Summer Tournament Round Five

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Pool One


London Irish v Newcastle Falcons


London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Matt Stevens	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Andrew Hore	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Matt Garvey	11. Paul Sackey
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Shane Geraghty
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pieterson
08. Pierre Spies	15. Delon Armitage

16. Jean Baptiste Poux 17. Tom Lindsay 18. WP Nel 19. Johann Muller 20. Keegan Daniel 21. Julien Dupuy 22. Luke McAllister 23. Sireli Naqalevuki


Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Jimmy Cowan
02. Rory Best	10. Toby Flood
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Ed Slater	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Paul O’Connell(c)	12. Scott Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Lowe
07. John Barclay	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

17. Lee Mears 17. Owen Franks 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Brad Thorn 20. Richie McCaw 21. Ben Youngs 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Adam Ashley-Cooper


Harlequins v Saracens


Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Karl Dickson
02. Matthew Rees (c)	10. Greg Laidlaw (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Hugh Pyle	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dave Denton	13. Florian Fritz
07. Carl Fearns	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Schalk Brits 17. Ben Franks 18. Kieran Brookes 19. James Gaskell 20. Tom Wood 21. Jano Vermaak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

Use pack and midfield to get us across the gainline. Picked a deliberately very physical pack to get amongst Saracens. Hopefully use big carriers to create space outwide for our electric finishers in the back 3 to run in some tries. Karl Dickson to place at a real tempo and snipe around the fringes with Laidlaw pulling the strings behind him and controlling the shape of our game. Look to retain possession for long periods to wear Saracens out.


Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Bismack du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Rob Simmons	11. Bryan Habana
05. George Skivington	12. Ma’a Nonu
06. Tom Johnson	13. Henry Trinder
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Digby Ioane
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tom Homer

16. John Smit 17. Matt Mullan 18. Adam Jones 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Ross Rennie 21. Morgan Parra 22. Patric Lambie 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

• Big ball carriers looking to punch holes and draw defenders in.
  
• Structured tactical kick chase game targeting Harlequins wingers under the high ball with our wingers chasing looking to turn them over.
  
• Attack the breakdown with numbers if turnover looks on.
  
• Play quickly off turnover ball..
  
• 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)

- Can David Wilson anchor my pack in the Heino where I need 7 EQ starters?
- If I look to play a structured kicking game, does that negate some of the negativity about playing Farrell at 10, as I am not asking him to play an attacking game that some feel is alien to him?
- Are Simmons and Skivington my best lock pairing?


Leicester Tigers v Gloucester


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape	11. Ugo Monye
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Gethin Jenkins 17. Tom Youngs 18. Brian Mujati 19. Nathan Hines 20. Francois Louw 21. Micky Young 22. Vincent Clerc 23. Rob Miller


Gloucester
Manager – Mat

01. Nick wood	09. Will Genia
02. Joe Gray	10. Dan Carter
03. Nicholas Mas
04. Tom Palmer	11. James Simpson-Daniel
05. Richie Gray	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Steven Ferris	13. Richard Kahui
07. Andy Saull	14. Johnny May
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Coonie Ousthieuzen 17. Adriann Strauss 18. Rupert Harden 19. George Robson 20. Immanol Harinordoquoy 21. Connor Murray 22. Juan De Jongh 23. Charlie Sharples

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Pool Two


London Welsh v Bath Rugby


London Welsh

01. Ben Alexader (C)	09. Charlie Davies
02. Hika Elliot	10. Gavin Henson (K)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Tim Swinson	11. Lachie Turner
05. Ali Williams	12. James Downey
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Matt Smith
07. Will Welch	14. Harry Robinson
08. Rapheal Lakafia	15. Tom Catterick

16.Chris Whitehead 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Craig Mitchell 19.Dean Schofield 20.Luke Narraway 21.Rory Lawson 22.Butch James 23.Adam Thompstone



Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks


Northampton Saints

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Christian Wade
05. Alun Wyn Jones	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Liam Messam	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Cane	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. Ben Foden

16. Rob Webber 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Carl Hayman 19. Bradley Davies 20. Joe Launchbury 21. Mike Phillips 22. George Ford 23. Leigh Halfpenny

Tactics:

- To play at a high tempo, with a view to play an expansive game and get our danger runners in the backline on the ball in space. Quick lineouts when possible to use backthree to attack Sale.
- Go through the phases with the pack, get big ball carriers on the ball and over the gainline.
- Aggressive defence that looks to force Sale into mistakes and stop them getting over the gainline.
- Use set piece as platform to launch attacks and make full use of the bench to keep momentum in final 20-30mins


Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Darren Dawdiuk	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. David Strettle
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Adam Thomson	13. Jordan Turner Hall
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. Tom Brady
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Jerome Schuster 17. David Paice 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Christian Day 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Keith Earls

Tactics:

- Dominate territory peppering Wades wing with kicks and looking to Bekker to run amock at the lineout
- Ball in hand in Saints territory: Play our usual fast paced offloading game looking to get over the gain line and keep the ball moving


London Wasps v Worcester Warriors


London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Rhys Preistland (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Matt Banahan
05. Marco Wentzel	12. Brad Barritt
06. Steve Mafi	13. George Pisi
07. Dewald Potgieter	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Roger Wilson	15. Mike Brown

16. Nathan Morris 17. Charlie Beech 18. Rhodri Jones 19. Dan Tuohy 20. Dave Dennis 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Steven Myler 23. Noah Cato

Tactics

Use our big ball carriers to get us over the gain line and set out a platform to attack from. Look to dominate contact area and get offload game going.

Put several phases of quick ball together, attack gaps and half gaps in Worcester defensive line, keep moving the ball when it's on.

Questions
Is this my best back row?
Is Banahan good enough to start?
Is Phipps my best scrum half to start?


Worcester

01. Paul James	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Tom Heathcote (k)
03. Oliver Tomaszczyk
04. Tom Savage	11. Sean Maitland
05. Ollie Kohn	12. Pat McCabe
06. Ryan Jones (c)	13. Seilala Mapusua
07. Justin Tipuric	14. James Short
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Gary Botha 17. Tendai Mtwarria 18. BJ Botha 19. Luke Charteris 20. Ben Morgan 21. Dwyane Peel 22. Sam Vesty 23. Matt Hopper

Leicester Tigers have named their side to play Gloucester this week.

Tigers have continued the precedent set in previous weeks, by making 9 changes to the side that lost to Newcastle last week.

Tigers have named 7 English starters in their side, in what looks to be a possible Heinken Cup side in light of the new rules set by the RFU in terms of player eligibility.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape	11. Ugo Monye
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Gethin Jenkins 17. Tom Youngs 18. Brian Mujati 19. Nathan Hines 20. Francois Louw 21. Micky Young 22. Vincent Clerc 23. Rob Miller

Tactics

TBC

Northampton Saints team versus Sale Sharks

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Christian Wade
05. Alun Wyn Jones	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Liam Messam	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Cane	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. Ben Foden

16. Rob Webber 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Carl Hayman 19. Bradley Davies 20. Joe Launchbury 21. Mike Phillips 22. George Ford 23. Leigh Halfpenny

Tactics:

- To play at a high tempo, with a view to play an expansive game and get our danger runners in the backline on the ball in space. Quick lineouts when possible to use backthree to attack Sale.
- Go through the phases with the pack, get big ball carriers on the ball and over the gainline.
- Aggressive defence that looks to force Sale into mistakes and stop them getting over the gainline.
- Use set piece as platform to launch attacks and make full use of the bench to keep momentum in final 20-30mins

London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Rhys Preistland (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Matt Banahan
05. Marco Wentzel	12. Brad Barritt
06. Steve Mafi	13. George Pisi
07. Dewald Potgieter	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Roger Wilson	15. Mike Brown

16. Nathan Morris 17. Charlie Beech 18. Rhodri Jones 19. Dan Tuohy 20. Dave Dennis 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Steven Myler 23. Noah Cato

Tactics

Use our big ball carriers to get us over the gain line and set out a platform to attack from. Look to dominate contact area and get offload game going.

Put several phases of quick ball together, attack gaps and half gaps in Worcester defensive line, keep moving the ball when it's on.

Questions
Is this my best back row?
Is Banahan good enough to start?
Is Phipps my best scrum half to start?

This will be my LV cup side.


London Welsh

01. Ben Alexader (C)	09. Charlie Davies
02. Hika Elliot	10. Gavin Henson (K)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Tim Swinson	11. Lachie Turner
05. Ali Williams	12. James Downey
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Matt Smith
07. Will Welch	14. Harry Robinson
08. Rapheal Lakafia	15. Tom Catterick

16.Chris Whitehead 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Craig Mitchell 19.Dean Schofield 20.Luke Narraway 21.Rory Lawson 22.Butch James 23.Adam Thompstone

Have changed side a little from the one I put on your page Pete.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Karl Dickson
02. Matthew Rees (c)	10. Greg Laidlaw (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Hugh Pyle	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dave Denton	13. Florian Fritz
07. Carl Fearns	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Schalk Brits 17. Ben Franks 18. Kieran Brookes 19. James Gaskell 20. Tom Wood 21. Jano Vermaak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

Use pack and midfield to get us across the gainline. Picked a deliberately very physical pack to get amongst Saracens. Hopefully use big carriers to create space outwide for our electric finishers in the back 3 to run in some tries. Karl Dickson to place at a real tempo and snipe around the fringes with Laidlaw pulling the strings behind him and controlling the shape of our game. Look to retain possession for long periods to wear Saracens out.

01. Paul James	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Tom Heathcote (k)
03. Oliver Tomaszczyk
04. Tom Savage	11. Sean Maitland
05. Ollie Kohn	12. Pat McCabe
06. Ryan Jones (c)	13. Seilala Mapusua
07. Justin Tipuric	14. James Short
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Gary Botha 17. Tendai Mtwarria 18. BJ Botha 19. Luke Charteris 20. Ben Morgan 21. Dwyane Peel 22. Sam Vesty 23. Matt Hopper

Hopefully have team up later today.

7EQ starting Nick yea?

Thats right dogg.

might have mine done today if not tomorrow morning.

Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Bismack du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Rob Simmons	11. Bryan Habana
05. George Skivington	12. Ma’a Nonu
06. Tom Johnson	13. Henry Trinder
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Digby Ioane
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tom Homer

16. John Smit 17. Matt Mullan 18. Adam Jones 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Ross Rennie 21. Morgan Parra 22. Patric Lambie 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

• Big ball carriers looking to punch holes and draw defenders in.
  
• Structured tactical kick chase game targeting Harlequins wingers under the high ball with our wingers chasing looking to turn them over.
  
• Attack the breakdown with numbers if turnover looks on.
  
• Play quickly off turnover ball..
  
• 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)

- Can David Wilson anchor my pack in the Heino where I need 7 EQ starters?
- If I look to play a structured kicking game, does that negate some of the negativity about playing Farrell at 10, as I am not asking him to play an attacking game that some feel is alien to him?
- Are Simmons and Skivington my best lock pairing?

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Jimmy Cowan
02. Rory Best	10. Toby Flood
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Ed Slater	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Paul O’Connell(c)	12. Scott Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Lowe
07. John Barclay	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

17. Lee Mears 17. Owen Franks 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Brad Thorn 20. Richie McCaw 21. Ben Youngs 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Adam Ashley-Cooper

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Matt Stevens	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Andrew Hore	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Matt Garvey	11. Paul Sackey
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Shane Geraghty
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pieterson
08. Pierre Spies	15. Delon Armitage

16. Jean Baptiste Poux 17. Tom Lindsay 18. WP Nel 19. Johann Muller 20. Keegan Daniel 21. Julien Dupuy 22. Luke McAllister 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Darren Dawdiuk	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. David Strettle
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Adam Thomson	13. Jordan Turner Hall
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. Tom Brady
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Jerome Schuster 17. David Paice 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Christian Day 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Keith Earls

Tactics:

- Dominate territory peppering Wades wing with kicks and looking to Bekker to run amock at the lineout
- Ball in hand in Saints territory: Play our usual fast paced offloading game looking to get over the gain line and keep the ball moving

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I'm going away tomorrow early in the morning for a week so will be unable to predict, cheers.

Sorry for lack of format in airport with no wi fi

1 wood
2 gray
3 Mas
4 palmer
5 gray
6 ferris
7 saull
8 heaslip
9 genia
10 carter
11 Jsd
12 Barnes
13 kahui
14 May
15 dagg
16 coonie
17 Strauss
18 harden
19 robson
20 hari
21 Murray
22 jdj
23 sharples

Should be a good game SJE - knew you'd target Wade's height! Give him half a yard though and he's under the posts!

HC should be really interesting this season!

Page updated.

Mat - only 6 EQ in your side.
No team from Bath.

London Irish 23 - 21 Newcastle

Not a huge fan of Stephens at 1, don't like the balance of Geraghty/Basteraud as I think they are both too inconsistent as players to work and not be a weakness. Half backs top notch.

PDJ, Slater and maybe Barclay stand out from your usual pack as weaknesses. I like the backline though. Half backs a little outclassed in this one but that is more to do with the quality of Irish pair.

Overall both strong in HC.

will do rest later this weekend. ran out of time.

I'll do mine over the weekend, got a new tactic of printing this off at work so every chance I can look at them I do!!

Move balshaw to fb and dagg out of squad. Will do mine later not long landed and need a few hours before going to this jp Morgan 7s

Irish 26-26 Falcons

Good battle in the front 5 and at the set piece with neither side on top but more form for the Irish back row sees them edge the pack. Liking the Irish halfbacks and they edge it as a combo. In the backs see it fairly even overall. Nothing between the back 3s really and see the centres 1 a piece. Irish can build a lead but Falcons with serious class on the bench and they will close the gap in the last 15.

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Harlequins 19-21 Saracens

Nothing in it at scrum time but a few more options for Sarries at the lineout and they can nick a few balls. In the backrow a bit more quality overall and balance to the Sarries unit sees them edge it here. At halfbacks the game plan suits Farrell and would work well but not sure Houghard is the scrum half for that sort of game. Duvenhage/Parra a better bet. Midfield a small edge to Quins but back 3 a step up to Sarries. Bit more from Sarries on the bench. Think Sarries just have that bit more in the back row to win here.

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Leicester Tigers 22-22 Gloucester

Can see Tigers getting a shunt on at the scrum here with a big front 5. Bit more form for Tigers in the backrow sees them edge it here as well. Glaws with the best halfbacks in the league although the Tigers combo will control the pace of the game off better ball. Midfield bit more quality to Glaws but Tigers back 3 is a step up in class for me. Better ball for the Tigers backs overall sees them through.

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London Welsh 30-0 Bath Rugby

Default win. Where is ITFL?

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London Wasps 23-20 Worcester Warriors

Don’t see anything in it at scrum time but Wasps with a bit more round the park and at the lineout in the front 5. Backrow goes to Warriors though with plenty of form and more quality man for man. Halfbacks I see as 1 a piece but Wasps shade the combo overall. Heathcote a bench man for Prem games at the moment Prop. Not a lot in it between the backs apart from 13 where Mapusua lets Worcester down. Both sides will see good ball but see Wasps using it a little bit better and that’s the decider here. Bench will keep it tight for Worcester though.

I might win this week!!!!!!

Irish 22-23 Falcons
Falcons will take the front row with Best's form doing this. 2nd row and back row will go to Irish however with better combo's and a little better balance. Half backs are even with all performing well but it's in the outside backs where Falcons take the edge. It won't be an easy win but Falcons'll take it with more in the backline compared to breakdown dominance from Irish.

Quins 20-23 Sarries
Quins'll take the front row here with Marler getting under a struggling Wilson. Sarries have the edge in 2nd row and back row however and should just have enough to nullify Botha in the lineout. Hougaard will help the hb's battle and then it's the sheer power again in the outside backs to take the match. A very good squad coming Steve but feel Ozzy has the stronger side today.
Ozzy: I think Wilson'll struggle against bigger teams, I like Simmons and Skivington pairing but you need Skivs to hit top form at Irish. With the outside backs you have you need to use them and not get Farrell kicking too much (the outside backs win you this game).

Tigers 20-19 Glos
Front row to Glos but Tigers take the 2nd row and back row here with better combination's and Saull struggling against SOB. Will be a very good lineout battle. Tigers need Croft back asap though! 9-10 are even here with the pairing in France harder to rate atm but Carter struggling. Again even in the backs overall with a good blend of experience and youth in both teams, can't separate the backs sorry! Overall I'd say the Tigers taking the breakdown should just edge this for them. Glos' bench will keep it close.

Welsh 30-0 Bath
Driver: you'd need your half backs to hit massive form this season and keep an eye on Downey as to whether he gets gametime in big games at Munster too. Back 3 look good and an exciting backrow too. Also a good bench, big fan of Whitehead and Sturgess.

Saints 18-16 Sharks
Great form for Saints with their Chiefs players getting on top! Think Sharks will take the lineout here. Outside backs are a bit different with hb's and centres taking advantage and both have exciting back 3's who would nullify each other. Bit better impact off bench for Saints and they'll edge this.

Such a close league this year with people catching up on the leaders!!

Harlequins 25–22 Saracens

Front 5 – Good front row battle, I think Quins would get a little nudge on in the scrum though. Pyle not really up to the quality on show from what I’ve seen him of him and could struggle, a good 5 and Steve would have a great engine room. Better pairing from Sarries from recent games.

Backrow – Probably a little more carrying for Quins but more balance for Sarries. Prefer the Sarries unit. Little bit off balance for Quins with Denton and Fearns not in best positions.

Halfbacks – Prefer the Quins pairing as a unit and will ignite Quins backline. Think Parra/Duv would be a better partner for Farrell if you start him at 10 Pete.

Centres – Both good combo’s, need a bit of form from Trinder going into he season to be fully rated

Back 3 – Wing combo from Sarries a complete step up in quality, both would give opposite numbers all sorts of trouble if they get any ball. Taylor brings spark to Quins but Sarries unit despite Homer is much stronger.

Overall – Not a massive amount in this one tbh. With Sarries playing a tactical kicking game I think they need set piece dominance which they don’t have and see Quins doing enough with the ball they get.

PETE – I like Wilson but he had a terrible season last so needs a good start to the season ( I think he will)
Good engine room, but not a great lineout. I’d bring Borthwick in over Skivington personally, Skivs is a steady lock but not the best lineout operator although he does lead the line it’s not his best attribute.
Farrell needs to play off a strong set piece to be effective. With your wing combo I’d be starting Lambie or TD at 10 as Farrell just hinders you attacking wise.

Leicester Tigers 32–28 Gloucester

Front 5 – I think both TH’s would get after LH’s in this one but Moore bringing more quality than Gray gives tigers edge. Great engine rooms from both but Tigers have edge in both players. This is my fav Gloucester engine room, having a bit of everything a will certainly compete in this one. Edge to Tigers here.

Backrow – Tigers again stronger with a better combo, Saull stands out as a weakness and would struggle with the quality around. Ferris the form player on show and not much in the 8’s.

Halfbacks – Great 9 battle with Genia the standout in rugby at the min, Gloucester step up in quality.

Centres – Kahui lacks the form but Gloucesters best combo and will give Tigers issues.

Back 3 – Increase in class for Tigers, see Balshaw struggling under the tactical kicking of Tigers and would be a weakness.

Overall – Pack dominace and enough in back 3 to see Tigers through. Gloucester lovely 9-13 but not enough in other postions to see them win.

London Welsh 30 -0 Bath Rugby

Northampton Saints 23–25 Sale Sharks

Front 5 – Not much in the scrums, Chris has recruited well here and they will hold their own. Can see Saints struggling in the lineout with no leader especially against Bekker who’s a top class op.

Backrow – Two very good units probably just shading to Saints but both really bring a lot to the game and will challenge the best teams through the season.

Halfbacks – A real step up in quality for Sale here and will really dictate play.

Centres – Not sure of JTH at 13 but can see him doing a job. Steyn the class act on show but Saints combo has a little bit more.

Back 3 – More quality for Saints here, Sale miss a good wing to be a very good unit.

Overall – Saints tactic of using set piece to launch attacks will fall down with them really struggling in the lineout. Both great packs but just think Sale will dominate lineout and have the halfbacks to punish Saints.

London Wasps 27–26 Worcester Warriors

Front 5 – Tomas would struggle here against a real in form Ben Robinson but apart from that a good scrum unit from both. Think Worcester might also struggle in the lineout with two big lumps (not seen a load of Savage at lock).

Back row – Great unit form Worcester here and can see them getting edge on with great balance and form.

HB’s – Loving Kerr-Barlow this season and would be a cracking contest with Phipps, Priestland a class above heathcote though.

Centres – Two very good units, not much in two great 12’s but Pisi edges maps who gets marked down a little for form but still quality.

Back 3 – Two good units again I can’t separate.

Overall – Wasps have a more in set piece and see Priestland punishing Worcester. Just a few players away from win Prop (TH and 5)

Maybe BJ, Charteris and Hopper would have been better!!

Irish 26-20 falcons

Front row - Castro will get on top and hore had a great season

Locks - 1 a piece POC does not have form but Is the standout. Think Kennedy is a weakness

Back row- Irish by a distance. Armitage and Coetzee in great form whereas falcons have Barclay and faletau who have had weak seasons

Half backs - Irish again take this. Both players have form. See Cowan as a real issue. He was second choice at club and needs a good start over here to get rated again.

Centres- 2 pairings that are quite weak. Geraghty has been not great for a while. Basteraud is very direct and the pairing could work.

Williams and Lowe could get bullied physically. Just cannot see Lowe and Williams as a pair.

Back 3- delon and JP miles a class ahead of falcons back 3 players

I can see Irish on front foot and dominating game. A few form issues in falcons pack and half backs but they are big name players. Think falcons big game experience saves this being a thumping

Quins 25-25 sarries

Great game. Prefer quins front row. Wilson weak link. Like the quins lock pairing. Sarries lightweight pairing and rob simmons has looked lost throughout super 15.

Great backrows and all good combos. Sarries a bit more class. Half backs to sarries hougaard best on show.

Trinder is struggling at moment pete and broke down again last night. Quins centres direct and will cause problems.

Sarries back 3 leagues ahead.
Contrasting styles and matchups cannot separate

I take it I've offended you again this week Matt lol

Sorry for not giving you the win did not realise I had to think you would win any game. The explanation is clear on where I thought you were lacking. You have hardly put out your best side????????????

Not bothered mate, only kidding

I wasn't having a go by the way, Nicks put a better side out so knew I would lose.

You just haven't put one single positive for me so hard to know where I'm falling down if you know what I mean.

Leicester 24 - 24 Gloucester

Leicester have the more upfront with a powerful front 5. Lack a fetcher in the backrow and think Gloucester will have the edge there. Half backs to Gloucester by a distance. Outside backs marginally to leicester, particularly think that Gloucester back three will struggle with the tactical kicking of Yach and Wilko. Gloucester will be more of a threat with ball in hand.

London Welsh 30 - 0 Bath

Overall driver I don't think thats a bad side for the Anglo welsh. If someone goes in strong then there would be weaknesses in Catterick, Davies and Swinson but they are no mugs. Downey at 12 a better option than James.

Northampton 29 - 25 Sale

Front 5 to Saints. Attwood the weakest lock on show but Bekker the best so evens it up against a Saints duo I like. Back row goes to Saints as well with Parisse making the difference. Half backs to Sale, but the outside backs go to Northampton with a strong unit. JTH never a 13 for my money and will get found out positionally.

Wasps 23 - 24 Worcester

front 5's level but the Worcester back row a class above with a fine unit. Half backs to Wasps with the outside backs pretty even. Think you have stronger back rows Arry, Banahan ok but plenty better around. wouldn't start your TH if I were you prop.

Irish 22 Newcastle 23

Can see Falcons getting on top , last time i saw Stevens at LH he was poor and PDJ could take advantage of this. Garvey over Slater but Slater is solid in scrum and brings plenty of power. POC over Kendo at the set piece and in the lose. Falcons take 2/3 of the back row with them having better flanks Coatzee could be star but is a few years down the pecking order. Pienaar and Evans havn't done it on the international stage for a while but Cowen is fading Whilst Flood is great at taking the ball to the line. Williams is a big physical presence in the midfield and would get plenty of joy running at Gereghty whilst Basteraud is great one week and dire the next. Lowe is a great young player and would work well outside Williams whilst Gereghty and Basteraud has a great balance to it. Back 3 belongs to irish with only Cuthbert better in the falcons back 3.

Bench swings it for Newcastle.

Pooly your bench is great. Tbh I did not really see many positives apart from POC.

Lots of decent players but not good units. Struggled to see how your key pairings would work together ie Cowan and flood and Williams and Lowe

For me a complete Lack of guile in the backs. All quick lads but apart from Goode none of them have rugby brains.

Hore vs best would be some tussle

Fair enough mate, just like a bit of constructive rather than all negitives. Hard to know where to go when somebody just slates every player in your team.

Quins 23 Saracens 20

Quins get the edge in the front row with Corbs and Afoa doing well to cancel each other out and Marler putting Wilson in his pocket. Rees is a big strong scrummager but doesn't do as much as Bizzy in the loose. Engine room is 50/50 with Bakkies and Simmons the pick of the bunch. Not sure how Fearns will kick on at 7 but can see him struggling against Dus in the work rate side of things. Denton just ahead of Johnson. Easter on par with Vermulen.

Houghard above Dickson , for me Houghard could be best 9 in world but played in wrong game plan with Boks. Need a play maker outside of Farrell if you want him to play mainly a structured kicking game but Nonu has a great pass and is very smart. Roberts might struggle with getting past Nonu. Back 3 is pretty even stevens with Taylor in great nick.

Steve i'd play JJ at 13 outside Roberts and it improves your team so much.

Saints 18-17 sale


Tough game to predict. Saints have great in form players in pack and the chiefs players will be to the fore.

Saints to get a nudge on in scrum but sale to edge lineouts

Sale half backs dictate play better than saints but it's in the outside backs where saints will get joy. Saints back 3 Better in each position.

Really like the sale lock pairing. Great carrying and athleticism.

Can't see JTH working outside Steyn though

Not really getting in to it but I did not slate every person in your team. I pointed out weaknesses and why I thought they were weak.

Pointed out you had really good players but lots of them not in great form.

Barclay, faletau, pdj, tonga, POC, Cowan, Scott Williams etc have not really ripped up trees over the last season have they?
Most of those however are good players.


Robshaw has been on top form and was the standout player in your team

I'd say Scott Williams has ripped up trees Matt , His try against England proved pretty handy?

Wasps 17-19 quins

front 5's level but the Worcester back row a class above with a fine unit. Half backs to Wasps with the outside backs pretty even. Think you have stronger back rows Arry, Banahan ok but plenty better around. wouldn't start your TH if I were you prop.

Driver - RIP 606 wrote:I'd say Scott Williams has ripped up trees Matt , His try against England proved pretty handy?

One moment as sub does not make a season for me driver. Beck had his international place at the end of june

He was pretty good in the RWC as well , lot of Taffs calling for him to start at 13 with JD at 12 in the 6N.

For all games I haven't taken into account players form, assumed its good running conditions and add extra weight on the outcome if a team has experienced 2, 8, 9 and 10 to control a game.

Saracens 25 - 25 Harlequins
Cant split this one at all I'm afraid - two really contrasting styles, I like how Pete is using Farrell, and the kick chase will be very effective. Probably to play counter attacking ball though you need a really creative 12-13 who can step into first receiver role, otherwise the ball could just get lost in midfield. If Trinder starts for Gloucester in real life then that will sort this out no problem at all.

Quins really good forward pack - when HC comes around and its the wetter months then that pack will win them a lot of games. In all honesty I need to see more of Huget and Taylor to see how good they are.

Leicester 29 - 30 Gloucester
In wet conditions then Leicester would have won this by 5+ points as their pack is immense and have given Gloucester a one point win because I've assumed its good summer running rugby pitch and their backline from 9-15 can score tries.

Tigers will dominate the front row and have got a great bench to bring on, so will be strong here for full 80mins. I think they come unstuck with a lack of creativity from 9-12 and that will cost them the win. Also for Mat Grey starting at no2 could be an issue, would have been a bigger impact if Strauss wasnt on the bench, which will change things a lot.

With Gloucester they have a cracking second row and backrow, which will give them some parity in the pack, but Genia and Carter are two great players and the attacking threat out wide is fantastic and see them getting more chance of scroing tries. Again if it had rained TIgers would win.

London Welsh 30 - 0 Bath

Driver think you've put otgether a really good pack there - not sure how Welch will get rated playing in the Championship and Downey definitely a far better option at 12. Could be found out a bit with the backline out wide.

Wasps 20 - 18 Worcester

Reckon Wasps will get the better of it in the front five, but Worcester will do some damage with an awesome back row - but Mafi is a really good ball carrier that Wasps will need with their second row combo (for me best player in the AP last season). For me there is a gulf in class in the no10 shirt and Priestland experience will give Wasps the win here.

London Irish 25 - 23 Newcastle
Just give the edge to the Irish starting pack - but Newcastle bench really brings a big sway and overall this evens itself out. I give Irish the win as see more gainline breakers in their team, especially in their backline.

This is a potential issue with that Newcastle team as it reminds me a little of how Wasps played last season, so great runners and can score some cracking tries, but they havent got anyone to really straighten up an attack, or take the ball into contact and get them those extra few yards (am not a Cuthburt fan).

Nick I'm not 100% sure how well Geraghty will do as a starting 12 for you - think he needs to start playing well in the AP and he then becomes a big option, but can see people marking you down for him at the start of the season there.

sorry lads really struggling for time again today, ask me for opinions in the week and am happy to help.

wasps 23-21 worc
leicester 22-24 glos
saracens 27-24 quins
saints 32-30 sale

London Wasps 24 Worcester 21
Leicester Tiger 25 Gloucester 25
Saracens 22 Harlequins 21
Northampton Saints 35 Sale Sharks 34


Sorry for lack of description , feeling a bit tender today. (Sympathy welcomed)

Driver - RIP 606 wrote:Quins 23 Saracens 20

Quins get the edge in the front row with Corbs and Afoa doing well to cancel each other out and Marler putting Wilson in his pocket. Rees is a big strong scrummager but doesn't do as much as Bizzy in the loose. Engine room is 50/50 with Bakkies and Simmons the pick of the bunch. Not sure how Fearns will kick on at 7 but can see him struggling against Dus in the work rate side of things. Denton just ahead of Johnson. Easter on par with Vermulen.

Houghard above Dickson , for me Houghard could be best 9 in world but played in wrong game plan with Boks. Need a play maker outside of Farrell if you want him to play mainly a structured kicking game but Nonu has a great pass and is very smart. Roberts might struggle with getting past Nonu. Back 3 is pretty even stevens with Taylor in great nick.

Steve i'd play JJ at 13 outside Roberts and it improves your team so much.

Driver - RIP 606 wrote:London Wasps 24 Worcester 21
Leicester Tiger 25 Gloucester 25
Saracens 22 Harlequins 21
Northampton Saints 35 Sale Sharks 34


Sorry for lack of description , feeling a bit tender today. (Sympathy welcomed)

Driver, you appear to have predicted my game with Steve twice, and given completely different results with one win for him and one for me. In the interests of fairness, I am going to discount both of those predictions from the final scores.

Sorry dude ,

Newcy brown must still be in my system

London Irish 24 Newcastle Falcons 22
I don't see any give either way in the scrum. Both tightheads will anchor well enough, and I don't see either loosehead being able to attack well enough against the opposition tighthead. One a piece in the engine room, but better back row with more power from Irish gives them an edge in the pack. Not a Cowan fan and think his service could let Flood down a bit, whereas the Irish pair are top class. Pietersen the form man in the backs, and him and Delon give Irish the edge. Little edges almost everywhere for Irish sees them take the win.

Leicester Tigers 25 Gloucester 25
Can't really seperate the packs as units, apart from Saull who looks out of place amongst the back row forwards on display, so maybe a very slight edge for Leicester. Not much i need to say about the half back pairings, both are very good, with Gloucesters slightly ahead. Inthe absence of tactics targeting anything I don't see a real weakness in the Tigers backs, although 36 will need to start the season strongly to be rated in the same company as some of the internationals on show. For Gloucester, it's a backline that could carve up any team , particularly if you kick poorly to them, but could also be undone defensively in the back 3. Slight edge in the pack to Tigers negated by edge in the half backs to Gloucester and so I have to go for a draw.

Northampton Saints 26 Sale Sharks 25
Think Sale would get a nudge on a scrum time, but question how many scrums there would actually be in these (good) conditions. Likewise I see s light edge in the lineout for Sale with Bekker dominating proceedings. In the loose I think Saints pack have a real edge though and will have some joy getting over the gainline. Two good halfback pairings who will ook to put tempo on the game. For me JTH is no 13, he lacks the nous to play there and I could see a lot of Sale's attacks dying with him. Saints backline is strong and ultimately for me sees them edging this one.

London Wasps 22 Worcester Warriors 21
Will add reasons if I get time in a bit.

Irish 26 - 22 Newcastle

Both TH's to get on top and HK quite even, so not much give up front. One apiece in the second row, POC the standout. More form for Irish in the back row, but two well balanced units. All Irish in the HB's and think they take control of the game here. One apiece in the centres again, not convinced by Gearghty at this level, sorry. Irish's experienced back three more of a threat than the young Newcastle back three, but again two good units. Think Irish have a bit more overall here.