Val Rapava-Ruskin – Gloucester
- Age: 30
- Position: Loosehead-prop
Another top performance from the prop, who many believe to have been unjustly overlooked by Borthwick.
Val Rapava-Ruskin was a key player for Gloucester, in their hard-hitting defeat to Exeter Chiefs. Despite being on the wrong side of the score line, Rapava-Ruskin contributed to the Cherry and Whites points tally, with his try on the half hour mark.
After the initial rolling maul attempt was halted by the Chiefs, Rapava-Ruskin re-stared the engine, and forced the pack of players across the line.
Big Val’s try levelled the scoring to 14-14, in what was a significant moment at Sandy Park. Commentating for BT Sport, David Flatman appreciated the try. “That’s a good bit of mauling from the Gloucester forward pack. Really, really patient.”