Heineken Cup Round 1

Pool 1

Castres Olympique vs Harlequins FC

Stade Pierre-Antoine. Weather- clear, 7 degrees C, 4mph wind

Castres Olympique

01. Saimone Taumoepeau	09. Rory Kockott (k)
02. Matthieu Bonello	10. Rémi Tales
03. Yannick Forestier
04. Richie Gray	11. Marcel Garvey
05. Rodrigo Capo Ortega	12. Santiago Fernández
06. Ibrahim Diarra	13. Max Evans
07. Yannick Caballero	14. Pierre-Gilles Lakafia
08. Pedrie Wannenburg (c)	15. Brice Dulin

16 Brice Mach, 17 Mihai Lazâr 18 Karena Wihongi, 19 Christophe Samson, 20 Antonie Claassen, 21 Julien Tomas, 22 Seremaia Bai 23. Romain Teulet


Manager – Driver

01. Jerome Schucester	09. Richard Wrigglesworth(c)
02. Joe Gray	10. Gareth Steenson
03. Will Collier
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Israel Folau
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Ian Henderson	13. Siri Naqalavuki
07. Steffon Armitage	14. George North
08. Jack Clifford	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Mark Lambert, 17. Ben Kayser, 18. James Johnston, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20. Jamie Gibson, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23 Jared Payne

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Pool 2

Exeter Chiefs vs Cardiff Blues

Sandy Park, Exeter. Weather - cloudy, 15 degrees C, 20 mph wind

Exeter Chiefs


Manager – BamBam

01. Coenie Oosthuizen	09. TJ Perenara
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. David Wilson
04. Alan Wyn-Jones	11. Cory Jane
05. James Horwill	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Lowe
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Ben Smith

16. Ben Moon 17. Chris Brooker 18. John Afoa 19. Charlie Matthews 20. David Ewers 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Tom Heathcote 23. Jack Nowell

Cardiff Blues

01. Getting Jenkins	09. Lloyd Williams
02. Matthew Rees (c)	10. Rhys Patchell (k)
03. Taufa'ao Filise
04. Bradley Davies	11. Chris Czekaj
05. Filo Paulo	12. Cory Allen
06. Josh Navidi	13. Owen Williams
07. Sam Warburgon	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Andries Pretorius	15. Leigh Halfpenny

16 Scott Andrews , 17 Tom Davies 18 Marc Breeze, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Alex Walker, 22 Gareth Davies 23. Harry Robinson

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Pool 3 

Saracens vs Leicester Tigers.

Allianz Park, London. Weather- moderate rain, 10 degrees C, 7 mph

Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Matt Mullan	09. Danny Care
02. Schalk Brits	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Williams
05. George Skivington	12. Anthony Allen
06. Kelly Brown (c)	13. Joel Tomkins
07. Will Fraser	14. Simon Zebo
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16. Mako Vunipola 17. Ron Buchanan 18. Davit Zirakashvili 19. Mamuka Gorgodze 20. Richie McCaw 21. Morgan Parra 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Chris Wyles

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Pool 4

Bath Rugby vs Scarlets

The Recreation Ground, Bath. Weather- cloudy, 12 degrees C, 10 mph

Bath
Manager – Bathite

01. Cian Healy	09. Michael Classens
02. Ross Batty	10. James Hook (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Johann Muller (c)	11. Tom Biggs
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Rene Ranger
07. Julian Salvi	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Johnnie Beattie	15. Alex Goode

16. Nathan Catt 17. Andries Strauss 18. Kane P-Newport 19. Rynhardt Eldstadt 20. Carl Fearns 21. Chris Cook 22. Marcelo Bosch 23. Eliot Daly


TACTICS
- In difficult, windy conditions, we have picked a heavy ball carrying pack. We want to play all the rugby in their half and challenge at the lineout so will use the boots of Hook and Goode (Bosch and Daly off the bench) to pin Scarlets back

- With Muller calling the lineout, we'll look to challenge every throw and Batty has been picked for his consistent throwing ability to ensure we win our throws.

- Look to keep their defence narrow with SOB, Fearns, Attwood, Beattie, Healy smashing it up on the fringes. Classens to look to snipe

- Eastmond and Hook to mix up first receiver with slow ball to change point of attack. Eastmond and Goode available to offer at first/second receiver with quick ball

- Ranger to crash it up off slow ball to set up the ruck. A very mobile pack will get there first to smash and clear out, leaving quick ball for 9

- Salvi picked as out and out 7, looking to be first to every ruck and bridge the tackled player, slowing ball and/or winning penalties. We will pick our rucks and not over commit to secured ball, rather looking to target isolated runners

- In defence, look to pressurise fly half, and force inside into our back row


- Fearns to come on for SOB when he appears slightly tired, his freshness will help to slow oppo ball at the ruck and look to force turnovers against tired legs

- Experience of Strauss, Bosch for the last 20 minutes for impact. Bosch in at 13, Ranger to the wing

Scarlets

01. Rhodri Jones	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Ken Owen	10. Rhys Priestland (k)
03. Deacon Manu
04. Jake Ball	11. Kristian Phillips
05. Sione Timane	12. Scott Williams
06. Aaron Shingler	13. Jonathan Davies
07. John Barclay	14. Frazier Climo
08. Rob McKusker (c)	15. Liam Williams

16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Samson Lee 18 Jacobie Adriaanse , 19 Carwyn Jones , 20 Josh Turnball, 21 Aled Davies 22 Steven Shingler 23. Jordan Williams

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Pool 5

Ulster vs Northampton Saints

Ravenhill, Belfast. Weather- overcast, 12 degrees C, 13 mph

Ulster

01. Tom Court	09. Ruan Pienaar (k)
02. Rory Best (c)	10. Paddy Jackson
03. John Afoa
04. Johann Muller	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Ian Henderson	12. Luke Marshall
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Darren Cave
07. Chris Henry	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Roger Wilson	15. Jared Payne

16 Rob Herring, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick 18 Callum Black , 19 Dan Tuohy , 20 Sean Doyle, 21 Paul Marshall 22 Paddy Wallace 23. Andrew Trimble

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Pool 6

Gloucester vs Perpignan

Kingsholm, Gloucester. Weather - light rain, 14 degrees C, 8mph

Gloucester

01. Rhys Gill	09. Dan Robson
02. Rory Best	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Antoine Guillamon
04. Jim Hamilton	11. JSD
05. Tom Savage (c)	12. Jaimie Roberts
06. Akapusi Qera	13. Henry Trinder
07. Sam Cane	14. Adam Thompstone
08. JVN	15. Johnny May

16. Darren Dawiduk 17. Adam Jones 18. Dan Murphy 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Andy Hazell 21. Dimitri Yachvilli 22. Pat Lambie 23. Jesse Mogg

USA Perpignan

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Nicholas Durand
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Camille Lopez
03. Giorgi Jgenti
04. Luke Charteris	11. Watisoni Votu
05. Romain Taofifénua	12. David Marty
06. Alasdair Strokosch (c)	13. Tomasso Benvenuti
07. Daniel Leo	14. Jens Torfs
08. Luke Narraway	15. James Hook (k)

16 Maxime Delonca, 17 Paulicâ Ion 18 Kisi Pulu , 19 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 20 Jean-Pierre Perez, 21 Florian Cazenave, 22 Sofiane Guitoune 23. Lifeimi Mafi

Castres Olympique

01.  Saimone Taumoepeau	09. Rory Kockott (k)
02. Matthieu Bonello	10.    Rémi Tales
03. Yannick Forestier
04.  Richie Gray	11. Marcel Garvey
05.  Rodrigo Capo Ortega	12. Santiago Fernández
06. Ibrahim Diarra	13.   Max Evans
07. Yannick Caballero	14. Pierre-Gilles Lakafia
08. Pedrie Wannenburg (c)	15. Brice Dulin

 16 Brice Mach, 17 Mihai Lazâr 18 Karena Wihongi, 19 Christophe Samson, 20 Antonie Claassen, 21 Julien Tomas, 22 Seremaia Bai 23. Romain Teulet

Cardiff Blues

01.  Getting Jenkins	09. Lloyd Williams
02. Matthew Rees (c)	10.    Rhys Patchell (k)
03. Taufa'ao Filise
04.  Bradley Davies	11. Chris Czekaj
05.  Filo Paulo	12. Cory Allen
06. Josh Navidi	13.   Owen Williams
07. Sam Warburgon	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Andries Pretorius	15. Leigh Halfpenny

 16 Scott Andrews , 17 Tom Davies 18  Marc Breeze, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Alex Walker, 22 Gareth Davies 23. Harry Robinson

Scarlets

01.  Rhodri Jones	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Ken Owen	10.    Rhys Priestland (k)
03. Deacon Manu
04.  Jake Ball	11. Kristian Phillips
05.  Sione Timane	12. Scott Williams
06. Aaron Shingler	13.   Jonathan Davies
07. John Barclay	14. Frazier Climo
08. Rob McKusker (c)	15. Liam Williams

 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Samson Lee 18  Jacobie Adriaanse , 19 Carwyn Jones , 20 Josh Turnball, 21 Aled Davies 22 Steven Shingler 23. Jordan Williams

Ulster

01.   Tom Court	09. Ruan Pienaar (k)
02. Rory Best (c)	10.    Paddy Jackson
03. John Afoa
04.  Johann Muller	11. Craig Gilroy
05.  Ian Henderson	12. Luke Marshall
06. Stephen Ferris	13.   Darren Cave
07. Chris Henry	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Roger Wilson	15. Jared Payne

 16 Rob Herring, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick 18  Callum Black  , 19 Dan Tuohy , 20 Sean Doyle, 21 Paul Marshall  22 Paddy Wallace  23. Andrew Trimble

USA Perpignan

01.  Sona Taumalolo	09. Nicholas Durand
02. Guilhem Guirado	10.    Camille Lopez
03. Giorgi Jgenti
04.  Luke Charteris	11. Watisoni Votu
05.  Romain Taofifénua	12. David Marty
06. Alasdair Strokosch (c)	13.   Tomasso Benvenuti
07. Daniel Leo	14. Jens Torfs
08. Luke Narraway	15. James Hook (k)

 16 Maxime Delonca, 17 Paulicâ Ion 18 Kisi Pulu  , 19 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 20 Jean-Pierre Perez, 21 Florian Cazenave, 22 Sofiane Guitoune 23. Lifeimi Mafi

This literally ruined me

Castre away is a tough opener for me.

1.Jerome Schuester
2.Joe Grey
3.Will Collier
4.Mouritz Botha
5.Al Hargreaves
6.Iain Henderson
7.Chris Robshaw
8.Jack Clifford

9.Richard Wrigglesworth
10.Gareth Steenson
11.Isreal Falou
12.Wesley Fofana
13.Siri Naqalavuki
14.George North
15.Nick Abendonan

01. Rhys Gill	09. Dan Robson
02. Rory Best	10.  Freddie Burns (k)
03. Antoine Guillamon
04.  Jim Hamilton	11. JSD
05.  Tom Savage (c)	12. Jaimie Roberts
06. Akapusi Qera	13.   Henry Trinder
07. Sam Cane	14. Adam Thompstone
08. JVN	15. Johnny May

16. Darren Dawiduk 17. Adam Jones 18. Dan Murphy 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Andy Hazell 21. Dimitri Yachvilli 22. Pat Lambie 23. Jesse Mogg

Exeter Chiefs
 
 
Manager – BamBam
 
 

01. Coenie Oosthuizen	09. TJ Perenara
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. David Wilson
04. Alan Wyn-Jones	11. Cory Jane
05. James Horwill	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Lowe
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Ben Smith

16. Ben Moon 17. Chris Brooker 18. John Afoa 19. Charlie Matthews 20. David Ewers 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Tom Heathcote 23. Jack Nowell
 
 
Tactics to follow

Remember, technically all RC players are free but will be tired if they played last week

As an outsider in the Heino, I wouldn't mark them down so much if they were included on the bench however.

Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Matt Mullan	09. Danny Care
02. Schalk Brits	10.    Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuna
04.  Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Williams
05.  George Skivington	12. Anthony Allen
06. Kelly Brown (c)	13.   Joel Tomkins
07. Will Fraser	14.  Simon Zebo
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16. Mako Vunipola 17. Ron Buchanan 18. Davit Zirakashvili 19. Mamuka Gorgodze  20. Richie McCaw 21.  Morgan Parra  22.  Beauden Barrett 23. Chris Wyles

Bath
Manager –  Bathite
 

01. Cian Healy	09. Michael Classens
02. Ross Batty	10. James Hook (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Johann Muller (c)	11. Tom Biggs
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Rene Ranger
07. Julian Salvi	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Johnnie Beattie	15. Alex Goode

 
16. Nathan Catt 17. Andries Strauss 18. Kane P-Newport 19. Rynhardt Eldstadt 20. Carl Fearns 21. Chris Cook 22. Marcelo Bosch 23. Eliot Daly


TACTICS
- In difficult, windy conditions, we have picked a heavy ball carrying pack. We want to play all the rugby in their half and challenge at the lineout so will use the boots of Hook and Goode (Bosch and Daly off the bench) to pin Scarlets back

- With Muller calling the lineout, we'll look to challenge every throw and Batty has been picked for his consistent throwing ability to ensure we win our throws. 

- Look to keep their defence narrow with SOB, Fearns, Attwood, Beattie, Healy smashing it up on the fringes. Classens to look to snipe

- Eastmond and Hook to mix up first receiver with slow ball to change point of attack. Eastmond and Goode available to offer at first/second receiver with quick ball

- Ranger to crash it up off slow ball to set up the ruck. A very mobile pack will get there first to smash and clear out, leaving quick ball for 9

- Salvi picked as out and out 7, looking to be first to every ruck and bridge the tackled player, slowing ball and/or winning penalties. We will pick our rucks and not over commit to secured ball, rather looking to target isolated runners

- In defence, look to pressurise fly half, and force inside into our back row


- Fearns to come on for SOB when he appears slightly tired, his freshness will help to slow oppo ball at the ruck and look to force turnovers against tired legs

- Experience of Strauss, Bosch for the last 20 minutes for impact. Bosch in at 13, Ranger to the wing

FALCONS

01.Grant Shiels
02.Scott Lawson
03.Hoani Tui
04.Paul O'Connell
05.Louis Deacon
06.Will Welch
07.Jaque Burger
08.Thomas Waldrom
09.Piri Weepu (C)
10.Nicky Robinson
11.Ryan Shortland
12.Shane Geraghty
13.James Simpson
14.Matt Banahan
15.Stuart Hogg (K)

Replacementa: 16.Mealamu 17.'Beast' 18.Wenztel 19.Macleod 20.Young 21.Biggar 22.Hariquony 23.Habana