Aviva Premiership Round Six

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Leicester Tigers v Harlequins
Location - Welford Road
Sunny Intervals, 15 Degrees, 9mph SSW winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Pascal Pape	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Jacques Burger	14. Drew Mitchell
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Tusi Pisi 23. Rene Ranger

Tactics:

We will look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. We have, throughout our XV, big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Burns to exploit.

General Tactics:

- Play an offloading game. We see the offload as our big weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum.

- Attack all scrums if we have an advantage - Front row of Moore, Jenkins and Johnston to look to really get the shove on, particularly targeting Quins' Brits / Brooke's channel.

- Attack all lineouts. Use safe option of Hines at the front, and also use Pape and Lobbe in the middle or at the back. Hines to look to put real pressure at the front on all Quins' throws.
Shortened lineouts with Burger in midfield as crash/decoy option.

- Physical, abrasive XV made up of massive line-breakers.
The likes of Bastareaud, Cuthbert, Lobbe, Louw, Pape, Hines and Moore to be used to win the collisions in attack.
Add to that the likes of Corbs, Tolofua, Waldrom and Ranger off the bench.

- Fotauli'i to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Burger and Louw, supported by the likes of Basteraud and Jenkins, to really look to get into the breakdown and give Quins problems.

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Burns and Twelvetrees.
We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack consistently.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Fotauli'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Burns to kick all penalties.

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Steven Myler(k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. George Kruis	11. Jack Nowell
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Tom Wood (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. John Afoa 19. Bakkies Botha 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Ollie Lindsey-Hague

Game Plan

In Opposition half - We are going to use our strong carriers to get across the gain line to get us quick ball to attack with. We will use our forwards carrying wide off 9 or off 10 and 12 and get the next phase of play away from the previous breakdown. We want to move the Leicester pack around and make sure we don't run at the strongest point in their defence (in and around the ruck).

Our forwards will carry the ball at pace and keep the legs pumping after contact to get us across the gain line so we can create a quick ruck. We will attack the gaps in the Leicester defence and not run at the men. We will look mix it up between offloading before or after contact as well as carrying. We will carry using a pod system so our creators at 9, 10 and 12 will have options to hit in each phase and this means we always have support for the carriers to recycle quick ball. It is vital that we have men to the ruck quickly to negate the Leicester back row.

In the backs we will look to spread the ball wider once we have quick ball and have tied in Leicester defenders in and around the ruck. We will look to get JJ in one-on-one with Basteraud and use his pace on the outside break and force the winger to be attracted to the ball and create space out wide for Huget or Nowell.

In our own half - We have two half backs who are experts in controlling the field position and tempo of a game. We will consider our options in our own half and look to kick for field position or territory when its on or the Tigers back three is out of position.

Set Piece

At the scrum we will look to put real pressure on the Leicester put in with an 8-man shove with Woodcock and Brookes and the big lumps behind them looking to pile pressure on as soon as the ball is put in. On our own ball we will look to lock out and get the ball away with Chouly picking and going or using the backs.

At the line out we will look to use the middle and back of the line and will use the driving maul off the middle and back as well as getting quick ball off the top. In defence Leicester can have the front but Hamilton, Kruis, Gorgodze and Wood will really put pressure on the middle and back.

Defence

We will use an out to in defence knowing that Basteraud isn't going to use his pace to exploit us on the outside. JJ will lead our line speed and we will look to target the Leicester decision makers. We will decide whether to go for the big hit and win the collision or to chop tackle and get the first man at the breakdown.

Key Points

Strong carriers - We recognise the ability of the Tigers back row at the breakdown. To negate this we know we have to get over the gain line and constantly move the point of attack and look to attack where the Tigers defence isn't set and is weaker. If we get over the gain line then we have targets to hit at the ruck and Leicester are working on the back foot and we have the advantage. We feel up front we have the stronger carriers and can dominate the gain line.

Kick all points

Use our bench to impact the game. OLH to take advantage of the tiring defences in the last 20. Front row change at 60 to keep the pressure on. Cooper comes on if we need to chase the game. We have genuine game changing options on the bench.

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London Welsh v Newcastle Falcons
Location - Kassam Stadium
Sunny Intervals, 16 Degrees, 9mph SSW winds

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 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01.Yannick Forestier	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlowe
02. David Ward (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. BJ Botha
04. Sepoke Timani	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Jamie Cudmore	12. Kyle Godwin
06. James Haskell	13. Rob Horne
07. John Barclay	14. Mark Cueto
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Matthew Rees 17. Nathan Catt 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk  19.  George Skivington 20. Ashley Johnson 21. Ben Spencer 22. Remi Tales  23. Jesse Mogg

Tactics-

Ward and Barclay to work as a duo to ensure we always have at least one breakdown expert immediately on every attacking ball and to look to spoil and steal opposition ball without overcommitting other players to rucks. This gives them time to set the defence. In ensuring they are close to the ball like this, the 2 fetchers will also be in great position for support play and linking. They will be facilitated by high intensity clearing out in small numbers but working as a unit through Vito and the other forwards. Haskell to switch between enforcing and breakdown work

Slow ball- We will look to test their back 3 positionally with up and unders under the chase with 9, 10, 12 and 15 all strong kickers. Their back 3 are not the best under the high ball so we will put it up against them contested by our back row and back 3. We will also look to maul and pick and drive the ball to speed it up and the crash ball inside off 10 and 12 (and pop off 9) to Pennell and Vito to get go forward and give the fetchers a chance to speed the ball up

Quick ball- look to spin quickly out to FTH standing flat and attacking the line with Pennell and Godwin as secondary play-makers , looking to mix short pop passes inside and out to exploit the lack of adaptability in the blitz and short dummy runners with the long pass outside to exploit space and get our wingers in the game, and dummy runners with the inside switch to change the angle of attack behind the game line and cut into the defence. If there is space behind the defensive line, look to chip from 9, 10 or 12 with our canny back 3  and back row chasing. When tackled if the offload is on make it with support lines from our fetchers vital but if not recycle quickly and attack the fringes. Look to get one on one with Sharples and test his defence


Kicking- kick low not high. Take available points at goal, and look to use all our kicking options out of hand to prevent any predictability or pressure leading to chargedowns.

Defence-  TKB and any free pack members to target Laidlaw and especially pressurise his kicking game so his measured pace of play becomes a weakness not a strength. Fringe defence led by Cudmore. Approach is a blitz marshalled by Laulala

Scrum- look to get our attacking ball out quickly and use Vito to carry and give us momentum for the quick ball game.

Lineout- keep it simple in attack- not an area of strength so better with simple short throws then using our powerful locks to maul.

Discipline- push for penalties and turnovers in their 22- if we concede it doesn't cost us much and any gains will be amplified. Opposite, cautious approach in our own half, which may help keep the ref on our side psychologically and subconsciously

Subs- go 100% knowing our pack subs are strong.  AJ adds impact, and we can strengthen the set piece too.

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Driver

01. Matt Mullen	09. Gregg Laidlaw
02. Rory Best (C)	10. Owen Farrell (K)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Brad Thorn	11. Max Evans
05. Geoff Parling	12. Franci Sailli
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Johnathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Dave Ewers	15. Rob Millier

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Tonga 18.Scott Wilson 19.Ed Slater 20.Dan Lydiate 21.Dave Lewis 22.Andy Goode 23.Charles Pitatau


Tactics

We'll look to open up a bit more this week and unleash our dangerous backline and get them running at the Welsh defence moving the ball and keeping the tempo high , we've picked a mobile pack whicch is capable of getting around the field and test the legs of the Welsh pack. Plenty of good carriers in our pack to get us in the gainline with our full back row in great form.

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Exeter Chiefs v London Irish
Location - Sandy Park
Light Rain Showers, 16 Degrees, 10mph SSW winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Richard Barrington	09. Connor Murray
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. James Johnstone
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. Tom Varndell
05. Kane Douglas	12. Luther Burrell
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Alex Dunbar
07. Justin Tipuric	14. David Strettle
08. Toby Faletau	15. James O'Connor

16. Jack Yeandle 17. Ryan Grant 18. Mike Ross 19. Michael Paterson 20. Carl Fearns 21. Chris Cook 22. Ian Madigan 23. Andrew Trimble

General Game plan

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. With wet and windy conditions we will want to hit the ground running and hit the opposition hard and fast from the off. 
Our aim is to control possession and go through the phases. We will look to play a simple territory game based around our strong set-piece and carrying. This means when kicking the backs kick under no pressure - if there is slow ball we recycle and set guards to allow a clean kick and chase. 
Big point is to match them man for man, in our style of play. We won't play their game plan, and at Sandy Park, Irish will be forced to play at our pace, which will be a struggle for most of their slow lumbering front five. 

Set piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan and create point of attacks. POC to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers. At the scrum we’ll look to get the squeeze on and target Collier and Poux, and keep the opposition back row tied into the scrum giving Murray, Flood  more time and space to work in. 

Pack & Breakdown - Look for strong carries from our pack, tying in the opposition defence to create overlaps for our backs. We’ll be looking to keep the ball alive and look for the offload when on. Our back-row will target the breakdown and look to blow through the ruck and past the ball. Clean ball will be generated either by blowing through the ruck and past the ball and a long presentation of the ball to keep it away from opposition defenders. Murray look to sweep up any turnover ball getting us on the front foot. We’ll look to win the collision with big our physical pack and dominate the opposition pack in the contact.

Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow our back-row to dominate affairs. We will revert to our strong defensive banana drift defence to push the attackers towards our inside defence, with Murray sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind. If an oppo player gets held or brought down this allows the second man to get over the ball quickly to at least compete and slow opposition possession. Tipuric will look to target the opposition fly half early on and pressure his kicking. 

Backs - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs and the back three especially, as they have the pace and finishing ability to worry any defence. Utilise the pace and size of Burrell/Dunbar to crash through the line, using our 'league/slider move' developed from last season to break the line. Dunbar/Burrell/Strettle are big quick guys and will be able to mix and match the opposition defence, either catching Roberts's weaker inside shoulder on a a run against the grain, or exploiting the concentration of Joseph in defence. Or even generate a two on one with JOC joining the back line as the slider moves under the crash/dummy line.


Key Points

Home Advantage - Sandy Park is one of the hardest places to come and play. We won't want to kick the ball away, and Irish can't score any points without the ball. 
Scrum & Line-out – Target throughout, if weakness seen heap pressure and generate penalties. Barrington to exploit Poux, who has been playing at TH as of late, and pile in on him with Swarz. 
Quick Rucks - with their big pack we will look to set rucks quickly and keep their pack on the move to tire them out. As well as to keep moving the point if attack with ball in hand with clever offloads and pops to keep Irish guessing. 
Physicality & Dynamism – Win the collision and target rucks to drive through opposition. We have a big physical, but also mobile pack. Supported by some high energy forwards off the bench.
Targets in Defence - Bell, not being the best defender and most agile, Flood will try to angle runners off his weaker shoulder to break the line, similarly Leuia is not the best defending 13, and so Dunbar and Burrell will angle run down both of their weaker, inside shoulder.
Breakdown – Tipuric & Nyanga to be a nuisance in in the breakdown and either get over the ball or get past the ball and make the opposition cleaners a nightmare by having to make them drive our forwards even further off their ball, or steal if the are limited numbers competing. 
Backs – Classy running options and two of the most prolific finishers in the AP in Strettle & Varndell, so they we will get the ball in their hands and they will take any opportunity.
Build a Score - Flood and JOC to share kicking at goal responsibilities with JOC taking the longer ones. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out

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 London Irish
Manager – Prop

01. JB Poux	09. Rory Kockott
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Will Collier
04. Devin Toner	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Stuart Hooper	12. Chris Bell
06. Kelly Brown	13. Alapati Leuai
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

 :-
16. Gerard Ellis 17.  Tom Court 18. Rhodri Jones 19. Dean Mumm 20. David Sisi 21. Lee Dickson 22. Owen Williams 23. Rob Cook

Tactics

Set piece: We have picked a strong scrummaging front 5 who all bring carrying bulk to the game. From kick offs we will look to go 2 passes in before hitting our direct runners. We will look to scrummage low (which all of our props are known for doing) and scrum straight to prevent the wheel. Our lineouts will be simple and we will look to bring the ball down before feeding 9. There’s not many players able to get as high as Toner.

Backrow: We feel we have a well balanced back row with a tackler, a carrier and a jackler and all 3 will be used for their main attributes. We have confidence in them all to do their jobs with Brown looking to get in their 10’s face.

Breakdown: We will look to be controlled here with the tackler and 1 more player committing initially to the breakdown. Warburton will play the McCaw role and sweep behind the breakdowns picking and choosing when he will attack for a penalty or a turnover. We will use the call “fire ball” which will be when Saints under commit to their ruck and we will look to blitz past the ball for the turnover. We will adopt the hold and roll technique to take them off their feet at the breakdown and ‘tactically’ hold them down to slow them getting to the next ruck.

Half Backs: Biggar will stand flat initially to give Bell, Leuia and our pack runners the chance to get over the gainline. We know how well Biggar can find touch and we will use this. Kockott has shown how well he can control a game and he will use these skills to control the tempo and slow the ball down if needed.

Outside Backs: We have brought in Leuia to bring a bit of smash to the centre running and to link with Bell and have a real life combination who are both very strong in defence. If it is on we will look to ship it wide to our speedsters. We will look to have a lot of movement off the ball to prevent us being easily read. There will be runners off of 12 and 13 when available and the ball will be shipped to the wings quickly to allow them to get the advantage in the race to the line. We have international experience in the back 3 and will look to exploit this with angled running and confusing the oppositions defence.

Bench: Impact in all areas and Williams and Cook can change the pace of the game if required. The experience of Mumm and Dickson will be vital in this game and Ellis seems to be getting good reviews every time he plays.

Defence: We also know how good the Chiefs centres are so will look to prevent him offloading the ball by double tackling him. We will look to blitz with Brown in their 10’s allowing Biggar the opportunity to drop back and cover with Dulin for any kicks ahead. We will defend inside-out and spread the line.

Overall: This will be a controlled performance. We will look to hit the ball up twice and suck in defenders by going the same way till we run out of space, we will then flash across and look for quick hands against their pack who will be stuck defending the centre channels. Our carriers will come round the corner in 3’s to prevent the opposition knowing where the ball is going. We have a strong team on show and backs who are able to control a game well and defend strongly without allowing any gaps to appear.

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Saracens v Gloucester Rugby
Location - Allianz Stadium
Light Rain Showers, 18 Degrees, 9mph SSW winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Morne Steyn
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrico Albacete	11. Zak Guildford
05. Flip van der Merwe	12. Scott Williams
06. Ben Mowen(c)	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Xavier Chiocci  18. Clement Ric 19. Louis Deacon 20. Callum Clark 21. Henry Taylor 22. Ben Foley 23. Sonny Bill Williams

Tactics:

TARGET BREAKDOWN – With Bruss/Clark/Cole/Mowen strong in this area we’ll look to target turnover ball and slowing opposition attacks. With only Salvi a threat in the Gloucester team we'll look to target him around the park and allow our options in to slow/turnover.

TARGET WALKER & MAY – Look to test out their defence and positional play with kicks in behind and big runners down their channels. Ashton often gets accused of poor defence but this is at the top level, Walker is around 4th choice wing for Harlequins and nowhere near this level.


TARGET SCRUM – Big locks and formidable propping options starting and bench. Look to target Gloucester props and drive them up and inwards. Cole will look get between Steenkamp and Gray and cause issues there. With R Gray and Gray the hooker renowned as poor scrummagers, we'll look to force the pressure and hold the ball in to target pen if weakness seen.

PARRA/STEYN COMBO - Perfect combo to dictate play and keep us playing in right area of pitch. Parra hasn't been on top of his game lately but there is a gulf in class between him and Robson. Steyn isn't in the best of nick but Carter hasn't played 10 for the best part of a year and was also struggling then. His decent form has came at 12 and he only played a handful of games.

TARGET GLOUCESTER WEAK LINKS - Look to get at Robson/Walker early on and put them off their game. Both Walker & Robson are good prospects but this is in reality an Int class game and they're both 2nd/3rd/4th choice for their AP clubs as they're not good enough yet. Look to get runners at Masi and target his lack of positional play at 12 (can see issues with Gloucester midfield defence/attack). Masi rarely plays 12 as he's a defensive concern, look to target this early on with Hughes running at his channel.

General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to move the opposition pack around and then use big carrying options to punch holes through the opposition defence.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for quick ball off the top with the world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing Bruss/Clark/Cole/Mowen etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Lack of straight running option in the opp backline will allow us to hold up the runner and attempt the maul turnover. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and have Williams/Mermoz on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Williams to run angles off the 9/10 and interchange 2nd receiver with Mermoz. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Ashton will look to track the midfield combo and get the end of Mermoz’s little offloads in contact. Guildford to keep things honest and come looking for work.

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 Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Guthro Streenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Gray	10. Dan Carter
03. Nicholas Mas
04. Richie Gray	11. Hosea Gear
05. Romain Taofufina	12. Andrea Masi
06. Willem Alberts	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Julien Salvi	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Johnny May

:-
16 Nick Wood 17 Luke Cowan Dickie 18 Juan Figallo 19 George Robson 20 Wycliffe Palu  21 Will Genia  22 Danny Cipriani 23 Raymond Rhule

Glos travel to Sarries targetting a BP win
Tactics 

TARGET BREAKDOWN – We have a big mobile physically stronger bunch and will hit rucks with venom. We will Send numbers in and try and effect turnovers or Disrupt ball. Saracens have players like brussow who barely plays and was last capped in 2011 with Hughes and Clark. Alberts Salvi and heaslip has physicality and experience. Backed with our all int front 5 and this is an area we will flood.

TARGET back 3 – very little kicking in their back 3 So will Look to Kick in behind and generally torment them 

TARGET SCRUM – All int front 5 for glos with Mas in great form at TH. Will target Waller And guirado. Cole been missing for a year and doubts over his career which Steenkamp will go after

Half backs- Robson in top form will look to threaten around the ruck but his job is to give it to carter who will dictate. 
Steyn in a slump and he will be targeted. Lacks game te And confidence. Carter Will challenge line and kick When necessary. We want to play high tempo and move around a more static side 

TARGET Sarries Players out of form    

side  with so Many big names out of form or injured like cole,albacete,Brussow steyn etc we will Look to get in the face and prey on lack of confidence and form. We will target the 10/13 channel with mermoz no 13 And steyn in trouble

General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We Are also more mobile. We will use this to run the legs off Saracens And play an offloading game. When in behind We will Flood through with our quick Backs targeting mismatches  

Line out – We have options galore in Gray tamefuina Alberts heaslip and will use this to disrupt.
On our ball we will mix It but as game progresses go Off The top more To Move them about 


Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Bench - Game changing bench with Palu Cips Genia etc. Not Sure who Some Of the sarries bench are but out game changers will Look to Take the game away and get us the Try BP

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Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
Location - Franklin Gardens
Sunny Intervals, 15 Degrees, 9mph SSW winds

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 Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Gareth Davies
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. Matt Giteau(k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Samu Manoa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Ben Foden

Subs: 
16. Mako Vunipola 17. Rob Webber 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Jonny Gray 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Jordan Williams

Tactics:
Will be looking to end Sale's unbeaten start to the season and make it six wins out of six. With the advantage of being at home we are going to go out and play a high tempo/expansive game, which places the onus on attack, offloading and creating space outwide for our back three. Our pack has been selected to provide an attacking platform off the scrum and lineout, while defensively we will be aiming to put pressure on Sale, looking for big hits, forcing mistakes and turnovers. We then aim to finish the last 20-25 minutes very strongly by bringing on big ball carriers in the pack and Simpson, Ford and Daly if we need a creative spark to score tries.

Pack/Setpiece:
We are going to attack the Sale scrum, and have selected three strong scrummagers to start the game, targeting McGrath and Kayser and see if we can get penalities, or a platform for Parisse to attack from. The second half we bring on Vunipola, Mulipola and Webber to up the tempo and increase ball carrying options. Lineout we have five jumpers in an area we want to mix up and provide quick off the top ball to attack, will have Robshaw and Manoa for safe ball. Defensively from lineouts we will look for Lawes to pressurise the Sale throw. Five full internationals to come off the bench to allow us to finish the game strongly and help to open up the game in the second half.

Attack:
We do have a very solid set piece and will use this to get our strike runners involved in the game and send our pack and backline at the Sale defence time and time again, getting over the gainline, sucking in defenders and creating space for our finishers outwide. Giteau starts at no10 after winning player of the year 2014 in Top14, we'll get him to pull the strings in the backline and look at putting Goneva, Fofana and Tuilagi into space. Backthree are all dangerous counter attackers and will look to run the ball back when opportunities present themselves - we want to keep the ball in play and tempo high to tire down Sale and let our power game/strike runner game get results.

Breakdown:
From 4-8 we have speed and will look to hit the breakdown quickly, secure ball and attack - Fofana and Tuilagi to add in the midfield - any Sale player that is isolated we will go for turnover ball, or if possible avoid the breakdown altogether by going for the choke tackle and working to get the scrum.

Defence:
As always an aggressive defence, looking for fast line speed, closing down attacking options and the occasional big hit on the flyhalf with Lawes and Manoa tasked to let Sexton know they are around. Strong midfield defensively, so will look to force Sale to kick possession away and give our backthree open field to attack. Davies to sweep behind the defensive line.

Key Points:
* Great form in the league, home advantage and will look to make it 6 wins from 6.
* Strong scrum and lineout to get a great platform to attack Sale.
* Will look to attack Sale and put pressure on their defence, all of our backline have the spark to win a game.
* Bench has been selected for impact – all five forwards are internationals and will strengthen the setpiece, while the backs are all creative players who can score tries in the final 20 minutes.

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Ross Harrison 17. David Paice 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Garvey 21. Kieran Marmion 22. JJ Hanrahan 23.Kyle Eastmond

We will play an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to create space and break the defensive line. Mobility, physicality and handling is key to our approach.

- Match Saints in the pack. We are a match for Saints in the pack and will look to our forwards to provide a platform for our world class half backs.

- Fast ball is crucial. Mobile pack and physical midfield to clear out rucks and ensure quick ball. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to make it easier to do so.

- Commit the defence. Sexton will play flat on the gain line to pull in defenders before releasing runners while Care will look for opportunities to snipe around the base always committing defenders.

- Change the point of attack. Numerous playmakers across the backline comfortable at coming in at first receiver allow us to change the point of attack and leave the opposition guessing.

- Back three always involved. Wingers to track the ball off their wings looking for the inside ball or offload. Bendy to join the line from fullback looking for mismatches and to create overlaps.

- Attack from the scrum. Strong technical front row backed up by a powerful second row will look to build a platform for Pickles, Care & Sexton. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Mix it up at the lineout. Five genuine jumpers gives us a strong attacking platform. Look to use both the rolling maul and ball off the top to keep the defence guessing.

- Straight line blitz defence. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with POM & Todd fetching for the ball, supported by the rest of the pack when needed. We will always look to turn the ball over.

---

London Wasps v Bath Rugby 
Location - Adams Park
Light Rain Showers, 15 Degrees, 7mph SSW winds

---

 Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213     
              

01. Paul James	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tom Youngs	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Dave Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Anthony Watson
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Fulgence Ouedraogo	13. Paul Jordaan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Luke Narraway	15. Delon Armitage

  
16. Deon Fourie 17. Joe Marler 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Rynhardt Elstadt 21. Sebastien Tillouse-Borde 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

Basic Game Plan
In damp conditions we will be looking to play a territory based game, using the boots of Cruden and Armitage to put us in Bath territory.  We will not run it from deep in our half, but when in Bath half will go through the phases using the big carriers in our pack to make the hard yards.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Youngs will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics 

• Lineout.  Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure their ball.  On Bat ball put pressure on through AWJ and Ouedraogo, who are athletic lineout jumpers.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play.  We will look to employ chips and grubbers to counter the Bath blitz defence, targeting areas away from sweeper, and also in behind their wingers, neither of whom are great going back towards their own line.  We will also try to work Armitage into the attacking line on the inside of Wade, as he always steps in, leaving his winger space on the outside.
  

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Charlie Faumaunia
04. Luke Romano	11. Christian Wade
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Sean O'Brien	14. George North
08. Liam Messam	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Benn Robinson 18. Jake Cooper Woolsey 19. Luke Charteris 20. Liam Gill 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Damien De Allende 23. Alex Goode

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Wasps in the loose. We will play a high tempo and really look to get some big carries in. If we are dominating the set piece area look to use our big boots in the back line.

Scrum: Look for our unit to set a strong platform. Our props have been well rotated so will be fresh. We will try to set a base, controlled by Messam which he can attack off.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Messam, Romano, SOB and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitch will run the lineout with Romano offering an easy banker ball. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Look to compete on the opposition throw as we have a great number of options. Try and starve them of quality ball from the lineout.

Breakdown: Look to get men to the breakdown quickly and clear out so Sean O'Brien can try and disrupt opposition ball. However we will not be commuting too many men into the breakdown unless a great chance presents itself.

Defence: Blitz Defence looking to really put pressure on the Wasps decision makers. Focus on gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Wiggles to sweep in behind.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wigglesworth and Hodgson can play what they see and put the rest of the back line in strong positions. Lealifano can act as an extra playmaker from the 12. We have strong runners who can get over the gainline throughout the side with a very dynamic pack and a big back line. Look to get the big carriers involved as much as possible. The likes of Faumuania, Romano, Hibbard, Healy and Messam will try and wear down defences by looking for gaps. The likes of Wade, North and Campagnaro will be looking for gaps created that they can exploit. Some of the Wasps backs can be targeted defensively so look to run at the likes of Cruden, Jordaan and Yarde. Look to counter attack kicks if possible. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Look for chances to offload.

Kicking: Hodgson will be our chosen place kicker. Any kicks will not be aimed towards their back three. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Hogg, LLF, Wiggles and Hodgson all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need be.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo.

---

I have my Springboks back this week don't i?

yes mate, although I would think twice about putting them straight back in the line up.

I was thinking bench at best to be honest.

same, but I don't think I will risk it with most of my guys coming back, playing in the Bledisloe a week later.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Driver

01. Matt Mullen	09. Gregg Laidlaw
02. Rory Best (C)	10. Owen Farrell (K)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Brad Thorn	11. Max Evans
05. Geoff Parling	12. Franci Sailli
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Johnathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Dave Ewers	15. Rob Millier

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Tonga 18.Scott Wilson 19.Ed Slater 20.Dan Lydiate 21.Dave Lewis 22.Andy Goode 23.Charles Pitatau


Tactics

We'll look to open up a bit more this week and unleash our dangerous backline and get them running at the Welsh defence moving the ball and keeping the tempo high , we've picked a mobile pack whicch is capable of getting around the field and test the legs of the Welsh pack. Plenty of good carriers in our pack to get us in the gainline with our full back row in great form.

WILL ADD MORE LATER

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Pascal Pape	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Jacques Burger	14. Drew Mitchell
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Tusi Pisi 23. Rene Ranger

Tactics:

We will look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. We have, throughout our XV, big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Burns to exploit.

General Tactics:

- Play an offloading game. We see the offload as our big weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum.

- Attack all scrums if we have an advantage - Front row of Moore, Jenkins and Johnston to look to really get the shove on, particularly targeting Quins' Brits / Brooke's channel.

- Attack all lineouts. Use safe option of Hines at the front, and also use Pape and Lobbe in the middle or at the back. Hines to look to put real pressure at the front on all Quins' throws.
Shortened lineouts with Burger in midfield as crash/decoy option.

- Physical, abrasive XV made up of massive line-breakers.
The likes of Bastareaud, Cuthbert, Lobbe, Louw, Pape, Hines and Moore to be used to win the collisions in attack.
Add to that the likes of Corbs, Tolofua, Waldrom and Ranger off the bench.

- Fotauli'i to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Burger and Louw, supported by the likes of Basteraud and Jenkins, to really look to get into the breakdown and give Quins problems.

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Burns and Twelvetrees.
We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack consistently.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Fotauli'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Burns to kick all penalties.

What do people think about playing bench 4N players?

Travel more than anything mate. Probs avoid it if you can

Might bring Retalick in as he would have been back last week in real life so will have had two weeks with the squad but the rest will be a no go for me.

Driver wrote:Newcastle Falcons team to play London Welsh in Oxford.

15.Rob Millier
14.Charlie Sharples
13.Johnathan Davies
12.Franci Sailli
11.Max Evans
10.Owen Farrell (K)
9.Gregg Laidlaw

1.Matt Mullen
2.Rory Best (C)
3.Carl Hayman
4.Brad Thorn
5.Geoff Parling
6.Rhys Ruddock
7.Will Fraser
8.Dave Ewers

16.George McGuigan 17.Tonga 18.Scott Wilson 19.Ed Slater 20.Dan Lydiate 21.Dave Lewis 22.Andy Goode 23.Charles Pitatau

I'd have hoped since you've found the time to run a league you'd have the time to put your team into the right format! 

Jesus i remember the old days when there was no format!

 Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Gareth Davies
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. Matt Giteau(k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Samu Manoa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Ben Foden

Subs: 
16. Mako Vunipola 17. Rob Webber 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Jonny Gray 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Jordan Williams

Tactics:
Will be looking to end Sale's unbeaten start to the season and make it six wins out of six. With the advantage of being at home we are going to go out and play a high tempo/expansive game, which places the onus on attack, offloading and creating space outwide for our back three. Our pack has been selected to provide an attacking platform off the scrum and lineout, while defensively we will be aiming to put pressure on Sale, looking for big hits, forcing mistakes and turnovers. We then aim to finish the last 20-25 minutes very strongly by bringing on big ball carriers in the pack and Simpson, Ford and Daly if we need a creative spark to score tries.

Pack/Setpiece:
We are going to attack the Sale scrum, and have selected three strong scrummagers to start the game, targeting McGrath and Kayser and see if we can get penalities, or a platform for Parisse to attack from. The second half we bring on Vunipola, Mulipola and Webber to up the tempo and increase ball carrying options. Lineout we have five jumpers in an area we want to mix up and provide quick off the top ball to attack, will have Robshaw and Manoa for safe ball. Defensively from lineouts we will look for Lawes to pressurise the Sale throw. Five full internationals to come off the bench to allow us to finish the game strongly and help to open up the game in the second half.

Attack:
We do have a very solid set piece and will use this to get our strike runners involved in the game and send our pack and backline at the Sale defence time and time again, getting over the gainline, sucking in defenders and creating space for our finishers outwide. Giteau starts at no10 after winning player of the year 2014 in Top14, we'll get him to pull the strings in the backline and look at putting Goneva, Fofana and Tuilagi into space. Backthree are all dangerous counter attackers and will look to run the ball back when opportunities present themselves - we want to keep the ball in play and tempo high to tire down Sale and let our power game/strike runner game get results.

Breakdown:
From 4-8 we have speed and will look to hit the breakdown quickly, secure ball and attack - Fofana and Tuilagi to add in the midfield - any Sale player that is isolated we will go for turnover ball, or if possible avoid the breakdown altogether by going for the choke tackle and working to get the scrum.

Defence:
As always an aggressive defence, looking for fast line speed, closing down attacking options and the occasional big hit on the flyhalf with Lawes and Manoa tasked to let Sexton know they are around. Strong midfield defensively, so will look to force Sale to kick possession away and give our backthree open field to attack. Davies to sweep behind the defensive line.

Key Points:
* Great form in the league, home advantage and will look to make it 6 wins from 6.
* Strong scrum and lineout to get a great platform to attack Sale.
* Will look to attack Sale and put pressure on their defence, all of our backline have the spark to win a game.
* Bench has been selected for impact – all five forwards are internationals and will strengthen the setpiece, while the backs are all creative players who can score tries in the final 20 minutes.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Steven Myler(k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. George Kruis	11. Jack Nowell
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Tom Wood (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. John Afoa 19. Bakkies Botha 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Ollie Lindsey-Hague

Game Plan

In Opposition half - We are going to use our strong carriers to get across the gain line to get us quick ball to attack with. We will use our forwards carrying wide off 9 or off 10 and 12 and get the next phase of play away from the previous breakdown. We want to move the Leicester pack around and make sure we don't run at the strongest point in their defence (in and around the ruck).

Our forwards will carry the ball at pace and keep the legs pumping after contact to get us across the gain line so we can create a quick ruck. We will attack the gaps in the Leicester defence and not run at the men. We will look mix it up between offloading before or after contact as well as carrying. We will carry using a pod system so our creators at 9, 10 and 12 will have options to hit in each phase and this means we always have support for the carriers to recycle quick ball. It is vital that we have men to the ruck quickly to negate the Leicester back row.

In the backs we will look to spread the ball wider once we have quick ball and have tied in Leicester defenders in and around the ruck. We will look to get JJ in one-on-one with Basteraud and use his pace on the outside break and force the winger to be attracted to the ball and create space out wide for Huget or Nowell.

In our own half - We have two half backs who are experts in controlling the field position and tempo of a game. We will consider our options in our own half and look to kick for field position or territory when its on or the Tigers back three is out of position.

Set Piece

At the scrum we will look to put real pressure on the Leicester put in with an 8-man shove with Woodcock and Brookes and the big lumps behind them looking to pile pressure on as soon as the ball is put in. On our own ball we will look to lock out and get the ball away with Chouly picking and going or using the backs.

At the line out we will look to use the middle and back of the line and will use the driving maul off the middle and back as well as getting quick ball off the top. In defence Leicester can have the front but Hamilton, Kruis, Gorgodze and Wood will really put pressure on the middle and back.

Defence

We will use an out to in defence knowing that Basteraud isn't going to use his pace to exploit us on the outside. JJ will lead our line speed and we will look to target the Leicester decision makers. We will decide whether to go for the big hit and win the collision or to chop tackle and get the first man at the breakdown.

Key Points

Strong carriers - We recognise the ability of the Tigers back row at the breakdown. To negate this we know we have to get over the gain line and constantly move the point of attack and look to attack where the Tigers defence isn't set and is weaker. If we get over the gain line then we have targets to hit at the ruck and Leicester are working on the back foot and we have the advantage. We feel up front we have the stronger carriers and can dominate the gain line.

Kick all points

Use our bench to impact the game. OLH to take advantage of the tiring defences in the last 20. Front row change at 60 to keep the pressure on. Cooper comes on if we need to chase the game. We have genuine game changing options on the bench.

Team subject to change


London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01.Yannick Forestier	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlowe
02.  David Ward (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. BJ Botha
04. Sepoke Timani	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Jamie Cudmore	12. Kyle Godwin
06. James Haskell	13. Rob Horne
07. John Barclay	14. Mark Cueto
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Matthew Rees 17. Nathan Catt 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk 19.  George Skivington 20. Ashley Johnson 21. Ben Spencer 22. Remi Tales  23. Jesse Mogg


Tactics-

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Ross Harrison 17. David Paice 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Garvey 21. Kieran Marmion 22. JJ Hanrahan 23.Kyle Eastmond

We will play an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to create space and break the defensive line. Mobility, physicality and handling is key to our approach.

- Match Saints in the pack. We are a match for Saints in the pack and will look to our forwards to provide a platform for our world class half backs.

- Fast ball is crucial. Mobile pack and physical midfield to clear out rucks and ensure quick ball. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to make it easier to do so.

- Commit the defence. Sexton will play flat on the gain line to pull in defenders before releasing runners while Care will look for opportunities to snipe around the base always committing defenders.

- Change the point of attack. Numerous playmakers across the backline comfortable at coming in at first receiver allow us to change the point of attack and leave the opposition guessing.

- Back three always involved. Wingers to track the ball off their wings looking for the inside ball or offload. Payne to join the line from fullback looking for mismatches and to create overlaps.

- Attack from the scrum. Strong technical front row backed up by a powerful second row will look to build a platform for Pickles, Care & Sexton. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Mix it up at the lineout. Five genuine jumpers gives us a strong attacking platform. Look to use both the rolling maul and ball off the top to keep the defence guessing.

- Straight line blitz defence. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with POM & Todd fetching for the ball, supported by the rest of the pack when needed. We will always look to turn the ball over.

Midfield looks better with JJ playing well Steve

Needed someone to step up. Hurt me last year. Serfontein doing okay for Boks there as well which doesn't hurt.

 London Irish
Manager – Prop

01. JB Poux	09. Rory Kockott
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Will Collier
04. Devin Toner	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Stuart Hooper	12. Chris Bell
06. Kelly Brown	13. Alapati Leuai
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

 :-
16. Gerard Ellis 17.  Tom Court 18. Rhodri Jones 19. Dean Mumm 20. David Sisi 21. Lee Dickson 22. Owen Williams 23. Rob Cook

Tactics

Set piece: We have picked a strong scrummaging front 5 who all bring carrying bulk to the game. From kick offs we will look to go 2 passes in before hitting our direct runners. We will look to scrummage low (which all of our props are known for doing) and scrum straight to prevent the wheel. Our lineouts will be simple and we will look to bring the ball down before feeding 9. There’s not many players able to get as high as Toner.

Backrow: We feel we have a well balanced back row with a tackler, a carrier and a jackler and all 3 will be used for their main attributes. We have confidence in them all to do their jobs with Brown looking to get in their 10’s face.

Breakdown: We will look to be controlled here with the tackler and 1 more player committing initially to the breakdown. Warburton will play the McCaw role and sweep behind the breakdowns picking and choosing when he will attack for a penalty or a turnover. We will use the call “fire ball” which will be when Saints under commit to their ruck and we will look to blitz past the ball for the turnover. We will adopt the hold and roll technique to take them off their feet at the breakdown and ‘tactically’ hold them down to slow them getting to the next ruck.

Half Backs: Biggar will stand flat initially to give Bell, Leuia and our pack runners the chance to get over the gainline. We know how well Biggar can find touch and we will use this. Kockott has shown how well he can control a game and he will use these skills to control the tempo and slow the ball down if needed.

Outside Backs: We have brought in Leuia to bring a bit of smash to the centre running and to link with Bell and have a real life combination who are both very strong in defence. If it is on we will look to ship it wide to our speedsters. We will look to have a lot of movement off the ball to prevent us being easily read. There will be runners off of 12 and 13 when available and the ball will be shipped to the wings quickly to allow them to get the advantage in the race to the line. We have international experience in the back 3 and will look to exploit this with angled running and confusing the oppositions defence.

Bench: Impact in all areas and Williams and Cook can change the pace of the game if required. The experience of Mumm and Dickson will be vital in this game and Ellis seems to be getting good reviews every time he plays.

Defence: We also know how good the Chiefs centres are so will look to prevent him offloading the ball by double tackling him. We will look to blitz with Brown in their 10’s allowing Biggar the opportunity to drop back and cover with Dulin for any kicks ahead. We will defend inside-out and spread the line.

Overall: This will be a controlled performance. We will look to hit the ball up twice and suck in defenders by going the same way till we run out of space, we will then flash across and look for quick hands against their pack who will be stuck defending the centre channels. Our carriers will come round the corner in 3’s to prevent the opposition knowing where the ball is going. We have a strong team on show and backs who are able to control a game well and defend strongly without allowing any gaps to appear.

Serfontein has got better every test, he looked good against NZ

Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213     
              

01. Paul James	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tom Youngs	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Dave Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Anthony Watson
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Fulgence Ouedraogo	13. Paul Jordaan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Luke Narraway	15. Delon Armitage

  
16. Deon Fourie 17. Joe Marler 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Rynhardt Elstadt 21. Sebastien Tillouse-Borde 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

Basic Game Plan
In damp conditions we will be looking to play a territory based game, using the boots of Cruden and Armitage to put us in Bath territory.  We will not run it from deep in our half, but when in Bath half will go through the phases using the big carriers in our pack to make the hard yards.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Youngs will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics 

• Lineout.  Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure their ball.  On Bat ball put pressure on through AWJ and Ouedraogo, who are athletic lineout jumpers.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play.  We will look to employ chips and grubbers to counter the Bath blitz defence, targeting areas away from sweeper, and also in behind their wingers, neither of whom are great going back towards their own line. We will also try to work Armitage into the attacking line on the inside of Wade, as he always steps in, leaving his winger space on the outside.
  

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Morne Steyn
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrico Albacete	11. Zak Guildford
05. Flip van der Merwe	12. Scott Williams
06. Ben Mowen(c)	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Xavier Chiocci  18. Clement Ric 19. Louis Deacon 20. Callum Clark 21. Henry Taylor 22. Ben Foley 23. Sonny Bill Williams

Tactics:

TARGET BREAKDOWN – With Bruss/Clark/Cole/Mowen strong in this area we’ll look to target turnover ball and slowing opposition attacks. With only Salvi a threat in the Gloucester team we'll look to target him around the park and allow our options in to slow/turnover.

TARGET WALKER & MAY – Look to test out their defence and positional play with kicks in behind and big runners down their channels. Ashton often gets accused of poor defence but this is at the top level, Walker is around 4th choice wing for Harlequins and nowhere near this level.


TARGET SCRUM – Big locks and formidable propping options starting and bench. Look to target Gloucester props and drive them up and inwards. Cole will look get between Steenkamp and Gray and cause issues there. With R Gray and Gray the hooker renowned as poor scrummagers, we'll look to force the pressure and hold the ball in to target pen if weakness seen.

PARRA/STEYN COMBO - Perfect combo to dictate play and keep us playing in right area of pitch. Parra hasn't been on top of his game lately but there is a gulf in class between him and Robson. Steyn isn't in the best of nick but Carter hasn't played 10 for the best part of a year and was also struggling then. His decent form has came at 12 and he only played a handful of games.

TARGET GLOUCESTER WEAK LINKS - Look to get at Robson/Walker early on and put them off their game. Both Walker & Robson are good prospects but this is in reality an Int class game and they're both 2nd/3rd/4th choice for their AP clubs as they're not good enough yet. Look to get runners at Masi and target his lack of positional play at 12 (can see issues with Gloucester midfield defence/attack). Masi rarely plays 12 as he's a defensive concern, look to target this early on with Hughes running at his channel.

General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to move the opposition pack around and then use big carrying options to punch holes through the opposition defence.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for quick ball off the top with the world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing Bruss/Clark/Cole/Mowen etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Lack of straight running option in the opp backline will allow us to hold up the runner and attempt the maul turnover. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and have Williams/Mermoz on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Williams to run angles off the 9/10 and interchange 2nd receiver with Mermoz. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Ashton will look to track the midfield combo and get the end of Mermoz’s little offloads in contact. Guildford to keep things honest and come looking for work.[/b]

Ahead of the Chiefs next home game against London Irish, Director of Rugby Flux had this to say in a short interview with BBC Devon. 


"Our form has been quite good as of late and results against some of the big teams in the league have been positive and great for morale. Okay, the results haven't been as great as we could have hoped for with Quins and Falcons scraping draws against us, but this shows how far this group of lads have come since last year. We will look to bounce back this weekend against London Irish and it is the first time in three weeks that we can name an unchanged matchday 23, which is great as it shows how much an unsettled and in form group of lads can do in this league."


Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Richard Barrington	09. Connor Murray
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. James Johnstone
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. Tom Varndell
05. Kane Douglas	12. Luther Burrell
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Alex Dunbar
07. Justin Tipuric	14. David Strettle
08. Toby Faletau	15. James O'Connor

16. Jack Yeandle 17. Ryan Grant 18. Mike Ross 19. Michael Paterson 20. Carl Fearns 21. Chris Cook 22. Ian Madigan 23. Andrew Trimble

General Game plan

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. With wet and windy conditions we will want to hit the ground running and hit the opposition hard and fast from the off. 
Our aim is to control possession and go through the phases. We will look to play a simple territory game based around our strong set-piece and carrying. This means when kicking the backs kick under no pressure - if there is slow ball we recycle and set guards to allow a clean kick and chase. 
Big point is to match them man for man, in our style of play. We won't play their game plan, and at Sandy Park, Irish will be forced to play at our pace, which will be a struggle for most of their slow lumbering front five. 

Set piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan and create point of attacks. POC to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers. At the scrum we’ll look to get the squeeze on and target Collier and Poux, and keep the opposition back row tied into the scrum giving Murray, Flood  more time and space to work in. 

Pack & Breakdown - Look for strong carries from our pack, tying in the opposition defence to create overlaps for our backs. We’ll be looking to keep the ball alive and look for the offload when on. Our back-row will target the breakdown and look to blow through the ruck and past the ball. Clean ball will be generated either by blowing through the ruck and past the ball and a long presentation of the ball to keep it away from opposition defenders. Murray look to sweep up any turnover ball getting us on the front foot. We’ll look to win the collision with big our physical pack and dominate the opposition pack in the contact.

Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow our back-row to dominate affairs. We will revert to our strong defensive banana drift defence to push the attackers towards our inside defence, with Murray sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind. If an oppo player gets held or brought down this allows the second man to get over the ball quickly to at least compete and slow opposition possession. Tipuric will look to target the opposition fly half early on and pressure his kicking. 

Backs - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs and the back three especially, as they have the pace and finishing ability to worry any defence. Utilise the pace and size of Burrell/Dunbar to crash through the line, using our 'league/slider move' developed from last season to break the line. Dunbar/Burrell/Strettle are big quick guys and will be able to mix and match the opposition defence, either catching Roberts's weaker inside shoulder on a a run against the grain, or exploiting the concentration of Joseph in defence. Or even generate a two on one with JOC joining the back line as the slider moves under the crash/dummy line.


Key Points

Home Advantage - Sandy Park is one of the hardest places to come and play. We won't want to kick the ball away, and Irish can't score any points without the ball. 
Scrum & Line-out – Target throughout, if weakness seen heap pressure and generate penalties. Barrington to exploit Poux, who has been playing at TH as of late, and pile in on him with Swarz. 
Quick Rucks - with their big pack we will look to set rucks quickly and keep their pack on the move to tire them out. As well as to keep moving the point if attack with ball in hand with clever offloads and pops to keep Irish guessing. 
Physicality & Dynamism – Win the collision and target rucks to drive through opposition. We have a big physical, but also mobile pack. Supported by some high energy forwards off the bench.
Targets in Defence - Bell, not being the best defender and most agile, Flood will try to angle runners off his weaker shoulder to break the line, similarly Leuia is not the best defending 13, and so Dunbar and Burrell will angle run down both of their weaker, inside shoulder.
Breakdown – Tipuric & Nyanga to be a nuisance in in the breakdown and either get over the ball or get past the ball and make the opposition cleaners a nightmare by having to make them drive our forwards even further off their ball, or steal if the are limited numbers competing. 
Backs – Classy running options and two of the most prolific finishers in the AP in Strettle & Varndell, so they we will get the ball in their hands and they will take any opportunity.
Build a Score - Flood and JOC to share kicking at goal responsibilities with JOC taking the longer ones. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out

Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Guthro Streenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Gray	10. Dan Carter
03. Nicholas Mas
04. Richie Gray	11. Hosea Gear
05. Romain Taofufina	12. Andrea Masi
06. Willem Alberts	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Julien Salvi	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Johnny May

:-
16 Nick Wood 17 Luke Cowan Dickie 18 Juan Figallo 19 George Robson 20 Wycliffe Palu  21 Will Genia  22 Danny Cipriani 23 Raymond Rhule


Glos travel to Sarries targetting a BP win
Tactics 


TARGET BREAKDOWN – We have a big mobile physically stronger bunch and will hit rucks with venom. We will
Send numbers in and try and effect turnovers or
Disrupt ball. Saracens have players like brussow who barely plays and was last capped in 2011 with Hughes and Clark. Alberts Salvi and heaslip has physicality and experience. Backed with our all int front 5 and this is an area we will flood.

TARGET back 3 – very little kicking in their back 3
So will
Look to
Kick in behind and generally torment them 


TARGET SCRUM – All int front 5 for glos with Mas in great form at TH. Will target Waller
And guirado. Cole been missing for a year and doubts over his career which Steenkamp will go after

Half backs- Robson in top form will look to threaten around the ruck but his job is to give it to carter who will dictate.
Steyn in a slump and he will be targeted. Lacks game te
And confidence. Carter
Will challenge line and kick
When necessary. We want to play high tempo and move around a more static side 

TARGET Sarries Players out of form    



side  with so
Many big names out of form or injured like cole,albacete,Brussow steyn etc we will
Look to get in the face and prey on lack of confidence and form. We will target the 10/13 channel with mermoz no 13
And steyn in trouble



General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We
Are also more mobile. We will use this to run the legs off Saracens
And play an offloading game.
When in behind
We will
Flood through with our quick
Backs targeting mismatches  



Line out – We have options galore in Gray tamefuina Alberts heaslip and will use this to disrupt.
On our ball we will mix
It but as game progresses go
Off
The top more
To
Move them about 
Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Bench - Game changing bench with Palu Cips Genia etc. Not
Sure who
Some
Of the sarries bench are but out game changers will
Look to
Take the game away and get us the
Try BP

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Charlie Faumaunia
04. Luke Romano	11. Christian Wade
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Sean O'Brien	14. George North
08. Liam Messam	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Benn Robinson 18. Jake Cooper Woolsey 19. Luke Charteris 20. Liam Gill 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Damien De Allende 23. Alex Goode

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Wasps in the loose. We will play a high tempo and really look to get some big carries in. If we are dominating the set piece area look to use our big boots in the back line.

Scrum: Look for our unit to set a strong platform. Our props have been well rotated so will be fresh. We will try to set a base, controlled by Messam which he can attack off.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Messam, Romano, SOB and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitch will run the lineout with Romano offering an easy banker ball. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Look to compete on the opposition throw as we have a great number of options. Try and starve them of quality ball from the lineout.

Breakdown: Look to get men to the breakdown quickly and clear out so Sean O'Brien can try and disrupt opposition ball. However we will not be commuting too many men into the breakdown unless a great chance presents itself.

Defence: Blitz Defence looking to really put pressure on the Wasps decision makers. Focus on gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Wiggles to sweep in behind.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wigglesworth and Hodgson can play what they see and put the rest of the back line in strong positions. Lealifano can act as an extra playmaker from the 12. We have strong runners who can get over the gainline throughout the side with a very dynamic pack and a big back line. Look to get the big carriers involved as much as possible. The likes of Faumuania, Romano, Hibbard, Healy and Messam will try and wear down defences by looking for gaps. The likes of Wade, North and Campagnaro will be looking for gaps created that they can exploit. Some of the Wasps backs can be targeted defensively so look to run at the likes of Cruden, Jordaan and Yarde. Look to counter attack kicks if possible. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Look for chances to offload.

Kicking: Hodgson will be our chosen place kicker. Any kicks will not be aimed towards their back three. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Hogg, LLF, Wiggles and Hodgson all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need be.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo.

CJ,

Matt Stevens is my player and ineligible for this game

Tactics added.

Driver wrote:CJ,

Matt Stevens is my player and ineligible for this game

Changed mate.

Tactics I can get up first thing tomorrow morning if it's ok with everyone, sorry, keeping working late and Thursdays seem bad for it. Understand if you decide a deadline is a deadline and don't let me

Tactics-

Ward and Barclay to work as a duo to ensure we always have at least one breakdown expert immediately on every attacking ball and to look to spoil and steal opposition ball without overcommitting other players to rucks. This gives them time to set the defence. In ensuring they are close to the ball like this, the 2 fetchers will also be in great position for support play and linking. They will be facilitated by high intensity clearing out in small numbers but working as a unit through Vito and the other forwards. Haskell to switch between enforcing and breakdown work

Slow ball- We will look to test their back 3 positionally with up and unders under the chase with 9, 10, 12 and 15 all strong kickers. Their back 3 are not the best under the high ball so we will put it up against them contested by our back row and back 3. We will also look to maul and pick and drive the ball to speed it up and the crash ball inside off 10 and 12 (and pop off 9) to Pennell and Vito to get go forward and give the fetchers a chance to speed the ball up

Quick ball- look to spin quickly out to FTH standing flat and attacking the line with Pennell and Godwin as secondary play-makers , looking to mix short pop passes inside and out to exploit the lack of adaptability in the blitz and short dummy runners with the long pass outside to exploit space and get our wingers in the game, and dummy runners with the inside switch to change the angle of attack behind the game line and cut into the defence. If there is space behind the defensive line, look to chip from 9, 10 or 12 with our canny back 3  and back row chasing. When tackled if the offload is on make it with support lines from our fetchers vital but if not recycle quickly and attack the fringes. Look to get one on one with Sharples and test his defence


Kicking- kick low not high. Take available points at goal, and look to use all our kicking options out of hand to prevent any predictability or pressure leading to chargedowns.

Defence-  TKB and any free pack members to target Laidlaw and especially pressurise his kicking game so his measured pace of play becomes a weakness not a strength. Fringe defence led by Cudmore. Approach is a blitz marshalled by Laulala

Scrum- look to get our attacking ball out quickly and use Vito to carry and give us momentum for the quick ball game.

Lineout- keep it simple in attack- not an area of strength so better with simple short throws then using our powerful locks to maul.

Discipline- push for penalties and turnovers in their 22- if we concede it doesn't cost us much and any gains will be amplified. Opposite, cautious approach in our own half, which may help keep the ref on our side psychologically and subconsciously

Subs- go 100% knowing our pack subs are strong.  AJ adds impact, and we can strengthen the set piece too.

Some crackers there matt!

"Saracens have players like brussow who barely plays and was last capped in 2011"

Guess you didn't see the S15 and his motm performances!

"All int front 5 for glos with Mas in great form at TH. Will target Waller
And guirado. Cole been missing for a year and doubts over his career which Steenkamp"

The same Mas who got hammered by Slipper against Aus and dropped???? Cole played a year ago??? He played in Feb. Steenkamp has been hammered in the scrum every time he played, see reviews.

"Robson in top form"

Yet can't even get a start for Gloucester???

Offloading game in the damp conditions???? Are you sure

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Some crackers there matt!

"Saracens have players like brussow who barely plays and was last capped in 2011"

Guess you didn't see the S15 and his motm performances!

"All int front 5 for glos with Mas in great form at TH. Will target Waller
And guirado. Cole been missing for a year and doubts over his career which Steenkamp"

The same Mas who got hammered by Slipper against Aus and dropped???? Cole played a year ago??? He played in Feb. Steenkamp has been hammered in the scrum every time he played, see reviews.

"Robson in top form"

Yet can't even get a start for Gloucester???

Offloading game in the damp conditions???? Are you sure

No commenting allowed pooly.

Re dan Robson and form http://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/england-countries/premiership-player-analysis-dan-robson-gloucester/

Predo's not open yet....

He's a cracking prospect but 2nd choice at a struggling club. This is an Int game and him and Walker would be out of their depth, Walker especially imo.

All opinion, just as well we don't predo against each other lol

Good luck anyway, probably the first time I've played you as Sarries and been above you in the table!

Predictions Open.

CJ you have two different team sheets out. Took the first one you posted

Is that everyone In SJE?

Can we start predicting ?

Clues in the "prediction open"

Pooly - would be careful on the player criticism like that as was some mention last year that it could result in fines or penalties, has largely stopped this season.

Will get my predos in tomorrow morning - some stupidly close games this week!

dammit_chris wrote:Pooly - would be careful on the player criticism like that as was some mention last year that it could result in fines or penalties, has largely stopped this season.

Hasn't been any issue with player slatings in tactics since the old 606 days as far as I'm aware. I've never discussed fines/penalties for it anyway. Can't have the biggest grudge match of the season without a bit of needle from both managers. 

London Welsh 25 - 24 Newcastle

Welsh look good this week. They have a strong scrum but line out is a bit limited until Skiv comes on and Parling may have some joy here. Breakdown is even. The Welsh back line looks very handy here. The half backs have good players to put into space whilst Godwin offers some extra control outside of FTD whilst the back three offers control and geniune finishers out wide. At home and with very limited tactics Welsh take a win.

Exeter 26 - 26 London Irish

What I noticed about the packs is that the Exeter back 5 is more mobile but the Irish back 5 much more powerful and a with a greater physical presence. Warburton will have his hands full at the breakdown but Irish should get more go forward. This should see Irish get more ball on the front foot despite some being slowed down by Nyanga and Tips. Kockett and Biggar will need this to get their backs on the front foot and charging at Exeter. Exeter's backs are strong in most aspects but I don't see enough to get them through the Irish defence with their pack struggling to get over the advantage line despite Faletau.

Saracens 24 - 24 Gloucester

Nothing between the front 5's or the set piece. Back row edge to Glos which I see as a more rounded unit. More control from the Sarries pair at half back but much more to offer in an attacking sense from Glos. No give in either midfield and both back threes built to run and have limited kicking options. This isn't an easy one to call. Off the bench I prefer Gloucester's options. It's going to have to be another draw.

Northampton 30 - 26 Sale

Bags and bags of carrying and power for Saints across the board which always makes them hard to stop. Scrum pretty even along with lineout. Not a huge amount in the breakdown. When you play Saints you need to match the physically and I don't think Sale quite manage that here, especially not for the full 80 with the likes of the Vunipola brothers and Mulipola coming off the bench. Sale will cause problems, but I don't see enough to contain Saints and at the Gardens this means your on the back foot from minute one. Controlled and marshalled by Matt Giteau with Davies also offering all sorts of threats around the fringes and Sale would need 20 men to defend. Saints needed to start well and they have. It will be a game of catch up from now until at least the 6N. Sale come as close as anyone but Saints get a decent win.

Wasps 27 - 28 Bath

Scrum a great battle with two excellent front rows. Locks and back rows pretty even with a slight edge to Bath. In terms of carriers both packs strong and not a huge amount between. Hodgson's form at 10 for Bath is key and he is able to get his backs going with the help of Lealiafano. The Bath outside backs are frightening with ball in hand and whilst young in FDP and Hodgson they have the perfect men to marshal them. Very exciting Wasps back line as well but less control from the half backs. This is a mighty mighty tough game again. I favour the Bath replacements slightly and feel that their is enough in their side to grab a brilliant away win.

Just typed predicitons  and they deleted!! Apologies but don't have time to write as indepth as I did for these ones!!

Tigers 26-28 Quins
Massive game and feel Tigers could just edge the scrum with Jenkins getting under Brookes but not a lot in it. Prefer the Tigers backrow for breakdown play which they target in their tactics but Quins set up in their tactics well by using  their strong carrying options in the backrow. One a piece at halfback and JJ the standout in the outside backs and, up against Bastareaud I think he could be a gamechanger today for Quins.

Sarries 22-22 Glos
Pretty even up front but  Cole could be got at having not played for a long time. Good carrying options in backrow from both teams and Hughes vs Heaslip will be a great  matchup. Not a lot out wide really with difference although Sarries slightly stronger in the centre but Glos have the powerful bench. Good tactics set out well and going to sit on the fence for this one.

Welsh 26-25 Falcons
Evens up front here e but I do like the Welsh front row on show. Not a lot of difference in halfbacks with maybe a slight edge to Falcons but Welsh looking good out wide. Not tactics is a killer for Falcons here.

Saints 28-25 Sale
Saints have advantage up front although Sale could get some joy from lineout. Advantage Saints at breakdown and backrow. Evens at  halfbacks and Saints  bringing more outwide although Pisi could get some joy against Manu. Scary bench from Saints. Sale may get some good ball to suit their tactics but Saints use their impact bench well and will come away with a good win.

Wasps 20-21 Bath
Upfront I feel the Wasps 2nd rows could get some advantage here. Advantage to Bath in the controlling halfbacks who will release their exciting young talent. Wasps do have the experience but I feel the sheer pace of the Bath backline will cause problems. Comes down to the half backs which I feel FDP just edges out Youngs at the moment.

Tigers 26 - 25 Quins

Think Quins can surprise a few by edging the scrums here. Not much in the lineouts with either team good on their ball but also capable of nicking ball. Neither side focusing on breakdown, Tigers look more formidable here though with a great breakdown backrow. Not much in the HBs, Burns looked ok last night and both sets suit their team tactics. Brown had a poor game but in good form, both sets of backs similar strength but may just edge to Quins right now. Overall Tigers have enough for a very narrow home win

Exeter 27 - 27 Irish

Exeter edge the scrum, Irish the lineout and breakdown (there's a mention of Saints in the tactics though, careful prop...). I think the carrying for ex is better in wider channels, and Murray could be a nuisance on the edges of the ruck. Like both bCkljbes, Ex more enterprise and Irish more control from 9/10, good tactics but marginally prefer Irish ones. Can't call it, sorry

Sarries 23 - 24 Gloucester

V hard to rate Cole, Pooly. Based on that Gloucester edge scrum, think Sarries have slither in the lineout. Great breakdown battle, think Gloucester's tactics to power through te breakdown will give them an edge over admittedly good operators for Sarries but really not a fan of the sniping in tactics, guys. More power across pack carrying for Gloucester but Sarries will rely on Hughes a lot. Good HBs combos that work together, Gloucester form better. Sarries better 11-15, with good centres and te likes of Tait in form. Right to target May/Walker and though those two will score, they will concede too in a tight game. At Kingsholm, Gloucester win happily, here they just edge through.

Saints 30 - 28 Sale

Saints take scrum, equal on lineout. Great battle at breakdown that I can't separate (Launchbury equalling it for Saints vs two operators on Sale flanks). Balances of both packs are beautiful. HBs to Sale, Giteau can play 10 at this level though. Sale edge back 3 too but Saints close and take the centres by more. Sale tactics very clear despite relative brevity. But at home Saints just win it

Wasps 21 - 20 Bath

Clash in the scrums, Wasps might edge but not in a way taht turns the game. Bath clear advantage in lineout. Wasps take breakdown and some great carrying too. Youngs in better form at 9 than recently but would rather have Bath 9/10 in this weather. Good tactics, in light rain attacking and territory rugby are both options, and Wasps' aren't too short. Think back 3s are close with Wade and Yarde and Hogg and Watson all targetable in terms of defence or positioning. Classy centres from Wasps but really like Bath duo. Wasps are at home and edge the bench and that's the difference

Tigers 24-24 Quins
Solid front rows fives but think Tigers are stronger. Tigers look better in general with Lobbe but he has only had one week off after a tough 6N and all the travel so I'm going to give the back row to Quins. I prefer the form of the Quins half backs so this goes to them. I like the Tigers outside backs that slight bit more although both can do damage. Think Quins have a little bit more coming off the bench but Tigers are at home.

Welsh 22-21 Newcastle
Overall I think the front five edge goes to Newcastle. Think the Welsh back row has a bit more balance and quality to it. Prefer the Welsh half backs with a bit more control. Outside backs are very close but home advantage and lack of tactics seal this for Welsh.

Exeter 25-22 Irish
Prefer the Exeter front five. Both have great back rows with the better go forward in the Irish forwards. The overall combination of the Welsh half back combo is better for me. Outside backs edge to Exeter who have a bit more spark about them.

Sarries 21-19 Gloucester
Think the front fives are pretty much even. More balance in the Gloucester back row but big carrying options from Sarries. Good half back control from Sarries but Carter is a factor for Gloucester. Centres to Sarries, back three to Gloucester. Gloucester have a bit more off the bench but in the conditions and at home Sarries get the win.

Saints 30-27 Sale
What a game. Saints have the bigger names but Sale have the form in the front row. Like both second row combinations, think Sale get the lineout edge but in the loose Saints have the edge. Great back row battle. Bit more for Saints overall but can see Sale having the turnover edge. I prefer the Sale half backs. Prefer the experience of Gits at 10 for Saints in a big game. Centres to Saints but back three to Sale. Saints bench and home advantage carries them to a win

Tigers 30 - 30 Quins
Can't split this one at all - and seems like quite a few having the same problem! Tigers have so much power throughout their pack and backline, but Quins have more flair and look like they could score tries away from home. Not quite sure if Tigers have the right players for it to click with a high intensity/tempo/offloading game and they'd beat most teams if they went for power and physicality as not many could live with that pack. Quins style suited to the conditions, but can't quite see their pack having enough to get the win away.

Welsh 24-22 Newcastle
Agree with CJB with this game, Driver so unlucky with some injuries to key players and Thorn needs a few more games to pick up top ratings. Welsh backrow has a bit more balance and home advantage is key. Defences could get on top here and will be an incredibly close game, not as detailed tactics do count against Falcons though and Welsh get a good win.

Exeter 26-24 Irish
Another really close game - so little to pick between the packs and the backlines. One difference is that Exeter are at home and have a slight edge on the bench from the pack that could just give them enough ball in the final quarter to see them edge the game. Prop - if you have the EQ I'd be tempted to play Williams over Bell at no12, he's been doing well there for Tigers and gives the extra kicking option.

Sarries 19-20 Gloucester
Agree completely with CJ's explanation on this game, espc the sniping tactics point, so wont add any more to that.

Wasps 34 - 34 Bath
Wow, those backlines are going to score some serious points - Wade and North, Yarde and Watson. Be a great game to watch, unless you're a defensive coach! Really good game in the pack, as think that Bath could get a bit of go forward with their front five and set piece, while the Wasps backrow has a better balance to it - so Bath get more with their power, but Wasps will get more from open play. Sorry guys, but really can't split this one as benches also very even, both definitely on try bps though!

Leicester 23 Quins 20
Exeter 24 London Irish 20
Saracens 24 Gloucester 18
London Wasps 30 Bath 29
Saints 21 Sale Sharks 20

Get predo's in asap

Leicester Tigers 21 Harlequins 21
London Welsh 19 Newcastle Falcons 20
Exeter Chiefs 22 London Irish 22
Saracens 20 Gloucester 20
Northampton Saints 25 Sale Sharks 24

Leicester 24-23 Harlequins

FR- Two good units, Tigers just have the slightest edge in the scrum with the big locks but I like both
SR- Again just a bit more for Tigers, steady unit for Quins but might struggle against the top class, both steady on line out
BR- Very even, bit more carrying for Quins, bit more breakdown for Tigers
HB- Again pretty even, both sets in good form. Pienaar a little off evens him up with Kahn
CE- Prefer the Quins combo and both playing well
B3- 2 good units, not much in it, plenty of scorinng threat
Overall- A goods tight game with very little in it. Quins would win it at home but have to shade with the home side.

London Welsh 19-20 Newcastle Falcons

FR- More for Tigers with all 3 front rowers in fantastic form. Ward's throwing has been very erratic of late a slight worry for CJ
SR- Good power for both with Falcons shading the line out with good options. Welsh lack options a bit and Ward can go down hill fast
BR- A little more around the park for Welsh here and a better trio, Falcons miss a leader in the backrow here
HB- Not much in the 9 battle but Farrell a step up at 10 and will bring a solid platform for Falcons
CE- JD the standout and gives Falcons a bit of an edge in a tight affair
B3- Not much in the back 3's, pretty close throughout
Overall- Falcons on top in set piece and most areas except backrow. Welsh looking better but just not enough against a strong Falcons side. Driver needs a bit more in his tactics which brings the scores close.

Exeter 25-23 London Irish

FR- Exeter just shade but nothing match changing, Irish could do with a better TH to hold scrum together
SR- Again a bit more for Exeter in the line out but a tight affair around the park
BR- Two good units who'll do well. Irish a bit of everything and fan of all 3. Exeter if critical lack a bit of carrying on the flanks
HB- really tight and little in it, two good units
CE- One a piece in the centres, Burrell & Leuia the picks (like the look of Leuia)
B3- Exeter probably just shade but a good contest
Overall- Another tight one with Exeter front 5 just getting the edge. Home advanatge and a strong core give Exeter the win

Northampton 18-19 Sale

FR- From issues for both Saints props who are struggling of late. Sale get edge but McGrath not the strongest to take advantage
SR- Cracking battle, nothing in line out but a touch more for Sale around the park
BR- Both 8's lacking a bit of form and one a piece on the flanks
HB- Care not in best form but both Sale players a class up at half back, Giteau a class act of late but a much better option at 12 imo
CE- Pisi the only player really firing of late in the centres. Saints a class unit just edge
B3- two good units on paper again but Saints trio lacking a bit of form against the inferior Sale unit. Roko on fire of late, hard to call
Overall-really tight game from the top 2 teams in the league currently. Saints lack a bit of form from their big players and this evens things up. Sale with a big step up at HB sneak a close win

Wasps 21-22 Bath

FR- Bath with the edge in each position, TH's close. Scrum would just shade to Bath
SR- Good physical unit for Wasps but Bath have the slightly better options in the line out
BR- Messem a bit of a step up at 8, flanks close, SOB lacking form for Bath stops them getting on top
HB- One a piece in the HB's, FDP just clinging on to some form for CJB. Good units
CE- Bath probably just a touch better in a close battle
B3- 2 quality units but Bath with a little more class, cracking battle.
Overall-really tough this one. Wasps a different outfit with their SH forwards but just lack a little here against a strong Bath outift who've rotated well. When Bath match packs (or better) they're going to trouble sides. I've been tough on pete but just think Bath will sneak this.