Summer Cup Round 3

Team Sheets due by Saturday
Predictions open Sunday. Results due Tuesday

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Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers

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Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Brian Mujati
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Andries Bekker	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Stephen Ferris	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. Jamie Elliot
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Richardt Strauss 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Samu Manoa 20. Roger Wilson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Noah Cato

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismark du Plessis	10. Toby Flood
03. Martin Castrogiovani
04. Richie Gray	11. Christian Wade
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Tom Croft	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Warburton(c)	14. James O’Connor
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Rob Kearney

16. Tom Youngs 17. Dan Cole 18. Marco Ayerza 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Maurie Fa’asalavu 21. Karl Dickson 22. Jordan Turner-Hall 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics

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Gloucester Rugby v Leinster Rugby

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Gloucester
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Nick Wood	09. Dimitri Yachvilli
02. Darren Dawadiuk	10. Pat Lambie (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Sam Whitelock	11. Johnny May
05. Tom Savage	12. Mike Tindall
06. Alisdair Strokosch	13. Jaime Roberts
07. Sam Cane	14. Charlie Sharples
08. JVN ©	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Scott Lawson 17. Rupert Harden 18. Dan Murphy 19. Akapusi Qera 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dan Robson 22. Freddie Burns 23. JSD

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Leinster Rugby
Manager –

01. Cian Healy	09. Issac Boss
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Mike Ross
04. Leo Cullen	11. David Kearney
05. Brad Thorn	12. Fergus McFadden
06. Kevin McLaughlin	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Rob Kearney

16. Heinke Van Der Merwe 17. Sean Cronin 18. Nathin White 19. Devin Toner 20. Shane Jennings 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Ian Madigan 23. Luke Fitzgerald

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London Wasps v Waikato Chiefs

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London Wasps
Manager – Stnick88

01. Tim Payne	09. Danny Care
02. Chris Brooker	10. Morne Steyn
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Matt Garvey	11. Joe Ansbro
05. George Skivington	12. Luke McAllister
06. Thierry Dusatoir	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Julien Salvi	14. Ugo Monye
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

16 Zak Tau'lafo 17 George Chuter 18 Ben Broster 19 Marco Wentzel 20 Jacques Burger 21 Micky Young 22 Jimmy Gopperth 23 Jordan Turner-Hall

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Chiefs
Manager –

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
02. Hika Elliot	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
05. Michael Fitzgerald	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Tanerau Latimer	13. Richard Kahui
07. Sam Cane	14. Lelia Masaga
08. Liam Messam	15. Tim Nanai Williams

16. Toby Smith 17. Mahonri Schwalger 18. Ben Afeki 19. Craig Clarke 20. Kane Thompson 21. Brendon Leonard 22. Jackson Willison 23. Andrew Horrell

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Bath Rugby v London Irish

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Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite

01. C.Healy	09. M.Classens
02. C.Tolufua	10. S.Donald
03. O.Franks
04. J.Muller	11. O.Woodburn
05. D.Attwood	12. F.Steyn (k)
06. C.Fearns	13. C.Laulala
07. F.Louw (c)	14. R.Chisholm
08. S.O'Brien	15. I.Dagg

16. A.Perenise 17. L.Mears 18. N.Catt 19. R.Caldwell 20. M.Lund 21. M.McMillan 22. K.Eastmond 23. M.Banahan

TACTICS TBC

General
We want to make sure that we play rugby in the opposition half and force handling errors, where we can attack the scrum and use the boot of Steyn to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Use the physicality of our pack to our advantage, keeping the ball tight in the middle section of the pitch to retain possession and build a platform to attack from. In our third clear to touch and challenge for the ball at lineout.

Look to interchange 10 and 12 as the situation sees fit. Utilise Hook as a playmaker on the wrap around and Steyn as a physical threat and cannon of a boot.

Hook and Steyn to ensure we play sensible rugby in the right areas, kicking long for touch in our 22, using the up and under in the centre of the pitch and delicate grubbers in behind centres to chase and force kickable penalties.

Steyn leads the rush defence, with Louw/Fearns flying up to cramp Steyn for time and space and ensuring he takes the ball deep behind the gainline and starving their outside backs of ball. Force him to kick the ball away, he is in poor form and low confidence

Forwards
* Franks to target Court in the scrum. Look to draw penalties for Steyn to gain position and points. Look for a yellow card early on, with no front row replacements to concern us
* Picked a very physical pack to make sure that we defend strongly and smash over the gainline. O'Brien to lead pack from base of scrum making hard yards and setting up the ruck for Louw and Fearns to clear out. SOB to mark opposite 8 in defence to prevent charges from base of scrum
* At the lineout, Muller will lead the calls and look to pressurise oppoistion hooker and compete at every throw
* Louw is a breakdown specialist and will look to stay on his feet at the ruck and slow opposition ball down. Fearns and Lund to guard to the fringes of the ruck
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Tolufua, O'Brien, Fearns to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Laulala to exploit

Backs
* Dagg given free rein in attack, looking to come into the line either side of Laulala. Laulala to look for the half gap with power and offload (only if on), with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
* Donald to take the ball flat on the gainline, drawing defenders and buying time and space for Steyn in the 2nd playmaker role. Steyn not afraid to bosh it up if nothing on and set up the ruck.
* Vary the point of attack with 10/12 interchanging, look to keep it unpredictable on the gainline + difficult to defend against. Use the inside pass with forward runners of Franks, Caldwell, SOB to keep the inside shoulder honest and force the 10 to make tackles.
* Get Laulala on the ball early on and encourage a very pacy back three to run off his shoulder. Only offload if it is on, otherwise, crash it up and use SOB, Fearns, Caldwell to clear out and Louw to secure.
* In the second half, bring on Banahan for a huge physical threat. Encourage him to run into the centre channel early on and test a tired defence. Eastmond to come on for last 30 mins in a free role, acting as 2nd receiver, popping up wherever to use his pace, step and get more experience

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London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Quade Cooper
03. Euan Murray
04. Simon Shaw	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Tom Palmer	12. Daniel Bowden
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Alesana Tuilagi
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Delon Armitage

16. James Buckland, 17. Max Lahiff, 18. Clarke Dermody, 19. Nick Kennedy, 20. Darren Allinson, 21. Brock James, 22. Shontayne Hape, 23. Tom Homer

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Ulster Rugby v Exeter Chiefs

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Ulster Rugby
Manager –

01. Tom Court	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rory Best	10. Paddy Jackson
03. John Afoa
04. Johann Muller	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Paddy Wallace
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Darren Cave
07. Chris Henry	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Pedrie Wannenburg	15. Jared Payne

16. Paddy McAllister 17. Nigel Brady 18. Declan Fitzpatrick 19. Lewis Stevenson 20 Willie Faloon 21. Paul Marshall 22. Niall O'Connor 23 Adam D'Arcy

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Luke

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Rob Webber	10. Ian Humphreys (k)
03. John Afoa
04. James Hanks	11. Gonzalo Camacho
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Sireli Naqelevuki
06. Tom Johnson	13. George Lowe
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Richard Kahui
08. James Scaysbrook	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Neil Clark 18. Hoani Tui 19. Loius Deacon 20. Ofisa Treviranus 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Jonny Wilkinson 23. Paul Sackey

Tactics

TBC

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Saracens v Sale Sharks

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Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Morgan Parra (k.)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Leigh Halfpenny
05. Steve Borthwick (c.)	12. James Fitzpatrick
06. Kelly Brown	13. Conrad Smith
07. Ritchie McCaw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Alex Goode

16. Matt Mullan 17. John Smit 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Mauritz Botha 20. Chris York 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Anthony Allen 23. Chris Wyles

Tactics
Waiting to see Sale's squad

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Sale Sharks
Manager – Londonirishollie

01. Sheridan	09. Thomas
02. Botha	10. Cruden
03. Kubriashvili
04. Schofield	11. Cueto
05. Gaskell	12. Davies
06. Vernon	13. Addison
07. Burger	14. Brady
08. Powell	15. Miller

16. Mulipola 17. Jones 18. Thomas 19. Myall 20. Seymour 21. Mathie 22. Goosen 23. Amesbury

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Harlequins v London Welsh

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Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Alex Corbisero	09.Luke Burgess
02.Joe Grey	10.Owen Farrell (k)
03.James Johnstone
04.Eben Etzebeth	11.George North
05.Alistair Hargreaves	12.Wesley Fofana
06.Willem Alberts	13.Adam Ashley-Cooper
07.Chris Robshaw (c)	14.Ollie Lindsey Hague
08.Alex Grey	15.Jared Payne

16.Jason Harris Wright 17.Rhys Gill 18.Mark Lambert 19.George Robson 20.Matt Kvesic 21.Nic Berry 22.Tom Heathcote 23.James Short

Tactics

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London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Paul James	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. David Wilson
04. Dean Mumm	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Paul O'Connell (C)	12. Hudson Tonga'uhia
06. Steve Mafi	13. Dominic Waldlouck
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Ben Ransom
08. Chris Hala'ufia	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Shawn Pittman 17. Tom Mercey 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Jamie Gibson 20. Nick Easter 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Steven Shingler 23. Cory Jane

Tactics

• James and Wilson are solid technicians and will secure our own feed, to provide first phase possesion for our backs. James will look to put pressure on the Quins feed.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, O'Connell will lead the lineout and use Mumm as a banker ball at the front of the line with POC jumping in the middle. If winning own ball POC will look to cut the lineout to five, to allow Hala'ufia to get a chance to run at the defence in open field.
  
  
• With the selection of Brussow we will the attack the breakdown, his skills will provide another source of possesion from turnovers. Pienaar will be behind the rucks to supply any turnover possesion to our wide men as soon as possible why the defence is in disarray.
  
  
• Off any first phase possesion, there will be a strike runner to get over the gainline to provide quick ball whilst the opposition defence is still organising itself.
  
  
• Evans and Pienaar will direct traffic and marshall the attacking forces. Pienaar will marshall the forwards and Evans will pull the strings, looking for the runs of Waldlouck off his shoulder or to allow Wald to release our dangerous roaming back three.
  
  
• Pienaar and Evans will kick all points, unless POC dictates we have a dominate set piece at the moment in time.

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Stormers v Worcester Warriors

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Stormers
Manager –

01. Deon Carstens	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. Tiaan Liebenberg	10. Peter Grant
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Bryan Habana
05. Andries Bekker	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Duane Vermulean	14. Gio Aplon
08. Schalk Burger	15. Joe Pietersen

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Deon Fourie 18. Brok Harris 19. De Kock Steenkamp 20. Rynhardt Elstadt 21. Louis Schreuder 22. Burton Francis 23. Gerhard van den Heever

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Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite

01. C.Healy	09. M.Classens
02. C.Tolufua	10. S.Donald
03. O.Franks
04. J.Muller	11. O.Woodburn
05. D.Attwood	12. F.Steyn (k)
06. C.Fearns	13. C.Laulala
07. F.Louw (c)	14. R.Chisholm
08. S.O'Brien	15. I.Dagg

16. A.Perenise 17. L.Mears 18. N.Catt 19. R.Caldwell 20. M.Lund 21. M.McMillan 22. K.Eastmond 23. M.Banahan

TACTICS TBC

General
We want to make sure that we play rugby in the opposition half and force handling errors, where we can attack the scrum and use the boot of Steyn to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Use the physicality of our pack to our advantage, keeping the ball tight in the middle section of the pitch to retain possession and build a platform to attack from. In our third clear to touch and challenge for the ball at lineout.

Look to interchange 10 and 12 as the situation sees fit. Utilise Hook as a playmaker on the wrap around and Steyn as a physical threat and cannon of a boot.

Hook and Steyn to ensure we play sensible rugby in the right areas, kicking long for touch in our 22, using the up and under in the centre of the pitch and delicate grubbers in behind centres to chase and force kickable penalties.

Steyn leads the rush defence, with Louw/Fearns flying up to cramp Steyn for time and space and ensuring he takes the ball deep behind the gainline and starving their outside backs of ball. Force him to kick the ball away, he is in poor form and low confidence

Forwards
* Franks to target Court in the scrum. Look to draw penalties for Steyn to gain position and points. Look for a yellow card early on, with no front row replacements to concern us
* Picked a very physical pack to make sure that we defend strongly and smash over the gainline. O'Brien to lead pack from base of scrum making hard yards and setting up the ruck for Louw and Fearns to clear out. SOB to mark opposite 8 in defence to prevent charges from base of scrum
* At the lineout, Muller will lead the calls and look to pressurise oppoistion hooker and compete at every throw
* Louw is a breakdown specialist and will look to stay on his feet at the ruck and slow opposition ball down. Fearns and Lund to guard to the fringes of the ruck
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Tolufua, O'Brien, Fearns to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Laulala to exploit

Backs
* Dagg given free rein in attack, looking to come into the line either side of Laulala. Laulala to look for the half gap with power and offload (only if on), with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
* Donald to take the ball flat on the gainline, drawing defenders and buying time and space for Steyn in the 2nd playmaker role. Steyn not afraid to bosh it up if nothing on and set up the ruck.
* Vary the point of attack with 10/12 interchanging, look to keep it unpredictable on the gainline + difficult to defend against. Use the inside pass with forward runners of Franks, Caldwell, SOB to keep the inside shoulder honest and force the 10 to make tackles.
* Get Laulala on the ball early on and encourage a very pacy back three to run off his shoulder. Only offload if it is on, otherwise, crash it up and use SOB, Fearns, Caldwell to clear out and Louw to secure.
* In the second half, bring on Banahan for a huge physical threat. Encourage him to run into the centre channel early on and test a tired defence. Eastmond to come on for last 30 mins in a free role, acting as 2nd receiver, popping up wherever to use his pace, step and get more experience

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Luke

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Rob Webber	10. Ian Humphreys (k)
03. John Afoa
04. James Hanks	11. Gonzalo Camacho
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Sireli Naqelevuki
06. Tom Johnson	13. George Lowe
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Richard Kahui
08. James Scaysbrook	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Neil Clark 18. Hoani Tui 19. Loius Deacon 20. Ofisa Treviranus 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Jonny Wilkinson 23. Paul Sackey


Tactics

TBC

Am assuming Afoa and IHump can't play against me?

IHump can't as he has left Ulster now (will update later) but have used there real life squads to date in these games so Afoa is available to Ulster

Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Morgan Parra (k.)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Leigh Halfpenny
05. Steve Borthwick (c.)	12. James Fitzpatrick
06. Kelly Brown	13. Conrad Smith
07. Ritchie McCaw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Alex Goode

16. Matt Mullan 17. John Smit 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Mauritz Botha 20. Chris York 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Anthony Allen 23. Chris Wyles

Tactics
Waiting to see Sale's squad

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Me & you Johnny

7s Star Ollie Lindsey-Hague is given the chance to show his weels on the wing , whilst James Johnstone and Owen Farrell return to the starting line up with Alex Grey swapping places with Matt Kvesic in the back row.

Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Alex Corbisero	09.Luke Burgess
02.Joe Grey	10.Owen Farrell (k)
03.James Johnstone
04.Eben Etzebeth	11.George North
05.Alistair Hargreaves	12.Wesley Fofana
06.Willem Alberts	13.Adam Ashley-Cooper
07.Chris Robshaw (c)	14.Ollie Lindsey Hague
08.Alex Grey	15.Jared Payne

16.Jason Harris Wright 17.Rhys Gill 18.Mark Lambert 19.George Robson 20.Matt Kvesic 21.Nic Berry 22.Tom Heathcote 23.James Short

Tactics

London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Paul James	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. David Wilson
04. Dean Mumm	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Paul O'Connell (C)	12. Hudson Tonga'uhia
06. Steve Mafi	13. Dominic Waldlouck
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Ben Ransom
08. Chris Hala'ufia	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Shawn Pittman 17. Tom Mercey 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Jamie Gibson 20. Nick Easter 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Steven Shingler 23. Cory Jane

Tactics

• James and Wilson are solid technicians and will secure our own feed, to provide first phase possesion for our backs. James will look to put pressure on the Quins feed.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, O'Connell will lead the lineout and use Mumm as a banker ball at the front of the line with POC jumping in the middle. If winning own ball POC will look to cut the lineout to five, to allow Hala'ufia to get a chance to run at the defence in open field.
  
  
• With the selection of Brussow we will the attack the breakdown, his skills will provide another source of possesion from turnovers. Pienaar will be behind the rucks to supply any turnover possesion to our wide men as soon as possible why the defence is in disarray.
  
  
• Off any first phase possesion, there will be a strike runner to get over the gainline to provide quick ball whilst the opposition defence is still organising itself.
  
  
• Evans and Pienaar will direct traffic and marshall the attacking forces. Pienaar will marshall the forwards and Evans will pull the strings, looking for the runs of Waldlouck off his shoulder or to allow Wald to release our dangerous roaming back three.
  
  
• Pienaar and Evans will kick all points, unless POC dictates we have a dominate set piece at the moment in time.

1 Tim Payne
2 Chris Brooker
3 Nicolas Mas
4 Matt Garvey
5 George Skivington
6 Thierry Dusatoir
7 Julien Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom
9 Danny Care
10 Morne Steyn
11 Joe Ansbro
12 Luke McAllister
13 Jonathan Joseph
14 Ugo Monye
15 Mike Brown

16 Zak Tau'lafo
17 George Chuter
18 Ben Broster
19 Marco Wentzel
20 Jacques Burger
21 Micky Young
22 Jimmy Gopperth
23 Jordan Turner-Hall

Didn't even realise this was going on!

• Nick Wood
  
• Darren Dawiduk
  
• Adam Jones
  
• Sam Whitelock
  
• Tom Savage
  
• Alisdair Strokosch
  
• Sam Cane
  
• JVN ©
  
• Dimitri Yachvilli
  
• Pat Lambie (k)
  
• Johnny May
  
• Mike Tindall
  
• Jaime Roberts
  
• Charlie Sharples
  
• Iain Balshaw
  

16. Scott Lawson 17. Rupert Harden 18. Dan Murphy 19. Akapusi Qera 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dan Robson 22. Freddie Burns 23. JSD

I'll be posting team sheet codings on pages later!!

Sorry bud I have no time @ work and my laptop's broken at home. Really struggling with 2 leagues but don't want to back out!!

Id let you off but I enjoy picking on Welshies anyway

I can tell

I love you really Prop

Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Brian Mujati
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Andries Bekker	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Stephen Ferris	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. Jamie Elliot
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Richardt Strauss 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Samu Manoa 20. Roger Wilson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Noah Cato

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Off climbing Croagh Patrick tomorrow so will update the rest of the page Sunday

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismark du Plessis	10. Toby Flood
03. Martin Castrogiovani
04. Richie Gray	11. Christian Wade
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Tom Croft	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Warburton(c)	14. James O’Connor
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Rob Kearney

16. Tom Youngs 17. Dan Cole 18. Marco Ayerza 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Maurie Fa’asalavu 21. Karl Dickson 22. Jordan Turner-Hall 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics

Looks like a relegation battle for Tigers this year......

Northampton 24 Leicester 27
Lot more quality on show from tigers with some really excitment in the back line. Barnes and Tuilagi would be sick in real life. Not sure Dickson is the right type of 9 to get the Saints back line going. great pack from both sides with edge to saints at lineout.

Gloucester 28 Leinster 21
Plenty of attacking intent on show from Gloucester in the wide just not sure if having Lambie at over burns is the right choice in getting the backs moving. Tin man at 12 will kill of so much but him and Roberts will punch holes.

London Wasps 20 Chiefs 20
Chiefs are bang on form so would give anyone a run around at the moment and can see Tameifuna and Elliot getting stuck in to brooker and Payne with cruden playing some out of this world stuff. Need to start JTH to get the space for JJ to exploit.

Bath TBA Irish TBA

Saracens TBA Sale TBA
Sure Ollie is away isn't he?

Ulster 23 Exeter 27
Chiefs get plenty at scrum with Court being the worst prop ever! Exciting backs from Chiefs wiith Ihump getting the best. Plenty of grunt in front 5 makes up for lack of carrier at 8.

Stormers vs Worcester TBA

Can someone else pick a team for him?

I'll do one for him just now.

1.Andrew Sheridan
2.Gary Botha
3.Davit Kubriashvili
4.Dean Schofield
5.James Gaskell
6.Richie Vernon
7.Schalk Burger
8.Andy Powell

9.Haydn Thomas
10.Aaron Cruden
11.Mark Cueto
12.John Davies
13.Will Addison
14.Tom Brady
15.Rob Miller

London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Quade Cooper
03. Euan Murray
04. Simon Shaw	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Tom Palmer	12. Daniel Bowden
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Alesana Tuilagi
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Delon Armitage

16. James Buckland, 17. Max Lahiff, 18. Clarke Dermody, 19. Nick Kennedy, 20. Darren Allinson, 21. Brock James, 22. Shontayne Hape, 23. Tom Homer

Thanks, Driver

Glaws 23-25 Leinster

Good battle at scrum time but see Leinster shading the back 5 of the pack and doing more around the park in this one. Halfbacks 1 a piece. Both back 3s dangerous coming forward. Leinster stronger defensively though. Questions over both midfields. Leinster = form issues. Glaws = how much ball will the back 3 see? Leinster with a bit more in the pack and some serious impact to come in and take this one.

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Wasps 19-23 Chiefs

Nothing between the packs really overall. Chiefs with serious form in the back line though and can do some serious damage with the Cruden-SBW axis. Styen misfiring with the boot this year wont be able to get the backs going and thats what costs them here.

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Bath 24-27 Irish

Not much in it at the set piece here. Irish with more at the breakdown but Bath with the better carrying game. Irish with more flair from the halfbacks suited to summer rugby. Dagg the outstanding player on show in the back 3s but as a unit Irish stronger overall. Midfield overall maybe shading to Bath but not an awful lot in it. Benches fairly even as well couldnt see either side dominating any area in the last 20. Hard to split these sides but think the Irish halfbacks will do a bit more with their ball.

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Ulster 16-23 Exeter

Can see Chiefs getting a little bit of an advantage at the scrum. Backrow battle goes to Ulster but Armitage will make a menace of himself at the breakdown and hassle young Jackson. Not an awful lot between the halfbacks and midfield overall but an extra bit of class in the Chiefs back 3. Tight to call but the added experience at 10 sees Exeter prevail.

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Saracens 23-21 Sale

Can see Sale causing some problems at the scrum. A meatier 2nd row is needed to get away with Vunipola against the better front rows in the league. More from the Sarries backrow though which has a good balance to it. Halfbacks overall even but Cruden at 10 in fantastic form. Sarries with a bit more quality across the backlines but concerned Fitzpatrick will stop some attacks with his crash. Bit more overall in the backs see Sarries win.

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Harlequins 26-26 London Welsh

No advantage at scrum time but can see Welsh doing well at the lineout. Quins have more of a carrying game in the backrow but it should be a good breakdown battle overall. In the backs Quins stronger man for man 11-15 but Welsh have put together a classy set of halfbacks while Farrell isn't the man to lead the Quins backline. Can see Quins getting a through tries through individual brilliance in the backs but Welsh should control the game better and see this one coming out a draw.

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Stormers 30-0 Worcester

Default win

Saints 15 - 19 Tigers

Gloucester 18 - 25 Leinster

Wasps 20 - 25 Chiefs

Ulster 15 - 19 Exeter

Saracens 27 - 15 Sale

Harlequins 21 - 20 London Welsh

Saints 18-20 Tigers
Tigers have an incredicble scrummaging unit here (i'm not a fan of Hartley's technique) which will get on top but I can see it even in the back row. One a piece in the hb's, Tigers outside backs just ahve enough and I think we are watching the top 2 teams next season play here. It won't be a big win either way but this goes to Tigers.

Wasps 15-19 Chiefs

Upfront honours are even but in the backs I really can see the Chiefs ripping them apart with the form of SBW and Cruden coming into play. Cane will just edge the battle with Salvi too I reckon!

Bath 20-23 Irish

Looking at the units here then Irish take front row and overall back balance, Bath take 2nd row and one a piece in half backs. Backrows are pretty even and the bench goes to Bath. Can see Tolufula struggling and Irish will take the deserved victory. The names help Bath (Payne, SOB, Healy, Franks).

Ulster 20-22 Exeter

Chiefs will take the scrum as I can't rate Afoa for Ulster (Court isn't that bad Driver---Buckley's worse)! Back row slightly to Ulster with better carriers and half backs to Ulster. Think Chiefs will win this game from the rest of the backline though.

Sarries 18-15 Sale

Sale will win the scrum battle but Sarries will take the breakdown in this match. Cruden's form will keep this close for a while but he'll struggle on his own with JD2 (I think) the only other help. Sarries backline win this.


Quins 20-20 Welsh

Quins'll get the tries here but up front I can see Welsh winning the front 5 battle. Quite even in the back rows but the Welsh 9-10 will pull the strings better here. It's in the outside backs where Quins'll pull clear. They will take an early lead but the Welsh pack is built for brute force and not giving up and they will peg them back just for a draw.

Gloucester 22-22 Leinster

Gloucester strong but Leinster enough to claim draw. Savage stands out a bit and Gloucester midfield a bit too one dimensional.

Wasps 21-26 Chiefs

Chiefs too strong but good Wasps outfit. I like HB combo but prefer Ansbro in midfield

Bath 17-24 Irish

Irish very impressive. Tolufua throwing a massive issue for Bath along with Donald who's dire. I like Bath midfield but wings would get steamrolled. Irish stronger just about everywhere.

Ulster 18-20 Exeter

Ulster good but Exeter get nudge on. I like Exeter front row and midfield and gives them edge here.

Saracens 21-19 Sale

Sarries just edge but think Kubs would hammer Mako. Back 5 and backline strong for Sarries, has nice balance. Sale looking strong but not sure of Addison at this level.

Harlequins 28-25 Welsh

Quins a bit stronger esp in the backs and by a distance in midfield. Welsh pack is great but midfield not up to level of opp and Ransom would struggle on wing. A 12 and 14 away from a v good team. Quins fantastic but need an 8.

Stormers 30-0 Worcester

Saints 24 - 18 Tigers
Gloucester 19 -23 Leinster
Wasps 17 - 26 Chiefs
Ulster 22- 19 Exeter
Saracens 21-17 Sale
Harlequins 28 - 21 Welsh
Stormers 30-0 Worcester

Will try and add some feedback soon on scores

Meant to be starting Hook this week, whoops! Team sheet error

Also thought I was playing Ulster for some reason!

Hook would make a big difference to your side, I really don't rate Donald.

Pull has put together a serious side though, he'll take some stopping.

Can't help feeling I've had a nightmare with TPN at hook though - given Driver has just given the Lions captaincy to Best!

Oh well, TPN offers a physcial presence which I lacked.

Will give feedback tomorrow but:

Tigers 29 - Saints 23

Gloucester 25 - Leinster 26

Wasps 30 - Chiefs 30

Bath 25 - Irish 30

Ulster 17 - Exeter 24

Quins 26- Welsh 26

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Hook would make a big difference to your side, I really don't rate Donald.

Pull has put together a serious side though, he'll take some stopping.

Do you not like Donald? You should have mentioned it! Haha.

Yep really like hook at 10 and with steyn at 12, got lovely options and balance I reckon. Irish do look good, but il trying out some options. Think Healy and franks as props are the best set in world rugby for example

Franks & Healy are up there without doubt, not sure about the best but that's a different discussion.

I will get my predictions in at some point tonight. Had a Trojan on my laptop for the past few days

Northampton Saints 25 - 29 Leicester Tigers

The top two sides from last year, put on one helluva of game. But Tiggers have added so much more quality now. It is hard to see a weak link in their team. However I think Saints have a more gritty ball carrying pack however and will give them some go forward. Tiggers much imprved bench will secure a good result.

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Gloucester 23 - 22 Leinster

Glos have a very good all round pack which will get the better off Leinster in some exchanges. Yach will direct traffic, but I think the midfield will struggle. Tindall and Roberts aren't the most creative players, and with Lambie playing FB more often for Sharks there is a bit of disjointed play. Could really have done with someone like JSD in the side to step in at first reciever every so often. In the end, the solid boot of Yach will nick it.

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London Wasps 17 - 25 Waikato Chiefs

The packs will be relatively even, apart from Chiefs getting a scrum advanatge against Payne and Brooker, although Wasps will fair better in the lineout with Skivs leading it. Chiefs have one of the best attacking backlines at the moment, and against Steyn and McCal they will score some good tries. Steyn will stifle play, especially with Mcall playing more ten than 12. However JJ's electric pace will give Chiefs something to think about. But The Chiefs will have too much in the end.

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Bath 22 - 24 London Irish

I good even pack battle, with Bath edging it around the paddock whereas, irish are great technicians at the set piece. This game would be settled in the backs, and despite Bath's star quality, I can see a more rounded and experienced Irish backline winning this one for them.

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Saracens 24 - 20 Sale Sharks

Two very goodteams, and this game would be quite even IMO. Sarries hav the quality, but the sheer determination and physcality of the Sharks will make it an even fight. There are two sets of halfbacks on show, with arguably the best FH in the world at the moment on one side. However the control and management of Parra and Hodgson will guide Sarries, and they will get the use out of their dangeours backline with Smith running the show.

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Ulster 15 - 23 Exeter Chiefs

This would be a ding-dong battle up front, with both teams having fantastic packs. I would think that Ulster edge it around the park, but at the setpiece Chiefs will get some joy. Then their halfbacks will begin to control the game as they will get under the skin of Jackson and with Kahui running down Wallaces channel all day it will get messy!

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Stormers 30 - 0 Worcester Warriors

Will get my predos in this afternoon. Just got back from Dublin

How many times a year do you go away???

Ha ha business not pleasure.

My notes on the matchups:

Tigers vs Saints- Tigers best in scrum, edge breakdown and lineout. In open and tight play, Northampton forwards look slightly better (Wood hard to ascertain atm, but Ferris and Read JUST edge Parisse and Croft and Warbs isn't at his best either. Parling a little lightweight compared to Lawes). Sexton > Flood but Youngs >> Dickson. Centres both great mix of skill, strength and speed :. evens. Good B3 from Saints but Tigers' are GREAT. Tigers ahead on attack and Saints on defence but the set pieces give Tigers the win, as do the slightly stronger subs. To beat Tigers in league, tactics will be vital, no real positional weaknesses (Wade and JOC a little in defence but their attack really covers that). Saints good but could do with another x-factor player in backs.

Gloucester- Leinster - Glaws have very solid front row, need to improve at Hooker? Wood's form hard to guess. Decent back 5 in pack, but not the best they can put out. Decent balance in back-row but prefer Qera at 6 and Cane at 7 actually, despite Qera being a 7! Good controlling HBs with attacking option on bench- works for me. Back 3 looks lightweight in defence and backs in D overall, except centres but Roberts isn't my pick at 13. I know he has played wing etc but to me he is definitely a 12 and Tindall, despite his pace reduction, a 13, so the partnership might be positionally exploited. B3 devastating in attack though if they get any ball! Really like the bench Leinster won because of the defence in the backs but only just because I can see the final backline scoring a couple of tries.

Wasps vs Chiefs- solid tight 5 but Chiefs better in both units, just about. Chiefs have a good back row but Wasps is immense, esp with Burger to come on. Great balance too. Wasps win breakdown. Close at HB- Steyn not on form and Cruden great, but Danny Care is on form and is my black horse to play 9 for the Lions. v close in the centres, slight edge to Chiefs but just losing to SBW and Kahui is no shame and McAllister Joseph has a good look to it, though both may have issues under pressure in big games. Fantastic back 3, lots of physicality to it. On the starting teams, Wasps edge it but lose momentum on backs subs so draw. Maybe change up front row, maybe mix it up in the outfield a little as 11-15 are quite similar to each in some respects, but they are good and there isn't anything wrong with the pace and power on show really.

Bath vs Irish. - Not Bath's very best team, but still decent. Bath edge scrums and front row, Irish take second row and lineout until Attwood gets back to his best. Back rows good but better balance to Irish's, better at breakdown too. Irish halfbacks better but exploitable in defence. Good tactics from Bath but not enough to win over a very physical set of Irish outbacks. Very powerful from Irish 11-15, could do with more guile. Bath centres = great pairing and the b3 are good and very rapid but maybe inexperienced and exploitable defensively? Bath would be better with Hook, Fearns and SOB other way round, maybe only one of Chisholm and Woodburn to start. Irish need guile outside of Cooper.

Ulster vs Exeter- solid but unexceptional (weakened over its best- could do with Deacon and Treviranus for me) pack for Ex with exception of v strong props and Fat Armitage. Edges breakdown and HBs (Peel underrated, would rather have Johnny at 10 but Humphreys edges Jackson) Good all aroundoutside in backs, don't know much about the 12 tbh and could do with a gamebreaker (maybe Kahui but out of position for me, he is best at 13, and Nacewa very good but FB hard to be a gamewinner). Enough to win here though.

Quins vs Welsh- - great line up. Quins take the pack, just ahead in each unit. Welsh take HBs though, as Pienaar is good and Evans is God. Very close in B3, North the best but overall Welsh just ahead. Quins centres the best in League though and Welsh's = their weakness. Both can up the pace off the bench, so a draw. Quins need a Hooker or 5, Welsh a 12

Predictions closed knocking up results now

Results:

Northampton Saints 22-26 Leicester Tigers
Gloucester Rugby 24-25 Leinster Rugby
London Wasps 20-27 Waikato Chiefs
Bath Rugby 22-28 London Irish
Ulster Rugby 19-26 Exeter Chiefs
Saracens 25-18 Sale Sharks
Harlequins 26-23 London Welsh
Stormers 30-0 Worcester Warriors

Full Bonus: Prop, Driver, Pooly, Fluxy, SJE, CJ
Score Bonus: Bathite, Pull

Will knock the tables and new fixture page up at lunch

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Results:

Northampton Saints 22-26 Leicester Tigers
Gloucester Rugby 24-25 Leinster Rugby
London Wasps 20-27 Waikato Chiefs
Bath Rugby 22-28 London Irish
Ulster Rugby 19-26 Exeter Chiefs
Saracens 25-18 Sale Sharks
Harlequins 26-23 London Welsh
Stormers 30-0 Worcester Warriors

Full Bonus: Prop, Driver, Pooly, Fluxy, SJE, CJ
Score Bonus: Bathite, Pull

Poopie, I thought it was full bonus for just scores for the summer?

Your right actually sorry Pull!

So did I! Has been on previous weeks, thought only 1 mil was up for grabs?