Champions Cup Round Four

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London Irish v Racing Metro
Madejski Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 12 Degrees, 12mph SSW Winds

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London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                 

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Henry Slade
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons (c)	11. Marland Yarde
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Samu Kerevi
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. James Broadhurst 20. Fulgence Ouedraogo 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Delon Armitage

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Racing Metro

15 Brice Dulin, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Casey Laulala, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Yannick Nyanga, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Francois van der Merwe, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski (c), 1 Eddy Ben Arous

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Julien Brugnaut, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Manuel Carizza, 20 Antonie Claassen, 21 Johannes Goosen, 22 Alexandre Dumoulin, 23 Maxime Machenaud

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Harlequins v Oyonnax
Twickenham Stoop
Light Cloud, 13 Degrees, 10mph SSW Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Henry Pyrgos
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Luke Romano	11. Joe Tomane
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Luther Burrell
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Jaco Kriel	14. Alex Lewington
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Santiago Cordero

16. Christophe Tolofua 17. Ben Robinson 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Will Witty 20. Hanro Liebenberg 21. Luke McGrath 22. Damien McKenzie 23. James O'Connor

Look to get go forward up front so we are able to get our backs on the front foot and in space. Look to secure win then look for TBP. Patience in attack but sensible percentage rugby. When in the Oyannax half look to get Myler standing flat and Pyrgos darting. Look to get our outside backs into space and in one v one situations (ideally against Oyannax front 5)

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Oyonnax

15 Quentin Etienne, 14 Silvere Tian, 13 Guillaume Bousses, 12 Alaska Taufa, 11 Dug Codjo, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Fabien Cibray, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Olivier Missoup, 6 Valentin Ursache, 5 Geoffrey Fabbri, 4 Leon Power, 3 Horace Pungea, 2 Jeremie Maurouard, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.

Replacements: 16 Thomas Bordes, 17 Lukas Rapant, 18 Marc Clerc, 19 Antoine Guillamon, 20 Pierrick Gunther, 21 Florian Faure, 22 Arthur Aziza, 23 Regis Lespinas

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Sale Sharks v Bath
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Rain, 11 Degrees, 12mph SSW Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Iain Henderson	11. Josua Tuisova
05. Christian Day	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. CJ Stander	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. David Paice 17. Marcos Ayerza 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Louis Picamoles 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Johnny Sexton 23. Simon Zebo

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. Marmion 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 when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Foley will look to defend deep with Bendy covering the backfield while Roko steps in to the line. Marmion 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: Four 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. Back Taylor to hit his man as one of the most accurate throwers in the AP this year to date. Defensively Day 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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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Christian Lealifano
03. Scott Wilson
04. Charlie Ewels	11. Andrew Kelleway
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Richard Barrington 17. Rory Best 18. Samson Lee 19. Will Skelton 20. Toby Falateu  21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Damian De Alllende

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Saracens v Ospreys
Allianz Park
Light Rain, 11 Degrees, 14mph SSW Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Brad Davies	11. Hosea Gear
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. Theirry Dusatoir	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Scott Spedding

:-
16. Motu Matu'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Paul Hill 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Akira Ioane 21. Brad Weber 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics:

- Try to get an advantage in the set piece and turn the screw if weakness seen
- Look to get pace of backs into game in opposition half
- Impact bench to see out the game
- Push for the TBP if there's a good distance on the score board in the 2nd half

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Ospreys

15 Dan Evans, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Rory Thornton, 20 Dan Baker, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Ben John

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Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin
Light Cloud, 13 Degrees, 5mph SW Winds

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Clermont Auvergne

15 Scott Spedding, 14 David Strettle, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Hosea Gear, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 6 Peceli Yato, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Clément Ric, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Thomas Domingo.

Replacements: 16 Marthinius Van Der Westhuizen, 17 Raphael Chaume, 18 Daniel Kotze, 19 Flip Van Der Merwe, 20 Judicaël Cancoriet, 21 Ludovic Radoslavjevic, 22 Pato Fernandez, 23 Albert Vulivuli

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Henry Purdy
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. Steve Mafi 20. Wycliff Palu 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Quade Cooper 23. Billy Twelvetrees

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Northampton Saints v Munster
Franklins Gardens
Light Cloud, 11 Degrees, 13mph SSW Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. George Ford (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Matt Giteau
06. Facondo Isa	13. Alex Dunbar
07. Jack Lamb	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

Replacements
16. Dylan Hartley 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Oliver Deveto 23. Manu Tuilagi.

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Munster

15 Andrew Conway, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Francis Saili, 12 Denis Hurley, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander (c), 7 Dave O'Callaghan, 6 Robin Copeland, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Dave Foley, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 James Cronin.

Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 John Ryan, 19 Mark Chisholm, 20 Jack O'Donoghue, 21 Tomás O'Leary, 22 Rory Scannell, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino

Mark

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Henry Pyrgos
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Luke Romano	11. Joe Tomane
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Luther Burrell
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Jaco Kriel	14. Alex Lewington
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Santiago Cordero

16. Christophe Tolofua 17. Ben Robinson 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Will Witty 20. Hanro Liebenberg 21. Luke McGrath 22. Damien McKenzie 23. James O'Connor

Look to get go forward up front so we are able to get our backs on the front foot and in space. Look to secure win then look for TBP. Patience in attack but sensible percentage rugby. When in the Oyannax half look to get Myler standing flat and Pyrgos darting. Look to get our outside backs into space and in one v one situations (ideally against Oyannax front 5)

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. George Ford (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Matt Giteau
06. Facondo Isa	13. Alex Dunbar
07. Jack Lamb	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

Replacements
16. Dylan Hartley 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Oliver Deveto 23. Manu Tuilagi.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Brad Davies	11. Hosea Gear
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. Theirry Dusatoir	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Scott Spedding

:-
16. Motu Matu'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Paul Hill 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Akira Ioane 21. Brad Weber 22. Pat Lambie 23. Miles Benjamin

Tactics:

- Try to get an advantage in the set piece and turn the screw if weakness seen
- Look to get pace of backs into game in opposition half
- Impact bench to see out the game
- Push for the TBP if there's a good distance on the score board in the 2nd half

London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                 

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Henry Slade
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons (c)	11. Marland Yarde
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Samu Kerevi
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. James Broadhurst 20. Fulgence Ouedraogo 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Delon Armitage

If I have to name a side today can I pick the same as last week. Will post it tomorrow.

Wanted to see results from last week before selecting my side as I want to target BP at home.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Henry Purdy
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. Steve Mafi 20. Wycliff Palu 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Quade Cooper 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Christian Lealifano
03. Scott Wilson
04. Charlie Ewels	11. Andrew Kelleway
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Hallan Amos
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Richard Barrington 17. Rory Best 18. Samson Lee 19. Will Skelton 20. Toby Falateu 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Damian De Alllende

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Iain Henderson	11. Josua Tuisova
05. Christian Day	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. CJ Stander	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. David Paice 17. Marcos Ayerza 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Louis Picamoles 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Johnny Sexton 23. Simon Zebo

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. Marmion 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 when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Foley will look to defend deep with Bendy covering the backfield while Roko steps in to the line. Marmion 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: Four 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. Back Taylor to hit his man as one of the most accurate throwers in the AP this year to date. Defensively Day to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

PREDICTIONS OPEN 

Pms to me please

RESULTS:

London Irish 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Racing Metro 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

Harlequins 44 (T:6 C:4 P:2)
Oyonnax 17 (T:1 P:4)

Sale Sharks 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Bath 20 (T:2 C:2 P:2)

Saracens 33 (T:4 C:2 P:3)
Ospreys 19 (T:1 C:1 P:4)

Clermont 27 (T:2 C:1 P:5)
Leicester Tigers 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)

Northampton Saints 35 (T:5 C:5)
Munster 21 (T:3 C:3)

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

Irish 26-23 Metro
Very even pack and set piece battle, come the breakdown I think Irish could get better ball and disrupt Metro here. One a piece at half back and prefer the Irish centre pairing, feel both back 3's are pretty even but Irish will get better ball to them and their bench will hold out for the win despite Carter's boot keeping Metro in it.

London Irish 25 - 23 Racing Metro

Tough game for Irish but at home they have enough up front to get the upper hand and enough in the backs to secure the win.

London Irish 27 - 22 Racing

Racing look the best of the French sides, but even so I think they lack a bit in the back 5 of the pack to take on an Irish side which looks just as strong as ever. Irish to win this, but don't think they'll get the bonus

Racing 19 - 26 Irish 
Home advantage for Irish changes this game from last week. Strong pack, love the balance of the backline with some real power runners. Only thing I would pick up is Slade at no10, but not a weakness in this game. 

London Irish 18-18 Racing

Can see Racing getting well ahead in the scrum with Wilson bang out of from at the minute and it's similar in the engine room with Irish lacking any real quality. I do like the balance of the Irish backrow and they'll get on top against a good Racing outfit. One a piece in the halfbacks but the Racing pair are stronger as a combo. Not too much in the centres and a good back 3 contest.

London Irish 24 -  23 Metro

Metro one of the few teams that can take on Irish at the scrum and edge the front 5, but London Irish can just edge the breakdown and take the back 3. One half back a piece, hard to call those, and then I think Metro edge the back 3 and Irish win the centres. Very tough match for London Irish but at home and with a slightly better bench they win

Irish 28-23 Metro

London Irish 28-27Racing 92

London Irish 28 - 29 Racing Metro

Two big packs here, with both really negating one another, and not really getting much of an upper hand. The Racing back line is dangerous with ball in hand, and with Carter at the helm, will help get his pack in the right areas to pressure the Irish defence and score points. Irish do look dangerous out wide, but the battle between Carter and Slade will only go one way at this moment in time. Can see Racing snatching this one late on. 

Irish 24-21 Metro

Metro shade the front 5 battle but Irish can really get on top in the backrow. Irish have the options off the bench late on to secure the win.

Quins 40-15 Oyonnax
Quins too strong overall, a very exciting backline and , with Oyonnax struggling, a good win h

Harlequins 37 - 13 Oyonnax

Quins swept aside Oyannax last week, can't see much more than the same at home this week, even with a bit of rotation. Easy win at home against the weakest French side

Oynannox 12 - 50 Harlequins
Oynannox away are shocking. Quins at home are a threat all over the park and put down a marker in Europe. 

Harlequins 38-9 Oyonnax

Far from Quins strongest team but they'll be far too strong for Oyonnax. They only place I can see the opposition getting on top is in the scrum but there's plenty behind that for Quins to put on a good score. 

Harlequins 30 - 20 Oyonnax

Harlequins stronger across the pack, and have a lot of carrying power. With better ball and also stronger across the backs too with lots of power easy home win.

Quins 37-16 Oyonaxx

Harlequins 45-44 Oyonnax

Harlequins 41 - 10 Oyonnax

Oyonnax's form is dire as of late and this one is too easy for Quins, even at home just makes it even harder for Quins to muster a result. Myler guiding his side around the field and building a score, will see Quins win comfortably. 

Quins 40-15 Oyonnax

French don't travel well and Oyonnax with no chance of going through.

Sale 25-21 Bath
Front rows are pretty even but Sale have a bit more in the back 5 of the pack with a great balance in their back row. Outside this I feel Sale are set up well and can get over the gainline today, I feel they will get better ball and their tactics put down help their game plan. Forwards bench will help Bath but Sale have quality to bring on too.

Sale 25 - 22 Bath

Two depleted sides but Sale have gone in stronger and at home take a decent win. Plenty of young talent on show for both sides.

Sale 36 - 14 Bath

Bath look to have waved the white flag before kickoff with their lineup, as a full strength Bath side would go very close here. As it is, even a slightly weaker Sale side has plenty in hand for the win.

Bath 15 - 20 Sale 
Home side looking very strong, only issue holding them back is lack of a wc hooker but the pack will get them good attacking ball and that backline is scary. 

Sale 27-19 Bath

Game of the round. Good scrum advantage for Sale with Wilson a bit out of place. Sale are also a bit stronger in the back 5 and this is carried on at halfback with Foley the pick. Sale just edge the backs and are a top 12 away from a very good backline. Bath just not as strong across the park and with the home advantge, Sale get the win.

Sale 30 - 23 Bath

Sale stronger at the set piece and across the front 5, with a lot of power across the second row. Backrows are closer and maybe Bath edge on balance. Overall Sale edge the HBs and have a lot of cutting ability in the backs, and the tactics to take advantage of them.

Sale Sharks 23-22 Bath

Sale Sharks 26 - 23 Bath

Sarries 27-23 Ospreys
Sarries can get the edge up front but breakdown battle pretty close here to be honest, think Sarries have the stronger carriers here though. Half backs just taken by Sarries (if Webb was fit this would be different here). Out wide Sarries too strong here and a good impact bench for a good win.

Saracens 27 - 22 Ospreys

Comfortable at home for Saracens. Have a strong side out and a far stronger team across the board than the Ospreys.

Saracens 33 - 22 Ospreys

Good game on paper this, Ospreys should put up a fight for a while, but I'd expect the quality of the Saracens pack to tell, and the bench has the impact to take the game away and seal a bonus point

Ospreys 12 - 33 Saracens
Too much away from home, Sarries have some top class options and an inform Ashton is very helpful. Might not have as strong a bench as other teams in Europe but for starting lineups they take some beating.

Saracens 23 - 19 Ospreys

Saracens clearly better at the scrum and lineout. Excellent balance across the backrow for Saracens, which I really like. Biggar in great form at 10 but Sanchez is class and will be working with better ball. Then  a world class centre duo and finishers outwide, and Saracens are safe at home.

Sarries 28-14 Ospreys

Saracens 34 - 20 Ospreys

Sarries 28-22 Ospreys

Pack battle fairly even but Sarries a big step up 11-15.

Clermont 24-25 Tigers
Close here up front but, like alot of the games, the backrow wins it for Tigers with a good balance. Half backs go to Clermont and outside this it's pretty even to be honest. Bit more from the Tigers bench will just, edge a great win

Clermont 25 - 28 Leicester 

Never easy in Clermont but Tigers have enough to beat a side who don't quite look at their best. Gear at 12 very intriguing. A important win for Tigers.

Clermont 24 - 21 Leicester

Clermont got caught napping by Exeter away from home last week, I wouldn't expect similar in a home tie. Leicester have the pack to front up physically, but think they lack the backs to really take advantage of this. Gave Leicester the win last week, but on the road I have to go with Clermont

Leicester 25 - 18 Clermont
French sides not doing so great away from home and the Tank is in such a great vein of form he's going to be the difference in this game and a lot of power throughout the home side that I can see them getting the home win. 

Clermont 28-23 Leicester

One of the hardest away days in Europe. Slight advantage for Clermont in the scrum but both LH's are not in the greatest of form. Clermont stronger at lock but I prefer the Tigers backrow unit and they'll get back in the game here. Not too much in 9's but Lopez a bit ahead of Burns currently. The Tigers centre combo is stronger but Clermont a step up in the back 3, especially on the wing.

Clermont 22 - 21 Tigers

Clermont should be quite easily ahead at scrum time, but Tigers win the lineout and I think the breakdown. Close at 9-10 and I can't really separate the two. I like the capacity of Tigers' centres, though worry how they could interact, but think they can probably work more than ASM's. Banahan in great form and with him and Brown, Tigers can match Clermont back 3. However, overall, at Clermont, they fall just short

Clermont 25-22 Leicester

ASM Clermont Auvergne 28-28 Leicester Tigers

Clermont Auvergne 25 - 24 Leicester Tigers

Clermont a tough prospect at home to breakdown, and the Tigers pack will set about the task well. Tigers have some flair outwide, but not enough guile to mount a sustained threat. ASM will secure a tight home win. 

Clermont 23-25 Tigers

Slightly weakened Clermont side that were caught napping last week in real life and feel Tigers have enough about them to take the away win.

Saints 28-22 Munster
Munster have been struggling this season, bit of a stronger squad but feel that Saints have too much up front for Munster to be able to cope with them (just a note it's Jack Lam not Lamb)

Northampton 29 - 21 Munster

Saints too strong at home. Good young side out which bodes well for the future. Munster struggling along with Leinster this season.

Saints 34 - 19 Munster

Saints gone with a very strong line up, and Munster were beaten pretty comfortably by an inferior Leicester side in real life last week. Saints to win this one comfortable at home, bench to seal a bonus point

Northampton 26-25 Munster

Saint just edging the front 5 despite Jones not looking good of late. The backrow battle is closer than the front 5 and Munster get back in the game a little with a good contest. Prefer the Munster halfback combo and little in 2 good backlines. Tighter game than it should of been but Saints just sneak it.

Northampton 32 -  20 Munster

Saints win at the scrum, and although I'm unsure about Johnson's throwing, I think can take the lineout too. They also edge the back row and with Johnson and Mako Vunipola, they have a lot of carrying power to crush down Munster. Add in 2 attacking HBs, powerful in form centres and 3 good, finisher style back 3 players, they can win easily

Saints 33-21 Munsyer

Northampton Saints 28-27 Munster Rugby

Northampton Saints 35 - 12 Munster

Franklins Gardens is one of the toughest places to go to get a result, and Munster will struggle. They have the quality in departments to cause some trouble for the Saints, but not enough overall quality to muster a real battle

Saints 33-18 Munster

Weakened Munster side with Keatley in poor form will struggle