Champions Cup Quarter Finals

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Northampton Saints v Racing Metro
Franklin Gardens
Light Rain Showers, 10 degrees, 11mph South Westerly Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Manu Tuilagi
06. Luke Wallace	13. Elliot Daly
07. Brendon O'Connor	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Facunda Isa	15. Ben Foden

Replacements: 16. Dave Ward 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Paul Jedrasiak 20. Jack Lamb 21. Conor Murray 22. George Ford 23. Weslie Fofana

Tactics: 
We are targeting the European Cup as a priority for this season, we are looking to go out and attack Racing Metro through a strong, physical and aggressive carrying game where we will look to dominate the gainline battle and give us good front foot ball to attack from. We will look to focus on attack in the backline through the power of Tuilagi and Savea, to suck in defenders and getting Elliot Daly space to attack and run at. The light rain won't stop us playing attacking rugby and we are looking to get Daly space again Rokocoko in the 13 channel. 

Pack we've recalled Dylan Hartley to tidy up our setpiece and give us excellent ball from lineouts and a powerful scrum. We give debuts to Luke Wallace and Brendon O'Connor in the backrow and will get them to make a mess of Racing Metro ball on the deck, slow them down and frustrate the French to give away penalties. With Daly able to punish any infringement from 60metres out. 

Defensively we will play a similar style of rugby to Saracens, placing the away team under a lot of pressure and force mistakes. We will place guards at rucks to put in big tackles and stop the French making ground, with Wallace and O'Connor waiting behind looking to snatch ball. Simpson to sweep behind the defensive line. 

We will benefit without Carter playing for the away side and with the box kicking of Simpson, control from Sopoaga and Daly's boot we will look to control the kicking and territory game and make Metro play from deep. 

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Racing Metro

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Xavier Chauveau
02. Virgil Lacombe	10. Remi Tales
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Manuel Carizza	11. Albert Vuli Vuli
05. Francois Van Der Merwe	12. Alexandre Dumoulin
06. Wenceslas Lauret	13. Josevata Rokocoko
07. Yannick Nyanga	14. Sean Robinson
08. Antoine Claassen	15. Johan Goosen

Replacements: 16. Dimitri Szarzewski, 17. Khatchik Vartanov, 18. Luc Ducalcon, 19. Thibault Dubany, 20. Bernard Le Roux, 21. Arthur Retiere 22. Benjamin Dambielle 23. Etienne Dussartre

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London Irish v Ulster Rugby
Madjeski Stadium
Light Rain Showers, 10 degrees, 11mph South South Westerly Winds

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London Irish

01. Scott Sio	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Alexander
04. Alun Wyn Jones (c)	11. Bryan Habana
05. Matt Symons	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Henry Slade
07. Tom Wood	14. Marland Yarde
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Tim Nanai Williams

Replacements: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Ben Moon 18. Dave Wilson 19. Sebastian Vaamahina 20. Duane Vermaulen 21. Aaron Smith 22. JJ Engelbrect 23. Henry Sprieght 

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Ulster

01. Callum Black	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rory Best (c)	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Ricky Lutton
04. Pete Browne	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Franco van der Merwe	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Iain Henderson	13. Luke Marshall
07. Chris Henry	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Roger Wilson	15. Jared Payne

Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Stuart Olding, 23 Darren Cave

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Harlequins v Toulon
Twickenham Stoop
Light Rain Showers, 11 degrees, 9mph South Westerly Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Ethan Waller 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Karl Dickson 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Damian McKenzie

Game Plan

Use the boots of Pienaar, Myler and Kearney to control territory and to kick behind the Toulon back three. We will also use up and unders and cross field kicks to use the high ball expertise of our outside backs to regain possession or force errors on a slippery day.

When in Toulon territory we'll use our forwards to get us over the gain line running off 9 and 10 to run at gaps so we can break tackles through weak shoulders. Our aim will be to get quick ball so we get our outside backs onto the front foot with quick ball to play with. 

We will look to isolate Basteraud in defence by looking to send runners back in and fix Nonu so we can isolate Basteraud with an out the back runner where we can look to test his decision-making and pace. 

We've chosen two guys who can attack the breakdown for us in Kriel and Hooper and both of them are very very quick so can be the first man their, especially in the wide channels. 

Off the bench we have real impact in Jantjies and Mckenzie who can come on and chase the game or close the game out if required.

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Toulon

01. Alexandre Menini	09. Jonathan Pélissié
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Tom Taylor
03. Levan Chilachava
04. Mamuka Gorgodze	11. Bryan Habana
05. Romain Taofifenua	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Josua Tuisova
08. Duane Vermeulen	15.Drew Mitchell

Replacements: 16 Jean Charles Orioli, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Thibault Lassalle, 19 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 20 James O'Connor, 21 Frédéric Michalak, 22 Éric Escande, 23 Manusa Saulo

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Sale Sharks v Saracens
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Rain Showers, 9 degrees, 9mph South Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Sam Cane 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Simon Zebo

Target McIntyre: Hes the new man to the Sarries front row and Slimani will look to target the link between him and his hooker and isolate him at scrum time. 

Defensive Familiarity: Sarries trying a few new combinations out in the backs. We will look to target their familiarity and communication on defence with our usual multi playmaker approach looking for overloads on each phase.    

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity game looking to keep the ball moving. Look to use a rugby league shape with runners on the gain line and out the back door to force the opposition into making defensive decisions. Numerous playmakers across the back line allows us to constantly change the point of attack. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Similar set up to the Welsh with Sexton and Bendy defending deep to cover the backfield. Both wingers will step into the defensive line, to be part of the straight line blitz led by Fekitoa, to shut down space in the wider channels. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial.  Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline.

Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space. Defensively Itoje to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Simon McIntyre	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Pat Lambie
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Bradley Davies	11. Henry Trinder
05. Geoff Parling	12. Hosea Gear
06. Teimana Harrison	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Chris Ashton
08. James Haskell	15. Telusa Veainu

:-
16. Motu Mata 17. Ben Franks 18. Dan Cole 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Dave Denton 21. Brad Weber 22. Maxime Mermoz 23. Morne Steyn

Tactics:

TARGET LINEOUT - In the slippy conditions, look to kick for corners put pressure on the Sale line out.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in the backrow. Attack with pace off turnover ball. Few options for the opposition so we feel we can get on top here.  Look to target Kvesic and prevent him having any impact on the game. 


General - We'll be playing a structured physical game in the slippy conditions from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback. Limit the offloading in the slippy weather and use the big running options. 

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley (c)
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Luke Wallace
7. Brendon O'Connor
8. Faconda Isa
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
11. Julian Savea
12. Manu Tuilagi
13. Elliot Daly
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Paul Jedrasiak 20. Jack Lamb 21. Conor Murray 22. George Ford 23. Weslie Fofana

Tactics:
We are targeting the European Cup as a priority for this season, we are looking to go out and attack Racing Metro through a strong, physical and aggressive carrying game where we will look to dominate the gainline battle and give us good front foot ball to attack from. We will look to focus on attack in the backline through the power of Tuilagi and Savea, to suck in defenders and getting Elliot Daly space to attack and run at. The light rain won't stop us playing attacking rugby and we are looking to get Daly space again Rokocoko in the 13 channel.

Pack we've recalled Dylan Hartley to tidy up our setpiece and give us excellent ball from lineouts and a powerful scrum. We give debuts to Luke Wallace and Brendon O'Connor in the backrow and will get them to make a mess of Racing Metro ball on the deck, slow them down and frustrate the French to give away penalties. With Daly able to punish any infringement from 60metres out.

Defensively we will play a similar style of rugby to Saracens, placing the away team under a lot of pressure and force mistakes. We will place guards at rucks to put in big tackles and stop the French making ground, with Wallace and O'Connor waiting behind looking to snatch ball. Simpson to sweep behind the defensive line.

We will benefit without Carter playing for the away side and with the box kicking of Simpson, control from Sopoaga and Daly's boot we will look to control the kicking and territory game and make Metro play from deep.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Ethan Waller 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Karl Dickson 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Damian McKenzie

Game Plan

Use the boots of Pienaar, Myler and Kearney to control territory and to kick behind the Toulon back three. We will also use up and unders and cross field kicks to use the high ball expertise of our outside backs to regain possession or force errors on a slippery day.

When in Toulon territory we'll use our forwards to get us over the gain line running off 9 and 10 to run at gaps so we can break tackles through weak shoulders. Our aim will be to get quick ball so we get our outside backs onto the front foot with quick ball to play with. 

We will look to isolate Basteraud in defence by looking to send runners back in and fix Nonu so we can isolate Basteraud with an out the back runner where we can look to test his decision-making and pace. 

We've chosen two guys who can attack the breakdown for us in Kriel and Hooper and both of them are very very quick so can be the first man their, especially in the wide channels. 

Off the bench we have real impact in Jantjies and Mckenzie who can come on and chase the game or close the game out if required.

Check your injuries please: https://www.606v2.com/t55473-injuries

mark

1.Scott Sio
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Ben Alexander
4.Alun Wyn Jones (c)
5.Matt Symons
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Tom Wood
8.Sean O'Brian

9.Ben Youngs
10.Aaron Cruden
11.Bryan Habana
12.Brad Barritt
13.Henry Slade
14.Marlande Yarde
15.Tim Nani Williams

16.tatafu poloto-nau 17.Ben Moon 18.Dave Wilson/Fraiser Bailmen* 19.Sebastian Vaamahina 20.Duane Vermaulen 21.Aaron Smith 22.JJ Engelbrect 23.Henry Sprieght

*Awaiting on RFU disciplinary results

Conditions updated

Pocock banned for 3 weeks Chris

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Sam Cane 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Simon Zebo

Target McIntyre: Hes the new man to the Sarries front row and Slimani will look to target the link between him and his hooker and isolate him at scrum time.

Defensive Familiarity: Sarries trying a few new combinations out in the backs. We will look to target their familiarity and communication on defence with our usual multi playmaker approach looking for overloads on each phase.   

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity game looking to keep the ball moving. Look to use a rugby league shape with runners on the gain line and out the back door to force the opposition into making defensive decisions. Numerous playmakers across the back line allows us to constantly change the point of attack. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Similar set up to the Welsh with Sexton and Bendy defending deep to cover the backfield. Both wingers will step into the defensive line, to be part of the straight line blitz led by Fekitoa, to shut down space in the wider channels. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial.  Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline.

Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space. Defensively Itoje to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Simon McIntyre	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Pat Lambie
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Bradley Davies	11. Henry Trinder
05. Geoff Parling	12. Hosea Gear
06. Teimana Harrison	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Chris Ashton
08. James Haskell	15. Telusa Veainu

:-
16. Motu Mata 17. Ben Franks 18. Dan Cole 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Dave Denton 21. Brad Weber 22. Maxime Mermoz 23. Morne Steyn

Tactics:

TARGET LINEOUT - In the slippy conditions, look to kick for corners put pressure on the Sale line out.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in the backrow. Attack with pace off turnover ball. Few options for the opposition so we feel we can get on top here.  Look to target Kvesic and prevent him having any impact on the game.


General - We'll be playing a structured physical game in the slippy conditions from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback. Limit the offloading in the slippy weather and use the big running options.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Racing Metro

15. Johan Goosen, 14. Sean Robinson, 13. Josevata Rokocoko, 12. Alexandre Dumoulin, 11. Albert Vuli Vuli, 10. Remi Tales, 9. Xavier Chauveau, 8. Antoine Claassen, 7. Yannick Nyanga, 6. Wenceslas Lauret, 5. Francois Van Der Merwe, 4. Manuel Carizza, 3. Martin Castrogiovanni, 2. Virgil Lacombe, 1. Eddy Ben Arous

Replacements: 16. Dimitri Szarzewski, 17. Khatchik Vartanov, 18. Luc Ducalcon, 19. Thibault Dubany, 20. Bernard Le Roux, 21. Arthur Retiere 22. Benjamin Dambielle 23. Etienne Dussartre

Ulster:

15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Pete Browne, 3 Ricky Lutton, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Callum Black

Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Kyle McCall, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Stuart Olding, 23 Darren Cave

Toulon

15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Jonathan Pélissié, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Alexandre Menini

Replacements: 16 Jean Charles Orioli, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Thibault Lassalle, 19 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 20 James O'Connor, 21 Frédéric Michalak, 22 Éric Escande, 23 Manusa Saulo

How's Taylor getting on at Toulon? Not seen much T14 this year.

Thanks Bam, will get the away sides done this evening.

Predictions Open

Not to sure who they are going to, I believe Pooly!

Predictions to SJE please

Apologies guys expected to get to these tonight but just in. Will get to them by lunch time tomorrow 

RESULTS:

Northampton Saints 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Racing Metro 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Harlequins 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Toulon 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

London Irish 32 (T:4 C:3 P:2)
Ulster 20 (T:2 C:2 P:2)

Sale Sharks 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Saracens 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

BONUS:
Full: CJB, Prop, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly, CJ
6/7: Matt

Saints 27 - 23 Racing

Saints have got a bit lucky with the Racing line up, Carter and co are all playing in real life! Saints pack is good enough to hold its own in the set piece, and the dual 7s tactic may well pay dividends against Nyanga. Carter is obviously a huge miss, and think Saints can comfortably win the territory battle. From there, they have the strike runners to take advantage, and would expect a decent win, but Racing will score tries

Saints 25-21 Metro
Solid front 5 for Saints causing Metro issues and getting on top of them at the set piece. Back row is a bit closer and Saints will need to work at the breakdown to get the good ball they need. Much better half backs for Saints will get good heads up rugby going and then centres and back 3 outside of this will cause Metro a lot of issues today. Saints looking at a solid set piece and using this for their advantage as well as using a solid defensive tactical set up to halt Metro.

Saints 27- 22 Racing Metro

Racing and Saints both safe on their own scrum ball. Saints slightly ahead at the lineout and have enough in their backrow with 2 7s to overcome a good Parisian backrow with Ben Arous at the breakdown. The Racing backline, as we have seen, can be flaky or brilliant, but Saints have too much gamebreaker class across their entire backline and more tempo at 9-10 and win happily

Northampton 23-20 Racing

Pretty even when it comes to the set piece with Castro and Mako the weaknesses in the front row. Good engine rooms but unconvinced with the Saints backrow and they could be got at by a better side. Little in the backlines but overall home advantage and some good impact from the Sanits bench, sees them home.

Saints 29-20 Metro
Saints have too much throughout their team




Northampton Saints 24-22 Racing Metro

Close game with the Saints backrow a strange mix and against a bit physical side this causes them some problems. Racing miss carter and saints win an stodgy game

Saints 24-22 Metro

Light weight backrow from Saints causes a few issues but quality of their backline sees them through this at home

London Irish 27 - 25 Ulster

Irish props should get them on the front foot at the scrum, but Ulster stronger at lineout. Back row is interesting, Henry will win turnovers, but as a whole package the LI trio have more about them. One a piece at halfback, as a whole Ulster have a slightly stronger backline. No tactics, this comes down to the bench which as usual for our sides is far stronger, and Vermuelen and Smith's influence will take LI to a win

Irish 22-21 Ulster
Irish can get ton top at the set piece initially but the breakdown will be a lottery with Ulster using a great balance and putting pressure on Irish whose balance I'm not really sold on. One a piece at half back and the same in the centres with Ulster looking solid but Irish have solid defence from Barritt. Not a lot in the back 3 and Irish do have a better bench. No tactics means that it is down to the bench to sneak a win.

London Irish 25 - 21 Ulster

I think London Irish get ahead at both set piece battles, with a really good tight 5. However the backrow and breakdown is much closer. Exiles edge that too though. 2 great sets of backs and there isn't anything between them, Irish taking halfbacks, Ulster the back 3 with a very tight unit and one centre each. However, with the pack advantage, London Irish win though tactics would make the margin larger

Irish 26-20 Ulster

Pretty much a pack advantage for Irish but with SOB not playing 8 for around 3 years, he loses a bit of form. Halfbacks to Irish but pretty even past that in the backline. Good game but I can see Irish pulling away in the 2nd half with a strong bench and player that can add some real power and pace to the game.

Irish 32-20 Ulster
Same here as the home team can dominate

London Irish 25 - 20 Ulster
Irish would have won by more if they had gone with some tactics. Love the Cruden/Slade combination in the midfield, is a little bit special. Ulster been playing a little bit better over last few weeks, but can't see how they will get close to Irish.

London Irish 33-12 Ulster

To be fair this would be a mismatch in real life as Irish are better in nearly every position. Easy win with lots of tries

Irish 30-20 Ulster

Ulster more then a match from 11-15 but elsewhere Irish stronger man for man and it’s a comfortable win

Harlequins 30 - 27 Toulon

Healy's poor form costs Quins the scrum advantage, but they are stronger at the lineout. Toulon stronger at the back row, halfbacks even. Real contrast of styles with the backlines, Quins more the rapier against the Toulon battering ram. Tough to split them, as both will have plenty of success. Real bench impact with Mckenzie and co for Quins, think they've got enough to take this one at home

Quins 24-22 Toulon
What a match!!!! Quins will get the front row advantage but the sheer power of the Toulon 2nd row will cause a lot of problems but help Quins at the lineout with less jumping options for the visitors. Back row pretty close with 2 good set ups, feel the old head of Easter will help to ground Quins but Vermeulen will cause issues with his carrying. Half backs to Quins who are set up well for their kicking tactics and using the lineout to their advantage. Outside this and on the bench it's pretty even so it comes down to territory and set piece where I feel Quins will have the edge and have looked at halting the Toulon centres well. Good win.

Harlequins 27 - 23 Toulon

Toulon aren't great at the scrum and Quins can get a sneaky edge there, Nd I think they take the lineout too. Carrying goes to a physical, brutal Toulon, but the breakdown is split- Quins get a lot of turnovers on speed and Toulon on latching/power. Broken game. Looking at the kicking match up, Quins can get ahead and play in Toulon territory and have targeted their massive centres well with their own centres matching up well for this defensive plan . They also have excellent strike runners to take advantage and get a big win.

Harlequins 21-24 Toulon

Healy really struggling of late gives Toulon the chance to work away at the Saints scrum and they could be in for a tough night. Toulon stronger in the back 5 and bring more balance and power to the table. Halfbacks and centre contest to the away side, very little in a two good back 3's. Toulon have enough in the starting XV and the bench to come away with a tough fought victory.  

Quins 26-25 Toulon
Great game and Quins have enough to get the victory here.

Harlequins 20 - 18 Toulon
Really tough game, all about whether Quins can cope with the power game of Toulon who haven't been at their best this season. The Toulon pack has an edge in the power game, but can see Quins getting more joy at the lineout. Backlines much prefer the balance of Quins backline but not sure on Myler's kicking this season, so game stays close.

Harlequins 28-21 Toulon

Toulon not the force they were and Quins bang in form. Fairly routine but Toulons European pedigree and experience see them stay in the game. Really like some of the Quins key combos

Quins 20-18 Toulon

Tough game for Quins. Toulon with a lot of power in the side but lacking a bit of form particularly in midfield and haven't the quality of the Quins halfbacks.

Sale 33 - 26 Saracens

Sale have gone out with a full first choice line up while Sarries look a bit more experimental. SJE right to target Mcintyre, and the defensive setup in the backs. Think Sale stronger throughout the forwards, while Trinder and Gear look like they should be in each other's positions! Sale win this fairly comfortably, with their 11-14 having a great time

Sale 25-23 Sarries
Can't split the front 5 to be honest, a lot of good quality on show and can pretty much even each other out here. A very good back row battle with good balance from both teams, really struggling to split this game today up front. Feel both teams will nullify each other's qualities. One a piece at half back and good control from both sides here. Same-ish in the centres but feel in the back 3 Sarries may have slipped up putting Trinder on the wing, for all his quality he is more suited to outside back. Solid bench on show from both, Sarries looking for simple rugby and wanting to get to Kvesic and slow him down, Sale looking to to use a settled back line and a solid defence to halt Sarries. Close match but think Sale have enough.

Sale 27 - 21 Saracens

Sale take the front row, and I don't know why an admittedly strong Saracens lineout tries to target an equally strong Sale there. If anything, Sale have a decent shot at nicking the odd ball. Saracens do possibly slightly edge the breakdown, and have picked Haskell etc to deal with Saints physical carrying- they can't quite match them, but put up a fight. Good halfbacks but Sale edge this area. I like both tactics, opposite approaches, but not sure Saracens have the platform to pull off their style - sale have Sexton good at getting out of trouble in their 22 (plus Care who... Isn't) and a good forward platform to protect him and have safe set piece ball. Saracens can win some penalties in their 22 though to keep in touch. Gear and Trinder wrong way round? Hugely physical Sale backs and it doesn't get easier with strike power off the bench and Sale win this

Sale 28-22 Sarries
Sale have a lineup more resembling their strongest team and they can pull out a win here.

Sale 28 - 22 Saracens
It doesnt look as though Sarries have gone with their strongest team in this game and could come a bit unstuck against a team pushing on all fronts. Ngati still going to take a while to properly settle in but haven't seen Gear play for Sarries in the no12 shirt this season as usually on the wing, so Sale could really get some joy there. Sarries bench will bring them back but Sale looking strong.

Semi Finals:

Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
London Irish v Harlequins

Both games to be played at Twickenham