The opening weekend of the Prem Rugby season saw 17 Welsh players in action, with several senior internationals making their competitive debuts in English rugby. Members of the Welsh contingent delivered standout performances, with players getting on the scoresheet and winning official player of the match awards.
Standout performances from Welsh captains
Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan led Gloucester to victory over Exeter Chiefs, while fellow internationals Tomos Williams, Aaron Wainwright and Gabriel Hamer-Webb shone in Saracens' win over Leicester Tigers. Player of the match Lake scored two tries in a 55-minute performance, with Morgan making more tackles than any other player on the pitch.
Williams was hailed as "world class" and "sensational" as he scooped the player-of-the-match award for his game management for Saracens at Welford Road. Wainwright enjoyed a debut for Leicester, playing a role in two of Hamer-Webb's three tries as the Wales wing marked his return with a hat-trick.
More Welsh try scorers
Louis Rees-Zammit scored a brace of tries for Bristol Bears in their clash with Sale, with Welsh-qualified hooker Tomas Gwilliam sealing a 34-24 victory with a late try. Other Welsh involvement saw Dafydd Jenkins and Kane James line up for Exeter, Freddie Thomas turn out for Gloucester, and Tommy Reffell and Olly Cracknell join Wainwright in an all-Welsh Leicester backrow. Nick Tompkins started for Saracens, with Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis and Christ Tshiunza on Sale's bench and Bryn Bradley starting for Harlequins.
Warburton and Healey praise
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton, on punditry duty for TNT Sports, said the newcomers have already "added value" to the Prem. "I think they're seeking success," he said. "They've been part of such underperforming regions for so long. I've been a massive advocate for the Prem, it's brilliant. We watch it from the other side of the bridge and go 'what a great product to be part of' and they want to be part of it. The best players have come over and I think they've added to the value to the league, and it looks like they're enjoying it. Wainwright, Tomos Williams, they've all been superb."
Lake has been hailed as a "masterstroke signing" by the Times' Stuart Barnes, with the i Paper praising him and Morgan as "exceptional" in their display against Exeter. Williams was put in contention for the best scrum-half in the northern hemisphere by former England international Austin Healey, who told TNT Sports: "In any side he would make an impact, he's a fabulous number nine. His ability, when you think you've got him trapped in an area and you think he's going into touch, he'll throw a ball over the top for a try. He is a threat in every single department. His kicking game is excellent, his passing game is brilliant but moreover, he reads the game so well, particularly in his support lines. Is he the best nine in the northern hemisphere? There's a lot of competition from a certain Frenchman, but I think he's right up there, he's a fabulous rugby player."
The Guardian described Williams as "imperious" on his competitive debut for Saracens, with Wainwright tipped to be a "fan favourite" if he can follow up his impressive opening round performance.
