Fantasy Heineken Cup Round Four

---

Heineken Cup Round Three

P1 Gloucester v Munster

Gloucester
Manager – Mat

01. Guthro steenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo.
04. Tom Palmer	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Andy Saull	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

16.Tim payne 17. Adriaan Strauss 18 Jamie johnston .19 James percival 20 Immanol harinordoquoy 21. Tj perenara 22. Richard Kahui 23. Iain Balshaw

Tactics

After winning at a canter away last week against same opposition we
Are targeting bonus point win.

We have picked a brutal front row to squeeze them and a back 5 that has everything. We will be trying to win quick ball for the backs to score tries. We have great balance in backs with plenty of kicking options as well as
Strike runners and out and out pace. We scored 28 away last week and the BP
Looks easily obtainable here with the side we have out


Munster

01. Dave Kilcoyne	09. Conor Murray
02. Mike Sherry	10. Ian Keatley
03. BJ Botha
04. Donncha O'Callaghan	11. Simon Zebo
05. Paul O'Connell	12. James Downey
06. Donnacha Ryan	13. Casey Laulala
07. Sean Dougall	14. Doug Howlett (c)
08. Peter O'Mahoney	15. Denis Hurley

16. Damien Varley 17. Marcus Horan 18. Stephen Archer 19. Billy Holland 20. Paddy Butler 21. Duncan Williams 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Felix Jones

---

P1 Edinburgh Rugby v Racing Metro 92

---

---

P2 Benetton Treviso v Saracens

Benetton Treviso

01. Michele Rizzo	09. Tobias Botes
02. Leonardo Ghiraldini	10. Kristopher Burton
03. Lorenzo Cittadini
04. Antonio Pavanello (c)	11. Tomasso Iannone
05. Francesco Minto	12. Alberto Sgarbi
06. Manoa Vosawai	13. Tomasso Benvenuti
07. Alessandro Zanni	14. Giiulio Toniolatti
08. Robert Barbieri	15. Luke McLean

16. Enrico Ceccato 17. Alberto de Marchi 18. Ignacio Fernandez Rouyet 19. Valerio Bernabo 20. Simone Favaro 21. Marco Filippucci 22. Fabio Semenzato 23. Andrea Pratichetti


Saracens
Manager – Mike Driver

01.Matt Mullen	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02.George Chuter	10.Francois Trinh-Duc
03.Ben Tamefifuna
04.Flip Van Der Merwe	11.Adam Thompstone
05.Rob Simmons	12.Ma'a Nonu
06.Phil Dowson(c)	13.Henry Trinder
07.Beau Robinson	14.Mark Cueto
08.Joe Van Nikirk	15.Elliot Daley (K)

16.Scott Spurling 17.Max Lahiff 18.Jannie Du Plessie 19.Tim Swinson 20.Shane Jennings 21.Jean Doussain 22.Ronan O'Gara 23.Ben Smith


Saracens to play a controlled game based around ball retention and playing with there heads up and moving the ball to the space.

- Start like a house on fire going out to smash as many points on the score board as possible with our big runners taking the game to Trevisio running of FTD.

- Duvenage and FTD to play what is in front of them and keep the tempo high

---

P2 Ospreys v Toulouse

---

---

P3 Newcastle Falcons v Zebre

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Ed Slater	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Juandre Kruger	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Tom Croft	13. Adam Ashley Cooper
07. Chris Robshaw(c)	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Chris Masoe	15. Alex Goode

16. George McGuigan 17. Owen Franks 18. Alex Waller 19. Brad Thorn 20. Kieran Read 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Colin Slade 23. George Lowe


Zebre

01. Salvatore Perugini	09. Luca Martinelli
02. Carlo Festuccia	10. Luciano Orquera
03. Luca Redolfini
04. Quintin Geldenhuys	11. Matteo Pratichetti
05. Mike Van Vuren	12. Daniel Halangahu
06. Filippo Ferrarini	13. Gonzalo Garcia (c)
07. Mauro Bergamasco	14. Giovanbattista Venditti
08. Dries van Schalkwyk	15. Ruggero Trevisan

16. Andrea Manici 17. David Ryan 18. Carlo Fazzari 19. Emiliano Caffini 20. Filippo Cristiano 21. Tito Tebaldi 22. Alberto Benettin 23. David Odiete

---

P3 Biarritz Olympique v Northampton Saints

Biarritz Olympique

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Yann Lesgourgues
02. Benoit August	10. Jean-Pascal Barraque
03. Francisco Gomez Kodela
04. Erik Lund	11. Aled Brew
05. Pelu Taele	12. Damien Traille (c)
06. Magnus Lund	13. Seremaia Borotu
07. Wenceslas Lauret	14. Takudza Ngwenya
08. Raphael Lakafia	15. Ian Balshaw

16. Arnaud Heguy 17. Thomas Synaeghel 18. Eugène Van Staden 19. Thibault Dubarry 20. Benoit Guyot 21. Julien Peyrelongue 22. Marcelo Bosch 23. Benoît Baby


Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Loti Mulipola
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Chris Ashton
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julian Bonnaire	13. Jean de Villiers (c)
07. Julian Salvi	14. Christian Wade
08. Liam Messam	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16. Mike Haywood 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Calum Clark 20. Ashley Johnson 21. Mike Phillips 22. George Ford 23. Weslie Fofana

Tactics

- Confidence high after getting BP win against Biarittz last week, their real life form has been poor and recalled Vunipola, Mulipola, Messam, Launchbury to add ball carriers to the pack. Wont be as attacking this week and play more structured game controlled by Hernandez and Giteau in the midfield.

- Attack the French at the setpiece, Bonnaire back to lead the lineout and with Lawes, Launchbury we have athelticism to attack the Biarittz lineout and have six internationals making up the front row so will put Biarittz under pressure for full 80mins.

- Strong set piece to allow the backs to run at the French on front foot ball, de Villiers as the battering ram, whilst Giteau's passing game will be used to unleash the backthree.

- Recalled Salvi who is in excellent form for Tigers in real life (two tries v Treviso last week).

- Aggressive blitz defence led by Lawes and Launchbury in the pack, with de Villiers marshalling the backline.

- Have Halfpenny to take all shots at goal, build a lead and focus on getting the away win and taking the 4 points - not looking at the BP win and will play much more controlled rugby.

---

---

P4 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

Ulster Rugby

01. Tom Court	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rory Best	10. Paddy Jackson
03. John Afoa
04. Johann Muller (c)	11. Andrew Trimble
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Paddy Wallace
06. Iain Henderson	13. Darren Cave
07. Chris Henry	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Nick Williams	15. Jared Payne

16. Rob Herring 17. Callum Black 18. Adam Macklin 19. Lewis Stevenson 20. Mike McComish 21. Paul Marshall 22. Luke Marshall 23. Craig Gilroy


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Jared Saunders	09. Michael Claasens
02. Stephen Moore	10. Frederic Michalak (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Simon Shaw (c)	11. Rene Ranger
05. Geoff Parling	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Steve Mafi	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Paul Sackey
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Ryan Bower 17. Sebastian Bruno 18. Brian Mujati 19. Nathan Hines 20. Roger Wilson 21. Micky Young 22. Rory Clegg 23. Dom Shipperley

Tactics:

TBC

---

P4 Castres Olympique v Glasgow Warriors

---

---

P5 London Irish v Scarlets

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Neal De Kock
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Dean Mumm	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Guy Armitage
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Anthony Watson
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Grant Shiells 17. Deon Fourie 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Will Fraser 21. Julien Dupuy 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki


Scarlets

01. Phil John	09. Tavis Knoyle
02. Matthew Rees	10. Rhys Priestland
03. Samson lee
04. George Earle	11. Andrew Fenby
05. Johan Snyman	12. Scott Williams
06. Aaron Shingler	13. Gareth Maule
07. Josh Turnbull	14. George North
08. Rob McCusker (c)	15. Liam Williams

16. Ken Owens 17. Shaun Hopkins 18. Deacon Manu 19. Tomas Vallejos 20. Jon Edwards 21. Gareth Davies 22. Aled Thomas 23. Morgan Stoddart

---

P5 Leinster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne

---

---

P6 Toulon v Harlequins

Toulon

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Frederic Michalak
02. Mickael Ivaldi	10. Jonny Wilkinson (c)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Bakkie Botha	11. David Smith
05. Jocelino Suta	12. Matt Giteau
06. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Vincent Martin
08. Chris Masoe	15. Delon Armitage

16. Jean-Charles Orioli 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Pierrick Gunther 20. Maxime Mermoz 21. Nick Kennedy 22. Nicolas Durand 23. Simon Shaw

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Francois Houghard
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Zac Guildford
08. Dave Denton	15. Luke Morahan

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Jerome Thion 20. Michael Hooper 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Andre Taylor

Tactics

We are going to try and starve Toulon of the ball and get them under pressure from their home crowd. All the pressure is on them and we have picked a side we feel can beat Toulon. We have picked a side which can play at a quick tempo and retain possession for long periods. We have a pack which can carry the ball hard and make the hard yards before we send the ball wide into the spaces.

At the set piece we will look to control things. Marler and Afoa will look to get at the out of sorts Toulon props. But the lineout is the area we especially think can dominate. Borthwick and Wood inparticular will look to put huge pressure on Sebastian Bruno at the set piece.

At half back Houghard makes his debut and is asked to play at pace. He will attack the fringes and feed runners or hit Burns who will be flat on the gainline putting runners into space. We will look to get Roberts in Giteau's channel and get Bast isolated to JJ can burn him on the outside break. Out wide we have two rapid finishers along with Morahan at 15 who is being asked to cut lines in the 12/13/wing channels throughout the game.

Great bench to make an impact on 60 mins. Winning this game would be huge for us. Burns to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Aim to get at Michalak who is the definition of inconsistent. Keep discipline to avoid Wilko making us pay.

---

P6 Montpellier v Cardiff Blues

---

---

Northampton Saints team versus Biarittz

Manager – Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Loti Mulipola
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Chris Ashton
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julian Bonnaire	13. Jean de Villiers (c)
07. Julian Salvi	14. Christian Wade
08. Liam Messam	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16. Mike Haywood 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Calum Clark 20. Ashley Johnson 21. Mike Phillips 22. George Ford 23. Weslie Fofana

Tactics

- Confidence high after getting BP win against Biarittz last week, their real life form has been poor and recalled Vunipola, Mulipola, Messam, Launchbury to add ball carriers to the pack. Wont be as attacking this week and play more structured game controlled by Hernandez and Giteau in the midfield.

- Attack the French at the setpiece, Bonnaire back to lead the lineout and with Lawes, Launchbury we have athelticism to attack the Biarittz lineout and have six internationals making up the front row so will put Biarittz under pressure for full 80mins.

- Strong set piece to allow the backs to run at the French on front foot ball, de Villiers as the battering ram, whilst Giteau's passing game will be used to unleash the backthree.

- Recalled Salvi who is in excellent form for Tigers in real life (two tries v Treviso last week).

- Aggressive blitz defence led by Lawes and Launchbury in the pack, with de Villiers marshalling the backline.

- Have Halfpenny to take all shots at goal, build a lead and focus on getting the away win and taking the 4 points - not looking at the BP win and will play much more controlled rugby.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Francois Houghard
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Zac Guildford
08. Dave Denton	15. Luke Morahan

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Jerome Thion 20. Michael Hooper 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Andre Taylor

Tactics

We are going to try and starve Toulon of the ball and get them under pressure from their home crowd. All the pressure is on them and we have picked a side we feel can beat Toulon. We have picked a side which can play at a quick tempo and retain possession for long periods. We have a pack which can carry the ball hard and make the hard yards before we send the ball wide into the spaces.

At the set piece we will look to control things. Marler and Afoa will look to get at the out of sorts Toulon props. But the lineout is the area we especially think can dominate. Borthwick and Wood inparticular will look to put huge pressure on Sebastian Bruno at the set piece.

At half back Houghard makes his debut and is asked to play at pace. He will attack the fringes and feed runners or hit Burns who will be flat on the gainline putting runners into space. We will look to get Roberts in Giteau's channel and get Bast isolated to JJ can burn him on the outside break. Out wide we have two rapid finishers along with Morahan at 15 who is being asked to cut lines in the 12/13/wing channels throughout the game.

Great bench to make an impact on 60 mins. Winning this game would be huge for us. Burns to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Aim to get at Michalak who is the definition of inconsistent. Keep discipline to avoid Wilko making us pay.

Gloucester xxiii
Manager – Mat

01. Guthro steenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo.
04. Tom Palmer	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Andy Saull	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

16.Tim payne 17. Adriaan Strauss 18 Jamie johnston .19 James percival 20 Immanol harinordoquoy 21. Tj perenara 22. Richard Kahui 23. Iain Balshaw

Tactics[/quote]



After winning at a canter away last week against same opposition we
Are targeting bonus point win.

We have picked a brutal front row to squeeze them and a back 5 that has everything. We will be trying to win quick ball for the backs to score tries. We have great balance in backs with plenty of kicking options as well as
Strike runners and out and out pace. We scored 28 away last week and the BP
Looks easily obtainable here with the side we have out

Saracens
Manager – Mike Driver

01.Matt Mullen	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02.George Chuter	10.Francois Trinh-Duc
03.Ben Tamefifuna
04.Flip Van Der Merwe	11.Adam Thompstone
05.Rob Simmons	12.Ma'a Nonu
06.Phil Dowson(c)	13.Henry Trinder
07.Beau Robinson	14.Mark Cueto
08.Joe Van Nikirk	15.Elliot Daley (K)

16.Scott Spurling 17.Max Lahiff 18.Jannie Du Plessie 19.Tim Swinson 20.Shane Jennings 21.Jean Doussain 22.Ronan O'Gara 23.Ben Smith


Saracens to play a controlled game based around ball retention and playing with there heads up and moving the ball to the space.

- Start like a house on fire going out to smash as many points on the score board as possible with our big runners taking the game to Trevisio running of FTD.

- Duvenage and FTD to play what is in front of them and keep the tempo high

Leicetser Tigers have named their side to travel to Ulster.

Tigers have made 11 changes to the side that beat Ulster 26-20 last week.

The most notable inclusions are new signings - four make their debuts, and one will make their debut from the bench. Geoff Parling, Steve Mafi, Frederic Michalak, Paul Sackey and Roger Wilson have all been signed recently by Leicester, and they are all in the squad to travel to Ireland.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Jared Saunders	09. Michael Claasens
02. Stephen Moore	10. Frederic Michalak (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Simon Shaw (c)	11. Rene Ranger
05. Geoff Parling	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Steve Mafi	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Paul Sackey
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Ryan Bower 17. Sebastian Bruno 18. Brian Mujati 19. Nathan Hines 20. Roger Wilson 21. Micky Young 22. Rory Clegg 23. Dom Shipperley

Tactics:

TBC

Mark

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Ed Slater	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Juandre Kruger	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Tom Croft	13. Adam Ashley Cooper
07. Chris Robshaw(c)	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Chris Masoe	15. Alex Goode

16. George McGuigan 17. Owen Franks 18. Alex Waller 19. Brad Thorn 20. Kieran Read 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Colin Slade 23. George Lowe

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Neal De Kock
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Dean Mumm	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Guy Armitage
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Anthony Watson
08. Netani Talei	15. Delon Armitage

16. Grant Shiells 17. Deon Fourie 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Will Fraser 21. Julien Dupuy 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Predictions OPEN

Gloucester 35 Munster 20

Decent pack battle where Munster will front up, but behind that it's a bit of a mismatch for me. That is one serious attacking backline that Gloucester have and I can see them converting almost every chance they get. Very comfortable bonus point win at home.


Benetton Treviso 22 Saracens 24

Really like the balance in the Saracens backs. Good half back combo, midfield that I think would work well, and a balanced back three. Up front I think they might find this tough. Chuter is shot and a spent force, and the Treviso pack will push Saracens hard, but they have just enough to get over the line away from home.


Newcastle Falcons 48 Zebre 3

I'm not even going to bother trying to justify this one. Zebre are shoite.


Biarritz Olympique 20 Northampton Saints 24

Biarritz better at home than away, but they know they are out of this pool and I can't see them going 100%. They are also in shoite real life form. Saints have enough to go there and win.


Ulster Rugby 27 Leicester Tigers 22

Tough, tough call. Nothing in it really in the packs, but I think behind that I prefer what Ulster have on show, and Ravenhill is a fortress for them. Tigers battle hard for a losing bonus point, but not quite enough to win here for me.


London Irish 30 Scarlets 19

Loving the Nyanga/Armitage flank combination, they will seriously damage teams in defence and attack. Scarlets in poor form right now and don't travel brilliantly, this is an easy home win.


Toulon 25 Harlequins 22

Absolutely fascinating match up this one, and Steve has put out some big guns for it. Quins get some set piece joy as I like their front row better, although Toulon will bring reinforcements from the bench which will strengthen them. From 4-8 though I would have the Toulon player in every jersey, and can see them dominating the collisions which is key. both backlines have threat in them and will get a couple of tries, but at home I think the Toulon pack give them the win.

Gloucester 26-18 Munster

Gloucester get the win after a strong away victory last week standing them in good stead. Good combo's, just lack a bit of physicality in midfield.

Treviso 12-28 Saracens

Routine win

Biarritz 12-9 Northampton

This will be messy. See Saints struggling in the scrum and not having the quality at halfback to get enough out of this one.

Ulster 30-22 Leicester

Ulster form team in Europe will just have too much

Irish 25-16 Scarlets

Another routine win

Toulon 23-19 Harlequins

Good Quins side but Toulon pack is crazy and will allow backline to set a tone, tough tough away trip.

Gloucester 40 - 15 Munster
Munster aren't the force they once were, Gloucester pack is more dynamic and powerful and for me O'Connell has lost what he had from a few years ago. The Gloucester backline, led by Carter will run riot.


Benetton Treviso 15 - 17 Saracens
Good game, will be close but Sarries pack will hold out and got a good backline to come away with a win against an improving Treviso side.

Newcastle Falcons 55 - 15 Zebre
Easy win, wouldn't play Benjamin on the wing though as hasn't played in yonks and for me marked down v highly.

Ulster Rugby 25 - 21 Leicester Tigers
Ulster form team in Europe and not many will win at Ravenhill - think there are quite a few debuts for Tigers here too, incl. the no10 and that will stop their flow, so would give Ulster the win here.

London Irish 36 - 15 Scarlets
Routine win for Irish - Welsh regions not doing so great at the minute!

Toulon 19 - 16 Harlequins
The Toulon pack is going to be so hard for any away team to beat, Quins will definitely make a go of things here but of the teams in the HC you wouldnt want to play against Toloun, Leinster, Clermont or Ulster away. Willbe a close game as Steve's backline will get some joy, but they needed a bit more ball to win.

Gloucester 51 - 13 Munster

Easy home win. This is the part of the season where Gloucester can become untouchable.

Treviso 3 - 15 Saracens

Nothing pretty about this one for me. Close upto 60 mins then Sarries close it out.


Newcastle 74 - 14 Zebre

Simple really. Could have played kids and would have struggled to lose this one.

Biarittz 23 - 28 Northampton

Saints have enough to win this one but think it will be close. Biarittz very good up front and will be a big part of this game.

Ulster 38 - 20 Leicester

Prefer Tigers man for man in the pack besides Moore, Parling and Waldrom and think they will have the better of the forwards battle. Ulster also have the better players across the backlines except at 10. Think at home Ulster would take this comfortably.

London Irish 43 - 9 Scarlets

Big win. Regions dying a death with players heading to France. Nick has gone strong and takes a big win.

Gloucester 21 Munster 10
Newcastle 80 Zebre 3
Biarritz 15 Northampton Saints 13
Ulster 24 Leicester Tigers 19
London Irish 24 Scarlets 12
Toulon 29 Harlequins 18

Gloucester 26 - 21 Munster

Glos edge the scrum, but Munster edge the 2nd row. SLight edge to Glo in the back row but fairly tight. Home side just about take the pack battle. One apiece in the HB's. Centres to Glos, but JdJ hasn't done anything for me of late, and Munster's power could see them gain yards. More form for Munster's wings but Dagg way ontop of Hurley. Good game, but Glos too strong overall at home.


Treviso 15 - 27 Saracens

Sarries to dominate the pack battle convincingly, and they have the stronger backs too. Fairly straight forward here.


Falcons 31 - 12 Zebre

Suprised Pooly has put this team out - could have played complete reserve side here.


Biarritz 18 - 28 Saints

Decent game here, but Saints benefit from Biarritz not having Hari or Yach. Give the home side the advantage up front but beyond there all Saints with much better back 5. Better backs too and this is pretty straight forward.


Irish 26 - 20 Scarlets

Only Rees would get in Irish's pack, and they really dismantle the Welsh unit. Scarlets slightly stronger back line sees them score some points, but don't get enough ball.


Toulon 22 - 19 Harlequins

Toulon playing their 3rd choice HK helps Quins, and they could get a nudge on here. But the home side's back 5 is too strong for me - and form wise dominate. More control at HB too, although Quins get some joy at centre. BAck three's tight. Back row and HB's wins this for Toulon.

Gloucester 30-17 Munster
Massive side from Glos, hitting good form at the moment.

Treviso 12-20 Saracens
Quite straight forward but Treviso at home aren't pushovers.

Newcastle 65-10 Zebre
Newcastle bring out the big guns and a good victory here.

Biarittz 25-27 Northampton
Close game but think Saints edge it in the halfback battle.

Ulster 28-23 Leicester
Ulster at home are unstoppable, Saunders will struggle but Tigers' signings will bed in well in a few weeks, Tigers to get a good lbp.

London Irish 30-20 Scarlets
Irish a step up from Scarlets in some areas of the pack and their back row will win this.

Gloucester 34-18 Munster
Prefer the Gloucester forwards and just a huge mismatch in the backs.

Treviso 15-21 Sarries
Treviso not a pushover at home but Sarries just have too much quality

Newcastle 62-3 Zebre
Couldn't go easy could ya Pooly

Biarittz 22-24 Saints
Hard to call. Saints win it for me in the backs

Ulster 27-19 Tigers
Ulster on such great form and at home. Think most teams would struggle to win here

Irish 29-18 Scarlets
Too much quality from Irish.

Toulon 26-21 Quins
At home Toulon are a different beast. Great side from Steve, but not enough against this team of all stars.

Gloucester 28-18 Munster
Not an awful lot between the packs but Gaws that bit stronger in the front 5 on current form. Big step up for Glaws in midfield and flyhalf and this sees them pick up a relativey comfortable win.

Benetton Treviso 12-19 Saracens
Treviso aren’t the pushover at home that they used to be but Sarries have enough quality, particularly at 9-10-12, to get the win.

Newcastle Falcons 42-9 Zebre
Falcons gone with the big guns and this will be a stroll in the park.

Biarritz Olympique 16-22 Northampton Saints
Again Biarritz aren’t pushovers at home and see them getting a good edge at scrum time. Can’t see an awful lot between the backrows (Messam alot stronger at 6 for me Chris) but Saints that bit stronger. Saints with decent options at the lineout. Saints with more in the backline as well and should get a good away win.

Ulster Rugby 22-19 Leicester Tigers
Not a lot between the front 5s but Ulster shade the backrow with some fantastic form. Prefer the Tigers halfbacks but Ulster with a bit more in the rest of the backs. Ravenhill up there as the toughest place to go nowadays and Ulster have enough to beat a good Tigers side.

London Irish 20-9 Scarlets
Irish have the pack to take control of possession and have enough about them in the backs to score a try or two.

Toulon 24-18 Harlequins
Quins have gone strong in the front 5 and will match Toulon at the set piece but lack of form at 7 & 8 sees Toulon get on top in the backrow. Decent battle at flyhalf but Michalek offers a lot more basics at 9. Not a lot between the rest of the backlines but Toulon at home have enough for the win.

Treviso 12-20 Saracens
Quality with Saracens

Newcastle 28-3 zebre

Routine win but some major form issues with a few falcons

Biarittz 25-27 Northampton
Close game but think Saints edge it in the halfback battle.

Ulster 28-27Leicester
In a few weeks time with signings bedded in leicester would have won this

London Irish 30-15Scarlets
Irish better in key areas. Scarlett's will score though

26 Toulon 25 Quins

Home advantage wins this. Personally prefer Quins back line and front rows Maybe to Quins. Gulf in class at secOnd row with 2 great Backrow units.

I think michalak can be got at. Does not have great basics and houghaard is a menace around scrum. Michalak a flaky player and can see him going to pieces with warbs and co at him,

In big games ten is crucial and as good as burns is wilko will win the game. Great game

Glos 27-22 munster
Toulon 24-21 quoins
Falcons 35-7 zebra
Treviso 9-16 Saracens
Biaritz 15-17 saints
Ulster 22-20 tigers

Results:

Gloucester Rugby (5T) 37-17 Munster Rugby (2T)
Benetton Treviso (2T) 14-27 Saracens (3T)
Newcastle Falcons (8T) 58-8 Zebre (1T)
Biarritz Olympique (2T) 21-27 Northampton Saints (3T)
Ulster Rugby (4T) 33-22 Leicester Tigers (2T)
London Irish (4T) 34-16 Scarlets (1T)
Toulon (3T) 29-20 Harlequins (2T)