Aviva Premiership Final

Team & Tactics - 0000hrs Sunday
Predictions - 2000 hrs Wednesday

Final preview - Following the epic battle that was the Heineken Cup Final, Leicster Tigers and Northampton Saints both have the chance again to win some silverware, this time for the champions of the Aviva Premiership of the 2012-2013 season. Saints have a chance to exact revenge following their narrow loss at the hands of the Tigers. In doing so they look to prevent Leicester from doing the proverbial double this season. Tigers have rotated with the conditions looking to be more favourable to running rugby, however the improved weather could be set to help the Saints rather than hinder, as they possess players that are more inclined to run with the ball in hand and are likely to score tries. This is set to be a cracking end to the domestic season.

Key men

Richie Gray (Tigers) - After the success of the Heineken Final, Richie Gray has found himself back in the starting line-up of the Tigers after his cameo off the bench. The soon to be Lion has one more chance to impress with his expansive carrying game and his athletic ability around the park.

JP Pietersen(Saints) - Its' been a chequered history for JP since his arrival to Saints this season, he has been blighted with injuries, however when he has started for his side - he blows teams away. His electric pace and sharp hands make one of the most dangerous wingers in world rugby, and coupled with his intelligent running lines, its easy to see why his versatility and centre and fullback has come about. The man from the Southern Hemisphere would be looking to make his mark on his first Aviva Premiership final

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Leicester Tigers vs. Northampton Saints
Location - Twickenham

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Weather - Sunny Intervals, 9mph, North North Westerly
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant referees: Greg Garner, JP Doyle
Television Match Official: Graham Hughes
Timekeeper: Mike Hamlin

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tom Youngs	10. Toby Flood
03. Dan Cole
04. Richie Gray	11. Digby Ioane
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Willam Alberts	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Warburton	14. James O’Connor
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. Rob Kearney

16. Bismark du Plessis 17. Martin Castrogiovani 18. Alex Corbisiero 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Liam Gill 21. Karl Dickson 22. George Ford 23. Christian Wade

Tactics

We will base our game around high tempo, high intensity rugby. We’ll look to use the set piece as a foundation to work from and turn the screw on the opposition if a weakness is seen. We’ll look for big carries from our pack to give us go forward ball which our backs thrives upon.

In the great conditions we’ll look to use the offload when on and change the point of attack to keep the opposition defence guessing, with our tried and trusted Flood/Barnes combo pulling the strings.

Flood/Barnes will dictate tempo and look to get Manu running angles to either punch holes in the opposition midfield or draw the decoy and allow our back 3 into the game. Our back 3 will be brought in whenever possible to cause havoc in the opposition defence. JOC will look to pop up in midfield off first phase ball and create space in the Saints midfield for runners off him.

When the 3 is on in front of the posts we’ll take and the captain will make the call on set piece if an advantage is seen.

We'll look to use the blitz defence and get in the face of the Saints backs, especially the midfield where we feel we can get on top. One the tackle is made we'll look to ruck over the ball to allow Cole/Warburton a chance of a turnover.



- Turn screw in set piece if weakness seen
- RECORD v SAINTS - We have a fantastic record over Saints and the mental edge
- Youngs to attack the gaps and allow Flood time to hit the line
- Manu to be used as crash and decoy with back 3 coming into the line
- Look to clear out past the ball with big pack to allow Warbnurton hands on to force the steal. Youngs will be primed waiting for this to exploit gaps and put JOC into space
- JOC to come into the line and look for gaps between the opp halfbacks
- TEAM FOR CONDITIONS – Mobile pack full of carriers and energy
- ROTATION – Team has been rotated with a home semi sorted a few rounds back, we are fresh and ready for the fight

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Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Brian Mujati
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Andries Bekker	12. Gael Fickou
06. Samu Manoa	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. JP Pieterson
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Richardt Strauss 18. Paul Doran Jones 19. Brodie Retalick 20. Stephen Ferris 21. Aaron Smith 22. Stephen Myler 23. Sonny Bill Williams

Tactics

We will look to control territory and apply pressure on Tigers in key areas looking to force mistakes. When in possession in the right areas, we will look to play a strong carrying game, attacking in groups so as to win the collisions and get over the gain line. Offloads will be kept to an absolute minimum as we look to sustain pressure deep in Tigers territory. We will kick all penalties in opposition territory at goal and take the drop goal option whenever it’s available.

• In these conditions the scrum will be an important weapon. With a powerful front 5 on show we will look to keep it up and take full advantage drawing penalties from Tigers.

• With handling an issue we want to keep things simple and use Bekker, Wood and Read as banker ball at the lineout. We will look to bring the ball down into the maul and use the physicality of our pack to drive us into the right areas.

• We will look to blitz aggressively, playing on the edge of the offside line and coming up at pace, looking to isolate the ball carrier and stop any Tigers momentum before it can get going.

• Dickson will act as a sweeper and cover any chips or grubbers behind the defensive line.

• The back 3 will sit deep to cover any kicks down the line and will look to counter attack of any loose ball.

• With the blitz in operation, we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it hard and fast. If the ball looks available we will flood it with Wood looking to get his hands on the ball.

• If the ball is not immediately available we will only commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow the ball down and instead look to strengthen the defensive line.

It better not be bloody raining again Flux! I'm off camping this weekend, can we have a bit of sunshine please....25' will do

I will have a look tonight, I heard it was showery...

Tigers make 2 changes to the team that beat Northampton Saints in a thrilling HC final last week. In come Thomas Domingo and Richie Gray to the pack with Alex Corbisiero switching to the bench and Joe Launchbury coming in for Luke Romano who picked up a niggle. Pooly:

"This is what our season has been all about. The HC was a welcome bonus but our main focus has been on the AP with plenty of squad rotation over the last few weeks to keep the players in top condition.

Richie and Thomas come into the pack to give us bit more mobility around the park with the better conditions this week. Joe Launchbury will also give us options and a massive impact in the 2nd half."

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tom Youngs	10. Toby Flood
03. Dan Cole
04. Richie Gray	11. Digby Ioane
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Willam Alberts	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Warburton	14. James O’Connor
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. Rob Kearney

16. Bismark du Plessis 17. Martin Castrogiovani 18. Alex Corbisiero 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Liam Gill 21. Karl Dickson 22. George Ford 23. Christian Wade

Tactics

We will base our game around high tempo, high intensity rugby. We’ll look to use the set piece as a foundation to work from and turn the screw on the opposition if a weakness is seen. We’ll look for big carries from our pack to give us go forward ball which our backs thrives upon.

In the great conditions we’ll look to use the offload when on and change the point of attack to keep the opposition defence guessing, with our tried and trusted Flood/Barnes combo pulling the strings.

Flood/Barnes will dictate tempo and look to get Manu running angles to either punch holes in the opposition midfield or draw the decoy and allow our back 3 into the game. Our back 3 will be brought in whenever possible to cause havoc in the opposition defence. JOC will look to pop up in midfield off first phase ball and create space in the Saints midfield for runners off him.

When the 3 is on in front of the posts we’ll take and the captain will make the call on set piece if an advantage is seen.

We'll look to use the blitz defence and get in the face of the Saints backs, especially the midfield where we feel we can get on top. One the tackle is made we'll look to ruck over the ball to allow Cole/Warburton a chance of a turnover.



- Turn screw in set piece if weakness seen
- RECORD v SAINTS - We have a fantastic record over Saints and the mental edge
- Youngs to attack the gaps and allow Flood time to hit the line
- Manu to be used as crash and decoy with back 3 coming into the line
- Look to clear out past the ball with big pack to allow Warbnurton hands on to force the steal. Youngs will be primed waiting for this to exploit gaps and put JOC into space
- JOC to come into the line and look for gaps between the opp halfbacks
- TEAM FOR CONDITIONS – Mobile pack full of carriers and energy
- ROTATION – Team has been rotated with a home semi sorted a few rounds back, we are fresh and ready for the fight

Will get the team in early in the morning on the phone at the moment

Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Brian Mujati
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Andries Bekker	12. Gael Fickou
06. Samu Manoa	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. JP Pieterson
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Richardt Strauss 18. Paul Doran Jones 19. Brodie Retalick 20. Stephen Ferris 21. Aaron Smith 22. Stephen Myler 23. Sonny Bill Williams

Tactics

We will look to control territory and apply pressure on Tigers in key areas looking to force mistakes. When in possession in the right areas, we will look to play a strong carrying game, attacking in groups so as to win the collisions and get over the gain line. Offloads will be kept to an absolute minimum as we look to sustain pressure deep in Tigers territory. We will kick all penalties in opposition territory at goal and take the drop goal option whenever it’s available.

• In these conditions the scrum will be an important weapon. With a powerful front 5 on show we will look to keep it up and take full advantage drawing penalties from Tigers.

• With handling an issue we want to keep things simple and use Bekker, Wood and Read as banker ball at the lineout. We will look to bring the ball down into the maul and use the physicality of our pack to drive us into the right areas.

• We will look to blitz aggressively, playing on the edge of the offside line and coming up at pace, looking to isolate the ball carrier and stop any Tigers momentum before it can get going.

• Dickson will act as a sweeper and cover any chips or grubbers behind the defensive line.

• The back 3 will sit deep to cover any kicks down the line and will look to counter attack of any loose ball.

• With the blitz in operation, we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it hard and fast. If the ball looks available we will flood it with Wood looking to get his hands on the ball.

• If the ball is not immediately available we will only commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow the ball down and instead look to strengthen the defensive line.

Game on Johnny

Tigers 20 - 17 Saints
FR - Solid form from Youngs and Cole means Tigers edge this with both Saints props out of sorts this year. Bench options probably better for Tigers as well.
SR - Both locks pairs are very strong, but maybe Saints just edge it, as Gray and Parling lacks some bulk and carrying in the tight. Lawes in good recent form as well.
BR - Tigers edge this just as Warbs is a better out and out 7
HB - Again not much in it, probably Sexton class over Flood edges it to Saints
CE - Tigers win this one, with more experience and class. Saints have a good pair, but not much creativity or variation.
B3 - More form from the Tigers on this one and solid bench options

Not dissimilar to the Heino final, i've gone for a Tigers win, as they edge the front row and have a touch more class and form in the backs. Saints get close, but the Tigers bench is immense and sees them through

Tigers 21-17 Saints

Tigers - Saints

Scrum-
Lineout-
Breakdown-
Game management-
Attack-
defence-
bench-
Overall-


Probs do this tomorrow

Tigers 25-22 Saints
SP: Feel Tigers bring more to the game here.
BK: Not a lot between the two, feel Warburton a bit ahead of Wood.
HB: Feel Sexton coming into good form.
AT: 2 scarily strong lineups here.
BE: Bit more from Tigers.
TA: Both teams rotated well. Feel Tigers do well using their strong runners. Saints play well with their half-back combo, would have liked to see them say how they will bring their strong centre pairing in a bit more.

Tigers 25- 22 Saints

Tigers have the edge at scrum time and maybe at the lineout. Probably a smaller edge at breakdown, but in sunnier weather the Saints advantage at 9/10 is reduced from last week. Both very good attacking outbacks, but Tigers better in defence. Both sides will be tired from last week but Tigers bench clinches a win.

Leicester Tigers - Northampton Saints

In a big game you need leadership and experience in key areas, and for me both sides are about even. It's in the keys battles that this one is settled. Both front fives are both close and so negate each other and allowing both sides to at least secure possession for their own sides. Again the back rows are even, the form of Manoa and Read recently keep Saints competitive against the class unit of Tigers. The Saints maul around Bekker is a potent weapon though and will secure a try and help relieve pressure.

Dickson adds some control to the saints gameplan, although smith later on will help change the game. Sexton in great form as well. Tigers as a unit just as good, Youngs creativity and sniping off his forwards work will threaten the Saints defence. Both sets of the backs are great and will create and score tries. One factor for me that sways things a little is the recent defence and form of Ashton and Foden and will suffer a little against the straight running of Ioane and Tuilagi.

Both benches are great and will change the games in their own respects. I was close to giving this to Saints but just some form and bottle in some key positions cost them.

Leicester Tigers 26 - 25 Northampton Saints

In a big game you need leadership and experience in key areas, and for me both sides are about even. It's in the keys battles that this one is settled. Both front fives are both close and so negate each other and allowing both sides to at least secure possession for their own sides. Again the back rows are even, the form of Manoa and Read recently keep Saints competitive against the class unit of Tigers. The Saints maul around Bekker is a potent weapon though and will secure a try and help relieve pressure.

Dickson adds some control to the saints gameplan, although smith later on will help change the game. Sexton in great form as well. Tigers as a unit just as good, Youngs creativity and sniping off his forwards work will threaten the Saints defence. Both sets of the backs are great and will create and score tries. One factor for me that sways things a little is the recent defence and form of Ashton and Foden and will suffer a little against the straight running of Ioane and Tuilagi.

Both benches are great and will change the games in their own respects. I was close to giving this to Saints but just some form and bottle in some key positions cost them.

Couple more predo's and we'll close this down

Final result:

LEICESTER TIGERS 26-21 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Well done a great final lads. Congrats Pooly on your double and commiserations SJE, so close.

Now on to the foreigns

Cheers mate, Johnny would have won at least one but some of his top players struggled for form a little recently.

Time to plan for next season

Predo bonus:

Flux, Prop, CJ, CF, Bathite

Page: Flux

MARK