Champions Cup Round Two

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Ulster v Harlequins
Kingspan Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 6 Degrees, 13mph W Winds

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Ulster

15 Peter Nelson 14, Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Franco Van Der Merwe, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Ricky Lutton, 2 Rory Best, 1 Kyle McCall.

Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Lewis Stevenson, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Ian Humphreys, 23 Louis Ludik

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Henry Pyrgos
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Luther Burrell
06. Damien Chouly (c)	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Jack Clifford	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Cian Healy 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. George Kruis 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Karl Dickson 22. Colin Slade 23. James O'Connor


Tactics

In slippery conditions we've picked a side to play the percentages and come away from Ulster with an important win.

Myler and Pyrgos are going to ensure we play the game in the Ulster half and will look pin Ulster right back with the kicking game of Pyrgos, Myler and Kearney.

We've picked a pack we expect to be very competent at the set piece and to exert pressure on the Ulster outfit. We also have numerous carrying options to make sure we get the hard yards up front we will require when we are in Ulster territory in order to keep ourselves on the front foot. We will look to use carriers wide of 9 and 10 who will take the ball flat and run hard lines aiming a gaps.

In the backs we have creative runners who can exploit the spaces which will appear if we can get across the gain line and keep the Ulster defence scrambling.  

defensively we will look to compete in the breakdowns in wide channels where Ulster are less able to clear out effieciently and we will employ a drift defence in order to encourage them to play wide in slippery conditions.

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Treviso v Northampton Saints
Stadio Communale di Monigo
Thick Cloud, 13 Degrees, 3mph W Winds

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Treviso

15 Luke McLean, 14 Ludovico Nitoglia, 13 Jayden Hayward, 12 Enrico Bacchin, 11 Tommaso Iannone, 10 James Ambrosini, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Abraham Steyn, 7 Alessandro Zanni (c), 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Jean-François Montauriol, 4 Rudolph Duncan Naude, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Ornel Gega, 1 Matteo Zanusso

Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matteo Muccignat, 18 Filippo Filippetto, 19 Dean Budd, 20 Marco Barbini, 21 Andrea De Marchi, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Sam Christie

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 Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

1. Mako Vunupola
2. Dylan Hartley (c)
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Jonny Gray
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Sam Jones
7. David Pocock
8. Sergio Parisse
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford (k)
11. Julian Savea
12. Matt Giteau
13. Elliot Daly
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Logi Mulipola 18.Zander Fagerson 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Schalk Burger 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Oliver Deveto 23. Tyler Morgan

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Sale Sharks v Leinster
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud, 7 Degrees, 11mph NW Winds

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Iain Henderson	11. Keith Earls
05. Maro Itoje	12. Jonathan Danty
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. CJ Stander	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Matt Garvey 20. Sean McMahon 21. Kieran Marmion 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Josua Tuisova

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to keep the ball moving. Look to use a rugby league shape with runners on the gain line and out the back door to force the opposition into making defensive decisions. Numerous playmakers across the back line allows us to constantly change the point of attack. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. O'Mahony & Kvesic will look to work in tandem.
 
Defence: 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.
 
Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline.
 
Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to play off the top and get the backs on the ball in space. Will also look to use Stander around the back or in midfield off a shortened line. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Leinster

15 Isa Nacewa (c), 14 Zane Kirchner, 13 Fergus McFadden, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Jordi Murphy, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tadhg Furlong 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Garry Ringrose

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Glasgow Warriors v London Irish
Scotstoun
Light Rain, 6 Degrees, 9mph W Winds

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Glasgow

15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray (c), 4 Leone Nakarawa 3 Sila Puafisi, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Ryan Grant.

Replacements: 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Richie Vernon, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

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London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
            

01. Scott Sio	09. Aaron Smith
02. Tom Youngs	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Frans Malherbe
04. James Broadhurst	11. Marland Yarde
05. Matt Symons (c)	12. Henry Slade
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Delon Armitage

16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Ben Moon 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Marcell Coetzee 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde 22. Brad Barritt 23. Bryan Habana


Basic Game Plan
In damp conditions we will be looking to utilise the boots of Cruden, Slade and Armitage in our backline and play in the right areas of the field.  When in or close to the Glasgow 22 we will look to play our fast paced offloading game where appropriate, whilst also going through the phases where the offload is not on.

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.  Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.


Specifics

• Lineout.  In damp conditions we will look to keep it safe up on our ball, utilising Broadhurst, Symons, Kaino, O'Brien and Vermeulen as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our back row forwards as crash ball options off first phase.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Glasgow as scrappy as we can.
  
  
• Scrum.  Hit channel one ball and get it out the back and into open play quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down.  On there ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Malherbe to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Malherbe straight.
  
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  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.  In the Galsgow half we will play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.   We will look to get big carriers down the 10 channel and use Watson and Yarde in particular trying to isolate front 5 forwards in the defensive line and use their pace, power and footwork to go past them and get us on the front foot.  We will also If the ball is slow and Glasgow are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Smith to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time. 
  

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Leicester Tigers v Saracens
Welford Road
Heavy Shower, 9 Degrees, 14mph W Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Henry Purdy
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Brian Mujati 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Juan Smith 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Quade Cooper 23. Drew Mitchell

Tactics:

In wet conditions we will play sensibly and use the power and strength of our side to get us over the gainline.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Consistently test Sarries back three with kicks in wet conditions. Try and unsettle the likes of Benjamin and Ashton with kicks from Burns, Du Preez, Beale and Brown.

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

- Attack at all scrums - Big powerful props to look to really get the shove on, and if gaining an advantage look to target. Franks to look to get on top of Waller.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Matfield off the top and Pape or Lobbe at the front as our three key options.
Six man lineouts with Waldrom in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the opposition defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud and Moore plus Pape, Messam, Lobbe, Banahan and Lahiff to be used to get us over the gainline.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence led by Messam, 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. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Mitchell to replace Purdy at half time.

Burns to kick all penalties.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Chris Ashton
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell(c)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

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16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Theirry Dusatoir 21. Sam Harrison  22. Stuart Hogg  23. George North

Tactics:

PLAY THE POOR CONDITIONS - Numerous kicking options in Sanchez, Parra, Lambie. Look to bring Lambie into the line and offer another kicking in midfield or physical option in SBW. Look to test out Purdie under the high ball with strong kick chase options on wings. Control the territory and only look to play in opposition half when on. Look to alternate wings to keep the opposition guessing. North to come on for Benjamin at half time and target Purdy in defence.

TARGET BREAKDOWN WITH FEW OPTIONS FOR OPPOSITION - Cole, Hughes, Haskell, Fraser, Whitelock give us numerous breakdown options. Look to target the opposition who have few breakdown specialists and try and steal/slow down ball.

TARGET LAHIFF - Look to put pressure on Lahiff and get between him and Moore. If weakness seen we'll look to hold the ball in force the pens.

BIG RUNNERS DOWN THE 10/12 CHANNEL - Look to get big runners(Tuip, Hughes etc) down the opposition 10/12 channel to get us over the gain line. Alsolook to kick in behind Banahan and make him turn.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. 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 bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their 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 safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

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 a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

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Bath v RC Toulon
Recreation Grounds
Light Rain, 10 Degrees, 14mph W Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Tawera Kerr Barlow
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Christian Lealifano
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Will Skelton	11. Christian Wade
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Rory Best 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. Samson Lee 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Francois Louw 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Liam Williams

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Toulon

15 Delon Armitage, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Jonathan Pelissie, 8 Steffon Armitage, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 6 Juan Smith (c), 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Levan Chilachava, 2 Anthony Etrillard, 1 Xavier Chiocci.

Replacements: 16 Bastien Soury, 17 Florian Fresia, 18 Mohamed Boughanmi, 19 Duane Vermeulen, 20 Theo Belan, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Sébastien Tillous-Borde, 23 Konstantine Mikautadze

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Some big ones this week

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Henry Purdy
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Brian Mujati 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Juan Smith 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Quade Cooper 23. Drew Mitchell

Tactics:

In wet conditions we will play sensibly and use the power and strength of our side to get us over the gainline.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Consistently test Sarries back three with kicks in wet conditions. Try and unsettle the likes of Benjamin and Ashton with kicks from Burns, Du Preez, Beale and Brown.

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

- Attack at all scrums - Big powerful props to look to really get the shove on, and if gaining an advantage look to target. Franks to look to get on top of Waller.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Matfield off the top and Pape or Lobbe at the front as our three key options.
Six man lineouts with Waldrom in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the opposition defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud and Moore plus Pape, Messam, Lobbe, Banahan and Lahiff to be used to get us over the gainline.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence led by Messam, 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. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Mitchell to replace Purdy at half time.

Burns to kick all penalties.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Henry Pyrgos
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Luther Burrell
06. Damien Chouly (c)	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Jack Clifford	14. Yoann Huget
08. Nick Easter	15. Rob Kearney

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Cian Healy 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. George Kruis 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Karl Dickson 22. Colin Slade 23. James O'Connor


Tactics

In slippery conditions we've picked a side to play the percentages and come away from Ulster with an important win.

Myler and Pyrgos are going to ensure we play the game in the Ulster half and will look pin Ulster right back with the kicking game of Pyrgos, Myler and Kearney. 

We've picked a pack we expect to be very competent at the set piece and to exert pressure on the Ulster outfit. We also have numerous carrying options to make sure we get the hard yards up front we will require when we are in Ulster territory in order to keep ourselves on the front foot. We will look to use carriers wide of 9 and 10 who will take the ball flat and run hard lines aiming a gaps. 

In the backs we have creative runners who can exploit the spaces which will appear if we can get across the gain line and keep the Ulster defence scrambling.  

defensively we will look to compete in the breakdowns in wide channels where Ulster are less able to clear out effieciently and we will employ a drift defence in order to encourage them to play wide in slippery conditions.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Tawera Kerr Barlow
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Christian Lealifano
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Will Skelton	11. Christian Wade
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Rory Best 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. Samson Lee 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Francois Louw 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Liam Williams

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Chris Ashton
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell(c)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Geoff Parling 20. Theirry Dusatoir 21. Sam Harrison  22. Stuart Hogg  23. George North

Tactics:

PLAY THE POOR CONDITIONS - Numerous kicking options in Sanchez, Parra, Lambie. Look to bring Lambie into the line and offer another kicking in midfield or physical option in SBW. Look to test out Purdie under the high ball with strong kick chase options on wings. Control the territory and only look to play in opposition half when on. Look to alternate wings to keep the opposition guessing. North to come on for Benjamin at half time and target Purdy in defence.

TARGET BREAKDOWN WITH FEW OPTIONS FOR OPPOSITION - Cole, Hughes, Haskell, Fraser, Whitelock give us numerous breakdown options. Look to target the opposition who have few breakdown specialists and try and steal/slow down ball.

TARGET LAHIFF - Look to put pressure on Lahiff and get between him and Moore. If weakness seen we'll look to hold the ball in force the pens.

BIG RUNNERS DOWN THE 10/12 CHANNEL - Look to get big runners(Tuip, Hughes etc) down the opposition 10/12 channel to get us over the gain line. Alsolook to kick in behind Banahan and make him turn.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. 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 bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their 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 safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

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 a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Iain Henderson	11. Keith Earls
05. Maro Itoje	12. Jonathan Danty
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. CJ Stander	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Matt Garvey 20. Sean McMahon 21. Kieran Marmion 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Josua Tuisova

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to keep the ball moving. Look to use a rugby league shape with runners on the gain line and out the back door to force the opposition into making defensive decisions. Numerous playmakers across the back line allows us to constantly change the point of attack. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. O'Mahony & Kvesic will look to work in tandem.
 
Defence: 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.
 
Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline.
 
Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to play off the top and get the backs on the ball in space. Will also look to use Stander around the back or in midfield off a shortened line. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

RESULTS:

Ulster 19 (T:1 C:1 P:4)
Harlequins 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)

Treviso 13 (T:1 C:1 P:2)
Northampton Saints 42 (T:6 C:6)

Sale Sharks 32 (T:4 C:3 P:2)
Leinster 20 (T:2 C:2 P:2)

Glasgow 20 (T:2 C:2 P:2)
London Irish 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Leicester Tigers 21 (P:6 DG:1)
Saracens 23 (T:1 P:6)

Bath 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)
Toulon 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)


BONUS:
Full: CJB, Steve, Luke, Prop, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly & CJ
Excused: Matt
Missed: Fluxy & Pete

Ulster 20 - 32 Harlequins

The side Ulster are putting out against Saracens looks far stronger than the one Steve faces, and shows. Back row battle could be close, but other than that I'd expect Quins to be stronger in the pack, both set piece and round the park. Quins have more class in the back line too, but its closer. Quins to win this relatively comfortably on the road, with some terrific impact forwards off the bench helping them seal the bonus point.

Ulster 19 - 24 Quins

really like Quins back row, and overall their pack can outmanouvre and outpower Ulster. Ulster have dangerous backs, but Myler will keep the visitors in the right areas, and when opportunities come, aided by the backrow's mix of carrying abilities, Joseph and the back 3 will finish any chances as a very good finishing unit.

Ulster 17-25 Harlequins

If I'd have done this game on Friday I think I'd have sided with a Ulster win, but they were pretty dreadful and Quins are set out well. Only real areas of concern for Quins are the halfbacks which are no the best and no real threat at the breakdown, other than it they'l cruise home.

Ulster 20-25 Quins
Quins front 5 will cause a lot of trouble for Ulster, back row a bit closer but again prefer Quins here just. Backline a bit closer with Ulster taking the half back battle. Feel Quins will just get enough better bal from set piece and have more on the bench.

Ulster 14-21 Quins
Quins can cause issues at the scrum and have a bit more spark in the back three to take a good away win.

Ulster 18 - 28 Harlequins

More about the Quins front row, whils the second rows are more of an even battle. Decent back row contest but bit more about Quins, and they take the pack. Not much in the HBs, bit more in Quins centres, nd they also look stronger in the back three. Good away win

Ulster 17 - 25 Quins
Good balance to the Quins pack and backline, Ulster not particularly impressive so far this season. Some good impact off the bench as well for the away side.

Ulster 24-19 Quins
It is difficult to beat Ulster at home and I don't think Quins are dominant enough in key areas to manage it.

Treviso 19 - 28 Northampton

Relatively comfortable here for Saints. Treviso not an easy side to beat in Italy but a sharp Saints line up does it well. AAC a really astute signing for Saints and adds to their already impressive backline.

Treviso 13 - 41 Saints

The European specialists have gone close to first choice, and have ridiculous try scoring ability off the turnovers that Pocock will surely generate. Saints to walk it, tough to say much more really.

Treviso 12 - 45 Saints

Saints have picked a strong pack, with way too much for Treviso front 5. Like this back row, Pocock fetching with Jones, all 3 adding some carrying in their own ways and Parisse free to do his thing running the ball back. Simpson will run riot against weak Treviso defence and Ford, though a bit off confidence, can orchestrate some of the most in form attacking backs in the game to destroy Treviso.

Treviso 9-37 Northampton

One of the easiest away games in the Champions Cup. Saints look strong on paper with only real weakness at 9, routine win and a bonus point for the Northampto side.

Treviso 10-32 Saints
Saints too strong, enough said!

Treviso 12-38 Saints
Saints stronger in every area and with a smattering of world class through the team.

Treviso 15 - 46 Saints

Don't see any area where Treviso aren't inferior, and it's a big win.

Treviso 13-37 Saints
Too good everywhere

Sale 25 - 20 Leinster

At home Sale take this against a strong Leinster side on paper. Sale's pack is good around the park and with two powerful centres I expect them to control the gain line. A good bench will help them widen the margin in the last 20.

Sale 33 - 19 Leinster

A year ago this would have been a very close call, but as shown last week, Leinster just aren't the force that they were. Other than the back row where the Irish side may even have the edge, I'd say that Sale are stronger than Leinster all around the park. In particular, the midfield of Danty and Fekitoa are going to blast through Reid, who has shown himself to be a very weak defender. Sale have enough for a bonus point win here

Sale 29 - 22 Leinster

Sale edge the scrum with a great unit, interesting locks but nice balance and lots of power carrying. Lineout is tougher and expect Leinster to nick a couple of Sale balls. 2 good backrows, but Sale 7 and 8 in form and with POM at 6 helping Kvesic, can only see the breakdown going their way. Good HB combos but Care and Foley will have better ball and both in attacking pomp mode recently and have much more individual threat without sacrificing those outside them. Power but naivety in Sale centres, will cause damage in attack and make space for the quick men, but lucky they aren't against the Leinster centres of old in defence. As it is, they cope and back 3 will have gaps to work in. Comfortable

Sale 32-18 Leinster

Another Irish side not looking at the races this season. Sale have plenty about them and will get a foothold early in the game. I like the makeup of the halfbacks and would side with Foley over Sexton at the minute with the latter not in the best of form. Good looking Sale team and good bench to see off the game.

Sale 22-20 Leinster
Close up front with a slight edge to Leinster in the backrow although it won't be by a huge amount. Half backs pretty even but outside that feel Sale are stronger and their offloading game will cause a lot of trouble and stretch Leinster. Close game but good win.

Sale 26 - 25 Leinster

Bit more about Sale's front row, with fairly even second rows. I think Leinster have an edge in the back row and the packs are close overall. One apiece in the HBs, slight edge to Sale in the centres, whilst there isn't much in the back threes. Good, close gae, where home advantage swings it.

Sale 26 - 15 Leinster
Leinster again not as good as what they once were, Sale weaker without Sexton at no10, but will get good set piece ball and get a good win at home.

Sale 28-20 Leinster
Leinster not as impressive anymore; Sale have too much

Glasgow 21 - 23 London Irish

Probably the toughest fixture this round. Glasgow are a really good team and will make Irish really fight. Backing the back row and half backs to snatch this one for Irish.

Glasgow 23 - 29 London Irish

Glasgow have a very good backline, which forms much of the Scotland backline that did so well in the RWC, and I fancy they could put a bit of pressure on a young looking Irish back division. Different story up front though, and the class of the Irish props will give them the platform to get that back row going, and despite the likes of the locks and Strauss, I'd expect the Irish pack to take a grip of the game. Won't be easy but I'd expect Irish to hold off the Warriors, and win on the road

Glasgow 24 - 26 London Irish

London Irish just edge scrum, lineout depends on what day Youngs has, but good jumpers to help him. More class in Irish backrow and make dents in Glasgow defence. Like breakdown tactics. Glasgow actually very dangerous in the backs, but Irish have playmaking in the centres, two of the best HBs in the world and wings in form. They have enough to steal this

Glasgow 20-20 Irish

One of the toughest away games in Europe at the minute and it'll be a right cracking game. Irish will get the upper hand in the scrum but will struggle in the lineout a bit with a pretty average lock pairing. I like the Irish backrow and this is one area Glasgow will find tough to get on top. Hard to rate Cruden so have to give the halfbacks to Galsgow and similar in the backs with Glasgow on top bar Watson.

Glasgow 19-26 Irish
Irish can get ton top at the set piece here, a good back row for Irish will get the strong ball for their half backs who will run the show. Closer out wider here with Glasgow's Scottish backline causing Irish some issues when they get good ball,just don't think Glasgow will get enough ball to be honest and Irish have an incredible impact bench.

Glasgow 22-29 Irish
Irish can cause some scrum problems and their pack can get on top at the breakdown and has more carrying ability

Glasgow 20 - 29 Irish

Not much in it up front, whilst second rows quite even too. Much more about Irish back row and they edge the pack. Advantage to Irish at HB, whilst centres are even. Bit more about Irish back three, and from 1-15 they have more quality.

Glasgow 18 - 26 Irish
Still lose some ratings with Cruden at no10, but Slade could be a very good option for Irish at no12 going forwards and they have some great options out wide to win.

Glasgow 17-30 Irish
Glasgow good, Irish are so dominant

Leicester 24 - 22 Saracens

I think the Leicester pack is suited to the conditions more than the Saracens one and will get a little edge at the scrum but even at the lines. Nothing in the breakdown. Not much in the backs but FDP is the 9 you want in these conditions. An important win for the Tigers. Can't lose your home games.

Leicester 17 - 21 Saracens

Saracens just stronger up front for me, with the form of Waller and the extra class of Whitelock in the second row. In the back row, Hughes gives more carrying and breakdown than Waldrom, I prefer Tigers flankers but I'd expect Saracens to get more turnovers. Backs pretty even as a whole, but think Saracens centre partnership the big advantage. Tactically, both are trying to play a kicking game. I think Saracens have better kickers, but are also more susceptible to the kicking game, so its pretty tough to call. I'll go with the side that wins the pack battle, and for me that is Saracens

Tigers 21 - 21 Saracens

Big battles with experienced THs vs young LHs, think Franks and Waller both a touch than other two but Cole getting some form back - even battle. Tigers have a very safe lineout and get ahead here, but Sarries so strong at the breakdown, they will definitely get turnovers and quick ball, and Hughes a big dangewr on the carry. Sanchez much better at 10 in this weather with a small edge on form to FDP at 9 here. Just prefer power of Leicester backs in these conditions, but Sanchez at 10 with some turnover ball can get Leicester pinned back, get some dropped goals and draw the game

Tigers 25-27 Sarries
Very tight in the front 5 and goes down to the important back row battle which will be close but I feel that Sarries' back row are very well balanced here. Half backs 1 a piece and centre battle would be a great one to watch here, outside that it's evens as well with some good EQ options on show here. Think Sarries can just edge the bench. Tigers targeting the pack battle which I don't think they'll dominate whereas Sarries look at their 10-12 channel which will work in their favour I feel.

Tigers 15-18 Sarries
Really physical affair but can really see Sarries getting on top at the breakdown and getting more shots at goal.

Leicester 12 - 14 Saracens
Can see Sarries getting the upper hand in the pack battle and in the conditions that could be the decisive factor, some top class players for Sarries now and conditions suit their style more than Tigers.

Tigers 26-25 Saracens
Sarries have the better front five but Tigers have the stronger back row. One each in the half backs. Sarries have better outside backs but Tigers at home have enough to win

Bath 21 - 24 Toulon

Fear a long day for Bath here. They have plenty of promise in the pack but not enough finished articles. In the backs it is a similar story for Bath with Toulon just having that edge across most positions. Tough day at home.

Bath 23 - 28 Toulon

Think Bath have missed a bit of a trick by not playing their best scrummaging props, as they could really get Toulon on the back foot with Lee and Kitshoff. As it is, the front row is pretty even, but I'd expect the class and power of Toulon to dominate the back 5 of the Bath pack, despite the good locks. The Bath back row in particular just looks far too lightweight for me. Better in the backs, but a very young looking outside back division could come unstuck under pressure. Toulon win this on the road

Bath 25 - 26 Toulon

Bath match Toulon scrum, but just lose at breakdown and a very good backrow gets edged by a ridiculously good backrow from Toulon. then equal at HB.I actually think outside backs for Bath can hurt Toulon, but Toulon will hurt them in return and some tries even in the rain. If Bath had tactics, I expect they'd win but as it is Toulon steal it, sorry.

Bath 21-22 Toulon

Big match ups up front with some real heavyweights out. I fancy Toulon in the scrum but I really like the Bath engine room. Toulon get on top in the backrow. Little in the halfbacks but Toulon stronger in the backs.

Bath 20-30 Toulon
Bath are going to struggle in 2nd row and back row and Toulon have the opportunity to run riot here. Slightly closer at half backs but think that outside this Toulon are simply too strong for Bath whose bench will bring it a bit closer but not enough.

Bath 18-21 Toulon
More power to the Toulon side and can see them getting on top in the collisions.

Bath 23 - 25 RC Toulon

light edge to Bath up front, but more about Toulon at second row. Prefer Toulon in the back row and they take the pack overall. One apiece at HB, but advantage Toulon in the centre, whilst back threes pretty even. Overall think Toulon hve a bit too much class.

Bath 18 - 19 Toulon
That is a beast of a Toulon pack and power in the backline - can see them out muscling the home side in a really physical game. Saying that Bath have some great attacking options but just see Toulon's experience edging this.

I won!!!