Summer Tournament Round One - Pools A & B

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Pool A

Reds vs. Stormers
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sunny, 17 degrees, 10 mph winds.

Queensland Reds
Manager – Richard Graham

01. James Slipper	09. Will Genia
02. James Hansen	10. Quade Cooper
03. Greg Holmes
04. Rob Simmons	11. Lachie Turner
05. James Horwill	12. Samu Kerivi
06. Adam Thomson	13. Karmeichel Hunt
07. Liam Gill	14. Chris Kuridrani
08. Jake Schatz	15. James O'Connor

Subs:
16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Pettowa Paraka 18 Sam Talakai 19 Eddie O'Donoghue 20 Hendrik Tui 21 Beau Robinson 22 Nick Frisby 23 Ben Tapuai

Stormers
Manager – Allister Coetzee

01. Steven Kitshoff	09. Nic Groom
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Demetri Catrakilis
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Seabelo Senatla
05. Manuel Carizza	12. Damien de Allende
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Schalk Burger	14. Cheslin Kolbe
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

Subs:
16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Oli Kebble 18 Vincent Koch 19 Ruan Botha 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Louis Schreuder 22 Kurt Coleman 23 Kobus van Wyk

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London Irish vs. Newcastle Falcons
Madejski Stadium, Reading
Light rain showers, 27 degrees, 8 mph winds.

London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                 

01. Thomas du Toit	09. Mitchell Drummond
02. Harry Thacker	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Fraser Balmain
04. Matt Symons	11. Pita Ahki
05. Ruan Botha	12. Henry Slade
06. Rynhardt Elstadt	13. JJ Engelbrecht
07. Fulgence Ouedraogo	14. Marland Yarde
08. Charlie Beckett	15. Delon Armitage

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Romain Millo-Chluski 20. Blake Gibson 21. Will Homer 22. Timo Swiel 23. Paul Jordaan

Tactics

- High intensity, possession based offloading game.
- Blitz defence with 9 sweeping.


Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dave Lewis
02. Jamie George	10. Andy Goode (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Ed Slater (c)	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Luke Marshall
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Callum Clark	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Gareth Anscombe

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Soane Tonga'huia 18.Matt Stevens 19. Juandre Kruger 20. Joel Conlon 21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Robbie Freuan 23. Rob Miller

Set piece - Strong scrummaging props to look to put the pressure on their inexperienced opposition. Thacker is a small hooker, George to use his size to disrupt there. Flip to lead the lineout, Clark and Ruddock as options in the back row

Breakdown - Ruddock and Clark to lead us here, go for turnovers when its on but otherwise focus on maintaining a strong line. Front 5 to hit the rucks and get us quick ball

Carrying - Big carriers plenty, with George, Slater, Flip and Ewers all excellent here, carry tight around the fringes and tie in the defence before looking to get the ball wider. Look to carry into the midfield, with Cruden-Slade-Engelbrecht being a relatively lightweight midfield

Kicking - Plenty of boots in the backline, with Goode, Marshall, JD2 and Anscombe all being good tactical kickers. Play to the conditions, keep the ball in their territory and contest the lineouts. Kick in behind the wings and get them turning, with excellent chasers in the back 3 to follow up

Attack - Look to attack the midfield with strong carries from our centres and back row, challenge their 10-12-13 combo to stop us on the gainline. 2 sided attack in their half with Anscombe offering an additional distributing option to help Goode and mix the game up. Lewis to snipe if its on and to keep the defence honest. Sharp finishers on the outside to get on the end of our attacks

Defence - strong defenders throughout the backline, back row to look to cover the 9-10 channel

Subs - Plenty of ball carriers in the forwards, and spark off the bench in the scrum half and Freuan

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Saracens vs. Crusaders
Allianz Park, Barnet
Light rain showers, 26 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Morgan Parra
02. Rory Best	10. Beuden Barrett
03. Dan Cole
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Akira Ioane	13. Conrad Smith
07. Thierry Dusatoir(c)	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Keven Mealamu 17. Nick Auterac 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Brad Davies 20. Dave Denton 21. Francois Hougaard 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin


Crusaders
Manager – Todd Blackadder

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Andrew Ellis
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Carter
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Robbie Fruean
07. Richie McCaw	14. Johnny McNicholl
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Dagg

Subs:
16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Matt Todd  21 Mitchell Drummond 22 Colin Slade 23 Nafi Tuitavake

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Pool B

Lions vs. Sale Sharks
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Sunny, 17 degrees, 7 mph winds.

Lions
Manager – Johan Ackermann

01. Schalk van der Merwe	09. Francois de Klerk
02. Armand van der Merwe	10. Elton Jantjes
03. Julian Redelinghuys
04. Martin Muller	11. Courtnall Skosan
05. Franco Mostert	12. Alwyn Hollenbach
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Harold Vorster
07. Warwick Tecklenburg	14. Ruan Combrinck
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Andries Coetzee

Subs:
16 Malcolm Marx 17 Corne Fourie 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Robert Kruger 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Dillon Smit 22 Marnitz Boshoff 23 Howard Mnisi


Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Jonathan Danty
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesi Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Martin Moore 19. Mario Itoje 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

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Exeter Chiefs vs. Rebels
Sandy Park, Exeter
Light rain showers, 24degrees, 10 mph winds.

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Cian Healy	09. Connor Murray
02. Rob Webber	10. Otere Black (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Lood De Jager	11. Hosea Gear
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. James Haskell	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Sean Cronin 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Luke Wallace 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. James O'Connor


Melbourne Rebels
Manager – Tony McGahan

01. Toby Smith	09. Nic Stirzaker
02. Pat Leafa	10. Jack Debreczeni
03. Paul Alo-Emile
04. Luke Jones	11. Cam Crawford
05. Lopeti Timani	12. Micth Inman
06. Sean McMahon	13. Tamati Ellison
07. Scott Fuglistaller	14. Sefanaia Naivalu
08. Scott Higginbottom	15. Mike Harris

Subs:
16 Tom Sexton 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Tim Metcher 19 Sam Jeffries 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Jordy Reid 22 Ben Meehan 23 Jonah Placid

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Highlanders vs. Gloucester
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Light rain showers, 15 degrees, 22 mph winds.

Highlanders
Manager – Jamie Joseph

01. Brendon Edmonds	09. Aaron Smith
02. Liam Coltman	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Josh Hohneck
04. Alex Ainley	11. Patrick Osborne
05. Mark Reddish	12. Richard Buckman
06. Elliot Dixon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Dan Pryor	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Nasi Manu	15. Ben Smith

Subs:
16 As Dixon 17 Dan Lienert-Brown 18 Ross Geldenhuys 19 Joe Wheeler 20 Gareth Evans  21 James Lentjes 22 Fumiaki Tanaka 23 Trent Renata

Gloucester

1 Rob Evans
2 Luke Cowan Dickie
3 Juan Figallo
4 Roman taofufina
5 Richie Grey
6 Willem Alberts
7 Ardie Savea
8 Sam Dickinson
9 Dan Robson
10 Dan Carter
11 Johnny May
12 Matt Toomua
13 Tevita Kurindrani
14 Rhaymond Rhule
15 Israel Dagg
16 Nick Wood
17 Adriaan Strauss
18 Nicola Mas
19 Eben Etzbeth
20 Ross Moriarty
21 T J Perenara
22 Danny Cipriani
23 Charlie Walker

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1 Rob Evans
2 Luke Cowan Dickie
3 Juan Figallo
4 Roman taofufina
5 Richie Grey
6 Willem Alberts
7 Ardie Savea
8 Sam Dickinson
9 Dan Robson
10 Dan Carter
11 Johnny May
12 Matt Toomua
13 Tevita Kurindrani
14 Rhaymond Rhule
15 Israel Dagg
16 Nick Wood
17 Adriaan Strauss
18 Nicola Mas
19 Eben Etzbeth
20 Ross Moriarty
21 T J Perenara
22 Danny Cipriani
23 Charlie Walker

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Morgan Parra
02. Rory Best	10. Beuden Barrett
03. Dan Cole
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Akira Ioane	13. Conrad Smith
07. Thierry Dusatoir(c)	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Keven Mealamu 17. Nick Auterac 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Brad Davies 20. Dave Denton 21. Francois Hougaard 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Jonathan Danty
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesi Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Martin Moore 19. Mario Itoje 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                 

01. Thomas du Toit	09. Mitchell Drummond
02. Harry Thacker	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Fraser Balmain
04. Matt Symons	11. Pita Ahki
05. Ruan Botha	12. Henry Slade
06. Rynhardt Elstadt	13. JJ Engelbrecht
07. Fulgence Ouedraogo	14. Marland Yarde
08. Charlie Beckett	15. Delon Armitage

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Romain Millo-Chluski 20. Blake Gibson 21. Will Homer 22. Timo Swiel 23. Paul Jordaan

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Cian Healy	09. Connor Murray
02. Rob Webber	10. Otere Black (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Lood De Jager	11. Hosea Gear
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. James Haskell	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Sean Cronin 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Luke Wallace 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. James O'Connor

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dave Lewis
02. Jamie George	10. Andy Goode (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Ed Slater (c)	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Luke Marshall
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Callum Clark	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Gareth Anscombe

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Soane Tonga'huia 18.Matt Stevens 19. Juandre Kruger 20. Joel Conlon 21.Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Robbie Freuan 23. Rob Miller

Set piece - Strong scrummaging props to look to put the pressure on their inexperienced opposition. Thacker is a small hooker, George to use his size to disrupt there. Flip to lead the lineout, Clark and Ruddock as options in the back row

Breakdown - Ruddock and Clark to lead us here, go for turnovers when its on but otherwise focus on maintaining a strong line. Front 5 to hit the rucks and get us quick ball

Carrying - Big carriers plenty, with George, Slater, Flip and Ewers all excellent here, carry tight around the fringes and tie in the defence before looking to get the ball wider. Look to carry into the midfield, with Cruden-Slade-Engelbrecht being a relatively lightweight midfield

Kicking - Plenty of boots in the backline, with Goode, Marshall, JD2 and Anscombe all being good tactical kickers. Play to the conditions, keep the ball in their territory and contest the lineouts. Kick in behind the wings and get them turning, with excellent chasers in the back 3 to follow up

Attack - Look to attack the midfield with strong carries from our centres and back row, challenge their 10-12-13 combo to stop us on the gainline. 2 sided attack in their half with Anscombe offering an additional distributing option to help Goode and mix the game up. Lewis to snipe if its on and to keep the defence honest. Sharp finishers on the outside to get on the end of our attacks

Defence - strong defenders throughout the backline, back row to look to cover the 9-10 channel

Subs - Plenty of ball carriers in the forwards, and spark off the bench in the scrum half and Freuan

Does everyone usually do full tactics for these tournaments?

Not generally mate. I shall just do a couple of bullet points.

Predictions open

Looks like i'm the only one who bothered with tactics! Clearly got too much time on my hands at work

My flight was delayed back from Poland and the first thing I did was do my predos! Bit harsh.

I sent you predos Pete?

So you did CJB,  my apologies, was a long day yesterday.  Will check the spreadsheet when I get home to make sure I included them otherwise may have to amend results.

Luke, sorry it's harsh bud, but we are sticking to deadlines this season so will be doing so through this tournament.  If you are away no problem, just let us know and have a week off predicting.  Nobody is being fined through the summer for no predos in any case.

I was always going to be back Sunday. But I was delayed in my return. Surely better to have as many predos as possible than be anal about not allowing anything after a specific time. Especially if results hadn't been done. When did times change from 8pm to 6pm. And why?

I've no issue with a prediction deadline being stuck too. Became a bit of a joke last year with people getting them in during the early hours of Monday morning or even 9/10am before results were knocked out.

It was moved forward for this summer cup. I assume Pete moved the deadline forward to give himself time to do results on a Sunday evening working around his own commitments.

I was probably one of the worst for getting predos in late on a Sunday, happy to do them on a Friday afternoon at work as long as the page is updated. I know it usually is done by lunchtime Friday, but if it is later then can we have the deadlines extended accordingly

For clarity, and as SJE has said, if I am doing the match threads the deadline will be 18:00 hours on the Sunday. This is to give me time to result the matches on a Sunday evening. If I left the deadline open later, it doesn't fit around the rest of my life, and if I don't result them Sunday night, you may well be waiting until Wednesday for the results, as I work 06:00 to 19:00 hours on a Monday and Tuesday.

Bam, if a thread is not updated on Thursday night for whatever reason, you can still predict Friday daytime if you want to, as the teams and tactics are there, it just means you might have scroll up and down to find each corresponding opposition.

Fair enough, as long as it's open after midnight that's not a problem, was just wondering because of tactics being done on a Friday, guess that won't be an issue with the new deadlines.

Are we getting the feedback for this round of games?

Do we get any feedback under the new system ? How did everybody find the new system ?

Feedback will be up today or tomorrow. Pete is looking at ways to format it to try and anonymise the feedback.

Just on predictions folks can you please give them all in one single pm. Giving them in 2,3,4 pms as some did this week increases the work and the chance of someones predictions being missed.

SJE I did it over several as I was on a phone and could not move between threads so that formatting stuff Pete is looking at should work

Sorry to chase, any chance of feedback before the tactics deadline for this week?

Probably not mate. Am off the back of 4 gruelling days at work, just got home and haven't even turned the computer on.

Saracens 29 - 27 Crusaders
Think Crusaders have advantage at the scrum, and possibly the lineout. Round the park very even with Sarries having more power with Hughes, Ioane and Skelton, but fancy Crusaders to get some good ball at the breakdown. In the backs, Barrett is the standout halfback, and really like the Sarries centre combo. Back 3s about even, maybe slight edge to Crusaders. Sarries bench definitely stronger. Close, but at home Sarries take this with the advantage in power and the backs

Lions 20 - 36 Sale
Can't really see much of a contest in this one, Sale look to have the power and breakdown ability to really put a dent in the Lions pack, and from there its just so far apart in quality in the backs. Sale's bench will see them home with ease

Exeter 33 - 22 Rebels
As above, difficult to see lower level S15 sides competing with first choice teams from our league. Too much power from Healy and the back row for the Rebels to match, and plenty of breakdown nous with Armitage around too. Interesting battle between Black and the Rebels 10, think with Murray and Nonu around him Black will have his hand held nicely, and will guide Exeter to an easy win

Highlanders 34 - 30 Gloucester
This is one of the hardest to call for me. On paper the Gloucester pack should have the advantage, but we've seen how the Highlanders have performed over the course of the season, and they've had enough against almost every pack, and I don't think Glos have enough in the key positions to gain a clear pack advantage. Glos usually have a good advantage in the backs, but the form of the Highlanders halfbacks, Smith especially, and the quality of Fekitoa, Naholo and Smith, as well as being at home, give this to Highlanders for me.

London Irish 19 - 23 Newcastle Falcons
Take out Thacker and Beckettt and the Irish team is very strong, they are two of the best up-and-coming talents in the AP with Tigers in real life, but see Falcons getting an advantage there. With Goode at no10 they might not play the most attacking, but he'll steer them into right areas and kick his goals. Bench swings back to the home side, but can't see them getting enough quality ball in first 60 mins.

Saracens 32 - 24 Crusaders
As starting XVs go Sarries are very strong, if they can build their squad over the season then they could well be challenging the top4 teams. Choicci can be got at come scrum time, while a winger like a Nadolo, Savea type player could complete the backline. Montero for Argentina could be a good signing. Powerful backrow with Hughes and Ioane who are still both very fresh.

Lions 16 - 30 Sale
Straight forward win, only area you can Sale needing to build on is getting a WC player in their front three, while their back three could be seen as vulnerable to a good kicking game or getting people one on ones. Great attackers, good bench options. Itoje another guy who could have an exciting season ahead.

Exeter Chiefs 26 - 19 Rebels
Similar to Tigers in that Exeter have built a very powerful pack that can dominate games and make it very difficult for away teams to deal with. Having Armitage there helps bring a bit more brains to the breakdown area. Not 100% sure if Otere Black is ready to be starting these games, but playing alongside Murray and Nonu will help.

Highlanders 22 - 20 Gloucester
Similar to the London Irish game where the home side here has an advantage in the no2 and no9 shirts, combined with home advantage gets them the win. Though LCD and Robson again are two players that could thrive in the AP next year. Gloucester have more WC players in their team and if LCD starts the season as he finished last then it won't be long before he can start these games.

Irish 22-28 Falcons
Good advantage in the front row for Falcons with all 3 better players currently and a similar story in the engine room. Good grunt for Falcons and line out options, Irish combo decent but not at same level. Good contest on the flanks but 8 a step up for Falcons, overall Falcon have a good pack advantage.

Not much in the 9's but Irish a step up at 10. Both centres a step up for Falcons, more so at 13. Back 3's pretty close, not sure who Ahki is Pete tbh. Overall Falcons have a stronger team out and will come out with a good victory.

Irish + Could get away with this HB combo in the AP and a good back 3
- Front row not strong, Thacker a weakness here especially

Falcons + Strong front 5, lock combo very good especially. Centre combo good.
- Halfbacks not really AP level

Lions 17-30 Sale
Strong front row and backrow for Sale and they'd certainly get a push on in the scrum and around the park. Nice backrow balance with Picamoles the go to man with the two mobile flanks. Obvious half back step up and strong centre combo. Not seen bags of Danty but he looks like a pocket rocket, perhaps if critical midfield lacks a bit of finesse but Fekitoa is immense. Back 3 looking electric, perhaps lacking kicking in the poor weather. Routine win in the end.

Sale + Pack looking good, immense physicality in the backs
- A lot of pressure on kicking with Sexton only real quality outlet

Exeter 34-23 Rebels
Good looking pack for Exeter with strong options throughout. They'd get on top in the scrum but Healy and Webber lack a bit of form going against the better sides. I like the engine room and backrow strong. 1 a piece in the halfbacks with Black slightly out of his depth. Exeter stronger in all back positions and will get a good win. If critical the midfield could be a bit route one and would need a lot of creativity from halfback.

Exeter + Pack looking strong and very balanced.
- Midfield quality but miss a bit of craft, very picky.

Lions 30- sale 35
An open game with lions playing some cracking stuff. Sale however have more solidity and depth from bench to take this game down.
Backrow battle tasty with some great form for Lions. Can see sale getting on top in set pieces but taking a while to get used to
Pace the lions play at.
Not sure Danty and Fekitoa work together but sexton will be able to get them in to spaces. Nadolo
If great form and his battle with his opposite number will be great.


Exeter 30-13 Melbourne rebels
Exeter better pretty much all
Over. Rebels a poor side and lacking quality in key positions

Irish 12- 26 Newcastle
Mismatch with Irish picking a second string and apart from Cruden and a couple of
Others.

Irish scrum will be going backwards and will be dominated in front 5. One a piece at halfback but most of the backs of Newcastle are better players and they walk this

Is this a pain in the ass Pete?

It is this week as I've barely been home from work since Sunday, but I've an idea for going forward to make it easier.

Just bullet points maybe?

Irish 27- 25 Falcons
Very young but talented Irish front row, think Falcons' age gives them advantage here though, wouldn't have all 3 young front rows on at once. Tough all purpose locks which I think give Irish an advantage, though a good battle. Don't know much about Beckett. Good flankers though, complimenting each other and a tough battle vs the gritty Newcastle pairing. Cruden an edge at 10, then the utility of Armitage and better balance of centres gives Irish advantage in the backs, wings of Sharples and Strettle good if not hugely inspiring with good form and finishing. On balance, Irish nick the win with the backs

Sarries 33 - 33 Crusaders
Sarries picked a tough front row who can match Crusafers up front. I like the Skelton - Parling pairing but Crusaders arguably the best locks in the world. For experience, Crusader backrow works better and so used to each other but as they gel, Pooly's backrow has everything and Ioane can he a superstar. Today though, they match the Crusaders physically but not in terms of nous. Prefer Saracens halfbacks even if both have had recent hiccups. Nadolo dangerous and will score vs Ashton every time this match happens but great centre pairing wins Sarries that battle. So very close, have to call a draw

Lions 28,- 36 Sale
Tough scrap in the scrums, then top class Sale locks take that area. Very good backrow from Lions but edged by a efficient unit from Sale, just, except the Lions 8 causes some damage. Hard to rate Care's form and this makes the HB battle close. Don't know Lions backs that well but from 11-15 Sale full of power but every player also has flair and will trouble any defence, and with strong subs too, this swings the match clearly for Sale


Exeter 37 vs 25 Rebels
Exeter munch Rebels scrum, and with an excellent line out and general play backrow, look to dominate the forward battle. Very efficient backline from Exeter and sandwiched between Nonu and Murray, Black has the security to shine. Easy win

Highlanders 24 - 24 Gloucester
Highlanders pack work very well together as a unit, surprised people hadn't gone for more of their players. However, Glaws front row can take an advantage, and they are better in most places as individuals. Smith over Robson, and other Smith in better form than Dagg. Naholo a big threat and Fekitoa and Kuridriani basically cancel each other out. Very tough match, and Dunedin setting would sway it but better bench for Glaws makes a draw

Irish 25-28 Falcons
Feel falcons have bit more in back row and centres. Irish bench will pull it back.

Sarries 24-28 Crusaders
Sarries will run them close but 2nd and back row take it for the crusaders.

Lions 25-30 Sale
Sale backline too strong and a well balanced back row.

Chiefs 30-20 Rebels
Too much overall for chiefs who have made massive gains this season. Like their half backs and backrow.

Highlanders 28-24 Glos
Feel Glos could struggle making a big impact. Back row will be a good battle but Highlanders backline is too strong. Glos bench will bring them back into it.

Irish 22-24 Newcastle
Irish positives: Lock partnership good for AIs
So much depth!
Irish negatives: A few players are not ready yet (depending on how seriously you take Anglo-Welsh)
Falcons positives: Centre combo strong
Falcons negatives: Not a fan of the half back combo at any point
Not sure about Ruddock + Clark together

Lions 22-29 Sale
Sale positive: The back row looks more dangerous than ever
Bench can always impact game
Sale negatives: Front row can be outdone
Against bigger back rows is McMahon and Cane possibly too small

Saracens 26-27 Crusaders
Saracens positives: Lock partnership looks perfect
Back row also improved big time with Ioane
Saracens negatives: Centre combo could both choose not to play Super Rugby

Exeter 28-23 Rebels
Chiefs positives: Centre combo one of the best in the league
Lock combo much improved
Chiefs negatives: Back row still arguably not smart enough
Black not ready for the top teams yet
Not too sure on the back three

Highlanders 27-24 Gloucester
Gloucester positives: incredible depth so always have an impact bench
Gloucester negatives: Front row looks weak
Team lacks form

London Irish 21-30 Newcastle Falcons
Falcons looking good for the initial world cup period of the season if some of their English boys not called up. See the front 5 dominating the scrum and having more about the park. They take the back row battle as well and can see them really getting on top in the forwards. Irish looking good in the backs and Cruden is genuine world class but can't see them seeing an awful lot of ball. Some decent prospects for Irish but they look out of place against a decent Falcons side.

Saracens 25-21 Crusaders
Not an awful lot between the set pieces. Would expect Crusaders to shade the breakdown even off the back of a poor year. Sarries with some fantastic carrying options in the back 5 of the pack. Sarries stronger at half back and midfield and the Barrett/SBW combo should work well off each other. Sarries edge the contact battle overall.

Exeter Chiefs 27-21 Rebels
Rebels a very workmanlike side and can see them matching Chiefs at the set piece and breakdown but Chiefs a step up in the carrying stakes in the forwards. Not overly sure on Black looked tidy in the u20s but unproven. Nonu an inspired signing and changes the Chiefs back line completely but there's form issues in the back three overall.

Highlanders 20-18 Gloucester

Strong carrying in the Gloucester back row but can't really separate the packs elsewhere. One or two form issues there. One a piece at halfbacks but Highlanders edge as a combo. Slight form issues for Toomua and Dagg in the backs. Impact off the bench is great but hard to go against the Highlanders after todays performance.