European Champions Cup - Quarter Finals

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Quarter Final 1: Northampton Saints vs Leinster Rugby
Franklin Gardens
Light Rain Showers - 12 degrees, 11mph South Westerly Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Connor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury (c)	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Elliott Daly
07. David Pocock	14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

.
Replacements
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Faconda Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. Lima Sopoaga 23. Rieko Ioane

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
Make the most of home advantage against a strong Leinster team. We've picked a forward pack of big ball carriers to win the collisions and the gain line battle. Hartley has been recalled to the starting lineup to ensure that all the basics at set pieces run smoothly with accurate lineout and strong scrummage. We've picked a backline that has a series of strong kickers so that we can control the territory battle, whilst we've picked a bench full of impact so we can finish the game the stronger of the two sides.

Set Piece and Pack Battle
Look to keep the basics right, winning our own throws and placing pressure on the Leinster scrum. Lineout we've recalled our two strongest 2nd rows, to help improve our lineout and scrummaging, with Jonny Gray looking to place pressure on the away sides throw. Will look to beat Leinster in the second and back row to provide a platform for our backline to attack.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Leinster defence to suck in players and create space out wide, getting both Vunipolas carrying with support from Gray, Launchbury and Burger. Picked a physical replacements bench to up the carrying and push the physicality late in the game.

Breakdown
Per tactics above. Look to dominate the back row battle.

Attack
- Look for our pack to build a platform for Ford to control the attack with his passing game and mix up his kicking, where we will look to test Rory O'Loughlin
- Get our power runners on the ball as often as possible to tire down the Leinster defence
- Bring on the impact bench during final 20-30 minute to up the tempo as feel have a stronger bench

Defence
Blitz defence, with Murray sweeping behind. Look for our back row to target Sexton

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Leinster Rugby

01. Cian Healy	09. Luke McGrath
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Tadhg Furlong
04. Ross Molony	11. Rory O'Loughlin
05. Devin Toner	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jack Conan	13. Gary Ringrose
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14. Adam Byrne
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Isa Nacewa

:-
Sub: 16. James Tracy, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Michael Bent, 19. Mike McCarthy, 20. Dan Leavy, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Rob Kearney

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Quarter Final 2: Newcastle Falcons vs Saracens
Kingston Park
Light Rain Showers - 13 degrees, 9mph South Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Matt Symons	12. Scott Williams
06. Pablo Matera	13. Sam James
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Lood De Jager 20. Elliott Dixon 21. Will Chudley 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Michele Campagnaro

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

Get after the halfbacks from the off, rattle them with borderline hits and look to put them off their game - Serin is new to the team, get after him early and put pressure on

Kicks to North and Veianu - neither can kick, cut off the easy pass to Hogg/Sanchez and make them be tte ones to try and clear the lines

Home advantage - we rarely lose at home and our 6N players have come back in top form

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,  

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

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Baptise Serin
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Ollie Devoto
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Simon McIntyre 18. Ben Franks 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Sam Underhill 21. Morgan Parra 22. Robbie Fruen 23. Pat Lambie

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 LINEOUT - With no real leader for Falcons, look to target early on.

TARGET SOLOMANA WITH CROSS-FIELD KICKS

NUMEROUS KICKING OPTIONS IN BACKLINE FOR CONDITIONS Devoto brought in to add another kickign option in the centres and allow us be set up more left/right in the backs. Play the conditions with the boots of Serin/Sanchez/Hogg/Devoto.

TARGHET SOLOMANA DEFENCE -Test out his positioning and in air early on.

ATTACK SCRUM - Target Mullen in scrum

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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Quarter Final 3: Sale Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Rain Showers - 12 degrees, 11mph Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Reece Hodge
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Lopeti Timani 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Willie Le Roux

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. 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: Straight line blitz defence 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. Foley & 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 POM marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

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ASM Clermont Auvergne

01. Raphael Chaume	09. Morgan Parra
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Camille Lopez
03. Aaran Jarvis
04. Arthur Iturria	11. Nick Abendanon
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Peceli Yato	13. Remi Lamerat
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Noa Nakaitaci
08. Fritz Lee	15. Scott Spedding

:-
Sub: 16. John Ulugia, 17. Vincent Debaty, 18. Davit Zirakashvili, 19. Paul Jedrasiak, 20. Damien Chouly, 21. Ludovic Radosavljevic, 22. Aurelien Rougerie, 23. Alivereti Raka

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Quarter Final 4: Harlequins vs Munster Rugby
Twickenham Stoop
Light Rain Showers - 14 degrees, 13mph South Westerly Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy (c)	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. Luke Romano	12. Bundee Aki
06. Jean Luc Du Preez	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoan Huget
08. Jack Clifford	15. Mike Haley

.
16. Rob Webber 17. Ethan Waller 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Damien Chouly 21. Luke McGrath 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Keelan Giles

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Munster Rugby

01. James Cronin	09. Connor Murray
02. Niall Scanell	10. Tyler Bleyendaal
03. John Ryan
04. Jean Kleyn	11. Ronan O'Mahony
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Rory Scanell
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Jaco Taute
07. Tommy O'Donnell	14. Andrew Conway
08. CJ Stander	15. Simon Zebo

:-
Sub: 16. Rhys Marshall, 17. David Kilcoyne, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Billy Holland, 20. Jack O'Donoghue, 21. Duncan Williams, 22. Ian Keatley, 23. Francis Saili

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Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

Will do proper format later on.

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Connor Murray
10. George Ford
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

Replacements
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Faconda Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. Lima Sopoaga 23. Rieko Ioane

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
Make the most of home advantage against a strong Leinster team. We've picked a forward pack of big ball carriers to win the collisions and the gain line battle. Hartley has been recalled to the starting lineup to ensure that all the basics at set pieces run smoothly with accurate lineout and strong scrummage. We've picked a backline that has a series of strong kickers so that we can control the territory battle, whilst we've picked a bench full of impact so we can finish the game the stronger of the two sides.

Set Piece and Pack Battle
Look to keep the basics right, winning our own throws and placing pressure on the Leinster scrum. Lineout we've recalled our two strongest 2nd rows, to help improve our lineout and scrummaging, with Jonny Gray looking to place pressure on the away sides throw. Will look to beat Leinster in the second and back row to provide a platform for our backline to attack.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Leinster defence to suck in players and create space out wide, getting both Vunipolas carrying with support from Gray, Launchbury and Burger. Picked a physical replacements bench to up the carrying and push the physicality late in the game.

Breakdown
Per tactics above. Look to dominate the back row battle.

Attack
- Look for our pack to build a platform for Ford to control the attack with his passing game and mix up his kicking, where we will look to test Rory O'Loughlin
- Get our power runners on the ball as often as possible to tire down the Leinster defence
- Bring on the impact bench during final 20-30 minute to up the tempo as feel have a stronger bench

Defence
Blitz defence, with Murray sweeping behind. Look for our back row to target Sexton

Quins

1. Cian Healy
2. Agustin Creevy (c)
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Ultan Dillane
5. Luke Romano
6. Jean Luc Du Preez
7. Steffon Armitage
8. Jack Clifford
9. Ben Youngs
10. Juan Martin Hernandez
11. Jack Nowell
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Yoann Huget
15. Mike Haley

16. Rob Webber 17. Ethan Waller 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Damien Chouly 21. Luke McGrath 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Keelan Giles

Some good games this weekend

Teams and conditions updated on both threads

C'mon Bam!

Sorry for the late team, been off work sick the last 2 days, will be in shortly

 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Matt Symons	12. Scott Williams
06. Pablo Matera	13. Sam James
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Lood De Jager 20. Elliott Dixon 21. Will Chudley 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Michele Campagnaro

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

Get after the halfbacks from the off, rattle them with borderline hits and look to put them off their game - Serin is new to the team, get after him early and put pressure on

Kicks to North and Veianu - neither can kick, cut off the easy pass to Hogg/Sanchez and make them be tte ones to try and clear the lines

Home advantage - we rarely lose at home and our 6N players have come back in top form

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,

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

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Baptise Serin
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Ollie Devoto
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Simon McIntyre 18. Ben Franks 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Sam Underhill 21. Morgan Parra 22. Robbie Fruen 23. Pat Lambie

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 LINEOUT - With no real leader for Falcons, look to target early on.

TARGET SOLOMANA WITH CROSS-FIELD KICKS

NUMEROUS KICKING OPTIONS IN BACKLINE FOR CONDITIONS Devoto brought in to add another kickign option in the centres and allow us be set up more left/right in the backs. Play the conditions with the boots of Serin/Sanchez/Hogg/Devoto.

TARGHET SOLOMANA DEFENCE -Test out his positioning and in air early on.

ATTACK SCRUM - Target Mullen in scrum

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.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Reece Hodge
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Lopeti Timani 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Willie Le Roux

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. 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: Straight line blitz defence 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. Foley & 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 POM marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

Predictions Open - to me by midday Monday morning please

Ohhhhhhhh.....close one Bam, well done. Tough to win away in the Euro's.

Northampton Saints 24 - 21 Leinster Rugby
Leinster are a really strong side, but think Saints are better man for man in the back 5 of the pack, and will take hold of the game here. Once the ball gets to the backs, Saints advantage at 9 and the back 3 will finish off the chances for a good win

Northampton Saints 28 - 24 Leinster Rugby
Leinster, as seen yesterday, are a quality side, with quality throughout and backline that can destroy sides if it gets good ball. Their quality in the front row will give a big contest for teh Saints scrum whoch will be a joy to watch. However, the Saints have an even better second and backrow, too much power and the class outwide to utilise the space they make

Northampton Saints 25 - 23 Leinster Rugby
Great pack battle on show here today and can see that Saints could get a small edge in the 2nd row with their 6 nations players back in. Back row will be a colossus battle with teams getting parity here. Not much between the half backs here and centre battle pretty even. Out wide Saints are slightly stronger and the impact off the bench with solid tactics wins the game.

Northampton Saints 26 - 25 Leinster Rugby

Northampton Saints 25 - 24 Leinster Rugby
Leinster are a class outfit and will make this a real game for the Saints on their patch. The biggest factors for the Saints to take advantage however are in the back row and in back three. Tight in the end, but Northampton will edge out the Irish boys.

Newcastle Falcons 23 - 22 Saracens
AP classic here. Very tight battle in the pack, Saracens edge the lineout, the other 2 areas are too close to call. Fantastic halfbacks each side. 13s a weakness. Very very evenly matched across teh parks, Sarries have a bit tactically, but Newcastle scrape past at home

Newcastle Falcons 20 - 21 Saracens
Great front row battle and not a lot between the two here. Same with the 2nd row and the back row even with two great set ups for the conditions. Looking towards the half backs both teams have good form and pairings. A small, small edge for Sarries with their centres. Out wide again, nothing between them. If I could give this game a draw I would but need to be picky to give a win to someone here. Both teams going for similar tactics with their kicking options too! The only edge I can give one of the teams is off the bench with Sarries having a tiny bit more impact. Sorry Bam!

Newcastle Falcons 28 - 27 Saracens


Newcastle Falcons 27 - 26 Saracens
Classic ding dong affair here and has the makings of a test match quality game. Falcons just shade the pack, however the Sarries second row are an area they can really challenge Newcastle. Out wide again some real classy options, the Falcons back three are just an immense prospect to deal with. For me, kicking to Veainu and North is dangerous, as both are solid options in taking the ball back at pace. Likewise Solomona, despite being new to the game is used to dealing with cross field kicks from league and is a physical presence in defence. Just the metronomic boot of Faz will edge out the game of the round.

Sale Sharks 30 - 24 ASM Clermont Auvergne
Sale just have too much quality for me. A scrum "anchored" by Aaron Jarvis is going backwards all day long, and without any kind of parity upfront Clermont's talented backs just have too much to do

Sale Sharks 29 - 24 ASM Clermont Auvergne
ASM are strong and certainly looking good this season but Sale are a different beast and will come away with a decent win.

Sale Sharks 23 - 20 Clermont Auvergne
Sale will rule both set pieces, with POM one of the best back row jumpers in the game. Taylor the only weakness in a great home pack and that will give the backline a great chance to attack and give both wings scoring chances. Clermont have some great strike runners who will cause the Sale defence issues. 

Sale Sharks 25 - 24 ASM Clermont Auvergne
Pack battle huge and wonderful here, but Sale ahead in every aspect. ASM may just edge the halfbacks. Sale can't select Abendanon, so Le Roux starts and one down on teh bench - gives ASM the edge in two excellent sets of backs, but the pack is a more important edge

Sale Sharks 24 - 23 ASM Clermont Auvergne
Solid Sale front 5 should even up the scrum battle here. Back-row Sale looking good but Clermont performed well yesterday, especially Lee. Half backs I can see Clermont slightly edging this but not sure if they'll get enough clean ball. Solid battle out wide, think that Sale are a man down though with Abendanon being in both teams? That does affect Sale here but I am aware that this can't finish as a draw as well. With Le Roux coming off the bench that shouldn't affect Sale too badly but does bring the game closer than it should be. Sale are the form side here and take the win but only just.

Sale Sharks 25-24 ASM Clermont Auvergne

Sale Sharks 30 - 29 ASM Clermont Auvergne
The men from Clermont have probably been the best side in the Cup to challenge anyone, however this Sale side are the next option, and this is a cup final worthy fixture. Le Roux would start in the place of Bendy, which will leave Sharks in a slight deficit from the start. Up front, the Sharks front five will take the game to the men from the Auvegrne and that will really hamper the way les jenaurds will want to play. It also allows POM, Cane and Vermeulen to dictate the game at the breakdown. ASM are always going to be a threat ball in hand and this is where they perhaps make some good ground, in around the fringes of the wide defence of Roko and Nadolo. Close, but Sharks will just and only just keep Clermont at bay.

Harlequins 27 - 23 Munster Rugby
Munster have a ferocious pack, but Quins can match them and have more outright quality throughout the side. With home advantage, they take this

Harlequins 25 - 22 Munster Rugby
Quins scrum may creak a little but past that it's a solid side from the home side and they'll come on strong in the last quarter. 

Harlequins 20 - 19 Munster Rugby
Tough game to call, prefer the Munster back row and halfbacks but Quins backline is a step above at the moment, with some good form. Hernandez has started playing well for jaguars and that will be a big boost come this end of the season.

Harlequins 28 - 20 Munster Rugby
AT Munster this might go another way, but hard to see Quins lose many at home. They are class from 1-15 and maybe the best first choice XV in teh league, Hernandez at 10 the only query.

Harlequins 23 - 22 Munster Rugby
Munster are in great form at the moment but Quins should be able to hold them up front. Back row will be tougher for them with Munster bringing better form to the table. Not a lot in the half backs here. Centres, Quins could get a small advantage but not loads here and the same out wide. Munster will cause Quins issues and it's only the bench that saves the home team here.

Harlequins 26 - 25 Munster Rugby

Harlequins 24 - 25 Munster Rugby
The conditions are exactly what Munster would have been praying for and I can see the Munster pack buzzing around and being the archetypal nuisance of themselves and this will unsettle a youngish quins pack. Quins will have a touch more wider dynamic carrying but both are equal in the tighter stuff. In the backs the control of Murray and Bleyendaal will be perfect for the men in red, and provide the consistent nudging around the park their forwards desire. Quins are much more of a threat ball in hand, but it won;t be enough to deny a valiant Munster victory.