Fixture 9

Team Sheets and tactics due by COB Thur
Predictions open Fri. Results due Sun/Mon

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Saracens v Newcastle Falcons

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Saracens
Manager – LDCPete

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Morgan Parra
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Adam Jones
04. Lionel Nallet	11. Digby Ioane
05. Victor Matfield	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Alessandro Zanni	13. Seilala Mapusua
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Rene Ranger
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Isaia Toeava

16. Gary Botha 17. Tendai Mtwarira 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Rynhard Elstadt 20. George Smith 21. Francois Hougaard 22. Patric Lambie 23. Tim Visser

Tactics

Forwards to hit rucks with dynamism and intensity to secure quick ball and backs to play off the cuff in attack. Defensively will look to blitz. Flankers will play left/right rather than open/blind and responsibilty for securign turnovers shared. Going to throw the ball around and play Barbarian rugby varying the point of attack frequently.

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Ben Alexander	09. Sarel Pretorious
02. William Servat	10. Nick Evans
03. Owen Franks
04. Donncha O'Callaghan	11. James O’Connor
05. Paul O’Connell	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Juan Smith	13. Conrad Smith
07. Richie McCaw(c)	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

16. Andrew Hore 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Pascal Pape 20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Chris Cusiter 22. Jonny Wilkinson 23. Sean Maitland

Tactics
Normal Falcons high intensity tactics......compete in pack and target lineout with numerous jumpers. We've picked a front 5 to set platform in the set piece and give a lot in the loose. Control breakdown and look to attack with turnover ball. Attack with pace and get wings and fb’s into line. Evans to control game and keep the board ticking over, Pretorious to attack the fringes.

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London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs

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London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Perry Freshwater	09. Michael Classens
02. Steve Thompson	10. Jimmy Gopperth
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Steve Mafi	11. Lachie Turner
05. Marco Wentzel	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Johnson	13. Mike Tindall (C)
07. James Haskell	14. Matt Banahan
08. Dan Ward-Smith	15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Benn Robinson 18. Charlie Beech 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Roger Wilson 21. Luke Burgess 22. Rory Clegg 23. Noah Cato

Tactics

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver

01.Cian Healy	09.Nick Phipps
02.John Smit(c)	10.Steven Myler
03.Euan Murrey
04.Simon Shaw	11.Iain Balshaw
05.Julien Pierre	12.Gordan D'Arcy
06.Ben Skirving	13.Max Evans
07.Shane Jennings	14.Adam Thompstone
08.Raphaël Lakafia	15.George Pisi

16.Neil Clark 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Juan Orlandi 19.George Skivington 20.Kelly Brown 21.Charlie Pilgrim 22.Ronan O'Gara 23.Matt Smith

Tactics

Monster front 5 to take wasps on up front with Half backs pulling strings. Use skirving to pressure Wasps lineout.
play at high tempo and use Skivs , Brown , ROG for impact.

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Worcester Warriors v Sale Sharks

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. David Flatman	09. Jordi Pasqulin
02. Richard Strauss	10. Nicky Robinson
03. BJ Botha
04. Ben Gulliver	11. Marcel Garvey
05. Ali Williams	12. Pat McCabe
06. Ryan Jones	13. Jon Clarke
07. Scott Higginbottom	14. Julien Malzieu
08. Ben Morgan	15. Olly Morgan

16. Koree Britton 17. George Porter 18. Yann Thomas 19. Peter Short 20. Sebastian Chabal 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Sam Vesty 23. Rob Cook

Tactics

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Nicholas Bezy
02. David Paice	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Neemia Tialata
04. Steven Sykes	11. David Strettle
05. Christian Day	12. Jordan Turner Hall
06. Victor Vito	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Matt Todd	14. Lelia Masaga
08. Andy Powell	15. Luke Rooney

16. Lee Imolek 17. Brett Sharman 18. Werner Kruger 19. Andries Bekker 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Shaun Perry 22. Olly Barkley 23. Nick Abendanoon

Tactics
Back to the world cup side this week...
Usual strong carrying game with plenty of off-loading particularly in midfield. Look to Strettle to track the runs of Freuen looking for the off load. Target the scrum with a strong front row, lineout with 5 jumpers and the breakdown with Todd looking to excel

Best of luck Prop

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Gloucester v London Irish

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Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Coonie	09.Lewis
02.Strauss	10.Donald
03.Johnstone
04.Roussouw	11. Sharples
05. Robson	12.Barnes
06.Fasivalu	13.Horne
07.Saull	14.JSD
08.AJ	15. Dagg

16 Wood 17 George 18 Harden 19 Hanks 20 Deacon 21 Genia 22 Carter 23 Hamilton

Tactics

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London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Mattias Aguero	09. Julien Dupuy
02. James Buckland	10. Daniel Bowden
03. WP Nel
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Paul Sackey
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Mathieu Basteraud
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Matthew Tait
07. Hendrie Fourie	14. Bjorn Basson
08. Xavier Rush	15. Joe Maddock

16. Duncan Bell 17. Neil Briggs 18. Tonga Lea'toea 19. Matt Garvey 20. Joe Worsley 21. Neal De Kock 22. Juan Martin Hernandez 23. Anthony Watson

Tactics

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Bath v Leicester Tigers

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Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Salvatore Perugini	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Lee Mears	10. Kurtley Beale
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Louis Deacon	11. Tim Nanai Williams
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Anthony Allen
06. Juan Martin Fernando Lobbe	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Gehard Van Der Heever
08. Tom Guest	15. Francois Steyn

16. Will Tanner 17. Kane Newport 18. Jon Golding 19. James Cannon 20. Will Skuse 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Charlie Hodgson 23. Ugo Monye

Tactics

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Micky Young
02. Sebastian Bruno	10. Dave Walder (k)
03. Faan Rautenbach
04. Jarrad Hoeata	11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
05. Chris Jack (c)	12. Yannick Jauzion
06. Thomas Waldrom	13. Florian Fritz
07. Magnus Lund	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Jordan Crane	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Gethin Jenkins 17. Matt Thompson 18. Jonny Harris 19. Tom Denton 20. Tom Croft 21. Ben Youngs 22. David Skrela 23. Vincent Clerc

Tactics

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Harlequins v Northampton Saints

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Matthew Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Nathan Sharpe	11. George Lowe
05.James Gaskell	12.Felipe Contepomi (k)
06. Schalk Brits	13. Anthony Faainga
07. Lewis Moody (c)	14. Jonathan Joseph
08. Phil Dowson	15. Rob Kearney

16. Joe Marler 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Tom Donnelly 19. Jamie Gibson 20. Jamie Heaslip 21. Lee Dickson 22. Freddie Burns 23. Luke Morahan

Tactics

We are going to look to work hard at the set piece to get ourselves good ball and to disrupt Northampton ball. We are looking for quick ball to give to Vermaak, Cooper and Contepomi who will then be looking to put players into space. Brits and Dowson will be working in the midfield as carriers as well as the other forwards. We want to carry in groups and hit the contact at pace so as to win the collision.

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Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. Matt Giteau
03. Matt Stevens
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Patricio Albacete	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Rocky Elsom	13. Tomassi Benvenuti
07. Luke Watson	14. Sivi Siviatu
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Bradley Davies 20. Liam Messam 21. Leigh Halfpenny 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics
mobile pack, play game at speed, give to big ball carriers to get over the gain line and force Quins into mistakes. Simpson and Giteau to dictate speed of play.

Second Half - will bring on whole new front row. Will be doing this a lot next season, so would be great to get input into best combinations, think Sheridan, Hartley and Hayman is all about power, whilst Domingo, Stevens and Webber can speed a game up...

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]Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Coonie	09.Lewis
02.Strauss	10.Donald
03.Johnstone
04.Roussouw	11. Sharples
05. Robson	12.barnes
06.Fasivalu	13.Horne
07.Saull	14.JSD
08.AJ	15. Dagg

16 Wood 17 George 18 Harden 19 Hanks 20 Deacon 21 Genia 22 Carter 23 Hamilton


Tactics

01. Coonie 09. Lewis
02. Strauss 10. Donald
03. Johnstone
04. Roussouw 11.JSD
05. Robson 12. Barnes
06. Fasevalu 13. Horne
07. Saull 14. Sharples
08. AJ 15. Dagg


16 Wood
17 George
18 Harden
19 Hanks
20 Deacon
21 Genia
22 Carter
23 Hamilton

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Nicholas Bezy
02. David Paice	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Neemia Tialata
04. Steven Sykes	11. David Strettle
05. Christian Day	12. Jordan Turner Hall
06. Victor Vito	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Matt Todd	14. Lelia Masaga
08. Andy Powell	15. Luke Rooney

16. Lee Imolek 17. Brett Sharman 18. Werner Kruger 19. Andries Bekker 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Shaun Perry 22. Olly Barkley 23. Nick Abendanoon

Tactics
Back to the world cup side this week...
Usual strong carrying game with plenty of off-loading particularly in midfield. Look to Strettle to track the runs of Freuen looking for the off load. Target the scrum with a strong front row, lineout with 5 jumpers and the breakdown with Todd looking to excel

Best of luck Prop

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Nearly there Matt with the coding!
Just hit edit on your 2nd comment and you can put your team into the coding

SJE finally i got it right!!!

think you deserve one of these Matt my boy

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Matthew Rees	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Nathan Sharpe	11. George Lowe
05.James Gaskell	12.Felipe Contepomi (k)
06. Schalk Brits	13. Anthony Faainga
07. Lewis Moody (c)	14. Jonathan Joseph
08. Phil Dowson	15. Rob Kearney

16. Joe Marler 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Tom Donnelly 19. Jamie Gibson 20. Jamie Heaslip 21. Lee Dickson 22. Freddie Burns 23. Luke Morahan

Tactics

We are going to look to work hard at the set piece to get ourselves good ball and to disrupt Northampton ball. We are looking for quick ball to give to Vermaak, Cooper and Contepomi who will then be looking to put players into space. Brits and Dowson will be working in the midfield as carriers as well as the other forwards. We want to carry in groups and hit the contact at pace so as to win the collision.

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You fancy no EQ for this week Pete? Spice it up a little

I would do my team in the format but I'm in a rush so just going to do it how I usually do it

1. Perry Freshwater
2. Steve Thompson
3. Carlos Nieto
4. Steve Mafi
5. Marco Wentzel
6. Tom Johnson
7. James Haskell
8. Dan Ward-Smith

9. Michael Classens
10. Jimmy Gopperth
11. Lachie Turner
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Mike Tindall (c)
14. Matt Banahan
15. Mike Brown

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Benn Robinson
18. Charlie Beech
19. Stuart Hooper
20. Roger Wilson
21. Luke Burgess
22. Rory Clegg
23. Noah Cato

Let's do it Pooly, let's do it.

Marker

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver

01.Cian Healy	09.Nick Phipps
02.John Smit(c)	10.Steven Myler
03.Euan Murrey
04.Simon Shaw	11.Iain Balshaw
05.Julien Pierre	12.Gordan D'Arcy
06.Ben Skirving	13.Max Evans
07.Shane Jennings	14.Adam Thompstone
08.Raphaël Lakafia	15.George Pisi

16.Neil Clark 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Juan Orlandi 19.George Skivington 20.Kelly Brown 21.Charlie Pilgrim 22.Ronan O'Gara 23.Matt Smith

Tactics

Monster front 5 to take wasps on up front with Half backs pulling strings. Use skirving to pressure Wasps lineout.
play at high tempo and use Skivs , Brown , ROG for impact.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Micky Young
02. Sebastian Bruno	10. Dave Walder (k)
03. Faan Rautenbach
04. Jarrad Hoeata	11. Rupeni Caucaunibuca
05. Chris Jack (c)	12. Yannick Jauzion
06. Thomas Waldrom	13. Florian Fritz
07. Magnus Lund	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Jordan Crane	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Gethin Jenkins 17. Matt Thompson 18. Jonny Harris 19. Tom Denton 20. Tom Croft 21. Ben Youngs 22. David Skrela 23. Vincent Clerc

01. David Flatman 09. Jordi Pasqulin
02. Richard Strauss 10. Nicky Robinson
03. BJ Botha
04. Ben Gulliver 11. Marcel Garvey
05. Ali Williams 12. Pat McCabe
06. Ryan Jones 13. Jon Clarke
07. Scott Higginbottom 14. Julien Malzieu
08. Ben Morgan 15. Olly Morgan


16. Koree Britton 17. George Porter 18. Yann Thomas 19. Peter Short 20. Sebastian Chabal 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Sam Vesty 23. Rob Cook

Hope you lose SirJ

Prop!

Leave the fighting to the players and don't be childish

For information myself and Pooly have agreed to no EQ rule for this week.

Saracens
Manager – LDCPete

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Morgan Parra
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Adam Jones
04. Lionel Nallet	11. Digby Ioane
05. Victor Matfield	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Alessandro Zanni	13. Seilala Mapusua
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Rene Ranger
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Isaia Toeava

16. Gary Botha 17. Tendai Mtwarira 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Rynhard Elstadt 20. George Smith 21. Francois Hougaard 22. Patric Lambie 23. Tim Visser

Tactics

Forwards to hit rucks with dynamism and intensity to secure quick ball and backs to play off the cuff in attack. Defensively will look to blitz. Flankers will play left/right rather than open/blind and responsibilty for securign turnovers shared. Going to throw the ball around and play Barbarian rugby varying the point of attack frequently.

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Matias Aguero 09. Julien Dupuy
02. James Buckland 10. Daniel Bowden
03. WP Nel
04. Mouritz Botha 11. Paul Sackey
05. Nick Kennedy 12. Mathieu Bastereaud
06. Keegan Daniel 13. Matthew Tait
07. Hendrie Fourie 14. Bjorn Basson
08. Xavier Rush 15. Joe Maddock

16. Duncan Bell 17. Neil Briggs 18. Tonga Lea'toea 19. Matt Garvey 20. Joe Worsley 21. Neal De Kock 22. Juan Martin Hernandez 23. Anthony Watson


Tactics

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Ben Alexander	09. Sarel Pretorious
02. William Servat	10. Nick Evans
03. Owen Franks
04. Donncha O'Callaghan	11. James O’Connor
05. Paul O’Connell	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Juan Smith	13. Conrad Smith
07. Richie McCaw(c)	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

16. Andrew Hore 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Pascal Pape 20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Chris Cusiter 22. Jonny Wilkinson 23. Sean Maitland



Tactics
Normal Falcons high intensity tactics......compete in pack and target lineout with numerous jumpers. We've picked a front 5 to set platform in the set piece and give a lot in the loose. Control breakdown and look to attack with turnover ball. Attack with pace and get wings and fb’s into line. Evans to control game and keep the board ticking over, Pretorious to attack the fringes.

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01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. Matt Giteau
03. Matt Stevens
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Patricio Albacete	12. Jean de Villiers
06. Rocky Elsom	13. Tomassi Benvenuti
07. Luke Wastson	14. Siti Siviatu
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Bradley Davies 20. Liam Messam 21. Leigh Halfpenny 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics - mobile pack, play game at speed, give to big ball carriers to get over the gain line and force Quins into mistakes. Simpson and Giteau to dictate speed of play.

Second Half - will bring on whole new front row. Will be doing this a lot next season, so would be great to get input into best combinations, think Sheridan, Hartley and Hayman is all about power, whilst Domingo, Stevens and Webber can speed a game up...

Usual Wasps tactics high intensity game with plenty of carrying, offloading and changing the angles of attack.

Saracens 19 23 Newcastle Falcons

Great battle in the front 5 worth the admission price alone. Can’t see either side getting on top in the scrum battle. Jones lacking the form to truly get on top of Alexander here. At the lineout we have the two masters going head to head. Both sides have plenty to offer in the loose. Cant particularly see either side being able to gain a foot hold here. In the back row though I see Newcastle getting ahead. They have arguably the 3 best back rowers in the world and the strongest combo in the league.

Two good sets of halfbacks on show. Bit more form from the Newcastle pair wit Parra having a fairly quiet season but the real life grand slam winning link up levels the playing field for me. In the backs I have the midfield combos fairly even. More power from Sarries but more guile from Newcastle. (Should be noted Maps rating will go down post world cup playing in Japan). In the back 3’s bit more class for Newcastle on the wings but the Sarries unit is more than capable of finishing of any chances. On the bench both sides have plenty of impact but could see Lambie and Houghard injecting some pace into the last 20 minutes.

Very very close game here between last year’s AP finalists. Pretty much even in all areas of the park except that back row. Can see the Newcastle selection imposing themselves on Saracens and that’s the real difference here. During the season home advantage would have helped and would love to see what the master tactioner Pete could offer up to battle that back row.

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London Wasps 15 20 Exeter Chiefs

Interesting scrum battle here. Could see the Wasps front row getting on top from time to time but the extra grunt in the Exeter 2nd row will stop them running riot here. At the lineout Wentzel may poach a ball or two but can’t see either side getting domination here. Think in terms of carrying and getting around the park Exeter have more to offer though in the front 5. In the back row Skirving is a weakness at this standard but there is most definitely a better balance to the Exeter combo. Can see Jennings causing problems at the breakdown. Wasps with plenty of carrying options though helping to cover the lack of carriers in the front 5.

Halfbacks go to Chiefs for me. Neither fly half is awe inspiring in an attacking sense but Myler more capable of getting a backline moving for me. In the backs both sides have some form players and some not so in form players. Wasps backline looks to be about sheer power. Exeter have some more guile in the form of D’Arcy’s intelligent play and Evans attacking runs. Both sides have some impact on the bench but with ROG at flyhalf can see Exeter being the better led side in the final 20/25 minutes.

Wasps will be all about hitting it up with strong carriers today. Can’t see much offloading or creativity coming into it for them with nobody really in that mould and unfortunately for them think the Exeter defence can hold them off with Jennings causing havoc at the breakdown. Exeter have the players in the backs to open Wasps up and with ROG coming in and pinning Wasps back near the end see Chiefs picking up the win here.

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Gloucester 19 17 London Irish

Can’t see either side getting particularly on top at the scrum although both sides will get a few penalties their way. In the lineout neither side will struggle to retain their own ball. The Gloucester 2nd row combo though will offer more ball in hand with the Irish pairing not really having much to offer carrying wise. Back row battle going slightly to Irish for me with a bit more quality at 6 and 7 but its not a noticeable advantage.

Half backs are one a piece for me. Both combo’s will get their sides moving. In the midfield both sides are lacking a bit of form for me but both have the quality to break the defensive line. Back 3 goes to Glaws though with better form and little bit more quality. Gloucester with the better impact to bring in during the 2nd half with the best half back pairing in the game to come on.

It’s a tight game to call here. Think Irish are maybe lacking some carriers in the forwards and won’t be able to impose themselves as much on Gloucester as they may want to with ball in hand. With a bit extra to come on from the bench and some attacking flair in the back 3 Glaws should pick up the win here. (Without Gloucester’s internationals and with a good set of tactics from Nick maybe looking to play a territorial game would see Irish winning this during the world cup period)

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Bath 23 19 Leicester Tigers

Both sides look solid in the scrum and neither will get an advantage here. At the lineout good jumping options from both sides and again no advantage. Back row goes to Bath for me. BS the major difference with Waldrom (no weakness in the world cup period though Luke) a good 8 but not as good at BS and Lobbe a class above. Prefer Bath at 7 but Crane the stronger 8 for me currently.

Although not an out and out 10 Beale is a better standard for me and Bath have the step up at half backs. (Against Lukes first choice backrow could see Beale really struggling at flyhalf. Not a selection I would recommend against first chocie combo’s). In the backs, Leicester are a step up in midfield. In the back 3 unsure on Caucau but overall there’s more form in the Leicester selection for me. Tigers with the stronger looking bench overall for me.

Bit more quality for Bath in the back row and half backs which proves crucial here and should see Bath win here. (Bit of a mismatch this one in that Bath could lose up to 7 of their starters for the world cup while Luke has only a few fringe contenders on show)

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Harlequins 28 30 Northampton Saints

In the scrum could see Quins getting a small advantage. Lineout time I can see Quins getting their hands on a few balls as well. Both sides looking good around the park but Saints with a tiny edge. Back row to Saints. Watson a bit of weakness now playing division 2 rugby in South Africa but 6 and 8 are a step up in quality.

Half backs to Quins. Vermack in good form and offers a lot more basics wise. Simpson will give a good running threat but is not a good all round scrum half for me. In the backs Quins have more in the midfield but the back 3 is a big step up for Saints. Saints with a lot more to bring in from the bench for this one as well.

Interesting game here. Quins with an edge at the set piece and more in the half backs but Saints with more aoround the park in the forwards and a dangerous back 3 that can score tries from anywhere. In summer rugby can see Saints just nicking this one in an entertaining high scoring game. Wet rugby and Quins would just sneak this.

(Steve I’m not sure but do you not have to have a specialist for each of the front row positions on the bench? I know Britz can cover but think your still supposed to name a specialist hooker on the bench?)

(Chris like the idea of having two front row units and can work well. Would consider 1. Domingo 2. Hartley 3. Stevens your strongest combo at the moment based on form. Personally don’t think Sheridan is fantastic anymore. Decent standard international but no more. Would rate Stevens and Corbs better then him in England. Hayman had a poor year. Hasn’t done much over the last 2 seasons now)

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Scratch that last bit Steve I thought wrong

London Wasps 17-18 Exeter Chiefs

Good match ups in this one from two strong outfits. No change in the front row and can see the scrum been tight. Think Exeter have a little more in the loose. A class above in the engine room for Exeter, Pierre & Shaw will give Exeter real graft around the park. Wasps will prob shade lineout but Skirving in the backrow helps Exeter on own throw. I like both backrows, Wasps shade 6 and 7 close although Jennings gives a little more balance. Lakafia a class above DWS though and helps Exeter have a edge in the pack.

Not much in the halfbacks with two good pairings. Not much guile in the Wasps centre pairing, Roberts is less creative than Hape and the back 3 would suffer. Exeter centre pairing would be pretty tight defensivley and quick on attack although their back 3 lack a little form.

Exeter shade pack and offer a little more magic in the backs. Wasps are pure power and perhaps more suited to the winter months in the backline, they could do with an injection of creativity to really spark a very strong backline. Exeter sneak this one by a whisker.


Worcester Warriors 21-22 Sale Sharks

Good upfront battle, can't see too much in the scrum perhaps a little edge to Sale but nothing game changing and good in loose. Williams the standout lock but better pairing for Sale with Gulliver needing to prove himself at prem level. 3 strong players for Worcester but a little unbalanced, Sale have a nice balance and make a good battle of it, they'll get some joy out of the breakdown.

Bit more for Sale in the halfbacks but a good battle. Cracking midfield combo's and would be a great battle with some good form for both. Little bit more for Sale in the back 3 but mainly due to Garvey needing some prem form.

Great game this one and with a few players coming good for prop in the coming weeks could have a different result, I've not put much on home advantage (will in league).


Gloucester 27-21 London Irish

Little more upfront for Gloucester who'll get a edge in scrum and loose. Roussow the standout lock and gives Gloucester the edge in the engine room, I like Irish pair but lack a carrying option. Irish stronger man for man in the backrow (Rush/AJ close), both backrows have a nice balance and AJ will be at his most effective behind a good platform.

Irish shade the halfbacks with Dupey a class above Lewis, Donald/Bowden prob just shades to Donald who'll be effective on front foot. Prefer Gloucester centres but 2 good combo's, although serious lack of form it's across the 4 really. Wings pretty close but Dagg much stronger than Maddock at FB and will give Gloucester a real spark.

Good game and Gloucester shade most areas except backrow and 9 which keeps Irish in the game till the end.


Bath Rugby 30-26 Leicester Tigers

Edge in the scrum for Bath in a good contest. Strong engine room's but I really like the Bath pairing esp, think they'll be great around the park although Leicester may get a tiny edge in the lneout. Bath again shade the backrow, esp at 6.

Du Preez looking in some tidy form will dominate Young and although not a big fan opf Beale at 10 he'll have a good ride from the pack and Du Preez. Bit too much power in the Leicester centres and Walds needs some form. Williams v Nacewa would be a cracking battle and back 3's close although CauCau's defence would be tested.

Slight pack control and halfbacks to take advantage see Bath through.


Harlequins 29-33 Northampton Saints

Bit of an edge come scrum time for Quins but engine room lacks a bit of grunt for me. Think Sharpe is a better 5 partnered with some grunt, I don't think Gaskell is that. Very tasty Saints engine room though that brings everything and will even up front 5 battle. Not too sure with Brits at 6, especially facing up against Rocky. Think that gives Saints an edge although Quins 7/8 are strong.

Interesting halfback battle, prob just shading to Quins. Giteau has been in poor form but he's still a class act. Think people focus too much on form and forget that these are top draw players who even out of form would dominate opposition. Anyway, not muxh between the halfbacks in a cracking battle. Good centre combo's, I like Steve's balance and prob shades it, not seen much of Benvenuti at 13 so hard to rate him there. Saints back 3 on a different level in class and form and will really trouble Quins.

Really good match and I see some serious points going down. Saints edge in the pack is finished off with a very good backline. Don't want to bark on too much about Giteau but he's still a very good player imo if not world class.

Chris - You have to bring on a new front row these days, no sure if you mean at half time or phased through the game? 2 good units anyway.

Saracens 19 - 23 Newcastle

Can't split the front rows, and just as tough to separate the second rows. Have to give the edge to Newcastle with McCaw and Read, but Sarries never going to be far behind. More form for Newcastle in the HB's, but FTD is looking good and has a great combo with Parra. Newcastle's centre the stronger for me, and have to give them the edge in the back three with some crazy talent. Such tight game, but Newcastle has that extra edge.


Wasps 24 - 22 Exeter


Give the edge to Wasps up front, and tight in the second rows but personally favour Exeter in there. Give the edge to Wasps in the back three, but again very little in it. Slight edge to Wasps in the HB's, but very little to separate. Two contrasting centre pairings - think Wasps would have worked better if Banahan wasn't playing - too many lumps in the back line. Not sure about Exeter's back three. I think wasps have enough just to edge this in the pack, but close game.



Worcester 21 - 26 Sale

Edge the scrum battle to Sale but not by enough to be a problem. Back five just edged to Sale, but Worcester have Williams and Higg's so never far behind. Personally Sale a class above in the HB's, and love their centre pairing. Although Worcester have great from in there. Garvey brings Sale's back line down though. Think Sale would have that but too much for Worcester today.



Gloucester 28 - 22 Irish

See Gloucester getting the advantage in the scrum, and see their second row having more in the loose than Irish. Irish to take the back row battle. Even HB's with Dupuy and Donald the standouts, probably side with Gloucester just. Have to give Gloucester the centres, but not a great deal of form anywhere there. Gloucester take the back three comfortably. See Gloucester having too much for Irish.



Harlequins 24 - 24 Saints

Front row to Quins, but don't see Saints going backwards too much. Saints take the second row, but same story as front row, with Quins not far behind. Tough to call back rows as Brios would need more time and not want to face Elsom particualrly, but then Watson has not rating so tough to call. HB's to Quins, and same story in the centres for me, but Saints with a monster back three. Find this one really tough to call, and can't seperate the packs. Saints back three keeps them in tha game all the way, and sitting on the fence.

SJE - just to defend Waldrom at 6 - he won the Aviva Player of the Month in January - and of the five games prior to winning that award, four were playing at 6 and one at 8.

Luke,

I like Waldrom. Hes a great no 8 and decent BS mate but up against Lobbe would be out of his depth a bit. Good at premiership standard at BS but couldnt see him playing internationally there. Possibly international standard at 8 though (well by Englands current standards anyway!). Would be no weakness at all during the world cup.

Wasn't having a go, just defending my players to the hilt

Lobbe's better at 8 anyway...

Dont we all have to!

By the way you do realise garvey is playing for Worcester and not Sale in your prediction

Obviously....

London Wasps 18 - 21 Exeter Chiefs

Arry you need to add some creativity to that backline of yours - can see the game being very similar to England v Wales, as if Exeter defend against you well and make their first time tackles then you arent going to score a try. I think this is a real problem for you and you need a player who can add a spark from somewhere. Driver you've got a great team now, just a few more signings and you will push right up the table!

Worcester Warriors 26-29 Sale Sharks

Deciding factor was the halfbacks in this - worcestor have a great pack, really dangerous backline, but think no9 is too inexperienced here. If Peel had played I'd have given you the win, and like the backrow (will Morgan pick Wales or England do you think?) - really like your backline SJE, not sure on Rooney though, he's disappointed me since turning to union.

Gloucester 33-28 London Irish

Carter and Genia on the bench...really like Fasivula from 6, he was a star in the last 2-3 months in the AP, best player in the league at times. Think Irish will stay in the game until Mat unloads his bench...

Bath Rugby 29-28 Leicester Tigers

Really tough one to call this - think Beale is wasted at 10, has to play 15 as such an amazing runner and you want to keep him doing what he does best. Walder will be positionally better, but doesnt have that 'x' factor that Beale does. Really close game, just give Bath the win with a few more world class players on display, which is really the only difference. Think Tigers will do well this year, got some great combinations and like Waldrom at 6.

Sarries 28 - 33 Newcastle

What a great battle this will be - think the game would have been really interesting if there was in depth tactics, as could see the Sarries centre partnership causing real problems for Newcastle. But due to it being a friendly, have to really go for player v player match ups and just think that Pooly's front row and certainly back row give them a big advantage.

ARry - should also have said that you have got an awesome team for when the wet weather comes in - can see you being next to impossible to beat at home then.

Guys how much do you consider the weather in predictions as England pitches lot worse than anywhere else, and game is very much forward dominated - ive tried to get a team that can play well in wet, muddy conditions - Sheridan, Hartley, Hayman, Davies, Albacete, Elsom, Rees, Parisse, Phillips, Giteau, Halfpenny, de Villiers, Tuilagi, Ashton, Foden and then a team for dry conditions - Domingo, Hartley, Stevens, Davies, Lawes, Messam, Lapandry, Parisse, Simpson, Beauxis, Siviatu, Giteau, Tuilagi, Ashton, Foden.

Try and mix it up a bit...

"Guys how much do you consider the weather in predictions as England pitches lot worse than anywhere else"

It plays a part for me Chris but it's only a factor. I think most players can play in wet/dry conditions and a lot of the players in this game have been here a few years.

I'd prob prefer to see a territory game FH play in very wet weather (JMH, ROG) than a all out attacking FH (Cooper, Giteau) but again it's only a factor and isn't going to instantly lose a team a game.

I don't think English pitches are generally any worse than Wales, Scotland, Ireland and even France. New Zealand has pretty rough weather (rain etc) as does Argentina.

We tend to have very forward domnated play as that's the way the English play and we don't always have the talent in the backs to change this. That isn't an issue in this game as we have the cream of world rugby!

Weather will be a consideration for me, but more in terms of tactics suiting the conditions as opposed to players per se, although the tactics need to suit the players as well, so it's really a combination of things.

Chris,

Did you see Rooney at Toulon? Was best fullback in the Top 14 that season. Hence people were talking of him as a potential England international. Hes back to Toulon this year as well now so I'm delighted!

I'm similar to Pete in terms of conditions. If your looking to play an expansive game in the wet I will be marking down. Tactics need to suit conditions.

London Wasps 18 Exeter Chiefs 22

Contrast of Styles in the packs. Wasps better scrummaging front row, but more lightweight locks pushing from behind, whereas Chiefs have a bit more grunt pushing but not quite as good front row. Then you have Haskell vs. Jennings at openside, complete contrast in styles which I think would see Chiefs slightly dominate the breakdown. Phiips would be ideal off quick ball generated and there is enough creativity in the backs to cause problems for Wasps. Wasps backs solid and would defend well but a little predictable in attack with big powerful runners from 11-14. For me, slightly better ball and a little more creativity gives the Chiefs the win.


Worcester Warriors 20 Sale Sharks 27

Calling the front rows even, but give Sale a slight second row edge as Gulliver unproven for Warriors. Back rows pretty even for me so can’t see either side getting a huge advantage up front. Half backs for me go to Sale by a distance. Cruden is in superb form in the ITM Cup and with Bezy providing the bullets could cause massive problems Worcester. Midfields I think would nullify each other slightly, but Sale have the outstanding finisher in Masaga, so it’s a Sale win for me.


Gloucester 30 London Irish 27

Front 5’s I don’t see anyone getting an advantage, and back rows are reasonably even, the only thing that separates them from me is Johnson is off the back of a good S15 season whereas Rush was pretty gash for the Blues last year, so slight edge to Gloucester. Big fan of Lewis at 9, and maybe slightly biased but also a big fan of Bowden at 10, so 1 a piece in the halfbacks. Contrasting midfields where Mat’s players have no form to go on, but if I was choosing solely on abilities I would pick them over the Irish pair. Gloucester back three could run in tries for fun given the chance, so although I don’t see much in this one, am giving it to Gloucester by a small margin.


Bath Rugby 22 Leicester Tigers 21

Can actually see the Tigers front row struggling in the set piece here. Crockett can be got underneath, and Kubriashvilli is the sort of scrummager who will get underneath him, likewise Perugini will really pressurize big Faan on the other side. Having two strong scrummagers either side of Mears is a good option to have. Not sure on Beale at 10, he’s hit and miss there, and the with the exception of Steyn the Bath backline is quite lightweight, although certainly Allen punches above his weight in defence. Tough call, pack to Bath and backs to Tigers for me, but I’ve always been a believer that forwards win matches and the backs decide by how much, so it is the narrowest of victories for Bath here.


Harlequins 36 Northampton Saints 41

As with most games these days in this league not much to call in the packs at face value, so have to look at the detail and pick up on small points. Despite being no Elsom fan, I don’t see Brits really as being anywhere near him at 6 so if I have to give a pack an edge it would go slightly to Saints. Not a fan of either of Saints half backs but accept that they could cause teams problems. Like the youngsters on the Quins wings, but the Saints back three have proven international class so have to edge them ahead. Seems like Saints edge ahead in a few areas in this game so it’s the win to them in what I think could be a really high scoring affair.