Summer Tournament Round Two

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Pool One


Gloucester v London Irish

Gloucester

Manager – Mat

01.Steenkamp	09.Connor Murray
02.Gray	10.Johan Goosen
03. Nicola Mas
04.Tom Palmer	11.JSD
05.Richie Gray	12.Matt SCott
06.Steven Ferris	13. JDJ
07.qera	14.Charlie Sharples
08.Heaslip	15.Johnny May

16.Nick Wood 17 Adriaan Strauss 18.Rupert Harden 19. George Robson 20.TJ Perenara 21. Harinordoqouy 22.Ryan Lamb 23. Iain Balshaw

Tactics

Big Ball Carriers gainline rugby
Lineout targetting
Get the ball wide serious gas out wide
game changing bench
Blitz defence
Back3 to take quick throw ins and counter attack any loose kick


London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Matt Garvey	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Johann Muller	12. Luke McAllister
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Sireli Naqalevuki
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Matt Stevens 17. James Buckland 18. WP Nel 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Hendrie Fourie 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Max Evans

London Irish have made 4 changes from last weeks win over Harlequins. Johann Muller, Jerome Kaino, Sireli Naqalevuki and Marland Yarde come in to the side for Nick Kennedy, Dean Mumm, Mathieu Bastereaud and Bjorn Basson. Matt Garvey switches to his favoured position of lock with Kaino coming in at blindside flanker. Max Evans is back to full fitness and takes a spot on the bench.

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Leicester Tigers v Harlequins

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Michael Claasens
02. Stephen Moore	10. Kurtley Beale
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Rene Ranger
05. James Horwilll (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Casey Laulala
07. Francois Louw	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Rob Miller

16. Gethin Jenkins 17. Tom Youngs 18. Brian Mujati 19. Simon Shaw 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Brock James 23. Ugo Monye

Tactics

- We will play an attacking game built around getting our backline into space by using our huge carriers and the strength of our set piece.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down the Quins defence. The likes of Waldrom, O'Brien, Louw, Sheridan, Horwill and Laulala used off the shoulder crashing through the defence.

- Powerful scrum that will look to hold ground and set up a clean platform for Claasens. Big shove on Quins' scrums.

- Horwill and Hines as our main jumpers rotating the target. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Beale given license to play what he sees. Twelvetrees can take pressure off if needs be as another first reciever option. Claasens playing to give our backs consistent good ball to work with.

- Look to play attacking rugby with our electric back line, getting the likes of Laulala, Ranger, Nacewa and Miller on the ball as much as we can.

- Twelvetrees to kick all penalties.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Lee Dickson
02. Matthew Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Jerome Thion	12. Felipe Contepomi
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Taku Ngwenya
08. Dave Denton	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieran Brookes 19. James Gaskell 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Jano Vermaak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Anthony Faainga

Tactics

Use our physical pass to contorl the collisons, breakdown and set piece. Get Warburton on top at the breakdown.

Look to tie in defenders around the ruck before releasing electric backs.

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Saracens v Newcastle Falcons

Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Ian Humphreys
03. Adam Jones
04. George Skivington	11. Bryan Habana
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Tom Johnson	13. Nevin Spence
07. Ross Rennie	14. Digby Ioane
08. Joe van Niekerk (c)	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Luke Wallace 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Owen Farrell 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

• Ball carriers looking to hit gaps rather than take contact.
  
• Attack the breakdown with numbers if turnover looks on.
  
• Fast paced offloading game.
  
• 8 man shove on opposition scrums to give no ground, look to really attack on our ball with Jones locking the scrum down and Corbisiero targetting the opposition tighthead.
  
• Homer to take all points on offer.
  

Can I ask please for feedback on the following areas (as well as anything that you would like to pick up on yourselves)

- Back row balance
- Half back pairing as this is what I am likely to use during the AI's
- 12/13 combo
- Bench options (could any be starters in the AP for me?


Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rory Best	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Owen Franks
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. James O’Connor
07. John Barclay	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Alex Goode

17. Agustin Creevy 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Paul O’Connell 20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Toby Flood 23. Adam Ashley-Cooper

Tactics

- High tempo, offloading game - Looking to keep ball alive
- Steady scrum & look to attack opposition lineout, Thorn to lock TH side and attack opposition LH when on
- 4 top draw lineout options and POC to take apart oppostion throw
- Cruden to play flat and bring SBW into the line and attack the opposition 10 channel
- JOC to play off SBW's shoulder with hard, straight lines
- Look to rotate JOC/SWB at 2nd reciever and use SBW as decoy occasionally through Nonu, creating space for JOC to attack Spence
- Brussow/Robshaw/McCaw to target breakdown and Youngs to look to attack off turnover ball
- Impact bench to see out game

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Pool Two


Worcester Warriors v London Welsh

01. Nathan Catt	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Ollie Kohn	11. James Short
05. Tom Savage	12. Pat McCabe
06. Scott Higginbotham	13. Matt Hopper
07. Craig Newby (c)	14. Marcel Garvey
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Sean Maitland

16. Gary Botha 17. Beast 18. Budgie 19. Leo Cullen 20. Chris Walker 21. Kerr-Barlow 22. Sam Vesty 23. Mapusua

Tactics
*6N squad
*Big front row looking to get on the front foot with experience ready to come on and continue dominance,
*Lineout dominance with Kohn and Savage leading the way,
*Power and brute strength at the breakdown and Gorgodze and Newby to continue to make inroads off the backs,
*Use Walker on 60mins for experience,
*Quick ball to McCabe to release all support runners and when on Maps to use his crash ball offloading,
*Maitland to hit the line and him and Steyn to use bombs to put opposition under pressure,
*McCabe to lead the defensive line which will be up and 'in your face,'
*Try a new style of running rugby using brute force up front,
*Steyn to take points if on and available.

Can I have feedback on the 6n squad as a whole, balance in back-row and centres, using Maitland as a full-back, impact of bench.
Cheers.


London Welsh

Manager – Driver

01.Efion Lewis-Roberts	09.Lloyd Williams
02.Chris Whitehead	10.Butch James
03.Ben Tameifuna
04.Dean Schofield	11.Tim Visser
05.Ali Williams	12.James Downey
06.Phil Dowsen	13.Darren Cave
07.Shane Jennings	14.Matt Smith
08.Luke Narraway	15.Ben Smith

16.Ben Kayser 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Ben Alexander 19.James Hudson 20.Will Welch 21.Rob Coote 22.Paddy Jackson 23.Chris Bell

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London Wasps v Northampton Saints

London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson	09. Nick Phipps
02. Sean Cronin	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Simon Zebo
05. Marco Wentzel (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dave Dennis	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Luke Burgess 22. Steven Myler 23. Matt Banahan

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Motu Matu'u	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Sekepe Kepu
04. Patricio Albacete	11. Julian Savea
05. Alun Wyn Jones	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Joe Launchbury	13. Jean de Villiers (c)
07. Sam Cane	14. Siti Siviatu
08. Liam Messam	15. Ben Foden

16. Rob Webber 17. Sona Taumalolo 18. Logovi'i Mulipola 19. Courtney Lawes 20. James Craig 21. Mike Phillips 22. Matt Giteau 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics
* Play at a high intensity, go through the phases and use power throughout the team to get over the gainline and attack off front foot ball.
* Really aggressive defence, force Wasps into mistakes and place them under pressure. Got some big hitters throughout the team, espc Matu Tatu'u
* Two big wings to bring into the game, run off midfield
* Hernandez to boss tactical kicking game and get us good field position.
* Solid scrum and lineout boosted by starting Wyn Jones and Launchbury.
* Look to score tries and attack Wasps.
* Got a bench full of impact players, make a big difference in final stages.

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Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johhny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Nick Abendanon
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Matt Todd	14. David Strettle
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Jean-Marcellin Buttin

16. Jerome Schuster 17. Guilleme Guirado 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Brodie Retalick 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Keith Earls



Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Kevin Mealamu	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Luke Romano	11. Aurelien Rougerie
05. Rob Simmons	12. Anthony Allen
06. Brad Shields	13Isiah Toeava
07. David Seymour	14. George North
08. James Haskell	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Cian Healy 17. Chris Brooker 18. Euan Murray 19. Sam Whitelock 20. David Pocock 21. Aaron Smith 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Cory Jane

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London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson	09. Nick Phipps
02. Sean Cronin	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Simon Zebo
05. Marco Wentzel (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dave Dennis	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Luke Burgess 22. Steven Myler 23. Matt Banahan

Tactics

TBC

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Lee Dickson
02. Matthew Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Jerome Thion	12. Felipe Contepomi
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Taku Ngwenya
08. Dave Denton	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieran Brookes 19. James Gaskell 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Jano Vermaak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Anthony Faainga

Tactics

Use our physical pass to contorl the collisons, breakdown and set piece. Get Warburton on top at the breakdown.

Look to tie in defenders around the ruck before releasing electric backs.

Cheers for sorting this luke, it's much appreciated.

Day off tomorrow , finish at 7am so will get team in then and tactics later on in the afternoon.

London Welsh

Manager – Driver

01.Efion Lewis-Roberts	09.Lloyd Williams
02.Chris Whitehead	10.Butch James
03.Ben Tameifuna
04.Dean Schofield	11.Tim Visser
05.Ali Williams	12.James Downey
06.Phil Dowsen	13.Darren Cave
07.Shane Jennings	14.Matt Smith
08.Luke Narraway	15.Ben Smith

16.Ben Kayser 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Ben Alexander 19.James Hudson 20.Will Welch 21.Rob Coote 22.Paddy Jackson 23.Chris Bell

[b]Gloucester

Manager – Mat

01.Steenkamp	09.Connor Murray
02.Gray	10.Johan Goosen
03. Nicola Mas
04.Tom Palmer	11.JSD
05.Richie Gray	12.Matt SCott
06.Steven Ferris	13. JDJ
07.qera	14.Charlie Sharples
08.Heaslip	15.Johnny May

16.Nick Wood 17 Adriaan Strauss 18.Rupert Harden 19. George Robson 20.TJ Perenara 21. Harinordoqouy 22.Ryan Lamb 23. Iain Balshaw[/quote]

Tactics

Big Ball Carriers gainline rugby
Lineout targetting
Get the ball wide serious gas out wide
game changing bench
Blitz defence
Back3 to take quick throw ins and counter attack any loose kick

Leciester Tigers have named their side to play Harlequins in Australia.

Tigers have made 8 changes to the side that beat Sarries 28 - 23 last week in New Zealand.

Summer signings Francois Louw and Kurtley Beale are set to make their first starts, whilst James Scaysbrook and Ugo Monye will wear the shirt for the first time from the bench.

In other changes, Andrew Sheridan, Stephen Moore and Nathan Hines come into the pack, whilst Michael Claasens, Casey Laulala and Rob Miller get their pre-season underway too in Tigers' back division.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Michael Claasens
02. Stephen Moore	10. Kurtley Beale
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Rene Ranger
05. James Horwilll (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Casey Laulala
07. Francois Louw	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Rob Miller

16. Gethin Jenkins 17. Tom Youngs 18. Brian Mujati 19. Simon Shaw 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Brock James 23. Ugo Monye

Tactics

- We will play an attacking game built around getting our backline into space by using our huge carriers and the strength of our set piece.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down the Quins defence. The likes of Waldrom, O'Brien, Louw, Sheridan, Horwill and Laulala used off the shoulder crashing through the defence.

- Powerful scrum that will look to hold ground and set up a clean platform for Claasens. Big shove on Quins' scrums.

- Horwill and Hines as our main jumpers rotating the target. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Beale given license to play what he sees. Twelvetrees can take pressure off if needs be as another first reciever option. Claasens playing to give our backs consistent good ball to work with.

- Look to play attacking rugby with our electric back line, getting the likes of Laulala, Ranger, Nacewa and Miller on the ball as much as we can.

- Twelvetrees to kick all penalties.

On nights too, get team in before thurs

Northampton Saints team to play London Wasps

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Motu Matu'u	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Sekepe Kepu
04. Patricio Albacete	11. Julian Savea
05. Alun Wyn Jones	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Joe Launchbury	13. Jean de Villiers (c)
07. Sam Cane	14. Siti Siviatu
08. Liam Messam	15. Ben Foden

16. Rob Webber 17. Sona Taumalolo 18. Logovi'i Mulipola 19. Courtney Lawes 20. James Craig 21. Mike Phillips 22. Matt Giteau 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics
* Play at a high intensity, go through the phases and use power throughout the team to get over the gainline and attack off front foot ball.
* Really aggressive defence, force Wasps into mistakes and place them under pressure. Got some big hitters throughout the team, espc Matu Tatu'u
* Two big wings to bring into the game, run off midfield
* Hernandez to boss tactical kicking game and get us good field position.
* Solid scrum and lineout boosted by starting Wyn Jones and Launchbury.
* Look to score tries and attack Wasps.
* Got a bench full of impact players, make a big difference in final stages.

Mark:
Driver........is that a RC, AI, 6N or just normal full strength squad?

RC beside Smith at 15

Right ok cool, I may do a 6n squad if that's ok? Did RC for my last match!!

Pooly, what sort of side you going with bud?

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Matt Garvey	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Johann Muller	12. Luke McAllister
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Sireli Naqalevuki
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Matt Stevens 17. James Buckland 18. WP Nel 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Hendrie Fourie 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Max Evans

London Irish have made 4 changes from last weeks win over Harlequins. Johann Muller, Jerome Kaino, Sireli Naqalevuki and Marland Yarde come in to the side for Nick Kennedy, Dean Mumm, Mathieu Bastereaud and Bjorn Basson. Matt Garvey switches to his favoured position of lock with Kaino coming in at blindside flanker. Max Evans is back to full fitness and takes a spot on the bench.

Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Ian Humphreys
03. Adam Jones
04. George Skivington	11. Bryan Habana
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Tom Johnson	13. Nevin Spence
07. Ross Rennie	14. Digby Ioane
08. Joe van Niekerk (c)	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Luke Wallace 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Owen Farrell 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

• Ball carriers looking to hit gaps rather than take contact.
  
• Attack the breakdown with numbers if turnover looks on.
  
• Fast paced offloading game.
  
• 8 man shove on opposition scrums to give no ground, look to really attack on our ball with Jones locking the scrum down and Corbisiero targetting the opposition tighthead.
  
• Homer to take all points on offer.
  

Can I ask please for feedback on the following areas (as well as anything that you would like to pick up on yourselves)

- Back row balance
- Half back pairing as this is what I am likely to use during the AI's
- 12/13 combo
- Bench options (could any be starters in the AP for me?)

Thanks

01. Nathan Catt	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Ollie Kohn	11. James Short
05. Tom Savage	12. Pat McCabe
06. Scott Higginbotham	13. Matt Hopper
07. Craig Newby (c)	14. Marcel Garvey
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Sean Maitland

16. Gary Botha 17. Beast 18. Budgie 19. Leo Cullen 20. Chris Walker 21. Kerr-Barlow 22. Sam Vesty 23. Mapusua

Tactics
*6N squad
*Big front row looking to get on the front foot with experience ready to come on and continue dominance,
*Lineout dominance with Kohn and Savage leading the way,
*Power and brute strength at the breakdown and Gorgodze and Newby to continue to make inroads off the backs,
*Use Walker on 60mins for experience,
*Quick ball to McCabe to release all support runners and when on Maps to use his crash ball offloading,
*Maitland to hit the line and him and Steyn to use bombs to put opposition under pressure,
*McCabe to lead the defensive line which will be up and 'in your face,'
*Try a new style of running rugby using brute force up front,
*Steyn to take points if on and available.

Can I have feedback on the 6n squad as a whole, balance in back-row and centres, using Maitland as a full-back, impact of bench.
Cheers.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rory Best	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Owen Franks
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. James O’Connor
07. John Barclay	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Alex Goode

17. Agustin Creevy 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Paul O’Connell 20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Toby Flood 23. Adam Ashley-Cooper

Tactics

- High tempo, offloading game - Looking to keep ball alive
- Steady scrum & look to attack opposition lineout, Thorn to lock TH side and attack opposition LH when on
- 4 top draw lineout options and POC to take apart oppostion throw
- Cruden to play flat and bring SBW into the line and attack the opposition 10 channel
- JOC to play off SBW's shoulder with hard, straight lines
- Look to rotate JOC/SWB at 2nd reciever and use SBW as decoy occasionally through Nonu, creating space for JOC to attack Spence
- Brussow/Robshaw/McCaw to target breakdown and Youngs to look to attack off turnover ball
- Impact bench to see out game

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Kevin Mealamu	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Luke Romano	11. Aurelien Rougerie
05. Rob Simmons	12. Anthony Allen
06. Brad Shields	13Isiah Toeava
07. David Seymour	14. George North
08. James Haskell	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Cian Healy 17. Chris Brooker 18. Euan Murray 19. Sam Whitelock 20. David Pocock 21. Aaron Smith 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Cory Jane

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johhny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Nick Abendanon
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Matt Todd	14. David Strettle
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Jean-Marcellin Buttin

16. Jerome Schuster 17. Guilleme Guirado 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Brodie Retalick 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Keith Earls

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When we opening?

Apologies, am moving flat this weekend. Absolute nightmare. Page updated.

Didn't you just move a few months back??

Nope....went to Thailand...?

Moving house/sleep with lady boys.....easy to get mixed up lol

May struggle to predict in time.....might have to be sun/mon eve now

Gloucester 22-26 London Irish

Front 5 - Two v good units. Tiny edge in the scrum with props pretty equal but Lindsay adding a little more than Gray. Gloucester engine room has more quality and a good blend of power/carrying/lineout, Irish a good unit also but not quite at Gloucster level.

Backrow- Again 2 very good units. More on the flanks for Irish with both players slightly stronger than their opposite numbers and the Irish trio offering much more on the deck. Heaslip bringing more than Talei though.

Halfbacks- Dupey just shading Murray at 9 but Evans on different level to Goosen. Decent pairing for Gloucester, strong pairing for Irish.

Centres- Again the Irish combo is stronger with McAlister a step up on Scott. JDJ/Naqa is closer with JDJ possibly shading. Both nice combo's but Irish pairing stronger.

Back 3- Tagi the class act on show. Yarde not quite up to this level yet. Gloucester decent combo but lacking quality against the big guns, May an issue at FB if targeted. Irish strong except Yarde who's not quite ready.

Overall - Good game with irish having a little more in backrow, half backs and centre. Good sides from both though.

Leicester Tigers 26-24 Harlequins

Front 5- V good front rows from both sides. Think Tigers just edge here, not a massive scrummaging from Quins although pretty strong and a good balance. Great engine room from Tigers, Bakkies strong for Quins but partnered with Thion can see them struggling come lineout time with no standout jumper in backrow either.

Backrow- 2 excellent backrows, Quins lacking a little form but on paper both are fantastic.

Halfbacks- Little stronger here for Quins with a settled strong pairing. Tigers unit is good, Beale agood option at FH but need to see more of him there.

Centres- Tigers stronger in both positions with a solid unit. Prefer Contepomi at 10 and not much phtsical threat from the Quins pairing which I'd see struggling.

Back 3- Kearney the standout player on show. Little more on the wings for Tigers in term of attacking threat, Quins pairing soild.

Overall - Tigers have a bit more quality on show in this one, tight game.

Worcester Warriors 19-19 London Welsh

Front 5- Two good front rows with Welsh having a little edge with a strong scrummaging unit. Good grunt for Worcester engine room but could struggle in lineout against a strong Welsh pairing.

Backrow- Massive carrying unit from Worcester that will give them real go forward, good unit from Welsh and good balance but Worcester have a bit too much here.

Halfbacks- Not much in the 9's with 2 strong sh's, See Steyn getting territory but Worcester lineout hindering slightly whilst Butch will get Welsh moving but not a steady kicker.

Centres- Good centre combo's and balance from both teams here.

Back 3- Two good units again, little more attacking threat from Visser & Smith although Maitland in good form for Prop.

Overall - Not much in this one. Worcester need lineout tweak but backrow go forward will key. Welsh soild throughout but need strong goal kicker to see of these games.

London Wasps 21-20 Nothampton Saints

Front 5- Good front row battle siding to Wasps. Domingo needs a little more game time but will be fine. Matu'u not a great hooker at this level but Kepu strong. Robinson/Cronin strong for Wasps. A bit more around the park for the Saints engine room but Wentzal will get a lot of jot at the lineout.

Backrow- Launchbury a little off quality on show but strong 7/8 for Saints although Messem much stronger at BS, good balance though. Solid unit from Wasps with good balance.

Halfbacks- Phipps the better 9 but not much in the 10's on current form. JMH was just getting into some touch at the end of the season and could be fantastic for Saints.

Centres- Good balance from Wasps and a strong combo. Saints a little similar with 2 straight runners and miss a bit of spark. Gits at 12 with JDV/Manu outside would be tasty.

Back 3- Not much in the 15's but a step up in quality on the wings for Saints. I like both back 3's. Not a winter combo for either though.

Overall - Wasps just to edge in a tight affair. Saints to bring back big guns look in 2nd gear here.

Sale 27-26 Bath

Sorry lads, ran out of time

Gloucester 27-28 Irish
Tough game to call this, think both packs are very good but Mat's has the edge just about and although I'm not the biggest Lindsay fan I dont think in this game he gets marked down as he's isnt up against an international at all. With slightly more ball I can see Gloucester getting a lot of chances, but prefer the Irish backline that has a bit more power and with Evans at 10 I think it just sways the game. Benches very even.

Leicester 29 - 26 Quins
For me a really even battle in the forwards, but Tigers will get a definite edge when their new front row comes on and that's going to be a big factor in the game. Don't see the Tigers backline flowing with centre combination, but for Quins I am not sure where they will get over the gainline with their backs, apart from Rob Kearney, but I do like the combo of Cooper and Contepomi, which works. Bench sways it for me.

Worcestor 25 - 25 London Welsh
Good match up this, great pack that Driver has put together, but Worcester have a few more players who can get over the gainline there, so evens itself out. Good thing for Worcester in these close games is Steyn's kicking, always get a lot of points. But would like to see a few more powerful runners in the backline to support this tactic as cant see him releasing the backline. Great backline from Welsh and they can get more tries in this game.

Saracens 23 - 25 Newcastle
Close game again - not sure of the balance of the Falcons midfield, not a fan of JOC at 13. Do really like the combinations that Pete puts out, great front row, really good backrow that can cause issues and disrupt. Again game swings with Falcons stronger bench, which has more impact. For me that will be a big factor next year where teams are so much more even.

With conditions I am assuming that it is dry, summery weather - again predos would change a lot in different conditions.

Gloucester 24 - 26 London Irish

Overall it is even in the pack with a marginal advantage to Irish in the backline. The physicality of naquelavuki will punch holes for Irish and get them onto the front foot. Better game management in Irish half backs.

Gloucester positives = Physicality upfront, good carrying back 5 of scrum. Very strong 2nd string half backs, Pace throughout backline. EQ players are strong and have good availibility.

Gloucester negatives = The likes of Goosen, Scott and May (at full back) could be weaknesses in full strength games. Joe Gray for me a little lightweight

London Irish positives = Pack is well balanced and has plenty of carriers. Good controlling half backs, Midfield hugely physical and backline is quick.

London Irish negatives = Lindsay still will attract criticism. Yarde still a weakness at full strength level. Dupuy similar.

Saracens 25 - 28 Newcastle

Pack just goes to Newcastle. Front row battle is titanic. Pete your back row has a nice balance but I am no huge fan of JVN so feel he could be improved. Backs to Newcastle as well except for the back 3. As for bpth benches I could see Farrell, Kitschoff, Borthwick and Tolofua starting and not see them as huge weaknesses. Creevy the only doubt for Newcastle as to starting in full strength side.

Saracens Positives - Front row, perhaps the strongest in the league. Wingers electric and a very nice flanker combination.

Saracens Negatives - I am not a huge fan of the half back combo. During AI's it should do okay. Nonu and Spence could work but I can't promise it wouldn't be a weakness against some other combo's. I would like to see Kitchener doing a bit more of the dirty work in the second row.

Newcastle Positives - Front row is strong. Tonga'uhia waned a little last season so will need a good start to the season to continue his high rating for a non international.

Newcastle Negatives - JOC not a 13 for me. Would need to see him play there for a while to think otherwise. Back row might lack a bit of carrying. Back three could be vunerable to a top notch kicking game, particularly wingers.

Worcester Warriors 21- 20 London Welsh

Worcester's front row is the main standout in the pack and will do them well. Back row also very strong for Worcester. Locks to Welsh. Half backs to Worcester and McCabe also a great foil at 12. Rest of the backs to Welsh.

Worcester positives - A strong side for 6N with a couple of weaknesses. Back row brilliant, 9 10, 12 also excellent. Front 5 except Savage very strong and has good experience in it. Bench is good for impact in general.

Worcester negatives - Savage unknown to an extent, Maitland a bit inconsistant for 15 for me although excellent on counter attack. Back 3 as a whole vunerable to strong kicking game. Centres lack a bit of power to cross the gainline.

London Welsh Positives - Nice lock combo. Back row has a nice balance but could use a strong carrier in there. Big fan of the outside backs.

London Welsh Negatives - Not a Butch fan. Inconsistency his issue. Front row can be got at, Prefer Eiffion at 3 myself but can do a job both side.

London Wasps 23 - 23 Northampton Saints

Really tough game to call. Packs are well matched but backs are slightly stronger for Saints. Back rows both weaknesses compared to others.

London Wasps Positives - Front row a very strong unit and front 5 in general very strong. back row also good so pack is decent.

London Wasps Negatives - I really think Bowden is better at 12 but thats solved for you now. Blair your strongest 9 in my book but Phipps not bad.

Northampton Positives - Backs are really strong with creativity and physicality in abundance and an electric back 3.

Northampton Negatives - Not overly convinced by back row balance. Maatu great in loose but unsure about his setpiece work. Will need to see more of him.

Sale Sharks 27 - 25 Bath Rugby

Sale pack the stronger but prefer the Bath outside backs. Sale halfbacks also stronger and pushes them out in front here. Front rows could both be stronger I think. Both sides have players who get them over the gainline.

Sale Positives - The back row is very physical and doesn't really have a weakness. Half backs excellent and centres have a nice balance to them.

Sale Negatives - Not sure on Abendanon as a wing. Not a deal breaker, but could see him as a weakness there.

Bath Positives - tried and tested EQ halfbacks. The Bath backline in general. Also fan of the lock combination.

Bath Negatives - Back row weak in comparison to Sale's. Always have Rougerie at 13 ahead of Toeava.

Will get my predos in at around half six

Will extend predos until tomorrow to get as many in as possible. Mine will take a while with an arm in a sling!!!

What have you managed to do Pete?

Leicester 28-27 quins

Think quins edge pack as prefer their backrow balance. Leicester backs better and agree that quins may struggle to get over the gain line in the backs

Quins positives - pack excellent. Blend of breakdown and carrying just right.
Negatives- contepomi has had his day and at full strength jj still needs a bit of time and is a tad lightweight despite me believing he is the future at 13

Leicester positives- great combos in pack and some serious carrying
Negatives- at top level Beale is no 10. Decent s15 10 but lacks control and would struggle when we all have our best teams out

Saracens 28-28 Newcastle

Great game

Saracens win front row battle with tiny having issues with jones
Newcastle engine room.

Great contrasting backs matchup also.

Sarries positives - front row and high scoring back 3. Great bench players also
Negatives - jvn decent but at top top level these days. Also ihumph could really struggle as would spence

Newcastle positives - great back 5 it would really work, cruden sbw axis is very much in form attacking wise

Negatives- Joc being shifted around and not a 13, back 3 may get exposed by sarries back 3

Steven_Sharks wrote:What have you managed to do Pete?

Done something to my rotator cuff, got to go back to see the doc on Tuesday to assess the extent of the damage. To be fair it hurts less today than yesterday and I have a bit more movement so hopefully it's going to be not too serious.

Laptop broken yesterday (cooling fan if anyone knows what that is!!) Stuck on phone

tigers v quins - very close forward battle, slight edge in scrum to tigers and same with lock pairing. backrows quite even. think the halfbacks are close, cooper over beale though but more gametime at 10 will help beale. contepomi at 12 helps beale and jj will run good lines off them. back 3 close, kearney the on form stand out.
22-25

saracens 21-26 falcons - good sarries pack and close battle with falcons, but falcons backs a class above. not sure on joc at 13. 10/12 axis is superb. sarries backline lacks some subtlety.

wasps 18-22 saints - saints have little extra class in the pack and better game management with jmh over bowden. also bowden kicking is poor so missed pens will cost wasps.

sale 27-24 bath - close game. slight edge to sale backrow and forwards in general. good bath bench though. sale hb's impressive, backs close steyn and freuan is a strong combo.

worc v welsh - slight edge to welsh front 5 but worc have the better backrow. better hbs for worc gives them an edge, and good subs bench.
18-15

Gloucester 20 - 18 London Irish
Prefer the Gloucester pack, plenty of carriers who will get them over the gainline, some good combos for Irish though. Backlines very close prefer Evans to Goosen, but think Gloucester have that extra spark and pace to score some tries.

Leicester Tigers 23 - 25 Harlequins
Serious pack for Lukes side, so physical and dynamic. Steve has a good pack too but I prefer the Tigers one. Backlines very good, don't like Beale at 10, prefer the Quins backline plenty of variation and pace. Cooper to provide plenty of spark.

Saracens 21 - 24 Newcastle Falcons
Close pack battle, prefer Poolys front five, but like the balance of the Sarries back row could maybe just do with a big ball carrier in there. Both backlines good, but Pooly has that extra quality to win here, unsure about JOC at outside centre but other than that very impressive.

Worcester Warriors 20 - 18 London Welsh
Edge goes to London Welsh in the front five, good combos back row battle close with Worcester just edging it big fan of Higginbotham. Plenty of power for London Welsh but think the Warriors have more variation and spark especially with the half back combo they have to come out victors.

Sale Sharks 24 - 22 Bath Rugby
Closest game out of all the fixtures, forward battle very close again with some good match ups. Good backlines think the Sale half back combo is immense and can see Sexton being instrumental in pulling the Sharks to victory here.

Glaws 20 Irish 20
Tigers 26 Quins 29
Sarries 23 Falcons 26
Wasps 20 Saints 24
Sale 18 Bath 15

Predos will close midday tomorrow when I will be able to do results.

Wasps 19-21 Saints

2 good sides. Think chris has more big game players and half backs.

Arry for me cannot have bowden as front line kicker. for me he has had half a good season and i remain to be convinced. i think he is a 12.

Agree that chris's 2nd row pairing is really lacking a line out leader

worcester 20-19

Front 5 to welsh. good lock pairing for driver, back row to worcester.
For me worcester half backs and more variety sees them win it.


SAle 21-20 BAth

Best game of the round.sale stronger back row although for me Todd a big weakness at top level.

think sale will control the game and have the better halfbacks but see their backline as being a bit impotent.

Can see bath being on the back foot up front but will strike a few times to make this a nailbiter. Bath outside backs so much better than sales as a unit. Cannot see steyn and Freuan working to be honest. Agree with steve rougerie should be 13.

Sale FB adds some spark to the backline but it needs more variety. Abendanon does not work on the wing.

great game of contrasting style. sale backrow sneaks the win for me