Our Gallagher Premiership top try-scorer tips:
Short-price picks:
Max Malins (10/1) – Unlikely to be used much by England and even if he is, his strike rate is such that he can make up lost ground in a team that will create plenty of opportunities.
Louis Lynagh (14/1) – Gave Rugby Tipster punters a great run for their money before Eddie Jones’ selection policy and niggling injuries got in his way. Was 50/1 last season and we’re not sure if 14/1 represents great value.
Mid-price picks:
Alex Lewington (33/1) – Not as prolific as Malins last season but has a keen eye for the try line and there’s no reason why the balance shouldn’t tip his way this time around.
Cadan Murley (33/1) – Only one try away from matching Malins’ tally of 16 last season and will be guaranteed regular game time for Harlequins if fit.
Ollie Hassell-Collins (33/1) – Hugely exciting talent who, again, is likely to be a regular in the London Irish starting XV. Irish’s fondness for moving the ball plays in his favour.
Long shots:
Ollie Thorley (66/1) – Was the first Gloucester player to be Premiership top try-scorer when he shared the honour with Ben Earl. Has had a quiet couple of seasons since but with Jonny May and Louis Rees-Zammit likely to be away for long periods on test duty, and playing in a side on the up, the England flyer could be back in the tries again.
Semi Radradra (66/1) – The Fijian magician had an injury-disrupted campaign last time around and will miss the season’s opener with Bath so his fitness issues remain a concern. However, Radradra is not expected to be out for long and if Bristol rediscover their attacking mojo, it is likely that one of their biggest stars will be firing on all cylinders again.
If last season’s Gallagher Premiership is anything to go by, the 2022/23 campaign shouldn’t be short on drama or tries.
But which player will emerge as the League’s most deadly finisher?
Back-rowers and hookers have started to muscle in on the act in recent years but we believe that it’ll be a member of the back three who will claim the glory this time around, and follow in the hot footsteps of last year’s ‘winner’, Max Malins.
We’ve crunched the numbers over the last 25 seasons and have picked out some interesting trends and stats which may help you decide who your money is going on.
- Sale, Wasps and Leicester have had the most top try-scorers over the last 25 seasons with five players each (includign years the honour was shared)
- Harlequins and London Irish are the only two current Gallagher Premiership clubs not to have had a player as top try-scorer
- No centre or fly-half has ever finished top, nor has a front-rower or lock
- Max Malins scored a try every 62 minutes last season – the best return by any top try-scorer
- It is 13 years since Bath had the league’s best finisher – new attack coach Joe Maddock (2008/09)
- Nicki Goneva is the oldest-ever Premiership top try-scorer (sharing the accolade as a 34-year-old with Christian Wade and Josh Adams in 2017/18)
- Iain Balshaw (Bath) was the youngest, finishing top in 1999/00 when just 21
- In only three seasons has the team finishing top at the end of the regular season provided the top try-scorer (Neil Back/Leicester in 1998/99, Alesana Tuilagi/Leicester 2010/11 and Christian Wade/Wasps 2017/18)
