Premiership: Tom Willis, Marcus Smith, Ollie Hassell-Collins – five talking points

He may not the best back row in his family, but he is clearly the best in the Premiership right now.

Tom Willis, whose brother Jack continues to tear up trees for European champions Toulouse, has been in superb form all season.

His display in Saracens’ 35-26 win over Bristol was a tour de force.

He scored two tries, gaining 44 metres and beating five defenders from 12 carries, while also making 23 tackles and securing two turnovers.

His first try was a battering pick-and-go from the back of a breakdown. His second was from longer range, seeing him scorch around Noah Heward and Viliame Mata on his way into the corner.

At one point in defence, he picked up Rich Lane, put him under his arm like a beach brolly and casually carried the Bears’ full-back back towards his own line.

Bristol, who have conceded more points than everyone except bottom side Newcastle, have a propensity to make the opposition look good.

But Willis’ campaign is a serious body of work.

He has beaten more defenders than any other player in the Premiership. He is the only forward in the top 10. He is eighth on metres made, without racking up the ‘easy’ kick receipt yardage. Again, he is the only forward in the top 10.

He is Saracens’ leading tackler, seventh overall in the league and turnovers.

His only England cap came as a 54th-minute replacement in a World Cup warm-up defeat by Wales in August 2023.

More are surely coming. And soon.