IT was an all-round brilliant day for all involved with Worcester Warriors at the weekend, as fans and players alike celebrated their 27-14 win over Sale Sharks at Sixways.
On an afternoon where many stood out on the pitch, there was one individual in particular that stole the show.
Warriors' full-back Jamie Shillcock was beaming post-match with his bottle of champagne after a man-of-the-match display and rightly so.
Shillcock's match statistics show exactly why he was picked out as the star performer:
- 63 metres made
- 8 defenders beaten
- 7 carries
- 2 tries
- 1 assist
Stats don't always tell the full story but they do in this case and his display at the weekend was a perfect example of what he brings.
The assist for Duhan van der Merwe's second score was exceptional; taking the ball on the back foot, handing off Luke James so hard he fell over, stepping around his man before a Kiwi like one-handed offload in the tackle to set the big winger on his way.
It was a cracking score but the full-back threatened all day and showed his ability to run through gaps, doing so twice to score himself, and the pace in which to make the most of those line breaks.
His left foot is also a weapon that can be utilised and a number of times at the weekend put Worcester in good areas.
Being a fly-half as well, his distribution skills are top class and when he joins the line he can create opportunities, which we saw for Duhan's first try early in the game.
He has all the necessary attributes for a Premiership standard full-back and after years of struggling to find his place, the 24-year-old finally seems to have nailed his position in the side, even with Melani Nanai waiting in the wings.
Looking at those in his position within the England squad - Tommy Freeman, Freddie Steward, George Furbank, Max Malins - he is not far away from those guys and they are all equally young.
All of those are inexperienced at international level but all have shone in their own right in the Premiership within the last 12 to 18 months, indicating that Jones is not afraid to give young players a shot.
Shillcock has performed at this high level now in a Worcester shirt for that 12-18 month timeframe and whilst he might need to continue this run of form he is on to really make Jones take notice, he cannot be a million miles away.
This week, he was picked in Will Greenwood's team of the week (alongside Duhan van der Merwe) and is in the mix for Premiership Player of the Round.
Are you watching, Eddie?
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