Fixtures - 6

Matches to be played Friday 29th July

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Saracens vs. Bath Rugby

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Saracens
Manager – LDCPete

01. Matt Mullan	09. Paul Hodgson
02. Gary Botha	10. Iain Humphreys
03. Brok Harris
04. Rynhard Elstadt	11. Rene Ranger
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Owen Farrell
06. Joe van Niekerk	13. Nevin Spence
07. George Smith	14. Tim Visser
08. Rodney So'oialo	15. Alex Goode

16. George Chuter 17. Alex Waller 18. Phil Swainston 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Luke Narraway 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Tom Homer

Tactics

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Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Jon Golding	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Lee Mears	10. Brock James
03. Petrus du Plessis
04. Louis Deacon	11. Tom Varndell
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Wynand Olivier
06. Sean O’Brien	13. Francois Steyn
07. Beau Robinson	14. Richard Haughton
08. Johnnie Beattie	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

16. Kane Newport 17. Lee Ward 18. James Currie 19. James Cannon 20. Tom Guest 21. Chris Cook 22. Steven Shingler 23. Kurtley Beale

Tactics

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Newcastle Falcons vs. Exeter Chiefs

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Boris Stankovich	09. Sarel Pretorious
02. William Servat	10. Jonny Wilkinson
03. Owen Franks
04. Dean Schofield	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Paul O’Connell(c)	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Juan Smith	13. Conrad Smith
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Ben Smith

16. Tom Lindsay 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Geoff Parling 20. Kieran Read 21. Jonny Arr 22. Colin Slade 23. Tom Catterick

Tactics
Normal Falcons high intensity tactics......compete in pack and target lineout with numerous jumpers. Control breakdown and look to attack with turnover ball.

Pretorious to attack the fringes and Wilko to call the shots in the backline. Smith to marshall backline with Ben Smith coming into the line. Mermoz to attack the line and look to get the flyers into the game whenever possible.

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver

01. Cian Healy	09. Nick Phipps
02. John Smit(c)	10. Steven Myler(k)
03. Euan Murrey
04. Julien Pierre	11. Adam Thompstone
05. George Skivington	12. Regan King
06. Kelly Brown	13. Max Evans
07. Shane Jennings	14. Iain Balshaw
08. Carl Fearns	15. George Pisi

16. Ben Kayser 17. Tom Mercey 18. Jack Forster 19. Simon Shaw 20. Dave Wallace 21. Charlie Pilgrim 22. Ronan O'Gara 23. Matt Smith

Tactics

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Worcester Warriors vs. Gloucester

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. David Flatman	09. Jordi Pasqualin
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Nicky Robinson
03. BJ Botha
04. Ben Gulliver	11. Marcel Garvey
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Nils Mordt
06. Ryan Jones ©	13. Jon Clarke
07. Scott Higginbotham	14. Julien Malzieu
08. Ben Morgan	15. Olly Morgan

16. Koree Britton 17. George Porter 18. Yann Thomas 19. Peter Short 20. Sebastian Chabal 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Sam Vesty 23. Rob Cook

Tactics

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Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Coonie Oustehuizen	09. Dave Lewis
02. Deon Fourie	10. Stephen Donald
03. James Johnstone
04. George Robson	11. James Simpson-Daniel
05. James Hanks	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Mauri Fa’asivalu	13. Rob Horne
07. Andy Saull	14. Paul Diggin
08. Brett Deacon	15. Charlie Sharples

16. Nick Wood 17. Adrian Strauss 18. Rupert Harden 19. Peter Buxton 20. Andy Hazell 21. Ryan Lamb 22. Jonny May 23. Scott Hamilton

Tactics

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Harlequins vs. Leicester Tigers

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Lee Dickson
02. Matthew Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Nathan Sharpe	11. Joe Rokocoko
05. James Gaskell	12. Anthony Faainga
06. Francois Louw	13. Gonzalo Canale
07. Sam Warburton	14. Jonathan Joseph
08. Phil Dowson	15. Rob Kearney

16. Schalk Brits 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Brian Mujati 19. Tom Donnelly 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Ryan Glynn 22. Freddie Burns 23. George Lowe

Tactics
We are going to look to use our strong back line to cause problems straight of the first phase a la the Queensland Reds. We are going to play a fast paced game in attack but we have picked a big pack to make sure we get quick ball. We have also picked a strong back row which we feel will flourish in an open game.

Looking for how people would rate my backline against the other full strength back lines in the league.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – lukelovesluka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvilli (k)
02. Matt Thompson	10. Rob Miller
03. Ben Franks
04. Jarrad Hoeata	11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
05. Chris Jack (c)	12. Yannick Jauzion
06. Johnathan Poff	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Magnus Lund	14. Tom Biggs
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Cory Jane

16. Dan Murphy 17. Tom Youngs 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Tom Denton 20. Jordan Crane 21. Ben Youngs 22. David Skrela 23. Isa Nacewa

Tactics

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London Wasps vs. Northampton Saints

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London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Perry Freshwater	09. Michael Classens
02. Steve Thompson ©	10. Jimmy Gopperth
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Marco Wentzel	12. James Downey
06. Tom Johnson	13. Stirling Mortlock
07. Deon Stegmann	14. Tom Williams
08. Dan Ward-Smith	15. Mike Borwn

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Benn Robinson 18. James Slipper 19. Mark Chisholm 20. James Haskell 21. Luke Burgess 22. Rory Clegg 23. Noah Cato

Tactics

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Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Dave Wilson	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. Lionel Beauxis
03. Carl Hayman
04. Dave Attwood	11. Manu Tuilagi
05. Patricio Albacete (c)	12. Willie Mason
06. Simon Taylor ©	13. Casey Lualala
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Leigh Halfpenny
08. Ryan Kankowski	15. Danny Cipriani

16. Chris Whitehead 17. Henry Thomas 18. Zak Taulafo 19. Calum Clark 20. Tom Rees 21. Luke Watson 22. Mike Phillips 23. Siti Sivivatu

Tactics

We've picked a more mobile pack than Wasps and have got for a 5-2 split on the bench because we want to move them around the park and play the game at pace. We want to keep the ball in play as much as possible and keep the speed up in order to target a slower and older pack.

In attack we will alternate with Beauxis and Cipriani to attack in the 10 channel, we have picked Mason and Lualala as the midfield axis to provide hard running options through the middle and picked Manu Tuilagi to play opposite Tom Williams, mainly so I can see repeats of...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnJUhpGvkaI

talk about whiplash...

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Sale Sharks vs. London Irish

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Nicholas Bezy
02. David Paice	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Neemia Tialata
04. Steven Sykes	11. Lelia Masaga
05. Andries Bekker	12. Jordan Turner Hall
06. Victor Vito	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Michael Lipman	14. Luke Rooney
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Nick Abendanoon

16. Lee Imolek 17. Brett Sharman 18. Werner Kruger 19. Christian Day 20. Andy Powell 21. Shaun Perry 22. Olly Barkley 23. Sam Smith

Tactics
Target the set piece with strong front 5. Attacking wise strong ball carrying game working the offloading. Changing the point of attack constantly. Use the exciting halfbacks to inject creativity into the game

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London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Matias Aguero	09. Julien Dupuy
02. James Buckland	10. Daniel Bowden
03. WP Nel
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Paul Sackey
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Mathieu Bastareaud
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Matthew Tait
07. Hendre Fourie	14. JP Pietersen
08. Xavier Rush	15. Joe Maddock

16. Tonga Lea'atoea 17. Neil Briggs 18. Duncan Bell 19. Matt Garvey 20. Joe Worsley 21. Neal De Kock 22. Gonzalo Tiesi 23. Juan Martin Hernandez

Tactics

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1 Coonie
2 Fourie
3 Johnstone
4 Robson
5 Hanks
6 Fasivalu
7 Saull
8 Deacon
9 lewis
10 Donald
11 JSD
12 Barnes
13 Grey
14 Diggin
15 Sharples
16 Wood
17 Strauss
18 Harden
19 Buxton
20 Hazell
21 Lamb
22 May
23 Hamilton

Saracens team to face Bath.

01. Matt Mullan	09. Paul Hodgson
02. Gary Botha	10. Iain Humphreys
03. Brok Harris
04. Rynhard Elstadt	11. Rene Ranger
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Owen Farrell
06. Joe van Niekerk	13. Nevin Spence
07. George Smith	14. Tim Visser
08. Rodney So'oialo	15. Alex Goode

16. George Chuter 17. Alex Waller 18. Phil Swainston 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Luke Narraway 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Tom Homer

Tactics to follow...

London Wasps team to face Northampton Saints

1. Perry Freshwater
2. Steve Thompson (c)
3. Carlos Nieto
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Marco Wentzel
6. Tom Johnson
7. Deon Stegmann
8. Dan Ward-Smith

9. Michael Claassens
10. Jimmy Gopperth
11. Drew Mitchell
12. James Downey
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Tom Williams
15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Benn Robinson
18. James Slipper
19. Mark Chisholm
20. James Haskell
21. Luke Burgess
22. Rory Clegg
23. Noah Cato

Tactics to follow...

Leicester team to face Quins.

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvilli (k)
02. Matt Thompson	10. Rob Miller
03. Ben Franks
04. Jarrad Hoeata	11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
05. Chris Jack (c)	12. Yannick Jauzion
06. Johnathan Poff	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Magnus Lund	14. Tom Biggs
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Cory Jane

16. Dan Murphy 17. Tom Youngs 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Tom Denton 20. Jordan Crane 21. Ben Youngs 22. David Skrela 23. Isa Nacewa

Cheers pete ,

on phone but will do next time Pete

Should be in later, on phone so will wait till back at barracks

Should be in later, on phone so will wait till back at barracks

Quins

01. Joe Marler	09. Lee Dickson
02. Matthew Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Nathan Sharpe	11. Joe Rokocoko
05. James Gaskell	12. Anthony Faainga
06. Francois Louw	13. Gonzalo Canale
07. Sam Warburton	14. Jonathan Joseph
08. Phil Dowson	15. Rob Kearney

16. Schalk Brits 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Brian Mujati 19. Tom Donnelly 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Ryan Glynn 22. Freddie Burns 23. George Lowe

We are going to look to use our strong back line to cause problems straight of the first phase a la the Queensland Reds. We are going to play a fast paced game in attack but we have picked a big pack to make sure we get quick ball. We have also picked a strong back row which we feel will flourish in an open game.

Looking for how people would rate my backline against the other full strength back lines in the league.

I'd prob swap your centres around Steve

Damn that complicated template of Pete's

Nice work....

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Nicholas Bezy
02. David Paice	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Neemia Tialata
04. Steven Sykes	11. Lelia Masaga
05. Andries Bekker	12. Jordan Turner Hall
06. Victor Vito	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Michael Lipman	14. Luke Rooney
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Nick Abendanoon

16. Lee Imolek 17. Brett Sharman 18. Werner Kruger 19. Christian Day 20. Andy Powell 21. Shaun Perry 22. Olly Barkley 23. Sam Smith

Tactics
Target the set piece with strong front 5. Attacking wise strong ball carrying game working the offloading. Changing the point of attack constantly. Use the exciting halfbacks to inject creativity into the game

Irish team to face Sale

1 Matias Aguero
2 James Buckland
3 WP Nel
4 Mouritz Botha
5 Nick Kennedy
6 Keegan Daniel
7 Hendrie Fourie
8 Xavier Rush
9 Julien Dupuy
10 Daniel Bowden
11 Paul Sackey
12 Mathieu Bastereaud
13 Matthew Tait
14 JP Pieterson
15 Joe Maddock

16 Tonga Lea'toea
17 Neil Briggs
18 Duncan Bell
19 Matt Garvey
20 Joe Worsley
21 Neal De Kock
22 Gonzalo Tiesi
23 Juan Martin Hernandez

Newcastle team to face Exeter:

01. Boris Stankovich	09. Sarel Pretorious
02. William Servat	10. Jonny Wilkinson
03. Owen Franks
04. Dean Schofield	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Paul O’Connell(c)	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Juan Smith	13. Conrad Smith
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Ben Smith

16. Tom Lindsay 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Geoff Parling 20. Kieran Read 21. Jonny Arr 22. Colin Slade 23. Tom Catterick


Tactics: Normal Falcons high intensity tactics......compete in pack and target lineout with numerous jumpers. Control breakdown and look to attack with turnover ball.

Pretorious to attack the fringes and Wilko to call the shots in the backline. Smith to marshall backline with Ben Smith coming into the line. Mermoz to attack the line and look to get the flyers into the game whenever possible.

Exeter team to face Falcons.

01. Cian Healy	09. Nick Phipps
02. John Smit(c)	10. Steven Myler(k)
03. Euan Murrey
04. Julien Pierre	11. Adam Thompstone
05. George Skivington	12. Regan King
06. Kelly Brown	13. Max Evans
07. Shane Jennings	14. Iain Balshaw
08. Carl Fearns	15. George Pisi

16. Ben Kayser 17. Tom Mercey 18. Jack Forster 19. Simon Shaw 20. Dave Wallace 21. Charlie Pilgrim 22. Ronan O'Gara 23. Matt Smith

Gone for my post world cup team to gather opinions on it.

Also with Selection issues

King/Evans as centre combo
Mercy covering Loosehead
Fearns at 8 or 6 with Brown/Delve/Lakafia playing 8.
Pisi/Byrne/Masi at 15.

Looking glitzy Pete....prob best off using 207's team from last week, think he's away.

Thought I'd try to liven it up a bit Pooly

Have just posted asking if he's left a team with anyone, if not will use last weeks.

Seem to remember something on the Exeter page...

The side 207 left on Driver's exeter page:

1 Jon Golding
2 Lee Mears
3 Petrus Du Plessis
4 Louis Deacon
5 Sam Whitelock
6 Sean O’Brien
7 Beau Robinson
8 Johhnie Beattie
9 Richard Wigglesworth
10 Brock James
11 Tom Varndell
12 Wynard Oliver
13 Francois Steyn
14 Richard Haughton
15 Tim Nanai Williams
16 Kane Newport 17 Lee Ward 18 James Currie 19 James Cannon 20 Tom Guest 21Chris Cook 22 Steven Shingler 23 Kurtley Beale

Worcester

1. David Flatman*
2. Richardt Strauss
3. BJ Botha
4. Ben Gulliver*
5. Jim Hamilton
6. Ryan Jones (c)
7. Scott Higginbotham
8. Ben Morgan*

9. Jordi Pasqualin*
10. Nicky Robinson (k)
11. Marcel Garvey*
12. Nils Mordt*
13. Jon Clarke*
14. Julien Malzieu
15. Olly Morgan*

16. Koree Britton*
17. George Porter*
18. Yann Thomas*
19. Peter Short*
20. Sebastian Chabal
21. Dwayne Peel
22. Sam Vesty*
23. Rob Cook*

Think Saints look a little short this week...

Ah meant to have had Simon Taylor as no6 and my captain - not sure why he didnt go up, think I got my coding wrong...

Tactics:

We've picked a more mobile pack than Wasps and have got for a 5-2 split on the bench because we want to move them around the park and play the game at pace. We want to keep the ball in play as much as possible and keep the speed up in order to target a slower and older pack.

In attack we will alternate with Beauxis and Cipriani to attack in the 10 channel, we have picked Mason and Lualala as the midfield axis to provide hard running options through the middle and picked Manu Tuilagi to play opposite Tom Williams, mainly so I can see repeats of...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnJUhpGvkaI

talk about whiplash...

Wasps tactics

Usual high intensity game look to outmuscle Saints and get onto the front foot to play some free flowing and attacking rugby.

Saracens 16 20 Bath Rugby

In the front 5s I would say it’s a fairly even battle at the scrum with Sarries maybe shading it but not noticeably so. Neither side really disruptive. Both sides should be comfortable at the lineout with decent options. Although the Bath engine room has more to offer around the park. In the back row more form on the Bath side with SOB being the outstanding player on show. Neither side to get on top at the breakdown but Bath with the better carrying options.

Half backs are shading to Sarries for me. Prefer Hodgson at 9 and Humphries had the better season at 10. In the back lines not a lot of form in the Bath midfield combo but a step up from the Sarries combo currently. Would note for 207 though that the midfield combo on show would be very limited post world cup and a weakness for me against the better combo’s in the league. Back 3s to Sarries for me with more on the wings. On the benches Beale to provide the most impact but Sarries overall with the stronger options coming in for the last 20 minutes.

Bath, with a lot of internationals in the starting side, have that extra quality in the back 5 of the pack and in midfield and will get on the front foot here long enough to pick up the win for me. The Sarries bench to make it close though.

Going to be tomorrow afternoon for my predos sorry!!

Newcastle Falcons 24 18 Exeter Chiefs

In the front 5 Newcastle with the advantage at scrum time for me. At the lineout POC is capable of picking off a few Exeter lineouts. In the back row I have 2-1 to Falcons with Smith and Vermulean stronger at 6 and 8. If Brussow gets going at the world cup his rating will shoot right back up. For Chiefs Jennings is a top player at 7.

At halfback Falcons a step up at 10 and with better form at 9. Newcastle with some top talents and the better form across the backline. On the benches Shaw and O’Gara to provide some impact for Exeter but Newcastle with a decent looking scrum to finish the game out and Kieran Read to lead the way.

Newcastle with that extra quality for me with a side not far from full strength out and should get on the front foot in the forwards battle and have the backline to open up Exeter.

Driver,

Just to answer your questions:

1. I like King/Evans. King provides a great creative spark and will make the space for Evans to pick his lines and break through the defense. They go well together but to get the very best out of them you will need to get front foot ball.

2. Wouldnt rate Mercey particularly at LH. Havent really seen him there at all. Hes gone very quiet the last few years after looking a top prospect when he first came onto the scene.

3. I think the best thing to do for your back row is put Shaw in at 4 for the 5 eq and go 6 Brown 7 Jennings 8. Lakafia. that back row is pretty well balanced and has a bit of everything.

4. Masi at 15 for now id say. If pisi has a good world cup go for him. Think Byrne in current form is a weakness. If he gets his form back from a few years ago he would be your best bet but dont see that happening during the world cup.

Newastle 30-18 Exeter. Newcastle just shade the pack with the backrow. Complete lack of form in falcons backrow means i only just give it to them. Front row even as is second row. i am no fan of stanks in anyway whatsoever.

Newcastle take this game through the backs. See Exeter as having great attacking backs but terrible defensively. Half backs to falcons and simply could never see King and Evans playing together unless it was a barbarians match. they would need so much front foot ball which they will not get.

Really rate Pisi at Fb but balshaw and Thompstone are either lacking in form and bit flaky. See there as being no plan b with exeter backs. all quite lightweight apart from thompstone.

Great battle in the pack and Driver has a serious front row and Pierre will do well for him. Fearns has very little experience at 8 although i think he may end up there. a good game to watch

Newastle 30-18 Exeter. Newcastle just shade the pack with the backrow. Complete lack of form in falcons backrow means i only just give it to them. Front row even as is second row. i am no fan of stanks in anyway whatsoever.

Newcastle take this game through the backs. See Exeter as having great attacking backs but terrible defensively. Half backs to falcons and simply could never see King and Evans playing together unless it was a barbarians match. they would need so much front foot ball which they will not get.

Really rate Pisi at Fb but balshaw and Thompstone are either lacking in form and bit flaky. See there as being no plan b with exeter backs. all quite lightweight apart from thompstone.

Great battle in the pack and Driver has a serious front row and Pierre will do well for him. Fearns has very little experience at 8 although i think he may end up there. a good game to watch

Driver FB for me would be pisi.

Masi is a centre and nowhere else. he was disastrous at 15 for gloucester when he signed for us.

Pisi can play anywhere and is a really good player to have. also good under high ball which is not often for a samoan

Worcester Warriors 15 15 Gloucester

In the front 5 at the scrum I think Worcester actually have a chance of getting on top. Botha at TH could get some joy out of Coonie. At the lineout Glaws could struggle on their own ball as well. Fourie, erratic at the best of times, usually has Bekker as a get out ball at Stormers but no such option for Glaws. A lot more mobility for Glaws across the park though!! In the back row there’s a better balance to Glaws for me. They will offer a bit more at the breakdown but Worcester with the stronger carrying game. Glaws could shockingly struggle to get front foot ball here (don’t think I’ve ever said that before!)

Half backs better for Glaws but both units will get their backlines going. In the backs I’m going to assume Matt meant to put Horne at 13 (did the same mistake in his lineup last week). Midfield is a step up for Glaws with Barnes world class. If he does make it back Matt really is quid’s in. Back 3 to Glaws as well but Morgan really is a big step up at FB for Prop this week (Very impressed with Props dealings over the last week or so. He has really improved his EQ options overall). On the bench Glaws have bit more quality to bring in. Strauss at hook may be a better starting option for Glaws depending on their lineout options during the world cup.

This is a funny game to call. Glaws are a class above in the backs but will they really get decent enough ball to get that back line going. I’m not too sure they would. With a lack of tactics over the summer games it’s very hard to call this for me so I’m actually going to opt for a draw.

(Note:- I’m not taking home advantage in to account in any of my predictions over the summer. Assuming neutral ground just to give everyone a fair view of where their sides are going into the season. If I had taken Worcester at home would have given them a slim 1 or 2 point win in this one.)

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Worcester Warriors 15 15 Gloucester
I’m not taking home advantage in to account in any of my predictions over the summer. Assuming neutral ground just to give everyone a fair view of where their sides are going into the season. If I had taken Worcester at home would have given them a slim 1 or 2 point win in this one.

Harlequins 21 16 Leicester Tigers

Fairly even scrum for me. Marler with frailties at LH but B. Frank isn’t a TH and won’t be able to get on top for me. He would be a weakness at scrum time against a scrummaging LH. At the lineout both sides with plenty of jumping options for me and should hold well on their own ball. Mobility wise both sides more than capable of getting around the park. In the back row both sides have a lot of breakdown expertise with both Poff and Louw capable at 7 as well as 6 helping there 7s out. Quins back row though is much stronger ball in hand for me and that edges the back row battle with Waldrom having to do a lot of carrying work for tigers.

In the half backs Quins much stronger. Yachvilli stronger at 9 but there’s a gulf in class at 10 here. In the backs strong midfield for both sides. Arguably Tigers have the bigger names but better form from Quins for me. In the back 3 both sides are lacking a bit of form. On the benches Quins with the stronger forwards to come in, although I’m not too confident in Brookes covering LH, while Tigers with great options in the backs.

This game comes down to the better carrying options in the back row for Quins and the gulf in class at 10. Miller could struggle up against that Quins back row while Cooper can operate against the very best.

B.Franks played more games at TH than LH this season in the S15, and is about to start his second test in a row there.

Didnt know that fact now to be honest Luke mate!

I know hes playing TH for the All Blacks but wouldnt consider him destructive there in the scrum. Maybe not as a big a weakness now but would struggle against the strong scrummagers though and theres still a few of those going around during the world cup period

London Wasps 35 32 Northampton Saints

In the front 5, scrum battle edges to Wasps for me. Nieto could really cause Wilson at LH problems. At the lineout both sides have enough decent options to win their won ball but could see Wentzel picking 1 or 2 balls off. Step up around the park for Saints though in the engine room. Back row fairly even. Both sides have a decent enough balance. Not a fan of Kanks but he’s no weakness here.

In the half backs 1 a piece for me. Classens to bring better service at 9 but Beaxuis will get his backs going more although he isn’t the best of defenders. Simpson provides a threat around the fringes for Saints but his basics aren’t great. In the backs defense is an issue for Saints. Mason and Tuilagi positionally.Cips in the tackle. They carry a serious threat ball in hand though with a lot of power. Wasps much much stronger defensively and have some power of their own. On the benchs Wasps with a lot of quality to bring on in the pack for me. Lack of form for Saints on the bench though.

Good entertaining game for the neutral here I’d say. Saints will move Wasps around the park with a very mobile front 5 and will get some joy here but their defensive frailties will see some joy for Wasps. In the end it comes down to the impact of the extra quality on the Wasps bench for the last 20 minutes and they will squeak out a close win in a very high scoring game.

Steve,

Just to answer your question in regards to your back line. Great strength in the half backs. Dickson a very good game manager and can do the Genia role to an extent for Cooper. Good form in your centres but against the best combo's (i.e 12. SBW 13. Fourie like Nick has) could be seen as limited. Cooper helps with that but he cant do it all on his own. Back 3 Kearney is lacking form. Not a weaknees defensively but coming forward wont get much rating from me. Roko's star fading slightly but still a very good player. Joseph currently would be seen as a weakness though for me although he definately has the potential to step up

Predictions

Newcastle Falcons 33 Exeter Chiefs 30

Interesting battle with some quality players on show, but for some very little form to speak of, be it due to injury or just not played well recently. At the scrum I would see Newcastle getting a slight edge, and possibly also in the lineout with POC the standout player there. In the loose some good carriers in both packs, and a great battle of the 7's at the breakdown, where I would just edge Jennings ahead on recent form.

Good halfback pairings but Falcons just have the edge for me, with Wilkinson a class above Myler. In the backs Exeter would be great going forwards, but for me could struggle defensively a bit with no real defensive leader out there and one or two players who are a little suspect when they don't have the ball.

Great battle, little more quality for Falcons for a very narrow win in a reasonably high scoring encounter.


Worcester Warriors 22 Gloucester 22

Don't see either front 5 gaining much advantage in either set piece, whilst in the loose both teams have a mixture of players who would be effective carriers and those who wouldn't. Not keen on Higginbotham at 7, would prefer to see him at 6 or 8 but provides good carrying and tackle count and very much in form.

More flair from the Gloucester backs, but more power from the Worcester ones so a complete battle of styles. Crucially in terms of predictions, both teams have 2 players in the backs who don't have much form through a lack of top flight rugby recently, so I cannot seperate them. If any one of Barnes, Horne, Mordt or Morgan had more form in might have swung it their teams way for me.


Harlequins 27 Leicester Tigers 21

As with the previous game I don't see much either way at scrum time. Franks wouldn't have enough at TH to dismantle Marler, and nor would Afoa or Jenkins take each other apart. Rees is the stronger hooker, the Tigers props are marginally stronger so it's about evens for me, with similar grunt from the second row for both teams. In the lineout both teams have options and although I know Rees can misfire at times, I don't know enough about Thompsons throwing in to be able to give anyone and edge here.

In the backs I have to go with Quins and my reasons are these. Miller is a weak link at 10 for Tigers, and although Caucau is always going to be an attacking threat he is lazy defensively. For Quins I do not see any real defensive weaknesses in the backs that Tigers can exploit, so would expect with the better 10 Quins to get more joy in attack.


London Wasps 30 Northampton Saints 25

First up, I will say as I have said before, Wilson is no loosehead and would get taken apart in the scrum here by Nieto. In the set piece the Wasps front row is a very good unit which would be a handful for most teams. I will marginally give saints the lineout due to having a few more options, but Wentzel is a poacher and would not let them have it all their own way.

In terms of loose play saints have some good fair weather carriers with decent pace and mobility, which is ok for today, and they might have some joy using the tactic of moving Wasps around, but if this game was played November - February I would give the Wasps pack the loose battle as the Saints one lacks power the back row.

In the half backs the Wasps pair is workmanlike and will do a job but won't set the world on fire. Saints pair could be brilliant or awful and I am not convinced that Beauxis wouldn't need a better basics scrummie to get the best out of him. Good attacking options in the backs for saints, but defnitey defensive weaknesses there. A little less flair in the Wasps backs, but solid defensively and enough going forward to cause the Saints backs problems.

Overall a tight one but I see Wasps getting real joy out of some defensive frailties in the Saints backline and that will give them the win for me.


Sale Sharks 24 London Irish 24

I really can't call it between these two sides in just about every area. Good players, good units and on a neutral ground I can't seperate them. Tactics and/or home advantage could/would swing this for me during the season.

Saracens 21 - 21 Bath Rugby

Front five fairly even, although prefer Bath's second row, back rows tight which says a lot of Sarries WC back row. Not a lot in the HB's for me. Don't see Bath having much success with that centre pairing, and see Sarries young duo holding their own. Sarries take the back three. See Sarries holding their own against a team with Internationals.


Newcastle 24 - 19 Exeter

Good front row battle that Newcastle edge. See the back fives shaded by Newcastle, but very little form with both flankers mean not by a lot. Prefer Newcastle's HB's. and their centre combo is a nice one, although Exeter have attacking options here. Newcastle to shade the back three. Newcastle just that bit more quality throughout.


Worcester 18 - 20 Gloucester

Tight in the front row, and not a lot in the 2nd rows. Prefer Worcester's back row but nice balance to Gloucester. HB's to Gloucester, Barnes (and Horne?) way too good for Worcester here. Gloucester edge the back three. Think Gloucester have that bit more about them in the backs to nick the win.


Wasps 26 - 26 Saints

Front row to Wasps for me, with second row to Saints. Back rows are tight, maybe edging towards Wasps. Tight HB's think I just prefer Saints'. Wasps take centres with Mason not ready yet. Pretty even back three's in my eyes. See this as pretty tighht all over the park, and i'm going to go with a draw.


Sale 22 - 20 Irish

Tight battle in the front 5, maybe just shading Irish. Same story in the back row, but Sale just edging there. I prefer Sale's HB's, and their centre combo too. Both back three's are fairly dangerous. Not a lot in the packs, and think Sale have a bit more go forward in the backs.

Saracens 19 - 16 Bath

Close game. I like the balance of the sarries front 5 and can't see it suffering at the set piece but don't think it would take Bath apart either. I think Sarries backline will be neither a weakness or a strength during the world cup and the results will depend on his pack. Bath wingers will be ripped to shreds if it wet.

Newcastle 22 - 20 Exeter

Both packs are strong but I feel Newcastle lack carriers in the loose for me whereas Exeter have plenty. Set piece should go to falcons at the scrum but more even at the lineout. Like both sets of half backs but Newcastle are stronger overall with Wilko far better than Myler but Scrum halfs about even. Both back 3's seem a bit inbalanced with all four wingers being better with ball in hand than in defence or on the back foot. Full backs both strong.

Worcester 24 - 23 Gloucester

Front 5's go to worcester just, back rows to Worcester. nothing more than average AP in the Gloucester back row whereas Worcester have more class with Higginbottom and Jones. Gloucester have better backs but Worcester aren't far behind. I can't be rating Barnes with him only playing low level rugby.

Steve, no dramas with the predo mate, just can I query why you think my wingers would get ripped to shreds in the wet please mate?

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Newcastle Falcons 24 18 Exeter Chiefs

In the front 5 Newcastle with the advantage at scrum time for me. At the lineout POC is capable of picking off a few Exeter lineouts.

Steven_Sharks wrote:

Newcastle 22 - 20 Exeter

Both packs are strong but I feel Newcastle lack carriers in the loose for me whereas Exeter have plenty. Set piece should go to falcons at the scrum but more even at the lineout.

LDCPete wrote:Predictions

Newcastle Falcons 33 Exeter Chiefs 30

Interesting battle with some quality players on show, but for some very little form to speak of, be it due to injury or just not played well recently. At the scrum I would see Newcastle getting a slight edge, and possibly also in the lineout with POC the standout player there. In the loose some good carriers in both packs, and a great battle of the 7's at the breakdown, where I would just edge Jennings ahead on recent form.

anonmattyt wrote:Newastle 30-18 Exeter. Newcastle just shade the pack with the backrow.

Great battle in the pack and Driver has a serious front row and Pierre will do well for him. Fearns has very little experience at 8 although i think he may end up there. a good game to watch

Little confused to how my pack is rated here gents?

London Wasps 21 - 22 Northampton

front 5's are strong but I prefer Northampton's. back rows are pretty even but more experience in Northamptons. Both sets of backs are lacking in creation which is a problem.

Sale 16 -17 Irish

Close game. Both teams are strong up front and the back rows in particular are very strong. Prefer the Irish back row and both front 5's are about even.
I prefer the Irish half backs as they are very experienced and I feel they will control the game better than Bezy/Cruden. Centres are pretty much even but the outstanding player is Freaun. Both back 3's could be better and could be seen as weaknesses against other sides.

Pete

I meant to put the Bath wingers. Varndell and Haughton would be ripped to shreds. I don't think Visser and Ranger would excel in the wet but they wouldn't be ripped to shreds.

What you confused about Driver?

Ah, cheers for the clarification Steve. I don't think there are many wingers out there at all who really shine when it is chucking it down anyway.