Aviva Premiership Round Sixteen

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Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
Franklins Gardens
Light Cloud, 8 Degrees, 4mph Winds

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Northampton Saints

Dunbar called up. Deveto replaces bench one man short.

1. Logi Mulipola
2. Dave Ward
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Samu Manoa
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Facunda Isa
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Julian Savea
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ollie Deveto 
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Subs:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Adam Jones 19. Michael Paterson 20. Sam Jones 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. 23. Harry Mallinder

Tactics
We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Sale on the backfoot and not giving them any time on the ball. We will look for Burger, Isa and Pocock to dominate the breakdown with their experience and seek turnovers to launch attacks. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Sale at pace and make the most of the try scoring threat in our back three. Will look for Sopoaga and Giteau to control the territory game with an intelligent kicking game and pin Sale in their own half.

Set Piece
We've been rotating our pack over the last few weeks to ensure that they are fresh and getting players game time. We recall two fresh props and will be looking for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit. We've picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and recall Lawes who will act as our lineout leader and will use his athleticism to challenge Taylor's throwing and place the Sale lineout under pressure.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to suck in Sale's backline to stop our pack going forward and create space outwide for our backline. Will look to punch holes in the Sale defence and get forward momentum.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Pocock and Burger we will look to dominate this area in terms of experience and outplay their opposite number. We've chosen Ward at no2 due to his breakdown work, and will be supported with Lawes, Manoa and Isa to make this an incredibly physical area. We want turnovers to attack off of, quick ball for Simpson to exploit and disrupt ball for Sale's no9. We are looking to get penalities in this area.

Attack
We will look to get our forwards on the ball and running off Sopoaga and Giteau to make inroads into Sale's defensive line and providing space for our strike runners in the backline to exploit. We want to play a quick high-tempo game and go through the phases to tire the Sale defence. We'll mix it up with an intelligent kicking game from Simpson, Sopoaga and Giteau to put the ball in behind the two Sale wings and get them turning.

Kicking
With Simpson, Sopoaga and Giteau we feel we have an advantage with the kicking game and will look to ensure we dominate the territory battle by pinning Sale in their own half. We'll look to put the ball in behind their two wingers, or put the ball up high for AAC and Savea to compete. Sopoaga to kick all penalties.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes, Dunbar to be up in the no13s face all game. No9 sweeping in behind to cover any kicks. We are aware of the threat the Sale backline pose so will aim to counter that in a few ways (i) disrupt the Sale lineout with Lawes athleticism and placing Taylor's throwing under pressure/stop the clean/quick ball and (ii) make the breakdown an absolute mess for Sale with our selection, just prevent quick ball and allow our defence to realign.

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Sam Carter	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Sam Cane 21. Calum Braley 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Key Points:
- Target the Saints midfield defensively. Deveto more comfortable in the 12 channel and Giteau has been swapped around on a weekly basis. Want to take advantage of the lack of familiarity on defence with our usual attacking structures.

- Really test the Saints lineout with Retalick, McMahon & Carter all looking to compete and put Ward under pressure to hit his man.

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. De Klerk 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: Similar set up to the Welsh with Foley and Le Roux defending deep to cover the backfield. Both wingers will step into the defensive line, to be part of the straight line blitz led by Fekitoa, to shut down space in the wider channels. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial.  De Klerk 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 get the backs on the ball in space. 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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Wasps v Leicester Tigers
Ricoh Arena
Light Cloud, 9 Degrees, 4mph Winds

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London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Eddy Ben Arous (if playing for France, straight swap with Kilcoyne)	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Patricio Fernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Tyler Morgan
07. Sekou Macalou	14. Nick Cummins
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Scott Spurling, 18. James Johnston 19. George Merrick , 20 Tom Guest , 21. Niko Matawalu , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Rene Ranger

Tactics:

Breakdown:

A group effort at the breakdown, approaching in pre-bound units hitting with impact, especially in defensive ball, committing only as many numbers as we need to keep men in defence, and Macalou chasing the ball with his pace to try to slow/turn it over and get there first in defence. With ball closer to the fringes, we will particularly try to have Ben Arous behind the carrier/tackler to get in the breakdown as first man as he is exceptional here.

Attack:

Build up slow ball with our carrying pods, mauls and short pops to EBA/Vito/Fearns/Kepu. Quick ball played off Fernandez attacking the line and with the backline flat, looking to use the loose forwards and 13 as direct runners, recycle quickly at the gainline and then use Godwin as a second playmaker to ship wide or back inside and constantly keep the direction of attack moving, back 3 looking for work off their wings, but also playing short passes and moves off 10 to keep them guessing.

In this we will be looking particularly to bring Cummins, Pennell, EBA, Kepu, Vito and Morgan into the 10-12 channel with support, using switches for Morgan, and pops inside 12 or off 10 for the others, to test the 10-12 channel's defence and looking to offload off any breaks and flood that area. If we cannot break but make some gainline advantage, we will them hammer away with the forwards to use this momentum and draw in defenders before attacking the gaps this forms outwide.

This tactic creates gaps, but also by switching attacking direction and keeping pace up, as well as mostly running rather than kicking ball, tires tackling defenders and will create gaps later on for our subs to exploit.

With Banahan and Sivivatu not the best on the turn and good kickers at 9, 10 and 12, we will also keep an eye out for space behind them and kick to it with our wings looking to win the ball back, and use Gilroy as a break-supporting player and to chase high kicks.

Defence:

Blitz led by Morgan, Spencer sweeping, Gilroy ready as a second fullback.

Particularly press on Bastareaud. Passing isn't his strength and he can be stopped if hit early as he catches the ball.

Macalou is chasing the ball as noted in the breakdown tactics, and will be ready to cover tackle players receiving offloads, likely with Beale at 12.

Fringe defence led by Gilchrist

Setpiece:

In the scrum, Kepu can really attack young Lahiff and will do so on both feeds, with Ben Arous more than capable of neutralising Owen Franks. We will get some momentum on our own ball then run off Vito to set up attacking moves, with the athletic Fearns and speedster Macalou perfect flankers for backrow moves.

In the lineout, we will let them take the ball in the air and then defend the maul on the ground with more numbers. We will mix up our attacking options to keep them guessing and today with an attacking backline, look to tap off the top and attack in the backs straight away. Myall calling.

Kicking and other:

Take on any points.

When fielding kicks, see what is on - we should have a kicking advantage over their back 3, so I'm happy to get involved in a kicking duel as long as we chase well, especially looking for space behind their wings and getting Gilroy under the high ball, but we won't be predictable and when there is space to run, we should back ourselves there.

As usual, press hard for penalties in their 22 and hold off in our half.

Substitutes - as the game breaks up, Twomey can add heft as well as lineout work now coming back from injury for Quins, Guest pace and lineout ability if we are losing out there. The front row to stay on as long as we can, but in Johnston we have some impact on the bench here. Then the gamebreakers to come on in the backs and really punish gaps and tired legs with their maverick and opportunistic style (Cooper and Matawalu much more dangerous in broken field and Ranger both able to smash ailing defenders but also finish chances)

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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. George Skivington	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Drew Mitchell

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16. Hika Elliot 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. Pascal Pape 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Brock James 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics:

We will play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns moving us into the right areas, the strength of our set piece and getting our exciting backs into space.

- Target the lineout all game with Matfield as our banker ball, and Skiv, Lobbe and Smith offering alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Wasps territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12.
Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns /b] to give the opposition problems in the air. We will really test Cummins with these kicks, and look to Mitchell to be on him as quickly as possible.

- Attack the scrum as a weapon - and call when we can, if we are getting an advantage. Moore to look to target Flynn and to look to really get the shove on.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down Wasps defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- Lobbe, Smith, Bastareaud and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- Our back three are encouraged to do what they do best - counter attacking and running the ball back. If isolated all have good kicking games, but the counter is what we ask them to look for.

- 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. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalites.

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Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons
Sandy Park
Light Cloud, 10 Degrees, 5mph Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Rob Webber	10. Otere Black (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Kane Douglas	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager (c)	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Luke Wallace	13. Sam James
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Teddy Thomas
08. Fritz lee	15. Cory Jane

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16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Taniela Tupou 19. James Horwill 20. Tom Wood 21. Chris Cook 22. Nick Evans 23. JP Pietersen

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to beat them man for man and beat Newcastle playing our way and the Chiefs way at Sandy Park. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Falcons territory and forcing Strettle, Smith and Piatua to turn and chase the ball. Black, White, Nonu and Pietersen all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Falcons back line. With the location of Sandy Park, one half will be playing into strong winds, and either getting no gain, and the other with the wind at our backs. We know our home ground, and playing into the wind, will work the phases through the middle to pick holes, much like the modern day Chiefs. 
  
  
• Lineout - Using Douglas, Wood & Lood to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Newcastle forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Fritz Lee stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul. 
  
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Falcons ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Falcons carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Newcastle 22 to frustrate and pick up yards. 
  
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Jackson's channel, who will get fed up and put off his game. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Ewers, Kubs & De Villiers.
  
  
• Bench - Utilise the bench for impact, so we only make changes when we want the game to change in our favour, whether to up the effort up front, or to kick points via Nev
  
  
• Build a Score - Black returns to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. 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 and apply pressure.
  
  
• Home Advantage - We have been nye on unbeatable at home and any side coming to Sandy Park struggles. This week is no different and we will look to put Bath to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dave Lewis
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jean De Villiers
06. David Ewers	13. Luke Marshall
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. Chris Henry 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Francis Saili  23. Charlie Sharples

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, particularly targeting JCW in the scrum with Mullan's technique. Compete hard for the ball at the ruck to get on top, and challenge their young 10. Look to put their number 8 and scrum half combo under pressure at every set piece and ruck, we think they can be targeted

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with Mullan and Kubs, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws where Read is waiting. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

Breakdown - Louw, Read, Ewers and Coles to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Coles and Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like they do for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Louw is charged with keeping Armitage off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Smith and Marshall to offer options outside Jackson with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge Jane's positioning, and put the high ball up on Thomas at all opportunities

Attack - get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and get JDV/Marshall through gaps. Challenge Black/james defensively with JDV and Marshall running hard lines at their channels with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Black all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how he handles it

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use a blitz in their territory, in ours use the drift to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one

Bench - Big carrying forwards throughout and talented, pacy backs to see us home

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Harlequins v Bath
Twickenham Stoop
Light Cloud, 9 Degrees, 3mph Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ethan Waller	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Luke Romano	11. Santiago Cordero
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Luther Burrell
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Nick Easter 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. James O'Connor 23. Joe Tomane

Game Plan

• We will use our forwards to get us across the gain line. We will use our front 5 around the breakdown off 9 and 10 and will look to use our back row in the midfield and in wider channels. With Myler, Hernandez and McKenzie we have 3 men entirely comfortable as first receiver. We will look to use this to our advantage and use them to organise others so we have a structured attack where we can look to exploit mismatches with forwards against backs and vice-versa. 
  

• Once we have got over the gain line, we will look to get the ball into the hands of our back three who we feel offer a serious threat with ball in hand. We will look to use our back row and Burrell as hard line runners to attract defenders and use Hernandez and our back three as the out the back options. 
  

• We will look to effectively use the strong kicking game of our 9,10,12 axis to put us in the right areas of the pitch from which to attack. We will especially look to target the Bath back three under the high ball putting them under huge pressure using Huget and Cordero in particular to retain possession. We see Huget v Wade as a real way to gain territory and possession using the up and under.  
  

Set Piece

• On a dry day we will look to use the scrum to win our own ball. We have chosen to young, powerful props who are shorter than average and will aim to get underneath the taller Bath props. 
  

• Du Toit will run our line out as he has done very successfully for the Stormers. We have 4 solid options on a full line but will look to shortened lines which will allow us to release Kriel and Gorgodze to act as carriers in the midfield to get us over the gain line early. In defence we will mark the middle and back closely and look to give them the front but sack and drive towards touch line immediately upon returning to ground. 
  

Defence

• A quick line speed (lead by Burrell) which will look to go from out to in to force a risky wide pass from Bath should they look to go wide early and enable us to shephard the Bath midfield in where we can chop tackle them and get the first man on the ball at the breakdown. With Hooper and Kriel we have two solid breakdown options who both possess bags of pace to get the breakdown first. 
  

• Default tackle is the chop tackle and to look to get the man over the ball early to force penalty/turnover. 
  

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Tawera Kerr Barlow
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Scott Wilson
04. Will Skelton	11. Hallan Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damian De Allende
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Cheslin Kolbe

16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Jack Innard 18. Paul Doran Jones 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Squire 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Christian Lealifano 23. Lolagi Visnia

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Quins under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries and offloading at a high pace looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Beaumont will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Kolisi, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. We think we can dominate here against a poor set of jumpers. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Gill  is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. TKB will set the tempoand play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Amos are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of slipper , Skelton and Kolisi in order to break the line and make yards. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Irish which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Barrett, LLF, Wiggles and Patchell all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo.

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London Irish v Saracens
Madejski Stadium
Light Cloud, 9 Degrees, 4mph Winds

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London Irish

1.Scott Sio
2.Tolata Polut Nau
3.Ben Alexander
4.Matt Symons
5.Romain Millo - Chulski
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Sean O'Brian
8.Duane Vermaulen (C)

9.Aaron Smith
10.Aaron Cruden
11.Marlande Yarde
12.Henry Slade
13.JJ Engelbrect
14.Jesse Kriel
15.Delon Armitage

16.Tom Youngs 17.Ben Moon 18.Dave Wilson 19.Ruan Botha 20.Marcell Coatzee 21.Mitchell Drummond 22.Shane Gereghty 23.Tom Fowlie

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Sam Whitelock	11. Hosea Gear
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Thierry Dusatoir	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Akira Ioane 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

ATTACK LINEOUT ALL GAME, PUT PRESSURE ON HOOKERS THROW WITH NO LEADER FOR IRISH - Lineout will be an issue for Irish and have some of the best readers in world rugby. No leader for Irish, no real good options and suspect throwing in TPN and Youngs. Look to have Whitelock and Parling marking the front and middle of the lineout (can they go to the back???) and look to compete every time.

CONSTANT KICKING FOR CORNERS WITH WORLD CLASS OPTIONS AND ATTACK LINEOUT - Parra and Sanchez to kick for the corners and attack lineout. Lambie to come in on the blindside to offer another option and vary the angles.

BIG RUNNERS DOWN THE 10/12 CHANNEL - Look to get big runners Hughes, SBW, Gear etc running down the 10/12 channel and target Cruden's defence. Look to get runners off this and cause problems in midfield.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Attack with pace off turnover ball.


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. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

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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Worcester Warriors v Gloucester
Sixways
Light Cloud, 10 Degrees, 5mph Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Huw Jones
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Venriki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Luc Dulcalcon 19. Tom Savage 20. Mike Williams 21. Rory Kockett/Alex Mitchell 22. Sam Olver  23. Horatio Agulla

Not sure when French team named....if Kockett named then Mitchell on bench

Tactics
Key Points- We will be looking to dominate the breakdown today with Croft going missing normally and having a strong, well balanced back row.. We feel we have a good balance to get good ball and Smith and Taufua will look for turnovers when appropriate. We will look to disrupt their ball using our feet to kick the ball through the ruck and make them turn to their own try line. With quick ball we will look to use our strong carriers and back 3 to get over the gainline and keep the scoreboard ticking. Wel will look to snag Robson before he gets the ball to Carter and feel we can get momentum in the scrum.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's, we have filled our pack with carriers most who are used to the conditions this weekend. We have Taufua for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Glos' ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Taufua/Smith will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-Good ball is crucial and we have gone for Smith to look to put pressure on their ball but also be a nuisance tackling at the fringes when needed, Smith will be given the freedom to pick which rucks to contest when he feels a turnover is available. Taufua has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper, Mumm and Whiteley if we get into a battle up front. We will be looking to get the ball away fairly quick so are happy to pick and go to suck them in before spinning the quick ball out. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious. Smith willl look to control our ball and push pressure on theirs. Taufua will rush on 10 as we appreciate they are dangerous out wide.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Harrison and Williams are familiar with each other IRL and will look to control the tempo.. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Jones' shoulders for the pop ball.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two different styles of play with our wingers and will use their differences to target any gaps in the Glos defence. Goneva will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Harrison/Williams will be one of the covering players from tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear. We have gone for 3 different styles of play in the back 3 to ensure that we can keep Sale guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Williams there as a carrying option. Olver is there if needed to continue the heads up rugby.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Harrison sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

---

Gloucester

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Ousthuizen
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Croft
7 Savea
8 Du Preez
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 Gray
18 Mas
19 Taofufina
20 Dickinson
21 Perenara
22 Cips
23 Talebula

Game Plan - When in the Our  half we will play a patient game using our pack to carry hard and get us across the gain line carrying off 9 and 10. With Robson Carter and toomua we can control the tempo in superb conditions and exploit Wuss with our superiority up front creating the ideal platform to attack off.

We have a far superior front 5 with world class players and we are using that to put us on the front foot. We aim to put the wuss backrow on the back foot. Without ascendency in the front 5 backrow as can be passengers.


As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With may folau   toomua, kurindrani, wslker we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.Robson is in great form and raises the tempo of any game. Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.

We will also look
To isolate wiss s 9,10 with neither of them playing
Much rugby and 2/3rd choice at their Clubs.


We will let our runners like Kurindrani have a go in his destructive style
As the game progresses we will look to really open it up in decent conditions. The point being you earn the right to play wide

Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the wuss half using the boot of robson Carter toomua to keep Wuss deep and gain a foot hold . We will vary between kicking for territory and the odd dink over the top to keep them Honest before starting to open up the game.

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on wuss and their lack of kicking options . By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  the wuss  throw and their lack of
Lineout jumpers.

Robson will sweep and we will look be aggressive and send numbers in to the breakdown to try and affect turnovers

Set Piece - Use our scrum as a weapon to attack Wuss  and gain penalties and look to control the game. We have a huge mobile front 5.

Key points

Key units with Glos front 5, half backs and centres
One sided in our favour
Lineout - Glos packed with world class options
Bench - ability to take the game away.
Carriers- Glos have carriers 1-8 and can dominate the terms of contact
Form- most of our players in great form

---

Conditions will be up by lunch time tomorrow

Mark

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ethan Waller	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Luke Romano	11. Santiago Cordero
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Luther Burrell
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Nick Easter 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. James O'Connor 23. Joe Tomane


Game Plan

• We will use our forwards to get us across the gain line. We will use our front 5 around the breakdown off 9 and 10 and will look to use our back row in the midfield and in wider channels. With Myler, Hernandez and McKenzie we have 3 men entirely comfortable as first receiver. We will look to use this to our advantage and use them to organise others so we have a structured attack where we can look to exploit mismatches with forwards against backs and vice-versa. 
  

• Once we have got over the gain line, we will look to get the ball into the hands of our back three who we feel offer a serious threat with ball in hand. We will look to use our back row and Burrell as hard line runners to attract defenders and use Hernandez and our back three as the out the back options. 
  

• We will look to effectively use the strong kicking game of our 9,10,12 axis to put us in the right areas of the pitch from which to attack. We will especially look to target the Bath back three under the high ball putting them under huge pressure using Huget and Cordero in particular to retain possession. We see Huget v Wade as a real way to gain territory and possession using the up and under.  
  

Set Piece

• On a dry day we will look to use the scrum to win our own ball. We have chosen to young, powerful props who are shorter than average and will aim to get underneath the taller Bath props. 
  

• Du Toit will run our line out as he has done very successfully for the Stormers. We have 4 solid options on a full line but will look to shortened lines which will allow us to release Kriel and Gorgodze to act as carriers in the midfield to get us over the gain line early. In defence we will mark the middle and back closely and look to give them the front but sack and drive towards touch line immediately upon returning to ground. 
  

Defence

• A quick line speed (lead by Burrell) which will look to go from out to in to force a risky wide pass from Bath should they look to go wide early and enable us to shephard the Bath midfield in where we can chop tackle them and get the first man on the ball at the breakdown. With Hooper and Kriel we have two solid breakdown options who both possess bags of pace to get the breakdown first. 
  

• Default tackle is the chop tackle and to look to get the man over the ball early to force penalty/turnover.
    
  

1.Scott Sio
2.Tolata Polut Nau
3.Ben Alexander
4.Matt Symons
5.Romain Millo - Chulski
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Sean O'Brian
8.Duane Vermaulen (C)

9.Aaron Smith
10.Aaron Cruden
11.Marlande Yarde
12.Henry Slade
13.JJ Engelbrect
14.Jesse Kriel
15.Delon Armitage

16.Tom Youngs 17.Ben Moon 18.Dave Wilson 19.Ruan Botha 20.Marcell Coatzee 21.Mitchell Drummond 22.Shane Gereghty 23.Tom Fowlie

Tactics....

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Tawera Kerr Barlow
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Scott Wilson
04. Will Skelton	11. Hallan Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damian De Allende
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Cheslin Kolbe

16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Jack Innard 18. Paul Doran Jones 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Squire 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Christian Lealifano 23. Lolagi Visnia

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Quins under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries and offloading at a high pace looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Beaumont will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Kolisi, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. We think we can dominate here against a poor set of jumpers. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Gill is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. TKB will set the tempoand play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders. Wade and Amos are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of slipper , Skelton and Kolisi in order to break the line and make yards. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Irish which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Barrett, LLF, Wiggles and Patchell all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo.

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Huw Jones
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Venriki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Luc Dulcalcon 19. Tom Savage 20. Mike Williams 21. Rory Kockett/Alex Mitchell 22. Sam Olver  23. Horatio Agulla

Not sure when French team named....if Kockett named then Mitchell on bench

Tactics
Key Points- We will be looking to dominate the breakdown today with Croft going missing normally and having a strong, well balanced back row.. We feel we have a good balance to get good ball and Smith and Taufua will look for turnovers when appropriate. We will look to disrupt their ball using our feet to kick the ball through the ruck and make them turn to their own try line. With quick ball we will look to use our strong carriers and back 3 to get over the gainline and keep the scoreboard ticking. Wel will look to snag Robson before he gets the ball to Carter and feel we can get momentum in the scrum.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's, we have filled our pack with carriers most who are used to the conditions this weekend. We have Taufua for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Glos' ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Taufua/Smith will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-Good ball is crucial and we have gone for Smith to look to put pressure on their ball but also be a nuisance tackling at the fringes when needed, Smith will be given the freedom to pick which rucks to contest when he feels a turnover is available. Taufua has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper, Mumm and Whiteley if we get into a battle up front. We will be looking to get the ball away fairly quick so are happy to pick and go to suck them in before spinning the quick ball out. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious. Smith willl look to control our ball and push pressure on theirs. Taufua will rush on 10 as we appreciate they are dangerous out wide.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Harrison and Williams are familiar with each other IRL and will look to control the tempo.. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Jones' shoulders for the pop ball.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two different styles of play with our wingers and will use their differences to target any gaps in the Glos defence. Goneva will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Harrison/Williams will be one of the covering players from tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear. We have gone for 3 different styles of play in the back 3 to ensure that we can keep Sale guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Williams there as a carrying option. Olver is there if needed to continue the heads up rugby.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Harrison sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

Conditions are up

Northampton Saints

1. Logi Mulipola
2. Dave Ward
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Samu Manoa
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Facunda Isa
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Julian Savea
12. Matt Giteau
13. Alex Dunbar 
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

Subs:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Adam Jones 19. Michael Paterson 20. Sam Jones 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. Ollie Deveto 23. Harry Mallinder

Tactics
We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Sale on the backfoot and not giving them any time on the ball. We will look for Burger, Isa and Pocock to dominate the breakdown with their experience and seek turnovers to launch attacks. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Sale at pace and make the most of the try scoring threat in our back three. Will look for Sopoaga and Giteau to control the territory game with an intelligent kicking game and pin Sale in their own half.

Set Piece
We've been rotating our pack over the last few weeks to ensure that they are fresh and getting players game time. We recall two fresh props and will be looking for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit. We've picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and recall Lawes who will act as our lineout leader and will use his athleticism to challenge Taylor's throwing and place the Sale lineout under pressure.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to suck in Sale's backline to stop our pack going forward and create space outwide for our backline. Will look to punch holes in the Sale defence and get forward momentum.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Pocock and Burger we will look to dominate this area in terms of experience and outplay their opposite number. We've chosen Ward at no2 due to his breakdown work, and will be supported with Lawes, Manoa and Isa to make this an incredibly physical area. We want turnovers to attack off of, quick ball for Simpson to exploit and disrupt ball for Sale's no9. We are looking to get penalities in this area.

Attack
We will look to get our forwards on the ball and running off Sopoaga and Giteau to make inroads into Sale's defensive line and providing space for our strike runners in the backline to exploit. We want to play a quick high-tempo game and go through the phases to tire the Sale defence. We'll mix it up with an intelligent kicking game from Simpson, Sopoaga and Giteau to put the ball in behind the two Sale wings and get them turning.

Kicking
With Simpson, Sopoaga and Giteau we feel we have an advantage with the kicking game and will look to ensure we dominate the territory battle by pinning Sale in their own half. We'll look to put the ball in behind their two wingers, or put the ball up high for AAC and Savea to compete. Sopoaga to kick all penalties.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes, Dunbar to be up in the no13s face all game. No9 sweeping in behind to cover any kicks. We are aware of the threat the Sale backline pose so will aim to counter that in a few ways (i) disrupt the Sale lineout with Lawes athleticism and placing Taylor's throwing under pressure/stop the clean/quick ball and (ii) make the breakdown an absolute mess for Sale with our selection, just prevent quick ball and allow our defence to realign.

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Eddy Ben Arous (if playing for France, straight swap with Kilcoyne)	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Patricio Fernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Tyler Morgan
07. Sekou Macalou	14. Nick Cummins
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Scott Spurling, 18. James Johnston 19. George Merrick , 20 Tom Guest , 21. Niko Matawalu , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Rene Ranger

Tactics:

Breakdown:

A group effort at the breakdown, approaching in pre-bound units hitting with impact, especially in defensive ball, committing only as many numbers as we need to keep men in defence, and Macalou chasing the ball with his pace to try to slow/turn it over and get there first in defence. With ball closer to the fringes, we will particularly try to have Ben Arous behind the carrier/tackler to get in the breakdown as first man as he is exceptional here.

Attack:

Build up slow ball with our carrying pods, mauls and short pops to EBA/Vito/Fearns/Kepu. Quick ball played off Fernandez attacking the line and with the backline flat, looking to use the loose forwards and 13 as direct runners, recycle quickly at the gainline and then use Godwin as a second playmaker to ship wide or back inside and constantly keep the direction of attack moving, back 3 looking for work off their wings, but also playing short passes and moves off 10 to keep them guessing.

In this we will be looking particularly to bring Cummins, Pennell, EBA, Kepu, Vito and Morgan into the 10-12 channel with support, using switches for Morgan, and pops inside 12 or off 10 for the others, to test the 10-12 channel's defence and looking to offload off any breaks and flood that area. If we cannot break but make some gainline advantage, we will them hammer away with the forwards to use this momentum and draw in defenders before attacking the gaps this forms outwide.

This tactic creates gaps, but also by switching attacking direction and keeping pace up, as well as mostly running rather than kicking ball, tires tackling defenders and will create gaps later on for our subs to exploit.

With Banahan and Sivivatu not the best on the turn and good kickers at 9, 10 and 12, we will also keep an eye out for space behind them and kick to it with our wings looking to win the ball back, and use Gilroy as a break-supporting player and to chase high kicks.

Defence:

Blitz led by Morgan, Spencer sweeping, Gilroy ready as a second fullback.

Particularly press on Bastareaud. Passing isn't his strength and he can be stopped if hit early as he catches the ball.

Macalou is chasing the ball as noted in the breakdown tactics, and will be ready to cover tackle players receiving offloads, likely with Beale at 12.

Fringe defence led by Gilchrist

Setpiece:

In the scrum, Kepu can really attack young Lahiff and will do so on both feeds, with Ben Arous more than capable of neutralising Owen Franks. We will get some momentum on our own ball then run off Vito to set up attacking moves, with the athletic Fearns and speedster Macalou perfect flankers for backrow moves.

In the lineout, we will let them take the ball in the air and then defend the maul on the ground with more numbers. We will mix up our attacking options to keep them guessing and today with an attacking backline, look to tap off the top and attack in the backs straight away. Myall calling.

Kicking and other:

Take on any points.

When fielding kicks, see what is on - we should have a kicking advantage over their back 3, so I'm happy to get involved in a kicking duel as long as we chase well, especially looking for space behind their wings and getting Gilroy under the high ball, but we won't be predictable and when there is space to run, we should back ourselves there.

As usual, press hard for penalties in their 22 and hold off in our half.

Substitutes - as the game breaks up, Twomey can add heft as well as lineout work now coming back from injury for Quins, Guest pace and lineout ability if we are losing out there. The front row to stay on as long as we can, but in Johnston we have some impact on the bench here. Then the gamebreakers to come on in the backs and really punish gaps and tired legs with their maverick and opportunistic style (Cooper and Matawalu much more dangerous in broken field and Ranger both able to smash ailing defenders but also finish chances)

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Rob Webber	10. Otere Black (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Kane Douglas	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager (c)	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Luke Wallace	13. Sam James
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Teddy Thomas
08. Fritz lee	15. Cory Jane

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Taniela Tupou 19. James Horwill 20. Tom Wood 21. Chris Cook 22. Nick Evans 23. JP Pietersen

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to beat them man for man and beat Newcastle playing our way and the Chiefs way at Sandy Park. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Falcons territory and forcing Strettle, Smith and Piatua to turn and chase the ball. Black, White, Nonu and Pietersen all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Falcons back line. With the location of Sandy Park, one half will be playing into strong winds, and either getting no gain, and the other with the wind at our backs. We know our home ground, and playing into the wind, will work the phases through the middle to pick holes, much like the modern day Chiefs. 
  
  
• Lineout - Using Douglas, Wood & Lood to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Newcastle forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Fritz Lee stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul. 
  
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Falcons ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Falcons carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Newcastle 22 to frustrate and pick up yards. 
  
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Jackson's channel, who will get fed up and put off his game. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Ewers, Kubs & De Villiers.
  
  
• Bench - Utilise the bench for impact, so we only make changes when we want the game to change in our favour, whether to up the effort up front, or to kick points via Nev
  
  
• Build a Score - Black returns to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. 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 and apply pressure.
  
  
• Home Advantage - We have been nye on unbeatable at home and any side coming to Sandy Park struggles. This week is no different and we will look to put Bath to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dave Lewis
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jean De Villiers
06. David Ewers	13. Luke Marshall
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. Chris Henry 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Francis Saili  23. Charlie Sharples

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, particularly targeting JCW in the scrum with Mullan's technique. Compete hard for the ball at the ruck to get on top, and challenge their young 10. Look to put their number 8 and scrum half combo under pressure at every set piece and ruck, we think they can be targeted

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with Mullan and Kubs, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws where Read is waiting. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

Breakdown - Louw, Read, Ewers and Coles to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Coles and Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like they do for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Louw is charged with keeping Armitage off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Smith and Marshall to offer options outside Jackson with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge Jane's positioning, and put the high ball up on Thomas at all opportunities

Attack - get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and get JDV/Marshall through gaps. Challenge Black/james defensively with JDV and Marshall running hard lines at their channels with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Black all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how he handles it

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use a blitz in their territory, in ours use the drift to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one

Bench - Big carrying forwards throughout and talented, pacy backs to see us home

You haven't named a tighthead replacement Chris

Cheers Steve! Think I deleted when putting in Dunbar!

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. George Skivington	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Drew Mitchell

.
16. Hika Elliot 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. Pascal Pape 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Brock James 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics:

We will play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns moving us into the right areas, the strength of our set piece and getting our exciting backs into space.

- Target the lineout all game with Matfield as our banker ball, and Skiv, Lobbe and Smith offering alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Wasps territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12.
Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns /b] to give the opposition problems in the air. We will really test Cummins with these kicks, and look to Mitchell to be on him as quickly as possible.

- [b]Attack the scrum as a weapon - and call when we can, if we are getting an advantage. Moore to look to target Flynn and to look to really get the shove on.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down Wasps defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- Lobbe, Smith, Bastareaud and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- Our back three are encouraged to do what they do best - counter attacking and running the ball back. If isolated all have good kicking games, but the counter is what we ask them to look for.

- 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. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalites.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Sam Whitelock	11. Hosea Gear
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Thierry Dusatoir	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Akira Ioane 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

ATTACK LINEOUT ALL GAME, PUT PRESSURE ON HOOKERS THROW WITH NO LEADER FOR IRISH - Lineout will be an issue for Irish and have some of the best readers in world rugby. No leader for Irish, no real good options and suspect throwing in TPN and Youngs. Look to have Whitelock and Parling marking the front and middle of the lineout (can they go to the back???) and look to compete every time.

CONSTANT KICKING FOR CORNERS WITH WORLD CLASS OPTIONS AND ATTACK LINEOUT - Parra and Sanchez to kick for the corners and attack lineout. Lambie to come in on the blindside to offer another option and vary the angles.

BIG RUNNERS DOWN THE 10/12 CHANNEL - Look to get big runners Hughes, SBW, Gear etc running down the 10/12 channel and target Cruden's defence. Look to get runners off this and cause problems in midfield.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Attack with pace off turnover ball.


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. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

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.

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Ousthuizen
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Croft
7 Savea
8 Du Preez
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani/ De Jongh if Kurindrani banned
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 Gray
18 Mas
19 Taofufina
20 Dickinson
21 Perenara
22 Cips
23 Talebula

Game Plan - When in the Our  half we will play a patient game using our pack to carry hard and get us across the gain line carrying off 9 and 10. With Robson Carter and toomua we can control the tempo in superb conditions and exploit Wuss with our superiority up front creating the ideal platform to attack off.

We have a far superior front 5 with world class players and we are using that to put us on the front foot. We aim to put the wuss backrow on the back foot. Without ascendency in the front 5 backrow as can be passengers.


As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With may folau   toomua, kurindrani, wslker we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.Robson is in great form and raises the tempo of any game. Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.

We will also look
To isolate wiss s 9,10 with neither of them playing
Much rugby and 2/3rd choice at their Clubs.


We will let our runners like Kurindrani have a go in his destructive style
As the game progresses we will look to really open it up in decent conditions. The point being you earn the right to play wide

Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the wuss half using the boot of robson Carter toomua to keep Wuss deep and gain a foot hold . We will vary between kicking for territory and the odd dink over the top to keep them Honest before starting to open up the game.

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on wuss and their lack of kicking options . By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  the wuss  throw and their lack of
Lineout jumpers.

Robson will sweep and we will look be aggressive and send numbers in to the breakdown to try and affect turnovers

Set Piece - Use our scrum as a weapon to attack Wuss  and gain penalties and look to control the game. We have a huge mobile front 5.

Key points

Key units with Glos front 5, half backs and centres
One sided in our favour
Lineout - Glos packed with world class options
Bench - ability to take the game away.
Carriers- Glos have carriers 1-8 and can dominate the terms of contact
Form- most of our players in great form

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Sam Carter	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Sam Cane 21. Calum Braley 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Key Points:
- Target the Saints midfield defensively. Dunbar more comfortable in the 12 channel and Giteau has been swapped around on a weekly basis. Want to take advantage of the lack of familiarity on defence with our usual attacking structures.

- Really test the Saints lineout with Retalick, McMahon & Carter all looking to compete and put Ward under pressure to hit his man.

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. De Klerk 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: Similar set up to the Welsh with Foley and Le Roux defending deep to cover the backfield. Both wingers will step into the defensive line, to be part of the straight line blitz led by Fekitoa, to shut down space in the wider channels. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial.  De Klerk 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 get the backs on the ball in space. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

Poorly I'll get my tactics in tomorrow I'm on nights now

will get tactic in tomorrow morning, had a long old day!

Tactics in

PREDICTIONS OPEN

Pms to SJE please

SJE just seen that Dunbar has been named as starting for Scotland - assume I can't move AAC to no13 and bring Halai onto the wing?

So can I bring James Hook at no13 please - didnt even see Dunbar named in the Scottish squad due to his injury and being given game time for his club!

Changes for call ups are only allowed up to the Thursday night Chris so it will be Deveto in and the bench a man short

RESULTS:

Northampton Saints 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)
Sale Sharks 26 (T:3 C:1 P:3)

London Wasps 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)
Leicester Tigers 26 (T:3 C:1 P:3)

Exeter Chiefs 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)
Newcastle Falcons 27 (T:3 C:3 P:2)

Harlequins 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Bath 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)

London Irish 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)
Saracens 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)

Worcester Warriors 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)
Gloucester 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)

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

Northampton 20 - 21 Sale

Sale get ahead at the scrum, and with Ward at hooker, Saints will lose a few lineouts too. However, with Sale by no means weak there either, Saints are clearly ahead at the breakdown, both sides close for carrying. 2 good sets of HBs, lots of attacking intent there, and then Sale have an edge in the centres - Giteau > Eastmond, Fekitoa >> Devoto. Not much in the back 3s either, I think Sale have the slightly better approach overall and a touch more on the bench. It grabs them a narrow win though they are nearly undone at the breakdown

Saints 25 - 24 Sale

Saints 19-22 Sale

Saints looking more balanced this week in the front 5 and provide some good options in the line out despite Ward's poor darts. Can see Sale getting the edge in the front row though with Ward slightly underpowered and some good form for the Sale. Have to give the halfbacks to Sale and Devoto in for a tough time against Fekitoa. Comes down to small margins in this one and Saints bench a man down really costs them.

Saints 20-21 Sale

Saints 24-25 Sale
Nothing in the front fives. Slight edge to Saints in the back row. Was this a combination a few weeks back but in different positions? The half backs go to Sale. Outside of that I think Sale get a slight advantage targeting 12-13. 

Saints 27-27 Sale

Ward stands out as the weak link in the front 5, Saints stronger at flanker giving them the back row edge. Halfbacks pretty even, but Devoto will struggle against Fekitoa. Benches even other than Saints being a man down. Very tough to call, I'll sit on the fence

Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks 22-22

Northampton Saints 24 - 25 Sale Sharks

Saints 25 - 24 Sale

Slight edge to sale in the scrum, but prefer saints second row. Saints just edge the back row and just take the packs. Sale take the hbs, tight in the centres and I the back threes. Think, despite being short on the bench, saints at home edge it. 

Wasps 24 -23 Leicester

Wasps 22 - 24 Leicester Tigers 
Wasps lineup is improving all the time, really like the look of them and could finish the season pushing teams very close. They can get at the Tigers second row and will have a strong set piece, but Tigers have too many guys who can get them through the tackle and Burns is starting to look good again and can really unleash the Tigers backline. 

Wasps 22-23 Leicester

Have to give the scrum to Wasps with Lahiff not quite coping but Wasps need a bit more in the engine room and 7 to take this dominance further. I like the Tigers backrow and Burns finally getting some form together for Tigers. Backs to Tigers and they just sneak an away win against a battling Wasps.

Wasps 22-23 Tigers

Wasps 20-24 Tigers
Maybe a slight edge to Wasps in front five, nothing major. Another small edge in the back row. Half backs go to Tigers and they have an advantage outside as well 

Wasps 29-26 Leicester

Wasps have the advantage at the scrum and can get at Lahiff, lineout evens. Back row a great battle, think Leicester edge it. Tigers stronger at halfback, but like the look of Wasps outside backs. Great impact off the Wasps bench, their tactical set up is excellent, and can really see how CJ wants to play. Wasps take it

Wasps v Leicester Tigers 21-22

Wasps 21 - 20 Leicester Tigers

Wasps 19-22 Tigers
Not an awful lot between the scrums but the Wasps 2nd row offers more around the park. Lots of power to the Tigers backrow but plenty of energy for Wasps. Tigers halfbacks offer more as well as the midfield. Wasps with a good set up looking to take advantage of the Tigers wingers but not sure the young halfbacks can pull it off.

Exeter 18 - 18 Newcastle

Very close overall in the scrums, I think. Also pretty much even in the lineout and then the breakdown is a great, close battle too! Think Exeter can edge that last one but then Newcastle pack offers more around the park. A little more spark to the Exeter halfbacks, though overall that's close too. I think Newcastle have more experienced class in the backline though and they would just win at home. Here I'm hedging my bets with a draw, thanks to Exeter's breakdown and 9-10.


Exeter 23 - 24 Newcastle

Exeter Chiefs 25 - 25 Newcastle Falcons 
Really difficult game to predict on. Both teams could win, the home advantage is a big factor but liking the strike runners Falcons have too. Can't split the teams, not sure the away team has the halfback combo to quite swing it and am unsure of the backrow balance for Chiefs. 

Exeter 24-26 Newcastle

Exeter struggling for form in the front row gives Falcons a fair bit of go forward but little in the engine rooms. Falcons backrow can get on top and this will give them a pack advantage. 1 a piece in the halfbacks, not sure of Black at this level and similar in the centres and back 3. Tough game to call but Falcons looking healthy.

Chiefs 23-24 Falcons

Exeter 25-28 Newcastle
Falcons have the stronger front five. Back row is difficult to call with Louw having just joined. Needed a bit more time to settle. One each in the half backs. I think Newcastle have a bit more about them in the outside backs and can get a big away win. 

Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons 22-21

Chiefs 23 - 24 Falcons 

Bit more about Falcons up front, but prefer Chiefs second row. Falcons edge the back row, but overall packs are close. Not much at hb, whilst Falcons take the centres and back three. I think Falcons can take an away win here. 

Exeter 23-26 Newcastle
Would expect Falcons to edge the scrum. Great backrow battle with strong carriers and great breakdown work to both sides. Halfbacks one a piece and midfield battle is fairly tight. Back three is a big step up to Falcons though. No 10 backup is a slight issue for Falcons. Good open game with both sides looking to play at tempo but feel Falcons more men capable of breaking the line.

Harlequins 20 - 21 Bath

Both looseheads get on top and there are a few penalties for both sides at the scrum, Slipper and Sinckler both add a lot in the loose too, both perfect impact subs at prop rather than starters for me. Harlequins edge the lineout and the breakdown is even. A huge amount of loose work and running from both packs. Very functional and practical 9-10 for Harlequins but Bath's will work well and also add a lot more direct threat. With the packs basically equal and tactics well-matched, the deciding factor for me is that Bath's backs, although not much between them in man to man quality, look like they would work together really well in every partnership and these cohesion would just get them an away win

Quins 29 - 26 Bath
Another close game, all tough to predo on this week. Some of Bath's backline are starting to find good form, Wade looking excellent again. But Quins at home are very hard to get a win and don't think Bath have the front five to take the game to them here. Quins could struggle at scrum time though. 

Harlequins 25-25 Bath

Not the strongest front rows on show and both will suffer, especially Bath with Wilson's lack of game time. I like the Bath 2nd row and they'll get some joy here although Quins make up for this with a powerful backrow. Big step up in the halfbacks for Bath with Quins needing some quality at 10 to really make their mark on things. Bath stronger at centre but Quins have a lovely back 3. Very little in this one. 

Quins 23-22 Bath

Quins 30-24 Bath

Quins have a good advantage in the set piece, with Wilson not quite ready and plenty of jumpers. Bath back row looks a bit lightweight, could do with a bit of brute power. One each at halfback, De Allende the pick of the centres but Quins stronger out wide as a whole. Quins take it off the back row and outside backs advantage

Harlequins v Bath. 28-27

Harlequins 28 - 25 Bath

Quins 26 - 21 Bath

Edge to Quins up front, and they take the locks too. Look stronger again in the back row and they take the pack. Even at hb, but Quins look more dangerous in attack, and take a good win. 

Quins 28-24 Bath
Slight scrum edge to Bath but Quins are stronger man for man through the backrow. More about the Bath halfbacks but the extra playmakers in the Quins backline helps out massively on attack. Quins wingers stronger aerially. Bath should make good ground on attack with an offloading approach looking at the Quins defensive tactics but they will see a fair bit of slow ball and would expect them to have to play from deep with a strong Quins kicking game on show.

London Irish 22 - 25 Saracens

Can see a crappy scrum battle won by neither team, but then Saracens have a small advantage at the lineout (not sure it's hugely significant, maybe just a bit cleaner ball) and a great breakdown attack which wins out and wins turnovers. Both packs can carry, the power of the Irish backrow is great in particular. Love both sets of Halfbacks, both work really well together and tick all the boxes. Vermeulen's better core 8 skills than Hughes can come into play - the 8,9, 10 for London Irish is just assured, it may give them a tiny bit more control. Not much between the back 3s, slight edge to Irish maybe and 2 good sets of centres but SBW will test Slade in defence. He's nor played Union in a while though. However, in the end the lack of tactics hurt London Irish and Saracens win

Irish 23 - 24 Saracens

London Irish 20 - 21 Saracens
If Irish had tactics in they would have won this game as Sarries now effectively carrying two of their backs in current team selection and have them losing points as a result. 

Irish 24-25 Sarries

Irish 17-27 Saracens
Irish directionless for a few weeks. 

London Irish 26-24 Saracens

Scrum pretty even, think Symons will do ok leading the lineout but Sarries have the advantage. Irish edge the back row but SOB becoming hard to rate. With Cruden back, Irish have the best halfback partnership in the league. Sarries stronger in the centres, Irish in back 3. Tough game to call, Irish sneak it at home

London Irish v Saracens. 17-17

London Irish 23 - 25 Saracens

Irish 26 - 26 Sarries

Not much in the scrum, but Sarries edge second row. Prefer Irish back row, overall packs fairly even. Not much to split hb, beyond there edge to the away side. I think Sarries can get a draw here. 

Irish 20-27 Saracens
If on just line ups Irish would have taken this with a strong backrow effort and in form halfbacks but no tactics again sees them rudderless

Worcester 19-19 Gloucester

Think that neither side gets on top in the scrum. Gloucester lineout is very strong and gets an edge. Good carrying balance in both backrows, Worcester's Smith makes the difference at the breakdown. Real attack in both backlines, with tonnes of pace. Carter's class however lets Gloucester control the game a bit more, cancelling out Smith's advantage with the better ball. Think Gloucester would win at home, think it's a draw here

Worcester 25 - 25 Gloucester

Worcester 29 - 30 Gloucester
Half backs the difference in the game. Much prefer Gloucester pairing and will be a high scoring game. If Worcester can make some improvements to their front five they would win games like this.

Worcester 20-20 Gloucester

Little in the front rows. Oust not the strongest but unsure that Wuss have the players to take advantage. One a piece in the 2nd row but Worcester have more in the backrow, especially in the power department. Some good form in the Gloucester halfbacks and Kurindrini playing well gives Gloucester the edge. Wuss really step it up in the back 3 with May struggling for from, good contest.

Worcester 22-27 Gloucester
Gloucester have a stronger front five. Think they get the advantage in the back row as well. Gloucester have a better set of half backs. Outside of that both teams are quite dangerous.

Worcester 25-22 Gloucester 

Front row to Wuss, locks to Glos. Wuss back row has the physicality to get on top. Carter the class at halfback, and stronger at centre too. Wuss better back 3. Close game, home advantage wins it

Worcester Warriors 22 - 24 Gloucester

Worcs 28 - 29 Gloucs

Edge to Gloucs up front, and they take second row too. Think worcs take back row but as a pack side with the away side. Gloucs take the hbs, and beyond here some great attackers for both. Pack advantage sees Gloucs Nick it.

Worcester 19-19 Gloucester
Gloucesters front 5 can edge the scrum and offers more around the park but the Worcester backrow stronger. Glaws stronger at halfback and in midfield. Gloucester tactics reads as etc etc is worldclass and not an awful lot of game plan which is an issue for me.

Damn it! So close :/

Well won, Luke

That must be my first try bonus point in years on here