Summer Cup - Round 3

Team & Tactics - 0000hrs Monday
Predictions - 2000 hrs Wednesday

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Pool A -  Bath vs Gloucester
Location - Stadio Flamino
Weather - Sunny , 24 degrees, 5 mph light breeze

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Bath
Manager –  Bathite
 

01. Cian Healy	09. Tawera Kerr - Barlow
02. Adrian Strauss	10. James Hook
03. Owen Franks
04. Johann Muller (c)	11. Tom Biggs
05. Dave Attwood	12. Frans Steyn
06. Carl Fearns	13. Eliot Daly
07. Frans Louw	14. Kyle Eastmond
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Alex Goode

 
16. Nathan Catt 17. Chris Tolufua 18. Kane P-Newport 19. Rynhardt Eldstadt 20. Guy Mercer 21. Michael Claassens 22. Rory Clegg 23. Tommy Bowe

 TACTICS
- Muller runs the lineout, with Louw jumping at the back for quick off the top ball in oppo half
- Uses carriers of SOB, Louw, Fearns, Attwood, Healy, Franks, Strauss to suck in defenders narrow, with TKB sniping at the fringes
- Hook plays flat, with Goode and Steyn interchanging and back three coming into the line
- Steyn organises blitz defence, TKB sweeps in behind
- Steyn and Daly to pin back Glos into their own half, with strong kick chase

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Gloucester

Manager - Prop Lyd

01. Nick Wood	09. Dan Robson
02. Rory Best	10. Pat Lambie
03. Adam Jones
04. Elliott Stooke	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Tom Savage (c)	12. Jaimie Roberts
06. Alistair Strokosch	13. JDJ
07. Akapusi Qera	14. Shane Monahan
08. Luke Narraway	15. Robbie Henshaw

Replacements; 16. Korree Britton 17. Antoine Guillamon 18. Dan Murphy 19. Sam Whitelock 20. JVN 21. Dimitri Yachvilli 22. Freddie Burns 23. Johnny May

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Pool A - Sale Sharks vs London Wasps
Location - Twickenham
Weather - Sunny , 24 degrees, 5 mph light breeze

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Sale Sharks

Manager –  LondonIrishOllie

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Connor Murray
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Henry Thomas
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Raymond Rhule
05. Kearnan Myhall	12. Jonathon Davies
06. Matt Garvey	13. Jonathon Joesph
07. Schalk Burger	14. Bryan Habana
08. JMF Lobbe(c)	15. Will Addison

16. Gary Botha 17. Davit Kubriashvili 18. L Molopola 19. James Gaskell 20. David Seymour 21. Hayden Thomas 22. Johan Goosen 23. Charlie Aymsebury

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London Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Paul James	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans
03. David Wilson
04. George Kruis	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Paul O'Connell	12. Brad Barritt
06. Scott Higginbotham	13. Francis Sailli
07. Sam Jones	14. Horacio Agulla
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Maxime Medard

Replacements; 16. Tom Lindsay 17. Scott Wilson 18. Craig Mitchell 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Tom Johnson 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. George Lowe 23. Andrea Masi

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Pool A -  Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs  
Location - Millenium Stadium
Weather - Sunny , 24 degrees, 5 mph light breeze

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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. Brodie Retalick	12. Jan Senfortein
06. Stephen Luatua	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. JP Pieterson
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Samu Manoa 20. Calum Clark 21. 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Gael Fickou[

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Exeter Chiefs
 
 
Manager – Pooly (Caretaker)
 
 

01. Coenie Oosthuizen	09. TJ Perenara
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Pascal Pape	11. Ben Smith
05. James Horwill	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Toby Faletau	15. Jack Nowell

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Scott Spurling 18. Nicolas Mas 19. James Hanks 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Richard Kahui

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Pool A -  Saracens v Worcester Warriors
Location - Aviva Stadium
Weather - Sunny , 24 degrees, 5 mph light breeze

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Saracens

Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Nic Frisby
02. Rob Buchanon	10.    Charlie Hodgson
03. Shaun Knight
04.  Mamuka Gorgodze	11. Tom Williams
05.  Bakkies Botha	12.  Beauden Barrett (k)
06. Donnacha Ryan	13. Conrad Smith
07. Kelly Brown (c)	14.  Simon Zebo
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Drew Mitchell

16. Matt Mullan 17. Rob Hawkins 18. Ben Tameifuna 19. Charlie Matthews  20. Nick Easter 21. Ben Spencer 22. Tom Casson 23. Leigh Halfpenny

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Worcester Warriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. Joe Marler	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Ollie Hayes	10. Andy Goode
03. James Currie
04. Nile Dacres	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Robbie Freaun
06. James Haskell	13. Matt Hopper
07.  Matt Kvesic	14. Max Stelling
08. Ben Morgan	15. Tom Homer

16. Tatafa Polota Nau 17. George Porter 18. Juan Figallo 19. Juandre Kruger 20. Michael Hooper 21. Will Genia 22. Dan Carter 23. Kurtley Beale

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Pool A -  London Irish vs Harlequins
Location - Wembley Stadium
Weather - Sunny , 24 degrees, 5 mph light breeze

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London Irish 

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Greg Laidlaw
02. Rhys Marshall	10. Quade Cooper
03. Euan Murray
04. Ian Evans	11. Anthony Watson
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Guy Armitage
06. Tom Guest	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. David Strettle
08. Imanol Harinodoquy	15. Matt Tait

Replacements; 16. Stephen Moore 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Leo Halavatu 19. Simon Shaw 20. Ally Hogg 21. Joe Simpson 22. Dan Bowden 23. Delon Armitage

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Harlequins

Manager - Driver

01. Mark Lambert	09. Bryn Hall
02. Ben Kayser	10. Morne Steyn (K)
03. Will Collier
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. James Short
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Sam Stuart
07. Chris Robshaw (C)	14. Israel Folau
08. Dave Denton	15. Ollie Linsey-Hague

16. Joe Grey 17. Marcos Ayerza 18. James Johnston 19.Mo Botha 20. Iain Henderson 21. Richard Wrigglesworth 22. Rhys Priestland 23. George North

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Pool A -  Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
Location - MurrayField
Weather - Sunny , 24 degrees, 5 mph light breeze

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Leicester Tigers

Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Fraser Balmain	09. Karl Dickson
02. Luke Cowen-Dickie	10. Ian Madigan
03. Phil Swainston
04. Ed Slater	11. Marlon Yarde
05. Tom Price	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Ardie Savea	13. Matt Smith
07. Luke Wallace	14. Charlie Walker
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. Danny Cipriani

16. Bismark du Plessis 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Dan Cole 19. Richie Gray 20. Sam Warburton 21. Ben Youngs 22. James O'Connor 23. Berrick Barnes

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Newcastle Falcons

01. Grant Shiells	09. Piri Weepu (C)
02. Kevin Mealamu	10. Phil Godman(K)
03. Tom Mercy
04. Louis Deacon	11. Matt Banahan
05. George Skivington	12. Luke Marshall
06. Thierry Dusatoir (C)	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Jacques Burger	14. Ugo Monye
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Stuart Hogg

16.Lawson 17.Mtawaria 18.Stevens 19.Welch 20.Blair 21.Farrell 22.Basteraud 23.Brown

Pretty sure I just played Falcons?

Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Nic Frisby
02. Rob Buchanon	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Shaun Knight
04. Mamuka Gorgodze	11. Tom Williams
05. Bakkies Botha	12. Beauden Barrett (k)
06. Donnacha Ryan	13. Conrad Smith
07. Kelly Brown (c)	14. Simon Zebo
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Drew Mitchell

16. Matt Mullan 17. Rob Hawkins 18. Ben Tameifuna 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Nick Easter 21. Ben Spencer 22. Tom Casson 23. Leigh Halfpenny

Bath
Manager –  Bathite
 

01. Cian Healy	09. Tawera Kerr - Barlow
02. Adrian Strauss	10. James Hook
03. Owen Franks
04. Johann Muller (c)	11. Tom Biggs
05. Dave Attwood	12. Frans Steyn
06. Carl Fearns	13. Eliot Daly
07. Frans Louw	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Alex Goode

 
16. Nathan Catt 17. Chris Tolufua 18. Kane P-Newport 19. Rynhardt Eldstadt 20. Guy Mercer 21. Michael Claassens 22. Frans Steyn 23. Olly Woodburn

 TACTICS
- Muller runs the lineout, with Louw jumping at the back for quick off the top ball in oppo half
- Uses carriers of SOB, Louw, Fearns, Attwood, Healy, Franks, Strauss to suck in defenders narrow, with TKB sniping at the fringes
- Hook plays flat, with Goode and Steyn interchanging and back three coming into the line
- Steyn organises blitz defence, TKB sweeps in behind
- Steyn and Daly to pin back Glos into their own half, with strong kick chase

1.Mark Lambert
2.Ben Kayser
3.Will Collier
4.Eben Etzbeth
5.Al Hargreves
6.Jamie Gibson
7.Chris Robshaw
8.Dave Denton

9.Bryn Hall
10.Morne Steyn
11.James Short
12.Wesley Fofana
13.Sam Stuart
14.Isreal Falou
15.Ollie Lindsey Hague

Fixtures:

Bath v Gloucester
Sale v Wasps
Northampton v Exeter

Saracens v Worcester
Irish v Harlequins
Leicester v Newcastle

Sale team for R3:
 
Sale Sharks

Manager –  LondonIrishOllie

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Connor Murray
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Raymond Rhule
05. Kearnan Myhall	12. Jonathon Davies
06. Matt Garvey	13. Jonathon Joesph
07. Schalk Burger	14. Bryan Habana
08. JMF Lobbe(c)	15. Will Addison

16. Gary Botha 17. Henry Thomas 18. L Molopola 19. James Gaskell 20. David Seymour 21. Hayden Thomas 22. Johan Goosen 23. Charlie Aymsebury

Exeter Chiefs
 
 
Manager – Pooly (Caretaker)
 
 

01. Coenie Oosthuizen	09. TJ Perenara
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Pascal Pape	11. Ben Smith
05. James Horwill	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Toby Faletau	15. Jack Nowell

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Simon Alcott 18. Nicolas Mas 19. James Hanks 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Richard Kahui

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

01.Grant Shiels
02.Kevin Mealamu
03.Tom Mercer
04.Louis Deacon
05.Marcon Wenztel
06.Thiery Dusatoir
07.Jaque Burger
08.Thomas Waldrom
09.Piri Weepu (c)
10.Phil Godman
11.Matt Banahan
12.Luke Marshall
13.Maxime Mermoz
14.Ryan Shortland
15.Stuart Hogg (K)

replacement: 16.Lawson 17.Mtawaria 18.Stevens 19.Welch 20.Blair 21.Robinson 22.Basteraud 23.Brown

Hopefully get mine in tomorrow

London Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Paul James	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans
03. David Wilson
04. George Kruis	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Paul O'Connell	12. Brad Barritt
06. Scott Higginbotham	13. Francis Sailli
07. Sam Jones	14. Horacio Agulla
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Maxime Medard

Replacements; 16. Tom Lindsay 17. Scott Wilson 18. Craig Mitchell 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Tom Johnson 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. George Lowe 23. Andrea Masi

London Irish 

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Greg Laidlaw
02. Rhys Marshall	10. Quade Cooper
03. Euan Murray
04. Ian Evans	11. Anthony Watson
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Guy Armitage
06. Tom Guest	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. David Strettle
08. Imanol Harinodoquy	15. Matt Tait

Replacements; 16. Stephen Moore 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Leo Halavatu 19. Simon Shaw 20. Ally Hogg 21. Joe Simpson 22. Dan Bowden 23. Delon Armitage

01. Nick Wood	09. Dan Robson
02. Rory Best	10. Pat Lambie
03. Adam Jones
04. Elliott Stooke	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Tom Savage (c)	12. Jaimie Roberts
06. Alistair Strokosch	13. JDJ
07. Akapusi Qera	14. Shane Monahan
08. Luke Narraway	15. Robbie Henshaw

Replacements; 16. Korree Britton 17. Antoine Guillamon 18. Dan Murphy 19. Sam Whitelock 20. JVN 21. Dimitri Yachvilli 22. Freddie Burns 23. Johnny May

Page up to date.

Bath - Had to drop a 6th EQ into the lineup. Eastmond to the wing, Bowe to bench, dropping Woodburn to call up Clegg as FH cover.

Sale - Swap Thomas for Kubs to make 6th EQ

Exeter - Alcott removed, he is retired!

Quins - 10th EQ added on bench, swapping Burgess for Wiggles

Falcons - Skivington and Monye added to lineup and Farrell added to bench to make up EQ

Cheers Flux, sorry, thought it was 5 EQ

Is this open yet?

Open mate

Bath 30 - 28 Gloucester

Good scrum battle where Bath just win based on Healey vs the also v good Wood. The line out goes to Bath too, aided by Best's throwing recently. Breakdown also goes to Bath but the Gloucrster pack can make some big carries too. 2 good backlines, Gloucester's more balanced and Bath's more exciting, Eastmond fine on the wing but I think better at centre or FB when possible . Glouc back 3 looks a tad inexperienced but talented. Overall good squads, But Bath edge it at home.

All neutral grounds buddy.

Ah, thanks

Sale 27 - 28 Wasps

Fairly even scrum though sale's experience might help. Sale's second row can do damage in the loose etc but Wasps win the line out which is a lovely looking unit. Jones a bit raw vs Burger but will grow. Great HBs but Wasps are more settled. Addison the weak link in the backs. Think Wasps edge it.

Bath 28 - 24 Gloucester

Tough side to crack up front from Bath, there is too much physicality and experience in comparison to Glos, who just lack the high class experience in some cases. If Bathite doesn't take offence to it, but this side does feel like a 'Gatland-ball' side. Strong backs from each, again a bit more experience in high level competitions and their quality will see Bath come through. Glos with the stronger bench and can change things up. Front rows are both decent combos, especially the bath unit. Prop not sure that JDJ and Roberts work brilliantly in my mind, but thats up to opinion. Could be worth looking into Burns/Lambie/Roberts, as Lambie is flourishing there recently for the Sharks.

Northampton Saints 31 - 30 Exeter Chiefs

Two great packs. For me the Chiefs have got one of the best packs in the league when fully deployed and that backrow has potentially everything! SJE, for me you will struggle with the lineout a bit. I know occasionally calls it for Saints, but it would one of my sticking points against your pack. That is one difference I can make between the two at the minute, and maybe depending on how the props get on this season at Metro they could be losing their legs a little. Two decent back lines. Again SJE great unit, good balance of pace, youth, experience graft and skill. Chiefs are good, but I think they need more spark in the middle as Wilko and 36 are great players, but lack that little flair say someone like Sexton has on the other side. However they are solid and can get the ball into the dangerous back three/four. Little more influence from the Saints bench late on, with Manoa and Fickou continuing good work when they get on the field. If this was just a pack vs pack Chiefs win, but as a complete side, Saints can just nick it here.

Saracens 26 - 21 Worcester Warriors

Decent squad depth shown here by CJ. Perhaps would have rather seen Gorgodzilla at 6 and Ryan in the second row, but they are small details as there is some serious physicality in that back five. Wuss struggle against the power, but their backrow can fight back a bit, with a decent unit and EQ combo. Wuss just edge the halfbacks with the experience to exploit frisby. Would be a bit nervous with Barrett at 12, especially lining up against Freaun, as Barrett is not the best tackler in the world, despite his recent development. Warriors backs and bench come on to change the game up and get the odd score, with Genia changing the pace. But Sarries have done the damage with that back five and a handy bench of their own.

London Irish 24 - 24 Harlequins

Irish have a bit more in the pack with two experienced props helping them get the better in the front five. Back fives are about even, with a bit more lineout going to Irish with Kendo and Hari being great here. Steyn in great form and can actually put Fofana and Folau into space. Bit more again across the board for Irish, but Steyns kicking to keep Quins in the game. Both benches are strong, but think there is a little more in the way of game changing in the Quins locker, and this will earn them an unlucky draw.

Leicester Tigers 28 - 29 Newcastle Falcons

Decent fight up front. The experience and quality of Falcons evens the battle against the young lads from Tigers and they can almost be bullied up front, because of that. Falcons edge the set pieces, but don't quite match up to the carrying array of the Tigers pack, so it makes it an engrossing battle. More invention from the Tigers halfbacks, and in the current company Godman struggles a little. Falcons have some better quality backs and can actually play some good rugby off their set piece advantage. I also like the balance of creativity and straight running that it possesses. However what a bench a Tigers have to bring on! It will change the game, but Falcons have a very strong bench as well. If this was at Welford road I could see Tigers in typical fashion coming back and nicking it. But on this day Falcons can hang on to win it in a major confidence boost before the season.

Sharks 20 - 20 Wasps
Some solid players in both front rows, but Sheri and Hibbs will have big joy over opposite numbers. Second rows fairly even. Back rows tricky with Higgy and Burger both been out for a while. Burger will be marked down a fair bit now, it's been a long time since he's played. Wasps have a proven HB combo, which I rate, but I really like the Sale pair as well, can't separate. Not sure about either centre combos, both quite samey. Nice back three from Wasps though, good mix of skills, although kicking game is lacking. Sorry, really can't seperate the teams without tactics or home/away

Saints 25 - 22 Chiefs
Saints need a strong start to season for Tiny and Mooj in France to pick up their scrum rating. I'll give them the edge here, as a proven trio. Chiefs win the lock battle, with Horwill immense. Saints win the back row though, as Chiefs are very lightweight at flanker. HBs about evens, but Chiefs well ahead in the centre. In the back three, Saints need some form from Foden and Ashton this year as well. Saints edge it, with more physicality up fron

Sarries 19 - 15 Worcs
Two experimental front rows, with not much scrummaging in either side, could be interesting. Sarries get a hell of a shove from the locks though! A very big Sarries pack, great for carrying, but not much nous. Serious concerns about Barretts defence at 12, but luckily for him, Fruean out of position. Sarries win this with a brutal pack

Irish 26 - 19 Quins
Irish experience up front will win them a lot of penalties and turnover. Not much experience in Quins backline either, a lot falls on Steyn's shoulders. A bit more quality and experience throughout the Irish team means I have faith that they will professionally finish the job. Some great players in the Quins team, just need more leaders.

Tigers 14 - 12 Falcons
Another very young side, this time from the Tigers, with plenty of promise. Some future superstars in that side, with experience off the bench. Falcons will win front and back rows and centres easily, but the rest is up for grabs. Madigan a big step up on Godman. Falcons build an early lead, but Pooly sends on that super bench and they drag back a win.

Bath 27-26 Gloucester
Sale 21-23 Wasps
Saints 30-30 Exeter
Saracens 23-21 Worcester
Irish 24-22 Quins

Close games

Focused again on the improvements needed.

Sale 22-20 Wasps
Sale: Look at 3 and 15 (I know they fill eq quota though), not sold on JD2 at 12
Wasps: Look at 2 and 15

Saints 28-27 Exeter
2 really good squads here. Not sure about Smith on the wing for Exeter and don’t know a lot about Luatua.

Sarries 28-25 Warriors
Sarries: look at maybe a stronger tighthead.
Warriors: 2 and 3 are good kids but need strength in 2nd row and never heard of Dacres. Great bench though.

Irish 24-22 Quins
Irish: Need a stronger hooker.
Quins: Look at 3, 6 and 13.

Tigers 20-20 Falcons
Tigers showing their good strength in depth here. Falcons improved greatly and only just lose out due to the Tigers strong bench getting them a draw.

In a show??????

Aye I'm doing much ado about nothing

No change there mate  

Touche

Bath 19-14 Glaws
Sale 20-23 Wasps
Sarries 31-28 Worc
Irish 26-23 Quins
Tigers 20-21 Falcons

Bath 22-23 Gloucester
Sale 19-19 Wasps
Saints 28-26 Exeter
Irish 24-23 Quins
Tigers 30-33 Newcastle

Saints 28- 28 Chiefs
Chiefs take front row, then evens on the line out and breakdown. Like the balance of the Chiefs back row. Lovely backlines but Newell can be exposed by Saints' back 3. Love both centre combos. Draw

Irish 34 - 35 Quins

Quins talented front row but Irish win there with more experience. Then Quins win the line out with a very versatile unit and probably win pack collisions too. Gibson a bit lightweight at 6. Irish halfbacks a real handful with Laidlaw dictating and Cooper creating. Lovely attacking backlines but Irish vulnerable in defence outside and Quins in the centres. Think the edge in the forwards beats edge in the halfbacks and Quins just win

Tigers 27 - 29 Falcons

Tigers front row full of promise but will lose the scrum today to a very able Falcons unit. More even in the rest of the pack but Falcons edge with more experience and a very good pack indeed. Godman not the man to get the backline firing and Madigan could make him look silly. Tigers a good backline but falcons again more experienced as well as more powerful and Cips hasn't played 15 in a while. Tigers bench makes it close but Falcons win this

Results:

Bath 27 - 24 Gloucester*
Saints 30* - 27 Exeter*
Saracens 28 - Worcester 22*
Irish 28 - Quins 25*
Tigers 24* - Falcons 26
Sale 22* - Wasps 24

Cheers mate, get this up to date today hopefully

Bonus:

CJ, Flux, Bathite, Prop, Pooly, SJE

MARK

I predicted Pooly?

So you did, sorry fella