Summer Tournament - Round 1

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Sale Sharks vs Racing 92
Old Trafford
Light Rain Showers, 22 Degrees, 14mph South Westerly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Nick Abendanon

.
Subs: 16. Malcolm Marx 17. Marcos Ayerza 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

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Racing 92

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Dimitri Szarzewski (c)	10. Dan Carter
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Bernard Le Roux	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Manuel Carriza	12. Henry Chavancy
06. Wenceslas Lauret	13. Johan Goosen
07. Yannick Nyanga	14. Joe Rokocoko
08. Chris Masoe	15. Brice Dulin

_
Replacements: 16. Camille Chat, 17. Khatchik Vartanov, 18. Juandré Kruger, 19. Antoine Claassen, 20. Xavier Chauveau, 21. Marc Andreu, 22. Albert Vulivuli, 23. Luc Ducalcon

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Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby
St James's Park
Light Cloud, 21 Degrees, 14mph South Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. David Strettle
05. Lood De Jager	12. Scott Williams
06. Pablo Matera	13. Jan Serfontein
07. Francois Louw	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Matt Symons 20. David Ewers 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Luke Marshall

Thoughts on the following please
Pack balance - breakdown/carrying especially
Best centre combination from Williams, Serfontein and Marshall

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Ellis Genge	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Liam Williams
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

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16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. James Gaskell 20. Josh Van Der Flier 21. Josh Beaumont 22. Tawera Kerr Barlow 23. Christian Wade

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Harlequins v Toulon
Emirates Stadium
Light Cloud, 21 Degrees, 11mph South Westerly Wind

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Gurthro Steenkamp	09. Luke McGrath
02. Rob Webber	10. Ihaia West(k)
03. Tadhg Furlong
04. Luke Romano	11. Joe Tomane
05. Will Witty	12. Stuart Olding
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Bundee Aki
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Alex Lewington
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Mike Haley

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16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Steven Myler 23. James O'Connor

Would like feedback on who in that 23 would be seen as a real weakness in a strongish side.(besides PSDT)

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Toulon

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Jonathan Pélissié
02. Guilhem Guirado (c)	10. Matt Giteau
03. Levan Chilachava
04. Samu Manoa	11. Bryan Habana
05. Konstantin Mikautadze	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe	14. Josua Tuisova
08. Steffon Armitage	15. Leigh Halfpenny

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Replacements: 16. Jean Charles Orioli, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Romain Taofiféuna, 19. Virgile Bruni, 20. Théo Belan, 21. Delon Armitage, 22. Frédéric Michalak, 23. Manusa Saulo

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Wasps v Leicester Tigers
King Power Stadium
Light Cloud, 22 Degrees, 17mph South Westerly Wind

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Wasps

01. Joe Marler	09. Sebastian Tillous Borde
02. Harry Thacker	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Marlande Yarde
05. Alun Wyn Jones (C)	12. Henry Slade
06. Tom Wood	13. Luther Burrell
07. Sean O'Brian	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Rob Kearney

_
16.Christopher Tolafua 17.Ben Moon 18.Fraiser Bailman 19.Sebastian Vaahaminia 20.Dom Barrow 21.Nazeem Carr 22.Henry Pygros 23.Tim Nani Williams.

Players to share the work load in ball carrying 
Feed back on NEV/Slade/Burrell axis
Focus on catch on the drive and power game? Does it work with this pack?
Backrow balance. 
5/2 split.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Caretaker Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Nick Phipps
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Steve Mafi	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. Harry Wells 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Francois Trinh-Duc 23. Henry Purdy

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Northampton Saints vs Hurricanes
Eithad Stadium
Light Rain Showers, 22 Degrees, 14mph South Westerly Winds

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Northampton Saints

01. Logi Mulipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. George Ford
03. Jake Cooper Wooley
04. Samu Manoa	11. Rieko Ioane
05. Jonny Gray	12. Harry Mallinder
06. Schalk Burger	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Brendon O'Connor	14. Manuel Montero
08. Faconda Isa	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

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Replacements: 16. Ashley Johnson 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ramiro Herrera 19. Joe Launchbury 20. David Pocock 21. Joe Simpson 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Elliot Daly

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Hurricanes

01. Reggie Goodes	09. TJ Perenara
02. Dane Coles (c)	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
04. Vaea Fifita	11. Julian Savea
05. Michael Fatialofa	12. Vince Aso
06. Brad Shields	13. Matt Proctor
07. Ardie Savea	14. Cory Jane
08. Victor Vito	15. James Marshall

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Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Loni Uhila, 19. Mark Abbott, 20. Tony Lambourn, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Willis Halaholo, 23. Jason Woodward

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Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs
Elland Road
Light Rain Showers, 22 Degrees, 14mph South Westerly Winds

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Worcester Warriors

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Huw Taylor	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Sam Warburton	14. Sergeal Petersen
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

_
16. Jack Walker 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Billy Keast 19. Kieran Tredwell 20. Sean O'Brien v2 21. Alex Mitchell 22. Sam Olver 23. Jonah Placid

Can I have feedback on:
EQ starting options,
Who can step up from the bench,
Back 3 partnership.

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Dane Coles	10. Camille Lopez (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Sam James
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Tom Youngs 17. Jefferson Poirot 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowksi 23. Andrew Trimble

Thoughts on:
- A pack for heavy carrying, but mobility around the park
- Areas that need improvement/weaknesses
- On my back three which will be looking to counter attack and get involved off their wings when possible. 

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Saracens vs Chiefs
Olympic Stadium
Light Cloud, 21 Degrees, 11mph South Westerly Wind

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. George North
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

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16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Conrad Smith

Tactics:

- Thoughts on midfield?
- Back 3 counter attacking threat?
- Kicking options in backs?
Thanks

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Chiefs

01. Kane Hames	09. Brad Weber
02. Hika Elliot	10. Stephen Donald
03. Hiroshi Yamashita
04. Dominic Bird	11. James Lowe
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Anton Lienert-Brown
06. Taleni Seu	13. Seta Tamanivalu
07. Sam Cane (cc)	14. Toni Pulu
08. Tom Sanders	15. Damian McKenzie

/
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Mitchell Brown, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Aaron Cruden, 23 Sam McNicol

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Bristol Rugby vs Gloucester Rugby
Principality Stadium
Light Cloud, 20 Degrees, 13mph South Winds

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Bristol Team A
Manager: CJ

01. James Slipper	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Christian Lealiifano
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Ian Evans	11. Tom Varndell
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Duncan Taylor
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. Mitch Eadie	14.  Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Jesse Mogg

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16. David Kilcoyne 17.  Corey Flynn 18. Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi 19. Luke Charteris 20 Sekou Macalau, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Callum Sheedy 23.  Tommy Bowe

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Gloucester 

Manager – Mat

01. Rob Evans	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Uini Atonio
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. Richie Gray	12. Matt Toomua
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Tevita Kuridrani
07. Ardea Savea	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

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16. Tendai Mtawarira 17. Adriaan Strauss 18. Juan Figallo 19. Elliot Stooke 20. Willem Alberts 21. TJ Perenara 22. Dan Carter 23. Israel Folau

Tactics:

- Structured game in our half in the conditions, look for big carries from go to men in pack and backs
- Big runners through the midfield
- Look to pin Bristol back in own half to exploit lack of kicking options in backline
- Big options from bench in Carter, Alberts to see out the game

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Happy to go with no tactics?

Don't mind. I may put in five bullet points, like last year.

I won't have time to read tactics and provide feedback on teams. 

Maybe just say what you want specific feedback on

Steven_Sharks wrote:I won't have time to read tactics and provide feedback on teams. 

Maybe just say what you want specific feedback on

Would be of the similar thoughts. Limit it to five bullet points each, can be what you want feedback on, or how you want your side to play, or both!

I'm away from Wednesday for a few weeks so will struggle

Quins

1. Gurthro Steenkamp
2. Rob Webber
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Luke Romano
5. Will Witty
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Steffon Armitage
8. Nick Easter   (c)
9. Luke McGrath
10. Ihaia West
11. Joe Tomane
12. Stuart Olding
13. Bundee Aki
14. Alex Lewington
15. Mike Haley

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Steven Myler 23. James O'Connor

Would like feedback on who in that 23 would be seen as a real weakness in a strongish side.(besides PSDT)

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Dane Coles	10. Camille Lopez (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Sam James
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Tom Youngs 17. Jefferson Poirot 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowksi 23. Andrew Trimble

Thoughts on:
- A pack for heavy carrying, but mobility around the park
- Areas that need improvement/weaknesses
- On my back three which will be looking to counter attack and get involved off their wings when possible.

Y
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. David Strettle
05. Lood De Jager	12. Scott Williams
06. Pablo Matera	13. Jan Serfontein
07. Francois Louw	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Matt Symons 20. David Ewers 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Luke Marshall

Thoughts on the following please
Pack balance - breakdown/carrying especially
Best centre combination from Williams, Serfontein and Marshall

Lads, I've updated the locations to be 'semi-neutral' and conditions to help (or not help) pick a side.

Good work mate

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Huw Taylor	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Sam Warburton	14. Sergeal Petersen
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

_
16. Jack Walker 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Billy Keast 19. Kieran Tredwell 20. Sean O'Brien v2 21. Alex Mitchell 22. Sam Olver 23. Jonah Placid

Can I have feedback on:
EQ starting options,
Who can step up from the bench,
Back 3 partnership.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. George North
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Conrad Smith

Tactics:

- Thoughts on midfield?
- Back 3 counter attacking threat?
- Kicking options in backs?
Thanks

Doing team in 10 mins

01. Joe Marler	09. Sabastian Tillous Borde
02. Harry Thacker	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Marlande Yarde
05. Alun Wyn Jones (C)	12. Henry Slade
06. Tom Wood	13. Luther Burrell
07. Sean O'Brian	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Pickermoles	15. Rob Kearney

_
16.Christopher Tolafua 17.Ben Moon 18.Fraiser Bailman 19.Sebastian Vaahaminia 20.Dom Barrow 21.Nazeem Carr 22.Henry Pygros 23.Tim Nani Williams.

Players to share the work load in ball carrying
Feed back on NEV/Slade/Burrell axis
Focus on catch on the drive and power game? Does it work with this pack?
Backrow balance.
5/2 split.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Conrad Smith

Tactics:

- Thoughts on midfield?
- Back 3 counter attacking threat?
- Kicking options in backs?
Thanks

TEAM FOR ROUND 2

Team for 2nd round Flux

Northampton Saints:

1. Logi Mulipola
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Jake Cooper Wooley
4. Samu Manoa
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. Brendon O'Connor
8. Faconda Isa
9. Conor Murray
10. George Ford
11. Reiko Ioane
12. Harry Mallinder
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Manuel Montero
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Ashley Johnson 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ramiro Herrera 19. Joe Launchbury 20. David Pocock 21. Joe Simpson 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Elliot Daly

Just missing: Sale, Bath, Bristol & Glos

I've put in a Tigers side for the meanwhile.

Sorry guys, been on call non-stop. Can I still enter a team after 9am this morning?

Of course mate, will keep it open until midday, then I will chuck in sides for those that haven't put one in.

Bristol Team A
Manager: CJ

01. James Slipper	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Christian Lealiifano
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Ian Evans	11. Tom Varndell
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Duncan Taylor
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. Mitch Eadie	14.  Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Jesse Mogg

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17.  Corey Flynn 18. Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi 19. Luke Charteris 20 Sekou Macalau, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Callum Sheedy 23.  Tommy Bowe

Can we do open predictions rather than PM? Find it much easier, especially on phone

Think thats fine for this

Yeah go ahead, will get other teams in later. Bit pressed for time at work.

Predictions Open


Predictions to be posted on the page by 18:00 on Monday

I'm not going to go in depth on sides where the manager hasn't submitted a side them self. 

Sale 28 - 26 Racing

Newcastle 25 - 23 Bath

NEwcastle's pack balance looks ok to me. No specialist at the breakdown for me (Louw not far off though) but plenty of decent options. The 3 centres you've listed are best as 12s. Williams the best at 13 probably. Not much between the three as 12's.  

As a game it's the strength at half back for Falcons that gets them the win.

Wasps 25 - 24 Leicester Tigers

Catch and drive power game does work with the pack. Hamilton limited though as a lock now. Best used off the bench I think. Burrell not an ideal 13 for me. Much betters as a 12. Nev and Slade off loads as 10/12 though but Evans needs to show a bit more form to remain in the top draw.

Northampton 25 - 24 Hurricanes

Big back line for Saints. Would expect Mulipola and JCW to struggle against most full strength in this league. O'Connor not a top class 7. Big fan of Isa though. 

Worcester 25 - 25 Exeter

Worcester - I'd only consider starting Tait of the EQ options you hgave starting in full strength side. Harrison and Short ok in AI's 6N's I'd have thought. Taylor to young for me yet. From the bench I'd only use Paz off the bench in full strength. I think you're best back three is 11. Nahole 14. NMS 15. Dulin but I like Petersen as a runner. Think he has big potential.

Exeter - 2nd row doesn't offer a lot over the gain line in terms of getting the hard yards for me. Front row offers great carrying. Back row not bad. Back three excellent on front foot but Ashton and Medard will certainly be vulnerable in defence. Don't know enough about Lowe in D to make an accurate assessment. In that side I'd say half back looks like your biggest weakness to me. 

Saracens 26 - 25 Chiefs

I don't like North at 13. I don't think he has played enough there at the top level and when he has he hasn't looked all that well suited to it.  Back three offers loads with ball in hand but wingers don't possess a great kicking game. In Sanchez, Parra and Hogg you have 3 great kickers with Devoto pretty decent. Can't see it being beaten by many but maybe matched.

Bristol 25 - 22 Gloucester

Not sure about Strauss so much nowadays. Needs a boost in form. Prefer Lealiafano at 12 but he can do a job at 12. Don't think Eadie is a seven in anyway. Nice balance to the side.

Sale Sharks 26 - 23 Racing 92

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 22 Bath Rugby

Bam - your pack has a good blend of carrying, for the tight exchanges but also to stretch sides in the wide open spaces. Breakdown, the back row is the standout area with all three a nuisance at the breakdown. The rest of the pack for me get involved but are not a proficient for me as the back row. 
Serfontein is a much better 12 than 13, and similar with Williams although he does go well at 13. Marshall again can adapt well at both 12 and 13. For me at the minute from your centres, the best combination would be Serfontein, Williams. Although two combinations I would be tempted and interested in seeing would be Serfontein/Piatau and Faz/Piatua. 

A very close game, but Falcons have a touch more quality in particular areas of the side. 

Harlequins 22 - 21 Toulon

Steve, your weakest players, considering the opposition would probably be Witty and Steenkamp. Although against Toulon, you're probably alright up front, with the front five struggling since the loss of Bakkies and Hayman. Probably getting the very last from Easter this season, but as a seasoned head it will help around the squad. 
With regards to this game Quins are just a touch behind the gigantic pack of Toulon, but more agility and creativity from the Twickenham based back line causes the Toulon defence issues and will help them edge the win. 

Wasps 23 - 23 Leicester Tigers


The power game will work with the personnel, however one or two might be approaching the end of their shelf life, eg Hamilton. The back row has a good balance, however all three could do with recovering some form in the next season to be fully effective. Similar issue with Nev, needs to recover some form, but Burrell has played some of his best rugby recently with at 13 with a creative 12. 

Northampton Saints 24 - 23 Hurricanes

Saints front row should acquit themselves will against the canes front five. Very similar packs in a way, with both being mobile and dynamic. The midfield is very exciting in theory, but it will provide Saints some good go forward and territorial gain. Saints egde out the Canes despite their electric creativity. 

Saracens 25 - 24 Chiefs

Devoto has a future at 12, but this will be a make or break year for him I believe. North at 13 works, however he hasn't played there enough to warrant it as a full time position in the league. The back three is probably one of the best unit at counter attacking with ball in hand, especially in broken field. The kicking balance in the back line is there, with everyone capable of clearing the ball under pressure. But the delicate attempts to achieve territorial gain will be down to a few in the side. 
This game will be quite close, and Sarries will make the most with Chiefs missing one or two of their top names. 

Bristol Rugby 23 - 25 Gloucester Rugby

The Bris scrum is a little tighter than the Glos one, however the power and dynamism of the Glos back five is much more than the Bristol five. The Bris back five though are all hard grafters and which will deter the Glos carrying late on, being chopped down continuously. The Cubelli/lealifiano combo is solid and provides good structure, but would like to see Lealifiano at 12. The back three would be dangerous but susceptible in defence and positioning.

Will predict this evening

Not going to be able to do many detailed predos with this league, as signed up to run 5 marathons in 5 days in September and weekends are when I get most of my training done and then just spend the rest of it in a heap, not moving much.

Sale 25 - 21 Racing
Like Sale - see them being very reliant on Sexton as their top world class back, as others need to prove themselves, but a lot of very powerful strike runners.

Newcastle 30 - 27 Bath

Falcons have a very powerful pack, not 100% sure on the lineout and how well that would function, but in terms of carrying they have a lot of go forward. Loving the flanker combination, Matera will make a big difference.

Wasps 30 - 25 Leicester Tigers
Not sure how poweful the Tigers pack is and can see Wasps getting the upper hand there. Do like the potential of the midfield combination, but not sure they will always have the greatest gainline success, if they come up with a powerful combo and Evans needs an injury free run to show his class. Agree with others comments re Hamilton.


Worcester 28 - 26 Exeter

Agree with Steve's comments re your EQ prop, I'd go all out to try and sign Ben Teo'o as the rest of your team is absolute quality and an option like him would be a huge boost to your EQ.

Like the carrying options Big Ben, Parisse and Harrison offer as all v good and Coles been in great form. Not sure how much the second row bring in terms of carrying. Like the lineout with options of Lawes, Horwill and Parisse though.

Saracens 23 - 19 Chiefs
Definitely wouldn't play North at no13, he'd do a good job as he is a world class player but far, far better on the wing withth other options you have. Back three also very strong attacking wise, but vulnerable in defence.

Harlequins 20 - 22 Toulon
Just see the Toulon pack having more power in the pack and control in the halfbacks in this one. Haven't seen Witty play before so hard to rate, Easter might be better in second row, whilst Armitage moving to Pau could be an issue for rating this season. Not sure on West in the big games in this just yet.

Bristol 23-23 Gloucester
Wouldn't have Eadie playing as an open side, he's a dynamic ball carrier and should be a big season for him (pretty certain he's scottish if you are using him as an EQ). Nice balance to the team, if you ould get a took class back three player and front five guy it would make an enormous difference.

Will see if I have time tomorrow to predict sorry.

Eadie may be Scottish but he's not played for Scotland or Scotland A to my knowledge and he's EQ

Sale 27 - 23 Racing

Racing v strong right now, but Sale have their first team out and are very very strong. Not much feedback to give as no real test-runs in that Sale team, strong across the park.

Newcastle 26 - 25 Bath
Newcastle have a small edge, more experience in some key areas. The pack balance is good, I too like Matera at the breakdown with Louw and think the carrying is strong esp with George chipping in. I'd go for the centres you are starting this match re balance though Marshall is a worthy one to step in. Think these days De Flier is a step above Lydiate who has been found out. Front row for Bath is young but will keep getting better and better.

Quins 22 - 22 Toulon

Quins have more magic in attack but Toulon power keeps them in it. For Quins for me the weak players are: West is a tad unproven though has a lot of potential. Haven't seen JOC as his best recently to be honest. Don't know much about Witty. I think Easter will do just fine, probably not to start every match at his age though.

Wasps 27 - 24 Tigers

Think Wasps have the better set piece right now and will take this one. The power drive is ok with the pack though for that style probably swap Thacker for Tolofua in terms of power and set piece. I like Nev-Slade with Slade helping Nev in kicking from hand and Nev giving Slade attaching opportunity. However, unsold on Burrell, though stylistically he fits, in terms of current quality. Also think Slade at 13 and a power 12 may work better with Nev based on what works for Quins, but I suppose 12 and 13 can alternate if that's made clear. 6-2 splits are fine but you need someone able to cover centre in there. If Wood gets back to his best that back row balance is lovely, esp with the line out drive game plan. Breakdown and defence from 6-7, carrying 7-8, extra jumper, maybe lacks a little link work is all. Tigers pack ageing a fair bit.

Saints 24 - 23 Hurricanes

Canes are tough prospect but Saints strong enough. Really like the Saints pack, has a LOT of carrying but also hard work and think Burger will be good at Sarries. Taking some risks with the back 3 but the balance of power Wing-speedster works. Need Pence to stay fit. Think Mallinder will be ok at Prem level at 12

Worcester 27 - Exeter 27.
Worcester EQ- agree T'eo is a good buy. Short is ok as an option as winger not too key and he's a reliable player. Morgan and Tait good too, tempted to switch Payne and Tait but works either way. Not convinced by Harrison as a starter. Back 3 solid but lacks sparkle. Think Paz and Placid add the most impact off the bench, Paz could easily start. You have better back 3 players to start.
Fluxy's pack is reasonably mobile, Parisse really helping there and Tameifuina can do the power and mobility carrying though not for 80 mins at high intensity perhaps. Back 3 looks solid but more a finishing back 3 than a countering one. With Nonu's form iffy, centre looks a bit weak to me.

Saracens 24 - 22 Chiefs

Saracens have a bit too much, though Chiefs have some players in good form and a few danger players. Think the midfield is weak- North not ideally a centre and not sold on Devoto yet, especially with him vying against better centres in Exeter next year. Your back 3 on the counter is lethal, very strong there, and with 9, 10 and 15 excellent kickers, that's a strong area too, would just change your centres for your backs, even if it means benching North

Sale 30 - 24 Racing

Best team in the league last year, and adding Vermuelen to that back row is almost unfair if he gets back to his form of a year ago. Comfortable enough win

Quins 19 - 23 Toulon

Steenkamp, Witty and McGrath the most obvious weaknesses for me, and I thought Aki was a 12. As others have said, Easter on his way down now, and Lewington may struggle for ratings if he's staying in the Championship. In this one, Toulon just have the edge in the front 5 to be able to get the backs going and take it

Wasps 27 - 22 Tigers

Think Hamilton is far off the quality required at the top of the table, but as a gameplan the catch and drive would work pretty well with Wood as a great option. Backrow lacks form on the flanks for me, SOB has barely played in a long time and Wood not at his best.

I'd like to see Slade actually playing at 12 for a bit, at the moment I'd say 13 is the better bet for him even if i think long term he should be at 12. Burrell and Nev is very meh for me

Saints 32 - 26 Hurricanes

Like the look of Saints pack round the park, think it could be a bit weak at the lineout though. In the backs, great balance with some big power runners and some speed. Too strong for Hurricanes up front

Worcester 27 - 27 Exeter

Wuss - Morgan/Tait the only two EQ options good enough imo, Short will do ok but won't be winning you any games. Paz can definitely step up. Petersen a talent in the back 3, but you've got far stronger options as you know!

Exeter - Pack good in the carrying stakes, both in the tight and further out with a couple of pacy guys. 9-13 could do with some work given Nonu's lack of form. Back 3 is fine, plenty of attacking potential there

Tight game, am sitting on the fence

Saracens 26 - 23 Chiefs

I wouldn't start North at centre, although can see the logic. Devoto will be ok at 12, need him to kick on to be in your best side though.

Back 3 are great counter attackers, I'd get North back out wide though for Thomas. Plenty of kickers, both halfbacks, Devoto and Hogg can all kick so no issues there

Bristol 75 - 0 Glos

Front 5 could do with a quality injection but know its difficult. I'd switch Eadie and Robshaw! Good quality from 9-13, Varndell stands out as a massive weakness

I'm really not sure I'd beat Gloucester 75 nil, BamBam!

Flux, I've just added the missing score

Thanks Steve

Results
Sale Sharks 31 - 24 Racing 92
Newcastle Falcons 29 - 25 Bath Rugby
Harlequins 22 - 24 RC Toulon
Wasps 29 - 22 Leicester Tigers
Northampton Saints 29 - 25 Hurricanes
Worcester Warriors 28 - 27 Exeter Chiefs
Saracens 28 - 24 Chiefs
Bristol Rugby 39 - 19 Gloucester Rugby 

Bonus: 
Full (£3m each) Fluxy, CJ, Steve, Bam and Chris