Summer Tournament Round One

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Pool One


London Irish v Harlequins
(at Eden Park)
London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Dean Mumm	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Matt Garvey	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Bjorn Basson
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Darren Fearn 17. James Buckland 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Hendrie Fourie 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Sireli Naqalevuki 23. Shane Geraghty

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Karl Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Quade Cooper (k)
03. Ben Franks
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Hugh Pyle	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Michael Hooper	13. Florian Fritz
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. George Lowe
08. Dave Denton	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieron Brookes 19. Jerome Thion 20. Carl Fearns 21. Jano Vermaak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Luke Morahan

Tactics

tbc

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Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester
(at Westpac Stadium)
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Ben Youngs
02. Lee Mears	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Paul O’Connell(c)	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

16.Rory Best 17. Owen Franks 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Brad Thorn 20. Kieran Read 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. James O’Connor 23. Jaque Fourie

Tactics

- High tempo, offloading game - Looking to keep ball alive
- Steady scrum & look to attack opposition lineout
- 4 top draw lineout options and POC to take apart oppostion throw
- Cruden to play flat and bring SBW into the line and attack the opposition 10/12 axis
- AAC to play off SBW's shoulder with hard, straight lines
- Look to get Cuthbert/Bowe into game and target oppostion wings defence
- Brussow/Robshaw to target breakdown and Youngs to look to attack off turnover ball
- Impact bench to see out game

Gloucester
Manager – ‘Mat

01. Nick Wood (c)	09. Genia
02. Gray	10. Johan Goosen (k)
03. Nicola Mas
04. Etzbeth	11. Sharples
05. Richie gray	12. Matt Scott
06. Steven Ferris	13. Richard Kahui
07. Qera	14. Johnny May
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Coonie ousthuizen 7. James Johnstone18. Adriaan Strauss 19. Tom Palmer 20. Fasivalu 21. Connor Murray 22. Dan Carter 23. Zac Guildford

Tactics

Target lineout with heaslip etzbeth gray and ferris
Huge ball carriers exploding past gain line

Quick ball whipped out to attack with pace
Big runners in cruden channel to target his defence with back 3 running off
Shoulders for offloads
Back 3 to up tempo and take quick throw ins and counter any kicks not pinpoint
Target cuthberts positioning and lack of kicking with intelligent kicks in behind
Impact bench keep up ball carrying theme and tempo with coonie jj fasivalu palmer etc
Carter and Guildford to sure up game and keep attacking With width and invention.

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Saracens v Leicester Tigers
(at Forsyth Barr Stadium)
Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Morgan Parra
02. John Smit (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Adam Jones
04. George Skivington	11. Luke Fitzgerald
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jonathan Davies
06. Thierry Dusautoir	13. Henry Trinder
07. Ross Rennie	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. George Chuter 17. Matt Mullan 18. Brok Harris 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Johnson 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Owen Farrell 23. Jaco Taute

Tactics

• Big ball carriers to carry hard close to rucks drawing defenders in.
  
• Attack the breakdown with numbers if turnover looks on.
  
• Fast paced offloading game
  
• Target the scrum as a weapon with jones locking it down and Corbisiero attacking to get us going forward.
  
• Homer to take all points on offer.
  

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Sebastien Bruno	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape	11. Rene Ranger
05. James Horwilll (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Andrew Sheridan 17. Tom Youngs 18. Brian Mujati 19. Simon Shaw 20. Francois Louw 21. Micky Young 22. Casey Laulala 23. Rob Miller

Tactics

- We will play a structured game built around tactical HB's moving us into the right areas, the strength of our set piece and getting our backline into space.

- Use kicks from HB's to use our strong lineout - with Croft, Pape and Horwill as our main jumpers rotating the target. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down Sarries defence. 
The likes of Waldrom, O'Brien and Horwill used off the shoulder crashing through the defence. 

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Yachvili our general pulling the strings.

- Look to play attacking rugby in the backs, getting the likes of BOD, Ranger and Nacewa on the ball when we can. Croft to look to get into space and join our backs to cause trouble out wide.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.

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Pool Two


London Welsh v Northampton Saints
(at Waikato Stadium)
London Welsh

Sturgess
Whitehead
Mitchell
Schofield
Hudson
McLaughlin
Dowsen
Narraway

Williams
Butch
Visser
Downey
Cave
Robinson
Ben Smith

Lewis Roberts , Elliot , Tui , flip , Welch , Thomas , Catterick , Smith

Saints

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Mike Phillips
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. George Ford
03. Carl Hayman
04. Bradley Davies	11. Christian Wade
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Jean de Villiers
06. Liam Messam	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Cane	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

16. Motu Matu'u 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Liam Gill 21. Joe Simpson 22. Juan Martin Hernandez 23. Julian Savea

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Bath Rugby v Worcester Warriors
(at North Harbour Stadium)
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Aaron Smith
02. Chris Brooker	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Jarrad Hoeata	11. Cory Jane
05. Tom Donnelly	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Brad Shields	13Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. George North
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Cian Healy 17. Kevin Mealamu 18. Euan Murray 19. Rob Simmons 20. James Haskell 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Isiah Toeava

Worcester (RC Squad)

• Paul James
  
• Richardt Strauss
  
• BJ Botha
  
• Luke Charteris
  
• Ollie Kohn
  
• Ryan Jones ©
  
• Justin Tipuric
  
• Ben Morgan
  
• Dwayne Peel
  
• Kyle Godwin (k)
  
• James Short
  
• Seilala Mapusua
  
• Matt Hopper
  
• Julien Malzieu
  
• Olly Morgan
  

• Koree Britton, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Chris Budgen, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Mamuka Gorgodze, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Sam Vesty, Fergus McFadden
  

Tactics

*Forwards to look to gain the edge at the scrum,

*Charteris, Jones and Tipuric to pick off the lineout,

*Breakdown dominance from Jones and Tipuric with Morgan bashing it up,

*Quick ball for Peel when needed and Godwin to put us into the corners when needed but aim for running rugby,

*Maps to hit hard with runners off him and to let Hopper go,

*Wings to go looking for work with pace and power and Morgan to play the high ball game,

*Use subs as and when bringing on experience and youngsters gunning to impress,

*Hard defence looking to slow the ball down with our breakdown experts.

---

Sale Sharks v London Wasps
(at Rugby League Park)

London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dave Dennis	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Matt Banahan
08. Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Luke Burgess 22. Steven Myler 23. Joe Ansboro

Tactics

High intensity carrying game in the forwards, looking to win the collisions and offload.

Bowden to play flat and bring in strike runners. Roberts on the crash ball, with Pisi looking to make outside breaks.

Looking to keep the ball alive and run with the ball at most oppurtunities.

Dominate the set piece. Mix things up at the lineout with Dennis providing tail ball to build from.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Keith Earls
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Adam Thomson	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Peter O'Mahony	14. David Strettle
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Jerome Schuster 17. Darren Dawdiuk 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Brodie Retalick 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Craig Gilroy

Tactics

• Strong carrying game with big carriers running off the 9/10/12 axis providing forward momentum
  
• Plenty of offloading to keep the ball alive and break thdefensive line
  
• Back 3 to look to get involved as much as possible and create overlaps and mis-matches
  
• Look to hit the set piece hard particularly the lineout with no leader on show for Wasps

---

Looks fancy Pete.

Not sure what kind of team to put out with no EQ rule, might just try out some combo's

Thought I'd brighten the match thread pages up a bit this season.

I'm going with the side I am likely to put out during the Rugby Championship, as is luke, so should be a good contest.

Should be good hearing peoples feedback on teams over the course fo this competition.

Be nice to get a bit of pos/neg on combo's etc, results don't matter so can try things out

Saracens name their side to face Leicester Tigers next week in Dunedin. New club captain John Smit lines up alongside Alex Corbisiero and Adam Jones in what is a massive front row, with club vice captains George Skivington and Steve Borthwick packing down behind them. In the backs it is an all Northern Hemisphere line up, as the Saracens coaching staff assess their options ahead of the new season, where the likes of Frans Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Ma'a Nonu, Bryan Habana and Digby Ioane are likely to be unavailable due to international commitments until late October.

Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Morgan Parra
02. John Smit (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Adam Jones
04. George Skivington	11. Luke Fitzgerald
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jonathan Davies
06. Thierry Dusautoir	13. Henry Trinder
07. Ross Rennie	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. George Chuter 17. Matt Mullan 18. Brok Harris 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Johnson 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Owen Farrell 23. Jaco Taute

Leicester Tigers have named their side for their first pre-season friendly of the 2012/13 season - against Saracens in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The side named by manager LukeLovesLuka is widely reported as being the one expected to start the season for Tigers during the Rugby Championship. Although with options in most positions, the official side won't be announced till the week of that first game.

Summer signings Sean O'Brien and Rene Ranger will don the Tigers shirt for the first time, whilst Brian Mujati and Francois Louw could also make their first appearances in the jersey from the bench.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Sebastien Bruno	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape	11. Rene Ranger
05. James Horwilll (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Andrew Sheridan 17. Tom Youngs 18. Brian Mujati 19. Simon Shaw 20. Francois Louw 21. Micky Young 22. Casey Laulala 23. Rob Miller

Tactics

- We will play a structured game built around tactical HB's moving us into the right areas, the strength of our set piece and getting our backline into space.

- Use kicks from HB's to use our strong lineout - with Croft, Pape and Horwill as our main jumpers rotating the target. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down Sarries defence. 
The likes of Waldrom, O'Brien and Horwill used off the shoulder crashing through the defence. 

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Yachvili our general pulling the strings.

- Look to play attacking rugby in the backs, getting the likes of BOD, Ranger and Nacewa on the ball when we can. Croft to look to get into space and join our backs to cause trouble out wide.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.

If I was calling our fixture luke I reckon I would have to go into the fine detail of our tactics to pick a winner. Going to be interesting to see how people call it and should gives us some pointers for when the seaosn starts.

Just did a comparison of positions myself, and like you say, will be really interesting to see what gets said about a few of the match ups. Should be a good one

Worcester (RC Squad)

• Paul James
  
• Richardt Strauss
  
• BJ Botha
  
• Luke Charteris
  
• Ollie Kohn
  
• Ryan Jones ©
  
• Justin Tipuric
  
• Ben Morgan
  
• Dwayne Peel
  
• Kyle Godwin (k)
  
• James Short
  
• Seilala Mapusua
  
• Matt Hopper
  
• Julien Malzieu
  
• Olly Morgan
  

• Koree Britton, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Chris Budgen, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Mamuka Gorgodze, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Sam Vesty, Fergus McFadden
  

Tactics

*Forwards to look to gain the edge at the scrum,

*Charteris, Jones and Tipuric to pick off the lineout,

*Breakdown dominance from Jones and Tipuric with Morgan bashing it up,

*Quick ball for Peel when needed and Godwin to put us into the corners when needed but aim for running rugby,

*Maps to hit hard with runners off him and to let Hopper go,

*Wings to go looking for work with pace and power and Morgan to play the high ball game,

*Use subs as and when bringing on experience and youngsters gunning to impress,

*Hard defence looking to slow the ball down with our breakdown experts.

No net this weekend bar on the phone sorry (moving week). Really pushed for time!!

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Aaron Smith
02. Chris Brooker	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Jarrad Hoeata	11. Cory Jane
05. Tom Donnelly	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Brad Shields	13Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. George North
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Cian Healy 17. Kevin Mealamu 18. Euan Murray 19. Rob Simmons 20. James Haskell 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Isiah Toeava

What happened to team and tactics I posted ???

On phone so have to post
In non format.

Has
My side been deleted
??

1 coonie
2 Strauss
3 mas
4 etzbeth
5 gray
6 ferris
7 burger
8 heaslip
9 genia
10 carter
11 gear
12 Barnes
13 kahui
14 guildford
15 dagg
16 wood
17 gray
18 jj
19 Pierre
20 hari
21 Murray
22 goosen
23 may


Best side for me on form pooly.
Prefer
To play rc side but seems to have vanished

Why did only a few of us name
Sides yesterday as per rules is their another page ?

Noticed there is 2 pages. Pooly do you want to play my rc or best side ?

You posted on the tournament homepage mat. This is the R1 match thread, it's up early as the games aren't until next week.

Pete

Can I plead a vow of insanity !!!


I really should read before posting

Matt,

I wasnt looking to put out a side with no EQ, I was just going to try a few combo's.

Pooly I am a week ahead lol

London Welsh side....

Sturgess
Whitehead
Mitchell
Schofield
Hudson
McLaughlin
Dowsen
Narraway

Williams
Butch
Visser
Downey
Cave
Robinson
Ben Smith

Lewis Roberts , Elliot , Tui , flip , Welch , Thomas , Catterick , Smith

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Karl Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Quade Cooper (k)
03. Ben Franks
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Hugh Pyle	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Michael Hooper	13. Florian Fritz
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. George Lowe
08. Dave Denton	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieron Brookes 19. Jerome Thion 20. Carl Fearns 21. Jano Vermaak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Luke Morahan

Tactics

tbc

London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dave Dennis	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Matt Banahan
08. Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Luke Burgess 22. Steven Myler 23. Joe Ansboro

Tactics

High intensity carrying game in the forwards, looking to win the collisions and offload.

Bowden to play flat and bring in strike runners. Roberts on the crash ball, with Pisi looking to make outside breaks.

Looking to keep the ball alive and run with the ball at most oppurtunities.

Dominate the set piece. Mix things up at the lineout with Dennis providing tail ball to build from.

Saints team versus London Welsh

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Mike Phillips
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. George Ford
03. Carl Hayman
04. Bradley Davies	11. Christian Wade
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Jean de Villiers
06. Liam Messam	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Cane	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

16. Motu Matu'u 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Liam Gill 21. Joe Simpson 22. Juan Martin Hernandez 23. Julian Savea

Tactics
- Go through the phases, getting big ball carriers on the ball and over the gainline&then spread the ball wide to our backthree.
- Target the breakdown and look for quick ball to attack with.
- Build a platform for George Ford to use his tactical kicking game and mix up the Saints attack.
- Get de Villiers and Tuilagi to get over the gainline through the midfield.
- Aggressive defence, stop London Welsh getting over the gainline and smash them back in the tackle. Look for mistakes.
- Offload bench where all players are there for impact.

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Dean Mumm	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Matt Garvey	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Bjorn Basson
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Darren Fearn 17. James Buckland 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Hendrie Fourie 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Sireli Naqalevuki 23. Shane Geraghty

Manager – ‘Mat

01. Nick Wood (c)	09. Genia
02. Gray	10. Johan Goosen (k)
03. Nicola Mas
04. Etzbeth	11. Sharples
05. Richie gray	12. Matt Scott
06. Steven Ferris	13. Richard Kahui
07. Qera	14. Johnny May
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Coonie ousthuizen 7. James Johnstone18. Adriaan Strauss 19. Tom Palmer 20. Fasivalu 21. Connor Murray 22. Dan Carter 23. Zac Guildford [/quote]


Tactics

Target lineout with heaslip etzbeth gray and ferris
Huge ball carriers exploding past gain line

Quick ball whipped out to attack with pace
Big runners in cruden channel to target his defence with back 3 running off
Shoulders for offloads
Back 3 to up tempo and take quick throw ins and counter any kicks not pinpoint
Target cuthberts positioning and lack of kicking with intelligent kicks in behind
Impact bench keep up ball carrying theme and tempo with coonie jj fasivalu palmer etc
Carter and Guildford to sure up game and keep attacking With width and invention.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Ben Youngs
02. Lee Mears	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Paul O’Connell(c)	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

16.Rory Best 17. Owen Franks 18. Fabien Barcella 19. Brad Thorn 20. Kieran Read 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. James O’Connor 23. Jaque Fourie

Tactics

- High tempo, offloading game - Looking to keep ball alive
- Steady scrum & look to attack opposition lineout
- 4 top draw lineout options and POC to take apart oppostion throw
- Cruden to play flat and bring SBW into the line and attack the opposition 10/12 axis
- AAC to play off SBW's shoulder with hard, straight lines
- Look to get Cuthbert/Bowe into game and target oppostion wings defence
- Brussow/Robshaw to target breakdown and Youngs to look to attack off turnover ball
- Impact bench to see out game

Just SJE to name a Sale Sharks side an we're away.

You doing tactics Pete?

Have done mate, nothing major just 5 one liners.

Pete: if possible, could you p.m me a template worcester team submit table to use!! Cheers

I've added a few points if you could copy them in

No worries mate, am not on computer at present but will add them either later tonight or first thing in the morning.

London Irish 20 Harlequins 24

Irish front 5 is a good unit and can see Poux getting on top of Ben Franks now and again but Quins having a immense engine room doesn't see it happen ofton. Kendo is the pick of the jumpers in the line and could get some joy on Quins ball but Quins have enough to bank it at 2 with Bakkies. back rows is where this won with Hooper and Warburton causing all sorts of damage in the tight with Denton ahead of Tialta for me. half backs see Karl dickson getting the best out of Coops as he has quite snappy service where as I can't see past Dupuy as kicking machine who's service isnt the best. centres shade to Irish for experience with Mac playing the field a lot better than Serfontein 13 wise i can't see Basteraud getting much joy out of running at Fritzz. Lowe and Biggs struggle against Tagi and Basson but Taylor shades Delon purely down to form.

Dont know if its to late to stand but Sale Sharks side:


Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Keith Earls
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Adam Thomson	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Peter O'Mahony	14. David Strettle
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Jerome Schuster 17. Darren Dawdiuk 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Brodie Retalick 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Craig Gilroy

Tactics

• Strong carrying game with big carriers running off the 9/10/12 axis providing forward momentum
  
• Plenty of offloading to keep the ball alive and break thdefensive line
  
• Back 3 to look to get involved as much as possible and create overlaps and mis-matches
  
• Look to hit the set piece hard particularly the lineout with no leader on show for Wasps

have added my tactics yesterday

Tactics and Sale team added.

Cheers Pete!

Irish 19-24 Quins
I can see the Iirish front row causing some problems but Quins back 5 are very strong and won't go back. At the breakdown this is where Quins'll come to life and cause all the issues. Looking at the backs I can see Irish gaining a bit of an advantage at the kicking game but Dickson and Cooper will create the gaps for the punishing runs. On the bench Quins edge it.

Falcons 21-20 Glos
Can see an even match upfront and like the selection of Wood as captain (may even happen this year, you never know!). Can see in the backs that Glos do have the pace and flair but Falcons have more bedded in quality in the backs to just edge this match.

Sarries 20-22 Tigers
Massive front row battle on show here with Tigers just edging it. Give the back 5 a 50-50 spli but I feel that; like Falcons, Tigers have a little more bedded in quality in their back line with Wilko and BOD leading the charge.

Welsh 20-25 Saints
Sturgess may get some joy out of Hayman who is older than his prime, the Welsh engine room has good experience and lineout skills however; overall, the pack battle will be edged to Saints. Cane and Messam will have a field day at the breakdown and win vital turnovers. In the backs Butch just edges Ford and Visser edges Ashton but again, overall Saints are on top here. Welsh have the good names there but possibly a little too much to do.

Sharks 15-9 Wasps
Wasps win the front row and the centre battle but everywhere else I see a slight edge to Sale, especially in the back row department wheere they will win enough quick ball and slow down enough for penalties to win this match. Not a high scoring game but Sale edge past Wasps here.

Do I need to do tactics at all now? Can do them quite quickly if they would get put up

Pete ive added some tactics. Dont worry if you cant upload at all though mate.

Chris,

We have a midget battle in Robinson vs Wade!

something people would surely pay to watch! should have mentioned it in my tactics!

London Irish 25 - 23 Harlequins

See both Irish's props getting the upper hand and see them getting an advantage up front. More in the loose for Quins though. One apiece in the 2nd row, probs better duo for Quins. Think Quins will take the back row, Armitage means not a walkover but better unit for Quins. Two nice HB combo's that is tough to call, with Irish taking the centres for me. More about Irish's back three. Tough to call, still think Quins back line needs another top player in there, and costs them here. 

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 26 Gloucester

Edge to Gloucester come scrum time but Falcons more in the loose up front. Two strong second rows, slight edge to Gloucester overall on form. Cracking back row battle, if I had to give a winner probably just Gloucester. One apiece in the HB's, but Falcons take the centres. Edge to Falcons back three with a classy unit. Really tough game to call this one, particularly with two such strong benches. Sitting on the fence, sorry. 

Newcastle 26 Gloucester 24
Bath 35 Worcester 30
Saracens 20 Tigers 22
Sharks 23 Wasps 23

Come on folks, get your predos in!

Newcastle 24 - 22 Gloucester

Front rows about even, could both be stronger in the set piece. Prefer the Gloucester 2nd row at both 4 and 5. It's 2-1 to Gloucester in the backrow with Brusson edging out Qera. Half backs one a piece but Youngs less a weakness than Goosen. Centres to Newcastle but I am getting less fond of AAC as a 13. Back 3 to Newcastle.

Basically its a split between a better Gloucester pack and a better Newcastle backline. Think Newcastle sneak it.

Saracens 26 - 28 Leicester

Very close in the front row, where I think Cole's form just gives Leicester the edge. Saracens 2nd row also stronger. Back rows closer with better carrying for Tigers but more at the breakdown for Saracens. Prefer the Saracens half back pairing. The outside backs are probably in Leicester's favour but I don't think there half backs will get as much out of them as the Saracens will out of there's.

London Welsh 17 - 26 Northampton Saints

Saints have the stronger pack in this one, with some nice in form combos and some players in good form in general combined with some players who are top top talents. Half backs also the way of Saints with them stronger in both positions. Saints stronger in the centres but the back 3's much better matched.

Bath 18 - 18 Worcester

I think Worcester will get some joy upfront in this one, with experienced pack and a well balanced back row they will have the better up front. Two different styles at 9 but I prefer Peel but the gulf in class at 10 in huge currently and Hodgson will school Godwin. The outside backs go to Bath by a comfortable margin.

Sale 28 - 25 Wasps

More in the front row for Wasps with a very handy unit but the rest of the pack goes to Sale. I see a serious issue at the lineout for Wasps but the Sale back 5 in better but not by a landslide. Halfbacks to Sale, with Bowden stronger as a 12 and the outside backs are pretty even with it very tough to call.

Irish 28-20 Quins

Irish should take real control at scrum time. Breakdown a good battle with Quins shading but not overly dominant here with Armitage on show. Bit more through the back line for Irish and this is what sees them win out.

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Falcons 28-24 Glaws

Can't see anything really betweens the packs and halfbacks fairly even as well. From 11-15 though Falcons step up in quality wise and will do more with the ball

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Sarries 20-26 Tigers

Not much in the set piece battle. Sarries with a little more at the breakdown but Tigers with more carrying. Even in the halfbacks but bit more quality for Tigers in the backs particularly the back 3.

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Bath 26-22 Worcester

Edge to Worcester at the scrum but fairly even else where through the pack. Bath with a bit more in the halfbacks and midfield and a very strong bench should see them through.

Irish 29 - 27 Quins
Would say Iirish have more power in this game - for me that will be a big factor next year and Irish midfield and backthree are v good at getting over the gain line. Very good battle in the pack, am not the biggest Lindsay fan as not sure how much control he brings in the set piece. Rate Pyle v highly too.

Newcastle 33 - 30 Gloucester
Most already made the comments that Mat has better pack but Pooly better back line. In wet weather Gloucester would win, whole pack is fantastic. Newcastle will find it tough, but not outclassed and can see them scoring more tries.

Tigers 25 - 21 Sarries
Front five very even - though Tigers have stronger back row, v physical so they have an advantage there. Back lines interesting, so much for Tigers depends on Twelvetrees form at Gloucester in real life. Not sure about makeup of Sarries back line from 10 out - id be looking to target Trinder and Homer if I played Sarries.

Worcester 17 - 22 Bath
Cracking back line that Bath put out, from 11-15 it's a great combination of power and speed and Hodgson pulling the strings. There are a few forwards I haven't seen play for Bath, so am not sure how strong the whole pack is. Worcester are going to be very difficult to beat in the wet, hard pack - getting a wc back would help no end.

Sale 29 - 26 Wasps
Can't see many teams going through the wasps back line this season, very tough with Roberts and Pisi - would give Sale an edge in the pack and more creativity outside. Think Arry needs a top class 10 and he's sorted!

Irish 23-21 Harlequins

Irish

+ Strong scrummaging, powerful front row
+ Good lineout options
+ Good carrying options in front/backrow
+ v good hb pairing, powerful midfield & plenty of kicking options
+ Impressive back 3 with great pace/attacking threat

-Lindsay's throwing is so hit and miss, not a massive problem but something to be watched
-2nd row a little lightweight but solid pairing
-Garvey at 6 ok but personally prefer at lock

Quins
+ Mobile front row
+ A lot of pace in pack be great on hard pitchess
+ Botha adds serious grunt and sures up front 5
+ V strong hb pairing in good conditions
+ Good running option in Taylor poss best counter FB in world rugby

- Franks at TH an issue against strong scrums, better at LH
- Don't know who Pyle/Serfontain are so can't rate
- Playing Hooper at BS loses a bit of grunt in backrow
- Midfield lacks a bit of quality
- Lowe better at 13

Saracens 25-26 Leicester Tigers

Saracens
+ Strong scrummaging front row
+ Great throw in Smit and great options in pack and backrow
+ Good balance and strong backrow
+ Solid defensive back 3

- Lack a little bit of carrying in front 5
- Engine room lacks quality and will be dominated by better outfits
- back 3 lack a bit of attacking threat

Tigers
+ Great engine room, prob best in league
+ Plenty of v good lineout options
+ Good balance in backrow and great carrying options throughout pack
+ Great kicking options in hbs
+ Superb running threat from back 3

- Creative spark 9-13 could be targeted
- Back 3 great for summer conditions but could be targetted in poor

London Welsh 18-24 Northampton Saints

Welsh
+ Solid front row in scrum
+ Numerous lineout options in pack and will cause serious issues
+ Good mobile pack
+ balanced backline & good attacking threat from back 3

- Lack a bit of ground work in backrow
- ok in summer but back 5 not loads of grunt against bigger packs
- A reliable place kicker could be an issue

Saints
+ Good carrying/scrum balance front row
+ Loads of grunt/power/carrying in back 5
+ Great balance and strong backrow
+ Strong/powerful centre combo
+ Plenty of finishing threat in back 3

- Will struggle in lineout with no good jumper or main lineout leader
- Ford not quite up to standard yet
- Back 3 could be starved of ball with 2 centres who take it up, could do with a bit of creativity/offloading