Aviva Premiership Round Six

 

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Bath Rugby vs Gloucester Rugby
Location - The Rec
Light Clouds, 14 Degrees, 12 mph Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby

Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Luke Romano	11. Cory Jane
05. Andries Bekker	12. Anthony Allen
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Joel Tomkins
07. James Haskell	14. George North
08. Jordan Crane	15. Stuart Hogg

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16. Chris Brooker 17. Carl Rimmer 18. Charlie Faumuania 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Chris Henry 21.    22.  Ben Smith 23. Rob Miller
 
Overall: Look to play flowing rugby with Hodgson pulling the strings. We will be looking for big carries all over to get over the gainline. We believe our side is fresher will Folau, Dagg and Kudiriani surely tired from their exploits on the other side of the world over the last two months
 
Scrum: We will look to get an advantage at scrum time with a strong front five picked. Apply pressure and look to get nudge on throughout. Look to play the ref and if not going our way use as a restart.
 
Lineout: At the line out we will look to keep our own ball and challenge the Irish line out. Romano offers a strong banker ball option at the front whilst Bekker and Lobbe offer solid jumping options.
 
We will be looking for big carries from the forwards with the likes of Hibbard, Healy, Romano, Lobbe and Haskell dangerous runners who can really create gaps for our backs. We will be looking for lots of energy from our forwards to open up holes to be exploited. 
 
Breakdown: Look to clear hard and fast with Haskell and Lobbe looking to make a real nuisance of themselves and get their hands on the ball
 
Backs: We will be looking to use the backs in order to create or go through holes. Parra and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. Parra will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Tomkins, Hogg and north seeing lots of the ball. 
 
Defence: Use an blitz defence in order to put pressure on Gloucester. Parra sweep in behind 
 
Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. Faumuania, Brooker and Rimmer will look to keep the scrum strong. Kitchener will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Henry can look to really get involved in all facets of the game against tired legs. Wigglesworth will look to come and and provide playmaking. Smith and Miller will look to come up and provide a threat with their running
 
 

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Gloucester
 
 

Manager – Mat 

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Jamie George	10. Dan Carter
03. Nicola Mas
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Ryan Mills
06.Willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kuridrani
07. Julian Salvi	14. Israel Folau
08. Jaimie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

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16. Coenie Oisthusen17. Joe Grey 18. Juan Figallo  19. Tom
Palmer  20. Dickinson  21.  Connor Murray 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Iain Balshaw

Overall
 
Look to play a dynamic carrying ball game to get on front foot to allow our 8,9,10 to dictate. We will be looking. To target players like Bekker Haskell Hodgson and Jane who have been out for a long time and can't have any form.
 
Scrum
 
Feel we have a serious advantage here with a tough front 5 with several world class players. See this as to get stronger as we bring on Ousthuizen grey and probably the worlds best tighthead in figallo.
Baths bench of rimmer brooker and fauminia is comparably weaker
Line out
 
In heaslip Robson and etzbeth we have the quality operators and will use this to gain us clean ball whilst disrupting theirs
 
Forwards
 
We know with our backline the job of the forwards
Is to provide a platform for quick
Ball so we can get carter looking to use our world class back 3 which has it all. We will be looking to drive mauls in our own half and use Alberts and co off the back to get over the gain line. In their half we
Will be looking to carry the ball and create super quick ball to be moved to the backs.
 
Breakdown
 
We will look to target their lack of a 7 with salvi looking to ruin there ball and link play for us on attack. See our pack as being more physical and technical in this area
 
Backs
 
Robson has the job of clearing the ball quickly to let Carter play. Carter has the ability to play as the situation dictates. In Mills he has a footballing 12 and a powerhouse in kuridrani at 13.
 
Carter will look to isolate folau for
The cross kick where his aerial prowess is unrivalled.
 
As the game breaks up our back 3 will eat up any loose ball or poor kick with interest. All of them are in great form and can score from anywhere.
 
 
Subs
To carry on momentum we will use all forward subs to carry the relentless of forward.
 
Key
Points
 
Win forward battle with more in form and powerful players
Target the hodgson/Allen channel with big runners
Target their lack of a 7 with salvi and co
Superior line out operators
Look to pick on Bekker Haskell Hodgson and Jane who have not
Played for a long time 

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Exeter Chiefs vs Worcester Warriors
Location - Sandy Park
Sunny Intervals, 14 Degrees, 14 mph Westerly Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
 
Manager – Fluxy
 

01. Logovii Mulipola	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Rob Webber	10. Toby Flood (K)
03. Mike Ross
04. Brad Thorn	11. Maxime Medard
05. Geoff Parling	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Maurie Fa'asavalu	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Tom Varndell
08. Nick Williams	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Sean Cronin 17. Yannick Forestier 18. Will Collier 19. Bradley Davies 20. Sam Jones 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Stephen Myler 23. Matt Tait
 
Tactics
 
On the back of some strong performances, with the Chiefs at home we will play our game when we have ball in hand. First looking to play game in the right areas of the paddock, and then cutting loose with our dangerous backs. Therefore the intelligence of Flood, JMH and Machenaud will dictate when to attack and when we need to clear the lines.
This week we will adapt our game to suffocate the Warriors in a number of methods. Firstly we will look to rule the set-pieces and pressure every line-out and scrum of theirs. Secondly the side is packed full of hard workers and grafters, that can chop down their strong runners all day long.
We look to use the constant pressure from at the breakdown and set-pieces to punish any mistakes or turnovers with either breakaway tries or pressure kicks into their territory. This will force Warriors to play from within in their 22 and use our strong lineout and kicking game to pressure them. In attack we will look to use the creativity of Flood, Nonu and JMH to create space and use the dangerous runners around them.
 
Hopefully with the hard work of our pack, it should create space and quick ball for the backs.
 
Key Points
 

• Sandy Park is a difficult place for any team to come and get any sort of positive result.
  
  

 

• Form - A number of players in have great form at the moment, either from the Euro campaign or from the RC. 
  
  

 

• Look to use our strong bench for impact later in the game. Each player is mobile and can change the momentum in our favour if needed.
  
  
  
• Flood will kick all points, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Warriors should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  

 
Attack
 

• Use quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller, also look to use Robshaw at the tail and Thorn to jump on the front ball. With the big pack look to set the maul in the opponents 22. 
  
  

 

• Mulipola and Ross are solid technicians and will allow Webber freedom to secure our own feed, to provide clean first phase possession for our backs, or in if range allow Williams to attack off the base of the scrum.
  
  
  
• Pack filled big carriers to provide a number of options in the tight exchanges. Look to keep moving the point of attack with clever offloads and forward interplay. Look for forward pods outside the third guard in the line to really stretch their defences.
  
  

 

• We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines and allowing their back row to get over the ball.
  
  
  
• Flood is a decent attacker and look to use a league style move to unlock the defence. Nonu can either take it short on the gain line or the pass can be screened to Bosch with the 14, and 15 on the out side to create the overlap.
  
  

 
Defence
 

• We will use a Blitz drift line in defence to cut down Trinh Duc's options and push him inside towards our back-row.
  
  

 

• Machenaud to sweep behind the defencive line, and to counter any loose kicks or turnover ball - either by quickly shipping it wide to the back three, or kicking in behind their back three.
  
  
  
• The whole pack is mobile and capable of getting over the ball at the breakdown. Robshaw will target the breakdown backed up by others like Parling, Fasa'valu Webber and Thorn who can support on the the floor or at chopping runners down.
  
  

 

• If we kick in behind their back-line or back three, we look to at least make them have to turn into an advancing black line which will not allow the receiver time to make decision or escape with clean ball. Every kick to be chased, the kick is as only as good as the chase.
  
  

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Worcester Warriors

Manager - stnick88
 

01. Tendai Mtawrira	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Mouritz Botha	11. David Strettle
05. Johann Muller	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Danie Russouw	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Ross Rennie	14. Willie Le Roux
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Delon Armitage

16. Nathan Catt17. Dave Ward 18. BJ Botha 19. James Percival 20. Phil Dowson 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Olly Barkley 23. Mark Cueto
 
Tactics
 
- Use big ball carrying forwards to make inroads in to Chiefs defence.
- Yachvili to kick all pens at goal to keep scoreboard ticking over
- Muller to lead lineout and challenge opposition all. Botha and Russouw to support Muller.
- Shut down Nonu quickly to stop him gaining momentum. Big tacklers like Beast, Russouw, Botha, Bastereaud and Mujati to hit hard.
- French 9,10,12,13 combo to combine when in good territory and use pace of Delon and Willie out wide. Look to test new Chiefs combos.
- Rennie to target breakdown and secure any turnovers when the chance is on.
- Halfbacks to get us in right areas of the pitch to play in. Perfect combo to do this.

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Harlequins vs Sale Sharks
Location - Twickenham Stoop
Light Rain, 15 Degrees, 14 mph South Westerly Winds

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Harlequins

Manager – Steven_Sharks
 

01. Joe Marler	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Yoann Huget
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Florian Fritz
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ben Franks 18. Gjorgi Jgenti 19. George Kruis 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Lee Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jonathan Joseph
 
Tactics
 
- Use the strong carriers in our pack and backline to get us over the gain line and try to get quick ball to attack with. 
 
- Look to pump the legs after contact and win the collision. Carry in numbers so the offload is an option or so we can ruck quickly. 
 
- In our own half look to clear behind the Sale back 3 or use up and unders to pressurise with the boots of Laidlaw and Burns.  
 
- Look to get the ball wider when we have quick ball to attack with. Exploit the lack of organisation in the Sale defence. 
 
- Look for control at the set piece. Milk any advantage we have in this area. 
 
- Patience in attack is key and not panic. Build the phases and tire out Sale. 
 
- Use our bench as and when it is needed introducing form players such as Dickson and game-changers such as Cooper. 

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE
 

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Ian Henderson	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. Keith Earls
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Dave Kilcoyne 17. David Paice 18. Phil Swainston 19. Tom Savage 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Will Addison 
 
We will play the game in the opposition half with an intelligent kicking game. When there we will play a fast paced, high intensity offloading game looking to create space for our halfbacks and to get our back three onto the ball as much possible. 
 
- Target the scrum. Good technical front row supported by plenty of grunt will look to get on top and win penalties. 
 
- Get at Afoa. With just 30 minutes of rugby behind him this season he has no form what so ever to go on!
 
- Attack from the lineout. Five genuine jumping options allows us to mix it up and really use the lineout as an attacking platform. Look to get the ball to Sexton and Eastmond with space outside. 
 
- Target the opposition lineout with Quedragao jumping at the front and Attwood & Ryan marshalling the middle to pick of Quins throws. Sexton & Eastmond will relish attacking an unset defence. 
 
- Look to mix up play. Sexton & Eastmond to interchange at first receiver and change the point of attack. Care provides a threat snipping around the base.
 
- Get the back three involved. Zebo, Earls & Abendanon all to run lines looking for the inside ball or offload to get in behind the opposition defence. 
 
- Hit the breakdown hard. Look to our dynamic front five to clear the ruck and allow the likes of POM & Quedragao to really attack the breakdown.
 
- Straight line blitz defence focusing on a quick line speed to isolate the ball carrier before the gain line. Quedragao will defend on Eastmonds shoulder to double up and also be first on the scene at the breakdown. Care to sweep in behind to cover chips and grubbers.
 
- Get at the Quins 10s! Burns not in the best of form and Cooper flown half way across the world! We will look to put big hits in from the likes of POM, Henderson & Attwood to really disrupt Quins patterns.

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Northampton Saints vs Saracens
Location - Franklin Gardens
Light Rain Showers, 12 Degrees, 12 mph Westerly Winds

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Northampton Saints
 
 

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Ian Madigan
03. Carl Hayman
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Christian Wade
05. Samu Manoa	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Julien Bonnaire	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Liam Gill	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

Subs: 16. Mikey Harwood 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Ben Teimafano 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Matt Giteau 23. Ben Foden
 
 
Saints tactics:
 
Tactics:Saints will play a high intensity/tempo'd game from the outset and take the game to Sarries. We will look to place them under pressure with a really physical, aggressive approach and defence to force Sarries into mistakes to exploit. We have picked a team full of strong ball carriers to get us over the gainline, win the collisions and provide excellent front foot ball to attack with. We will aim to dominate the setpiece with a very strong front five and lineout jumpers again to supply a good attacking platform, with each of our backs being able to score tries from distance. 
 
Setpiece: We will look to really put Sarries under pressure with both setpieces - we have a very strong front five at scrum time and on Sarries throw ins we will use Lawes's athleticism to challenge Whitehead's throwing. On our own ball we have the options of Lawes, Manoa, Bonnaire and Parisse to secure attacking ball on. 
 
Breakdown/Backrow: Liam Gill to go directly against Smith to ensure Saints secure their own ball and challenge Sarries when they take it into contact. With Lawes and Manoa both our second rows are mobile and can clear out rucks and reduce Smith's influence. 
 
Possession/Territory: With the conditions we will look to keep hold of the ball and work through the phases to tire Sarries defence out. But if we are getting some joy at the lineout Madigan will kick for the corners so we can put pressure on the Sarries throw and force them into mistakes in key areas of the pitch.  
 
Attack the Gainline: We will look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to provide our backs with the platform to attack. We have an attacking platform from both setpieces and will use Fofana and Tuilagi to take out de Villiers in first phase, recycle ball and then attack with the Sarries defensive lynchpin out of play. 
 
Defence: Main threat from Sarries is their 12/13 combination so we've picked a really tough midfield combination to stop them getting over the gainline. If we stop that then we can force Steyn to kick deep and counter attack with our backthree. Aggressive blitz defence, not looking Sarries to have anytime on the ball and making it very difficult for them to win the gainline collisions. Simpson to sweep behind. 
 
Impact Bench: Strong bench to really up the intensity in final 20-25minutes. 
 
Key selection points:
Target the set piece and collisions as key areas of the gain.
Get the ball to our big runners early on and punch through the gainline. 
Big impact bench, full of strong ball runners to really put Sarries under pressure in final 20mins.
Put Whitehead and Ewers under pressure due to inexperience at this level. 
 

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Saracens

Manager – Pooly
 

01. Matt Mullen	09. Luke Burgess
02. Chris Whitehead	10. Morne Steyn
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Julian Pierre	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Louis Deacon(c)	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Joe Van Niekerk	13. Jonathan Davies
07. George Smith	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Dave Ewers	15. Lee Byrne

 
 
16. Keven Mealamu  17. Max Lahiff  18. Clement Ric  19. Rob Simmons  20. Carl Fearns  21. Chris Cook  22. Gareth Steenson  23. Luther Burrell
 
Tactics:
 
General - Look to play the percentages and keep things tight in the pack. Greasy conditions will hinder free flowing rugby so we'll look for big carries from our pack and look to tie the opposition defence in around the fringes. We'll play things safe in our own half and have numerous strong kicking options in the backline to mix our game up(Steyn/JD/Byrne)
 
Scrum - Look to get a platform and keep the ball in on attacking ball if a weakness is seen in the opposition set piece. With our big locks look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back.
 
Line out - Look to play it safe and use the rolling maul to good effect. Our big pack should have a lot of joy here and will tie in the opposition defence allowing Burgess a chance to use his pace once a gap is seen.
 
Defence - High intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player. Huge physical pack that can look to dominate the collision and breakdown allowing Smith etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Burgess to sweep behind the defensive line.
 
Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Burgess to inject pace from the breakdown and have JD on his shoulder. JDV to run at 10/12 channel and target unfamiliarities in defence. We'll look to alternate Ewers/JVN depending on the scrum, look to use Ewers off the base running at Simpson/Madigan. We seen Warburton struggle with Ewers physicality so he could really hurt the Saints defensive line with the Saints halfbacks not the strongest defensivley.
 
Points -
 
Scrum inbalance - The Saints scrum would struggle with the new laws with their height differnce in the front row (Domingo 5'8", Hartley 6'1", Hayman 6'4"), we'll look target this as they
 
FH form - Madigan has struggled to get in the Leinster side, Steyn has been in great form and will keep the board ticking over.
 
Wade - We've seen him struggle against the cross field kick (at 5'8") we'll look to use the cross field kick and use Thompstone to dominate him here.
 
HB quality - Two experienced halfbacks who've played at the highest level will look to dicate play, compare this to the Saints pairng who have little to no top level experience.
 
JD kicking - look for him to use the grubber to get behind the Saints midfield pairing who can be caught out with this

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London Wasps vs Leicester Tigers
Location - Adams Park
Light Rain Showers, 12 Degrees, 9 mph Westerly Winds

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London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213
 

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Gareth Anscombe

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Paul James 18. David Wilson 19. George Skivington 20. Tom Johnson 21. Luke Wallace 22. Nathan Fowles 23. Tim Nanai-Williams
 
Key Points 

• Home advantage.
  
  
• Psychological advantage.  We beat Tigers 2 weeks ago, and that was without world class players like du Plessis, Corbisiero, Vermeulen, and Smith. We know we can win the game.
  
  
• Tigers back row targeting Farrell is a risk with Smith at 9, who if they go early will snipe and go ball in hand.
  
  
• Massive height disparity between Sheridan and Youngs in the front row, where Castrogiovanni will really look to get an advantage.
  
  
• World/top international class in key positions 2,8,9,10.  Bismarck the best in the world in his position and has shown recently what impact he has on games at the very top level.
  
  
• Ability to adapt our gameplan, with playmakers at 12 and 15, along with strike runners across the backline, and big carriers in the pack.  Defensively we have a very strong backrow, with two very mobile flankers who just do not stop. 
  
  

 
 
Basic Game Plan
Basic tactical premise will be to dominate possession.  We will go through the phases were possible and look to starve Tigers of the ball for long periods.  We will look for gaps and as the tackles come in make the offload to support runners, with the aim being to continually shift the point of attack and move Tigers players around.  Huge focus for us will be winning the collisions and dominating the breakdown. Of course, with the slightly damp conditions we won’t take chances, and will utilise the boots of Farrell, Lealiifano and Anscombe when needed, to put us in the right areas.
 
In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.
 
Specifics 

• Breakdown. In attack we will flood it rucking past the ball at pace to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence if the turnover is on we will flood it in the same manner to get quick ball, but if not on we will only commit a small number of players to slow the ball, instead maintaining a solid defensive line.
  
  
• Lineout. We will look to really attack Youngs throwing, with Hamilton jumping at the front and the athletic Kolisi jumping in the middle.  We know he can be got at in this area.  In attack we will vary things depending on the situation..
  
  
• Scrums.On our ball, if Tigers are strong we will go for quick channel 1 ball and look to get it out and start running at the gaps in the defensive line.  If we get on top, we will keep it in and scrummage and look to march them back, putting them on the back foot defensively and gaining us a psychological advantage.  On their ball we won’t be striking for it, but will look for an 8 man shove to drive them off it.  We will target the link the between Youngs and Sheridan where there is a massive height disparity.
  
  
• Open Play. Big runners off 9 and 10.  Smith to snipe to tie in the Tigers back row and give time and space to Farrell.  Big carriers to carry hard and straight and tie in defenders before recycling quickly.  Habana and Yarde to track off the wings, and look to take offloads in area where they can try to shift Billy Twelvetrees into positions where he jumps out of the line..
  
  

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Leicester Tigers

Manager – LukeLovesLuka
 

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Tom Youngs	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Henry Speight
05. Pascal Pape	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Francois Louw	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Charlie Clare 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jacques Burger 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Brock James 23. Ugo Monye
 
 
Tactics:
 
We will play to our strengths and play a game built around our intelligent HB's controlling the game and the power and strength of our side.
 
- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Sheridan to look to really get into the opposition.
 
- Attack at all lineouts. Use Joubert or Pape at the front and Hines off the top as our three key options. 
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option. 
 
- Put serious pressure on BDP's throws with Joubert at the front on all Wasps throws.
 
- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Wasps defence. The likes of SOB, Youngs, Louw, Pape and Hines to be used to target the Wasps 9 / 10 channel.
 
- Target the breakdown - huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Louw and SOB, and the likes of Cole and BOD too, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.
 
- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Wilko and Twelvetrees. We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.
 
- Target Farrell all game with Louw and SOB breathing down his neck at every opportunity. Big runners through his channel - looking to win the Wilko vs Farrell contest.
 
- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline. We have aggressive forwards to carry out this instruction. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.
 
- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.
 
- Target the last 30 mins. Unload our bench to see the game out for the win.
 
 

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Newcastle Falcons vs London Irish
Location - Kingston Park
Light Clouds, 12 Degrees, 11 mph Westerly Winds

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Newcastle Falcons
 
 

01. Ryan Grant	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rory Best	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Chris Ashton
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Kelly Brown	13. Rene Ranger
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

16.Darren Dawiduk 17.Alex Waller 18.Paul Doran Jones 19.Ed Slater 20.Juan Smith 21.Sam Harrison 22.Jimmy Gopperth 23.Charlie Sharples
 
Falcons to play a high tempo game using our ball carriers to get over the gainline and punish Irish with our dangerous backs.
 
we will look to be a strong aggresive well orginised defence and smash rucks to deny Irish quick ball and disrupt any rhythem.
 
Use the set piece as a attacking platform
 
Take the points when on offer to build a solid lead
 

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London Irish
 
 
Manager - Prop
 

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Rory Kockott
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Nick Kennedy	11. JSD
05. Craig Clarke	12. Luke McAlister
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13.  Henry Trinder
07. Thierry Dusatoir	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

16. A. Hore 17. T.Court 18. M.Stevens 19. J.Tipuric 20. E.Jackson 21. J.Moates 22. S.Geraghty 23. G.Armitage
 
Key Points
 
Balanced Backrow
We have picked a big backrow who are well balanced. Gorgodze will look to be abrasive and run at 10 looking to put him off his game. Dusatoir will look to dismantle the breakdown. Morgan will look to carry the ball all day and be the link man.
 
8-9-10-12-13
We want quick ball for our half-backs to tactically put us into territory (off the pitch). Our 8-9-10-12-13 will look to be influential and all have played together in this game alot so know each other well. These can all be standout playmakers who will look to control the game at our tempo in the light rain we will not expect attractive rugby.
 
Trinder
A lot of people have been picking Trinder as a weakness in the side and I would like to point you to the comments on the homepage where people have been praising his form recently as well as write ups of Glos matches where Trinders form has been praised as well.
 
 
 
Attacking
 

• We want to force errors from and will target the 12 channel by sending big runners down his channel.
  
  
  

• Kockott and Geraghty to play what's in front of them and look to McAlister who will look to play in Trinder or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Dusatoir, Godzilla and Clarke we have the number jumpers to gain the ball back, we know they will be dangerous here so will look to avoid his area and mix up our lineouts.
  
  
  

• Look for runners off of 10 and 12 channel to make the initial break before sending the ball out wide to JSD and Cummins.
  
  
  

• We will look to use our big pack to carry alot of ball and, if it isn't on then run off of 9 and take a couple of 'up the jumper' phases to drag defenders in.
  
  
  

• Our back three will look to come off their wings and hit the right angles.
  
  
  

• Power to close out the win in Court, Lindsay and Stevens, Tips will have a field day against tired legs, excitement to continue to target the tired players through Moates' sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Armitage and Geraghty can continue to control the game and bring further excitement and pace..
  
  
  

 
Set Piece
 

• Strong scrum which will get the edge up on the Jones and a good bench to come on as well to continue the pressure, 8-9-10 is a move we will use alot.
  
  
  

• We will use the maul to get ourselves up the pitch quickly and power over from short distance.
  
  
  

• Lineout has been mentioned previously where we have many strong jumpers here who will look to control attacking and defensive ones.
  
  
  

 
Defending
 

• Banana blitz defence targetting slowing down the ball led by McAlister so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres (we will have a backrower on Evans's shoulder to look for quick turnover ball, we will protect the channels to stop 9 sniping.
  
  
  

• Kockott will look to sweep and counter attack off any kick through's.
  
  
  

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Dus time to get over the ball and obliterate any protection they have in place.
  
  
  

• If the turnover isn't on we won't commit and will fan out defending inside-out.
  
  

Big game this week for me and Luke. 3rd vs. 1st. Battle Royale!!!

 

I shall get my team up this evening mate, as I know I have a hectic day and evening tomorrow!

London Wasps recall Sitaleki Timani and Jim Hamilton into the pack for this weeks encounter with Leicester Tigers at Adams Park.  Siya Kolisi also returns in place of Tom Johnson in the back row, with All Blacks scrum half Aaron Smith included in the only change to the backline.  Head coach Ozzy3213 had this to say…

“We’ve had two good wins in the Heineken Cup in the past fortnight, and significantly one of those was against Leicester Tigers.  That has put us in a good place psychologically going into this game, as we know that we can win against them.  They are a strong side and are the Premiership champions, so we know they will come hard, but in the past couple of weeks we have been welcoming back world class individuals to the side, and we are getting stronger and stronger.  This will be a real battle, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jim Hamilton ©	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Gareth Anscombe

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Paul James 18. David Wilson 19. George Skivington 20. Tom Johnson 21. Luke Wallace 22. Nathan Fowles 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

Key Points

• Home advantage.
  
• Psychological advantage. We beat Tigers 2 weeks ago, and that was without world class players like du Plessis, Corbisiero, Vermeulen, and Smith. We know we can win the game.
  
• Tigers back row targeting Farrell is a risk with Smith at 9, who if they go early will snipe and go ball in hand.
  
• Massive height disparity between Sheridan and Youngs in the front row, where Castrogiovanni will really look to get an advantage.
  
• World/top international class in key positions 2,8,9,10. Bismarck the best in the world in his position and has shown recently what impact he has on games at the very top level.
  
• Ability to adapt our gameplan, with playmakers at 12 and 15, along with strike runners across the backline, and big carriers in the pack. Defensively we have a very strong backrow, with two very mobile flankers who just do not stop.

Basic Game Plan
Basic tactical premise will be to dominate possession. We will go through the phases were possible and look to starve Tigers of the ball for long periods. We will look for gaps and as the tackles come in make the offload to support runners, with the aim being to continually shift the point of attack and move Tigers players around. Huge focus for us will be winning the collisions and dominating the breakdown. Of course, with the slightly damp conditions we won’t take chances, and will utilise the boots of Farrell, Lealiifano and Anscombe when needed, to put us in the right areas.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Breakdown. In attack we will flood it rucking past the ball at pace to free it up quickly and go again. In defence if the turnover is on we will flood it in the same manner to get quick ball, but if not on we will only commit a small number of players to slow the ball, instead maintaining a solid defensive line.
  
• Lineout. We will look to really attack Youngs throwing, with Hamilton jumping at the front and the athletic Kolisi jumping in the middle. We know he can be got at in this area. In attack we will vary things depending on the situation..
  
• Scrums.On our ball, if Tigers are strong we will go for quick channel 1 ball and look to get it out and start running at the gaps in the defensive line. If we get on top, we will keep it in and scrummage and look to march them back, putting them on the back foot defensively and gaining us a psychological advantage. On their ball we won’t be striking for it, but will look for an 8 man shove to drive them off it. We will target the link the between Youngs and Sheridan where there is a massive height disparity.
  
• Open Play. Big runners off 9 and 10. Smith to snipe to tie in the Tigers back row and give time and space to Farrell. Big carriers to carry hard and straight and tie in defenders before recycling quickly. Habana and Yarde to track off the wings, and look to take offloads in area where they can try to shift Billy Twelvetrees into positions where he jumps out of the line..
  

Best of luck Luke. In reality this would be a real cracker of a match.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Yoann Huget
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Florian Fritz
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ben Franks 18. Gjorgi Jgenti 19. George Kruis 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Lee Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

- Use the strong carriers in our pack and backline to get us over the gain line and try to get quick ball to attack with.

- Look to pump the legs after contact and win the collision. Carry in numbers so the offload is an option or so we can ruck quickly.

- In our own half look to clear behind the Sale back 3 or use up and unders to pressurise with the boots of Laidlaw and Burns.

- Look to get the ball wider when we have quick ball to attack with. Exploit the lack of organisation in the Sale defence.

- Look for control at the set piece. Milk any advantage we have in this area.

- Patience in attack is key and not panic. Build the phases and tire out Sale.

- Use our bench as and when it is needed introducing form players such as Dickson and game-changers such as Cooper.

Manager - Prop

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Rory Kockott
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Nick Kennedy	11. JSD
05. Craig Clarke ©	12. Luke McAlister
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13.  Henry Trinder
07. Thierry Dusatoir	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

16. A. Hore 17. T.Court 18. M.Stevens 19. J.Tipuric 20. E.Jackson 21. J.Moates 22. S.Geraghty 23. G.Armitage

Key Points

Balanced Backrow
We have picked a big backrow who are well balanced. Gorgodze will look to be abrasive and run at 10 looking to put him off his game. Dusatoir will look to dismantle the breakdown. Morgan will look to carry the ball all day and be the link man.

8-9-10-12-13
We want quick ball for our half-backs to tactically put us into territory (off the pitch). Our 8-9-10-12-13 will look to be influential and all have played together in this game alot so know each other well. These can all be standout playmakers who will look to control the game at our tempo in the light rain we will not expect attractive rugby.

Trinder
A lot of people have been picking Trinder as a weakness in the side and I would like to point you to the comments on the homepage where people have been praising his form recently as well as write ups of Glos matches where Trinders form has been praised as well.



Attacking

• We want to force errors from and will target the 12 channel by sending big runners down his channel.
  
  

• Kockott and Geraghty to play what's in front of them and look to McAlister who will look to play in Trinder or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Dusatoir, Godzilla and Clarke we have the number jumpers to gain the ball back, we know they will be dangerous here so will look to avoid his area and mix up our lineouts.
  
  

• Look for runners off of 10 and 12 channel to make the initial break before sending the ball out wide to JSD and Cummins.
  
  

• We will look to use our big pack to carry alot of ball and, if it isn't on then run off of 9 and take a couple of 'up the jumper' phases to drag defenders in.
  
  

• Our back three will look to come off their wings and hit the right angles.
  
  

• Power to close out the win in Court, Lindsay and Stevens, Tips will have a field day against tired legs, excitement to continue to target the tired players through Moates' sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Armitage and Geraghty can continue to control the game and bring further excitement and pace..
  
  

Set Piece

• Strong scrum which will get the edge up on the Jones and a good bench to come on as well to continue the pressure, 8-9-10 is a move we will use alot.
  
  

• We will use the maul to get ourselves up the pitch quickly and power over from short distance.
  
  

• Lineout has been mentioned previously where we have many strong jumpers here who will look to control attacking and defensive ones.
  
  

Defending

• Banana blitz defence targetting slowing down the ball led by McAlister so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres (we will have a backrower on Evans's shoulder to look for quick turnover ball, we will protect the channels to stop 9 sniping.
  
  

• Kockott will look to sweep and counter attack off any kick through's.
  
  

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Dus time to get over the ball and obliterate any protection they have in place.
  
  

• If the turnover isn't on we won't commit and will fan out defending inside-out.
  
  

After the strong showing in the European games, the Chiefs return to the league off the back of some strong wins and with some momentum. Director of Rugby Flux releassed this statement when announcing his side to face Worcester Warriors.


"I'm exicted to get back into the league games, we have recorded out first win of the season, which has been long overdue. It is the first time this season, that we have managed to get most probably our strongest side out. We have welcomed back Ma'a (Nonu), Marcelo (Bosch) and Juan (Martin-Hernandez) from strong performances in the Rugby Championship. With the home crowd welcoming back our stars who played, and back in front of a home crowd, the boys will look to impose themselves and record our first league win of the season."



Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Logovii Mulipola	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Rob Webber	10. Toby Flood (K)
03. Mike Ross
04. Brad Thorn	11. Maxime Medard
05. Geoff Parling	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Maurie Fa'asavalu	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Tom Varndell
08. Nick Williams	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Sean Cronin 17. Yannick Forestier 18. Will Collier 19. Bradley Davies 20. Sam Jones 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Stephen Myler 23. Matt Tait

Tactics

On the back of some strong performances, with the Chiefs at home we will play our game when we have ball in hand. First looking to play game in the right areas of the paddock, and then cutting loose with our dangerous backs. Therefore the intelligence of Flood, JMH and Machenaud will dictate when to attack and when we need to clear the lines.
This week we will adapt our game to suffocate the Warriors in a number of methods. Firstly we will look to rule the set-pieces and pressure every line-out and scrum of theirs. Secondly the side is packed full of hard workers and grafters, that can chop down their strong runners all day long.
We look to use the constant pressure from at the breakdown and set-pieces to punish any mistakes or turnovers with either breakaway tries or pressure kicks into their territory. This will force Warriors to play from within in their 22 and use our strong lineout and kicking game to pressure them. In attack we will look to use the creativity of Flood, Nonu and JMH to create space and use the dangerous runners around them.

Hopefully with the hard work of our pack, it should create space and quick ball for the backs.

Key Points

• Sandy Park is a difficult place for any team to come and get any sort of positive result.
  

• Form - A number of players in have great form at the moment, either from the Euro campaign or from the RC. 
  

• Look to use our strong bench for impact later in the game. Each player is mobile and can change the momentum in our favour if needed.
  
  
• Flood will kick all points, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Warriors should be wary of giving away penalties.
  

Attack

• Use quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller, also look to use Robshaw at the tail and Thorn to jump on the front ball. With the big pack look to set the maul in the opponents 22. 
  

• Mulipola and Ross are solid technicians and will allow Webber freedom to secure our own feed, to provide clean first phase possession for our backs, or in if range allow Williams to attack off the base of the scrum.
  
  
• Pack filled big carriers to provide a number of options in the tight exchanges. Look to keep moving the point of attack with clever offloads and forward interplay. Look for forward pods outside the third guard in the line to really stretch their defences.
  

• We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines and allowing their back row to get over the ball.
  
  
• Flood is a decent attacker and look to use a league style move to unlock the defence. Nonu can either take it short on the gain line or the pass can be screened to Bosch with the 14, and 15 on the out side to create the overlap.
  

Defence

• We will use a Blitz drift line in defence to cut down Trinh Duc's options and push him inside towards our back-row.
  

• Machenaud to sweep behind the defencive line, and to counter any loose kicks or turnover ball - either by quickly shipping it wide to the back three, or kicking in behind their back three.
  
  
• The whole pack is mobile and capable of getting over the ball at the breakdown. Robshaw will target the breakdown backed up by others like Parling, Fasa'valu Webber and Thorn who can support on the the floor or at chopping runners down.
  

• If we kick in behind their back-line or back three, we look to at least make them have to turn into an advancing black line which will not allow the receiver time to make decision or escape with clean ball. Every kick to be chased, the kick is as only as good as the chase.
  

Mark

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Morgen Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Luke Romano	11. Cory Jane
05. Andries Bekker	12. Anthony Allen
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Joel Tomkins
07. James Haskell	14. George North
08. Jordan Crane	15. Stuart Hogg

|;
16. Chris Brooker 17. Carl Rimmer 18. Charlie Faumuania 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Chris Henry 21.  Richard Wigglesworth 22.  Ben Smith 23. Rob Miller

Overall: Look to play flowing rugby with Hodgson pulling the strings. We will be looking for big carries all over to get over the gainline. We believe our side is fresher will Folau, Dagg and Kudiriani surely tired from their exploits on the other side of the world over the last two months

Scrum: We will look to get an advantage at scrum time with a strong front five picked. Apply pressure and look to get nudge on throughout. Look to play the ref and if not going our way use as a restart.

Lineout: At the line out we will look to keep our own ball and challenge the Irish line out. Romano offers a strong banker ball option at the front whilst Bekker and Lobbe offer solid jumping options.

We will be looking for big carries from the forwards with the likes of Hibbard, Healy, Romano, Lobbe and Haskell dangerous runners who can really create gaps for our backs. We will be looking for lots of energy from our forwards to open up holes to be exploited.

Breakdown: Look to clear hard and fast with Haskell and Lobbe looking to make a real nuisance of themselves and get their hands on the ball

Backs: We will be looking to use the backs in order to create or go through holes. Parra and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. Parra will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Tomkins, Hogg and north seeing lots of the ball.

Defence: Use an blitz defence in order to put pressure on Gloucester. Parra sweep in behind

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. Faumuania, Brooker and Rimmer will look to keep the scrum strong. Kitchener will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Henry can look to really get involved in all facets of the game against tired legs. Wigglesworth will look to come and and provide playmaking. Smith and Miller will look to come up and provide a threat with their running

Sam Tomkins? Brave call!

15.Alex Goode
14.Alex Cuthbert
13.Rene Ranger
12.Brad Barritt
11.Chris Ashton
10.Aaron Cruden
09.Ben Youngs

01.Ryan Grant
02.Rory Best
03.Owen Franks
04.Yoaan Maestri
05.Paul O'Connell (c)
06.Kelly Brown
07.Hienrich Brussouw
08.Toby Falatau

16.Darren Dawiduk 17.Alex Waller 18.Paul Doran Jones 19.Ed Slater 20.Juan Smith 21.Sam Harrison 22.Jimmy Goppereth 23.Charlie Sharnples

Yer would have been quite a bit wouldn't it Nick. Brain is frazzled! Took me a while to realise the problem

Saracens
Manager – Pooly
 

01. Matt Mullen	09. Luke Burgess
02. Chris Whitehead	10. Morne Steyn
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Julian Pierre	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Louis Deacon(c)	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Joe Van Niekerk	13. Jonathan Davies
07. George Smith	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Dave Ewers	15. Lee Byrne

 
 
16. Keven Mealamu  17. Max Lahiff  18. Clement Ric  19. Rob Simmons  20. Carl Fearns  21. Chris Cook  22. Gareth Steenson  23. Luther Burrell
 
Tactics:
 
General - Look to play the percentages and keep things tight in the pack. Greasy conditions will hinder free flowing rugby so we'll look for big carries from our pack and look to tie the opposition defence in around the fringes. We'll play things safe in our own half and have numerous strong kicking options in the backline to mix our game up(Steyn/JD/Byrne)
 
Scrum - Look to get a platform and keep the ball in on attacking ball if a weakness is seen in the opposition set piece. With our big locks look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back.
 
Line out - Look to play it safe and use the rolling maul to good effect. Our big pack should have a lot of joy here and will tie in the opposition defence allowing Burgess a chance to use his pace once a gap is seen.
 
Defence - High intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player. Huge physical pack that can look to dominate the collision and breakdown allowing Smith etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Burgess to sweep behind the defensive line.
 
Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Burgess to inject pace from the breakdown and have JD on his shoulder. JDV to run at 10/12 channel and target unfamiliarities in defence. We'll look to alternate Ewers/JVN depending on the scrum, look to use Ewers off the base running at Simpson/Madigan. We seen Warburton struggle with Ewers physicality so he could really hurt the Saints defensive line with the Saints halfbacks not the strongest defensivley.
 
Points -
 
Scrum inbalance - The Saints scrum would struggle with the new laws with their height differnce in the front row (Domingo 5'8", Hartley 6'1", Hayman 6'4"), we'll look target this as they
 
FH form - Madigan has struggled to get in the Leinster side, Steyn has been in great form and will keep the board ticking over.
 
Wade - We've seen him struggle against the cross field kick (at 5'8") we'll look to use the cross field kick and use Thompstone to dominate him here.
 
HB quality - Two experienced halfbacks who've played at the highest level will look to dicate play, compare this to the Saints pairng who have little to no top level experience.
 
JD kicking - look for him to use the grubber to get behind the Saints midfield pairing who can be caught out with this

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Tom Youngs	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Henry Speight
05. Pascal Pape	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Francois Louw	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Charlie Clare 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jacques Burger 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Brock James 23. Ugo Monye


Tactics:

We will play to our strengths and play a game built around our intelligent HB's controlling the game and the power and strength of our side.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Sheridan to look to really get into the opposition.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Joubert or Pape at the front and Hines off the top as our three key options.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Put serious pressure on BDP's throws with Joubert at the front on all Wasps throws.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Wasps defence. The likes of SOB, Youngs, Louw, Pape and Hines to be used to target the Wasps 9 / 10 channel.

- Target the breakdown - huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Louw and SOB, and the likes of Cole and BOD too, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Wilko and Twelvetrees. We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.

- Target Farrell all game with Louw and SOB breathing down his neck at every opportunity. Big runners through his channel - looking to win the Wilko vs Farrell contest.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline. We have aggressive forwards to carry out this instruction. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.

- Target the last 30 mins. Unload our bench to see the game out for the win.

Saints tactics:

Tactics:Saints will play a high intensity/tempo'd game from the outset and take the game to Sarries. We will look to place them under pressure with a really physical, aggressive approach and defence to force Sarries into mistakes to exploit. We have picked a team full of strong ball carriers to get us over the gainline, win the collisions and provide excellent front foot ball to attack with. We will aim to dominate the setpiece with a very strong front five and lineout jumpers again to supply a good attacking platform, with each of our backs being able to score tries from distance.

Setpiece: We will look to really put Sarries under pressure with both setpieces - we have a very strong front five at scrum time and on Sarries throw ins we will use Lawes's athleticism to challenge Whitehead's throwing. On our own ball we have the options of Lawes, Manoa, Bonnaire and Parisse to secure attacking ball on.

Breakdown/Backrow: Liam Gill to go directly against Smith to ensure Saints secure their own ball and challenge Sarries when they take it into contact. With Lawes and Manoa both our second rows are mobile and can clear out rucks and reduce Smith's influence.

Possession/Territory: With the conditions we will look to keep hold of the ball and work through the phases to tire Sarries defence out. But if we are getting some joy at the lineout Madigan will kick for the corners so we can put pressure on the Sarries throw and force them into mistakes in key areas of the pitch.

Attack the Gainline: We will look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to provide our backs with the platform to attack. We have an attacking platform from both setpieces and will use Fofana and Tuilagi to take out de Villiers in first phase, recycle ball and then attack with the Sarries defensive lynchpin out of play.

Defence: Main threat from Sarries is their 12/13 combination so we've picked a really tough midfield combination to stop them getting over the gainline. If we stop that then we can force Steyn to kick deep and counter attack with our backthree. Aggressive blitz defence, not looking Sarries to have anytime on the ball and making it very difficult for them to win the gainline collisions. Simpson to sweep behind.

Impact Bench: Strong bench to really up the intensity in final 20-25minutes.

Key selection points:
Target the set piece and collisions as key areas of the gain.
Get the ball to our big runners early on and punch through the gainline.
Big impact bench, full of strong ball runners to really put Sarries under pressure in final 20mins.
Put Whitehead and Ewers under pressure due to inexperience at this level.

Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88

01. Tendai Mtawrira	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Mouritz Botha	11. David Strettle
05. Johann Muller	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Danie Russouw	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Ross Rennie	14. Willie Le Roux
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Delon Armitage

16. Nathan Catt17. Dave Ward 18. BJ Botha 19. James Percival 20. Phil Dowson 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Olly Barkley 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

- Use big ball carrying forwards to make inroads in to Chiefs defence.
- Yachvili to kick all pens at goal to keep scoreboard ticking over
- Muller to lead lineout and challenge opposition all. Botha and Russouw to support Muller.
- Shut down Nonu quickly to stop him gaining momentum. Big tacklers like Beast, Russouw, Botha, Bastereaud and Mujati to hit hard.
- French 9,10,12,13 combo to combine when in good territory and use pace of Delon and Willie out wide. Look to test new Chiefs combos.
- Rennie to target breakdown and secure any turnovers when the chance is on.
- Halfbacks to get us in right areas of the pitch to play in. Perfect combo to do this.

Manager – Mat

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Jamie George	10. Dan Carter
03. Nicola Mas
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Ryan Mills
06.Willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kuridrani
07. Julian Salvi	14. Israel Folau
08. Jaimie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

|;
16. Coenie Oisthusen17. Joe Grey 18. Juan Figallo  19. Tom
Palmer  20. Dickinson  21.  Connor Murray 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Iain Balshaw[/quote]Overall

Look to play a dynamic carrying ball game to get on front foot to allow our 8,9,10 to dictate. We will be looking. To target players like Bekker Haskell Hodgson and Jane who have been out for a long time and can't have any form.

Scrum

Feel we have a serious advantage here with a tough front 5 with several world class players. See this as to get stronger as we bring on Ousthuizen grey and probably the worlds best tighthead in figallo.
Baths bench of rimmer brooker and fauminia is comparably weaker
Line out

In heaslip Robson and etzbeth we have the quality operators and will use this to gain us clean ball whilst disrupting theirs

Forwards

We know with our backline the job of the forwards
Is to provide a platform for quick
Ball so we can get carter looking to use our world class back 3 which has it all. We will be looking to drive mauls in our own half and use Alberts and co off the back to get over the gain line. In their half we
Will be looking to carry the ball and create super quick ball to be moved to the backs.

Breakdown

We will look to target their lack of a 7 with salvi looking to ruin there ball and link play for us on attack. See our pack as being more physical and technical in this area

Backs

Robson has the job of clearing the ball quickly to let Carter play. Carter has the ability to play as the situation dictates. In Mills he has a footballing 12 and a powerhouse in kuridrani at 13.

Carter will look to isolate folau for
The cross kick where his aerial prowess is unrivalled.

As the game breaks up our back 3 will eat up any loose ball or poor kick with interest. All of them are in great form and can score from anywhere.


Subs
To carry on momentum we will use all forward subs to carry the relentless of forward.

Key
Points

Win forward battle with more in form and powerful players
Target the hodgson/Allen channel with big runners
Target their lack of a 7 with salvi and co
Superior line out operators
Look to pick on Bekker Haskell Hodgson and Jane who have not
Played for a long time

Sorry for the delay in team & tactics Steve snowed in at the moment with work 

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Ian Henderson	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. Keith Earls
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Dave Kilcoyne 17. David Paice 18. Phil Swainston 19. Tom Savage 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Will Addison 

We will play the game in the opposition half with an intelligent kicking game. When there we will play a fast paced, high intensity offloading game looking to create space for our halfbacks and to get our back three onto the ball as much possible.

- Target the scrum. Good technical front row supported by plenty of grunt will look to get on top and win penalties.

- Get at Afoa. With just 30 minutes of rugby behind him this season he has no form what so ever to go on!

- Attack from the lineout. Five genuine jumping options allows us to mix it up and really use the lineout as an attacking platform. Look to get the ball to Sexton and Eastmond with space outside.

- Target the opposition lineout with Quedragao jumping at the front and Attwood & Ryan marshalling the middle to pick of Quins throws. Sexton & Eastmond will relish attacking an unset defence.

- Look to mix up play. Sexton & Eastmond to interchange at first receiver and change the point of attack. Care provides a threat snipping around the base.

- Get the back three involved. Zebo, Earls & Abendanon all to run lines looking for the inside ball or offload to get in behind the opposition defence.

- Hit the breakdown hard. Look to our dynamic front five to clear the ruck and allow the likes of POM & Quedragao to really attack the breakdown.

- Straight line blitz defence focusing on a quick line speed to isolate the ball carrier before the gain line. Quedragao will defend on Eastmonds shoulder to double up and also be first on the scene at the breakdown. Care to sweep in behind to cover chips and grubbers.

- Get at the Quins 10s! Burns not in the best of form and Cooper flown half way across the world! We will look to put big hits in from the likes of POM, Henderson & Attwood to really disrupt Quins patterns.

Falcons to play a high tempo game using our ball carriers to get over the gainline and punish Irish with our dangerous backs.

we will look to be a strong aggresive well orginised defence and smash rucks to deny Irish quick ball and disrupt any rhythem.

Use the set piece as a attacking platform

Take the points when on offer to build a solid lead

Page updated. Predos open

CJB only just noted you have Parra playing. He is banned. I got fined last week for Genia so I feel your pain of points deduction !!

Well spotted Matt! Put Wigglesworth at 9 for Bath please Fluxy. The bench is a man short now

It's bloody hard keeping up with who is banned I get had every year.. Just reading through some rugby sites and noticed he has a 4 week ban. Fighting apparent.ly. He is too small to do that

Updated!

Didnt even know he was banned, first I'd heard of it!

Bath v Glos - Close battle upfront, not much to chose between but think Salvi can get some breakdown joy. 1 a piece at HB. Think I prefer the Bath centre combo. 2 exciting and top notch back threes. A little more in the subs bench for Glos.
24-24

Quins v Sale - Slight edge in the scrum to Sale but prefer Quins locks as a combo. two quality backrows, good form for Quins with all 3 playing well. Edge to the Sale HB's but Sexton not on top form atm. Quins backs perhaps more solid but Sale have some exciting players. two good benches.
26-23

Saints v Sarries - Saints looking strong this season. Sarries improving. Like the grit and power in Sarries pack and it almost matches Saints with Ewers looking great but they just have that little more class and some good mobile players like Lawes Parisse Manoa. Think Sarries HB's suit there team, as do Saints but Simpson can blow hot and cold. Superb centre combo for Sarries. Saints is just as good though and there backline on a whole is top class.
28-23

Wasps v Tigers - Big game. Two quality front rows. slight edge to tigers 2nd row but im a big hamilton fan. Back rows are even. armitage can get good ball for wasps but louw is a class act also. Close call at HB. Prefer Wilko to Farrell, 9's are similar. Centre is also close two good combos. Wasps wingers are a class above for me and will cause real problems. Tigers can come back in to it late on though and there bench is very strong with the likes of Burger, Jenkins and Johnston. late wilko drop goal snatches a draw.
25-25

Falcons v Irish - Prefer the Falcons front five but love the irish backrow and thats claws them back in to it upfront. 1 a piece at HB. Think the Falcons backline has a little more class and with good ball can do damage.
22-20

Exeter 25-24 worcester

To win away you need a positive advantage up front don't see this from wuss.. Yach struggling but mâchénaud average. Flood great form. Pellise Montpelier best SH in France and way better than parra needs to be signed. Nonu Bosch best centre
Pairing but wuss back 3 immense.
Home advantage no more sneaks this. Benches even

Bath Rugby 17-18 Gloucester Rugby
Really tough game to predict on as teams are very evenly matched and where Gloucester have some world class players in the pack they balance out with having some inexperience in the no2/9 shirt which makes the game so close overall. Area that swings it for me is that Gloucester have a genuine no7 and can see Salvi getting more penalties at the breakdown.

Exeter Chiefs 21-19 Worcester Warriors
Another really close game, but go with the home side just. Really aggressive pack that Fluxy puts out and some great ball carriers in their too. The midfield battle will be huge, but 12/13 axis from the Chiefs will get them over the gainline. Worcester's 4 French backs will link up well, but don't quite see them getting enough ball.

Quins 23-22 Sale
Another close call. Very even pack battle, but Steve's backrow just has a great blend to it and would work very well - a lot of power from Sale, which makes the game very close. Area that swings it for me is getting Roberts at Eastmond - think the latter is a top class player, but Roberts is going to get over the gainline there especially from quick phase ball or scrums where the Sale backrow can't help.

London Wasps 18-16 Leicester Tigers
Again very even packs, really like Pete's front row and having a 6-2 split on the bench shows where he sees the game being won. Do like the control that Wasps' 10/12 will bring to the game and at home I think this will be key.

Newcastle Falcons 24-25 London Irish
More detailed tactics from Irish see them get the away win up north.

Bath Rugby 23 Gloucester 23
 
Set Piece: Bath have the scrum advantage for me, and in poor conditions this would be huge, but with dry conditions and quality backs on show, I don't see many scrums happening.  Lineout advantage is wit Gloucester, with better options available to them.
Breakdown: No massive advantage here, but perhaps a small one for Gloucester with players like Etzebeth and Alberts who clear well and will allow Salvi to get over the ball.
Key Jerseys (2,8,9,10):  Experienced core on show for Bath, but no standouts, whereas Gloucester have a couple of youngsters mixed in with a top internaitonal and a world class player.  Honours relatively even when looked at across the board.
Bench:  Extra man for Gloucester is a factor, but Bath have the best impact player in Ben Smith.
Tactics: Bath looking to play flowing rugby is the right game plan with Hodgson at 10.  Gloucester right to try to use Folau's aerial abilities as he si sublime, but Cory Jane is no mug so an interesting one to ponder.
Overall: I always say that to win away you have to win the battle up front, and you have to have that key axis at 2,8,9,10 who can dominate the game for you.  I don't quite see Gloucester having that here, but I don't see them getting beaten either, with the quality that they have in the backs.  I hate doing it, but I have to call this one a draw.
 
Exeter Chiefs 16 Worcester Warriors 15
 
Set Piece: Both teams are lucky it's not wet, as there will be less scrums than if it was, because I see the scrums here being an absolute mess with four props who could never be described as great technicians.  This is a shoving contest with the referee having now clue and randomly awarding penalties.  I can see Muller pinching more ball than Parling at lineout, and on that basis it's a little edge to Worcester there.
Breakdown: Key here for me in this game are not the opensides.  Exeter win the breakdown for me, with the likes of Mulipola, Webber and Thorn being real powerhouses clearing out.  It will be a real scrap with neither side getting masses of clean ball, but the Chiefs will just have a little better to work with because of those guys.
Key Jerseys (2,8,9,10): Good spine for Exeter, although not a fan Machenaud, but also a good spine for Worcester, with FTD in really good form.
Bench:  Neither bench has huge impact players and I don't see either changing the game for their team.
Tactics: For Chiefs trying to use Williams off the back of the scrum will be futile for the reasons I have outlined above, but overall a workable gameplan from them.  Less to go on from Worcester, but nothing there that stands out as a suicidal ploy.
Overall: Some real threats in the Worcester backline, but they will be feeding off scraps here I reckong, with the scrum and breakdown pretty messy.  FTD in great form, but will need decent ball which he doesn't get here.  Toby Flood is a little bit more tactically savvy and has enough to steer his team to the win at home.
 
Harlequins 25 Sale Sharks 22
 
Set Piece: In the scrum I would prefer the Sale front row, but neither lock is as good a scrummager as Bakkies, and the locks are having a real impact under the new interpretations.  Really hard to call, but I just edge to Sale with it.  Lineout goes the other way with great options for Quins.
Breakdown: I like who the Quins pack is set up in relation to the breakdown.  Great ruckers in Afoa, Bakkies and Easter along with players like Wood and Warburton who are strong over the ball.  The Sale pack are no mugs in this area thougth and this is a cracking battle, but I think Quins get slightly better ball overall.
Key Jerseys (2,8,9,10):  Quality players across the two teams.
Bench: Both have players who can make an impact on the game.
Tactics: Both gameplans work, but one of the key phrases I see is from Quins saying "Exploit the lack of organisation in the Sale defence."  I can see this being an issue for Sale where I do see defensive issues in the backline.
Overall: Two really good teams, but I can only see one winner and that is Quins.  With them getting decent ball at the breakdown I see them causing real problems for Sale defensively.  Eastmond and Pisi in the centres is a great attacking combo, but I don't think defensively they work.  Pisi has the habit of jumping out of the line to make the big hit, and I am not sure that the Eastmond or either of the wingers has the defensive nous to cover the gaps this could leave, and Quins have the players at 10,12,13 to exploit this.

Northampton Saints 25 Saracens 24
 
Newcastle Falcons 22 London Irish 21
 

Missus' birthday this weekend lads, will try to get some predictions in

Bath 20-20 glos
Chiefs 21-20 warriors
Quins 22-21 sale
Wasps 20-19 tigers
Saints 24-23 sarries

Sorry would all be bigger wins but no time for explainations

Bath 22-19 Gloucester
 
FR - Edge to Bath in a good contest, Kubs/Stenkamp lack a bit of form but against each other. Hibbard a class above George gives Bath the nudge.
SR - Bath again would edge the lineout with Bekker/Lobbe top draw. Etebeth obviously quality but Robson drags Gloucester combo a bit with him not looking strong for a while.
BR - Nothing in the backrows, good contest.
HB - Carter off form still edges to Gloucester, Bath better 9 but do like Robson.
CE - Not much in the 13's but Bath bette at 12, not sure Mills is ready for the level on here. Gloucester need to nail a midfield partnership to stick with.
B3 - Prob the best two back 3's on show today, Smith over Jane would have gave edge to Bath but nothing to call between them.
Overall - Bath have edge in front 5 and set piece, gives them a good platfrom to play off. Gloucester EQ hinders them a bit in a team of mostly top names. Good game though, Matt will start to be a real force again after 4N.
 
Exeter 24-22 Worcester
 
FR - Slight edge to Worcester here with Molo not great in scrum of late, Thorn helps out in engine room.
SR - Exeter a step up and will get through more work around the park, not much in the lineout though.
BR - Again not too much in it here, I can't remember the last time I seen Rennie play?? But evens up in other positions.
HB - Little more for Exeter, good comboinations for both though. Worcester pair lack a bit of form.
CE - Two good combo's and not much in it, both have a good balance. Nonu shading 12 and Bast 13.
B3 - Again 2 good combinations, some real threat for both sides.
Overall - Really tight game this one. I think Exeter have enough about them to be solid and sneak the win.
 
Harlequins 24-24 Sale
 
FR - Edge to Sale in the scrum, I think Marler has struggled with the new laws a bit.
SR - Not much in this contest, prob a slight shade to Quins with a bit of physicality, can see them sneaking lineout too.
BR - Great contest, 6's about even, Warbs shades 7 but Pickles a class above at 8 just gives Sale the edge.
HB - Not much in the 9's but Sexton a class above at 10. Burns was decent against Bath though so brings him up as he's been awful this season.
CE - Quins edge with a bit more quality, good form for Sale though but they could do with a top draw op in there to have a chance of winning league.
B3 - Another good contest that's hard to split. Not a fan of Earls but he's been great when I've seen him this year
Overall - Reallly tough game to split. I think Sale have the better pack by a whisker and enough in backline to see it through but Quins are in good form and just can't see past a draw.
 
Wasps 20-20 Leicester
 
FR - Cracking battle, Cole against Corbs is dead square. Bdp a class above Youngs but Castro not at his best will struggle against Sheri. Can't see any move here.
SR - Edge to Tigers with both locks a class above.
BR - Tigers edge again, great flank combo gets them ahead. Joubert not really at class of rest of pack and Vermeluen I'm a big fan of shades the 8.
HB - Smith shading Kahn who's struggled a bit in the AP, not much in the 10's.
CE - Better midfield from Wasps from previous weeks but they lack a little penetration. Tigers a quality unit but lack a bit of form from both players, Tigers shade.
B3 - Tigers better FB but quality on the wings for Wasps.
Overall - Another bloody good game that is so hard to call. Tigers back 5 gets them a great platform but I'm not sure their backline can see it off against a strong defensive Wasps unit. Another draw.
 
Newcastle 26-23 London Irish
 
FR - Good contest, just shades to the home team. Strong scrummaging outfits from both.
SR - Not much in the lineout but stronger unit around the park for Falcons.
BR - Cracking contest. Nothing in the flanks but Faletau a step above Morgan currently.
HB - Kockett has been great but as a combo Falcons stronger, Evans not looking good currently and Cruden best 10 in the world right now.
CE - Another top contest, not much in two good combos.
B3 - Bit of step up for Falcons.
Overall - Good game, Irish compete throughout but Falcons strong at home and just have a touch more. Cruden on fire will bring them through a tough encounter.

Quins 24-22 sale tough game. Prefer sale front row but Quins locks.
Think the packs battle each other to a standstill.

Think sale lose this defensively in the backs. Quins may be low on subtlety with the likes of Fritz Roberts and huget but they are all strong players and the sale backline is a bit
Flimsy in defence. Great open game

Saints 30-23 Saracens talk about a contrast of styles. Sarries right to play percentages but the weather is fine to play rugby. Sarries
Will look better with mealamu in the side and struggle with their EQ with whitehead and thompstone not really up to this
Level..

Saints are a quality outfit and better in most positions. Where saints really take this is in the pack. They are so much more dynamic and quicker round the park. Manoa lawes vs deacon Pierre is a one sided contest from wise. Similar in the backrow. That sarries
Pack needs some dynamism. Gill vs smith would be worth the entry fee. 1 each at halfback with burgess in shocking form and Steyn the standout. Steyns kicking keeps sarries in the game

Wasps 23-22 Leicester running out of time
For
Predos but almost
impossible to
Separate. Great pack battle.
Halfbacks are where wasps win this.
Smith has come back in to
Form whereas fotuali has started poorly for saints. Farrell over Wilko on current form also. Great game.
Home advantage and halfbacks win it

Newcastle 22-23 Irish. Lack of tactics sees Irish sneak it. Prefer Irish back row. They have set up well.
Falcons could have won if they had tactics

Bath 22-21 Glos
Chiefs 26-25 Warriors
Quins 22-21 Sale
Saints 25-24 Sarries
Falcons 22-23 Irish

Chiefs 23-22 Warriors
Quins 26-25 Sale
Saints 20-19 Sarries
Wasps 25-24 Tigers
Falcons 21-22 Irish

Bath 24 - 22 Gloucester

Two big packs which will have a superb contest in all aspects of forward play. Overall I have a slight favour to Bath but not by much at all. In the backs I think that Bath have a better balance to them and they sneak the battle at home.

Exeter 25 - 22 Worcester

It is a very strong Exeter side and they have enough to win this one. They have a strong pack and a backline which is experienced as well as powerful. Worcester are set up well but I don't see them as able to win away in this one.

Northampton 28 - 24 Saracens

Saints are stronger across the board here for me except perhaps in the centres which is a close battle. Up front Saints have some really physical players who will get the across the gain line and get them quick ball to attack with. Saracens have a lot of talented players and will not roll over but they haven't enough to seriously challenge Saints at home.

London Wasps 26 - 25 Leicester

This is a phenominal contest. Upfront it is very difficult to separate the front 5's but I think Wasps just have the edge but it is only slight. The back rows go to Leicester with two superb flankers with Joubert not quite at Vermaulen's level. Half backs are pretty even for me but in the centres I think the Wasps unit is stronger for the conditions and in better form then their Tiger's counterparts. Back three's are both very exciting runners and I prefer the Wasps wingers but Brown at full back. Exceptionally tough to call but at home Wasps take the plaudits.

Newcastle 23 - 21 London Irish

Two strong sides but I feel that Newcastle will get on top here upfront and be able to get the scores to win the game. I like both packs but feel there is just a but more for Newcastle across the 8 and the Newcastle half backs have enough control to get them in the right areas.

Bugger. I thought predos were open later!

I'm absolutely sorry for not doing them again. Had a hectic weekend.

RESULTS:

Bath Rugby 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)
Gloucester Rugby 22 (T:2 P:4)

Exeter Chiefs 27 (T:3 C:3 P:2)
Worcester Warriors 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Harlequins 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Sale Sharks 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

Northampton Saints 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Saracens 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

London Wasps 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)
Leicester Tigers 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Newcastle Falcons 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)
London Irish 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)

BONUSES:

Full: CJB, Matt, Steve, Pete, Chris, SJE, Pooly, Nick
Scores: Luke, Prop
Fined: Fluxy, Driver

Losing BP at Saints, happy with that