkins during Leicester’s clash with Exeter Chiefs.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
After losing his spot in the England squad during the 2024 Six Nations, Steward has knuckled down and worked tirelessly. His effort was on full display with a bone-crunching hit on Hawkins that had fans buzzing.
One supporter said: “Steward isn’t usually known for this, but it’s clear he’s working to become a more complete player.”
Another added: “That tackle’s a standout contender for Collision of the Week.”
“Cracking hit from Steward,” another fan commented.
Three England Exiles Shine for Bath as Steve Borthwick watches on…
After suffering a narrow 25-21 loss to Saints in last season’s final, Bath fielded 13 players from that match and looked eager to make a statement. From the opening minutes, the home side dominated with a series of bone-crunching tackles, while Northampton appeared off the pace compared to their title-winning form.
Spencer Stars with Leadership and Influence
Captain Ben Spencer was at the heart of Bath’s impressive display, earning the man-of-the-match award with a try, a try assist, and his trademark influence at the gainline.
His performance caught the eye of England head coach Steve Borthwick, who was watching from the stands.
With Northampton’s Alex Mitchell unavailable due to injury, Spencer seized the moment, delivering the kind of performance that has become his hallmark in recent seasons.
While other scrum halves may have greater flair on the international stage, none are as consistently vital to their team as Spencer.
“For him to come and deliver that performance was special,” Bath head coach Johann van Graan said. “Ben is a winner, and since he became captain, he’s only improved. He has big dreams in international rugby, but he’s completely focused on leading Bath.”