Week 18 - The Aviva Cup Semi Finals

First topic message reminder :

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

Think it's more of a whisky moment........

Happy with those terms, cheers all for understanding.

London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Clarke Dermody	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. Declan Danahar	13. Delon Armitage
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. James Buckland, 17. Paulica Ion, 18. Gethin Jenkins, 19. Steve Mafi, 20. Jamie Gibson, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Shane Geraghty, 23. Marland Yarde

Tactics
We have targeted this competition from the start and today we are confident in our ability to get the win. In the showery 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. We have big players like Jenkins, Mafi, Gibson on the bench to hammer home our forward 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 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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I have resubmitted my team again with a few minor adjustments.

Saracens
Manager – Beshocked

01.Vunipola 09.Spencer
02.Allen 10.Farrell
03.Du Plessis
04.Jubb 11.Watson
05.Kruis 12.Powell
06.Melck 13.Tomkins
07.Fraser 14.Taylor
08.Wray 15.Ransom

16.Smit, 17.Stevens, 18.Gill, 19.Vyvan, 20.Saull, 21.Baldwin,22.Pritchard,23.Stanley

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.


Giving the youngsters a go is the most important thing.

I guess that's predictions open

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Exeter Chiefs 24 - 19 London Wasps

Big up front battle with the Chiefs just edging it. Mas keeps the Wasps scrum steady but the Chiefs have the lineout locked down. Big runners from the Chiefs pack will do well smashing it up around the breakdown. The Wasps backline is perhaps a little more creative but they don't see as much of the ball. Silly pens at the breakdown let Wasps down and allow Exeter to get in the driving seat. Halfpenny makes the score close but Exeter just had a bit more about them and had the bottle to see out the win.

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.

Irish 24 - 19 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.

Guys,

Just as a heads up on results I teach karate tuesday nights so its more then likely I won't get results up till tomorrow. The deadline for predictions still closes at 8 though if you want your bonus

Mate, if I'm online and not busy at 8 I can knock the results up for you if you want me to.

Yes please if your around Pete. Would be greatly appreciated

Looks like I've missed a fair bit....

Thanks SJE for stepping in mate.

Beshocked, very much don't want you to quit. You're an excellent addition and want you to be involved going forward as you seem a top bloke and having a Sarries fan is always good to take the mick out of

I've been very very lax on some of the rulings as the league is still new and it's still a bedding in period with some managers getting to grips with things.

Beshocked, you have been harshly done by agreed. But....I would have put a team in for you or allowed late entry if there was an issue.

With a proper season starting next rules in place are set and if you do not get a team in you will lose 30-0.

Going forward also.....next season will be:

Teams in by Friday 2359
Team + tactics in by Sat 2000

If you miss a deadline you will lose the game. If you think you may have an issue you can always post your team via PM to another member of the league.

We've covered for a few managers this season but this won't happen as the league starts up for 2012/13 season.

Happy?

Irish 32-25 Sarries

Strong Irish pack again that will control the game and put Sarries on back foot. I like Sarries getting the kids out and I reckon they'll put up a good fight of it with Irish backline disjointed. Good game but Irish have too much.

Exeter 23-21 Wasps

A tight affair with big bruising packs going toe to toe. Physical backlines from both and I imagine some big hits going in. Exeter have that little more guile I think although Jimmy will keep it tight there's only one winner.

Irish 27-21 Saracens - Bit more class in Irish pack, though Sarries is younger and has some good experience as well. This will give halfbacks a good platform to attack off. Dont like Noon at 12 really, and Delon doesnt play 13 much, they still have enough and Homers boot to win it.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Looks like I've missed a fair bit....

Thanks SJE and prop for stepping in mate Have 5 extra points each.

Fixed that for you!! I can say now that i'm away from the 18th August-5th September as i'm off to Florida and Wisconsin.

Will do predos now.

Irish 22-20 Sarries
Forwards: Stevens is the weakness in the front row which gains the edge for Irish, they also seem to have a bit more quality however Fraser and Kruis have been impressive so will help a bit here.
Backs: Prefer the Sarries hb pairing but outside of that it's hard to pick a standout player for either side. I think Homer may gain some advantage with his boot which will just see them over the line. I think this will be closer than others are thinking in messy conditions where neither team can get on the front foot.

Exeter 15-11 Wasps
Forwards: Heavy rain plays into Exeter's hands here. Salvi and Wannenburg will have some joy here but I feel the home experience of Hayes and Johnson will force it their way. Mas will gain some advantage over Freshwater come scrum time however Exeter's engine room won't see them backpedalling.
Backs: Both have good hbs in the wet but I can see the heavy wing pairing for Exeter getting more joy on boggy ground and 1/2p will struggle to get mometum from 2 crash ball centres.

Irish 25 Saracens 18
Exeter 18 Wasps 9

Exeter 19-12 Wasps

Exeter's stronger pack and home advantage should be the difference. Also Ozzy has put some tactics which help his cause. Wasps have a decent backline on paper but it lacks fluidity. The Exeter backline looks less flashy but this works in these kind of conditions. Exeter's pack to put Mieres in the right positions for them to seal the win.

Irish 26-20 Saracens

Irish can get control of the scrum battle with a very good front row and have more at the breakdown, although Sarries arent weak here, and can get themselves better ball in this one. Irish midfield is going to kill a lot of attacks but on limited possession somewhat Sarries haven't anyone with the ability to break the defence.



Exeter 16-15 Wasps

Chiefs have a slight edge in the front 5 overall and can get a good footing at the scrum but the backrow battle is going to be great with plenty of form from both sides and decent balance to both. Halfbacks even with the backlines very tight. Wasps with more in the back 3 but with the conditions and their 10-12-13 combo they wont see much of the ball. Chiefs at home take what will be a very messy game.

Irish 21-25 Sarries
Think Irish probably have an edge in the set piece however in open play don't see much between em. Prefer the Sarries halfbacks but the Irish 11-15. Think fatigue will be an issue with this Irish team and with Sarries impressive bench they can nick it.

Exeter 18-13 Wasps
Prefer the Exeter forwards. Love the second row combo and think the scrum will be close while I think the back row can secure ball for Exeter. Mieres I think stand outs in the half backs. Do prefer Wasps 11-15 but don't think its enough.

Score for Chiefs-Wasps ITFL

Was checking if you actually read them

London Irish 19 - 20 Saracens

I've mentioned this a few times, Irish have a very good setpiece pack. But ballcarrying wise they lack some quality. Up front Sarries can hold the scrum, and with some carriers and fresh legs they get some go forward. Prefer the inform Sarries halfbacks, a good future for the pair of them. In the midfield I can't really seperate either side, but Powell has been playing IRL. Back three's are pretty even, but with the Sarries halfbacks getting clean go forward ball, Farrell will manage to kick them to victory.

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Exeter Chiefs 15 - 13 London Wasps

A great allround pack from the Chiefs will give them time and space out wide to create havoc and cause damage. Wasps have some good quality in their pack too, with Salvi and Wannenburg to mention two. But with some tiring legs out on the paddock can only see Chiefs getting up an upper hand with a good bench. Although Parisse isn't a bad player to bring on! But depsite this game having Jimmy written all over it the Chiefs pack bully Wasps into submission which allows Meires to kick them a solid victory.

Irish 17 Sarries 18

Irish have the better set piece, but Servat struggles when not rested and for me this is a key point, in ensuring Sarreis are not overwhelmed here. Irish lack go forward in the pack and I see sarries getting on top here. This means that Farrell will be able to play territory and I can see Sarries getting a number of penalties that Farrell will kick. Irish have got an exciting back 3 and half back combo but for me there lack of possession and territory will negate their influence on the game. The bench will ensure Sarries get the win.

Exeter 20 Wasps 18

Exeter have slight advantage up front and this will be the deciding factor for me. The Exeter pack will thrive in the conditions. Both sides have been clever in bringing a more solid centre partnership than they would normally play and I can see both sides making . Both sides have been clever in bringing a more solid centre partnership than they would normally play and I can see both sides making yards with their strong carrying centres. Mieres vs Gopperth is pretty even. So the slight advantage in the pack and home advantage wins it for Exeter.

I'll get results knocked up in the next hour or so

Results

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London Irish 30-24 Saracens

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Exeter Chiefs 28-14 London Wasps




Congratulations to Pull and Pete who will both be going to Twickenham in 2 weeks time.

I actually will be at HQ in a couple of weeks.. London sevens!

I bloody love the twickers sevens. Getting sun burnt and hammered in fancy dress, with a touch of rugby..ideal

I missed out on it this year as it's my Sister's 18th on the Friday :'(

I'll take her out, then you can go to the rugby. Happy days.

It's a deal! Never did like my sister much......