Week 18 - The Aviva Cup Semi Finals

Week 18 - The Aviva Cup Semi Finals

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Team Sheets and tactics due by Saturday (20:00)
Predictions due till Tuesday (20:00)

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London Irish v Saracens
Showery, 12 degrees, 13mph

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London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Joe Simpson
02. William Servat	10. Daniel Bowden
03. Euan Murray
04. Tom Palmer	11. Paul Diggin
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Jamie Noon
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Delon Armitage
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. James Buckland, 17. Paulica Ion, 18. Clarke Dermody, 19. Steve Mafi, 20. Declan Danahar, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Guy Armitage, 23 Ryan Shortland

Tactics
Confidence is high at the moment at London Irish and we'll play with no fear against any side. In these conditions, we'll keep it simple, using our piston system and look to use our running power to get over the gain line. We'll use the boot sensibly play position. If it's on, we'll trust in our handling ability and have a go.

- Use the set piece as a weapon to dictate the game.

- Massive front row on show today, look to really gain confidence and stability at scrum time. Quick ball to Bowden if we're stable, Harinordoquy to pick and go if it's messy

- In the lineout, we'll dominate. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and try to initiate a rolling maul to give the backs more time.

- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Pocock and Gibson staying strong on his feet. When they arise, lets use them to our advantage. If the back three are sparse, look to kick for territory. If there are mis-matches, lets have a go.

- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.

- Use the piston system Irish have developed so well. Big runners off Bowden to give us real go forward, inside and outside runs.

- For slow ball, look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. This will give more time to the backs.

- Key emphasis on defence with a great balance in midfield between Noon and Armitage. Rush up fast and close down their space, forcing errors and playing into our set piece advantage

- Simpson to prawl behind the defense line and mop up any breaks or half breaks. Patrol the breakdown area and keep an eye up for numbers.

- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.

- Homer to go for points at every opportunity.We can have a pop from anywhere in their half. Make them scared to give away penalties in their half, thus giving us more time at the breakdown.

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Saracens

Manager – Beshocked

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Ben Spencer
02. John Smit	10. Owen Farrell (K)
03. Matt Stevens
04. Hugh Vyvan	11. James Short
05. George Kruis	12. Adam Powell
06. Justin Melck	13. Joel Tomkins
07. Will Fraser	14. Michael Tagicakibau
08. Jackson Wray	15. James Pitchard

16.Brits, 17.Nieto, 18.Gill, 19.Botha, 20.Brown, 21.Parra,22.James,23.Smith


Tactics

Give some of the boys a run about. Great experience for the young guys. License to completely chuck the kitchen sink at London Irish - forget the kick and chase - Saracens will play some proper attacking rugby.

Exciting young forwards like Wray,Fraser,Kruis and Vunipola to make space for others to build momentum.

We will play at a very high pace. This means quick ball,hard hits, keeping the ball alive and in possession. We are willing to take plenty of risks too - audaciously running from our own 22.

Our aim is to knacker the opposition so our fresh and powerful replacements can blow them away.

Give the youngsters a run out. If things are still tight - bring on the big guns to really make an impact in the last 20.

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Exeter Chiefs v London Wasps
Heavy Showers, 11 degrees, 15mph

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Exeter Chiefs

Head Coach – Ozzy3213

01. Perry Freshwater	09. Kevin Barrett
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Ignacio Mieres
03. Craig Mitchell
04. Tommy Hayes	11. Josh Tatupu
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Jason Shoemark
06. Tom Johnson	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Paul Sackey
08. Ofisa Treviranus	15. Luke Arscott

16. Neil Clark 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Hanks 20. Richard Baxter 21. James Lightfoot-Brown 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Tactics

Our gameplan involves doing everything with a high intensity and asserting ourselves on our opponents, both in attack and defence. We will work as units and play a structured game (as the Chiefs and Saracens do in real life). We will put a lot of emphasis on the set piece, and look to use both as a real platform to play from, whilst not allowing our opponents to do the same. We will also look to use our big ball carriers to attack the gainline whilst having support runners on their shoulders to either take the offload or hit the ruck quickly as appropriate.

We will look to turn this game into a real slugfest, keeping the ball generally close to the ruck when carrying and looking to drag opposition forwards in and tying them up in rucks and mauls. Only when it is completely on will we look to go wide.

Specifics

• Attacking
  
  
• Play a territorial game – Use Mieres boot to play in the Wasps half all game.
  
  
• Carry close to the ruck – Get big carriers carrying close to the rucks forcing Wasps to make lots of tackles which will tire them quickly.
  
  
  
• Defensive
  
  
• Blitz Defence - We will look to blitz and stop the Wasps carriers before they hit the gainline. Barrett will sweep in behind the line.
  
  
• Breakdown - We will look to get our back row there quickly and contest for the ball if it's on to be won, but we will not overcommit, instead maintaining a solid defensive line to repel the Wasps ball carriers.
  
  
  
• Key Points
  
  
• Gameplan – Simple gameplan with the right players to be able to effect it perfectly.
  
  
• Home Advantage – Sandy Park is as tough an away venue as there is for teams. It is like and extra 3-5 points for the Chiefs every game.
  
  
• Mental/Physical approach – We cannot make the play offs so are going hell for leather to win this. Wasps are still in the hunt for a play off spot and their minds may be more on next weeks game.
  
  

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London Wasps

Manager – Stnick88

01. Tim Payne	09. Karl Dickson
02. Chris Brooker	10. Jimmy Gopperth
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Ross Filipo	11. Joe Ansbro
05. Richard Birkett	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Tinus Du Plessis	13. James Fitzpatrick
07. Julien Salvi	14. Leigh Halfpenny
08. Pedrie Wannenburg	15. Mike Brown

16. Zak Tau'lafo 17. Aaron Jarvis 18. Andy Titterell 19. James Cannon 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Charlie Davies 22. Nicky Robinson 23. Jonathan Joseph

Nice, heavy rain, fatboys slugfest, this has Exeter Chiefs written all over it!!!

Irish on a roll.. last encounter with Sarries we got a bonus point win.. bring it on

This has Jimmy Gopperth written all over it Pete!

Only if we let you have the ball

Going to love trying to predict this one.... Naaahhhhtt!

I'm sure your fatboys will give away some pens for him to slot over!

Mark

London Wasps
Manager – Stnick88

01. Tim Payne	09. Karl Dickson
02. Chris Brooker	10. Jimmy Gopperth
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Ross Filipo	11. Joe Ansbro
05. Richard Birkett	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Tinus Du Plessis	13. James Fitzpatrick
07. Julien Salvi	14. Leigh Halfpenny
08. Pedrie Wannenburg	15. Mike Brown

16. Zak Tau'lafo 17. Aaron Jarvis 18. Andy Titterell 19. James Cannon 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Charlie Davies 22. Nicky Robinson 23. Jonathan Joseph

Exeter Chiefs

Head Coach – Ozzy3213

01. Perry Freshwater	09. Kevin Barrett
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Ignacio Mieres
03. Craig Mitchell
04. Tommy Hayes	11. Josh Tatupu
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Jason Shoemark
06. Tom Johnson	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Paul Sackey
08. Ofisa Treviranus	15. Luke Arscott

16. Neil Clark 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Hanks 20. Richard Baxter 21. James Lightfoot-Brown 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Tactics

Our gameplan involves doing everything with a high intensity and asserting ourselves on our opponents, both in attack and defence. We will work as units and play a structured game (as the Chiefs and Saracens do in real life). We will put a lot of emphasis on the set piece, and look to use both as a real platform to play from, whilst not allowing our opponents to do the same. We will also look to use our big ball carriers to attack the gainline whilst having support runners on their shoulders to either take the offload or hit the ruck quickly as appropriate.

We will look to turn this game into a real slugfest, keeping the ball generally close to the ruck when carrying and looking to drag opposition forwards in and tying them up in rucks and mauls. Only when it is completely on will we look to go wide.

Specifics

• Attacking
  
  
• Play a territorial game – Use Mieres boot to play in the Wasps half all game.
  
  
• Carry close to the ruck – Get big carriers carrying close to the rucks forcing Wasps to make lots of tackles which will tire them quickly.
  
  
  
• Defensive
  
  
• Blitz Defence - We will look to blitz and stop the Wasps carriers before they hit the gainline. Barrett will sweep in behind the line.
  
  
• Breakdown - We will look to get our back row there quickly and contest for the ball if it's on to be won, but we will not overcommit, instead maintaining a solid defensive line to repel the Wasps ball carriers.
  
  
  
• Key Points
  
  
• Gameplan – Simple gameplan with the right players to be able to effect it perfectly.
  
  
• Home Advantage – Sandy Park is as tough an away venue as there is for teams. It is like and extra 3-5 points for the Chiefs every game.
  
  
• Mental/Physical approach – We cannot make the play offs so are going hell for leather to win this. Wasps are still in the hunt for a play off spot and their minds may be more on next weeks game.
  
  

Saracens
Manager – Beshocked

01.Vunipola 09.Spencer
02.Smit 10.Farrell
03.Stevens
04.Vyvan 11.Short
05.Kruis 12.Powell
06.Melck 13.Tomkins
07.Fraser 14.Tagicakibau
08.Wray 15.Pritchard

16.Brits, 17.Nieto, 18.Gill, 19.Botha, 20.Brown, 21.Parra,22.James,23.Smith


Tactics

Give some of the boys a run about. Great experience for the young guys. License to completely chuck the kitchen sink at London Irish - forget the kick and chase - Saracens will play some proper attacking rugby.

Exciting young forwards like Wray,Fraser,Kruis and Vunipola to make space for others to build momentum.

We will play at a very high pace. This means quick ball,hard hits, keeping the ball alive and in possession. We are willing to take plenty of risks too - audaciously running from our own 22.

Our aim is to knacker the opposition so our fresh and powerful replacements can blow them away.

Give the youngsters a run out. If things are still tight - bring on the big guns to really make an impact in the last 20.

Does that mean Pull has forfeited the semi as deadline for teams to be in has passed?

Ozzy3213 wrote:Does that mean Pull has forfeited the semi as deadline for teams to be in has passed?

Ouch!

Well I'm at work on my phone. So I won't be able to update the phone until the early hours of tomorrow morning. But it's up to Pooly...

This is the 2nd time pullthestrings has not named a team against me.

Maybe I should buy him a beer or something.

Sorry for the delays guys. Predos open

Irish 24 - 15 Sarries
Forwards - Big unit up front here for the home team and Murray will exploit his inexperienced opposite man. In the second row it is the same story, with advantage going to the home team also. Back row is easily going to Irish here.
Backs - Much more even here between the two sides, with a nice in form halfback combo for Sarries. Think centres for Irish are a big weak point, but this is probably also Sarries weakest area, so no one is hugely exposed.

Exeter 16 - 13 Wasps
Forwards - Exeter win the battle of the packs, with second row absentees in the Wasps pack probably costing them here. Mitchell will do a good job on Payne, but Mas will also have some joy on Freshwater, as he won't last 80mins. Really nice balance to both back rows, Steffon's form counts big here, but Salvi is also in great shapes. Parisse coming off the bench is huge.
Backs - Just can't see the away halfbacks clicking as well as Exeter's here. A cracking back three from Wasps, but in the s hitty weather their influence will be limited. A real slug fest here, but enough quality and form from Exeter to trudge out a win.

London Irish 0 Saracens 28

Sgt_Pooly wrote:RULES OF THE GAME
- If you fail to submit a team for a match, then the other team will be automatically awarded a 28-0 bonus point win. If both teams fail to submit a team, then it will be scored as a 0-0 draw.

Guys,

Don't really want to see a cup semi final won on default and precedence has been set this season. We have put teams up for managers who have missed the deadline a few times now (me included!!). So can we all predict on the Irish-Saracens game with the Irish teamsheet that has been put up by Fluxy.

I agree, rules are rules, but common sense should prevail here, as it is only 2 games and as Pull is normally pretty reliable.

This is seriously not fair on me.

I didn't mind Pullthestrings missing the last deadline against me (about two weeks ago) because that week SirJohnnyEnglish was allowed his team too.

People are busy I understand that which is I didn't even say anything even though it punished me.

Allowing Pullthestrings another win against me without him posting a team just isn't right IMO.

Without wishing to pour fuel onto the fire, I have to say I am in agreement with beshocked on this one.

Guys,

Can see your side of it but to decide a cup semi-final on a default win just doesn't sit right. We have taken teams before when managers have been late/not around so its only fair too on this occassion. I agree though we should look to stick to the teamsheet deadlines more rigidly going forward though I've been guilty of being late myself and its not fair on others.

Deleted, i'm standing by my first point

I do think that walkover wins in general are not beneficial to either side - they skew the league table and are not a fair reflection of the game.

Two weeks ago I was on holiday and let Pooly know.

This weekend I got told my uncle is on his way out and travelled 470 miles meeting various family members. If I had the choice again I would do EXACTLY the same - posting a teamsheet on here is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

We're all adults and I would expect us to adopt common sense rather than the fact 'it says so in the rules'. Appreciate your frustration Beshocked, but I always do my teamsheets on Saturday before rugby and I planned to do the same this week.

What's the overall ruling on here then? I'll wait for Pooly's decision before predicting on these.

If we are being pedantic - Beshocked your tactics and team sheets haven't been in the correct format. Therefore this game would be a draw. Obviously Pooly the league admins has the final say. But thats how I see it.

Thank you Ozzy though I can see both sides of the argument.

Pullthestrings I can understand your point of view but I would say that if you know you are busy then you should post your team sooner. Sounds harsh I know.

Btw yes I can understand circumstances outside your control but this is the 2nd time in a row against me.

I agree that posting a team sheet on here is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

On the other hand there is no point having this particular ruling if it's not enforced.

One potential problem that also crops up when two sides pick a team is that you can't see what the opposition line up - certainly if a team isn't posted.

E.g. knowing who is your opposition helps with tactics.

Also if I knew this particular ruling wasn't going to be enforced I would have picked a different side. ie.stronger

Fluxy if you had a problem with my tactics and team sheets why not say something?

If someone is doing something wrong you tell them.

Btw as I said before if this wasn't the 2nd time in a row I wouldn't care.

I have said something before. I haven't avoided the issue.

It's either a problem or it isn't. If it's a problem you should say: "Beshocked you have done the tactics and team sheets wrong yet again, Here is the correct format,could you do it please or I will have to penalise you?"

Instead there has been nothing so yes you have avoided the issue.

Which is it? A problem or not?

Just my thoughts on some of your points..

beshocked wrote:Thank you Ozzy though I can see both sides of the argument.

Pullthestrings I can understand your point of view but I would say that if you know you are busy then you should post your team sooner. Sounds harsh I know.
I DIDN'T know I would be busy.. I usually have Saturday mornings to post teamsheets.

Btw yes I can understand circumstances outside your control but this is the 2nd time in a row against me.
Pure coincidence. I was on holiday last time.

I agree that posting a team sheet on here is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

On the other hand there is no point having this particular ruling if it's not enforced.
There is a point - to encourage people to submit teamsheets on time. Like a speed camera that is switched off.

One potential problem that also crops up when two sides pick a team is that you can't see what the opposition line up - certainly if a team isn't posted.

E.g. knowing who is your opposition helps with tactics.

Also if I knew this particular ruling wasn't going to be enforced I would have picked a different side. ie.stronger

This will be the last I'll say on the matter. It's bad enough having the weekend I've had without having to justify it.

Lads, I think we need to chill out here. It's only a game and pull is one of the most reliable on here and the other games I've played with him. Yep a rule has been broken, but we need some common sense to prevail. Beschocked, i understand that you're annoyed, but there is a perfectly good explanation

We'll see what Sgt Pooly says.

Guys,
Can we put a close to this please? Pooly is away and has asked me to cover for the week so decision stands with me.
The Irish teamsheet stands and predictions can be made on it. Predictions already made stand as they are though.

I know not getting a teamsheet in can be annoying but there are more important things in life. Its only a game guys so take it with a light heart.

The issue of late timesheets can be addressed again when Pooly is back from Bahrain. There are rules in place but they havent been held to earlier in the season and I'm only following precedence. I'm all for Fluxys proposition on the main page or any other suggestions people may have going forward.

I forfeit then. I can't be bothered with this. I quit you'll have to find someone else.

I am not wasting my time on a fake fantasy game where rules mean nothing.

I have only predicted about 4 times but two times now I have been done in by double standards and hypocrisy.

What's the point of playing a fake fantasy game when everything is stacked against me?

I haven't even mentioned Sgt Pooly's injury manipulation. Of course the injury generation thing is rubbish. Essentially it's all about ruling out the most valuable players.

I have better things to do with my life.

Fella - a bloke hasn't put in a teamsheet because of a family illness, that's all. No need to overreact.

Bathite obviously you do not see my point of view and evidently nothing will make you. I aready said I see the pullstring's point of view.

I just don't like sirjohnnyenglish's attitude.

There is no compromise solution.

Look if I just forfeit then you get you want. Everyone's a winner.

Mate when did we want you to resign?!

We want you to stay.

Im only following on from what has been done previously this season Beshocked. If you have issues with how rules have been applied you should take them up when Pooly returns.

Again:

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:I know not getting a teamsheet in can be annoying but there are more important things in life. Its only a game guys so take it with a light heart.

As Bathite says no need to overreact. Don't make a rash decision Beshocked. Its only a game to wile away a bit of time and have some fun. You have been a good addition to the league and it would be a shame to lose a manager over something like this.

beshocked wrote:Bathite obviously you do not see my point of view and evidently nothing will make you. I aready said I see the pullstring's point of view.

I just don't like sirjohnnyenglish's attitude.

There is no compromise solution.

Look if I just forfeit then you get you want. Everyone's a winner.

I definitely don't want you to resign, you've been a great addition to this league and I don't want a cup semi to be a walkover. Yep I get your annoyed, but as I said from the start, there are some pretty good extenuating circumstances here, so thought you might be a bit more understanding. Pull hasn't set out to cheat and hasn't gained an unfair advantage on you. You wouldn't have known that potentially there would be a walkover when you named your team either. It's only the cup competition as well mate, if it was a big league fixture and the outcome decided playoffs, i'd get it.

Yep injuries suck hugely, but it's part of the game in real life and helps keep it realistic.

My comment to both arguments is this: It's just a game, it's meant to be fun and not go down to petty arguments. Things get my wick on here but I just don't broadcast it. Whichever way it goes i'm sure everyone wants it to succeed.

Why don't we simply say that the match was abandoned and both submit by 10pm tonight for everyone to predict by 8pm tomorrow?

That seems pretty fair Prop to be honest. If both managers are happy to go with it?

Always the voice of reason

prop_lyd wrote:My comment to both arguments is this: It's just a game, it's meant to be fun and not go down to petty arguments. Things get my wick on here but I just don't broadcast it. Whichever way it goes i'm sure everyone wants it to succeed.

Why don't we simply say that the match was abandoned and both submit by 10pm tonight for everyone to predict by 8pm tomorrow?

Well said Prop

By the way I have absolutely nothing against pullthestrings.

I never said that I thought he is cheating. I just felt that I have been unfairly hampered.

Of course no one can do something about circumstances outside their control.

I suppose one could argue I am simply overreacting. If you feel that way fair enough.

Prop Lyd that compromise is fine if pullthestrings agrees.

Fluxy could you said me the prim and proper version of tactics and team sheet?

Yes I will discuss things with Pooly gets back. I think the injury issue needs re jigging - I feel it's flawed. Also when is a rule, a rule? Got to know the boundaries.

Needing the opportunity to see team sheets before choosing tactics.

Well done lads, seems like a logical conclusion.

Group hug?

Screw a hug I'm having a