Euro League Round One

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – BamBam

01. Ben Moon	09. Aaron Smith
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Tomas Francis
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Matt Jess
05. Dean Mumm	12. Sam Hill
06. Dave Ewers	13. Henry Slade
07. Ben White	14. Jack Nowell
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Folau

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Luke Cowan-Dickie 18. Moray Low 19. Damian Welch 20. Tom Johnson 21. Dave Lewis 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Set piece - use the scrum as a restart, quick ball wherever possible and don't let their strong front row have too much of an influence. Line out use Read and the locks as options, Mumm to call and is used to playing with Yeandle.

In open play, use the strong carrying of our front 5 and Ewers, Read to carry in the wider channels

The half backs to use their experience to run the game, kick into the corners and challenge their inexperienced line out, with Hibbard being a shaky thrower.

Slade as the second boot, the half backs are also excellent territorial kickers

Folau to enter the line whenever he chose, look to get between the centres or on trinders outside shoulder, with the  wings on his shoulder. Nowell to cover full back if he was to get turned over. Cruden to look for the pop pass to Hill or Folau when possible, target Twelvetrees front on tackling with big forwards

Experience and impact off the bench in Johnson, Steenson and Naqalevuki


Gloucester
CJ

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Matt Giteau (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Tom Savage	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Elliot Stooke	12. James Hook
06. Chris Robshaw (c)	13. Henry Trinder
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Johnny May
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mike Brown

16. Sila Puafisi 17.  Dan Murphy 18. Darren Dawiduk 19. Tom Palmer  20. Sione Kalamafoni 21. Dan Robson 22. Billy Burns 23. Ron Cook

Tactics:
No time and late, sorry!

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Connacht Rugby
Manager – Fluxy

01. Rodney Ah You	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Jason Harris-Wright	10. Johnny Sexton (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Michael Swift	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Bundee Aki
06. Willie Faloon	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. John Muldoon (c)	14. Tiernan O'Halloran
08. Eoin Mckeon	15. Mils Muliaini

16. Dave Heffernan 17. JP Cooney 18. Denis Buckley 19. Quinn Roux 20. Andrew Browne 21. Ian Porter 22. Jack Carty 23. Fionn Carr

Tactics:

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. With wet and windy conditions we will want to hit the ground running and hit the opposition hard and fast from the off. 
Our aim is to control possession and go through the phases. We will look to play a simple territory game based around our strong set-piece

Quick Points:

• Sett piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan. Whitelock to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers - Capatilise on the lack of line out leader.
  
  
• Attack - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs, as they have the pace and finishing ability to worry any defence. Utilise the pace and size of North, Henshaw & O'Halloran using a 'league/slider move, which either allow a short line through the defence out a two on one on the outside. Test the defense in the centre channels, particularly at 13.Sexton's passing can help put lads into the gaps where Ranger will shoot out of the line.
  
• Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow our back-row to dominate affairs. A defensive banana drift defence to push the attackers towards our inside defence, with Marmion sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind.
  
  
• Move the point of attack to keep their big pack on the move and tire them out. This is done by plus one passing in tight play and clever link play by borh forwards and backs. 
  
• Sexton to kick any available points.
  

MONTPELLIER
Bathite

01. Nahuel Lobo	09. Jonathon Pelissie
02. Adriaan Strauss	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Brodie Retallick	11. Timoci Nagusa
05. Tom Donnelly	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Fulgence Ouedraogo (c)	13. Rene Ranger
07. Michael Hooper	14. Benjamin Fall
08. Ben Mowen	15. Ben Smith

16. Charles Geli 17. David Attoub 18. Yvan Watremez 19. Sitaleki Timani 20. Akapusi Qera 21. Benoit Paillaugue 22. Enzo Selponi 23. Pierre Berard

TACTICS TBC
- In the heavy wind and rain, focus on a traditional french league set piece based game. Look to the rolling maul as an option from the lineout and use the 8 to pick and go from the base of the scrum, committing defenders to the breakdown
- In our own half play the territory game, looking to clear the lines where possible, making touch. Use the up and under when out of the 22, with Smith, Hooper and Ranger looking to challenge in the air, where they are really strong
- In attacking possession, look to tie in defenders with Ouedraogo, Hooper and Mowen all great at picking and going around the corner
- FTD plays flat on the gainline with three options;
       - with back row, Strauss and Retallick offering the powerful crash runners on the inside and pop
       - FTD to look to take it on physically with back row clearing out
       - look to runners in behind back rows to release Fofana on the fade or Ranger on the cut back
- In defence, we look to slow the ball by committing to the break down. We don't mind encouraging the opposition to look for the outside channels, as handling conditions will be tough. FTD leads the rush defence, with 9 sweeping and the blindside wing and full back covering for the kick return

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Newcastle Falcons

1.Cian Healy
2.Dylan Hartley
3.Kieron Brookes
4.Josh Furno
5.Dom Barrow
6.Mark Wilson 
7.Tom Wood(C)
8.Ally Hogg

9.Mike Blair
10.George Ford
11.Sinoti Sinoti
12.Adam Powell
13.Gonzalo Tiesi
14.Juilian Sevea
15.Alex Tait

16.George McGuigan
17.Alex Rogers
18.Scott Wilson
19.Callum Green
20.Richard Mayhew
21.Ruki Tipuna
22.Rory Clegg
23.Simon Hammersley

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Scarlets

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Rhodri Jones
4. Jake Ball
5. Eben Etzbeth
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. John Barclay
8. Duane Vermuelen
9. Aled Davies
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Liam Williams
12. Scott Williams
13. Jonathon Davies
14. Jordan Williams
15. Willie Le Roux

16. Kirby Myhill
17. Phil John
18. Samson Lee
19. Johan Snyman
20. Aaron Shingler
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Steven Shingler
23. Harry Robinson


 London Irish
DoR: Ozzy3213

1. Tom Court	9. Scott Steele
2. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Beauden Barrett
3. Halani Aulika
4. George Skivington (c)	11. James Short
5. Courtney Lawes	12. Shane Geraghty
6. Ofisa Treviranus	13. Manu Tuilagi
7. Blair Cowan	14. Alex Lewington
8. Billy Vunipola	15. Tom Homer

16. David Paice 17. Matt Parr 18. Geoff Cross 19. Dan Leo 20. Luke Narraway 21. Tomas O'Leary 22. Eoin Griffin 23. Andrew Fenby


Tactics


In poor weather conditions we will employ a territorial kicking game, aiming to play most of the game in the Scarlets 22.  When there we will use the pick and go to good effect and carry close to the ruck.  We will look for banker ball at the lineout and employ the driving maul.  Our standard defensive set up will be the blitz and we will target Priestland looking to pressurise him into mistakes.  Scott Steele will sweep behind the line in defence.  Tom Homer to attempt all kickable penalties.

Exeter Chiefs


Manager – BamBam

01. Ben Moon	09. Aaron Smith
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Tomas Francis
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Matt Jess
05. Dean Mumm	12. Sam Hill
06. Dave Ewers	13. Henry Slade
07. Ben White	14. Jack Nowell
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Folau

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Luke Cowan-Dickie 18. Moray Low 19. Damian Welch 20. Tom Johnson 21. Dave Lewis 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Set piece - use the scrum as a restart, quick ball wherever possible and don't let their strong front row have too much of an influence. Line out use Read and the locks as options, Mumm to call and is used to playing with Yeandle.

In open play, use the strong carrying of our front 5 and Ewers, Read to carry in the wider channels

The half backs to use their experience to run the game, kick into the corners and challenge their inexperienced line out, with Hibbard being a shaky thrower.

Slade as the second boot, the half backs are also excellent territorial kickers

Folau to enter the line whenever he chose, look to get between the centres or on trinders outside shoulder, with the wings on his shoulder. Nowell to cover full back if he was to get turned over. Cruden to look for the pop pass to Hill or Folau when possible, target Twelvetrees front on tackling with big forwards

Experience and impact off the bench in Johnson, Steenson and Naqalevuki

What are the rules on tactics etc?

Tactics are your own call mate, I'm not going to limit them, but I would say, if you make them too long, people will just get bored and stop reading them.

MONTPELLIER - dependant on foreign signing
Bathite

01. Nahuel Lobo	09. Jonathon Pelissie
02. Adriaan Strauss	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Brodie Retallick	11. Timoci Nagusa
05. Tom Donnelly	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Fulgence Ouedraogo (c)	13. Rene Ranger
07. Michael Hooper	14. Benjamin Fall
08. Ben Mowen	15. Ben Smith

16. Charles Geli 17. David Attoub 18. Yvan Watremez 19. Sitaleki Timani 20. Akapusi Qera 21. Benoit Paillaugue 22. Enzo Selponi 23. Pierre Berard

TACTICS TBC
- In the heavy wind and rain, focus on a traditional french league set piece based game. Look to the rolling maul as an option from the lineout and use the 8 to pick and go from the base of the scrum, committing defenders to the breakdown
- In our own half play the territory game, looking to clear the lines where possible, making touch. Use the up and under when out of the 22, with Smith, Hooper and Ranger looking to challenge in the air, where they are really strong
- In attacking possession, look to tie in defenders with Ouedraogo, Hooper and Mowen all great at picking and going around the corner
- FTD plays flat on the gainline with three options;
       - with back row, Strauss and Retallick offering the powerful crash runners on the inside and pop
       - FTD to look to take it on physically with back row clearing out
       - look to runners in behind back rows to release Fofana on the fade or Ranger on the cut back
- In defence, we look to slow the ball by committing to the break down. We don't mind encouraging the opposition to look for the outside channels, as handling conditions will be tough. FTD leads the rush defence, with 9 sweeping and the blindside wing and full back covering for the kick return

 London Irish
DoR: Ozzy3213

1. Tom Court	9. Scott Steele
2. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Beauden Barrett
3. Halani Aulika
4. George Skivington (c)	11. Anthony Watson
5. Courtney Lawes	12. Shane Geraghty
6. Ofisa Treviranus	13. Manu Tuilagi
7. Blair Cowan	14. Alex Lewington
8. Billy Vunipola	15. Tom Homer

16. David Paice 17. Matt Parr 18. Geoff Cross 19. Dan Leo 20. Luke Narraway 21. Tomas O'Leary 22. Eoin Griffin 23. Andrew Fenby

1.Cian Healy
2.Dylan Hartley
3.Kieron Brookes
4.Josh Furno
5.Dom Barrow
6.Mark Wilson 
7.Tom Wood(C)
8.Ally Hogg

9.Mike Blair
10.George Ford
11.Sinoti Sinoti
12.Adam Powell
13.Gonzalo Tiesi
14.Juilian Sevea
15.Alex Tait

16.George McGuigan
17.Alex Rogers
18.Scott Wilson
19.Callum Green
20.Richard Mayhew
21.Ruki Tipuna
22.Rory Clegg
23.Simon Hammersley

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Rhodri Jones
4. Jake Ball
5. Eben Etzbeth
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. John Barclay
8. Duane Vermuelen
9. Aled Davies
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Liam Williams
12. Scott Williams
13. Jonathon Davies
14. Jordan Williams
15. Willie Le Roux

16. Kirby Myhill
17. Phil John
18. Samson Lee
19. Johan Snyman
20. Aaron Shingler
21. Rhodri Williams
22. Steven Shingler
23. Harry Robinson

Connacht Rugby

Manager – Fluxy

01. Rodney Ah You	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Jason Harris-Wright	10. Johnny Sexton (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Michael Swift	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Bundee Aki
06. Willie Faloon	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. John Muldoon (c)	14. Tiernan O'Halloran
08. Eoin Mckeon	15. Mils Muliaini

16. Dave Heffernan 17. JP Cooney 18. Denis Buckley 19. Quinn Roux 20. Andrew Browne 21. Ian Porter 22. Jack Carty 23. Fionn Carr

Tactics:

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. With wet and windy conditions we will want to hit the ground running and hit the opposition hard and fast from the off. 
Our aim is to control possession and go through the phases. We will look to play a simple territory game based around our strong set-piece


Quick Points:

• Sett piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan. Whitelock to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers - Capatilise on the lack of line out leader.
  
  
• Attack - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs, as they have the pace and finishing ability to worry any defence. Utilise the pace and size of North, Henshaw & O'Halloran using a 'league/slider move, which either allow a short line through the defence out a two on one on the outside. Test the defense in the centre channels, particularly at 13.Sexton's passing can help put lads into the gaps where Ranger will shoot out of the line.
  
• Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow our back-row to dominate affairs. A defensive banana drift defence to push the attackers towards our inside defence, with Marmion sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind.
  
  
• Move the point of attack to keep their big pack on the move and tire them out. This is done by plus one passing in tight play and clever link play by borh forwards and backs. 
  
• Sexton to kick any available points.
  

Not the best start to the season, we are missing two teams and two have been posted without any formatting.  I'll give the two teams that aren't in yet until midday and then those games will be try bonus point walkovers.

Absolutely did not see that fixture had started, give me 10 mins

CJ

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Matt Giteau (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Tom Savage	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Elliot Stooke	12. James Hook
06. Chris Robshaw (c)	13. Henry Trinder
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Johnny May
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mike Brown

16. Sila Puafisi 17.  Dan Murphy 18. Darren Dawiduk 19. Tom Palmer  20. Sione Kalamafoni 21. Dan Robson 22. Billy Burns 23. Ron Cook

Tactics:
No time and late, sorry!

Gloucester added to OP.

Predictions are OPEN

If Freemo gets a team in at any point I will add it.

Connacht 20 - 26 Montpellier

Set piece - Mas/Strauss have enough to give the French the edge at scrum time. I like Whitelock to pinch a few line outs though

Breakdown is a win to Montpellier for me, hooper is the class act and will be well backed up. I prefer Mowen at 6, but a good trio. Connacht need some work in the back row

Attack - half backs one a piece for now, but Marmion is a future star. Montpellier have the stronger carriers up front, and a great back line

Defence - no obvious weak links, although kicks in behind North could be a good tactic

Bench - montpellier by a distance

Overall - good win for the french, but Connacht have some really good pieces and the budget to improve

Scarlets 17 - 19 Irish

Set piece - Evens at scrum, with Bizzie evening out the slight edge Scarlets have at prop. Irish line out is a big win, I think Scarlets need a line out leader

Breakdown - big scrap here, Cowan has been in great form and I'm a fan of Barclay. Vermeulen is also excellent here, but I think Trev and Billy V, coupled with the front 5 will just give Irish the edge

Attack - Barrett gives Irish the half back edge, think Irish are right to target Priestland, Scarlets outside backs are a dangerous unit. Up front I think Scarlets have the carrying edge in Eden, Gorgodze and Vermeulen

Defence - both 10s can be targeted, other than that pretty solid

Bench - no real edge either way

Overall - tough one to call, but with the weather stopping Scarlets backs from being as useful, with tactics I give Irish the win

Sorry I thought the deadline was midnight, will post results regardless if accepted or not.

Exeter Chiefs 21 - 26 Gloucester

Chiefs struggle in the scrum against some world class talent from the Glos front row. Bit more even around the park and the back fives, but it is still a slight edge to Gloucester. Chiefs look a like a sharp side in the backs with the Aarons dictating the game and unleashing some elusive runners out wide. If Chiefs can build a pack to provide them a platform they will look dangerous.

Newcastle Falcons 30 - 0 Stade Francais

Scarlets 24 - 27 London Irish

A real tough fight up front. Both sides massively physical, and are about even in each facet. This allows both back lines to fight with an even amount of possession. Scarlets have some great backs to break the line and attack, but can be got at defensively. Irish I'm slightly worried that Barrett isn't quite the player for me to orchestrate a territorial game, but Geragthy and Homer can help in this aspect. Pressurising Priestland will help Irish make in roads to the Scarlets attack and pull a tough win out of nowhere.

Same as Flux, sorry

Connacht 21 - 23 Montpellier

Mild edge to Montpelier in the front row, evens second row, Montpelier take back row, look very good at the breakdown. Two good sets of HBs, and I really like the Connacht centres but Montpelier more across the backline as a whole. Home advantage, conditions and tactics narrow the gap but Montpelier ahead enough to steal a win

Scarlets 27 - 27 Irish

Irish have an edge in the scrum, but the lineout very close. In the loose and breakdown, Scarlets are on top, just. 
Irish taje HBs with Barrett, but I think Scarlets have more flair in attack in their outbacks. Home advantage negated by lack of tactics though. Calling a draw

I'll extend the deadline until midday today and result the games this afternoon.

CJ, there is no home advantage, all games are at neutral grounds.

Exeter 21-26 Glaws
Connacht 28-30 Montpelier
Newcastle 30-0

Exeter 27 Gloucester 30
Connacht 24 Montpillier 27
Scarlets 31 London Irish 24

Exeter 21 Gloucester 24
Scarlets 21 London Irish 18
Newcastle walk over

PREDOS CLOSED

CJ, thanks for doing that mate, although you have Scarlets and Connachts scores out by one, so I have amended accordingly.

Bonuses

Full - Bam, CJ, Fluxy
Scores - Bathite, Driver, CJB
Excused - Ozzy, Freemo