Week 12

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ASM Clermont Auvergne vs Racing Metro 92
Location - Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin

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ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01. Joe Marler	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Tameifuina
04. Ed Slater	11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
05. Samu Manoa	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jacques Burger	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Sam Cane	14. Napolioni Nalaga
08. JMF Lobbe (c)	15. Willie Le Roux

16. Thomas Domingo 17. Corey Flynn 18. Frans Malherbe  19.  Jamie Cudmore 20. Schalk Burger 21.  Ludovic Radosavljevic  22. Kyle Godwin 23. JM Buttin

Tactics:

We will be looking to play attacking rugby for 80 mins in the sunshine, as well as looking to tire Racing's set-piece focused pack and focus on giving ourselves quick ball at the breakdown to execute this. 

We have 3 excellent operators here, and they will work with a wolf-pack mentality, with Cane chasing the ball to look to support breaks or be first at the breakdown, and the other two and other forwards switching between getting over ball Cane can't get to first and clearing out. Don't overcommit numbers unless the ball can be turned over, and look to play it safe and give no penalties in our 22, but don't be scared of giving away penalties in their 22 with lots of pressure to try and force the pilfer. 

Attack:

We will build slow ball into quick ball with pack carrying in pick and drives (in 3s), moving the focus of these to move their pack around. If gaps arise at the fringes, Parra and our carriers (like Tameifuina)  in the pack to attack them and all breaks must be supported. Quick ball to be spread, with Cruden attacking the line and looking to move the focus of attack, work gaps with recycling and offloading and then attack them. Cane's link-chasing role helpful here. Back 3 coming in off their wing to shift point of attack. Very good forwards in terms of playing the ball and carrying, so have them coming into the line as options.

Defence: 


Blitz with width to stop their centres early, Kayser looking to sweep and the blindside wing. Parra and acting as our primary cover defender. Burger to tackle Youngs out of the game, and Cane to chase the ball. Fringe defence led by Lobbe and Manoa

Scrum:
Specifically look to move their front row around to tire them. We are technically solid and will look to highlight Jones’ binding. When they bring fresh props on, so can we. 

Lineout:
Mix up our options as we have at least 4 good jumpers. Look to tire their pack with the maul off the front and quick ball to attack directly off the top. Give them front ball then defend the maul immediately, but pressurise any throws further back to stop them having attacking ball.

Subs: 
Go 100% in the pack with good cover in all positions, and Domingo an option to make the scrum a weapon against tired legs in the 2nd half. Godwin can change our attacking approach, Buttin adds pace and impact, Burger carrying.

Kicking:
Take on all reasonable kicks at goal, and test their wings under the high ball, with kicks for possession which will be chased hard. Run kicks back whenever possible

Key points:
We are at home. We do not lose here

Press, esp in defence and the breakdown, in their 22 to win penalties and turnovers

Move their pack around with our carrying and mobility from 1-8

Shift focus in attack 

Cane hunt the ball and Burger hunt Youngs

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Racing Metro

01. Ryan Grant	09. Ben Youngs
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Juandre Kruger	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Steven Luatua	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Francois Louw (c)	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Ben Smith

16. Soane Tonghu'ia  17. Dimitri Szarzewski 18. Juan Figallo 19. Joe Tekori 20. Dan Lydiate 21. Maxime Machenaud 22. Jean Marc Doussain 23. Marc Andreu

TACTICS 
As always, we are built on a solid set piece, with the lineout being a real strength all season and the scrum in solid shape. With Grant, Strauss, Jones, we've got three brilliant scrummagers, so we'll look to target the opposition. Figallo coming off the bench will be a huge boost in the second half. We'll look to use a very quick and mobile back row to get to that breakdown first, giving Clermont slow ball to play off,and allowing us to use our strike runners against a disjointed defence. Luatua clearing out, Louw forcing the turnover and Faletua playing it as he sees it. We've picked a big scrummaging front row, with two very good technical operators. Clermont have picked two 7s and possibly lack some ball carrying in the back row and lineout prowess in the second row.


- We'll play heads up rugby, based on solid possession from scrum and lineout. We can target their front row at the scrum, especially Marler and Ben T in the second half with Figallo on the bench to continue this throughout the game. 
- In the lineout, we've got more athleticism with the jumpers of Kruger of Louw up against heavier opposition, not known for their lineout play.
- Look to draw Cane and Burger into the breakdown to create space out wide. Use carriers of Retallick, Strauss, Roberts, Luatua, Faletau to tie up back row. Youngs to snipe around the fringes, with strike runners off him on the pop - Roberts, Bosch, Smith
- Form on the bench. All players capable of making a huge impact and changing the game. Experience of Figallo and Szarz up front will be huge, Tekori and Tiny will offer incredible ball carrying. Le Roux, Doussain, Mach and Plante have had their great form rewarded with a place in the French 6Ns squad
- Use Sexton flat on the gainline, drawing defenders, with Bosch and Roberts offering short pops and Faletau, Retallick offering the inside ball to keep them narrow. Smith and Bosch both encouraged to come into the line either before Roberts or on his shoulder, looking for the offload.
- We've got a world class spine in this time at 2,5,8,9,10,12,15 and these blokes will lead the team, their experience and decision making will be crucial. The 8 9 10 12 is a very familiar unit from the Lions tour.
- In the backs, we are incredibly solid defensively and have a nice mix of power (Roberts, Imhoff, Cuthbert), pace (Smith, Cuthbert, Youngs) and guile (Sexton, Smith and Bosch)
- Many teams have targeted Roberts defensively, so we will use Roberts to draw in defenders on the dummy run and bring Smith into the line. Use Sexton on the wrap around loop and also interchange Bosch and Roberts to keep them guessing.
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. In Faletau and Louw, we have two blokes that are brilliant at turning over ball. Both can't be stopped!

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Leicester Tigers vs Toulon
Location - Welford Road

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Leicester Tigers

01. Benn Robinson	09. Greg Laidlaw (k)
02. George Chuter	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Ed Slater	11. Gonzalo Camacho
05. Geoff Parling	12. Anthony Allen
06. Tom Croft	13. Francois Steyn
07. Pablo Matera	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Juan Manuel Leguizamon (c)	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. George Chuter 17.Boris Stankivich 18.Brian Muajti 19.Paul O'Connell 20.Piri Weepu 21.Toby Flood 22.Manu Tuilagi 23.Matthew Tait

Looking for another physical encounter with strong forward play, and plenty of forward replacements looking to inflict damage onto the opponents. We want to get the ball to Matera and JML who will carry the ball and power over the gain-line. Laidlaw will box-kick cleverly when getting the ball, for the wingers and backs to run onto. Laidaw will be the main kicker with JMH as back up. 

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Toulon

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson(k)
03. Dan Cole
04.  Bakkies Botha	11. Drew Mitchell
05.  Jocelina Suta	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Julien Bonnaire (c)	13.   Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Jaime Heaslip	15.Delon Armitage

16. Kyle Cooper 17.Mako Vunipola 18. Carl Hayman 19. Bakkies Botha 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Butch James 23. Matt Giteau
Tactics
We will play an territorial game today and have selected a big pack to win us ball and a fast backrow to get around the park. Wilko will stand deep and play territory for our lineout to challenge, the pack will carry a lot as will our centres for quick ball. Strong front row with immense power to come on and a 2nd row who are used to driving players back come scrum time. We have selected a centre partnership who will make good breaks and look for quick recycling of the ball to keep them on the back foot and under constant pressure. Forwards will look to carry a lot in first 20 punching the holes before moving to running off of 12-13.


*9-10 combo-we have Smith to Wilko who will then look to play a controlled kicking game especially from turnover ball and using tight runners off 2nd phase ball.
*Bench-Our bench is full of impact and will look to dominate the end of the game.
*Defence-we have strong defensive leaders in Wilko, Giteau and AAC and will look to slow down/turnover a lot of ball.
*Set Piece-power is key today at scrum time and in the lineouts using Bonnaire's leading skills to get good ball.
*Breakdown-look to  here and use our abrasive pack to do this with heavy carrying and tactical breakdown slowing.

N.B: We have one of the top try scorers starting in  Gethin Jenkins!!

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Toulouse vs Crusaders
Location - Stade Ernest-Wallon

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Toulouse

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Chilliboy Rallepele	10. George Ford
03. Cencus Johnstone
04. Patricio Albacete	11. Jonny May
05. Yoaan Maestri	12. Christian Lealifiano
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Gael Fickou
07. Thierry Dusautoir (c)	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16.Tom Youngs 17.Anthonio Guilamon 18.John Afoa 19.Romain Millo Chulski 20.Edwin Maka 21.Michael Hooper 22.Jano Vermaak 23.Clement Poitrinaud


Tactics

Toulouse to play a controlling game based around a strong set piece and efficent field position,

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Crusaders

01. Marcus Ayerza	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04. Luke Romano	11. Zac Guildford
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Scott Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Richie McCaw (c)	14. Israel Folau
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Charles Piutau

16. Ben Funnell 17. Vincent Debaty 18. Owen Franks 19. Dominic Bird 20. Kieran Read 21. Jonathan Pelissie 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Ryan Crotty

Based on Toulouse team for week 11

Set piece - Picked our strongest scrummaging props to really pile the pressure on the Toulouse scrum. Hartley to focus on Johnson's bind on Ralepelle, not strike on their ball to prevent them getting quick ball. On our ball keep the ball in the scrum to win pens. In the lineout, use all our options, mark Albacete and Nyanga on their ball.

Breakdown - Flankers to work as a pair to neutralise the Toulouse flankers, Gorgodze to look to clear out strongly, as will the front 5. Read on early in second half to press home advantage here. 

Attack - Forwards to carry around the fringes, tie in the back row then try and get Gorgodze running at Ford and Lealifano's channel. JD2 to angle his runs at that channel, and Folau to come off his wing at Ford. Then go wider with Piutau challenging the youngster Fickou.

Defence- blitz defence on Picamoles, gang tackle him and smash him back. Employ a drift defence when the backs have the ball. 

Kicking - FDP, Carter, JD2 and Piutau to get us into the right areas of the field, challenge May in the air with Folau, use grubber kicks to mix it up

Bench - international forwards off the bench, Read and Barrett to add real attacking class 

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Natal Sharks vs Stormers
Location - Kings Park Stadium

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The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Danny Care
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Quade Cooper
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Joe Launchbury	11. George North
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Sam Warburton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. James O'Connor

16. Stephen Moore 17. Cian Healy 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 20. Billy Vunipola 21.Freddie Michalak 22. Patric Lambie 23. Marland Yarde

TACTICS

We will play a traditional South African gameplan in the forwards, being ultra physical and looking to dominate the collisions in attack and defence.  In good conditions we will be looking to play a high tempo, fast paced offloading game, shifting the ball on either in or just before the tackle.  Cooper will play flat with the outside backs coming from positions of depth to gain momentum.  In defence we will employ the blitz and look to hit the ball carrier before he hits the gainline to stop the Stormers getting any momentum.  Danny Care will act as a sweeper behind the defensive line.

• Breakdown.  In attack we will put numbers in rucking past the ball to free it up quickly to go again.  If on Care will snipe to keep us going forwards.  In defence we will be selective.  If it is on to clear out and turn ball over we will throw numbers in to do so, otherwise we will keep a strong defensive line.
  
• Spaces not faces.  Our runners will target the gaps in the defensive line rather than defenders and look to breach the gainline regularly.  
  
• Wingers. North and Pietersen to track the play off their wings looking for the offloads to go through gaps in midfield, with North often used either on the inside crash ball or as decoy.
  
• Bench. We have big carriers like Moore, Healy and Vunipola coming off the bench to run at tired legs in the final quarter.
  

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Stormers

01. Steven Kitschoff	09. Will Genia
02. Schalk Brits	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Julian Savea
05. James Horwill	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Christian Wade
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Scarra Ntubeni 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Brok Harris 19. Nathan Hines 20. Rynhardt Elstadt 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Juan De Jongh

In the conditions we will look to keep ball in hand for us and peg Sharks back. With possession Faz and Genia will look to keep the forwards rolling around the corners and working the opposition defence, which will tire them out. Work the situation to either allow Genia to box or fax to grubber through the defensive line. In attack look to use our centres to punch holes with our forwards in first and second phases to suck in opposition defensive numbers, to create space for our elusive back three and Genia. 
Set-piece - strong and efficient, put pressure on in certain situations on opposition ball. Eg clearing kicks from scrums and line outs in their 22
Breakdown - Collectively look to clear ball and smash opposing players out of the way. Opposing slow down legally by flooding the breakdown. 
Keep ball in hand - We can't afford to give away silly possession and they can't score without the ball!
Playing the %'s - Faz will keep the board ticking over, and implement a simple territorial game.
New Partnership - Test Care and Cooper in defence, Vermeluen to run down their channels of the scrum and look for an offload to SOB coming on the inside. 

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Oh poopie

Racing Metro

01. Ryan Grant	09. Ben Youngs
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Juandre Kruger	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Steven Luatua	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Francois Louw (c)	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Ben Smith

16. Soane Tonghu'ia  17. Dimitri Szarzewski 18. Juan Figallo 19. Joe Tekori 20. Dan Lydiate 21. Maxime Machenaud 22. Jean Marc Doussain 23. Marc Andreu

TACTICS TBC
As always, we are built on a solid set piece, with the lineout being a real strength all season and the scrum in solid shape. With Grant, Strauss, Jones, we've got three brilliant scrummagers, so we'll look to target the opposition. Figallo coming off the bench will be a huge boost in the second half. We'll look to use a very quick and mobile back row to get to that breakdown first, giving Clermont slow ball to play off,and allowing us to use our strike runners against a disjointed defence. Luatua clearing out, Louw forcing the turnover and Faletua playing it as he sees it. We've picked a big scrummaging front row, with two very good technical operators. Clermont have picked two 7s and possibly lack some ball carrying in the back row and lineout prowess in the second row.


- We'll play heads up rugby, based on solid possession from scrum and lineout. We can target their front row at the scrum, especially Marler and Ben T in the second half with Figallo on the bench to continue this throughout the game. 
- In the lineout, we've got more athleticism with the jumpers of Kruger of Louw up against heavier opposition, not known for their lineout play.
- Look to draw Cane and Burger into the breakdown to create space out wide. Use carriers of Retallick, Strauss, Roberts, Luatua, Faletau to tie up back row. Youngs to snipe around the fringes, with strike runners off him on the pop - Roberts, Bosch, Smith
- Form on the bench. All players capable of making a huge impact and changing the game. Experience of Figallo and Szarz up front will be huge, Tekori and Tiny will offer incredible ball carrying. Le Roux, Doussain, Mach and Plante have had their great form rewarded with a place in the French 6Ns squad
- Use Sexton flat on the gainline, drawing defenders, with Bosch and Roberts offering short pops and Faletau, Retallick offering the inside ball to keep them narrow. Smith and Bosch both encouraged to come into the line either before Roberts or on his shoulder, looking for the offload.
- We've got a world class spine in this time at 2,5,8,9,10,12,15 and these blokes will lead the team, their experience and decision making will be crucial. The 8 9 10 12 is a very familiar unit from the Lions tour.
- In the backs, we are incredibly solid defensively and have a nice mix of power (Roberts, Imhoff, Cuthbert), pace (Smith, Cuthbert, Youngs) and guile (Sexton, Smith and Bosch)
- Many teams have targeted Roberts defensively, so we will use Roberts to draw in defenders on the dummy run and bring Smith into the line. Use Sexton on the wrap around loop and also interchange Bosch and Roberts to keep them guessing.
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. In Faletau and Louw, we have two blokes that are brilliant at turning over ball. Both can't be stopped!

Now set, no intention to change

ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01.  Joe Marler	09.  Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10.    Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Tameifuina
04.  Ed Slater	11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
05.  Samu Manoa	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jacques Burger	13.   Aurelien Rougerie
07. Sam Cane	14.  Napolioni Nalaga
08. JMF Lobbe (c)	15. Willie Le Roux

16. Thomas Domingo 17. Corey Flynn 18. Frans Malherbe  19.  Jamie Cudmore 20. Schalk Burger 21.  Ludovic Radosavljevic  22. Kyle Godwin 23. JM Buttin

Tactics:

We will be looking to play attacking rugby for 80 mins in the sunshine, as well as looking to tire Racing's set-piece focused pack and focus on giving ourselves quick ball at the breakdown to execute this.

We have 3 excellent operators here, and they will work with a wolf-pack mentality, with Cane chasing the ball to look to support breaks or be first at the breakdown, and the other two and other forwards switching between getting over ball Cane can't get to first and clearing out. Don't overcommit numbers unless the ball can be turned over, and look to play it safe and give no penalties in our 22, but don't be scared of giving away penalties in their 22 with lots of pressure to try and force the pilfer.

Attack:

We will build slow ball into quick ball with pack carrying in pick and drives (in 3s), moving the focus of these to move their pack around. If gaps arise at the fringes, Parra and our carriers (like Tameifuina)  in the pack to attack them and all breaks must be supported. Quick ball to be spread, with Cruden attacking the line and looking to move the focus of attack, work gaps with recycling and offloading and then attack them. Cane's link-chasing role helpful here. Back 3 coming in off their wing to shift point of attack. Very good forwards in terms of playing the ball and carrying, so have them coming into the line as options.

Defence:


Blitz with width to stop their centres early, Kayser looking to sweep and the blindside wing. Parra and acting as our primary cover defender. Burger to tackle Youngs out of the game, and Cane to chase the ball. Fringe defence led by Lobbe and Manoa

Scrum:
Specifically look to move their front row around to tire them. We are technically solid and will look to highlight Jones’ binding. When they bring fresh props on, so can we.

Lineout:
Mix up our options as we have at least 4 good jumpers. Look to tire their pack with the maul off the front and quick ball to attack directly off the top. Give them front ball then defend the maul immediately, but pressurise any throws further back to stop them having attacking ball.

Subs:
Go 100% in the pack with good cover in all positions, and Domingo an option to make the scrum a weapon against tired legs in the 2nd half. Godwin can change our attacking approach, Buttin adds pace and impact, Burger carrying.

Kicking:
Take on all reasonable kicks at goal, and test their wings under the high ball, with kicks for possession which will be chased hard. Run kicks back whenever possible

Key points:
We are at home. We do not lose here

Press, esp in defence and the breakdown, in their 22 to win penalties and turnovers

Move their pack around with our carrying and mobility from 1-8

Shift focus in attack

Cane hunt the ball and Burger hunt Youngs

When do you think you'll confirm your side CJ? I'll be having a pop at it tomorrow morning I think, but would like to know who i'm up against before writing tactics

I have an exam in 90 mins time and hopefully getting signed off my last attachment ever this afternoon, so not before 5, sorry, but if I haven't changed by tomorrow morning then I won't make any personel changes

GOOD LUCK MATE!

The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Danny Care
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Quade Cooper
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Joe Launchbury	11. George North
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Sam Warburton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. James O'Connor

16. Stephen Moore 17. Cian Healy 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 20. Billy Vunipola 21.Freddie Michalak 22. Patric Lambie 23. Marland Yarde

TACTICS

We will play a traditional South African gameplan in the forwards, being ultra physical and looking to dominate the collisions in attack and defence.  In good conditions we will be looking to play a high tempo, fast paced offloading game, shifting the ball on either in or just before the tackle.  Cooper will play flat with the outside backs coming from positions of depth to gain momentum.  In defence we will employ the blitz and look to hit the ball carrier before he hits the gainline to stop the Stormers getting any momentum.  Danny Care will act as a sweeper behind the defensive line.

• Breakdown.  In attack we will put numbers in rucking past the ball to free it up quickly to go again.  If on Care will snipe to keep us going forwards.  In defence we will be selective.  If it is on to clear out and turn ball over we will throw numbers in to do so, otherwise we will keep a strong defensive line.
  
• Spaces not faces.  Our runners will target the gaps in the defensive line rather than defenders and look to breach the gainline regularly.  
  
• Wingers. North and Pietersen to track the play off their wings looking for the offloads to go through gaps in midfield, with North often used either on the inside crash ball or as decoy.
  
• Bench. We have big carriers like Moore, Healy and Vunipola coming off the bench to run at tired legs in the final quarter.
  

01. Marcus Ayerza	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04. Luke Romano	11. Zac Guildford
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Scott Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Richie McCaw (c)	14. Israel Folau
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Charles Piutau

16. Ben Funnell 17. Vincent Debaty 18. Owen Franks 19. Dominic Bird 20. Kieran Read 21. Jonathan Pelissie 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Ryan Crotty

Based on Toulouse team for week 11

Set piece - Picked our strongest scrummaging props to really pile the pressure on the Toulouse scrum. Hartley to focus on Johnson's bind on Ralepelle, not strike on their ball to prevent them getting quick ball. On our ball keep the ball in the scrum to win pens. In the lineout, use all our options, mark Albacete and Nyanga on their ball.

Breakdown - Flankers to work as a pair to neutralise the Toulouse flankers, Gorgodze to look to clear out strongly, as will the front 5. Read on early in second half to press home advantage here.

Attack - Forwards to carry around the fringes, tie in the back row then try and get Gorgodze running at Ford and Lealifano's channel. JD2 to angle his runs at that channel, and Folau to come off his wing at Ford. Then go wider with Piutau challenging the youngster Fickou.

Defence- blitz defence on Picamoles, gang tackle him and smash him back. Employ a drift defence when the backs have the ball.

Kicking - FDP, Carter, JD2 and Piutau to get us into the right areas of the field, challenge May in the air with Folau, use grubber kicks to mix it up

Bench - international forwards off the bench, Read and Barrett to add real attacking class

Guys, vital point that I don't want up bring up: is Parra banned in game?

Hope all went well with exams etc mate!

As far as Parra goes, we haven't really been playing to 6Ns etc so I would guess not?

Fluxy, what's the ruling, so I can arrange a back up 9 if needed?

Other than that, Bathite, my team is complete and thanks for the luck guys, think it went fine

LECISTER TIGERS

01.Benn Robinson
02.Leonardo Ghilaridini
03.Martin Castrogivanni
04.Ed Slater
05.Geoff Parling
06.Tom Croft
07.Pablo Matera
08.Juan Manuel Leguizamon (c)
09.Greig Laidlaw (k)
10.Francois Trinh-Duc
11.Gonzalo Camacho
12.Anthony Allen 
13.Franocis Steyn 
14.Miles Benjamin
15.Juan Martin Hernandez

Replacements: 16.Chuter 17.Mujati 18.Stankovich 19.POC 20.Weepu 21.Flood 22.Tuilagi 23.Tait

haven't got any time, so tactics same as last week

Parra not banned mate. But I am aware injuries are due soon...

Also because I have missed the chance to do conditions for all game this week. 

All games are being played in glorious spring sunshine at about 20 degrees, in places but with some gusty winds around at about 20mph. 

Stormers

01. Steven Kitschoff	09. Will Genia
02. Schalk Brits	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Julian Savea
05. James Horwill	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Christian Wade
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Scarra Ntubeni 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Brok Harris 19. Nathan Hines 20. Rynhardt Elstadt 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Juan De Jongh

Good Luck cj!!

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson(k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Jocelina Suta	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Julien Bonnaire (c)	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Jaime Heaslip	15.Delon Armitage

16. Kyle Cooper 17.Mako Vunipola 18. Carl Hayman 19. Bakkies Botha 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Butch James 23. Matt Giteau
Tactics
We will play an territorial game today and have selected a big pack to win us ball and a fast backrow to get around the park. Wilko will stand deep and play territory for our lineout to challenge, the pack will carry a lot as will our centres for quick ball. Strong front row with immense power to come on and a 2nd row who are used to driving players back come scrum time. We have selected a centre partnership who will make good breaks and look for quick recycling of the ball to keep them on the back foot and under constant pressure. Forwards will look to carry a lot in first 20 punching the holes before moving to running off of 12-13.


*9-10 combo-we have Smith to Wilko who will then look to play a controlled kicking game especially from turnover ball and using tight runners off 2nd phase ball.
*Bench-Our bench is full of impact and will look to dominate the end of the game.
*Defence-we have strong defensive leaders in Wilko, Giteau and AAC and will look to slow down/turnover a lot of ball.
*Set Piece-power is key today at scrum time and in the lineouts using Bonnaire's leading skills to get good ball.
*Breakdown-look to here and use our abrasive pack to do this with heavy carrying and tactical breakdown slowing.

N.B: We have one of the top try scorers starting in Gethin Jenkins!!

Should get tactics in this evening

Tic-tacs set

Predos open.

Tigers 9 Toulon 11
Two evenly matched front rows, but Toulon have a big step up at hooker and much better bench options. Again, second rows are closely matched, but Parling been out for a long time is hard to rate. Prefer the Tigers back row, as Toulon are really lacking some ball carrying there, with 3 lightweight options. Toulon better 11-15. Good backs on the bench for Tigers though. Not huge amount of tactics from both, but I see the Hibbard/Bonnaire link dominating the lineout and there's enough class out wide to edge the win

Pretty sure I have Ed Slater...

Toulouse 13 Crusaders 15
Better options in the front row from the Crusaders, with Ayerza and Hartley really likely to benefit. More grunt in the second row from Toulouse will help them at scrum time. Again, Toulouse struggling for form in the back row, so think Hooper would be a great option. Crusaders back row has everything for me and a real area of strength. 9/10 for Crusaders is perfect for an away game, as they will pull the strings. Feel that the saders back row and also Pienaar's style of play prevents Ford from getting the quick flat ball that he flourishes on, whilst Carter and FDP have more experience and ball and ability to create something from nothing. Not much in the outside backs at all, but I can see how Crusaders are planning to use their players tactically, so they sneak a win

Sharks 20 Stormers 22
Sharks on top up front with BDP and JDP having lots of joy against opposite numbers. Prefer the Stormers second row, with a very experienced lineout leader and some grunt from Etzebeth. Think that the Stormers back row is a slight step up as well. Both halfbacks are brilliant pairs and both in great form (think that a Genia/Care swap would be an exceptional deal for both teams!) More from the Stormers centres, with JDV a big step up. Back threes about even, not much in it for me. Think that Sharks win the battle at scrum, but everywhere else is much closer. Think Stormers have more carrying in their pack and outside backs to smash some holes, with 8,9,10 of Sharks are vulnerable in defence (Parisse often out wide or kick return). A really strong bench from the Sharks, but I just think the boot of Farrell and the tactics from the Stormers see them edge a huge derby game.

Tigers 19 - 20 Toulon

Chuter on bench and starting and I have Slater so that means POC starting which is no bad thing but leaves the bench wrecked. Castro vs Jenkins and Cole vs Robinson cancel out. 2 good lineouts but can see Tigers edging. Toulon at the breakdown and carrying maybe edged by Toulon. 2 decent backlines and HBs, not much tactics. Toulon alos have Botha starting and benching. Would be home win, juts, but can't give that with 2 men missing on bench.

Toulouse 22 - 25 Crusaders

Pack to Crusaders, with an edge in most areas and a generally excellent pack. Think the HBs for Toulouse will do well though, as will Crusaders' though Carter still not in his top form, both good at controlling the match. Lethal runners for both sides but Folau's form insane and with tactics and pack Crusaders steal a vital away win

Sharks 24 - 23 Stormers

Think Stormers can shock Sharks at the scrum actually, then evens in second row/lineout and close but edge to Stormers at the breakdown. Equally good carrying in both sides, and slight edge to Sharks HBs but it's close. Powerful backs (with pace out wide) for Stormers but Sharks cannier players, 2 good sets of tactics

Very close match, Stormers have the edge in the pack but it's not enough to overcome home advantage

Clermont 19-20 Metro
Toulouse 23-24 Crusaders
Sharks 25-24 Stormers

Fluxy, for my team for the next set of games: Gethin and Mako to swap, Ali Williams to 4, Tipuric and Armitage to swap please.

anyone gonna predict?

I will be shortly. Late as always

Will be doing mine first thing tomorrow morning.

Clermont 23-20 metro

Set piece - scrum to ASM, lineout to Metro - evens
Breakdown - the dual 7s will see ASM get some success against Louw, and I think their front 5 will be more of a help than Metro's will
Carrying - Metro, just, as a result of the back row balance
Attack - prefer ASM HBs, and back 3, centres maybe just to Metro
Bench - no real edge either way

Advantage in the backs and breakdown, along with home advantage gives ASM a good win

Leicester 14 - 19 Toulon

Set piece - scrum to Toulon, lineout to Tigers as usual
Breakdown - same problem for Tigers, just not enough power to make any real impact, Toulon back row all excellent here but can be physically beaten
Carrying - Toulon, just
Attack - Toulon HBs just. Steyn isn't really a 13. I have no idea why Jane, Manu, Dagg and Ashton aren't playing when inferior players like Camacho and Benjamin are.
Bench - 2 men down for Tigers, no back row replacement - shambles

Just don't understand Leicester selection policy, easy win for Toulon on the road

Sharks 24-22 Stormers

Set piece - scrum about equal IMO, lineout to Stormers
Breakdown - I think this will be a massive battle, Can't really pick a winner based on the back rows, so looking at the front 5s I give Sharks the edge, based on the form of the locks
Carrying - Stormers for me
Attack - Genia and Care are absolute class, Cooper vs Farrell a match up of different styles - given the help from JOC I give Sharks HBs the edge. Prefer Stormers back 3 and evens in the centres
Bench - Sharks will add big impact with Healy, Billy and Yarde

With home advantage and the edge off the bench I reckon Sharks steal one late on

ASM Clermont Auvergne 28 - 26 Racing Metro

Both packs about even with perhaps a little more attention to detail in the breakdown from ASM with their back row suited more here. Just feel the Parra/Cruden combo will control the game a bit better and get more out of their backs and pack to edge this home thriller. 

Leicester Tigers 20 - 25 Toulon

Tigers underpowered in the loose once again causes them to suffer. They need to discover their starting back line and stick with it. Some decent players that could really go to power up their pack which is decent in the tight. Toulon will blow away the Tigers pack, but its more Tigers being weaker in defence rather than Toulon better in attack. 

Toulouse 25 - 30 Crusaders

Saders edge the tight pack battle as they have a bit more guile and a more rounded skill set. This provides their dangerous backs the chance to play with ball and put Folau and Dagg in space which would be killer. Toulouse have enough to control some phases of the game, but saders come out on top in this one.

ASM Clermont Auvergne 22 Racing Metro 21
Two big packs who will bring lots of physicality.  ASM have a hefty second row pairing to aid with pushing in the scrum, but not sure how they will fare at lineout time, with no real lineout expert in the team.  Metro have Kruger who I think could dominate in this area of the game.  I am finding this game really tough to call, as there is very little between the sides.  In the end have to go with home advantage and a very narrow.

Leicester Tigers 12 RC Toulonnais 20
I am utterly baffled by the Tigers team.  Chuter is starting and on the bench, Slater is in the team but is also in the ASM team, and not sure why you would start Slater and Parling and leave POC on the bench.  I just don't see their pack being competitive and with Toulon winning the scrum, lineout, collisions and breakdowns it's a fairly routine win for them even away from home.

Stade Touloussain 20 Crusaders 22
I really like the back 5 of the Toulouse pack, but I don't rate Steenkamp and Rallepele in what should be their core functions, the scrum.  I think Crusaders can get some joy there.  Other than that, I think these are two really evenly matched team on paper, although Crusaders have Folau who is on fire at the moment in real life, so have a bit more in the backs in terms of form.  Limited tactics from Toulouse make it difficult to see if they can overcome what I percieve as a weakness in the scrum, and with the upper hand there and a sparkling backline I have this as a cracking away win for the Crusaders.

Predos closed, just doing the results now.

Well played Flux, thought for a minute that I might sneak a win there, but always tricky away from home

It was me you played mate! Thought I might lose it when only Prop had predicted, well-played

Likewise I thought I might get turned over when only Bathite had predicted!   

Full scores - Bathite, Bam, CJ, Ozzy, Fluxy

Scorelines - Prop

No Scores - CF, Driver