Games have come thick and fast since the Premiership resumed on the 14th of August. Some players have really stood out to me (obviously from teams who have performed well), some look like they really benefitted from a mid-season break whilst others have been pressed into action earlier than coaches probably would have liked but have looked more than ready for top flight rugby –

Val Rapava-Ruskin – he is really enjoying the new ruck interpretations

Tom. Dunn – he’s back to his dynamic best, very Jamie George-esque

Will Stuart – he’s dominated scrums, Neal Hatley must be delighted. Not sure about his lockdown mullet though

Chris Vui – another who looks like he needed a rest and has come back as dynamic as ever

Nick Isiekwe – he began well in his new surroundings but even his presence has been unable to lift Northampton lately

Miles Reid – he’s probably a 7, but he looks smart enough to fit in anywhere across the back row

Will Evans – he’s been the outstanding open side since resumption and the new interpretations have made an elite 7 vital to a teams success

Ben Earl – like Reid he could play anywhere in the back row but like Justin Tipuric he could play in the outside backs too

Ben Spencer – he’s probably been in the best form of anyone since August

Joe Simmonds – he looks ready for Test rugby, his decision making might be the best of anyone since August

Louis Rees-Zammit – it’s unbelievable that he’s still a teenager. He’s had 2 dodgy outings at fullback but he looks a natural on the wing

Siale Piatau – Bristol look a different team when he’s not playing as illustrated by the ban he received for completely losing his marbles at Worcester (but he’s a Tongan 12, you want that fire)

Tom de Glanville – he’s a 15 not a 13 but he has to be starting he makes rugby look easy. He’s played in 8 games for Bath – they’ve won 6 and he’s only 20

Ollie Thorley – he’s not been totally consistent (but neither have Gloucester) but anyone who can score 4 tries in 21 minutes has to be playing pretty well

Max Malins – he’s a very good 10 but when he has the space he gets as a fullback he can absolutely devastating. The 23 year old has scored 3 tries in 3 starts since his move to Bristol

Honourable mentions should go to Jake Polledri (but he’s always great), Matt Symons (but he’s injured), Matt Garvey (who has always been good when healthy), Ruaridh McConnochie (who absolutely looks like he should have played more at the RWC), Lewis Boyce (he’s an outstanding ball carrier), Alfie Barbeary (hooker’s shouldn’t score 3 tries on their debut at 6, that’s superhero stuff), Jimmy Gopperth (his ability to stabilise Wasps will never stop amazing me) and Scott Baldwin (he looks like he’s 100% healthy and his experience is a real boon when it comes to the new breakdown interpretations)