Summer Tournament Round Five

Round 5 (teams to be named by midnight on Thursday 24th July, predictions by 1800 hours on Sunday 27th July)


Harlequins v Bath Rugby  (Liberty Stadium, Swansea)

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

1. Steven Kitchoff
2. Brian Byrne
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Charlie Matthews
5. George Kruis
6. Jamie Gibson (c)
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Clifford
9. Eric Escande
10. Ihaia West
11. Jack Nowell
12. Jan Serfontein
13. Pita Ahki
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Olly Lindsey- Hague

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ed Byrne 18. Tadgh Furlong 19. James Chisholm 20. So'atala Fa'aso'o 21.   Luke McGrath 22. Stuart Olding 23. Jason Emery

Who could play in a AP or Heiniken Cup game for me?

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Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. James Slipper	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Agustin Creevey	10. Rhys Patchell
03. Charlie Faumuania
04. Like Charteris	11. Rob Horne
05. Luke Jones	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Siya Kolisi	13. George North
07. Liam Gill	14. Jamie Elliot
08. Edwin Maka	15. Alex Goode

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16. Richard Hibbard 17. Cian Healy 18. Ben Tameifuma 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Christian Lealifiano 23. Stuart Hogg

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Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs  (Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli)

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Newcastle Falcons

Manager – Driver

01. Matt Mullen	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. George McGuigan	10. Owen Farrell
03. Scott Wilson
04. Yoaan Maestri	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Dom Barrow	12. Luke Marshall
06. Ben Mowen (C)	13. Robbie Fruen
07. Dan Lydiate	14. Max Evans
08. Dave Lewis	15. Rob Miller

16. Rory Best 17.Soana Tonga 18.Matt Stevens 19.Ed Slater 20.Imanol Harinordiquy 21.Will Fraser 22.Nathan Fowles 23.Ben Smith
Tactics:

• Left and right flankers , tackle they're socks off and force turnover by workrate rather than jackle
  
• field position is key , Laidlaw and Faz to put us into Chiefs corners. 
  
• Move the ball when on , Miller to come into 1st reciever to mix attack up.
  Kick Chasers in Evans and Sharples to follow long high kicks.
  

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Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Taniela Tupou	09. Bryn Hall
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Tom Heathcote
03. Alex Lundberg
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Lolagi Visinia
05. Glen Young	12. Eamon Sheridan
06. Carl Fearns	13. Alex Dunbar
07. Jacob Rowan	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Gus Jones	15. Jean Marcel Buttin

16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Richard Barrington 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Kane Douglas 20. Toby Faletau 21. Chris Cook 22. Marnitz Boshoff 23. Tom Varndell

Tactics:

• Use of heavy carriers, and mobile support runners in the pack to create forward momentum. 
  
• Phase play with half backs dictating play. Look for territory when need to gain field position.
  
• Counter attack whenever possible.
  

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Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers  (Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast)

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Anthony Allen
06. Steven Luatua	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

:-
16. Jack McGrath 17. David Paice 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore	10. Brock James
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Pascal Pape (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. Tom Johnson	13. Matthieu Basteraud
07. Jacques Burger	14. Napolini Nalaga
08. Ryan Jones	15. Mike Brown

16. Andrew Sheridan 17. Christopher Tolofua 18. Dan Cole 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Rene Ranger 23. Drew Mitchell

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London Irish v Gloucester  (RDS Arena, Dublin)

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London Irish
Manager – Prop

01. Tom Smallbone	09. Jack Moates
02. Gerard Ellis	10. Sam Olver
03. Richard Palframann
04. Sean O'Brien	11. Harry Robinson
05. Kieran Tredwell	12. Cory Allen
06. Jordan Talufua	13. Anton Lienert-Brown
07. Ben Earl	14. Sergeal Petersen
08. David Sisi	15. Jonah Placid

16. Marc Jones 17. Adam Jones 18. Tom Court 19. Devin Toner 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Rory Kockott 22. Jules Plisson 23. Robbie Henshaw
 
Questions
Which academy players could make the step up?
Thought's on Henshaw's best position-13 or 15?
Thought's on the centre partnership and 2nd row pairing.
Which non eq players on the bench would be useful for instant impact?

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Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

1  Sebastian Adeniran-Olule
2 LCD
3 Figallo
4 JD Snickerling
5 Elliot Stooke
6 pablo Matera
7 Ardie Savea
8 yacoub Camara
9 Rhodri Williams
10 Handre Pollard
11 Rhaymond Rule
12 Andre Esterhuizen
13 Juan de Jongh
14 Charlie Walker
15 Sam Davies
16 Nick Wood
17 Adriaan Strauss
18 Nicola Mas
19 Dominic Bird
20 Schalk Burger
21 Will Genia
22 Billy Burns
23 Israel Dagg

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London Wasps v Northampton Saints  (Thomond Park, Limerick)

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London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis (c)	10. Aaron Cruden
03. David Wilson
04. Paul Willemse	11. Bryan Habana
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Paul Jordan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Henry Speight
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Delon Armitage

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Romain Millo-Chluski 20. Marcell Coetzee 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Anthony Watson

Tactics

• Standard tactics of a possession based game and looking to through the phases with pace and intensity.
  
• Offloading in or just before the tackle to keep the ball alive and move the opposition defence around.
  
• Blitz defence with scrum half sweeping to cover.
  

Predictions
Would like to know thoughts on the following please.

• Lock combination.
  
• Centre combination.
  
• Bench.
  

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Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Mike Phillips
02. Dylan Hartley(c)	10. Matt Giteau
03. Carl Hayman
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. David Pocock	14. Julian Savea
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

16. Mako Vunipola 17. Rob Webber 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Samu Manoa 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Joe Simpson 22. Matt Toomua 23. Ben Foden.

Tactics: Power game, phyiscal around the breakdown, getting big ball carriers over the gainline and tiring down opposition before unloading the impact bench.

Looking for comments on the team that don't look at form issues or those who are injured as just want to see what the thoughts are around what will most likely be the majority of my strongest team and the balance of the team.

Want to play a game similar to the Toulon style this season - is that a side that could do that?

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London Welsh v Saracens  (Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow)

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London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. Nathan Catt	09. Michael Classens
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Alun Wynn- Jones (c)	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Mouritz Botha	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Alexander Lapandry	13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. John Barclay	14. Aseili Tikoirituima
08. Victor Vito	15. Ross Chisholm

:-
16. Dave Ward 17. David Kilcoyne 18. BJ Botha 19. Alexandre Flanquart 20. Ashley Johnson 21. Ben Spencer 22. Kyle Godwin 23. Sean Maitland

Questions: who can make an impact on that bench? What do we think of Chisholm and Tikoirituima? And is this my best back row?

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Jamie George	10. Bernard Foley
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Etienne Oosthuizen	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Brad Shields	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Keven Mealamu 17. Max Lahiff 18. Matius Diaz 19. Louis Deacon 20. Nathan Hughes 21. Henry Taylor 22. Freddie Burns 23. George Lowe
- can I get feedback on combo's pls

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Anthony Allen
06. Steven Luatua	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

:-
16. Jack McGrath 17. David Paice 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Taniela Tupou	09. Bryn Hall
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Tom Heathcote
03. Alex Lundberg
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Lolagi Visinia
05. Glen Young	12. Eamon Sheridan
06. Carl Fearns	13. Alex Dunbar
07. Jacob Rowan	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Gus Jones	15. Jean Marcel Buttin

16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Richard Barrington 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Kane Douglas 20. Toby Faletau 21. Chris Cook 22. Marnitz Boshoff 23. Tom Varndell

Tactics:

• Use of heavy carriers, and mobile support runners in the pack to create forward momentum. 
  
• Phase play with half backs dictating play. Look for territory when need to gain field position.
  
• Counter attack whenever possible.
  

Pete - tempted with LV Cup teams?

Any rules, Pooly?

I'm just trying combo's again mate, it'll be a mixture.

Cool same here then

London Welsh

01. Nathan Catt	09. Michael Classens
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Alun Wynn- Jones (c)	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Mouritz Botha	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Alexander Lapandry	13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. John Barclay	14. Aseili Tikoirituima
08. Victor Vito	15. Ross Chisholm

16. Dave Ward 17. David Kilcoyne 18. BJ Botha 19. Alexandre Flanquart 20. Ashley Johnson 21. Ben Spencer 22. Kyle Godwin 23. Sean Maitland

Questions: who can make an impact on that bench? What do we think of Chisholm and Tikoirituima? And is this my best back row?

dammit_chris wrote:Pete - tempted with LV Cup teams?

Was intending trying out some senior combos mate as have done sides for all the various periods.

1 Sebastian Adeniran-Olule
2 LCD
3 Figallo
4 JD Snickerling
5 Elliot Stooke
6 pablo Matera
7 Ardie Savea
8 yacoub Camara
9 Rhodri Williams
10 Handre Pollard
11 Rhaymond Rule
12 Andre Esterhuizen
13 Juan de Jongh
14 Charlie Walker
15 Sam Davies
16 Nick Wood
17 Adriaan Strauss
18 Nicola Mas
19 Dominic Bird
20 Schalk Burger
21 Will Genia
22 Billy Burns
23 Israel Dagg

Prop as suggested put academy out apart from 3 and 13 where I have no academy players

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Jamie George	10. Bernard Foley
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Etienne Oosthuizen	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Brad Shields	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Keven Mealamu 17. Max Lahiff 18. Matius Diaz 19. Louis Deacon 20. Nathan Hughes 21. Henry Taylor 22. Freddie Burns 23. George Lowe

- can I get feedback on combo's pls

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore	10. Brock James
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Pascal Pape (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. Tom Johnson	13. Matthieu Basteraud
07. Jacques Burger	14. Napolini Nalaga
08. Ryan Jones	15. Mike Brown

16. Andrew Sheridan 17. Christopher Tolofua 18. Dan Cole 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Rene Ranger 23. Drew Mitchell

01. Tom Smallbone	09. Jack Moates
02. Gerard Ellis	10. Sam Olver
03. Richard Palframann
04. Sean O'Brien	11. Harry Robinson
05. Kieran Tredwell	12. Cory Allen
06. Jordan Talufua	13. Anton Lienert-Brown
07. Ben Earl	14. Sergeal Petersen
08. David Sisi	15. Jonah Placid

16. Marc Jones 17. Adam Jones 18. Tom Court 19. Devin Toner 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Rory Kockott 22. Jules Plisson 23. Robbie Henshaw
 
Questions
Which academy players could make the step up?
Thought's on Henshaw's best position-13 or 15?
Thought's on the centre partnership and 2nd row pairing.
Which non eq players on the bench would be useful for instant impact?

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. James Slipper	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Agustin Creevey	10. Rhys Patchell
03. Charlie Faumuania
04. Like Charteris	11. Rob Horne
05. Luke Jones	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Siya Kolisi	13. George North
07. Liam Gill	14. Jamie Elliot
08. Edwin Maka	15. Alex Goode

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16. Richard Hibbard 17. Cian Healy 18. Ben Tameifuma 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Christian Lealifiano 23. Stuart Hogg

Go to Newcastle this weekend. Not back till sunday so will try to predict then.

1. Steven Kitchoff
2. Brian Byrne
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Charlie Matthews
5. George Kruis
6. Jamie Gibson (c)
7. Dan Leavy
8. Jack Clifford
9. Eric Escande
10. Ihaia West
11. Jack Nowell
12. Jan Serfontein
13. Pita Ahki
14. Chris Feauai-Sautia
15. Olly Lindsey- Hague

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ed Byrne 18. Tadgh Furlong 19. James Chisholm 20. So'atala Fa'aso'o 21. Luke McGrath 22. Stuart Olding 23. Jason Emery

Who could play in a AP or Heiniken Cup game for me?

Northampton Saints

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Mike Phillips
02. Dylan Hartley(c)	10. Matt Giteau
03. Carl Hayman
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. David Pocock	14. Julian Savea
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

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16. Mako Vunipola 17. Rob Webber 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Samu Manoa 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Joe Simpson 22. Matt Toomua 23. Ben Foden.

Tactics: Power game, phyiscal around the breakdown, getting big ball carriers over the gainline and tiring down opposition before unloading the impact bench.

Looking for comments on the team that don't look at form issues or those who are injured as just want to see what the thoughts are around what will most likely be the majority of my strongest team and the balance of the team.

Want to play a game similar to the Toulon style this season - is that a side that could do that?

Harlequins 16-28 Bath

Mismatch in sides will give Bath a routine win. CJB, backrow is steady for Euro games etc and centre combo would work well, North better on wing tho imo. Steve, Gibson, Nowell & possibly OLH in the AP. Would depend on oppo but can't see them being a weakness.

Newcastle 23-19 Exeter

Falcons shade the front 5, isn't Lundberg a LH Flux? Dave Lewis the scrum half at 8 for Falcons??? Falcons set out a bit stronger throughout, some exciting players on show but not many ready for AP level games. Good centre combos on show.

Sale 31-29 Leicester

Cracking front row battle, just sides to Sale until Corbs can get some form under his belt. Two very physical engine rooms, Attwood not quite at level of other 3 but Retalick best on show evens it up. No real top line out op for both sides will keep things even, could be got at by a good Int tho. Sale backrow stronger mainly because of 8 battle, Jones playing champ will hurt his form I think.

Sale half backs a step up but Tigers with similar step in centres. Cracking 15's on show but Tigers a level up on the wings. Really interesting game. Sale have a better set of form players 1-10 and this would set a nice platform. Tigers better 12-15 but shaded out a bit too much elsewhere. Great game.

Prop...

Which academy players could make the step up? Don't recognise many Prop tbh
Thought's on Henshaw's best position-13 or 15? 15 at the minute
Thought's on the centre partnership and 2nd row pairing. - only really seen Allen play at decent level
Which non eq players on the bench would be useful for instant impact? All pretty good, Higgy Kockett great

Wasps 34-29 Northampton

Cracking match ups like the Sale/Tigers game. Wasps with scrum edge with all 3 stronger. Big step up for Saints in the engine room which levels out the front 5 a bit, Saints would do well at line out also. Tough to rate Pocock, all Wasps players stronger in backrow.

Big step up in the half backs for Wasps, both players at top level. Saints have issues here, Phillips bang off form and Giteau so much stronger at 12. 12's pretty level but Tuilagi a big step up on Jordaan who's a little out of place here. Good back 3's for both teams. Wasps set tone in pack and have halfbacks to create and exploit, very good game.

Pete,

Lock combination. - no real line out threat, easily the weakest area of your team
Centre combination. - Nonu obviously the standout, Jordaan ok but the weakest player in your back line
Bench. - really like the impact

Chris,

"Looking for comments on the team that don't look at form issues or those who are injured as just want to see what the thoughts are around what will most likely be the majority of my strongest team and the balance of the team.

Want to play a game similar to the Toulon style this season - is that a side that could do that?"

Toulon style would not work imo as they have an extremely dominant pack. No team on here would have that dominance. Your lock combo for example is athletic, Toulon often best when Botha/Roussow play, two big lumps.

Balance of team is v good bar halfbacks, you need a good combo here to get the best out of your team. I can't rate Pocock as he's not really played in 2 years, it's impossible to know what level he'd be at.

Your line out should do well this year, scrum can be got at a bit. I'd start Mako over Domingo.

Harlequins 20-30 Bath

Set piece edge for Bath and more experience in the back row gives them a good pack advantage. Good battle between the 10s but Patchell gets more support from his 9 & 12. Both back threes solid if unspectacular. Impact of the bench sees Bath run away with it in the end. Likes of Byrne, Leavy, Clifford, Escande not ready yet for AP. West & Aki possibly for the bench.


Newcastle Falcons 24-20 Exeter Chiefs

Set piece advantage for Falcons with a bit of a mismatch here. Back row balance just not there from Falcons. Both flanks tacklers and against first choice back rows will lose out at the breakdown. Dave Lewis a mistake surely?! Midfield is a mismatch as is halfbacks but like the Chiefs back three.


London Irish 17-28 Gloucester

Glaws prospects stronger in the pack particularly the back row with some of the best youngsters in the world. Irish with good prospects from 11-15.

Prop: Talafua & Allen are capable right now. See O'Brien getting game time this year and Placid will get some next Super 15. Henshaw best at 15 currently but will be 13 long term. Fan of the midfield unsure on Tredwell at lock. Toner, Higgy & Kockett the stand outs on the bench for you   


London Wasps 30-25 Northampton

Scrum edge to Wasps with stronger props and the more meat in the 2nd row. Slight lineout edge for Saints though. Wasps take breakdown battle with Pocock holding no rating. Halfbacks a step up to Wasps. Tuilagi gives Saints an edge but overall elsewhere the backs are fairly even. Lots of carrying to come into play from Saints.

Pete: Lock combo is solid and supports the scrum well against the very best though would be a slight mark down elsewhere. Nonu looking great and Jordan is more then solid enough for AP level here.No player on the bench screams out impact but its solid and won't be a weakness.

Chris: Pack all fit and on best form up with best in league but Pocock is a big concern and currently Domingo should be behind Mako. Phillips at 9 is a big problem will slow it down alot and make it easier for defences to set for your big carriers. Toomua the best 10 for you currently. No pack in this league can give the dominance the Toulon one does so the style won't work as well for you but its well suited for the power 11-15 on show.


London Welsh 23-26 Saracens

Good scrum battle but Sarries edge the lineout slightly. Both sides capable of a poach at the breakdown but Welsh more so. Halfbacks one a piece but gap at 9 much bigger. Sarries take midfield was surprised to see Mermoz released very classy 12 but Welsh shade wings. Very similar looking benches. Difference in midfield the decider here.

CJ: I like Tikoirituima been very good recent years. Chisholm needs to start the season well though for Quins. Out of the options available I'd say thats your best combo. Could do with a more traditional blind side depending on opposition though.

Pooly: Halfbacks and midfield work very well. Wingers will struggle defensively one on one. Back row is well balanced but needs improvement compared to the top 4/5 in league.

Just couldn't hold onto him: had too many players, needed strength elsewhere, needed EQ and couldn't have worked him into a starting 15 whilst meeting EQ rules

Cheers for feedback Johnny, I think 1-15 will need upgrading to be competing with top 4 lol, I'd be happy with mid table.

I'll be happy to stay up!

SJE, Pooly thanks for the comments about the tactics and Toulon style, makes sense.

Will try and get my predos in tomorrow.

Meant Ewers

Quins 22 - 34 Bath

Bath props get ahead as they are more ready and a good pairing with a good hooker but I like both the Quins props, both will grow in ability and be fine with a more experienced partner this season. Again experience gives Bath 4-8 too, all good players and good backrow, but Quins locks, if both have te seasons I expect them too, should be ahead by the end of the season. Quins 6 ok, know little about 7, Clifford not ready yet but expect to see him this season and I think he'll be ready for the bench at least by the end with no Guest at the club now and Easter probably covering lock. Don't know 9-10 for Quins so edge to Bath, where I don't really like Machenaud but Patchell looks the real deal at 10. Quins outside backs look good, but out powered and experienced by an excellent Bath backline, North at 13 a weakness as I'm not convinced by him in defence there. Beale at 12 great. Both Horne and Elliott together leaves the back 3 short of flair. OLH doesn't convince me for Quins. Bath win this one with more experience and an excellent bench.

For Quins, 1 and 3 can easily step up, as can 4 and 5 and maybe together by the end, 6, maybe 8 and 11-15 but not all together

Falcons 31 - 25 Chiefs

Scrum to Falcons, really like Wilson and Mullen is a decent LH. Equal hookers. Chiefs have a great lock in Tuipolotu but a fan of the combo at Falcons which works very well. Falcons backrow solid and effective but lacks spark, chiefs a nice backrow with balance but Jones is a best flanker for me. With 2 raw players, slight edge to Falcons here. Laidlaw Farrell excellent at kicking game but dear God will yej passing suffer, opposite in Hall-Heathcote, both work but I would use tj as 1st choice pairings. Centres solid and promising for Chiefs but more flair for Falcons. Good wingers and Miller solid for Falcons but frail defence. Love Chiefs back 3, they get on top but overall Falvons win

Sale 32 - 29 Tigers

Close and good one this. Scrum to Sale on current form, whether Corbs is fit is huge. Evens with different but great lock pairings, but back row to Sale with a better mix. Love Sale HB combo ahead of a good but temperamental Tigers one. 11-15 great for both sides, really can't separate but Sale win the game with their pack advantage and great HBs

Wasps 29-26 saints


Chris gits no ten nor is toomua who is a top 12.

Great athleticism and locks. Your pack lacks a brain or proper leader. Lots of bosh
And athleticism but subtlety?? Parisse gives you that brain and should start

Half backs wasps easily. Jordaan a 12 for me and not a 13. He is not a
Serfontein, devilliers, dejongh, crotty or JD2 type who plays both centre roles well. Great back 3 Chris hp world class still rated

Pete lock combo all wrong Willemse decent vahaminha poor for me and a psa odd choice. Young though and huge.


Great front row and a smart backrow

Vermaulen more game smarts than billy v
Armitage over pocock but would have robshaw over Armitage at 7

Kaino over robshaw. Robshaw lacks carrying and impact for 6


Chris you have one of the best teams and best English.
You could not play Toulon style as it negates your talents of gits tuilagi Savea hp etc

Need th 9 and a 10

Apart from that diamond

Sale 30-28 Leicester


Leicester lack pace in pack. Great physical unit but lacking pace. Locks been great but depending on form could disappear. They are both old and form at start of season will be key

Sale retallick in wc form kayser out of
His depth at top level for me. France struggle at hooker

Sale lack a leader in pack and rugby smarts. Luatua a cracking player but been out of blues until last 3 games. Picamoles not
For me and Todd in form so adds balance but vs burger?

Sale top halfbacks worry about back
3. Defence issues galore

Leicester half backs not great fotuali been average and James not good enough.

Basteraud gives focus. Leicester wings will
Give sale a nightmare but defensively are a worry. Cuthbert and Malaga so poor when kicked in behind. Brown is gold

Benches even.

Not being harsh with opinions just trying to be clear

Sheridan gets less than zero luke. Is retiring and will never be seen again

SJE back 3
Needs work galore as
Does centres. Allen decent but pisi magic one day not the next and a issue in defence. Front 5 fab

Both teams challenge for league and are among best. Sale
Have great front 5 and half backs and they are key.

Leicester need to find a half back solution as 9,10 key positions. Fotuali could be answer but needs a decent season. James and lambie not up to playing ten at top level for me. Lambie a great utility player but probably 4th or 5th best ten in SA ranking

Quins 15-25 bath

Bath have experience in positions and big game players. North could be a good 13 with Beale but needs to play there more
In real life.
They would have defence issues though.

Patchell could struggle with anscombe signed.

Steve kitschoff and West
Could Play AP and Heino. West looks a real find. Sinckler can play AP but expect collier to have his place back. 2 great young TH in collier and sinckler

Your other youngsters may come strong this year. Clifford looks the pick and many expect him to emerge this year.

Kruis and Mathews may really kick on this year as well

Newcastle Falcons 39-20 Exeter Chiefs


Have predod based on ewers at 8 not lewis. A mismatch In the forwards.

Flux has a schoolboy loosehead who
I tried to sign but against a Saxon at 3
Will get demolished.

Same with backrow. Jones has potential although I thought was a 7.
Mowen etc are proven int players and so will romp it.

Flanks lack carrying and not a great combo driver.

Hall at 9 looks a good lad.
Exeter centres will defend but be easy to defend against.
Love butin at 15 adds spark.

Newcastle centres not
For me and lack game time.

Heathcote may also struggle if still at bath.
Not sure if he has left

CJ quedrago for lapandry is best backrow.

Chisholm needs form. Tikorotomua can be good at wing or 13.


Once Godwin is back from injury you could have great centres.

Front 5 looking good CJ

Pooly feedback on combos

Mermoz and JD2 could be unreal. Mermoz needs game time and was once the brightest talent in France. He is a 12 and not a 13. If he starts games and comes back to form could be a deadly duo.
Foley a proper 10 and very smart.
Like most tens is not great defensively but is very willing and gets stuck in.

Second row physical lumps. Ousthuizen only young but needs game time and with pdt to
Come back could disappear.
Boks have such depth but he is a talent but is he better than Botha,etzbeth,matfield,lewies( looks great lineout man), de jäger; Willemse, pdt etc??


Backrow Denton a better 6 good strong player.
Lazy defender but in right backrow balance a great shout.

Shields great dogged player and great worker. However maybe out of his depth. Messam,luatua, Kaino and others ahead of him.
Brussow hard to rate and for me would be marked down. No track record for years and off to Japan.

Front row good scrummaging unit. Waller solid scrummager but will corbs game time limit him? George a good hooker. Throws well and a great scrummager but needs game time.

Jdp massively improved. Decent scrummager but like James Johnston a pen machine. Front row could go well if in form but also could have issues if Waller and George don't play much. I am not much of a waller fan to be honest but went well last year.

EnglAnd lh

1 marler
2 corbs
3 mako
4 Catt/mullan

After that it's Waller, Wood etc

Irish 20- 30 Gloucester

Gloucester take front row,, really like their combo here. Closer in second row, Stooke stands out but Tredwell has a future for sure and the Irish combo has potential. Don't know Earl but 6 and 8 have promise for Irish and Glaws also have a youngish back row, edge to them with Matera. Williams-Pollard could be a world beating HB combo in a few years. Robinson, Allen and Peterson very excited in Irish back line, not sure on the others' readiness. Bench is immense though. Davies better at 10 for me, Glaws back line looks dangerous otherwise, expect Walker to cover 13-15 for Quins and get some opportunity at least, loads of Quins fans think he should start on the wing (! Crazy with our wingers brought in) or 13 whilst Lowe is eased in. Glaws centres promise a lot in attack but with that back 3 outside them look vulnerable to power game. Glaws bench also great, not sure Billy Burns is ready but he looks better than even his brother in potential. Overall Gloucester too strong with the set piece and dangerous backs

Prop- Think too early for Tredwell but Talafua and Sisi are ready, Robinson is, Peterson and definitely Allen. 

Henshaw best at 15 but will play 13 so probably better rated there long term

Like your locks for the future, don't know your 13 well but like your 12 

a lot.


Big impact from Toner, Higginbotham and Kocott. Maybe Plisson if he recovers his best form

Wasps 30 - 30 Saints

Big battle in scrum, would be taken by Wasps on form but Saints' top form might edge it. V close in the line out. Probably prefer a firing Lawesbury marginally. Really like Saints backrow, if Poccock is fit but hard to see when he will be again, but it looks lovely ESP with the different types of player on the bench. Also well balanced backrow from Wasps. If Poccock is fit, Saints take breakdown with him and Ribshaw but as it is, very close (Launch a huge help). Carrying better for Wasps though. Cruden out of form < Giteau just but Smith > Phillips and the NZ combo works better together. 2 top back 3s, prefer the variety in Saints but Speight a wonderful dangerman with Habana the pace could be devastating against any narrow defence. Nonu-Fofana so different yet inseparable at 12, but Manu edges Jordan. Not much in benches, can't separate teams at a neutral venue.


Pete- like the locks, both top players and can work together, unlucky to be up against the England line out. Centres both excellent, Jordan has a future and will be good enough at 13 against most sides. Bench pack is great, backs a little green.


Chris, as others have said the Toulon plan won't work in this league, but the power is good and actually I like the capacity for flair and power in this side. If Poccock is fit you can dominate the breakdown with that backrow and maybe play similarly to Toulon but its a huge if

Cheers for feedback Pete.

Quins 22-24 Bath
A good set up pack from from Bath with Quins trying a couple of youngsters here. Not sure about Horne on the wing to be honest, the Beale-North combo would be good on a dry surface. Steve: think Kitschoff, West and Serfontein can definitely start and a couple of others will break through this season.
 
Falcons 30-22 Chiefs
Not sure if Chiefs may have their props the wrong way round. Like the falcons but guessing it's not meant to be Dave Lewis at 8! Not sure about both Mowen and Lydiate together. Falcons backline quite a bit stronger and a good bench for Falcons impact.
 
Sharks 26-24 Tigers
Small edge at set piece for Sale, carrying to Tigers slightly, bit more on the ground from Tigers back row. 9-10 to Sale with back 3 to Tigers. Centres  tough to call if all on a good day. Going on half backs for this game.
 
Wasps Saints
Great match up going on here today! Feel that Saints have a more settled lock combination but Wasps looking good with the 2 eq props shoring up the scrum. Back row to Saints at present with Pocock not playing for such a long time. Still prefer Giteau at 12 personally but 2 good halfbacks although Wasps will have quick ball from their pair. Not a lot between the two out wide with a good backline from both.
Chris: I think this could be your strongest team but maybe look at Giteau at 12 instead, Pocock does need game time, I think you couold play the Toulon style though with maybe Manoa at 6 to bring a good carrying game?
Ozzy: don’t know a lot about your 2nd rows to be honest but they do both have some good mentions on this forum. I like the centre pairing and great impact coming off the bench although it may struggle come the AI and 6N.
 

Welsh 25-29 Sarries
JDP hitting good form so edges the scrum for Sarries. much of a muchness  in the rest of the backline. 9-10 just to Sarries and the centres too with Mermoz a great signing. Both teams pretty dangerous out wide.
CJ: Ward, Godwin and Maitland will make good impact. Pooly: like the balance of your front row, if Brussouw does come back then back row pretty good, half-backs steady, centres could be a league winner, back 3 (on form) will cause problems going forward.

Cheers Prop

Harlequins 29 Bath Rugby 35
The experience for Bath will see them come through here - not sure I'd play Beale/North in the centres unless that is where Saints start playing him in real life, which they wont - in this game they'd get more front foot ball so would be devastating but against full strength it would be a gamble. Like Elliot on the wing, very underrated player. Steve most of those youngsters could feature in AP/HC either starting with the right experience around them (wouldnt say no2 or no7 are) or bench - you have a great academy and expect Clifford and Escande to have break through seasons this year.

Newcastle Falcons 35 - 23 Exeter Chiefs
Falcons front row would munch the Chiefs to pieces, the young NZ has only just gone into the Chiefs academy and was playing schoolboy before and Lundberg hasn't started for Wasps in the AP - also Jones isn't a no8. But Chiefs bench is excellent and really pulls them back in the second half. At same time I have no idea who the Falcons no2 is, so they wont take full advantage here. Not sure about Sheridan at no12 Flux, like the rest of your backline and would be tempted to start with Varndell as he's improved so much at Wasps.


Sale Sharks 24 - 22 Leicester Tigers
Agree with Mat's comments on this game. Tigers will be very hard to beat, just need their England props to all be back on form and the Tigers set piece will be very difficult, shame for them that Jones is in the Championship next season. Sale look very strong, excellent 9-10 combination and given front foot ball their backs could do very well.

London Irish 19 - 36 Gloucester
Would agree with what Pete has said in his comments on this game - young Irish team against a more experienced Gloucester squad.

London Welsh 25 - 27 Saracens
Pooly you've put together a great little team there, will be a huge improvement on last season for you - the midfield has a great balance and Foley at no10 was arguably the signing of the transfer window. Only issue with the backline is that Ashton/Tait could possibly be got at defensively, although Tait is improving all the time at Tigers. Not quite sure on the lock combo, and would be tempted to start with Hughes at no8, but that could be some Wasps biased! Really like what CJ has done with Welsh, massive improvements throughout the squad, AJ off the bench will be a massive impact - good balance to the backline as well - if you can find one wc player before the seasons starts it will change these close games into potential wins.

Newcastle 36-22 Exeter
Sale 29-27 Tigers
Irish 16-32 Glaws
Wasps 27-24 Saints
Welsh 24-28 Sarries

Harlequins 22 Bath 30

Steve , for me Kitschoff ,Kruis , Gibson , Nowell and Serfont.ain could play in AP or HC games. CJB pack looks really good and has some good youngsters in there. Backs are a bit off for me. I'm not convinced at all by Machenaud at 9. Beale and North have plenty of potential as a combo but North's best positions is wing by a long way. Horne is a passanger in your backs, Elliot a proper player. 

Sale 28 Tigers 24
Irish 19 Gloucester 30
Wasps 30 Northampton 25
London Welsh 21 Saracens 25

Will try to add detail later on.