Round One - Autumn Internationals

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Sale Sharks vs Newcastle Falcons
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud - 8 degrees, 12mph North Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf Du Klerk (k)
02. Rob Webber	10. AJ MacGinty
03. Halani Aulika
04. Bryn Evans	11. Will Addison (c)
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. James O'Connor
06. Jono Ross	13. Sam James
07. Tom Curry	14. Denny Solomona
08. Josh Strauss	15. Mike Haley

.
16. Marc Jones 17. Will Griff John 18. Alex Tarus 19. Josh Beaumont 20. TJ Ioane 21. Ben Curry 22. Will Cliff 23. Johnny Leota

Tactics

• Faf Du Klerk to control the game from 10. Look to use hard forward runners off 9 with the backs offering options out the back.
  

• We have lots of ball players and decision makers in our backs so we can get the ball through the hands and unleash our dangerous runners outwide.
  
• We will earn the right to go wide and unleash Addison and Solamona into gaps where they can finish off the chances we give them.
  

• Look to use Du Toit and Evans to control the line out battle and get our strong rolling maul game going.
  

• Kick all points to keep the scoreboard pressure on Falcons
  

• We have picked an impact bench with the likes of Aulika, Ioane and Leota to come on and add physicality and tempo in the closing stages.
  

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Ozzy

01. Sam Lockwood	09. Sonatane Takulua
02. Santiago Socino	10. Toby Flood
03. Owen Franks
04. Callum Green	11. Sinoti Sinoti
05. Sean Robinson	12. Juan Pablo Socino
06. Steven Luatua	13. Maxine Mermoz
07. Nili Latu (c)	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Opeti Fonua	15. Alex Tait

:-
16. Kyle Cooper 17. Rob Vickers 18. David Wilson 19. Will Witty 20. Mark Wilson 21. Sam Stuart 22. Craig Willis 23. DTH Van Der Merwe

TACTICS

- Blitz defence with good line speed with 9 and 15 sweeping.
- Big runners carrying close to the ruck but looking to keep the ball alive with offloads to runners on their shoulder.

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Bath Rugby vs Saracens
The Rec
Light Cloud - 9 degrees, 12mph Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – Driver

01. Nic Auterac	09. Chris Cook
02. Nathan Charles	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Dave Attwood	11. Aled Brew
05. Luke Charteris	12. Max Clark
06. James Phillips	13. Matt Banahan
07. Matt Garvey (c)	14. Jack Wilson
08. Zac Mercer	15. Tom Homer

.
16.Tom Dunn 17.Nathan Catt 18.Anthony Perenise 19.Elliot Stooke 20.Josh Bayliss 21.Will Homer 22.Rory Jennings 23.Darren Atkins

• Bath have picked a big physical pack to take on Saracens and disrupt the Saracens game.
• Plenty of carriers and work rate in pack, Garvey picked at 7 to give us a physical edge. (South African left & right style)
• Cook to look for the short runners following his snipe the generate quick ball to slow Saracens line speed down and isolate runners.
• Freddie Burn’s to chip the ball over the top and in behind Earle specifically to test his positioning out.
• Using a blitz defence when short on numbers to put pressure on Lozowski/Barritt.
• Pick and Game will be effective for us today and Burns will look to put us in the corners but moving the ball when its on.
• Burns/Homer to punish Saracens indiscipline’s with shots at goal.
• Charteris/Phillips to go up on Saracens lineout and put pressure on

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Richard Barrington	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Schalk Brits	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Vincent Koch
04. Will Skelton	11. Chris Wyles
05. George Kruis	12. Brad Barritt
06. Michael Rhodes	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Schalk Burger	14. Nathan Earle
08. Billy Vuinipola	15. Sean Maitland

:-
16. Christopher Tolofua  17. Hayden Thomas-Stringer 18. Juan Figallo 19. Nick Isiekwe  20. Callum Clark 21. Ben Spencer 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Nick Tompkins
-
Tactics:

- Strong, physical pack to set a tone in the collisions. High intensity rugby, with big carries from numerous options.
- Target Set piece and go for the jugular if a weakness is seen. Kicking for corners and territory if able to exert pressure in this area.
- Strong impact from the bench to keep intensity up.
- Typical Sarries blitz defence, squeezing the life out opposition and forcing errors.
- Play the game in the right areas of the pitch. Low error rugby and go through the phases when required.
- Target the Bath 10/12 channel with big runners and look to dominate the backrow contest.

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Exeter Chiefs vs London Irish
Sandy Park
Light Cloud - 10 degrees, 10mph North Westerly Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Alec Hepburn	09. Nic White
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Gareth Steenson (k)
03. Greg Holmes
04. Mitch Lees	11. James Short
05. Ollie Atkins	12. Ollie Devoto
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Ian Whitten
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Olly Woodburn
08. Dave Ewers	15. Lachlan Turner

. 
16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Carl Rimmer, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Dave Dennis, 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Joe Simmonds, 23. Phil Dollman

Look to play the real life Chiefs style of play, with decent this weekend, a high-intensity game in both defence and attack. Dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore, keeping it narrow until we create quick enough possession to feed our back line.  

- Use the set piece as a weapon to launch attacks, especially the maul, with the likes of Ewers or Armand attached at the back. 
- Pick & goes - in twos and threes around the fringes, to starve Irish of possession and a great weapon of the Chiefs over the years. 
- Half-backs to dictate the game and play for territory. Steenson to also kick available points when on offer - to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 
- Devoto to act as the second playmaker and look to spread the ball wide to back three when the space is available to attack, or to take pressure off Steenson on clearances. 

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London Irish
Manager – Bambam

01. Ben Franks	09. Ben Meehan
02. Asafo Aumua	10. James Marshall
03. Petrus Du Plessis
04. Franco Van der Merwe	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Johnny Williams
06. Jake Schatz	13. Tom Fowlie
07. Blair Cowan	14. Alex Lewington
08. Ofisa Treviranus	15. Tommy Bell

:-
16. David Paice 17. Danny Hobbs-Ayowemi 18. Ollie Hoskins 19. Sebastian De Chaves 20. Max Northcote-Green 21. Scott Steele 22. Theo Brophy-Clews 23. Joe Cokanasiga

Tactics

• We're up against one of the strongest sides in the league, will look to make it difficult for them and play to our strengths.
  

• We've got very strong carriers in Retallick, Aumua, Treviranus and Williams - use this to punch holes in their defence from the first minute, especially tight to the ruck
  

• Once we've made some space and dragged their defenders in, Marshall and Bell to split the field and look to spin the ball wide to get Fowlie and the wings ball in space
  

• Target their lineout with Retallick and VDM - See if LCD gets the yips when pressure is put on their throw
  

• Defend with the blitz - we're not scared by their pace out wide so willing to take the chance their wings get outside us - just really look to get them on the back foot
  

• Strong pack replacements to continue the intensity late on
  

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Harlequins vs Gloucester Rugby
Twickenham Stoop
Sunny Intervals - 9 degrees, 11mph Westerly Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

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Gloucester Rugby
Manager - Prop_Lyd

01. Val Ruskin	09. Willi Heinz
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Billy Burns
03. John Afoa
04. Ed Slater	11. Henry Purdy
05. Jeremy Thrush	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Jon Davies
07. Ruan Ackerman	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jason Woodward

_
16. James Hanson 17. Josh Honeck 18. Gareth Denman 19. Tom Savage 20. Jacob Rowan 21. Ben Vellacott 22. Henry Trinder 23. Tom Marshall

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Tactics
No Quins team yet so can't do fully specific tactics.
*Look to grind them down in the front 5 with a hefty pack not afraid to do dirty work,
*Forwards to work in pods round the corner 2 phases then wide and hit gaps,
*JD2 and 12T to play what's in front of them and look to put runners through,
*Burns to look to get quick ball out, if it isn't on then tactical kicking to corners,
*Defence led by JD2 and with a back rower on Burns' shoulder to assist tackle and get over the ball,
*Look to slow them down with a well balanced back row,
*Use bench wisely with experience to come on and pace in the backs to target tired legs,
*Keep the scoreboard ticking over.

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Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers
Franklin Gardens
Light Cloud - 8 degrees, 15mph North Westerly Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager - StNick

01. Alex Waller	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. David Ribbans	11. Tom Collins
05. Michael Paterson	12. Luther Burrell
06. Teimana Harrison	13. Rob Horne
07. Tom Wood	14. George North
08. Facundo Isa	15. Alex Goode

.
16. Reece Marshall, 17. Paul Hill, 18. Campese Ma'afu, 19. Christian Day, 20. Jamie Gibson, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Piers Francis, 23. Ben Foden

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Leicester Tigers

01. Ellis Genge	09. Sam Harrison
02. Tom Youngs	10. Matt Toomua
03. Logovi'i Mulipola
04. Dominic Barrow (c)	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Manu Tuilagi
06. Mike Williams	13. Matthew Tait
07. Brendon O'Connor	14. Nick Malouf
08. Sione Kalamafoni	15. Telusa Veainu

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Subs: 16. Harry Thacker 17. Kyle Traynor 18. Pat Cilliers 19. Harry Wells 20. Valentino Mapapalangi 21. Jonno Kitto 22. Joe Ford 23. Jonah Holmes

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Worcester Warriors vs Wasps
Sixways Stadium
Light Cloud - 9 degrees, 11mph Westerly Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager: CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Jack Singleton	10. Jamie Shillcock
03. Nic Schonert
04. Will Spencer	11. Dean Hammond
05. Guido Petti	12. Ryan Mills
06. David Denton	13. Ben Te'o
07. Sam Lewis	14. Josh Adams
08. GJ Van Velze	15. Chris Pennell

_
16. Joe Taufete'e, 17. Ethan Waller, 18. Biyi Alo, 19. Donnacha O'Callaghan, 20. Alafoti Fa'Osilivia, 21. Jnnny Arr, 22. Jono Lance, 23. Wynard Olivier

- Look to use our pack to dominate and use our back three as defence or decoy runners
- Francois Hougaard to run the game as he sees fit
- Schonert and EBA mean we will look to wear the wasps front row down in scrums
- Petti to lead the lineou

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Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dan Robson
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. James Gaskell	11. Josh Bassett
05. Will Rowlands	12. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
06. James Haskell	13. Gabiriele Lovobalavu
07. Thomas Young	14. Christian Wade
08. Guy Thompson	15. Willie Le Roux

_
16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Paul Doran-Jones, 19. Marcus Garratt, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Rob Miller, 23. Juan De Jongh

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Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Loose forwards to offer extra pair of hands in the backline when required
- 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:
- Quick line speed, getting up to the 10 and putting pressure on.
- Only step out of the line for big hit opportunities.
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- Compete for the turnover if it's on, even if it's only to slow down the ball
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in defence
Territory:
- Use box kicks from 9 and nudges from 10 out of hand to pin them back.
- Play rugby in their half and make them attack from deep
- Full back to marshall the back 3 and make sure our positioning is spot on for kick returns

Ready for this Driver

01. Alex Waller	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. David Ribbans	11. Tom Collins
05. Michael Paterson	12. Luther Burrell
06. Teimana Harrison	13. Rob Horne
07. Tom Wood	14. George North
08. Facundo Isa	15. Alex Goode

.
16. Reece Marshall, 17. Paul Hill, 18. Campese Ma'afu, 19. Christian Day, 20. Jamie Gibson, 21. Nic Groom, 22. Piers Francis, 23. Ben Foden

Bath team to play Saracens;

01. Nic Auterac	09. Chris Cook
02. Nathan Charles	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Dave Attwood	11. Aled Brew
05. Luke Charteris	12. Max Clark
06. James Phillips	13. Matt Banahan
07. Matt Garvey (c)	14. Jack Wilson
08. Zac Mercer	15. Tom Homer

.
16.Tom Dunn 17.Nathan Catt 18.Anthony Perenise 19.Elliot Stooke 20.Josh Bayliss 21.Will Homer 22.Rory Jennings 23.Darren Atkins

• Bath have picked a big physical pack to take on Saracens and disrupt the Saracens game.
• Plenty of carriers and work rate in pack, Garvey picked at 7 to give us a physical edge. (South African left & right style)
• Cook to look for the short runners following his snipe the generate quick ball to slow Saracens line speed down and isolate runners.
• Freddie Burn’s to chip the ball over the top and in behind Earle specifically to test his positioning out.
• Using a blitz defence when short on numbers to put pressure on Lozowski/Barritt.
• Pick and Game will be effective for us today and Burns will look to put us in the corners but moving the ball when its on.
• Burns/Homer to punish Saracens indiscipline’s with shots at goal.
• Charteris/Phillips to go up on Saracens lineout and put pressure on

Director of Rugby at Exeter Chiefs has named his first squad ahead of the first fixture of the Aviva Premiership Season. With the Chiefs shorn of their England internationals and with Tomas Francis and Michele Campagnaro also set to represent Wales and Italy respectively. 
Despite this, Chiefs name a strong line up ahead of welcoming London Irish to Sandy Park. Captain Don Armand, leads the side, with proven talent all around him on the field - the Chiefs this weekend also welcome back Luke Cowan-Dickie and Dave Ewers after long-term knee injuries. 
Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Alec Hepburn	09. Nic White
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Gareth Steenson (k)
03. Greg Holmes
04. Mitch Lees	11. James Short
05. Ollie Atkins	12. Ollie Devoto
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Ian Whitten
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Olly Woodburn
08. Dave Ewers	15. Lachlan Turner

. 
16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Carl Rimmer, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Dave Dennis, 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Joe Simmonds, 23. Phil Dollman

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to beat them man for man and beat Bath playing our way and the Chiefs way at Sandy Park.


- Use the set piece as a weapon to launch attacks, especially the maul, with the likes of Ewers or Armand attached at the back. 
- Pick & goes - in twos and threes around the fringes, to starve Irish of possession and a great weapon of the Chiefs over the years. 
- Half-backs to dictate the game and play for territory. Steenson to also kick available points when on offer - to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 
- Devoto to act as the second playmaker and look to spread the ball wide to back three when the space is available to attack, or to take pressure off Steenson on clearances.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Richard Barrington	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Schalk Brits	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Vincent Koch
04. Will Skelton	11. Chris Wyles
05. George Kruis	12. Brad Barritt
06. Michael Rhodes	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Schalk Burger	14. Nathan Earle
08. Billy Vuinipola	15. Sean Maitland

:-
16. Christopher Tolofua  17. Hayden Thomas-Stringer 18. Juan Figallo 19. Nick Isiekwe  20. Callum Clark 21. Ben Spencer 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Nick Tompkins
-
Tactics:

- Strong, physical pack to set a tone in the collisions. High intensity rugby, with big carries from numerous options.
- Target Set piece and go for the jugular if a weakness is seen. Kicking for corners and territory if able to exert pressure in this area.
- Strong impact from the bench to keep intensity up.
- Typical Sarries blitz defence, squeezing the life out opposition and forcing errors.
- Play the game in the right areas of the pitch. Low error rugby and go through the phases when required.
- Target the Bath 10/12 channel with big runners and look to dominate the backrow contest.

---

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dan Robson
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. James Gaskell	11. Josh Bassett
05. Will Rowlands	12. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
06. James Haskell	13. Gabiriele Lovobalavu
07. Thomas Young	14. Christian Wade
08. Guy Thompson	15. Willie Le Roux

_
16. Ashley Johnson, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Paul Doran-Jones, 19. Marcus Garratt, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Rob Miller, 23. Juan De Jongh

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Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Loose forwards to offer extra pair of hands in the backline when required
- 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:
- Quick line speed, getting up to the 10 and putting pressure on.
- Only step out of the line for big hit opportunities.
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- Compete for the turnover if it's on, even if it's only to slow down the ball
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in defence
Territory:
- Use box kicks from 9 and nudges from 10 out of hand to pin them back.
- Play rugby in their half and make them attack from deep
- Full back to marshall the back 3 and make sure our positioning is spot on for kick returns

1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Jack Singleton
3. Nick Schonert
4. Will Spencer
5. Guido Petti
6. David Denton
7. Sam Lewis
8. GJ Van Velze
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Jamie Shylock
11. Dean Hammond
12. Ryan Mills
13. Ben Te'o
14. Josh Adams
15. Chris Pennell

16. Joe Taufete'e
17. Ethan Waller
18. Biyi Alo
19. Donnacha O'Callaghan
20. Alafoti Fa'Osilivia
21. Jonny Arr
22. Jono Lance
23. Wynard Olivier

- Look to use our pack to dominate and use our back three as defence or decoy runners
- Francois Hougaard to run the game as he sees fit
- Schonert and EBA mean we will look to wear the wasps front row down in scrums
- Petti to lead the lineout

Sale Sharks
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf Du Klerk (k)
02. Rob Webber	10. AJ MacGinty
03. Halani Aulika
04. Bryn Evans	11. Will Addison (c)
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. James O'Connor
06. Jono Ross	13. Sam James
07. Tom Curry	14. Denny Solomona
08. Josh Strauss	15. Mike Haley

16. Marc Jones 17. Will Griff John 18. Alex Tarus 19. Josh Beaumont 20. TJ Ioane 21. Ben Curry 22. Will Cliff 23. Johnny Leota

Tactics

• Faf Du Klerk to control the game from 10. Look to use hard forward runners off 9 with the backs offering options out the back.

• We have lots of ball players and decision makers in our backs so we can get the ball through the hands and unleash our dangerous runners outwide.

• We will earn the right to go wide and unleash Addison and Solamona into gaps where they can finish off the chances we give them.

• Look to use Du Toit and Evans to control the line out battle and get our strong rolling maul game going.

• Kick all points to keep the scoreboard pressure on Falcons

• We have picked an impact bench with the likes of Aulika, Ioane and Leota to come on and add physicality and tempo in the closing stages.

CJB you might wanna think about the AI's when naming your side.

Unless Hooper and Barrett are both injured

Haha, I literally just had a brainwave. Working 9-10 this week so am struggling with my brain!!

Did we make any calls on tactics?

How about 10 points rather than a big amount of text?

Gloucester Rugby
Manager - Prop_Lyd

01. Val Ruskin	09. Willi Heinz
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Billy Burns
03. John Afoa
04. Ed Slater	11. Henry Purdy
05. Jeremy Thrush	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Jon Davies
07. Ruan Ackerman	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jason Woodward

_
16. James Hanson 17. Josh Honeck 18. Gareth Denman 19. Tom Savage 20. Jacob Rowan 21. Ben Vellacott 22. Henry Trinder 23. Tom Marshall

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Tactics
No Quins team yet so can't do fully specific tactics.
*Look to grind them down in the front 5 with a hefty pack not afraid to do dirty work,
*Forwards to work in pods round the corner 2 phases then wide and hit gaps,
*JD2 and 12T to play what's in front of them and look to put runners through,
*Burns to look to get quick ball out, if it isn't on then tactical kicking to corners,
*Defence led by JD2 and with a back rower on Burns' shoulder to assist tackle and get over the ball,
*Look to slow them down with a well balanced back row,
*Use bench wisely with experience to come on and pace in the backs to target tired legs,
*Keep the scoreboard ticking over.

London Irish
Manager – Bambam

01. Ben Franks	09. Ben Meehan
02. Asafo Aumua	10. James Marshall
03. Petrus Du Plessis
04. Franco Van der Merwe	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Johnny Williams
06. Jake Schatz	13. Tom Fowlie
07. Blair Cowan	14. Alex Lewington
08. Ofisa Treviranus	15. Tommy Bell

:-
16. David Paice 17. Danny Hobbs-Ayowemi 18. Ollie Hoskins 19. Sebastian De Chaves 20. Max Northcote-Green 21. Scott Steele 22. Theo Brophy-Clews 23. Joe Cokanasiga

Tactics

• We're up against one of the strongest sides in the league, will look to make it difficult for them and play to our strengths.
  

• We've got very strong carriers in Retallick, Aumua, Treviranus and Williams - use this to punch holes in their defence from the first minute, especially tight to the ruck
  

• Once we've made some space and dragged their defenders in, Marshall and Bell to split the field and look to spin the ball wide to get Fowlie and the wings ball in space
  

• Target their lineout with Retallick and VDM - See if LCD gets the yips when pressure is put on their throw
  

• Defend with the blitz - we're not scared by their pace out wide so willing to take the chance their wings get outside us - just really look to get them on the back foot
  

• Strong pack replacements to continue the intensity late on
  

Will give it until midday for any stray and last minute tactics, as it is week one, I would like to start with as many sets in as possible.

Given Tigers don't have an active manager and no tactics, no point me doing any this week.

I have put a side in for them mate.

I know mate but there is no tactics so what I mean is I wont do tactics either

Oh okay, if you're sure mate? I can stick some points in.

Just on now, will have a team in in the next 30 minutes.

No worries mate

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Ozzy

01. Sam Lockwood	09. Sonatane Takulua
02. Santiago Socino	10. Toby Flood
03. Owen Franks
04. Callum Green	11. Sinoti Sinoti
05. Sean Robinson	12. Juan Pablo Socino
06. Steven Luatua	13. Maxine Mermoz
07. Nili Latu (c)	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Opeti Fonua	15. Alex Tait

:-
16. Kyle Cooper 17. Rob Vickers 18. David Wilson 19. Will Witty 20. Mark Wilson 21. Sam Stuart 22. Craig Willis 23. DTH Van Der Merwe

TACTICS


- Blitz defence with good line speed with 9 and 15 sweeping.
- Big runners carrying close to the ruck but looking to keep the ball alive with offloads to runners on their shoulder.

Have added tactics

Predictions Open - Get them to me by midday Monday, please. 

Unusually I don't have anything from CJ, but will update as soon as he can provide something.

Sorry guys, did not realise we were up and running this week with all managers! Team here and tactics if I'm allowed

Harlequins
Manager – CJ

01. Mark Lambert	09. Charlie Mulchrone
02. Dane Coles	10. Marcus Smith (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. James Horwill (c)	11. Tim Visser
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Matt Luamanu	13. Joe Marchant
07. Jack Clifford	14. Marlon Yarde
08. Renaldo Bothma	15. Mike Brown

:-
16. Cameron Holenstein 17. Dave Ward 18. Will Collier 19. Ben Glynn 20. James Chisholm 21. Callum Waters 22. Demetri Catrakalis  23. Francis Saili

TACTICS

I'm very late so simple tactics this week, no targeting as prop did not get to target me

Aim to use a counter-ruck and 2012 England unit group approach at the breakdown. Clifford will use his pace to be a proper fetcher out wide when needed, but we will focus on bring a group of hard hitters to the ruck to smash the opposition off the ball.

In attack, we have a lot of hard carriers and look to see them smash it up off less quick ball.
With better ball, we look to mix up between attacking the gainline, recycling off Roberts and getting the ball to our danger outwide (supported by the pacy Clifford and Coles and powerful Sinckler and Luamanu and Bothma etc as inside options), and using the creative kicking of Smith to punish an overly ambitious blitz with kick-passing 

If we are struggling, Catrakalis allows for a conservative game off the bench

Should have class set piece with the world class lineout and Sinck growing in the scrum. Look to use these as mix-it up options for a set play

Defence = blitz, 9 sweeping with tight watching of the fringes

Mark

Sorry for no predos, started a new job today so been manic

Sorry for no predictions Fluxy. It's my first day off this week today.

Sorry, forgot to post feedback from last week!

Sale Sharks 27 - 19 Newcastle Falcons
Sale have a strong side over the AI period with a very attacking backline and a pack beefed up with Du Toit. Falcons have added a strong tighthead, but need a little more work before they can go on the road and win against a decent Sale side. Sale's backs to do the damage here

Sale Sharks 27 - 26 Newcastle Falcons

Sale Sharks 21 - 24 Newcastle Falcons
Interesting match-ups in a pretty even game. I like both signings, Franks really helps Falcons scrum and think they'll just get an edge in the front 5. Two good backrows but Luatua just brings that extra amount of class to assist the away side. Pretty even backlines but 10 is an issue that needs sorting for Sale, Flood is a steadying force for Falcons. 

Sale Sharks 21 - 19 Newcastle Falcons 
Franks a step ahead at the scrum, but Sale the stronger lineout. I like the contest between number 8s, and the backrows in general. Like the dynamism of Sale's bench. The real gem for Sale is their 12-13 which is very strong, and Faf de Kerk running things at 9, which is the right call. There is a lot to like in the back 3  as well.
Luatua a coup obviously for Sale, and they also have some excellent centres and more killing power outwide on the wings.
Overall it's a hard call but I think Sale's home advantage pays off

Sale Sharks 25 - 23 Newcastle Falcons
Prefer the Sale front five. The addition of Luatua may just nick the back row for Newcastle. One each in the half backs. Both outside backs units are very strong but being at home means that Sale get the win. 

Sale Sharks 21 - 20 Newcastle Falcons
Sale are strong up front, and even though PSDT will be a little off the pace, they look physical. Luatua will compliment the Falcons pack nicely, and with Franks anchoring the set pieces, allow Falcons a foothold in the game. JOC at 12 will be a worry for me, and not sure where is best position is anymore. Nevertheless, Sale just have enough to nick this one.

Bath Rugby 22 -24 Saracens
Front 5s even, Saracens edge the back row although Billy needs some form. Saracens have both the control and explosiveness at halfback, and a very decent backline. Sarries get going by nicking an away win at one of their main rivals

Bath Rugby 24 - 25 Saracens

Bath Rugby 22 - 26 Saracens
Not sure about Garvey at 7 (though do 6 and 7 matter which way round they are that much) but the Bath pack looks very well set up, however Sarries are a nearly world class pack and will edge pretty much every area. Both 10s ahead of the 9s, and their battle is exciting. But Sarries again too far ahead outwide to begin with at this stage. Bath tactics are well set out but Saracens at this stage in the league are too much stronger.

Bath Rugby 20 - 25 Saracens
Bath have picked a big pack but it was always going to be a tough battle without their internationals against Sarries squad. Saracens have more quality across the park. Direct Saracens approach will work for Saracens, though don't feel Lozowski offers the control required at 10 to dominate sides. 

Bath Rugby 21 - 27 Saracens 
As always the Saracens have a great front five which gets them on top. The Sarries back row can also do more and is impressive. They again have the edge in the half backs and outside of that have the danger men. 

Bath Rugby 19 - 24 Saracens
Bath look a little out of sorts without their internationals. The big pack approach will work for them, however, that is until they need to bring on some fresh legs. The relentless ability of Saracens and their scary bench will result in them coming away with a solid win.

Exeter Chiefs 30 - 29 London Irish

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 22 London Irish
Great signings for Irish and they are building an excellent front 5 to compete with all sides. Still lacking quality in the halfbacks and centres though and this is where Exeter stamp their authority on the game. I can this one being tight till 50/60mins then the home side pulling away. 

Exeter Chiefs 26  - 22 London  Irish
With London Irish's purchases they can compete in the pack. The scrum will still go to Exeter, but a classy Irish lineout is well on top. Exeter's backrow and breakdown is stronger though, and they have more class in the backs especially with a composed and controlling 9-10 combo at the helm and that makes the difference despite  the scare their pack gets and pitch perfect tactics.

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 24 London Irish
Hard game to call. Chiefs affected by international call ups but still strong. Irish have a strong front row which will make its impact in the loose and the set piece. Chiefs back row looks strong and should get some turnover ball and some go forward in the loose. Thee extra bit of quality at half back gives Exeter the edge at home. 

Exeter Chiefs 25 - 20 London Irish 
Good platform provided by the Irish front five with their couple of stars edging this for them. Do love the Exeter back row and the versatility of the combo. Slight preference for Exeter half backs while think they have the better outside backs.

Harlequins 26 - 23 Gloucester Rugby
Quins look well set up to compete in this league, and Coles strengthens a big weakness. Glos have a very good looking pack that will do well against most, but think their halfbacks will just fall short of the quality needed for an away win. Quins take it

Harlequins 25 - 25 Gloucester Rugby

Harlequins 24 - 24 Gloucester Rugby
Excellent pack battle. I think Coles fits in well with the Quins side but Gloucester have an impressive AI 8 after being lucky with injuries. I'd say Gloucester need a bit more in the halfbacks to fully take advantage as the backs are really close. Close game with very little in it. 

Harlequins 26 - 26 Gloucester Rugby
Can't call the game. Two good sides who have a good balance across the sides yet plenty or room for improvement.

Harlequins 24 - 21 Gloucester Rugby
Right up front but prefer the Quins unit. More about the Gloucester back row trio for me. One each in the halfbacks. Outside of that Quins look more dangerous and at home they have enough

Harlequins 25 - 24 Gloucester Rugby
Quins are strong at home, although parachuting Coles in who will be a little off the pace for Quins will see them suffer a little. Both back lines are quite strong in attack, but a little suspect in defence. Just a few more options off the Quins bench, allowed them to take the game away from the visitors.

Northampton Saints 24 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Saints have shored up their big weakness with Isa, think Leicester need a few signings and tactics to get away wins 

Northampton Saints 27 - 26 Leicester Tigers
Very even pack contest with Isa a great signing for Saints and just the type of player Tigers could do with. Tuilagi a little hard to rate would give a small edge to the home side in an overall tight game. 

Northampton Saints 25 - 23 Leicester Tigers
Tigers outpower the Saints scrum, with a great close lineout and breakdown battle. Isa gets an edge at the gainline (though Genge comes close). Some class in both backlines, Goode takes pressure off Myler at 10, but more spark for Tigers. I do like Saints' bench and the home advantage gives them the win. 

Northampton Saints 25 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Strong Saints side takes the home win. They have a strong squad to start from and Alex Goode really improves their side at 15. A very shrewd acquisition. Leicester need their England contingent to offer a threat currently. 

Northampton Saints 21 - 26 Leicester Tigers
Prefer the Tigers front five which gives them a good base. Both back rows are solid but Isa is by far the standout. One each in the half backs. Edge to Northampton on the outside backs. Lack of tactics costs Saints here

Northampton Saints 24 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Saints are very strong and Tigers aren’t too shabby but could do with some guidance and reinforcement. The signing of Goode compliments their back line nicely, as he provides creativity that the actual Saints backline need IRL. Isa also gives Northampton that go forward that Picamoles once provided.

Worcester Warriors 17 - 20 Wasps
Some good signings for Worcester, but the overall quality in the squad is still lacking. Wasps have enough for the win even without any big signings in the squad with a strong pack and lethal backline 

Worcester Warriors 27 - 28 Wasps

Worcester Warriors 22 - 24 Wasps
Nice signings by the home side give them a front 5 edge. Wasps perhaps just have a little more past that although Hougaard keeps things ticking for Worcester. Be interesting to see the Worcester side after the AI as I feel they will quite impressive.

Worcester Warriors 26 - 26 Wasps
Worcester actually have a very impressive tight 5, with solid trustworthy English players and some class foreign players, and they edge Wasps here. Wasps have the stronger backrow, full of work. Hougaard is excellent but the Cips-Robson combo is better than his partnership with the promising but still green Shilcock. Wasps then have the danger outwide, whereas Worcester rely a lot on Te'o, though Hammond also has potential. Overall a good close game

Worcester Warriors 19 - 22 Wasps
A good game. Petti and Ben Arous good signings to be joined by Hooper and Barrett puts Worcester in a good place. Wasps though have a bit more class throughout the side though real life form/injury hurts them in key positions at hooker and fly half. A good time for Wasps to go to Sixways.


Worcester Warriors 22 - 25 Wasps
Tasty little game up front between these teams. Fancy Wasps to bring more to the party later on from the replacement forwards. Just too much quality from Wasps in the back line, but warriors keep the scoreline respectable.