Jon Newcombe looks back at the October rounds of the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup to decide who's hot and who's not.
Who's Hot...
CHRIS ASHTON
The former Wigan RL man is in a rich vein of form and showed his ability as a finisher of the highest order at the Stade Aime Giral in the Heineken Cup. The right wing had no right to score against Perpignan when receiving the ball heavily marked wide out on the right but he put in a deft kick ahead and managed to win the race for an unlikely touchdown.
RYAN LAMB
Lamb may not be England's cup of tea but London Irish are thankful to have him on board. The summer signing from Gloucester saves his best for the big occasion and has proved the nemesis for the reigning European and English champions this month. Nerveless, he kicked the match-winning penalty to defeat Leinster in the opening Heineken Cup match of the season before landing six penalties a couple of weeks later as the Exiles overturned their Guinness Premiership Final defeat to the Tigers.
SERGE BETSEN - The former France flanker shows no signs of tiring despite being in his 36th year. Betsen continues to put tackles in all over the park as well as being a nuisance at the breakdown area. He even managed a rare try at Gloucester.
Who's Not...
JOE MADDOCK - Last season's top try scorer in the Premiership has strangely lost his way, much like his club Bath. Poor hands in defence and an inability to cross the try-line have dogged his performances.
TOM VOYCE - The defensive frailties in the former England man's game have been badly exposed in recent times. Voyce has been found wanting one-on-one with some pundits questioning his desire to put his body on the line for the Cherry & Whites.
JOEY CARLISLE - The Worcester fly-half has been sent to Coventry - literally! Carlisle has been loaned out to the Championship club to restore his confidence after his only start of the season - in the European Challenge Cup against Montpellier - ended in disaster. Carlisle's floated pass was picked off by Montpellier centre Florian Nicot on halfway for a try that proved to a killer blow to the Warriors' hopes of getting off to a winning start in the competition.
