Aviva Premiership Round Two - Autumn Internationals

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Gloucester Rugby vs Saracens
Kingsholm Stadium
Sunny Intervals - 7 degrees, 14mph Westerly Winds

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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 Trinder
05. Jeremy Thrush	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Jonathan 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. Mark Atkinson 23. Tom Marshall

---

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,
*Trinder has recently been on the wing IRL and gives secturity in defence as well as another centre attacking weapon,
*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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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

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

:-
16. Christopher Tolofua  17. Hayden Thomas-Stringer 18. Juan Figallo 19. Dominic Day  20. Callum Clark 21. Ben Spencer 22. Max Malins 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 Gloucester halfbacks and 10/12 channel with big runners and look to dominate the backrow contest.
- Look to target Trinder with high balls and test out his positional play with him not being an natural winger

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Leicester Tigers vs Sale Sharks
Welford Road
Light Cloud - 6 degrees, 16mph Westerly Winds

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Leicester Tigers

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

.
Subs: 16. Harry Thacker 17. Kyle Traynor 18. Pat Cilliers 19. Harry Wells 20. Valentino Mapapalangi 21. Jonno Kitto 22. Joe Ford 23. Manu Tuilagi
:-
Tactics:
- Solid set piece to set tone and provide solid platform
- Look to play high intensity rugby with a drift defence, not allowing for space for the opp
- BOC to attack the breakdown when it's on
- Physical pack to win collision and numerous carrying options to get us over the gain line
- Keep the intensity up with a strong bench
- Get Telusa Veainu into the game whenever possible, he's a match winner in these conditions

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf Du Klerk (k)
02. Rob Webber	10. James O'Connor
03. Will Griff John
04. Bryn Evans	11. Keelan Giles
05. Josh Beaumont (c)	12. Sam James
06. Ben Curry	13. Jack Goodhue
07. Tom Curry	14. Denny Solomona
08. Josh Strauss	15. Mike Haley

.
16. Cameron Nield  17. James Flynn 18. Alex Tarus 19. George Nott 20. Jono Ross 21. Will Cliff 22. Will Addison 23. Mark Jennings

Tactics

• Faf Du Klerk to control the game from 9. 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 and pacy 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 Beaumont 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 Tigers
  

• Look to keep ball in hand in Leicester half and build phases by working to each touch line.
  Only kicks are attacking with the intention of retaining the ball.
  

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Worcester Warriors vs Northampton Saints
Sixways Stadium
Sunny Intervals - 7 degrees, 13mph Westerly Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - CJB

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

.
Subs: 16. Joe Taufete'e, 17. Ethan Waller, 18. Biyi Alo, 19. Donnacha O'Callaghan, 20. Peter O'Mahony, 21. Jonny Arr, 22. Jono Lance, 23. Wynard Olivier

- Build around strong set piece, looking to use as platform to dominate
- Bring an intense drift defence
- Keep up the intensity off the bench
- Look for lots of big carries, keep it simple.
- Hougaard to control the game from the 9, run off him.

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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

Tactics

- Use Isa as the main carrier, supported by Harrison, Haywood, Ribbans
- Burrell as a crash ball option and decoy runner
- Myler to kick all pens for goal in range, otherwise go for corner
- Bring North off his wing to look for work
- Use Norths height with cross field kicks
- Goode to act as second playmaker on occasion

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Wasps vs Newcastle Falcons
Ricoh Arena
Light Cloud - 8 degrees, 12mph North Westerly Winds

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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. Nathan Hughes	15. Willie Le Roux

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

---

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 too 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

---

 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. - 20. Mark Wilson 21. Sam Stuart 22. Craig Willis 23. DTH Van Der Merwe
* Falcons a man down on the bench, as Iain Henderson is starting for Ireland this weekend. 
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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Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins 
Sandy Park
Light Cloud - 6 degrees, 15mph Westerly Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Alec Hepburn	09. Nic White
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Gareth Steenson (k)
03. Greg Holmes
04. Mitch Lees	11. Jack Nowell
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. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 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 Quins 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. 

---

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. Francis Saili
06. James Chisholm	13. Joe Marchant
07. Jack Clifford	14. Marlon Yarde
08. Mat Luamanu	15. Aaron Morris

:-
16. Cameron Holenstein 17. Dave Ward 18. Will Collier 19. Ben Glynn 20. Renaldo Bothma 21. Callum Waters 22. Demetri Catrakalis  23. Alofa Alofa 

TACTICS

Breakdown:
Teamwork at the breakdown focussing on the group clear-out (with powerful players like Chis, Luamanu, Horwill, Coles) with Clifford acting wider out as a first to the ball fetcher. Look to focus on turnovers, with our big clearers looking to take advantage of Kvesic's size being moveable off the ball.

Attack: 
Mostly looking to move the focus of attack around with the spark of Smith attacking the line, bringing a host of attacking players out of position into the line at all angles, interspacing with making hard yards with our big wingers and carriers like the backrow and Sinckler and Coles.

We also have a pack that can grind with pick and goes, and the back up plan of kicking to our dangerous wingers with crossfields and kick-passes from Smith.

In the 22, we think that Exeter's fringe defence may be fallible, so we will look to snipe with our 9 and big carriers to steal some ground.

Defence:
Blitz defence, led by Saili, sweeper at 9, tight fringe defence. 

Set piece:
Look to use the maul to set up ball with our strong locks and then build up phases from the backs, but in their 22 surprise them with some set plays tapped down from the air. Look to defend their lineout in the air.

We think Sinckler can get an edge in the scrum, which we will run plays off if we get the go-forward.

Other:
Kicking deep behind their back 3 with a pacy chase that we know can take sides unawares. Look to take the opportunity to score tries, not point, if the call is close. 

Subs - we have breakdown nous in Ward, power in Bothma, and stability in Catrakalis.

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London Irish vs Bath Rugby
Madejski Stadium
Sunny - 7 degrees, 14mph North Westerly Winds

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London Irish
Manager – Bambam

01. Ben Franks	09. Ben Meehan
02. Asafo Aumua	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Petrus Du Plessis
04. Franco Van der Merwe	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Brodie Retallick (c)	12. Johnny Williams
06. Mike Coman	13. Tom Fowlie
07. Blair Cowan	14. Alex Lewington
08. Jake Schatz	15. Jordie Barrett

:-
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

Target the scrum with our props, Franks to put real pressure on Thomas.

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, Cruden/Barrett 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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Bath Rugby
Manager – Driver

01. Nathan Catt	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. Matt Garvey (C)	13. Matt Banahan
07. Sam Underhill	14. Jack Wilson
08. Zac Mercer	15. Tom Homer

.
16.Tom Dunn 17.Nic Auterac 18.Anthony Perenise 19.Anthony Watson 20.James Phillips 21.Will Homer 22.Rory Jennings 23.Darren Atkins

Conditions updated

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

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

:-
16. Christopher Tolofua  17. Hayden Thomas-Stringer 18. Juan Figallo 19. Dominic Day  20. Callum Clark 21. Ben Spencer 22. Max Malins 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 Gloucester halfbacks and 10/12 channel with big runners and look to dominate the backrow contest.
- Look to target Trinder with high balls and test out his positional play with him not being an natural winger.

Sale Sharks
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf Du Klerk (k)
02. Rob Webber	10. James O'Connor
03. Will Griff John
04. Bryn Evans	11. Keelan Giles
05. Josh Beaumont (c)	12. Sam James
06. Ben Curry	13. Jack Goodhue
07. Tom Curry	14. Denny Solomona
08. Josh Strauss	15. Mike Haley

16. Cameron Nield  17. James Flynn 18. Alex Tarus 19. George Nott 20. Jono Ross 21. Will Cliff 22. Will Addison 23. Mark Jennings

Tactics

• Faf Du Klerk to control the game from 9. 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 and pacy 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 Beaumont 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 Tigers
  

• Look to keep ball in hand in Leicester half and build phases by working to each touch line.
  Only kicks are attacking with the intention of retaining the ball.
  

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 Trinder
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. Mark Atkinson 23. Tom Marshall

---

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,
*Trinder has recently been on the wing IRL and gives secturity in defence as well as another centre attacking weapon,
*Use bench wisely with experience to come on and pace in the backs to target tired legs,
*Keep the scoreboard ticking over.

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

Tactics

- Use Isa as the main carrier, supported by Harrison, Haywood, Ribbans
- Burrell as a crash ball option and decoy runner
- Myler to kick all pens for goal in range, otherwise go for corner
- Bring North off his wing to look for work
- Use Norths height with cross field kicks
- Goode to act as second playmaker on occasion

London Irish
Manager – Bambam

01. Ben Franks	09. Ben Meehan
02. Asafo Aumua	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Petrus Du Plessis
04. Franco Van der Merwe	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Brodie Retallick (c)	12. Johnny Williams
06. Mike Coman	13. Tom Fowlie
07. Blair Cowan	14. Alex Lewington
08. Jake Schatz	15. Jordie Barrett

:-
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

Target the scrum with our props, Franks to put real pressure on Thomas.

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, Cruden/Barrett 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

Bath team to play London Irish;

Bath make three changes from the team who took on Saracens last week with Nathan Catt, Charlie Ewels & Sam Underhill coming in for Nic Auterac , Dave Attwood and James Phillips.

01. Nathan Catt	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. Matt Garvey (C)	13. Matt Banahan
07. Sam Underhill	14. Jack Wilson
08. Zac Mercer	15. Tom Homer

.
16.Tom Dunn/Jack Walker 17.Nic Auterac 18.Anthony Perenise 19.Anthony Watson 20.James Phillips 21.Will Homer 22.Rory Jennings 23.Darren Atkins

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. Francis Saili
06. James Chisholm	13. Joe Marchant
07. Jack Clifford	14. Marlon Yarde
08. Mat Luamanu	15. Aaron Morris

:-
16. Cameron Holenstein 17. Dave Ward 18. Will Collier 19. Ben Glynn 20. Renaldo Bothma 21. Callum Waters 22. Demetri Catrakalis  23. Alofa Alofa 


TACTICS

Breakdown:

Teamwork at the breakdown focussing on the group clear-out (with powerful players like Chis, Luamanu, Horwill, Coles) with Clifford acting wider out as a first to the ball fetcher. Look to focus on turnovers, with our big clearers looking to take advantage of Kvesic's size being moveable off the ball.

Attack: 

Mostly looking to move the focus of attack around with the spark of Smith attacking the line, bringing a host of attacking players out of position into the line at all angles, interspacing with making hard yards with our big wingers and carriers like the backrow and Sinckler and Coles.

We also have a pack that can grind with pick and goes, and the back up plan of kicking to our dangerous wingers with crossfields and kick-passes from Smith.

In the 22, we think that Exeter's fringe defence may be fallible, so we will look to snipe with our 9 and big carriers to steal some ground.

Defence:

Blitz defence, led by Saili, sweeper at 9, tight fringe defence. 

Set piece:

Look to use the maul to set up ball with our strong locks and then build up phases from the backs, but in their 22 surprise them with some set plays tapped down from the air. Look to defend their lineout in the air.

We think Sinckler can get an edge in teh scrum, which we will run plays off if we get the go-forward.

Other:

Kicking deep behind their back 3 with a pacy chase that we know can take sides unawares. Look to take the opportunity to score tries, not point, if the call is close. 

Subs - we have breakdown nous in Ward, power in Bothma, and stability in Catrakalis.

---

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. Nathan Hughes	15. Willie Le Roux

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

---

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 too 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

I think Hughes will be with England Pull.

He has been released from squad i believe

Following the winning start to the Aviva Premiership season, Director of Rugby Fluxy at Exeter Chiefs has named his squad ahead of their first home fixture, hosting Harlequins. With Chiefs still missing most of their international players, they name a strong side this weekend. Captain Don Armand, continues to lead the side, with only two changes being made from last week. The return of Jack Nowell, sees winger James Short dropped this week, and the rotation of hookers, as Jack Yeandle starts with Luke Cowan-Dickie taking the bench spot this week. 
Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Alec Hepburn	09. Nic White
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Gareth Steenson (k)
03. Greg Holmes
04. Mitch Lees	11. Jack Nowell
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. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 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.

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. Bryce Heem
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. Peter O'Mahoney
21. Jonny Arr
22. Jono Lance
23. Wynard Olivier

- Build around strong set piece, looking to use as platform to dominate
- Bring an intense drift defence
- Keep up the intensity off the bench
- Look for lots of big carries, keep it simple.
- Hougaard to control the game from the 9, run off him.

Could of had JJ and Watson this week....

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. Iain Henderson	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. Sean Robinson 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 shoul

Hendo is playing at the weekend Pete

Sorry guys, a little behind. 

Any last tactics in by 1600 and I will update the page by 1700

I've swapped out a couple, think I'm ok

Kyle Traynor to LH for Tigers, totally forgot about Genge,

Keep the predictions coming please gents, up until midday

I'll do mine now Fluxy

Good win Prop, late call-ups ruined me!

Cheers pooly didn't actually think I would get a win there!

I did mate, you look strong during Ints.

Gloucester Rugby 27 - 27 Saracens

Gloucester Rugby 22 - 22 Saracens
Close battle at scrum time, both teams secure on their own ball. Kruis lacking some form so the locks close in loose play but Skelton adds heft in tight exchanges. Even lineout. Glaws have a well-balanced backrow but Sarries' power and work here is hard to match. Sarries will win the gainline battle and that fits their tactics.
Mallinder at 10 is a weakness with Burns safer in that position. Gloucester backs probably have more in them but Sarries edge in the pack tightens things

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 22 Saracens
I really like the Glos pack, think the lineout might be a slight issue, but round the park there is so much ability. A strong Saracens team will find it difficult to match them there imo, but will be stronger at the set piece. Wiggles is the best halfback on show and will likely control the game, i think the outside backs are both full of talent with Davies the outstanding player. At home, Glos take this.

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 22 Saracens
Gloucester's rich vein of form IRL aids them here. They have an inform team with a strong yet mobile pack against a Saracens side with some out of form players. I see Gloucester winning the backrow battle which Sarries have tried to dominate and this at home helps them to the win.

Gloucester Rugby 23 - 22 Saracens
I think Glos gain parity with Sarries up front and look a little sharper in the backs. Sarries bench has much more to offer but I think in front of the shed the home team can hang on for the win.

Gloucester Rugby 25 - 24 Saracens
This would be very much game of the round for me and a very enjoyable fixture to watch. The packs are pretty even with all considering, and both are lucky to have what they can put out, at this time of year. Just for me, there is a touch more control coming from Gloucester and at Kingsholm, just have a bit too much for the visiting Sarries. 

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 25 Saracens

Leicester Tigers 22 - 24 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 22 - 21 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 20 - 19 Sale Sharks
Tigers play Mulipola twice so bench is weaker with Traynor starting. They have a grafting good pack. Sale struggle in the scrum (until late in the match) but have a quality back 5, close battle out there. Sale win the lineout 
Sale solid outside, unsure of JOC as a 10 but he and Faf can break the game open. Tigers back 3 look classy. Sale tactics have an edge. Tigers just hold on at home

Leicester Tigers 19 - 22 Sale Sharks
Leicester a man down up front, and Sale look better in almost every position from 6-15. Sale take this on the road

Leicester Tigers 28 - 18 Sale Sharks
Sale would threaten at times but I think Tigers would just keep the scoreboard ticking over and perhaps pull away in the last 15.

Leicester Tigers 25 - 22 Sale Sharks
Even with a man down on the bench I'd expect Tigers to get some control in the front 5 with some quality and physicality. Similar story in the backrow, with Sale's flanks a little lightweight. Good backline from both sides, Goodue is a great signing for Sale and gives them some ball playing ability. 

Leicester Tigers 19 - 22 Sale Sharks
Despite the Tigers dominance in the front five, Sale have a bit too much creativity in the midfield for this Leicester side, who are missing their internationals. Veainu will lead the way and keep them in the hunt nevertless. Sale do need to look for a long term 10 and with Sanchez signed up now, probably cannot wait for him to return. 

Leicester Tigers 22 - 22 Sale Sharks

Worcester Warriors 24 - 25 Northampton Saints

Worcester Warriors 19 - 17 Northampton Saints
Saints no slouches in the front row but Worcester will have an advantage. With Petti and underrated Spencer I think they edge the lineout as well, but Saints backrow balances better and they have an edge at the breakdown.
Going to be a direct, intense, physical game. Overall, the pack contest is tight. 
Worcester backs look surprisingly decent, Saints probably more class but I'm not sure they work together as well. I think Worcester hold on to this.

Worcester Warriors 22 - 24 Northampton Saints
Both sides have strong front 5s and decent backlines with plenty of control. The difference for me here is Shillcock at 10 lacking the knowhow to control the game, and the back row quality, where Saints can put out a very decent trio. They'll sneak this one on the road

Worcester Warriors 21 - 22 Northampton Saints
With Worcester's new signings away on international duty it is hard to see how they beat Saints here, even at home. They have a tremendous young talent in Singleton and in Houghard and Teo offer some international quality but across the board Saints are just that bit stronger. 

Worcester Warriors 13 - 17 Northampton Saints
Reckon Saints pack could beat up Worc a bit up fromt and Myler to kick the resulting pens for field position/points if in range. Enough to sneak this one.

Worcester Warriors 20 - 19 Northampton Saints
Very close pack contest in this one with Worcester having some new signings really strengthening their set piece and certainly an area they can get a nudge on. Backs again are really close, both sides are strong and this will go to the wire. 

Worcester Warriors 21 - 20 Northampton Saints
This will be a tough old game for both sides, as the Wuss pack will make the Saints forwards work hard. The half backs from Saints will slow some ball up midfield, but the creatvitiy of Goode coming in from the back will keep Warriors honest. Wuss much better with Francois back in the side, and with a dangerous back three, the score line will be close. Warriors just have the edge to push Saints away from victory. 

Worcester Warriors 18 - 19 Northampton Saints

Wasps 26 - 25 Newcastle Falcons

Wasps 28 - 27 Falcons Falcons

Wasps 35 - 31 Newcastle Falcons
Wasps pack hard working, Newcastle efficient and cohesive. Franks gives Newcastle the scrum and then the breakdown is won by Wasps. Otherwise not much between them. 
That Wasps backline is fluent in attack, fragile in defence. Newcastle have some stars like Goneva and Sinoti but Wasps have enough at home to win a high scorer 

Wasps 27 - 20 Newcastle Falcons
Falcons were up against it on the road anyway, and being a man down on the bench doesn't help. Wasps backline is going to be a challenge for any side to overcome this season

Wasps 24 - 22 Newcastle Falcons
Wasps just edge this with two sides without any real new additions involved. Newcastle have a physical and abrasive side which has some players who will run hot and cold for them but maybe a few too many in the same back line. Wasps will be a hard side to beat this season. 

Wasps 24 - 23 Newcastle Falcons
Franks is a great signing for Falcons and certainly helps their struggling scrum. I'd give them an edge but with Lockwood being out so long I have to call it pretty even. Past that it's very even really, perhaps just a bit more form for Wasps but Falcons are not far away from getting in with the big boys. 

Wasps 22 - 20 Newcastle Falcons
Another tight contest, but the Wasps have too much of a threat from the half-backs positions. It will be hard work and Wasps have to be on it for the whole game to keep falcons at bay. 

Wasps 24 - 24 Newcastle Falcons

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 26 Harlequins

Exeter Chiefs 25 - 24 Harlequins

Exeter Chiefs 24 - 24 Harlequins
Game of the round for me. Both sides weakened by internationals in some key areas, think the Quins pack just has the advantage in both set piece and round the park. Exeter have more control from halfback, although Smith is obviously very talented. Prefer the Quins outside backs with a very dangerous 11-15 lined up.
Really difficult game to call, I'm going to sit on the fence as its at Exeter and give a draw

Exeter Chiefs 20 - 20 Harlequins
Two sides tough to separate. I feel maybe Quins a tad stronger on paper but not enough to snatch an elusive away win. Exeter's back row is strong on paper but lacks form but in Steenson and Devoto they have a strong controlling axis. Quins pack is strong with addition of Coles. Will be a tough side to beat at full strength. 

Exeter Chiefs 28 - 25 Harlequins
Quins don't do anything particularly badly but just think Exeter, at Sandy Park will have enough. 

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 25 Harle1uins
Good pack battle with Quins just edging the front 5 and Exeter getting back in the game in the backrow. Another match with not to much difference in the backlines. As much of a talent Smith is, Sandy park is a big test with it's conditions and I just think the Chiefs halfbacks have the edge here. 

Exeter Chiefs 22 - 21 Harlequins

London Irish 24 - 23 Bath Rugby

London Irish 30 - 28 Bath Rugby
Close scrum, good lineout test but hard to compete against Rettalick!
Bath have much more power and overall balance and class in backrow, will hurt the Irish 9-10 with their flanks which is needed against Cruden. Cruden and Jordie add huge creativity and are hard to counter at all. Bath backs are solid but London Irish at home with those 3 world class players win despite pressure from Bath backrow. Too much magic.

London Irish 21 - 20 Bath Rugby
At home versus a team without tactics gets Irish a good win. Brodie and Cruden make a huge difference to their side which is packed with talent that needs to be managed through a game with experience. Bath are strong but miss their international stars.

London Irish 18 - 16 Bath Rugby
Not a fantastic spectacle but London Irish sneak past London Irish West. Lack of tactics hurts Bath and Cruden keeps the scoreboard ticking over. 

London Irish 23 - 23 Bath Rugby
Driver in week 2 and already missing tactics doesn't help Bath in a tightly fought game. Bath pack is stronger and would still get the nudge on despite some real quality in the Irish engine room. With a game plan I'd have Bath by 3 but have to fair...not sure LCD is playing in this one either Wink

London Irish 23 - 22 Bath Rugby
The Irish stars that have been brought in, make a hell of a difference to this Irish side. Bath a little rudderless with out tactics but still a firm challenge. But Irish will take all the points.

Just going to say, although Quins lost there in real life, Smith played against a better pack at Sandy Park a week ago, and was the best player on the pitch...

Well won, though, Flux!