Aviva Premiership Round Eight - Autumn Internationals

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Bath Rugby vs Bristol Rugby
The Rec
Light Cloud, 8 degrees, 8 mph South Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. George Moala
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Cheslin Kolbe

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16. Leni Asipai 17. Peter Dooley 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Harold Vorster 23. Lolagi Visinia

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Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Sam Carter	11. Rene Ranger
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Piers Francis
06. Carl Fearns	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Judicaël Cancoriet	14. Digby Ioane
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Tom West 17. Richardt Strauss  18. James Johnston 19. Sam Twomey 20  Laurence Pearce 21. Andy Uren 22. Christian Lealiifano 23. Jesse Mogg

Tactics:

Attributes:

Attacking:
1) Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
2)  Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Defending:
1) Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
2) Breakdown - Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.


Tactics


Breakdown:

In this match missing usual flankers, we still go for a team based, hard clearing focus on the breakdown, but with Fearns focussing more on powerful clear outs and cleaning up and Cancoriet using his raw pace and good technical skills on the floor to act as a specialist fetcher chasing the ball, with the whole pack helping out to keep quick attacking ball and spoil opposition ball with minimal defensive numbers applied.


Attack:

2 playmaker approach keeping up a barrage of constant phases, changing the direction of attack all the time with short passes off 9, 10 and 12, the main aim being to keep the tempo up, using quick breakdown ball to stretch the defence without much time to adjust, and running at the shoulder to test defenders. We will make yardage and suck defenders in as we do with using carries from our powerful wingers, Vito, Fearns, Buchanan and Uhila, with the pace of Taylor, Pennell and Cancoriet (plus wingers) more used to make a final break against the stretched defence.

9 will also be looking to snipe, and against Wade on the wing especially we will look to chip past and cross field kick on his side and test his covering positional sense and strength in the air, as well as Goode's aerial defence.

If this doesn't work, we can revert to a territory game off the excellent boot of Gopperth and pick and drives from our pack, and if the breakdown struggles we have the personnel for an offloading game too.

We also think the defence in one on one tackling of their back 3 is a weakness and will be looking to flood the blindside with powerful runners at times, confident that we can break their wings' tackles one on one and knowing that Goode is liable to miss a few too, especially with Ioane and Ranger's raw power and size. We know Goode may not start if he plays for Engalnd, but this would work against Kolbe as well.

Defence:

Blitz led by Taylor, 9 sweeping, tight fringe defence led by Vito, looking to pressure Wrigglesworth especially his kicking which pressurises the 10. Aggressive and early press on the wingers, with our powerful wingers, to stop them having space with the ball and to use our physicality to best advantage.


Set piece:


Look to get our scrum ball out quickly and run off Vito, and push straight and give a legal battle on their ball - if they want to collapse it, let them and make sure we are very verbal with the referee when that happens. On their scrums, Wrigglesworth is likely to kick or pass and not run and Faletau is a threat - therefore I want Vito and our scrum half to focus on scragging Faletau early with support looking for a turnover and Fearns to focus on charging down Wrigglesworth's kicks

In the lineout, we will mix up our options, mostly going quick off the top but a few mauls, using our locks as well as Vito as main jumpers and Cancoriet as a handy 4th option. They look like they will have to focus a lot on Kitchener with Skelton not an easily liftable jumper (though we acknowledge Faletau as an option) so mark him hard


Other:


Press hard for penalties in their 22 but hold back and don't risk conceding them in our half
Take any easy kicks at goal
Mix up kicking back (with a good chase vital) and running back kicks
Subs as needed, Ranger covering 13

If Fotuali'i is picked for Samoa, Spencer starts and Andy Uren from my Academy on the bench

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Worcester Warriors vs Northampton Saints
Sixways Stadium
Light Cloud, 7 degrees, 9 mph South Westerly Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Val Ruskin	09. Rory Kockott
02. Ross Batty	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Tom Savage	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Mike Williams	12. Cory Allen
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Mark Bennett
07. George Smith ©	14. Brice Dulin
08. Jackson Wray	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Jack Walker 17. Billy Keast 18. Henry Thomas 19. Adam Beard 20. Huw Taylor 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. NMS
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Saints danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Williams will look for territory,
-Big carriers up front looking to offload if the conditions allow possible although being mindful of the encroaching defence and we will have support runners on their shoulders,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Smith bringing the turnover attribute,
-We have Wray and Beard to add energy into the second half and will look to use his link play against tired legs,
-The breakdown is likely to be scrappy and the first man there will look to go for the ball using our turnover attribute. If it is obviously lost we will fan out. If Saints under-commit we will look to drive through them for the turnover,
-Look to not commit too much to their breakdown if the ball is lost and use blitz defence led by Allen allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Saints playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Allen and Bennett, we will use Dulin and Thompstone as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on Williams will go for territory and also use  his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will use Dulin and the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep Saints guessing and allow Allen the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-Thompstone is in great form and has scored against top class defences in the Prem,
-Take all kickable penalties.

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. David Slipper	09. Joe Simpson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Manuel Montero
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Harry Mallinder
06. Luke Wallace	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Brendon O'Conner	14. Rieko Ioane
08. Schalk Burger	15. Ben Foden(c)

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Replacements
16. Ashley Johnson 17. James Page 18. Conan O'Donnell 19. Michael Paterson 20. James Davies 21. Jamie Shilcock 22. Manu Tuilagi 23. Matt Banahan 

Attributes:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.

Tactics
We've picked youngsters in the Anglo-Welsh Cup to rest key players so they are all fresh for this game - Burger, Simpson, Montero, AAC and O'Connor all come back after a week off. We will play this game at speed and a real high intensity from the outset and look to test the Worcester defence and make the most of the attacking conditions. We want to dominate the breakdown battle in terms of turnovers and give our backline plenty of opportunities to counter attack. We've picked a team with a lot of gain-line breakers

With the conditions we will keep the ball in play and go on the offensive and have a bench picked for its impact in 2nd half.

Set Piece
Lineout - Five good options in the lineout, where we will look to generate quick ball for our backline to attack from, with Fifita putting pressure on the home sides throws.
Scrum - Burger to launch attacks from the base of the scrum at the Williams/Allen channel.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Worcester defence to suck in players and create space outwide. Have picked Burger at no8 to give us a real physical approach to the game and get an advantage in that area to force mistakes.

Breakdown
See attributes.

Attack
- Aim to create space for our backline, so our play-making 10-12 combination can bring in AAC, Ioane and Montero into the game and really attack Worcester.
- Look to overpower the Worcester backs, with power runners and win the gain line battle there.
- Strong kicking game from the 9-10-12 combination, where we will have the option to play for territory and beat Worcester in this area.
- Impact bench to up the tempo in final 20/25 minutes, open up the game and look for tries - lot of power in Tuilagi and Banahan to test the Worcester defence,

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind. 9-10-12 all big boots to get us out of trouble.

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Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs
Kingston Park
Sunny Intervals, 5 degrees, 10 mph South Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. George McGuigan	10. Ian Madigan
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Callum Clark	13. Luke Marshall
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Elliott Dixon	15. Rob Miller

:-
16.Riccy Riccitelli 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Luke Jones 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Will Chudley 22. Sam James 23. Vince Aso

Attributes
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown: Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it

Game plan

Alternate playmakers Use Marshall/Piutau to split the field as alternate first receivers, look to create mismatches on the outside

Target the 12/13 channel - we've got the pace to target them with Piutau/Miller to come into the line and attack the 13 channel to test Mermoz/Nonu in defence

Target the lineout with Flip to pick off Youngs throws

Win the back row battle - they lack form at 6/8, and we have the quality in Louw/Dixon to really get us on top at the breakdown

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with our strong front row, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. On their ball, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up.

Breakdown - Back row and hooker to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. . On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Our openside is charged with keeping their main breakdown threat off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Options throughout the backs . Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning, Wings free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Run our attack off 9 who sets the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get our 10 quick ball.. Challenge their 10 defensively with our power backs cutting in running hard lines at his channel with the full back coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at 10/12 all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how they handle it.  

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  Farrell to set the tone in defence with Campagnaro putting pressure on their midfield

Bench - Big carrying forwards throughout and talented, pacy backs to see us home

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Nic White
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Juandre Kruger	11. JP Pietersen
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Dave Ewers	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Olly Woodburn
08. Fritz Lee	15. Maxime Medard

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Subs: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Harry Williams, 19 - , 20 Brad Shields, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Richie Mo'unga, 23 James Lowe
*(Bench man short - Douglas started for Australia)

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch.
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to an away win against Newcastle. We have a solid scrum to build from and two big locks who are both good lineout options. The set piece will be important and we will look to use this as a weapon to attack from and gain territory. Our back row are all big carriers and we will use them all to gain hard yards and tire out Falcon defenders.

In the backs we will use Nonu as a crash ball option and a decoy runner to open up space for the likes of Mermoz, JP Pietersen and Lowe to exploit. Lozowski will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

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Gloucester Rugby vs Wasps
Kingsholm Stadium
Light Cloud, 7 degrees, 9 mph South Westerly Winds

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Gloucester

01. Rob Evans	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Hallam Amos
05. Tomas Lavinini	12. Matt Toomua
06. Tom Croft	13. Matt Scott
07. Julian Salvi	14. Charlie Walker
08. Ruan Ackerman	15. Warrick Gelant

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Subs: 16, Coenie Ousthuizen, 17. Joe Gray, 18. Titi Lamositele, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Sam Dickinson, 21. Justin Phillips, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Will Addison

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Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Sebastian Tillous Borde
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Ruan Botha	11. Marland Yarde
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Brad Barritt (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Anthony Watson
08. Jerome Kaino	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

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16. Tatafu Polota Nau, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Thomas Du Toit, 19. Andrew Kitchener, 20. Blake Gibson , 21. Mitchell Drummound, 22. Luther Burrell , 23. Josh Charnley

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Tactics
Attack:
- Good athleticism in the pack. Looking for them to be mobile and get around the park, ensuring good numbers at every breakdown to give clean ball
- Mix up forward runners off 9 and 10 to give go forward and tie in defence. When space opens up, go wide and utilise pace of back three.
Defence:
- Ensure guards and body guards at every breakdown, no gaps in midfield.
- Good line speed to put pressure on their handling and ability to go round our blitz defence

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Sale Sharks vs Saracens
AJ Bell Stadium
Heavy Rain, 6 Degrees, 8 mph South Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. James Mitchell
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Otere Black
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Tevita Li
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. Steven Luatua	13. Seta Taiminavula
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Keith Earls
08. Duane Vermuelen	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Tau Koloamatangi 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Kyle Eastmond

Attributes:
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.  

Attack: We will be playing a high intensity phased attacking game. 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 and restructure our attacking phases. Mitchell 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: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Mitchell will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Earls & Bendy to cover the background dropping deep to cut off the green grass available to kick into.

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 while Luatua marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Brad Weber
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Tom Taylor
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Geoff Parling	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. James Haskell	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Marcos Kremer 20. Sam Underhill 21. Lee Dickson 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Hosea Gear

Tactics:

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

TARGET SALE HALFBACKS - Good pack from Sale but do they have the halfbacks to secure victory for them? We think no. We'll be targetting them all game, especially Black. Look for Haskell and Thompson to get right in his face and rough him up from the off.  

TARGET SALE BACK 3 - We've got some big units in the backline. Look to the Sale back 3 one on one and kicking in behind with strong chases.

USE THE ROLLING MAUL - Big pack put out by us today. Look to use this to our advantage and get the rolling maul on.

INTELLIGENT KICKING, PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Look to minimise the offloads and use big carries and intelligent kicking. Excellent kicking halfbacks and Delon to come in as back up to use his huge boot to good effect. Devoto to cover 10 from the bench.


General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in with our physical pack/carrying options and then get at their outisde backs, 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.

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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Leicester Tigers vs Harlequins
Welford Road
Light Cloud, 6 degrees, 9 mph South Westerly Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Henry Purdy
05. Samu Manoa	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Jones	13. Damien Penaud
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale

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Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Max Lahiff 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Dominic Bird 20. Don Armand 21. Micky Young 22. James Lang 23. Mathieu Basteraud

In decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases. Look to make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, with offloading and forward inter play to keep the ball off the ground and moving, preventing a ruck and defensive line being set. Burns will take the ball to the line and tempt the Quins defence to jump out of the defensive line, creating holes for our back line to exploit. Mutiple playmakers to stand at first reciever, either side of the ruck to stretch the Quins defence and try and cause and overlap, or to make tactical kick in behind the wings.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Young will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics 

• Line-out: Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure our ball. We will also mix it up, shortening the line-out and using our back row as crash ball options off the top. On Quins ball put pressure on through Bird and Lobbe, who are athletic line-out jumpers. 
  
• Scrum: Get low and underneath their props and drive straight. Really test their props technical abilities rather than get in to a battle of strength.
  
• Breakdown: When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly, so that Hougaard can feed the ball quickly to fowards, the first reciever, or snipe through a hole. In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not over commit, but will maintain a strong defensive line. If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to slow up momentum, or turn over possession. Key for us is being selective, and only committing men to a winnable ruck. 
  
• Attacking Play: We will be looking to play a fast offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed. However this will only be implemented within the opposition half. We will also utilise the pick and go, meaning their defensive line cannot blitz efficiently. We will then we will look to exploit the delay in their blitz that results. We will then look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps. Hougaard to also look to snipe around the fringes, to keep the defence honest and keep us going forwards all the time.
  
• Linking to our tactical kicking, but we only want to play rugby in the Quins half. Therefore we look to gain territory, put pressure on the Quins wingers to clear their lines and put pressure on the Quins set piece to regain possession. 
  
• Tactical Kicking:  If we kick, we will look to kick in behind their wingers and get them on the turn going back towards their own line, with our wingers on the kick chase to really target them defensively. Burns, Steyn and Beale can take the ball to the line and kick in behind the defense, to get our wingers either on the end of the grubber, or pin back Quins. 
  

Tigers Attributes
Defensive Traits

• Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
  
• Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
  

Attacking Traits

• Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rob Webber	10. Ihaia West (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Mamuka Gorgodze	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis (c)	12. Stuart Olding
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Bundee Aki
07. Steffon Armitage	14. James O'Connor
08. Jack Clifford	15. Mike Haley

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16. Jack Singleton 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Steven Myler 23. Leolin Zas

Attributes

Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

Breakdown (Turnover Possession) -  Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line. 

Game Plan

• Look to play at pace at get our big carriers into the game in the shape of Aki, Kriel, Gorgodze, Clifford with Jantjies, Olding, JOC and Haley offering as first receivers and game managers throughout the game.
  

• Use our pack to get us on the front foot carrying the ball at pace and getting across the gain line with support to enable us to get a quick ruck and recycle possession quickly. 
  

• We want to vary the point of attack, using our plethora of play-makers to switch our point of attack and challenge the organisation of the Leicester defence.
  

• Use the boots of Pienaar, Jantjies, Haley and JOC to play in the right areas of the pitch and put Leicester under pressure and force the to take risks to gain field position.
  

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Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Sam Carter	11. Rene Ranger
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Piers Francis
06. Carl Fearns	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Judicaël Cancoriet	14. Digby Ioane
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Tom West 17. Richardt Strauss  18. James Johnston 19. Sam Twomey 20  Laurence Pearce 21. Andy Uren 22. Christian Lealiifano 23. Jesse Mogg

Tactics:

Attributes:

Attacking:
1) Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
2)  Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Defending:
1) Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
2) Breakdown - Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.


Tactics


Breakdown:

In this match missing usual flankers, we still go for a team based, hard clearing focus on the breakdown, but with Fearns focussing more on powerful clear outs and cleaning up and Cancoriet using his raw pace and good technical skills on the floor to act as a specialist fetcher chasing the ball, with the whole pack helping out to keep quick attacking ball and spoil opposition ball with minimal defensive numbers applied.


Attack:

2 playmaker approach keeping up a barrage of constant phases, changing the direction of attack all the time with short passes off 9, 10 and 12, the main aim being to keep the tempo up, using quick breakdown ball to stretch the defence without much time to adjust, and running at the shoulder to test defenders. We will make yardage and suck defenders in as we do with using carries from our powerful wingers, Vito, Fearns, Buchanan and Uhila, with the pace of Taylor, Pennell and Cancoriet (plus wingers) more used to make a final break against the stretched defence.

9 will also be looking to snipe, and against Wade on the wing especially we will look to chip past and cross field kick on his side and test his covering positional sense and strength in the air, as well as Goode's aerial defence.

If this doesn't work, we can revert to a territory game off the excellent boot of Gopperth and pick and drives from our pack, and if the breakdown struggles we have the personnel for an offloading game too.

We also think the defence in one on one tackling of their back 3 is a weakness and will be looking to flood the blindside with powerful runners at times, confident that we can break their wings' tackles one on one and knowing that Goode is liable to miss a few too, especially with Ioane and Ranger's raw power and size. We know Goode may not start if he plays for Engalnd, but this would work against Kolbe as well.

Defence:

Blitz led by Taylor, 9 sweeping, tight fringe defence led by Vito, looking to pressure Wrigglesworth especially his kicking which pressurises the 10. Aggressive and early press on the wingers, with our powerful wingers, to stop them having space with the ball and to use our physicality to best advantage.


Set piece:


Look to get our scrum ball out quickly and run off Vito, and push straight and give a legal battle on their ball - if they want to collapse it, let them and make sure we are very verbal with the referee when that happens. On their scrums, Wrigglesworth is likely to kick or pass and not run and Faletau is a threat - therefore I want Vito and our scrum half to focus on scragging Faletau early with support looking for a turnover and Fearns to focus on charging down Wrigglesworth's kicks

In the lineout, we will mix up our options, mostly going quick off the top but a few mauls, using our locks as well as Vito as main jumpers and Cancoriet as a handy 4th option. They look like they will have to focus a lot on Kitchener with Skelton not an easily liftable jumper (though we acknowledge Faletau as an option) so mark him hard


Other:


Press hard for penalties in their 22 but hold back and don't risk conceding them in our half
Take any easy kicks at goal
Mix up kicking back (with a good chase vital) and running back kicks
Subs as needed, Ranger covering 13

If Fotuali'i is picked for Samoa, Spencer starts and Andy Uren from my Academy on the bench

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Henry Purdy
05. Samu Manoa	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Jones	13. Damien Penaud
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale

.
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Max Lahiff 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Dominic Bird 20. Don Armand 21. Micky Young 22. James Lang 23. Mathieu Basteraud

In decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases. Look to make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, with offloading and forward inter play to keep the ball off the ground and moving, preventing a ruck and defensive line being set. Burns will take the ball to the line and tempt the Quins defence to jump out of the defensive line, creating holes for our back line to exploit. Mutiple playmakers to stand at first reciever, either side of the ruck to stretch the Quins defence and try and cause and overlap, or to make tactical kick in behind the wings.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Young will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics 

• Line-out: Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure our ball. We will also mix it up, shortening the line-out and using our back row as crash ball options off the top. On Quins ball put pressure on through Bird and Lobbe, who are athletic line-out jumpers. 
  
• Scrum: Get low and underneath their props and drive straight. Really test their props technical abilities rather than get in to a battle of strength.
  
• Breakdown: When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly, so that Hougaard can feed the ball quickly to fowards, the first reciever, or snipe through a hole. In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not over commit, but will maintain a strong defensive line. If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to slow up momentum, or turn over possession. Key for us is being selective, and only committing men to a winnable ruck. 
  
• Attacking Play: We will be looking to play a fast offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed. However this will only be implemented within the opposition half. We will also utilise the pick and go, meaning their defensive line cannot blitz efficiently. We will then we will look to exploit the delay in their blitz that results. We will then look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps. Hougaard to also look to snipe around the fringes, to keep the defence honest and keep us going forwards all the time.
  
• Linking to our tactical kicking, but we only want to play rugby in the Quins half. Therefore we look to gain territory, put pressure on the Quins wingers to clear their lines and put pressure on the Quins set piece to regain possession. 
  
• Tactical Kicking:  If we kick, we will look to kick in behind their wingers and get them on the turn going back towards their own line, with our wingers on the kick chase to really target them defensively. Burns, Steyn and Beale can take the ball to the line and kick in behind the defense, to get our wingers either on the end of the grubber, or pin back Quins. 
  

Tigers Attributes
Defensive Traits

• Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
  
• Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
  

Attacking Traits

• Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Val Ruskin	09. Rory Kockott
02. Ross Batty	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Tom Savage	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Mike Williams	12. Cory Allen
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Mark Bennett
07. George Smith ©	14. Brice Dulin
08. Jackson Wray	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Jack Walker 17. Billy Keast 18. Henry Thomas 19. Adam Beard 20. Huw Taylor 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. NMS
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Saints danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Williams will look for territory,
-Big carriers up front looking to offload if the conditions allow possible although being mindful of the encroaching defence and we will have support runners on their shoulders,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Smith bringing the turnover attribute,
-We have Wray and Beard to add energy into the second half and will look to use his link play against tired legs,
-The breakdown is likely to be scrappy and the first man there will look to go for the ball using our turnover attribute. If it is obviously lost we will fan out. If Saints under-commit we will look to drive through them for the turnover,
-Look to not commit too much to their breakdown if the ball is lost and use blitz defence led by Allen allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Saints playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Allen and Bennett, we will use Dulin and Thompstone as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on Williams will go for territory and also use his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will use Dulin and the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep Saints guessing and allow Allen the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-Thompstone is in great form and has scored against top class defences in the Prem,
-Take all kickable penalties.

Sale away.....

1. Evans
2. LCD
3. Figallo
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Croft
7 Salvi
8 Ackerman
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 Amos
12 Toomua
13 Scott
14 Walker
15 DAVIES
16 Ousthuizen
17 Gray
18 Lamisete
19 Stooke
20 Dickinson
21 Phillips
22 Cipriani
23 Addison

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. George McGuigan	10. Ian Madigan
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Callum Clark	13. Luke Marshall
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Elliott Dixon	15. Rob Miller

:-
16.Riccy Riccitelli 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Luke Jones 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Will Chudley 22. Sam James 23. Vince Aso

Attributes
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown: Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it

Game plan

Alternate playmakers Use Marshall/Piutau to split the field as alternate first receivers, look to create mismatches on the outside

Target the 12/13 channel - we've got the pace to target them with Piutau/Miller to come into the line and attack the 13 channel to test Mermoz/Nonu in defence

Target the lineout with Flip to pick off Youngs throws

Win the back row battle - they lack form at 6/8, and we have the quality in Louw/Dixon to really get us on top at the breakdown

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with our strong front row, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. On their ball, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up.

Breakdown - Back row and hooker to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. . On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Our openside is charged with keeping their main breakdown threat off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Options throughout the backs . Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning, Wings free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Run our attack off 9 who sets the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get our 10 quick ball.. Challenge their 10 defensively with our power backs cutting in running hard lines at his channel with the full back coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at 10/12 all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how they handle it.  

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  Farrell to set the tone in defence with Campagnaro putting pressure on their midfield

Bench - Big carrying forwards throughout and talented, pacy backs to see us home

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Nic White
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Juandre Kruger	11. JP Pietersen
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Dave Ewers	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Olly Woodburn
08. Fritz Lee	15. Maxime Medard

|
Subs: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Richie Mo'unga, 23 James Lowe

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch.
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to an away win against Newcastle. We have a solid scrum to build from and two big locks who are both good lineout options. The set piece will be important and we will look to use this as a weapon to attack from and gain territory. Our back row are all big carriers and we will use them all to gain hard yards and tire out Falcon defenders.

In the backs we will use Nonu as a crash ball option and a decoy runner to open up space for the likes of Mermoz, JP Pietersen and Lowe to exploit. Lozowski will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

[/b][/b]
[/b]

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rob Webber	10. Ihaia West (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Mamuka Gorgodze	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis (c)	12. Stuart Olding
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Bundee Aki
07. Steffon Armitage	14. James O'Connor
08. Jack Clifford	15. Mike Haley

[b]

16. Jack Singleton 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Steven Myler 23. Leolin Zas

[b]Attributes

Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

Breakdown (Turnover Possession) -  Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line. 

Game Plan[/b][/b]

• Look to play at pace at get our big carriers into the game in the shape of Aki, Kriel, Gorgodze, Clifford with Jantjies, Olding, JOC and Haley offering as first receivers and game managers throughout the game.
  

• Use our pack to get us on the front foot carrying the ball at pace and getting across the gain line with support to enable us to get a quick ruck and recycle possession quickly.
  

• We want to vary the point of attack, using our plethora of play-makers to switch our point of attack and challenge the organisation of the Leicester defence.
  

• Use the boots of Pienaar, Jantjies, Haley and JOC to play in the right areas of the pitch and put Leicester under pressure and force the to take risks to gain field position.
  

Bath

1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Mikey Haywood
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Will Skelton
5. Graham Kitchener
6. Siya Kolisi
7. Liam Gill
8. Toby Falateu
9. Richard Wigglesworth
10. Jack Debrenczeni
11. Juan Imhoff
12. Sam Hill
13. George Moala
14. Christian Wade
15. Alex Goode

16. Leni Asipai 17. Peter Dooley 18. Scott Wilson 19. Charlie Ewels 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Harold Vorster 23. Cheslin Kolbe

Weather updated  

Would avoid Salford though on Saturday... 

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. David Slipper	09. Joe Simpson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Manuel Montero
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Harry Mallinder
06. Luke Wallace	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Brendon O'Conner	14. Rieko Ioane
08. Schalk Burger	15. Ben Foden(c)

|
Replacements
16. Ashley Johnson 17. James Page 18. Conan O'Donnell 19. Michael Paterson 20. James Davies 21. Jamie Shilcock 22. Manu Tuilagi 23. Matt Banahan

Attributes:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.

Tactics
We've picked youngsters in the Anglo-Welsh Cup to rest key players so they are all fresh for this game - Burger, Simpson, Montero, AAC and O'Connor all come back after a week off. We will play this game at speed and a real high intensity from the outset and look to test the Worcester defence and make the most of the attacking conditions. We want to dominate the breakdown battle in terms of turnovers and give our backline plenty of opportunities to counter attack. We've picked a team with a lot of gain-line breakers

With the conditions we will keep the ball in play and go on the offensive and have a bench picked for its impact in 2nd half.

Set Piece
Lineout - Five good options in the lineout, where we will look to generate quick ball for our backline to attack from, with Fifita putting pressure on the home sides throws.
Scrum - Burger to launch attacks from the base of the scrum at the Williams/Allen channel.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Worcester defence to suck in players and create space outwide. Have picked Burger at no8 to give us a real physical approach to the game and get an advantage in that area to force mistakes.

Breakdown
See attributes.

Attack
- Aim to create space for our backline, so our play-making 10-12 combination can bring in AAC, Ioane and Montero into the game and really attack Worcester.
- Look to overpower the Worcester backs, with power runners and win the gain line battle there.
- Strong kicking game from the 9-10-12 combination, where we will have the option to play for territory and beat Worcester in this area.
- Impact bench to up the tempo in final 20/25 minutes, open up the game and look for tries - lot of power in Tuilagi and Banahan to test the Worcester defence,

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind. 9-10-12 all big boots to get us out of trouble.

Samoa haven't named their team yet so if Mulipola is named it will be James Page on the bench.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. James Mitchell
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Otere Black
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Tevita Li
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. Steven Luatua	13. Seta Taiminavula
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Keith Earls
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Tau Koloamatangi 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Kyle Eastmond

Attributes:
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.  

Attack: We will be playing a high intensity phased attacking game. 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 and restructure our attacking phases. Mitchell 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: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Mitchell will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Earls & Bendy to cover the background dropping deep to cut off the green grass available to kick into.

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 while Luatua marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Brad Weber
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Tom Taylor
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Geoff Parling	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. James Haskell	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Marcos Kremer 20. Sam Underhill 21. Lee Dickson 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Hosea Gear

Tactics:

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

TARGET SALE HALFBACKS - Good pack from Sale but do they have the halfbacks to secure victory for them? We think no. We'll be targetting them all game, especially Black. Look for Haskell and Thompson to get right in his face and rough him up from the off.  

TARGET SALE BACK 3 - We've got some big units in the backline. Look to the Sale back 3 one on one and kicking in behind with strong chases.

USE THE ROLLING MAUL - Big pack put out by us today. Look to use this to our advantage and get the rolling maul on.

INTELLIGENT KICKING, PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Look to minimise the offloads and use big carries and intelligent kicking. Excellent kicking halfbacks and Delon to come in as back up to use his huge boot to good effect. Devoto to cover 10 from the bench.


General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in with our physical pack/carrying options and then get at their outisde backs, 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.

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.

Godwin starts for Aus, so I swap in Francis

Morahan in Australia team so starting Miller in his place

Posted on the wrong page - sorry!

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Sebastian Tillous Borde
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Ruan Botha	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Brad Barritt (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Henry Slade
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Anthony Watson
08. Jerome Kaino	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

_
16. Tatafu Polota Nau, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Thomas Du Toit, 19. Andrew Kitchener, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Mitchell Drummound, 22. Luther Burrell, 23. Marland Yarde

---

Tactics
Attack:
- Good athleticism in the pack. Looking for them to be mobile and get around the park, ensuring good numbers at every breakdown to give clean ball
- Mix up forward runners off 9 and 10 to give go forward and tie in defence. When space opens up, go wide and utilise pace of back three.
Defence:
- Ensure guards and body guards at every breakdown, no gaps in midfield.
- Good line speed to put pressure on their handling and ability to go round our blitz defence

Gelant for Sam DAVIES

Pull you have a few ineligible players

will update at midday, so get teams and tactics in if needed. Please comment if you change anything,.

Tactics added and POM comes in for Sean McMahon who starts for Australia

Nick - Harrison starting for England

Few changes needed in Bath team too - Goode and Ewels both included there.

Sorry at a wedding today so struggling to update the team. Kreil in for slade. Who else is ineligible?

Blake Gibson for Sean o brien on the bench

Habana mate

Ah yeah, yarde for habana, josh charnley on the bench.

Will stick tactics in later.

Will be free at 4pm your time hope that's ok

Sorry guys, I have had a mental weekend since Friday. Will update immediately and re-organise!

Predictions open and to me please - will keep it open until midday Tuesday. 

Sorry for the delay again, need to catch up and watch the rugby from the weekend now!

Just starting to collate the results, if you haven't got yours in it, you have 20 minutes!

No way!

Bath Rugby 21 - 25 Bristol Rugby
Bristol set up well beat a Bath side without tactics.

Bath Rugby 23 - 25 Bristol Rugby
Lack of tactics hinders Bath, but Bristol are getting some players in good form, half back combination works brilliantly and some great power options out on the wing. 

Bath Rugby 26 - 25 Bristol Rugby

Bath Rugby 19 - 22 Bristol Rugby
A Bath side with no tactics is always going to struggle against a team as well set up as Bristol. On paper, its a pretty tight call as both sides have quality throughout the packs. Bath stronger in the backs on paper, but Bristol have the tactical set up and quality to take advantage for a good away win

Bath Rugby 20 - 24 Bristol Rugby
Good match ups and pretty close throughout. I slightly prefer the Bath lineup but Bristol are set out well and CJ has them playing to their strengths with good tactics which are key in this one. 

Bath Rugby 22 - 28 Bristol Rugby
Pretty even up front and same in back row with some form from either side. Prefer the half backs for Bristol and the same out wide with a good pairing in the centre causing Bath problems. A lot for me rests on tactics and Bath have none.

Bath Rugby 15 - 19 Bristol Rugby
See the Bath side getting parity in the forwards but Bristol making better use of their ball with the firepower of their backline. Spencer and Gopperth put them in the right areas and have a good game plan to break down Bath. It's close but Bristol have enough on the bench to see it out for the win.

Bath Rugby 24 - 27 Bristol Rugby
This is a decent Bath side to have considering we are in the midst of the Autumn internationals. Bristol, on the other hand, are a little more organised having played together regularly. A close game, but the away side will just have a bit more control from their 9-10-12 axis who have been playing food rugby as of late.

Worcester Warriors 22 - 22 Northampton Saints
Probably bit more quality in the Saints back line with Worcester squad depth not quite matching that of Saints here. Worcester should have a small scrum advantage through out the game which will help them with the set piece and breakdown pretty even. Can't separate the sides enough to call one way. 

Worcester Warriors 24  - 26 Northampton Saints
Worcester backrow look more balanced but Saints carry ok and excel at the breakdown which they win. A lot of graft from Worcester pack, more ball playing ability for Saints, kind of the opposite of their usual set ups. Think both backlines are good but Saints have some sparkle with an excellent centre combo and attacking HBs and are just too strong. 


Worcester Warriors 23 - 24 Northampton Saints

Worcester Warriors 24 - 23 Northampton Saints
This is a really tough call. Wuss look to have the advantage in the front row, Saints with the better locks with Williams more a 6 for me. Back rows pretty even with both sides with a similar balance. Saints edge the halfbacks, and I think they have a bit more threat in the backs. Both sides tactical set up works perfectly for their lineups. Really difficult to pick a winner, in the end home advantage swings it

Worcester Warriors 27 - 22 Northampton Saints
Stronger platform for Worcester from a strong front 5 unit, can see Saints really having a tough time in the scrum. Both backrows not at their strongest but again, Worcester a step up and more balanced, Saints miss physicality on the flanks. Backs just going to the home side on the whole and a good win for Prop against a weakened Saints unit.

Worcester Warriors 13 - 23 Northampton Saints
Just a bit more class around the park from the visitors and I think their bench can really hurt Worcester in the latter stages.

Worcester Warriors 23 - 26 Northampton Saints
Warriors possess a tonne of strong carriers that will also smash the breakdown, whereas Saints will look to use their dynamism around the park to out manoeuvre the bigger pack. This will allow Warriors to gain good field position and make the most of their set piece. Saints will bring their back line into the game and it will worry the Warriors defence. This will be a close and enthralling game until the last 30/20 minutes or so, when Saints can use a strong bench to just see them home, against this spirited Worcester side.

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 24 Exeter Chiefs 
A really tight contest with two sides who are able to out out top quality sides. The pack contest is really close with two physical packs with a solid set piece. Newcastle's back line is really impressive and has that little more than Exeter who themselves have very few weaknesses from 9-15. Exeter have the stronger bench which keeps them in the contest late on but I think Newcastle have more to offer.


Newcastle Falcons 24 - 20 Exeter Chiefs
Falcons look a very strong side, their hooker during AIs can be got at, especially with a quality player like Youngs. Losing a forward from the bench has an impact, but just prefer balance of the home sides backline. 

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 22 Exeter Chiefs
I really like Newcastle's tactical approach, well thought out. Great set piece battle and a lot of similarities in a way in the front 5s. Just prefer Falcons' backrow right now. Falcons also have more variability in the backs and hold out for a home win vs an improving Exeter

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 26 Exeter Chiefs
A real physical contest in the front 5, (although I think Horwill was playing for Aus? - played for Quins IRL). I like both backrow units and their extremely impressive for this time of year. Exeter have the slightly better backs and on show. If Horwill not playing, Exeter a few men down which would cost them contesting for me. 

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 21 Exeter Chiefs
Front row is fairly even with a slight edge to Falcons In the back five with good balance in the back row. Half backs go to Falcons and a great backline with some outstanding form here. Being one down on the bench doesn't help Chiefs. Chiefs wanting to use their pack here but Falcons can match them here. Lime how Falcons are set up in defence although do mention Farrell.

Newcastle Falcons 18 - 16 Exeter Chiefs
Close game but I think Newcastle have just enough to ease it out at home. Destructive pack limits the quality of ball for Exeter's back line and Newcastle's defence holds well.

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 24 Exeter Chiefs
A decent game across the park here, with both sides showing they have good depth across the board. Chiefs will make more of impact with a big carrying front five, yet the Falcons back five will out work them. Falcons probably right to target wings with kicking, as their back line is adept with ball in hand and putting pressure on their opposite numbers. Tough to split this, and don't think I can.

Gloucester Rugby 28 - 26 Wasps
At home, Gloucester are tough to beat and they are able to put out a stronger side than Wasps throughout the Autumn internationals. They have form and quality in key position at 9, 10 and 12 which allows them to manage and control the game. Wasps lack a bit of quality and half back though they have bags of experience. They have a quality back row which keeps them in the game and keeps it close.

Gloucester Rugby 19 - 20 Wasps
Wasps have been hit far less with AI calls ups than Gloucester and stronger players in key areas, no2, no8 especially. But 9, 10, 12 combination of Gloucester is very strong. Hard to call but Wasps lack of call ups helps them with an away win.

Gloucester Rugby 26  - 27 Wasps
Key scrum duel is Argentine- Ayerza vs Figallo and right now I think Figallo edges it. Both lineouts aided by their 6, but Wasps have the better thrower. Right now easier to rate te solid Wasps backrow. Evans fading a bit and Gloucester halfbacks so hard to better. Think I prefer Gloucester centres and like their back 3 but love Wasp's balanced back 3. With tactics, Wasps steal this 

Gloucester Rugby 25 - 25 Wasps

Gloucester Rugby 25 - 23 Wasps
Both sides missing tactics, on paper the Glos front 5 is stronger, and really sets them up with a platform. Wasps have a stronger set of outside backs on the field, but Glos stronger at halfback and have the control with Toomua in the side to help out, think they have enough to hold off Wasps

Gloucester Rugby 20 - 25 Wasps
Good front row match ups but Evans not playing for so long gives Wasps the edge. Gloucester lucky to get Etzebeth back and a handy engine room for the AI, although Wasps a big step up in the backrow in each position. Close 9-13 contest but Wasps back 3 again is just a real step up in quality. Gloucester missing some big players and lack of any game plan hinders them. 

Gloucester Rugby 22 - 24 Wasps
Solid pack battle here and I can see both teams nullifying each other. Half backs go to Glos. Not a lot really outside this with Glos looking strong in attack but Wasps very solid in defence. No tactics from Glos costs them.

Gloucester Rugby 25 - 24 Wasps
A good contest up front with both sides very strong in the forwards. The difference maker for me is the Gloucester midfield, whilst the Wasps back three is dangerous the Cherry and White midfield will keep them in the game. This will then bear fruit late on with a penalty to pinch the result.

Sale Sharks 23 - 25 Saracens
Sale have been ravaged by call ups which gives Saracens the opportunity to take a enormous scalp. Saracens have a strong side out which is able to control the game away from home and exert pressure on Sale all game. It is half back where I think Sale struggle the most with a real lack of experience which I think will succumb to the pressure exerted by Haskell and Denton in particular. Great away win for Sarries.

Sale Sharks 21 - 18 Saracens
Quite a few players you'd expect to be in the AIs haven't been selected for the home side and makes a huge difference. Can see them dominating the set-piece and will give them a lot more control for the backline. James Mitchell not close to this level and Sarries will be able to bully him and that keeps scoreline closer. 

Sale Sharks 25 - 20 Saracens
Huge battle here. Sale have the class even missing players to win the set pieces, helped a lot by Itoje being available. Saracens compete well in the breakdown and backrow and this is close. Saracens HBs more solid. Very equal centre and maybe Sale edge back 3. At home, with solid tactics and better set piece, Sale win

Sale Sharks 25 - 25 Saracens

Sale Sharks 22 - 22 Saracens
Both sides have good packs for the AI period, and will battle well in these awful conditions. Sale's halfbacks are definitely a weakness for me, Sarries not much better but have a bit more experience. I'm not convinced that Sale can overcome that weakness at halfback, especially with the lack of help outside Black. Its more or less Sale's power up against a Sarries side with plenty of power, but a bit more guile in the backs. Really tough to pick against Sale at home though, i'll sit on the fence


Sale Sharks 24 - 25 Sarries
In the front row Sarries have the edge, slightly prefer Sale in the 2nd row and looking at the back row it is pretty even. Half backs to Sarries today. Bit more in centres for Sarries with Sale dangerous out wide. 
Sale looking for tempo but Sarries targeting the half backs well and they will get a hell of a result here.

Sale Sharks 22 - 26 Saracens
Again, pretty even up front here but I feel Sarries would be more clinical with the opportunities they had. 


Sale Sharks 25 - 26 Saracens
Considering the players that both of these sides have lost, these are still two very strong sides. Sale up front have a good mix of dynamism, however the conditions suit the more set piece dominated Sarries. The experience Saracens have at their disposal at the halfbacks is a differing factor here, with Sale a little in experienced here and in the back three. A narrow away victory for the visitors.

Leicester Tigers 26 - 24 Harlequins
Really good game, probably tie of the round. Home side just about has an edge with a really powerful pack, not entirely convinced with West as no10 but Burns has come into some great form and gives the home side the advantage. 

Leicester Tigers 24  - 24 Harlqeuins
Tough to call scrum. Quins take lineout and breakdown though Tigers backrow and locks do carry a lot of threat around the fringes. Think Tigers have big edge with complementary and class HBs who have more experience than West. Both back 3s full of class and love Quins centres as a pair. Tigers Manage to draw with home advantage  

Leicester Tigers 22 - 22 Harlequins

Leicester Tigers 20 - 23 Harlequins
Quins have been less hampered by the internationals than some of the sides, and they have a very strong looking pack to put out here. Think they can get on top of the Tigers pack, and build from there. With a very strong looking backline, I think they can get a crucial away win against a battling Leicester team

Leicester Tigers 26 - 21 Harlequins
Close front 5 contest with Tigers taking the scrum but Quins coming back with a good engine room. Tigers on top in the backrow with some poor form for Armitage and Clifford against the consistency of the Tigers trio. Tigers stronger t 9 but little in the 10's, good backs battle which will keep it tight till Tigers roll out a good bench.


Leicester Tigers 24 - 24 Harlequins
Front row not a lot. 2nd rows well balanced with lineout and abrasiveness. Back row to Tigers. Half backs one a piece. Feel Quins take the centre battle and not a lot between them out wide. Good tactics from both teams going to have to sit on the fence here. 

Leicester Tigers 29 - 23 Harlequins
Strong pack from Leicester outmuscle Quins at home. Burns to pin Quins back and make it difficult to attack from deep.

That 13-23 ruined me!!