Summer Tournament Round Eight - Pools C & D

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Pool C


Northampton Saints vs. Bulls



Northampton Saints Team:



1. Thomas Domingo
2. Dave Ward
3. Adam Jones
4. Samu Manoa
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. Ollie Griffiths
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford
11. Nick Cummins
12. Oliver Deveto
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Ben Foden

Replacements 

16. Elliot Dee 17. Zander Fagerson 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Joel Conlon 20. Jacques du Plessis 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Patricio Fernandez 23. Jordan Williams


Bulls
Manager – Frans Ludeke

01. Morne Mellett	09. Rudy Paige
02. Adrian Strauss	10. Handre Pollard
03. Marcel van der Merwe
04. Flip van der Merwe	11. Travis Ismaiel
05. Grant Hattingh	12. Burger Odendaal
06. Arno Botha	13. JJ Engelbrecht
07. Jacques du Plessis	14. Francois Hougaard
08. Pierre Spies	15. Jesse Kriel

Subs:
16 Callie Visagie 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Werner Kruger 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg 20 Roelof Smit 21 Bjorn Basson 22 Tiaan Schoeman 23 Jacques-Louis Potgeiter

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Wasps vs. Chiefs


Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Richardt Strauss	10.  Finn Russell
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Luke Charteris	11. Rob Horne
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. George Loala
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Frank Halai
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt, 17. Corey Flynn, 18. James Johnston,  19.  Luke Merrick, 20. Tom Guest, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Francois Trinh-Duc, 23. Sam Epsland-Robinson

Which EQ players should I start?

Chiefs
Manager – Dave Rennie

01. Mitchell Graham	09. Augustine Pulu
02. Hika Elliot	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Matt Symons	11. James Lowe
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Liam Messam	13. Charlie Ngatai
07. Sam Cane	14. Tim Nanai-Williams
08. Michael Leitch	15. Damien McKenzie

Subs:
16 Quentin MacDonald 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Jamie Mackintosh 19 Michael Fitzgerald 20 Sean Polwart  21 Brad Weber 22 Andrew Horrell 23 Bryce Heem

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Bath Rugby vs. Waratahs

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicole's Sanchez
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Charlie Ewers	11. Lolagi Visnia
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Richard Barrington 18. Scott Wilson 19. Alexandre Flanquarft 20. Toby Falateu 21. Maxime Machenaud 22. Christian Lealifano 23. George North

Waratahs
Manager – Michael Cheika

01. Benn Robinson	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Bernard Foley
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Will Skelton	11. Rob Horne
05. Dave Dennis	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Jacques Potgieter	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Michael Hooper	14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
08. Wycliff Palu	15. Israel Folau

Subs:
16 Silatolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Sam Lousi 20 Mitch Chapman 21 Stephen Hoiles 22 Brendan McKibbin 23 Matt Carraro

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Pool D


Harlequins vs. Worcester Warriors


1. Tony Woodcock
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. George Kruis
5. Pieter Steph Du Toit
6. Tom Wood (c)
7. Jack Clifford
8. Damien Chouly
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Colin Slade
11. Teddy Thomas
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia
14. Santiago Cordero
15. Damian McKenzie

16. Bryan Byrne 17. Ed Byrne 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Will Witty 20. James Chisholm 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Quade Cooper 23. Francois Venter

Which academy players could be used in my AP 23? (Cordero, Sautia, Thomas, McKenzie, Byrne x 2, Witty, Chisholm, Townsend)

01. Ryan Grant	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Dean Mumm	11. Sergeal Petersen
05. Kieran Tredwell	12. Anton-Lieniert Brown
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton	14. Nehe Millner Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jonah Placid

.
16. Ross Batty 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Biyi Alo 19. Mike Williams 20. Huw Taylor 21. Gareth Davies 22. Jules Plisson 23. Jarrad Payne

Feedback on back row and who out of my academy could make the step up this season: Tredwell, Lieniert-Brown, Jones, Petersen, Placid, Smallbone, Alo, Taylor.

Brumbies vs. Hurricanes


Sharks vs. Leicester Tigers


Sharks
Manager – Gary Gold

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patrick Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. Lwazi Mvovo
05. Stephan Lewies	12. Francois Steyn
06. Marcell Coetzee	13.Waylon Murray
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Ryan Kankowski	15. SP Marais

Subs:
16 Kyle Cooper 17 Thomas du Toit 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Marco Wentzel 20 Renaldo Bothma 21 Michael Claassens 22 Fred Zeilinga 23 Odwa Ndungane

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliot	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Steve Mafi	11. Matt Banahan
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Dan Bowden
06. Juan Smith	13. Jaco Taute
07. Jacques Burger (c)	14. Rene Ranger
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Cheslin Kolbe

.
16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Max Lahiff 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Tom Price 20. Tom Johnson 21. Scott Steele 22. Brock James 23. Tamati Ellison


Can I have some feedback as a potential side during the World Cup. 

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. George Kruis
5. Pieter Steph Du Toit
6. Tom Wood (c)
7. Jack Clifford
8. Damien Chouly
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Colin Slade
11. Teddy Thomas
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia
14. Santiago Cordero
15. Damian McKenzie

16. Bryan Byrne 17. Ed Byrne 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Will Witty 20. James Chisholm 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Quade Cooper 23. Francois Venter

Which academy players could be used in my AP 23? (Cordero, Sautia, Thomas, McKenzie, Byrne x 2, Witty, Chisholm, Townsend)

Northampton Saints Team:

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Dave Ward
3. Adam Jones
4. Samu Manoa
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. Ollie Griffiths
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford
11. Nick Cummins
12. Oliver Deveto
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Ben Foden

Replacements
16. Elliot Dee 17. Zander Fagerson 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Joel Conlon 20. Jacques du Plessis 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Patricio Fernandez 23. Jordan Williams

Marker

Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Richardt Strauss	10.  Finn Russell
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Luke Charteris	11. Rob Horne
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. George Loala
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Frank Halai
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt, 17. Corey Flynn, 18. James Johnston,  19.  Luke Merrick, 20. Tom Guest, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Francois Trinh-Duc, 23. Sam Epsland-Robinson




Which EQ players should I start?

01. Ryan Grant	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Dean Mumm	11. Sergeal Petersen
05. Kieran Tredwell	12. Anton-Lieniert Brown
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton	14. Nehe Millner Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jonah Placid

.
16. Ross Batty 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Biyi Alo 19. Mike Williams 20. Huw Taylor 21. Gareth Davies 22. Jules Plisson 23. Jarrad Payne

Feedback on back row and who out of my academy could make the step up this season: Tredwell, Lieniert-Brown, Jones, Petersen, Placid, Smallbone, Alo, Taylor.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicole's Sanchez
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Charlie Ewers	11. Lolagi Visnia
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Richard Barrington 18. Scott Wilson 19. Alexandre Flanquarft 20. Toby Falateu 21. Maxime Machenaud 22. Christian Lealifano 23. George North

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliot	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Steve Mafi	11. Matt Banahan
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Dan Bowden
06. Juan Smith	13. Jaco Taute
07. Jacques Burger (c)	14. Rene Ranger
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Cheslin Kolbe

.
16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Max Lahiff 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Tom Price 20. Tom Johnson 21. Scott Steele 22. Brock James 23. Tamati Ellison


Can I have some feedback as a potential side during the World Cup.

PREDICTIONS OPEN

Pms to me please.

RESULTS:



Northampton Saints 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Bulls 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Wasps 25 (T:1 C:1 P:6)
Chiefs 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)

Bath 25 (T:1 C:1 P:6)
Waratahs 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)

Harlequins 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Worcester Warriors 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)

Sharks 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Leicester Tigers 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

Saints 27 - 26 Bulls
Big SA front row, think they can put the pressure on the ageing Saints props. Saints stronger at second row, don't know a lot about Griffiths and against a very powerful Bulls back row think he could be a slight weak link. Saints better at half back for me, and although some of their backs have questions over form, think they are still stronger. Closer than I would have thought, but Saints win

Northampton 25 - 25 Bulls
Saints look strongish but not there best. Griffiths a weakness and a couple of people need to show some form in that side. Some good players at 10 and 12 to control the game yet still be able to play good attacking rugby.

Northampton 24-22. bulls.
Routine win for a second string saints but they have some young uns who may struggle. 

Northampton 24-26 Bulls
Can see Saints set piece wobbling with both props struggling and Ward's throwing poor. Good impact around the park and they'll match the big Bulls unit. Bulls take the back 3 as a unit with Griffith a weakness. Halfbacks well matched but Bulls take the centres on recent form. Not too much in the back 3's. 

Saints 28-22 Bulls

Saints 23-19 Bulls
Some set piece issues and Griffiths looks out of place for Saints but the carrying threat through the side sees them get on top.

Saints 30-25 Bulls
Up front Saints will cause all sorts of problems with a good mix of experience here. Griffiths may get a bit lost here though. One a piece at half backs and the same in the centres too. Saints are too dangerous in the back 3 and, with the better service I think they will have enough. A lot of potential on the bench for Saints sees them get a good win.

Wasps 26 - 30 Chiefs
Tough ask this for Wasps. They have the advantage in the scrum, but the rest of the pack that Chiefs have put out is near enough an international one, although it will be a great battle. Behind the scrum is the real point of difference in this one, think the Wasps centre pairing and back 3 just haven't got enough quality to put pressure on Chiefs, and the Chiefs guys can be lethal. Think Wasps will keep it close, especially once the benches clear, but Chiefs win. CJ - Robshaw and Pennell are the must starters for EQ, other than that I'd say horses for courses, I like Lowe and Skivington as options too

Wasps 24 - 26 Chiefs
EQ wise its Robshaw, Pennell, Fearns and one other for me. Backs look ok but someone like Ryan and Kilcoyne could really do with kicking on and becoming more established players for their country to push your side on. 

Wasps 21-20 Chiefs
tight game with good match ups all over. Think wasps bench with ftd etc off bench and at home sneak it 

Wasps 28-31 Chiefs
Not too much in the pack battle with Chiefs perhaps getting on top a little in the back 5. Chiefs step it up in the backline and have enough to come home with the win.

Wasps 23 - 22 Chiefs
Very even forward battle, the away side with better attackers but see home advantage and a good impact bench as being decisive factors and get them a narrow win. Terms of EQ, Fearns rating could struggle now he's in France, but Guest could get better signing for Irish and Pennell is quality - might be worth a cheap bid on someone like Trayfoot as looks very good.

Wasps 24-35 Chiefs

Wasps 22-28 Chiefs
Wasps hold up well at the set piece but Chiefs with more around the park and stronger halfbacks/midfield on show.

Wasps 24-30 Chiefs
Wasps will hold Chiefs in the front row but think Chiefs could get at the lineout. In the back row Chiefs will gain an advantage with Messam against Fearns here. Half backs go to Chiefs and the same looking at the centre pairing which will give better ball for a dangerous back 3. Chiefs are very strong at present and a difficult team for people to beat on here. CJ I'd look at starting: Robshaw and, depending on form: Catt, Guest, Pennell but all rests on how the season goes.

Bath 26 - 33 Waratahs
Think Waratahs have enough in the scrum to get the better of bath, particularly when the benches have an impact. Bath stronger at lineout, with Beaumont a big help here. Tahs stronger back row, fancy Hooper to get a good run and make a big impression here. Looking at the back lines, think Tahs are stronger man for man throughout, and although the bench favours Bath, Tahs will win on the road

Bath 24 - 25 Waratahs
Ewels and Visignia stand out on the team sheet as potential weaknesses. Love the control of the half backs perfect for wet weather. Not entirely convinced with Patchell as a 15. Like the balance of the back row. 

Bath 19-21 Waratahs 
Bath struggle to get enough ball against tahs and lack carrying with backrow one sided in favour of Waratahs. Hard to split half backs and Waratahs have more class in outside backs and win the game

Bath 27-31 Waratahs
Bath would get on top slightly in the scrum and little in line out. Tah's better around the park in the back 5 and take backrow easily. Both Tah's half backs better and just take centres with Beale v Beale the highlight. Tah's back 3 a level up and enough for win.

Bath 25 - 23 Tahs
Would start Lealifano ahead of Beale at no12 as can see some issues defensively there and like the impact Beale could make from the bench. Other than that strong team, not sure you get a big attacking threat from no15. 

Bath 24-29 Tahs
Great front 5 battle but Tahs backrow a step up and similar 11-15

Bath 27-32 Tahs
More in the front row for Bath but think Tahs have a better 2nd row partnership, back row will be close but Tahs will gain an advantage here. Half backs pretty even but out wide, Tahs are a step up here and will cause problems. Bench will bring it closer but it won't be enough.

Quins 33 - 28 Worcester
Worcester props not as big names as Quins, but think the scrum will be relatively even. Really like the look of Quins back 5, think they'll have a slight advantage here, although think Warbs could be tough to shift over the ball. Pretty even at half back, but Quins outside backs have a lot of quality, and think they'll be the main difference here, in a solid win. Worcester have made big strides though. Prop - Back row looks good, plenty of physicality, carrying and line out option in Potgeiter too. Not sure on the young lads, i'd wait to see if any get game time early on before throwing them in. Steve - Cordero, Mckenzie and Thomas are the obvious ones, i'd hold off on the rest to see game time first

Harlequins 34-27 Worcester 
Quins steamroller a wuss pack that backrow aside lacks a bit of class and grit. Quins unit superb with great balance. Wuss better half backs with slade a poor option for me. Lots of young wuss backs vs established internationals so a mismatch 

Harlequins 23-25 Worcester
See Worcester getting on top in the scrum with Quins props struggling. But more around the corner park for Quins engine room but line out tight. Wuss backrow better man for man. Little in the 9's but Wuss edge 10. Little in the centre battle, perhaps slight edge to Quins but Wuss same in back 3.

Quins 29 - 31 Worcester Warriors
Two very evenly matched teams, only reason I give Warriors the away win is that Warburton is going to control the breakdown battle and with the Warriors backline they are dangerous with any turnover. All Quins starting players are good enough to start in AP during WC. 

Quins 28-23 Warriors

Quins 26-27 Worcester
Not an awful lot between the packs overall. Worc stronger at halfback although Henshaw will do well.

Sharks 26 - 19 Tigers
Really good scrum battle, pretty even with JDP coming back into form. I'd favour Sharks second and back rows by a small margin, Leicester still good though. Lambie gives Sharks the advantage at halfback, while I'd favour the rest of Tigers backline. Good game, will be close but think Sharks starting pack will win this one for them. Luke - Side looks ok, think Burger would need time off even though Namibia will be eliminated. Think the second rows and centres is where I would look for an upgrade

Sharks 23 - 22 Leicester
Not convinced by Taute at 13 prefer him as a 12 or 15. Like the phyiscality offered by the wingers but the pack might be lacking a few carriers. Lot of pressure on Waldrom to carry hard and there aren't really reinforcements on the bench. 

Sharks. 29-23 Leicester 
Sharks packed with internationals and that front row bang on form in RC which gets on top of Leicester front row. Big issues with the Leicester second row. It lacks any grunt. Back row some matchup but int quality of sharks shade it. Similar story in backs with half backs a step up and similar with most outside backs. During s15 sharks were poor but lots of players back in form

Sharks 29-26 Tigers
Sharks with the front 5 and scrum edge but Tigers get it back in the backrow in a good battle. Sharks better at halfback and just shade centres. Tough place to win away and Tigers just not enough.

Sharks 15 - 19 Leicester Tigers
Again the pack is too strong for the away side and poor form from Sharks. Really good WC team, though expect Mafi will be playing for Tonga and Burger captain of Namibia. 

Sharks 27-24 Tigers

Sharks 22-18 Tigers
As a world cup side looking fairly solid but both props lacking form at scrum time. Back three could be caught by the better kicking sides.

Sharks 27-25 Tigers
Front row to Sharks and think that they can get a bit from the lineout here too but it will be closer. Not alot of give in either back rowers and the half back battle will go the way of the Sharks. Centres one a piece and out wide both teams have strong finishers but no standout here. Benches strong from both and I don't think that Tigers will have enough to get the win.

Sorry about the general rubbishness with predicting. Am basically settled here in Margate now and work schedule not looking awful so I hope to be more reliable over the next few weeks. Sorry!