Fantasy Heineken Cup Round One

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Reminder: EQ requirement for Europe is 10 in the matchday squad with 7 starters

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Heineken Cup Round One

P1 Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester
Cloudy, 10 degrees, 19mph winds

Edinburgh Rugby

01. Allan Jacobsen	09. Richie Rees
02. Ross Ford	10. Greg Laidlaw
03. Geoff Cross
04. Sean Cox	11. Tim Visser
05. Grant Gilchrist	12. Ben Atiga
06. David Denton	13. Matt Scott
07. Ross Rennie	14. Lee Jones
08. Netani Talei	15. Greig Tonks

16. Andy Titterell 17. John Yapp 18. WP Nel 19. Dimitri Basilaia 20. Roddy Grant 21. Chris Leck 22. John Houston 23. Dougie Fife


Gloucester
Manager - anonmattyt

01. Nick Wood	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey	10. Steven Donald (k)
03. Rupert Harden
04. Tom Palmer (c)	11. James Simpson-Daniel
05. George Robson	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Richard Kahui
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Zac Guildford
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Gurthro Steenkamp 17. Jamie George 18. Nicola Mas 19. Richie Grey 20. Imanol Harinordoqouy 21. Will Genia 22. Johan Goosen 23. Charlie Sharples

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P2 Toulouse v Saracens
Sunny, 17 degrees, 10mph winds

Toulouse

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Luke Burgess
02. Gary Botha	10. Lionel Beauxis
03. Census Johnston
04. Romain Mill-Chluski	11. Yoann Huget
05. Yoann Maestri	12. Luke McAlister
06. Thierry Dusautoir	13. Florian Fritz
07. Yannick Nyanga	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Jean-Baptiste Poux 18. Vasil Kakovin 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Edwin Maka 21. Jean-Marc Doussain 22. Timoci Matanavou 23. Yann David


Saracens
Manager – Driver

01. Efion Lewis-Roberts	09. Will Chudley
02. Hika Elliot	10. Ian Humphreys
03 .Ben Tameifuna
04. Tim Swinson	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Chris Bell
06. Rhys Ruddock (c)	13. Henry Trinder
07. George Smith	14. Harry Robinson
08. Phil Dowson	15 .Freddie Burns (k)

16. Scott Spurling 17. Max Lahiff 18. Hoani Tui 19 .Bryn Evans 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Lachie Turner

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P3 Zebre vs. Northampton Saints
Cloudy, 17 degrees, 2mph winds

Zebre

01. Matias Aguero	09. Alberto Chillon
02. Davide Giazzon	10. Alberto Chiesa
03. Luca Redolfini
04. Quintin Geldehuys	11. Sinoti Sinoti
05. Michael van Vuuren	12. Gonzalo Garcia
06. Emiliano Caffini	13. Matteo Pratichetti
07. Mauro Bergamasco	14. Giovanbattistsa Venditti
08. Dries van Schalkwyk	15. Daniel Halangahu

16. Carlo Festuccia 17. Salvatore Preugini 18. Flavio Tripodi 19. Josh Sole 20. Filippo Ferratini 21. Luca Martinelli 22. Alberto Benettin 23. Leonardo Sarto


Northampton Saints
Manager - dammit_chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. George Ford (k)
03. Logovi'i Mulipola
04. Bradley Davies (c)	11. Chris Ashton
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Joe Launchbury	13. Tomasso Benvenuti
07. Julian Salvi	14. Siti Siviatu
08. Ashley Johnson	15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Ryan Grant 18. Henry Thomas 19. Dan Lydiate 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Mike Phillips 22. Matt Giteau 23. Leigh Halfpenny

Tactics

Overview - To play a game based on power, speed, pressure and aggression. To use the extra physicality and ball carrying power of our pack to gain an advantage for open play and look to get over the gainline and create gaps for our backline to exploit.

Aggressive defence to force mistakes and turnovers and will aim to target the breakdown for turnover ball to attack with. Light rain makes conditions perfect for our pack and backline, especially the backthree who are all ideally suited to the weather.

Key Points

- Zebre have been very, very, very, very poor in their league and we will look to exploit this, by overpowering them in the forwards, keeping the game tight for first 20minutes and keep hold of the ball.
- Pack has a lot of ball carriers and we are confident of dominating both set pieces and getting over the gainline.
- Strong bench to bring on and see out the game.
- We will look to score tries and take the game away from Zebre.
- Freshened up the team and have 20 players who are internationals in the match day 23, so plenty of experience to win away.

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P3 Newcastle Falcons vs. Biarritz Olympique
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 15mph winds

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Luke Burgess
02. Lee Mears	10. Toby Flood
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. James O’Connor
06. Kelly Brown(c)	13. George Lowe
07. John Barclay	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

16. Rory Best 17. Clement Ric 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Ben Youngs 22. Jaque Fourie 23. Henry Slade


Biarritz Olympique

01. Fransisco Gomez Kodela	09. Dimitr Yachvili
02. Benoit August	10. Julien Peyrelongue
03. Eugene Van Staden
04. Jerome Thion	11. Aled Brew
05. Pelu Taele	12. Damien Traille
06. Wenceslas Lauret	13. Benoit Baby
07. Benoit Guyot	14. Takudza Ngwenya
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Arnaud Heguy 17. Lodewicus Blaauw 18. Ben Broster 19. Erik Lund 20. Talalelei Gray 21. Marcelo Bosch 22. Charles Giminez 23. Jean-Pascal Barraque

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P4 Leicester Tigers vs. Glasgow Warriors
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 10mph winds

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins (c)	09. Michael Claasens
02. Tom Youngs	10. Brock James (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Simon Shaw	11. Ugo Monye
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Tom Croft	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Rene Ranger
08. Jordan Crane	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Jared Saunders 17. Sebastian Bruno 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Micky Young 22. Rory Clegg 23. Alex Lewington


Glasgow Warriors

01. Gordon Reid	09. Henry Pyrgos
02. Dougie Hall	10. Ruaridh Jackson
03. Michael Cusack
04. Tom Ryder	11. Sean Lamont
05. Ali Kellock	12. Peter Horne
06. Josh Strauss	13. Alex Dunbar
07. John Barclay	14. Tommy Seymour
08. Ryan Wilson	15. Peter Murchie

16. Finlay Gillies 17. Ofa Fainga'anuku 18. Ryan Grant 19. Tim Swinson 20. Chris Fusaro 21. Nikola Matawalu 22. Byron McGuigan 23. Stuart Hogg

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P5Leinster Rugby vs. London Irish
Cloudy, 12 degrees, 10mph winds

Leinster

01. Cian Healy	09. Eoin Reddan
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Mike Ross
04. Leo Cullen	11. fergus McFadden
05. Devin Toner	12. Gordon D'Arcy
06. Kevin McLaughlin	13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Fionn Carr
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Rob Kearney

16. Sean Cronin 17. Heinke van der Merwe 18. Jamie Hagan 19. Tom Denton 20. Shane Jennings 21. Isaac Boss 22. Ian Madigan 23. Andrew Conway


London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Matt Stevens
04. Matt Garvey	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Hendrie Fourie	14. JP Pieterson
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Grant Shiells 17. James Buckland 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Pierre Spies 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

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P6 Harlequins vs. Cardiff Blues
Sunny Intervals, 13 degrees, 11mph winds

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Karl Dickson
02. Rob Hawkins	10. Felipe Contepomi
03. Ben Franks
04. Jerome Thion (c)	11. Joe Rokocoko
05. James Gaskell	12. Florian Fritz
06. Carl Fearns	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Chris Henry	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Matthew Rees 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Kruis 20. Sam Jones 21. Luke McGrath 22. Greig Laidlaw 23. Tom Biggs

Tactics

Play a controllled attacking game. We are determined to come away with a 5 point win to start off our campaign in the right way.

Forwards will look to carry hard and get our backs quick ball to play with. Dickson and Contepomi will look to play expansive game when the quick ball comes and use the talents we have in the outside backs.

We will look to control the set piece and try to disrupt on Cardiff ball.

In defence we are going to look to be aggressive and control the breakdown and the collisions. Henry and Fearns will look to steal ball from rucks all day long.


Cardiff Blues

01. Campese Ma'afu	09. Lloyd Williams
02. Rhys Williams	10. Ceri Sweeney
03. Benoit Bourrust
04. James Down	11. Tom James
05. Lou Reed	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Rory Watts-Jones	13. Gavin Evans
07. Sam Warburton	14. Harry Robinson
08. Andries Pretorius	15. leigh Halfpenny

16. Marc Breeze 17. Taufa'ao Filise 18. Scott Andrews 19. Macauley Cook 20. Josh Navidi 21. Lewis Jones 22. Gareth Davies 23. Dan Fish

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Matches not involving Aviva Premiership Clubs

P1 Racing Métro 22 (1T 1C 5P) Munster Rugby 17 (2T 2C 1P)
P2 Ospreys 38 (4T 3C 4P) Benetton Treviso 17 (2T 2C 1P)
P4 Ulster Rugby 41 (4T 3C 5P) Castres Olympique 17 (2T 2C 1P)
P5 ASM Clermont Auvergne 49 (6T 5C 3P) Scarlets 16 (1T 1C 2P 1DG)
P6 Toulon 37 (5T 3C 2P) Montpellier 16 (1T 1C 3P)

Talk about a baptism of fire.

If we have a player who plays for the team we are playing in real life is he ineligible? Ie matt Scott and me playing Edinburgh

That is correct Mat, opposition keep him for European games.

So i lose JMD and Jauzion?

Yes.

I won't get in trouble for fielding this side off the RFU or ERC will i?

Saracens
Manager – Driver

01.Efion Lewis-Roberts	09.Will Chudley
02.Hika Elliot	10.Iain Humphreys
03.Ben Tameifuna
04.Tim Swinson	11.Adam Thompstone
05.Flip Van Der Merwe	12.Chris Bell
06.Rhys Ruddock (c)	13.Henry Trinder
07.George Smith	14.Harry Robinson
08.Phil Dowson	15.Freddie Burns (k)

16.Scott Spurling 17.Max Lahiff 18.Hoani Tui 19.Bryn Evans 20.Luke Narraway 21.Dewaldt Duvenage 22.Paddy Jackson 23.Lachie Turner

This might seem a silly question Pete, but there isn't any 'cup-tied' scenario for this is there? RE Loan players etc

Never been one before Steve.

Just checking. Planning on playing Mako and dont want it to affect chris

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Karl Dickson
02. Rob Hawkins	10. Felipe Contepomi
03. Ben Franks
04. Jerome Thion (c)	11. Joe Rokocoko
05. James Gaskell	12. Florian Fritz
06. Carl Fearns	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Chris Henry	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Matthew Rees 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Kruis 20. Sam Jones 21. Luke McGrath 22. Greig Laidlaw 23. Tom Biggs

Tactics

Play a controllled attacking game. We are determined to come away with a 5 point win to start off our campaign in the right way.

Forwards will look to carry hard and get our backs quick ball to play with. Dickson and Contepomi will look to play expansive game when the quick ball comes and use the talents we have in the outside backs.

We will look to control the set piece and try to disrupt on Cardiff ball.

In defence we are going to look to be aggressive and control the breakdown and the collisions. Henry and Fearns will look to steal ball from rucks all day long.

Saints team versus Zebre

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. George Ford (k)
03. Logovi'i Mulipola
04. Bradley Davies (c)	11. Chris Ashton
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Joe Launchbury	13. Tomasso Benvenuti
07. Julian Salvi	14. Siti Siviatu
08. Ashley Johnson	15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Ryan Grant 18. Henry Thomas 19. Dan Lydiate 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Mike Phillips 22. Matt Giteau 23. Leigh Halfpenny

Tactics

Overview - To play a game based on power, speed, pressure and aggression. To use the extra physicality and ball carrying power of our pack to gain an advantage for open play and look to get over the gainline and create gaps for our backline to exploit.

Aggressive defence to force mistakes and turnovers and will aim to target the breakdown for turnover ball to attack with. Light rain makes conditions perfect for our pack and backline, especially the backthree who are all ideally suited to the weather.

Key Points

- Zebre have been very, very, very, very poor in their league and we will look to exploit this, by overpowering them in the forwards, keeping the game tight for first 20minutes and keep hold of the ball.
- Pack has a lot of ball carriers and we are confident of dominating both set pieces and getting over the gainline.
- Strong bench to bring on and see out the game.
- We will look to score tries and take the game away from Zebre.
- Freshened up the team and have 20 players who are internationals in the match day 23, so plenty of experience to win away.

Glos xv

01. Nick wood	09.Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey	10. Steven Donald (k)
03. Harden
04. Tom palmer (c)	11. Jsd
05. George robson	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Ferris	13. Kahui
07. Lapandry	14. Guildford
08. Heaslip	15. Balshaw

16. Steenkamp 17. Jamie George 18. Nicola mas19. Richie grey 20. Immanol harinordoqouy 21. Will genia22. Johan goosen 23. Charlie sharples

Tactics[/quote]

Tough trips for Sarries & Irish

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins (c)	09. Michael Claasens
02. Tom Youngs	10. Brock James (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Simon Shaw	11. Ugo Monye
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Tom Croft	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Rene Ranger
08. Jordan Crane	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Jared Saunders 17. Sebastian Bruno 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Micky Young 22. Rory Clegg 23. Alex Lewington

Tactics

TBC

Any updates on weather or opponents?

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Matt Stevens
04. Matt Garvey	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Hendrie Fourie	14. JP Pieterson
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Grant Shiells 17. James Buckland 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Pierre Spies 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Falcons make a number of changes to the side that beat a tough Harlequins side last week. Pooly:

"I've freshened up the side a little, especially in the pack. It's important to rotate and also gives the lads that have been waiting in the wings a chance to impress. We've got a fantastic home record and the boys know it's important that we keep this.

I've brough in a few players for their first start of the season in Yohann (Maestri) & John (Barclay). Both are regular starters for their respective International sides and are chomping at the bit to impress.

Biarritz have been playing some decent stuff this season and will be a tough task. They've slipped up a little over the last few weeks but are generally better travellers than many of the French sides so we'll have to keep the score ticking over and make sure we don't allow them into the game."


Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Luke Burgess
02. Lee Mears	10. Toby Flood
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. James O’Connor
06. Kelly Brown(c)	13. George Lowe
07. John Barclay	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

16. Rory Best 17. Clement Ric 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Ben Youngs 22. Jaque Fourie 23. Henry Slade

Predictions OPEN

Edinburgh 17 - 17 Gloucester

Edinburgh's front row for me is too strong at the start and Ford could get some joy from Gray. However, the Gloucester bench is very, very strong and will see second half sway back to them.

Toulouse 25 - 20 Saracens

Star studded Toulouse team, playing very well in Top 14 and will be too strong for most teams at home.

Newcastle 18 - 12 Biarittz

Biaritz form has dropped off recently, but a tricky team to play. Newcastly too strong at home though.

Tigers 20 - 10 Glasgow

Tigers too strong, but backrow issues for me slightly with them and this stops it being a bigger score.

Leinster 23 - 19 Irish

Similar to Toulouse, Leinster very hard place to come and win - do question Lindsay in these games.

Quins 31 - 24 Cardiff

Should be a free flowing game, lots of opportunities and home advantage for Quins and a very good back three will see them win.

Edinburgh 21 - 19 Gloucester

Very good contest this one. Ed are very strong and match Gloucester in the pack and Edinburgh control the game better from half backs as well. Gloucester better in the outside backs and on the bench which makes it close.

Toulouse 28 - 23 Saracens

Toulouse at home are tough to beat and Sarries don't have enough to do it here. Not many will win there this year but that Toulouse side has everything.

Zebre 16 - 20 Northampton

Saints have enough here to get a win in what will be a tough trip. Chris has avoided the banana skin with a strong enough side to take the win but not a TBP.

Newcastle 30 - 24 Biarittz

Good win for Newcastle here against a good Biarittz side. Newcastle have plenty across the pitch to take a good win.

Leicester 31 - 23 Glasgow

Similar story from Leicester. They have a good side which has too much for Glasgow. Not full strength from Tigers but still get a TBP.

Leinster 27 - 24 London Irish

Very tough fixture for Nicks boys and I can't see them getting more than a LBP. Leinster are as good a Toulouse as a unit and as individuals and I think they will take the win.

Edinburgh Rugby 32 Gloucester 32

Looking at the starting packs I think Edinburgh are marginally stronger as a unit, but when you look at the benches every Edinburgh replacement weakens their side whereas every Gloucester one strengthens it. As the game goes on and the benches empty I can see Gloucester dominating, so the question really is can they stay in the game long enough to be able to make that count at the end. This has high scorer written all over it, and I think Gloucester have enough not to lose, but not quite enough to win away.


Toulouse 23 Saracens 18

Tough one first up for Saracens this. Sarries pack will compete with some experienced campaigners like Eliot, van der Merwe and Smith in there, but overall Toulouse jave the quality in key areas and at home will be too strong in this one.


Zebre 13 Northampton Saints 32

It's a banana skin for sure, but Zebre are a poor side, and although they will compete I can see Saints blowing them away in the final quarter with the quality that they have on show in their 23.


Newcastle Falcons 22 Biarritz Olympique 16

Newcastle have enough to win this at home, but Biarritz through the set piece will make it tough, with the Falcosn front row not really working as a scrummaging unit for me right now. Comfortable in the end though for Falcons.


Leicester Tigers 30 Glasgow Warriors 20

Glasgow are going well in the Rabo, but the Tigers are going great guns in this game and come in with huge momentum and more quality on the pitch so it's an easy win for the home side


Leinster 20 London Irish 19

Against the holders in their own backyard you have to go some to win. I think in the backs here it is pretty even, with to a certain extent London irish having better form, but in the front and back rows I think there are form issues for Irish and Leinster will be too strong. I see a LBP for Irish in this one though.


Harlequins 24 Cardiff Blues 20

The Blues have some quality players but sometimes don't seem to play like a cohesive unit. On their day they can be very good, but when off form are completely gash. Hard to call which Blues side will turn up, so am pitching it that they will be somewhere in between given their inconsistency this season, and that being the case Quins have enough in the side to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Edinburgh 26-27 Glos
- Glos edge the backs to nick it. Edinburgh have better backrow unit and forwards are close.

Toulouse 30-25 Saracens
- Toulouse too strong. Some good players in Sarries side but at home the French are a class above.

Zebre 15-28 Northampton
- Same as above. Saints too good for a average Italian side.

Newcastle 24-21 Biarritz
- Not sure I like the balance in Falcons backline, but the pack gets them the win.

Leicester 25-20 Glasgow
- Warriors are no mugs but at Welford Tigers have too much for them.

Harlequins 27-25 Cardiff
- Cardiff not on great form and Quins at home have the momentum and players to get a good win.

Edinburgh Rugby 19-18 Gloucester

Good pack battle. Set piece tight but Edinburgh shade the back row a bit. Edinburgh halfbacks bring some great form to the table and will control the game a bit better. Glaws stronger through the outside backs and bench but home advantage see Edinburgh sneak the narrowest of wins.

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Toulouse 30-23 Saracens

Some good form for Saracens from a few players (Burns, Chudley, Humps) but there’s a bit more quality throughout the Toulouse side. The Toulouse lineout could be picked at but Sarries haven’t selected the players to get at it. Toulouse at home pick up a decent win.

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Zebre 12-29 Northampton Saints

Looking through the Saints side it’s a strong outfit with only the lineout a weakness. Zebre are a poor side at the moment and this should be routine.

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Newcastle Falcons 20-17 Biarritz Olympique

Decent pack battle with neither side getting on top but Newcastle have the backs to open up the defence.

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TBC

Leicester Tigers 26-15 Glasgow Warriors

Glasgow have started the Rabo well but Tigers building some fantasic momentum and have to much quality at home


Leinster Rugby 22-17 London Irish

Decent game here and Irish will give Leinster a good match but the telling points are a bit more in the backrow and at flyhalf and ultimately Leinster at home should see this one out.


Harlequins 20-14 Cardiff Blues

Cardiff are fairly inconsistent so far this year and Warbs not got the greatest form see them struggle in the pack. Quins with some good runners on show in the backs should win out comfortably enough.

Edinburgh 22-22 Gloucester

Really tight one this. Gloucester have front 5 and centre control but Edinburgh have backrow, half backs and just back 3. Edinburgh very tough at home but agree with Pete that Gloucester will push hard and get draw in last 20 with good bench.

Toulouse 27-23 Saracens

Real tough intro for Driver against the mercurial Toulouse. You have to say Toulouse look stronger in most areas although Sarries pack will contest. Not many get much at Toulouse.

Zebre 13-21 Northampton

Zebre not a walkover at home but with Saints only really weak in the line out I can see a comftable win and decent ride for young Ford.

Leicester 27-18 Glasgow

Glasgow not as strong as Edinburgh but still a tough outfit. Tigers strong here though and will get a good win under their belt.

Leinster 32-27 Irish

Leinster on another level at the minute and can't see many getting anything from them. Tough Irish team but not enough.

Harlequins 32-20 Cardiff

Cardiff look poor and no players in any real form to struggle a good Quins outfit. One of the easier games of the round to predo.

Edinburgh 20 Gloucester 20
Zebre 10 Northampton 30
Newcastle Falcons 27 Biarritz 20
Leicester Tigers 25 Glasgow Warriors 12
Leinster 36 London Irish 31
Harlequins 32 Cardiff 25

Sorry for no explanations , got a fancy dinner to go to tonight so won't be on.

A kebab is not fancy Driver

With Saled it is ;-)

I'm at a rugby celebration dinner for the last 40 years of rugby at Seaton!

Saled?? Is that like Salad? Lol

It's the grease covered version lol

Edinburgh 25-25 Glos
Edinburgh take the front row here and think Ford'll have fun as well as Chunk, evens in the back row and Edinburgh have a fantastic in form hb pairing. It's the bench which will bring Glos into it along with the outside backs. High scoring game with Glos clawing back a draw.

Toulouse 25-21 Sarries
Baptism of fire for Sarries here. Not many win in Toulouse and, even though they have good experience in the squad I feel Toulouse will win this up front but Sarries will take a lbp.

Zebre 10-28 Saints
Saints have too much here up front and behind the scrum and Fofana will run riot.

Newcastle 22-21 Biarritz
Falcons have just enough in the back 5 of the pack to nick a win here.

Tigers 24-13 Glasgow
Front row will turn the screw here for Tigers and can see their outside backs getting good quick ball.

Leinster 31-25 Irish
Irish will give Leinster a good battle in he back 5 and the centres but Leinster at home are tough to get anything from. A well deserved lbp here.

Quins 22-16 Blues
Blues pack massively struggling at the moment and can see Quins taking this battle with good ball for their backs. Blues will keep it close with good outside backs.

Edinburgh 19-20 Gloucester
A ridiculous amount of talent on the bench for Gloucester clinches it late for me in a very tough game.

Toulouse 27-21 Sarries
At home Toulouse have too much form just all over the park

Zebre 9-23 Saints
Probably the weakest team in the competition and even away Saints will be pretty dominant here.

Newcastle 26-21 Biarritz
At home Newcastle are much too strong for the French team

Tigers 28-12 Glasgow
Tigers are enjoying a winning mentality and believe they will run riot on the weaker Scottish side who are unfortunate to come up against a strong side in great form.

Leinster 25-21 Irish
Irish unfortunate to be against the best team in Europe here. Strong all over the park and I believe the half back combo has too much class.

Quins 29-26 Blues
Blues have quality players all over but haven't shown the greatest form. Quins good enough to take it

Toulouse 27-21 Sarries
Even a declining toulouse have too much all over. Tough place to come with a relatively new side
Zebre 12-32 Saints
Probably the weakest team in the competition saints to slay it yet let in a few sloppy ones

Newcastle 26-18Biarritz
At home Newcastle too much. Biarritz not
Enough attacking threat. Yachvilli is great but slows a game. Newcastles backs are a bit of an open door defensively but devestating on front foot. Biarritz
Backs will not test this theory.

Tigers 28-12 Glasgow
Tigers on a roll and this is easy for
Them

Leinster 25-23- Irish
Leinster quality and experience win
It

Quins 29-13 Blues

Blues out of form quins too good

Edinburgh 24 - 23 Gloucester

Pretty even in the front row, slight edge to Edinburgh maybe. Glaws take the second row with a stronger combo. Slight edge to the home side in the back row, but again not much in it. Home side edge the pack. Think Edinburgh edge the HBs, But glaws take the centre and just the back three. Real tight game, that Edinburgh just take with home advantage. 


Toulouse 27 - 22 Saracens

Slight edge to the home side in the front row with a powerful unit. One a piece in the 2nd row, But Toulouse much stronger in the back row. Not much form for the home side at HB so Sarries sneak it there. But much stronger at centre, and prefer the home sides back three too. Toulouse just have a bit too much. 


Zebre 15 - 32 Saints

Chris has picked a strong enough side to dominate here and very routine for the Saints. 


Newcastle 24 - 21 Biarritz

Not much in the scrum but Newcastle take the back 5 quite comfortably with only Hari causing them any real difficulty. The backs are a different story though, and Biarritz to cause Newcastle problems. Worrying lack of form in a lot of newcastle's side. Bet you can't wait to get your RC players back Pooly. I think Newcastle have enough, but it won't be straightforward. 


Leinster 26 - 19 Irish

Leinster take the scrum with Healy getting on top of Stevens. Think they take the second row too - dont think Kennedy has ripped up many trees at Toulon so far. Big advantage for Leinster in the back row - think they have a stronger pack. Give Leinster the edge in the HBs, One apiece in the centres, Bit more in Irish's back three. Think Leinster have too much for Irish. 


Harlequins 23 -18 Cardiff

Bit more in the Quins front row sees them get a good advantage up front. Prefer their second row too but think Blues match them in the back row. Edge to Quins in the pack though. Not a great deal between the HBs, One apiece in the centres, And pretty even back threes. Quins have enough here. 

I think I should change my score for Edinburg-Gloucester game, they're dreadful!!!

They've just not turned up today.

Only Denton has looked half decent and he's been pretty rusty. Dire performance, esp in the set piece.

Another try! Farrell has looked good since he came on, perhaps he needs to be told the team is 30-0 up before coming on/starting.

Edinburgh bad all season bemused I was given loss with form playing a role. Nick wood would destroy Geoff cross who is possibly worst th in Europe.

Wood always in top 5 players of season for players vote and fans vote.

Not international maybe ? But great sub if we have 3 front row bench. Laid law was awful

RESULTS

Edinburgh Rugby 24 (3T 3C 1P) Gloucester 23 (2T 2C 3P)
Toulouse 32 (4T 3C 2P) Saracens 22 (1T 1C 5P)
Zebre 13 (1T 1C 2P) Northampton Saints 33 (4T 2C 3P)
Newcastle Falcons 29 (3T 1C 4P) Biarritz Olympique 19 (1T 1C 4P)
Leicester Tigers 31 (4T 4C 1P) Glasgow Warriors 16 (1T 1C 3P)
Leinster 32 (4T 3C 2P) London Irish 23 (2T 2C 3P)
Harlequins 32 (4T 3C 2P) Cardiff Blues 20 (2T 2C 2P)


Matches not involving Aviva Premiership Clubs

P1 Racing Métro 22 (1T 1C 5P) Munster Rugby 17 (2T 2C 1P)
P2 Ospreys 38 (4T 3C 4P) Benetton Treviso 17 (2T 2C 1P)
P4 Ulster Rugby 41 (4T 3C 5P) Castres Olympique 17 (2T 2C 1P)
P5 ASM Clermont Auvergne 49 (6T 5C 3P) Scarlets 16 (1T 1C 2P 1DG)
P6 Toulon 37 (5T 3C 2P) Montpellier 16 (1T 1C 3P)

After watching them today I'd have given you good win Matt, remember similar happening with somebody and Toulouse last season.

Wood a canny LH but just not in class of others like Corbs, Marler. I think his size has prob stopped him stepping up