Aviva Premiership Round Eight

 

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Sale Sharks vs Worcester Warriors
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Light Clouds, 5 Degrees, 4 mph North Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Vasil Kakovin	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Kyle Eastmond
05. Iain Henderson	12. Francois Steyn
06. Fulgence Quedragao	13. Gael Fickou
07. Matt Todd	14. Simon Zebo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

 
 
16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Phil Swainston 19. Tom Savage 20. Alex Tulou 21. Ben Spencer 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Keith Earls
 
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. 
 
- 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. 
 
- 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, Gilroy and 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 Todd & 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. Care to sweep in behind to cover chips and grubbers.
 
- Counter the Worc kicking game with our wingers sitting deep on defence to prevent kicks in behind. They will look to run the ball back with interest.
 
 

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88
 

01. Nathan Catt	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Danie Russouw	11. David Strettle
05. Johann Muller	12. Olly Barkley
06. Ashley Johnson	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Ross Rennie	14. Sailosi Tagicakibau
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Delon Armitage

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Dave Ward 18. BJ Botha 19. James Percival 20. Phil Dowson 21. Michael Classens 22. - 23. Mark Cueto
 
Mathieu Basteraud in the French 23. 
 
Tactics
 
- Play a territorial game. Look for our half backs to get us in to the right areas of the pitch. Use big ball carriers like AJ, Russouw, Waldrom, Mujati and Big Bast to drive forward and use a power game to attack. Once defenders are committed we will use the ball and get FTD pulling the strings and bring Armitage, Tagi, Mermoz etc in to play. 
- Yachvili to kick all pens for goal to keep scoreboard kicking over.
- Muller to call the lineout and be our main go to man. 
- Look to use the rolling maul to good effect and win pens or at least gain territorial advantage.
 
 

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Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens
Location - Sandy Park
Sunny Intervals, 7 Degrees, 6 mph North Easterly Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
 
Manager – Fluxy
 

01. Logovii Mulipola	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Rob Webber (c)	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. Will Collier
04. Brad Thorn	11. Tom Varndell
05. Geoff Parling	12. Francis Saili
06. Maurie Fa'asavalu	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Sam Jones	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Nick Williams	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Rhys Marshall 17. Alec Hepburn 18. Ben Afeaki 19. Alistair Hargreaves 20. Semisi Taulava 21. Chris Robshaw 22. Hadyn Thomas  23. Stephen Myler
 
 
Tactics
 
 
Key Points

• After a break from the AP, the whole squad look to pick up from where they left off in some good form.
  
  
• Mobile pack picked to dominate the set-pieces and breakdown.
  
  
• Use the strong forward bench to maintain forward pressure late on and control of the game.
  
  
• Strong spine in decision making positions of the team. Basic territorial game in conditions. Utilise good territory for attacking opportunities.
  
  
• Flood will kick all points available, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Sarries should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• Home territory - At home Sandy Park is a fortress, and at home we make a fight out of the game and rarely lose.
  
  
• 6-2 split on the bench to combat the forward physicality late on and shift momentum.
  
  

 
 
Game plan
 
Selected a physically strong side to combat the physicality of the Sarries side. Chiefs won't look to get drawn into a physical fight however, as they will look to open up the game to allow their backs a chance to attack the Sarries back line. The side has the potential to play an all code game, therefore if one aspect of the game isn't working we can shift and adapt to start exploiting an area which gives us the advantage. 
We will look to play a simple territorial game and look to be playing with the ball within their 22. Every where else on the pitch we will look to peg Sarries back, unless we can take the kick for goal. Simple set-piece game which we look to dominate our own ball, and contest every opposition put in. The pack that has been selected is mobile and strong around the park, especially in the tackle, on the floor and ball in hand. 
 
Attack

• Use quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller. Parling and our jumpers should be much more quicker getting up in the air so look for quick mauls. With the big pack look to set the maul in the opponents 22. 
  
  
• Look to set the scrum quickly and strike the ball to the back. Not looking to get into a scrum fight which will end up with penalties going to either side. This is to 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 and get over the gain line to create momentum.
  
  
• Look to flood the breakdown and clear out bodies, to keep ball clean so that the halfbacks can dictate the game. (Eg AB's or Eng vs AB 2012 style)
  
  
• Look to use a league style move to unlock the defence. Saili can either take it short and through gaps or it can be screened to Rougerie with the 14, and 15 to attack the numbers outside. 
  
  

 
Defence

• We will use a Blitz drift line in defence to cut down Taylor'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. Look to powerfully clear opponents out of the ruck, and use the strong tackling to keep chopping down the Sarries runners.
  
  
• 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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Saracens
Manager – Pooly
 

01. Matt Mullen	09. Luke Burgess
02. Tiaan Liebenberg	10. Tom Taylor
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Julian Pierre	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Louis Deacon(c)	12. Luther Burrell
06. Carl Fearns	13. Jonathan Davies
07. George Smith	14. Chris Ashton
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Lee Byrne

 
16. Chris Whitehead  17. Max Lahiff  18. Clement Ric  19. Tim Swinson  20. Dave Ewers  21. Chris Cook  22. Gareth Steenson  23. George Lowe
 
Tactics:
 
General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality and will look to dominate the contact and get over the gain line. We'll be playing a high tempo physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in the their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work.
 
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. Our LH and Hooker will loo to target Collier and try to get between him and Webber to allow JdP to work on Mulipola. The Exeter front row has struggled with the new laws so we'll look to really turn the screw on here.
 
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. We won't be going for the rear of the line out much and will be content with securing our own ball and getting a push on. We'll look to contest on opp throw and target Webber to see if we can disrupt him early on(Bath have tone of the worst lineouts in the AP)
 
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. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.
 
Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to inject pace from the breakdown and have JD on his shoulder. Burrell to run at 9/10 channel and target possible weakness. Burrell to be used as decoy running at Saili looking to take him out of the defensive line to free up space for JD to get at Rougerie on the outside. Look to alternate Fearns/JVN depending on the scrum, look to use Fearns off the base running at Myler.
 
Points -
 
Front row form and the new laws - The Exeter props have struggled a bit with the new laws, we've got a strong unit (JdP thriving under new laws) backed up by a serious scrummaging lock combo, we could get a big advantage here.
 
Rolling maul and physicality - Look to use our physicality and drive through the opp defence, if weakness seen look to exploit.
 
Taylor - In great kicking form and will look to keep us ahead on the score board
 
JD kicking - look for him to use the grubber to get behind Rougerie who lacks a bit of turning pace these days
 
Look to get JD one on one with Rougerie and look to beat him outside
 
Form - We're putting some serious form together, beating Falcons at home was a serious scalp that has shown we are good enough to compete with the best
 
Op 10/12 channel - Saili still beddinbg in and look to disrupt him early on in a key position
 
Front row bench - Strong scrummaging front row options, look to really work on Mulipola so we can get a shot at Hepburn

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Harlequins vs Gloucester Rugby
Location - Twickenham Stoop
Light Clouds, 7 Degrees, 9 mph Northerly Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
 
 
 

01. Gjorgi Jgenti	09. Karl Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Luke Morahan
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Lappies Labushagne	13. Jonathon Joseph
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Hugh Pyle 20. Pierre Spies 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Dan Bowden 23. -
 
Fritz in French 23
 
Tactics
 
Get our big carriers across the gainline to get us quick ball to play with.
 
At the set piece look to milk any advantage we might get.
 
Look to retain possession in opposition half before spreading the ball wide as gaps appear.
 
Kick all points as win is vital. If game secure look to target tries.
 
Quick line speed in defence targeting key Gloucester play makers.
 
At the breakdown look to legally slow down Gloucester ball with Braid the main operator.
 
Win collisions in attack and defence. When carrying carry ball in numbers so to allow quick ruck ball or to provide support for the offload.
 
 

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1 Nick Wood
2 Joe Grey
3 Juan Figallo
4 Richie Grey
5. George Robson
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Dickinson 
9 Dan Robson
10 Dan Carter
11 may
12 Matt Scott
13 Juan de Jongh
14 Hosea Gear
15 Iain Balshaw
16 Rupert Harden
17 Jaimie George 
18 Jamie Johnstone
19 Tom Palmer
20 Arno Botha 
21 
22 Ryan Mills 
23 Rhaymond Rule
 
TJ Perenara in the ABs 23 
 
Tactics
Scrum
 
 
Look to pressure there ball with figallo really targeting Jgenti. On our put in we are looking to get the ball out quickly as we want the ball in Carter's
Hands
 
 
Line out 
 
With croft gray and Robson we can look to disrupt a prime source of possession for Quins. On our ball we will drive a lot of ball in our half and use off the top more in their half.
 
General
 
We have a mobile pack chock full of footballing forwards. We will be looking to get over the gainline  and look to offload to get in behind them. We want quick ball for our half backs so we can attack
Our quicker more dynamic pack will target the breakdown with salvi trying to pilfer. If Burns radar as is off
As it has been this season it
Will allow us to really push it at the
Breakdown
Backs 
 
We aim to dictate this game through Pernara and carter.
 
Carter will kick a lot to build the game. He will target in behind halal and co and look to dominate the field position. If they kick it out we believe our line out will deliver and help us keep the ball and build
Pressure in the right part of the field.
 
When in the right part of the field pernara
And carter will look to up the pace and  force the game with our slicker backline. We will look to really stretch them and create mismatches.
 
We will use bench as necessary and look to moves figallo to 1
And bring on JJ.
 
Carter will take any kicks in range and with his goal kicking skills it will force Quins to no give away pens and allow us to play more.
 
 

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Leicester Tigers vs London Irish
Location - Welford Road
Light Clouds, 6 Degrees, 8 mph Northerly Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
 

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Chiliboy Ralepelle	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Henry Speight
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Tamati Ellison
06. Steve Mafi	13. Paul Jordaan
07. Jacques Burger (c)	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Tom Youngs 17. Benn Robinson 18. Craig Mitchell 19. Romain Taofifenua 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Kurtley Beale
 
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. An area we will look to target if winning.
 
- Attack at all lineouts. Use Joubert or Hines at the front and Mafi or Myall off the top as our four key options. 
Shortened lineouts with Burger in midfield as crash or decoy option. 
 
- Put serious pressure on Lindsay's throws with Joubert at the front on all Irish's throws.
 
- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Irish defence. The likes of Mafi, Burger, Hines, Ralepelle and Myall to be used to target the Irish 10/12 channel.
 
- In attacking play, we will look to get runners attacking the gain line looking for gaps. We do want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.
 
- Target the Irish back three if looking vulnerable. Look to the in-form Mike Brown to win the 15 battle and give us counter-attacking options as much as possible.
 
- 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. Peel to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.
 
- Target the last 30 mins. Unload our bench to see the game out for the win.
 
- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.
 
 

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London Irish
Manager - Prop
 

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Rory Kockott
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Nick Kennedy	11. Bjorn Basson
05. Stuart Hooper	12. Luke McAlister
06. Scott Higginbotham	13.  Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Niall Morris

16. H.Elliott 17. T.Smallbone 18. M.Stevens 19. C.Clarke 20. E.Jackson 21. N.De Kock 22. S.Geraghty 23. H.Trinder
 
Key Points
 
Balanced Backrow
We have picked a big backrow who are well balanced. Higginbotham will look to be abrasive and run at 10 looking to put him off his game. Fraser 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.
 
Lineouts
Our lineouts have been picked on and targetting quite often however, we have selected a team with powerful lifters and consistent jumpers so Lindsay will be used to their jumping. Any messy lineouts will go to the prop standing at the front and driven on. We will look to maul alot of ball if it is not on.
 
 
 
Attacking
 

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

• Kockott and Evans to play what's in front of them and look to McAlister who will look to play in Smith or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Hooper, Higginbotham 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 Basson 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 Elliott, Stevens and Clarke, Jackson will have a field day against tired legs, excitement to continue to target the tired players through MDe Kock's sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Trinder 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 Fraser 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.
  
  
  
  
  

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London Wasps vs Bath Rugby
Location - Adam Park
Light Clouds, 6 Degrees, 7 mph Northerly Winds

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London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213
 

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Sebastien Tillouse-Borde
02. Deon Fourie	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Digby Ioane
05. George Skivington	12. Pat McCabe
06. Marcel Coetzee	13. Tim Nanai-Williams
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Fotu Auelua	15. Anthony Watson

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Steven Kitschoff 18. Tom Mercey 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Tom Johnson 21. Nick Phipps 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Jaco Taute
 
Key Points 

• Scrum.  We will target this relentlessly.  Bath have signed 3 props on loan today who go straight into their matchday squad.  There is no way on earth their scrum can be well drilled and function as a unit.
  
  
• Form.  We have lost once this season in all competitions.  Bath essentially have been drubbed two weeks running and can have no confidence at all.
  
  

 
 
Basic Game Plan
In dry conditions we will be looking to play a fast paced offloading game, utilising big carriers with pacy backs on their sholders to take the offloads and hit the gaps.  We will look to shift the point of attack and keep the ball moving.  Our back row will look to support and hit rucks hard to free up quick ball.  Our intention is to utilize our strength, which is pace and mobility, and move the Bath pack around to tire them and create space for our runners.
 
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.  Tillouse-Borde will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.
 
Specifics 

• No time to do them due to Bath’s team being submitted after the Wednesday deadline and me being busy this evening.
  
  

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Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Fabian Barcella	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Carl Rimmer
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Joel Tomkins
05. Andries Bekker	12. Anthony Allen
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Darren Cave
07. James Haskell	14. Rob Miller
08. Jordan Crane	15. Stuart Hogg

|;
16. Agustin Creevey 17. Luke Cowan Dickie 18. Biyo Aki 19. George Merrick 20. Chris Henry 21.  Richard Wigglesworth 22. 23.
 
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. 
 
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. Kitchener 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, Crane, Kitchener, 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. FDP and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. FDP will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Cave, Hogg and Nalaga seeing lots of the ball. 
 
Defence: Use an blitz defence in order to put pressure on Wasps.  
 
Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. 
 
 

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Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Falcons
Location - Franklin Gardens
Light Clouds, 6 Degrees, 9 mph Northerly Winds

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Northampton Saints team to play Newcastle Falcons
 

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. George Ford
03. Carl Hayman
04. Samo Manoa	11. Siti Siviatu
05. James Gaskell	12. Matt Giteau(c)(k)
06. Julian Bonnaire	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Opeti Fanoa	15. Ben Foden

Subds: 16. Mike Haywood 17. Ben Tameifuna 18. Henry Thomas 19. Calum Clark 20. CJ Stander 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Tyler Bleyendaal 23. Elliott Daly
 
(Not sure if Opeti Fonoa is in the Tongan squad, will make some changes if he is).Newcastle Falcons to face Northampton Saints

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15.James O'Connor
14.Rene Ranger
13.Adam Ashley Cooper
12.Brad Barritt
11.Charlie Sharples
10.Jimmy Goppereth
09.Ben Youngs
 
01.Soana Tonga'uhia
02.Darren Dawidiauk
03.Paul Doran Jones
04.Ali Williams
05.Juandre Kruger
06.Ed Slater
07.Heinrich Brussouw
08.Chris Masoe (c)
 
16.George McGiguan 17.Alex Waller 18.Scotty Wilson 19.Adam Sinclair 20.Juan Smith 21.Francous Houghaard 22.Joel Hodgson 23.Jared Payne
 
 

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Newcastle Falcons to face Northampton Saints

15.James O'Connor
14.Rene Ranger
13.Adam Ashley Cooper
12.Brad Barritt
11.Charlie Sharples
10.Jimmy Goppereth
09.Ben Youngs

01.Soana Tonga'uhia
02.Darren Dawidiauk
03.Paul Doran Jones
04.Ali Williams
05.Juandre Kruger
06.Ed Slater
07.Heinrich Brussouw
08.Chris Masoe (c)

16.George McGiguan 17.Alex Waller 18.Scotty Wilson 19.Adam Sinclair 20.Juan Smith 21.Francous Houghaard 22.Joel Hodgson 23.Jared Payne

Can we play the Australian players who have been banned by them for 1 game as it is an internal ban?

I am. It's Ewen Mckenzie who's dropped them.

Yes you can Prop  

Falcons change captain to Ali Williams as it benifits the side in the long run with Masoe joining Saracens.

Mark

Big game this week Pooly!

Aye canny one mate, I've actually won 2 this season!

Manager - Prop

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Rory Kockott
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Nick Kennedy	11. Bjorn Basson
05. Stuart Hooper ©	12. Luke McAlister
06. Scott Higginbotham	13.  Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Niall Morris

16. H.Elliott 17. T.Smallbone 18. M.Stevens 19. C.Clarke 20. E.Jackson 21. N.De Kock 22. S.Geraghty 23. H.Trinder

Key Points

Balanced Backrow
We have picked a big backrow who are well balanced. Higginbotham will look to be abrasive and run at 10 looking to put him off his game. Fraser 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.

Lineouts
Our lineouts have been picked on and targetting quite often however, we have selected a team with powerful lifters and consistent jumpers so Lindsay will be used to their jumping. Any messy lineouts will go to the prop standing at the front and driven on. We will look to maul alot of ball if it is not on.



Attacking

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

• Kockott and Evans to play what's in front of them and look to McAlister who will look to play in Smith or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Hooper, Higginbotham 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 Basson 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 Elliott, Stevens and Clarke, Jackson will have a field day against tired legs, excitement to continue to target the tired players through MDe Kock's sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Trinder 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 Fraser 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.
  
  
  
  

Despite missing a number of players to international duty London Wasps name a starting XV containing 10 fully capped players to face Bath.

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Sebastien Tillouse-Borde
02. Deon Fourie	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Digby Ioane
05. George Skivington ©	12. Pat McCabe
06. Marcel Coetzee	13. Tim Nanai-Williams
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Fotu Auelua	15. Anthony Watson

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Steven Kitschoff 18. Tom Mercey 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Tom Johnson 21. Nick Phipps 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Jaco Taute

Key Points

• Scrum.  We will target this relentlessly.  Bath have signed 3 props on loan today who go straight into their matchday squad.  There is no way on earth their scrum can be well drilled and function as a unit.
  
• Form.  We have lost once this season in all competitions.  Bath essentially have been drubbed two weeks running and can have no confidence at all.
  
• Napolioni Nalaga.  Is named in the Bath side but is playing for Fiji this weekend against Romania - http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9034886,00.html
  

Basic Game Plan
In dry conditions we will be looking to play a fast paced offloading game, utilising big carriers with pacy backs on their sholders to take the offloads and hit the gaps.  We will look to shift the point of attack and keep the ball moving.  Our back row will look to support and hit rucks hard to free up quick ball.  Our intention is to utilize our strength, which is pace and mobility, and move the Bath pack around to tire them and create space for our runners.

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.  Tillouse-Borde will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• No time to do them due to Bath’s team being submitted after the Wednesday deadline and me being busy this evening.
  

Playing Farrell Pete? Tempted by my Eng boys.

Backs I don't see a huge issue with. Forwards who've played 3 full internationals I wouldn't play.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Chiliboy Ralepelle	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Henry Speight
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Tamati Ellison
06. Steve Mafi	13. Paul Jordaan
07. Jacques Burger (c)	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Tom Youngs 17. Benn Robinson 18. Craig Mitchell 19. Romain Taofifenua 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Kurtley Beale

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. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Joubert or Hines at the front and Mafi or Myall off the top as our four key options.
Shortened lineouts with Burger in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Put serious pressure on Lindsay's throws with Joubert at the front on all Irish's throws.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Irish defence. The likes of Mafi, Burger, Hines, Ralepelle and Myall to be used to target the Irish 10/12 channel.

- In attacking play, we will look to get runners attacking the gain line looking for gaps. We do want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.

- Target the Irish back three if looking vulnerable. Look to the in-form Mike Brown to win the 15 battle and give us counter-attacking options as much as possible.

- 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. Peel to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

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

- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.

Do home teams have to be in by Tuesday or has that rule been canned?

2/6 isn't a great return.

I think people might be trying to hedge their bets and wait for international sides to be named, which isn't on really.

Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88

01. Nathan Catt	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Danie Russouw	11. David Strettle
05. Johann Muller	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Ashley Johnson	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Ross Rennie	14. Sailosi Tagicakibau
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Delon Armitage

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Dave Ward 18. BJ Botha 19. James Percival 20. Phil Dowson 21. Michael Classens 22. Olly Barkley 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

- Play a territorial game. Look for our half backs to get us in to the right areas of the pitch. Use big ball carriers like AJ, Russouw, Waldrom, Mujati and Big Bast to drive forward and use a power game to attack. Once defenders are committed we will use the ball and get FTD pulling the strings and bring Armitage, Tagi, Mermoz etc in to play.
- Yachvili to kick all pens for goal to keep scoreboard kicking over.
- Muller to call the lineout and be our main go to man.
- Look to use the rolling maul to good effect and win pens or at least gain territorial advantage.

Yea, we're all in the same boat. Can understand 1 or 2 but 4 teams missing is a bit off.

Ho'way Johnny sort it out

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Logovii Mulipola	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Rob Webber (c)	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. Will Collier
04. Brad Thorn	11. Tom Varndell
05. Geoff Parling	12. Francis Saili
06. Maurie Fa'asavalu	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Sam Jones	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Nick Williams	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Rhys Marshall 17. Alec Hepburn 18. Ben Afeaki 19. Alistair Hargreaves 20. Semisi Taulava 21. Chris Robshaw 22. Hadyn Thomas  23. Stephen Myler


Tactics


Key Points

• After a break from the AP, the whole squad look to pick up from where they left off in some good form.
  
• Mobile pack picked to dominate the set-pieces and breakdown.
  
• Use the strong forward bench to maintain forward pressure late on and control of the game.
  
• Strong spine in decision making positions of the team. Basic territorial game in conditions. Utilise good territory for attacking opportunities.
  
• Flood will kick all points available, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Sarries should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
• Home territory - At home Sandy Park is a fortress, and at home we make a fight out of the game and rarely lose.
  
• 6-2 split on the bench to combat the forward physicality late on and shift momentum.
  

Game plan

Selected a physically strong side to combat the physicality of the Sarries side. Chiefs won't look to get drawn into a physical fight however, as they will look to open up the game to allow their backs a chance to attack the Sarries back line. The side has the potential to play an all code game, therefore if one aspect of the game isn't working we can shift and adapt to start exploiting an area which gives us the advantage. 
We will look to play a simple territorial game and look to be playing with the ball within their 22. Every where else on the pitch we will look to peg Sarries back, unless we can take the kick for goal. Simple set-piece game which we look to dominate our own ball, and contest every opposition put in. The pack that has been selected is mobile and strong around the park, especially in the tackle, on the floor and ball in hand. 

Attack

• Use quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller. Parling and our jumpers should be much more quicker getting up in the air so look for quick mauls. With the big pack look to set the maul in the opponents 22. 
  
• Look to set the scrum quickly and strike the ball to the back. Not looking to get into a scrum fight which will end up with penalties going to either side. This is to 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 and get over the gain line to create momentum.
  
• Look to flood the breakdown and clear out bodies, to keep ball clean so that the halfbacks can dictate the game. (Eg AB's or Eng vs AB 2012 style)
  
• Look to use a league style move to unlock the defence. Saili can either take it short and through gaps or it can be screened to Rougerie with the 14, and 15 to attack the numbers outside. 
  

Defence

• We will use a Blitz drift line in defence to cut down Taylor'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. Look to powerfully clear opponents out of the ruck, and use the strong tackling to keep chopping down the Sarries runners.
  
• 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.
  

Saracens
Manager – Pooly
 

01. Matt Mullen	09. Luke Burgess
02. Tiaan Liebenberg	10. Tom Taylor
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Julian Pierre	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Louis Deacon(c)	12. Luther Burrell
06. Carl Fearns	13. Jonathan Davies
07. George Smith	14. Chris Ashton
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Lee Byrne

 
16. Chris Whitehead  17. Max Lahiff  18. Clement Ric  19. Tim Swinson  20. Dave Ewers  21. Chris Cook  22. Gareth Steenson  23. George Lowe
 
Tactics:
 
General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality and will look to dominate the contact and get over the gain line. We'll be playing a high tempo physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in the their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work.
 
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. Our LH and Hooker will loo to target Collier and try to get between him and Webber to allow JdP to work on Mulipola. The Exeter front row has struggled with the new laws so we'll look to really turn the screw on here.
 
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. We won't be going for the rear of the line out much and will be content with securing our own ball and getting a push on. We'll look to contest on opp throw and target Webber to see if we can disrupt him early on(Bath have tone of the worst lineouts in the AP)
 
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. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.
 
Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to inject pace from the breakdown and have JD on his shoulder. Burrell to run at 9/10 channel and target possible weakness. Burrell to be used as decoy running at Saili looking to take him out of the defensive line to free up space for JD to get at Rougerie on the outside. Look to alternate Fearns/JVN depending on the scrum, look to use Fearns off the base running at Myler.
 
Points -
 
Front row form and the new laws - The Exeter props have struggled a bit with the new laws, we've got a strong unit (JdP thriving under new laws) backed up by a serious scrummaging lock combo, we could get a big advantage here.
 
Rolling maul and physicality - Look to use our physicality and drive through the opp defence, if weakness seen look to exploit.
 
Taylor - In great kicking form and will look to keep us ahead on the score board
 
JD kicking - look for him to use the grubber to get behind Rougerie who lacks a bit of turning pace these days
 
Look to get JD one on one with Rougerie and look to beat him outside
 
Form - We're putting some serious form together, beating Falcons at home was a serious scalp that has shown we are good enough to compete with the best
 
Op 10/12 channel - Saili still beddinbg in and look to disrupt him early on in a key position
 
Front row bench - Strong scrummaging front row options, look to really work on Mulipola so we can get a shot at Hepburn

Northampton Saints team to play Newcastle Falcons
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. George Ford
03. Carl Hayman
04. Samo Manoa	11. Siti Siviatu
05. James Gaskell	12. Matt Giteau(c)(k)
06. Julian Bonnaire	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Opeti Fanoa	15. Ben Foden

Subs: 16. Mike Haywood 17. Ben Tameifuna 18. Henry Thomas 19. Calum Clark 20. CJ Stander 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Tyler Bleyendaal 23. Elliott Daly

Tactics:Saints will play a high intensity/tempo'd game from the outset and take the game to Falcons. We will look to place them under pressure with a really physical, aggressive approach and defence to force errors and mistakes to exploit. We will look to win the gainline battle and the collisions with our big ball carriers and generate quick ball for our backline that will make the most of the perfect conditions to attack Falcons.

Setpiece: We are going to target the lineout to give us a platform with Bonnaire standout jumper and options of Gaskell, Manoa to give us options. Will look for a lot of quick ball. Very strong scrum, all international frontrow, will look to use this as an attacking platform and place Falcons under pressure.

Breakdown/Backrow: Mobile pack to clear out Falcons at the breakdown, Gill selected to really target turnovers and to slow down opposition ball, will look to clear him out in numbers and attack the fringes at the breakdown. Look to hit Falcons back in the tackle area and stop their forward momentum and give us the advantage of hitting the rucks going forward.

Possession/Territory: Selected Ford at no10 for his tactical kicking game and ability to unlock defences with his passing - especially to get our backthree into play. Ford and Giteau's kicking game can get us into key areas to pressurise Falcons in key areas where we can keep scoreboard ticking over.

Attack the Gainline/Win Collisions: Again look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to provide our backs with the platform to attack, big ball carriers in the pack - Fanoa, Manoa and Vunipola can all get us over the gainline. We have an attacking platform from both setpieces and will use Giteau, Tuilagi and Siviatu as players to get us over the gainline and then get quick ball to attack.

Defence: Aggressive blitz defence, putting pressure onto Gopperth at no 10 and making it hard for Falcons to get over the gainline and generate quick ball. Simpson to sweep behind. Rock solid midfield. Back three to counter any loose kicks

Key selection points:
Target the set piece, exploit Falcons hooker against experienced front row.
Win the collisions and gainline battle.
Lack of creativity in Falcons 10-13 channel, look to outscore them on the try front - perfect conditions to attack.
In good form
Get big ball carriers on the ball early on and build momentum.

Domingo in french 23 chris.

Cheers! Thought he was out injured until the New Year, will replace him a little later.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gjorgi Jgenti	09. Karl Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Luke Morahan
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Lappies Labushagne	13. Florian Fritz
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Hugh Pyle 20. Pierre Spies 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Dan Bowden 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

Get our big carriers across the gainline to get us quick ball to play with.

At the set piece look to milk any advantage we might get.

Look to retain possession in opposition half before spreading the ball wide as gaps appear.

Kick all points as win is vital. If game secure look to target tries.

Quick line speed in defence targeting key Gloucester play makers.

At the breakdown look to legally slow down Gloucester ball with Braid the main operator.

Win collisions in attack and defence. When carrying carry ball in numbers so to allow quick ruck ball or to provide support for the offload.

1 Nick Wood
2 Joe Grey
3 Juan Figallo
4 Richie Grey
5. George Robson
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Dickinson
9 Dan Robson
10 Dan Carter
11 may
12 Matt Scott
13 Juan de Jongh
14 Hosea Gear
15 Iain Balshaw
16 Rupert Harden
17 Jaimie George
18 Jamie Johnstone
19 Tom Palmer
20 Arno Botha
21 Ryan lamb
22 Berrick Barnes
23 Rhaymond Rule


Tactics
Scrum


Look to pressure there ball with figallo really targeting Jgenti. On our put in we are looking to get the ball out quickly as we want the ball in Carter's
Hands


Line out

With croft gray and Robson we can look to disrupt a prime source of possession for Quins. On our ball we will drive a lot of ball in our half and use off the top more in their half.

General

We have a mobile pack chock full of footballing forwards. We will be looking to get over the gainline  and look to offload to get in behind them. We want quick ball for our half backs so we can attack
Our quicker more dynamic pack will target the breakdown with salvi trying to pilfer. If Burns radar as is off
As it has been this season it
Will allow us to really push it at the
Breakdown
Backs

We aim to dictate this game through Robson and carter.

Carter will kick a lot to build the game. He will target in behind halal and co and look to dominate the field position. If they kick it out we believe our line out will deliver and help us keep the ball and build
Pressure in the right part of the field.

When in the right part of the field robson
And carter will look to up the pace and  force the game with our slicker backline. We will look to really stretch them and create mismatches.

We will use bench as necessary and look to moves figallo to 1
And bring on JJ.

Carter will take any kicks in range and with his goal kicking skills it will force Quins to no give away pens and allow us to play more.

What's the craic SJE? It's Thursday which is tactics day, but my opponent hasn't put a team in. Do I need to do them or do I have a walkover win?

I think a walkover is unlikely Pete as SJE hasnt put a team in himself for our game!! As much as I'd like one  

Tactics added.
 
Had to tweak side due to unexpected call ups.

Added my tactics. 

Pooly I have tweaked my side as well, as I didn't realise I had some players available.

Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Fabian Barcella	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Carl Rimmer
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Cory Jane
05. Andries Bekker	12. Anthony Allen
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Darren Cave
07. James Haskell	14. Nopolini Nalaga
08. Jordan Crane	15. Stuart Hogg

|;
16. Agustin Creevey 17. Luke Cowan Dickie 18. Biyo Aki 19. George Merrick 20. Chris Henry 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Joel Tomkins 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.

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. Kitchener 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, Crane, Kitchener, 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. FDP and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. FDP will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Cave, Hogg and Nalaga seeing lots of the ball.

Defence: Use an blitz defence in order to put pressure on Wasps.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo.

Steve fritz is in French side

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Vasil Kakovin	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Kyle Eastmond
05. Iain Henderson	12. Francois Steyn
06. Fulgence Quedragao	13. Gael Fickou
07. Matt Todd	14. Simon Zebo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

 

16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Phil Swainston 19. Tom Savage 20. Alex Tulou 21. Ben Spencer 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Keith Earls

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.

- 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.

- 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, Gilroy and 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 Todd & 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. Care to sweep in behind to cover chips and grubbers.

- Counter the Worc kicking game with our wingers sitting deep on defence to prevent kicks in behind. They will look to run the ball back with interest.

gone through some of the teams so far. 

at work so limited chance to look

I can tell you that Bath have at least 1 player in their side who is on international duty this week.

[*]Napolioni Nalaga.  Is named in the Bath side but is playing for Fiji this weekend against Romania - http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9034886,00.html

Cory Jane is in the All Blacks side Flux

Didn't see Fiji as playing this week.

Miles Benjamin and Rob Miller to 11 + 14.
Rob Horne to bench

Passed the deadline mate will have to replace the wingers from the bench and go two short on the bench. Has happened to others through the internationals

You don't have Miles Benjamin CJB lol

Sexton was called up today. Will you put JJ in for me please Flux and put the bench one short 

Fiji are a tier two team, their internationally players don't get counted when being called up, like Samoa?

Fluxy raises a good point! Checking the rules it does only say Tier 1 sides call ups count! What did you count last year Pete?

Samoa players are available!?! 

Theoretically yeah Luke but I'm sure they weren't played last year and sides have been punished for fielding some this year.

I've always counted the Pacific Island sides as top tier in this game.   We've also counted Georgia, with Gorgodze being unavailable at times.

Pretty sure Mat has lost Qera before, and I lost Kalamafoni to a call up last year.

Sale 24-23 Worcester

FR - Both units lacking a little form but more grunt from the Sale unit gives them the edge.
SR - opposite here, really like the Worcester pairing. Sale unit strong, not sure if I prefer Hendo in the backrow.
BR - 7's close but more for Sale at 6/8 gives them the edge

HB - Worcester pairing a class up (JJ not Sexton)
CE - Fantastic 13 contest but Steyn despite poor form could do some damage through the 10/12 channel
B3 - not much in a good contest
Overall - good game, Sale right to target scrum but they'll be pushed hard by a good Worcester team. Sale just sneak it

Harlequins 19-20 Gloucester

FR - As a unit Gloucester just get the edge here, I don't know much about Quins LH so have to imagine Figallo getting on top.
SR - Gloucester lack a bit of grunt but a good pairing around the park and will shade here
BR - not much between the sides, decent contest

HB - Gloucester Stronger in both positions
CE - tight contest, I like both units. Best Gloucester pairing by far after being critical of them and starting to look settled
B3 - 2 good units, Balshaw drags Gloucester down from shading.
Overall - real humdinger, Gloucester edge scrum but no LH on bench will hinder them. I just think they have the edge will get a smash and grab.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I've always counted the Pacific Island sides as top tier in this game.   We've also counted Georgia, with Gorgodze being unavailable at times.

Pretty sure Mat has lost Qera before, and I lost Kalamafoni to a call up last year.

True Pete I have been had with James Johnstone this year playing also.
The international call up thing needs a look at.

Eg I have had TJ Perenara selected today ahead of Kerr Barlow.
Ab's announced this today am. Never a sniff of him playing previously.
My side is in so I get penalised yet could do nowt about it.

For me teams should be able to be altered only due to call ups up to Wednesday night. After that if a player is selected or called up unexpectedly it should not matter and we should
Class him as playing in this
Game. Chris got had this year with luatua who was called up on day of match due
To drop out.
Silly to penalise Chris.

There are many players picked this week who were selected for their
International teams and they should
Be penalised.
Last minute changes should not.

It's a tough one to get right so as a group we should agree the law on this.