Aviva Premiership Round Eighteen

---

Exeter Chiefs vs Sale Sharks
Sandy Park
Sunny - 13 degrees, 14mph North Easterly Winds

---

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Greg Laidlaw (c) (k)
02. Dane Coles	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. James Horwill	11. JP Pietersen
05. Kane Douglas	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Dave Ewers	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Chris Ashton
08. Teimana Harrison	15. James Lowe

.
Subs: 16. Tom Youngs, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Juandre Kruger, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Nic White, 22. Colin Slade, 23. Olly Woodburn

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch.
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.

We will play a forward based and territory based game to get in the right positions of the pitch.

We have picked the players to do this. Big carriers and a mobile back and hard working back row. Laidlaw is the perfect controlling 9 and will give good service to Lozowski. Lowe is in at 15 for his huge boot and counter attacking ability.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to the win. We have a solid scrum to build from and two big locks who are both good lineout options.

The set piece will be important and we will look to use this as a weapon to attack from and gain territory. Our back row are all big carriers and we will use them all to gain hard yards and tire out Sale defenders. Ewers, Coles, Ben T, Coetzee, Harrison are all good strong ball carriers and will look to get us front foot ball for Lozowski to work with.

In the backs we will use Nonu as a crash ball option and a decoy runner to open up space for the likes of Mermoz, Lowe and JP Pietersen to exploit. Laidlaw will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

---

 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Reece Hodge
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Danny Care 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Willie Le Roux

Attributes:
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.  

Attack: We will be playing a high intensity phased attacking game. 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 and restructure our attacking phases. 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: Straight line blitz defence 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. Foley & Bendy to cover the background dropping deep to cut off the green grass available to kick into.

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 Attwood to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball while Retalick marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

---

---

Harlequins vs Newcastle Falcons
Twickenham Stoop
Sunny - 13 degrees, 15mph North Easterly Winds

---

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Luke McGrath
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damien McKenzie (k)

.
16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. John Afoa 19. Luke Romano 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ben Youngs 22. Steven Myler 23. Yoann Huget

Tactics

Attributes

Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

Breakdown (Turnover Possession) -  Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line. 

Game Plan

• Use our mobile pack to get us onto the front foot. Look to front 5 to carry off 9 and 10 with back row carrying off 12. Jantjies and JMH to stand flat with McGrath looking to snipe
  

• Once we have got across the gain line, look to get the ball wide and into the hands of JJ and our back three looking to attack a disorganised and scrambled defence
  

• Use the boots of Jantjies, Hernandez and McKenzie to escape our 22 or when their is space behind. Use high balls with Nowell and Cordero chasing the high ball
  

• Quick line speed up and then out as they Newcastle spread the ball wide, backing the pace of our wide men to shut down the Newcastle attack. 
  

• Look to dominate the breakdown with Hooper, Kriel and Creevy getting over the ball and securing the turnover ball or penalty
  

• Look to use Kruis and Du Toit to put enormous pressure on the Falcons line out
  

---

 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Will Chudley
02. Jamie George	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Vincent Koch
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Pablo Matera	13. Sam James
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Michael Fatiolofa 20. Elliott Dixon 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ian Madigan 23. David Strettle

Attributes
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown: Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it

Game plan

Get after the halfbacks from the off, rattle them with borderline hits and look to put them off their game

Put pressure on the breakdown, we think we have an edge in physicality at the tackle area, blast Hooper off the ball with the power game and the second man in to secure the ball, On their ball, counter ruck at every opportunity

Front 5 bench impact - we think we can really put pressure on Barrington and Afoa in the scrum late on, and round the park we have some serious impact coming on in the forwards, a la England in the 6N

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

Breakdown - Back row and hooker to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. . On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Our openside is charged with keeping their main breakdown threat off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Options throughout the backs . Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning, Wings free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Run our attack off 9 who sets the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get our 10 quick ball.. Challenge their 10 defensively with our power backs cutting in running hard lines at his channel with the full back coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at 10/12 all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how they handle it.  

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  

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

---

---

Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers
Franklin Gardens
Sunny - 11 degrees, 14mph North Easterly Winds

---

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Logi Mulipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Julian Savea
05. Michael Paterson	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Rieko Ioane
07. David Pocock	14. Matt Banahan
08. Facunda Isa	15. Ben Foden

.
Replacements:16. Schalk Brits 17. Ox Nyche 18. Ramiro Herrera 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Connor Murray 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi
Attributes:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.

Tactics
We have chosen a forward pack that has big ball carriers throughout, who will aim to win the collisions and get us over the gain line to give an attacking platform for our backline to exploit. A main area that we are looking to focus on is the back row battle and breakdown, where we will look to target the Tigers unit and look for turnover ball to launch attacks. We will look to make the game physical and play at a high intensity to get Tigers making a lot of tackles and wearing down their defence. Bring on our impact bench to up the tempo in the final quarter.

Set Piece and Pack Battle
We have picked a big pack, with lots of carriers and will look to target Armand in the Tigers second row, which we will look to focus on to get an advantage at scrum time. We will look to really pressurise the Tigers scrum and put a lot of pressure on the Tigers front five to secure penalties and launch Isa from the back to attack the away side's midfield. Lineout, we have 5 jumpers to mix up the calls to secure quick ball for our backs to attack off first phase.

Our bench has five impact forwards to bring on, another set of big ball carriers to further test the Tigers defence and let us look at making the gain line battle more physical in the closing stages.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Tigers defence to suck in players and create space out wide. We've picked a physical backline to continue this threat and will be looking to make the game extremely physical to put Tigers on the backfoot.

Breakdown
An area we are looking to target to secure quick ball and turnover, with Pocock asked to go looking for the ball, whilst Burger and Isa will clear out Tigers from rucks to give us turnover chances or generate fast ball for Simpson.

Attack
- We want to win the collisions and physical aspect of the game to give our halfbacks front foot ball to attack with, and then let our backline loose to play at pace with Simpson injecting speed from no9.
- Look to isolate Penaud in defence by having Ioane running down his channel and testing out his defence, whilst bringing both our wingers into this area
- Sopoaga to test out the Tigers back three with aerial bombs, we have two huge wingers so will test Beale's willingness to get in the way.
- Bring on the impact bench during final 20-30 minute to up the tempo

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind.

---

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Stephen Moore	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Owen Franks
04. Dominic Bird	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Don Armand (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Sam Jones	13. Damian Penaud
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Sean Maitland
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale (k)

.
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Max Lahiff 19. Pascal Pape 20. Calum Chick 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Freddie Burns 23. Tom Parton


Tigers Attributes
Defensive:

• Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
  
• Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
  Attacking:
  
• Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  

In decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, working through the phases. Looking to make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, with offloading and forward inter-play to keep the ball off the ground and moving, preventing a ruck and defensive line being set. Trinh - Duc will take the ball to the line and tempt the Saints defence to jump out of the defensive line, creating holes for our back line to exploit. Multiple play-makers to come in at first receiver, either side of the ruck to stretch the Northampton defence in an attempt to create an overlap, or to provide the opportunity of grubber or high ball in behind the wings. Ideally we want to be putting the ball through the hands to stretch the defence. 

In defence, as always we will be running our hard blitz defence - looking for us to win the gain line battle as we will cause the Saints carrier to make negative metres. Our focus will be on the gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Houagaard will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Line-out: Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure our ball. We will also mix it up, shortening the line-out and using our back row as crash ball options off the top. On Saints ball put pressure on; by getting Bird up at the front and Armand up in the middle to compete. 
  
  
• Scrum: Get low and underneath their props and drive straight. Really test their props technical abilities rather than get in to a battle of strength. This is an area this week, where we believe we can manipulate the scrum in directions we require, to get Waldrom doing his best carrying at the try line. 
  
  
• Breakdown: When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly, so that Hougaard can feed the ball quickly to forwards, the first receiver, or snipe through a hole. In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not over commit, but will maintain a strong defensive line. If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to slow up momentum, or turn over possession. Key for us is being selective, and only committing men to a contestable ruck. 
  
  
• Attacking Play: We will be looking to play a fast offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed. However this will only be implemented within the opposition half. We will also utilise the pick and go, meaning their defensive line cannot blitz efficiently. We will then we will look to exploit the delay in their blitz that results. We will then look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps. Hougaard to also look to snipe around the fringes, to keep the defence honest and keep us going forwards all the time.
  
  
• Tactical Kicking: If we kick, we will look to kick in behind their wingers and get them on the turn going back towards their own line, with our wingers on the kick chase to really target them defensively. Trinh-Duc/Beale/Twelvetrees who can take the ball to the line and kick in behind the defence, to get our wingers either on the end of the grubber, or pin back Saints. 
  

• Familarisation: make the most of a reasonably settled side for us over the Six Nations, compared to the Saints, who have rotated a lot as of late - especially in key decision making positions.
  
  
• Look to use the bench to freshen the impetus - especially with the 'finishers' in the forwards. 
  

---

Saracens vs Bath Rugby
Allianz Park
Sunny - 11 degrees, 17mph North Easterly Winds

---

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Patrick Tuipulotu  20. Sam Underhill 21. Baptise Serin 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Pat Lambie

Tactics:

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch
Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

TARGET POTENTIAL UNDER POWERED ENGINE ROOM - We feel that the Bath engine room is under powered and this may play to our advantage around the ruck area and in the scrum. Look to intensify the contest at the ruck and drive through the middle disrupting Bath ball. We think this could lead to either turning the ball over or slowing ball down to the dangerous Bath halfbacks. With slow ball, we'll look to fan the defensive line out and leave no gaps for Barrett to exploit.

TARGET WADE WITH CROSS-FIELD KICKS - Look to draw the defence over and swap either Thomas or bring in Armitage to contest in the air with Wade. With pre-planned moves in the opposition half, look truck it up the middle and get Whitelock looping around the backline and getting one on one with Wade also (used sparingly).

BIG RUNNERS DOWN BARRETT CHANNEL - Look to target Barrett early on and make meters with big runners (ala Ireland against England and Ford) giving us front foot ball.

SERIN TO OPEN GAME UP - Look to get Serin on when the game breaks up to cause havok in the Bath defence.

NUMEROUS 6N PLAYERS IN BATH SQUAD - LOOK TO KILL GAME OFF IN LAST 20 - Bath could have 5 players on the park involved in games in the 6N last week. These players will be fatigued and we'll look to exploit this.

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 with our physical pack/carrying options and then get at their outisde backs, 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.

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Aaron Smith
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Christian Wade
05. Josh Beaumont	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Liam Gill	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

.
16. Eddy Ben Arous 17. Rory Best 18. Samson Lee 19. Mitch Lees 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Sam Hill 23. George Moala

Attributes: First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Saracens under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant and finish strongly off the bench 

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. We will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Beaumont, Falateu, Squire and Kitchener options in the lineout. Beaumont 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. Kitchener 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. Smith to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Smith 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 and Kriel who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Imhoff 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 Kitchoff, Kitch and Squire 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 Saracens which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

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

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo off the bench. We want our high class front row to come on late and really impact the game. Wigglesworth and Lees offer solidity late while Tipuric, Moala and Hill can be game changers

---

---

Wasps vs Worcester Warriors
Ricoh Arena
Sunny - 11 degrees, 13mph North Easterly Winds

---

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings
*Wasps one EQ player short. 

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Bryan Habana
05. Scott Barrett	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Henry Slade
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Marland Yarde
08. Nazeem Carr	15. Rob Kearney

_
16. Harry Thacker, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Dom Barrow, 20. Tom Wood, 21. Sebastian Tillous Borde, 22. Nick Evans, 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

---

Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Likes of Kaino, Du Plessis to offer extra pair of hands in the backline when required
- Mix up forward runners off 9 and 10 to give go forward and tie in defence. When space opens up, go wide and utilise pace of back three.
Defence:
- Quick line speed, getting up to the 10 and putting pressure on.
- Only step out of the line for big hit opportunities.
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- Compete for the turnover if it's on, even if it's only to slow down the ball
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in defence
Territory:
- Use box kicks from 9 and nudges from 10 out of hand to pin them back.
- Play rugby in their half and make them attack from deep
- Full back to marshall the back 3 and make sure our positioning is spot on for kick returns

---

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Luca Noguera Paz	09. Bryn Hall
02. Codie Taylor	10. Owen Williams(k)
03. Nahuel Chaparro
04. Mike Williams	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Anton Leniert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Matt Todd	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan (c)	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Yohann Maestri 20. Sam Warburton 21. Gareth Davies 22. Dan Biggar 23. Mathew Tait
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
*We have gone with a different centre pairing of ALB-Payne to tackle the centre pairings with Payne's ability to hit hard at the tackle.
*We have a big carrying, hard working pack to stop them in their tracks and put a lot of pressure on 9 to prevent the quick ball.

-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Wasps danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, offloading-only when on. Williams will look for territory,
-Big carriers up front looking to offload if the conditions allow possible although being mindful of the encroaching defence and we will have support runners on their shoulders,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Todd bringing the turnover attribute,
-The breakdown is likely to be scrappy and the first man there will look to go for the ball using our turnover attribute. If it is obviously lost we will fan out. If Wasps under-commit we will look to drive through them for the turnover,
-Look to not commit too much to their breakdown if the ball is lost and use blitz defence led by Payne allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Wasps playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off ALB and Payne, we will use Short, NMS and Naholo as a strike runners and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on  go for territory and also use  'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep them guessing and allow us the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-We have selected a huge bench which will be used for impact and to maintain a high tempo game running against tired legs,
-Take all kickable penalties.

---

---

Bristol Rugby vs Gloucester Rugby
Ashton Gate
Sunny - 13 degrees, 14mph North Easterly Winds

---

Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Manuel Montoya	10. Jimmy Gopperth(k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter (c)	11. Digby Ioane
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Carl Fearns	15. Dane Haylett-Petty

:-
16. Will Collier 17. Rob Buchanan  18. James Slipper 19.  Luke Charteris 20  Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. Josh Matavesi 23. Nick Tompkins

Tactics:
Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
2)  Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Defending:
1) Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
2) Breakdown - Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.

Tactics:
Breakdown/Backrow- 
Gloucester relying heavily on Salvi at the breakdown, so with our 3 powerful backrowers all adept at the breakdown (and Carter) we should be able to outnumber and outpower Gloucester here - the breakdown is always a huge focus for us and I think we can dominate it today.

We have picked the power of Fearns to target Cipriani and overpower Heaslip today, and the rest of the pack will look to follow his lead in physicality. JVDF will look to outmuscle Salvi and Robshaw shackle Croft.

Attack - 
The Gloucester set up looks targetable defensively, with the backrow not one that would be huge defending teh fringes and helping out their 10, who we will shamelessly target, without a huge tackler in the flanks to cover him, to draw the defense in narrower and narrower until we get the speed and width outside to attack the positional sense of Kurudriani and the back 3. They are all great players but can all be found out positionally.

Slow ball we are happy to keep in teh forwards, confident that our breakdown will speed it up soon. We will look to pick and drive and snipe at 9 off the fringes and send our big carriers off the playmaking trio of 9-12 straight down the 9-10 channel, using Kepu, Uhila, Montoya, Ioane, Fearns, VDF and Carter especially. If Cipriani makes his tackles we will still make inroads and eventually a break of space outside, with then we can quick get the ball into with multiple playmakers and use the running ability of the back 3 and Taylor to test their positional sense there.

We are also happy to grubber through wide to the wings when their wingers come up, looking to exploit the bounce of the ball with our rapid clinical wingers.

Defence - 
Blitz led by Taylor, who will look to marshall Kurudriani out of the game by coming up fast on him.  Fotuali'i sweeping, Fearns specifically being used to target Cipriani with big hits. Robshaw commanding the fringe defence.

Gloucester's strength is outwide with a fast 9-10 getting the ball there quickly, so we will focus the blitz narrowly to kill the ball from getting there and in attack and defence force them into a narrower game. With Sharples and Ioane in the side, if they rush the passes outwide we will be looking for the intercept.

Their main carrying threat in the pack is Etzebeth, whose power may help us isolate him if he gets away from his support- we will double tackle him, either a 2 man choke to turn the ball or a chop with teh second man going high to look for the early turnover

Kicking - we will look to avoid kicking deep to the back 3 or high because they are all dangerous runners good in the air. However, we are happy to drive kick low and wide behind the back 3 with our rapid wingers and Taylor chasing hoping to take advantage of the bounce. We will take any kicks at goal. The main aim today is retaining possession, rather than territory, though, because our breakdown aids ball retention, we trust we can make infields in attack and they are a side that excels with a lot of possession but will starve without it

Set piece - on form we can match their scrum and will look to play fair on their ball and run straight at Cipriani off our ball. In teh lienout, they have good jumpers but LCD can be targeted, so we will use our best jumper at the front and always pressurise there to try to force errors on longer throws. On our ball, we will mix and match and use a lot of short lineouts to get the big carriers in the line off a set piece and target Cipriani.

If their maul is troubling us, Charteris is on the bench to counteract it

---

Gloucester 
Manager - Driver

01. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira	09. TJ Perenara
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Jonny May
05. Tomas Lavinini	12. Matt Scott
06. Tom Croft	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Julian Salvi	14. Israel Folau
08. Jamie Heaslip (c)	15. Israel Dagg

.
Replacements: 16. Joe Grey, 17. Uini Atonio, 18. Coenie Ousthuizen, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. Dan Robson, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Charlie Walker

Tactics

Attack the game from the off looking to play with pace and use our forwards to generate quick ruck ball with TJ sniping and Cipriani attacking the line flat.

Test the Bristol back three with hanging kicks for Falou and May to chase down.

We'll look to get a maul rolling for short burst to tie opposition forwards in and create space for our backs out wide. May , Dagg and Falou to be busy coming to look for the ball.

Defensively We'll look to blitz when we're short in defensive numbers and drift when we have the bodies.
Salvi will look to cause mayhem at the breakdown and disrupt any Bristol ball there.

TJ to sweep and cover any kicks through

---

Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Manuel Montoya	10. Jimmy Gopperth(k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter (c)	11. Digby Ioane
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Carl Fearns	15. Dane Haylett-Petty

:-
16. Will Collier 17. Rob Buchanan  18. James Slipper 19.  Luke Charteris 20  Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. Josh Matavesi 23. Nick Tompkins

Tactics:
Attributes:

Attacking:
1) Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
2)  Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Defending:
1) Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
2) Breakdown - Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.


Tactics:

Breakdown/Backrow- 

Gloucester relying heavily on Salvi at the breakdown, so with our 3 powerful backrowers all adept at the breakdown (and Carter) we should be able to outnumber and outpower Gloucester here - the breakdown is always a huge focus for us and I think we can dominate it today.

We have picked the power of Fearns to target Cipriani and overpower Heaslip today, and the rest of the pack will look to follow his lead in physicality. JVDF will look to outmuscle Salvi and Robshaw shackle Croft.

Attack - 

The Gloucester set up looks targetable defensively, with the backrow not one that would be huge defending teh fringes and helping out their 10, who we will shamelessly target, without a huge tackler in the flanks to cover him, to draw the defense in narrower and narrower until we get the speed and width outside to attack the positional sense of Kurudriani and the back 3. They are all great players but can all be found out positionally.

Slow ball we are happy to keep in teh forwards, confident that our breakdown will speed it up soon. We will look to pick and drive and snipe at 9 off the fringes and send our big carriers off the playmaking trio of 9-12 straight down the 9-10 channel, using Kepu, Uhila, Montoya, Ioane, Fearns, VDF and Carter especially. If Cipriani makes his tackles we will still make inroads and eventually a break of space outside, with then we can quick get the ball into with multiple playmakers and use the running ability of the back 3 and Taylor to test their positional sense there.

We are also happy to grubber through wide to the wings when their wingers come up, looking to exploit the bounce of the ball with our rapid clinical wingers.

Defence - 

Blitz led by Taylor, who will look to marshall Kurudriani out of the game by coming up fast on him.  Fotuali'i sweeping, Fearns specifically being used to target Cipriani with big hits. Robshaw commanding the fringe defence.

Gloucester's strength is outwide with a fast 9-10 getting the ball there quickly, so we will focus the blitz narrowly to kill the ball from getting there and in attack and defence force them into a narrower game. With Sharples and Ioane in the side, if they rush the passes outwide we will be looking for the intercept.

Their main carrying threat in the pack is Etzebeth, whose power may help us isolate him if he gets away from his support- we will double tackle him, either a 2 man choke to turn the ball or a chop with teh second man going high to look for the early turnover

Kicking - we will look to avoid kicking deep to the back 3 or high because they are all dangerous runners good in the air. However, we are happy to drive kick low and wide behind the back 3 with our rapid wingers and Taylor chasing hoping to take advantage of the bounce. We will take any kicks at goal. The main aim today is retaining possession, rather than territory, though, because our breakdown aids ball retention, we trust we can make infields in attack and they are a side that excels with a lot of possession but will starve without it

Set piece - on form we can match their scrum and will look to play fair on their ball and run straight at Cipriani off our ball. In teh lienout, they have good jumpers but LCD can be targeted, so we will use our best jumper at the front and always pressurise there to try to force errors on longer throws. On our ball, we will mix and match and use a lot of short lineouts to get the big carriers in the line off a set piece and target Cipriani.

If their maul is troubling us, Charteris is on the bench to counteract it

Manager – Dammit Chris
Northampton Saints

01. Logi Mulipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Julian Savea
05. Michael Paterson	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Rieko Ioane
07. David Pocock	14. Matt Banahan
08. Facunda Isa	15. Ben Foden

Replacements:

16. Schalk Brits 17. Ox Nyche 18. Ramiro Herrera 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Connor Murray 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

Attributes:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.

Tactics
We have chosen a forward pack that has big ball carriers throughout, who will aim to win the collisions and get us over the gain line to give an attacking platform for our backline to exploit. A main area that we are looking to focus on is the back row battle and breakdown, where we will look to target the Tigers unit and look for turnover ball to launch attacks. We will look to make the game physical and play at a high intensity to get Tigers making a lot of tackles and wearing down their defence. Bring on our impact bench to up the tempo in the final quarter.

Set Piece and Pack Battle
We have picked a big pack, with lots of carriers and will look to target Armand in the Tigers second row, which we will look to focus on to get an advantage at scrum time. We will look to really pressurise the Tigers scrum and put a lot of pressure on the Tigers front five to secure penalties and launch Isa from the back to attack the away side's midfield. Lineout, we have 5 jumpers to mix up the calls to secure quick ball for our backs to attack off first phase.

Our bench has five impact forwards to bring on, another set of big ball carriers to further test the Tigers defence and let us look at making the gain line battle more physical in the closing stages.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Tigers defence to suck in players and create space out wide. We've picked a physical backline to continue this threat and will be looking to make the game extremely physical to put Tigers on the backfoot.

Breakdown
An area we are looking to target to secure quick ball and turnover, with Pocock asked to go looking for the ball, whilst Burger and Isa will clear out Tigers from rucks to give us turnover chances or generate fast ball for Simpson.

Attack
- We want to win the collisions and physical aspect of the game to give our halfbacks front foot ball to attack with, and then let our backline loose to play at pace with Simpson injecting speed from no9.
- Look to isolate Penaud in defence by having Ioane running down his channel and testing out his defence, whilst bringing both our wingers into this area
- Sopoaga to test out the Tigers back three with aerial bombs, we have two huge wingers so will test Beale's willingness to get in the way.
- Bring on the impact bench during final 20-30 minute to up the tempo

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind.

1 Jefferson Poirot
2 Dane Coles
3 Ben Tameifuna
4 James Horwill
5 Kane Douglas
6 Dave Ewers
7 Marcell Coetzee
8 Teimana Harrison
9 Greg Laidlaw (c) (k)
10 Alex Lozowski
11 JP Pietersen
12 Ma'a Nonu
13 Maxime Mermoz
14 Chris Ashton
15 James Lowe

16 Nathan Catt
17 Tom Youngs
18 Kyle Sinckler
19 Juandre Kruger
20 Brad Shields
21 Nic White
22 Colin Slade
23 Olly Woodburn

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch.
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.

We will play a forward based and territory based game to get in the right positions of the pitch.

We have picked the players to do this. Big carriers and a mobile back and hard working back row. Laidlaw is the perfect controlling 9 and will give good service to Lozowski. Lowe is in at 15 for his huge boot and counter attacking ability.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to the win. We have a solid scrum to build from and two big locks who are both good lineout options.

The set piece will be important and we will look to use this as a weapon to attack from and gain territory. Our back row are all big carriers and we will use them all to gain hard yards and tire out Sale defenders. Ewers, Coles, Ben T, Coetzee, Harrison are all good strong ball carriers and will look to get us front foot ball for Lozowski to work with.

In the backs we will use Nonu as a crash ball option and a decoy runner to open up space for the likes of Mermoz, Lowe and JP Pietersen to exploit. Laidlaw will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

1.Beast
2.Luke Cowen Dickie
3.Juan Figallo
4.Eben Etzebeth
5.Tomas Lavanni
6.Tom Croft
7.Juilian Salvi
8.Jamie Heaslip (c)

9.TJ Peranara
10.Danny Cipriani
11.Jonny May
12.Matt Scott
13.Kurindarni
14.Izzy Falou
15.Izzy Dagg

16.Joe Grey 17.Oosthuizen 18.Atonio 19.Elliott Stooke 20.Ardie Sevea 21.Dan Robson 22.Billy Burns 23.Charlie Walker

Tactics

Attack the game from the off looking to play with pace and use our forwards to generate quick ruck ball with TJ sniping and Cipriani attacking the line flat.

Test the Bristol back three with hanging kicks for Falou and May to chase down.

We'll look to get a maul rolling for short burst to tie opposition forwards in and create space for our backs out wide. May , Dagg and Falou to be busy coming to look for the ball.

Defensively We'll look to blitz when we're short in defensive numbers and drift when we have the bodies.
Salvi will look to cause mayhem at the breakdown and disrupt any Bristol ball there.

TJ to sweep and cover any kicks through

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Patrick Tuipulotu  20. Sam Underhill 21. Baptise Serin 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Pat Lambie

Tactics:

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

TARGET POTENTIAL UNDER POWERED ENGINE ROOM - We feel that the Bath engine room is under powered and this may play to our advantage around the ruck area and in the scrum. Look to intensify the contest at the ruck and drive through the middle disrupting Bath ball. We think this could lead to either turning the ball over or slowing ball down to the dangerous Bath halfbacks. With slow ball, we'll look to fan the defensive line out and leave no gaps for Barrett to exploit.

TARGET WADE WITH CROSS-FIELD KICKS - Look to draw the defence over and swap either Thomas or bring in Armitage to contest in the air with Wade. With pre-planned moves in the opposition half, look truck it up the middle and get Whitelock looping around the backline and getting one on one with Wade also (used sparingly).

BIG RUNNERS DOWN BARRETT CHANNEL - Look to target Barrett early on and make meters with big runners (ala Ireland against England and Ford) giving us front foot ball.

SERIN TO OPEN GAME UP - Look to get Serin on when the game breaks up to cause havok in the Bath defence.

NUMEROUS 6N PLAYERS IN BATH SQUAD - LOOK TO KILL GAME OFF IN LAST 20 - Bath could have 5 players on the park involved in games in the 6N last week. These players will be fatigued and we'll look to exploit this.

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 with our physical pack/carrying options and then get at their outisde backs, 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.

Conditions updated

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Aaron Smith
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Christian Wade
05. Josh Beaumont	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Liam Gill	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Eddy Ben Arous 17. Rory Best 18. Samson Lee 19. Mitch Lees 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Sam Hill 23. George Moala

Attributes: First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Saracens under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant and finish strongly off the bench 

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. We will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Beaumont, Falateu, Squire and Kitchener options in the lineout. Beaumont 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. Kitchener 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. Smith to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Smith 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 and Kriel who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Imhoff 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 Kitchoff, Kitch and Squire 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 Saracens which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

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

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo off the bench. We want our high class front row to come on late and really impact the game. Wigglesworth and Lees offer solidity late while Tipuric, Moala and Hill can be game changers

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Luke McGrath
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damien McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. John Afoa 19. Luke Romano 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ben Youngs 22. Steven Myler 23. Yoann Huget

Tactics

Attributes

Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

Breakdown (Turnover Possession) -  Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line. 


Game Plan[/b][/b][/b]

• Use our mobile pack to get us onto the front foot. Look to front 5 to carry off 9 and 10 with back row carrying off 12. Jantjies and JMH to stand flat with McGrath looking to snipe

• Once we have got across the gain line, look to get the ball wide and into the hands of JJ and our back three looking to attack a disorganised and scrambled defence

• Use the boots of Jantjies, Hernandez and McKenzie to escape our 22 or when their is space behind. Use high balls with Nowell and Cordero chasing the high ball

• Quick line speed up and then out as they Newcastle spread the ball wide, backing the pace of our wide men to shut down the Newcastle attack.

• Look to dominate the breakdown with Hooper, Kriel and Creevy getting over the ball and securing the turnover ball or penalty

• Look to use Kruis and Du Toit to put enormous pressure on the Falcons line out

 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Will Chudley
02. Jamie George	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Vincent Koch
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Pablo Matera	13. Sam James
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Michael Fatiolofa 20. Elliott Dixon 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ian Madigan 23. David Strettle

Attributes
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown: Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it

Game plan

Get after the halfbacks from the off, rattle them with borderline hits and look to put them off their game

Put pressure on the breakdown, we think we have an edge in physicality at the tackle area, blast Hooper off the ball with the power game and the second man in to secure the ball, On their ball, counter ruck at every opportunity

Front 5 bench impact - we think we can really put pressure on Barrington and Afoa in the scrum late on, and round the park we have some serious impact coming on in the forwards, a la England in the 6N

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

Breakdown - Back row and hooker to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. . On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Our openside is charged with keeping their main breakdown threat off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Options throughout the backs . Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning, Wings free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Run our attack off 9 who sets the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get our 10 quick ball.. Challenge their 10 defensively with our power backs cutting in running hard lines at his channel with the full back coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at 10/12 all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how they handle it.  

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  

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

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Luca Noguera Paz	09. Bryn Hall
02. Codie Taylor	10. Owen Williams(k)
03. Nahuel Chaparro
04. Mike Williams	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Anton Leniert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Matt Todd	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan (c)	15. NMS

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Yohann Maestri 20. Sam Warburton 21. Gareth Davies 22. Dan Biggar 23. Mathew Tait
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
*We have gone with a different centre pairing of ALB-Payne to tackle the centre pairings with Payne's ability to hit hard at the tackle.
*We have a big carrying, hard working pack to stop them in their tracks and put a lot of pressure on 9 to prevent the quick ball.

-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Wasps danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, offloading-only when on. Williams will look for territory,
-Big carriers up front looking to offload if the conditions allow possible although being mindful of the encroaching defence and we will have support runners on their shoulders,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Todd bringing the turnover attribute,
-The breakdown is likely to be scrappy and the first man there will look to go for the ball using our turnover attribute. If it is obviously lost we will fan out. If Wasps under-commit we will look to drive through them for the turnover,
-Look to not commit too much to their breakdown if the ball is lost and use blitz defence led by Payne allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Wasps playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off ALB and Payne, we will use Short, NMS and Naholo as a strike runners and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on  go for territory and also use  'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep them guessing and allow us the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-We have selected a huge bench which will be used for impact and to maintain a high tempo game running against tired legs,
-Take all kickable penalties.

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Maxime Machenaud
02.Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Wilco Louw
04. Sebastian Vahaamahina	11. Bryan Habana
05. Scott Barrett	12. Henry Slade
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Tom Wood	14. Marland Yarde
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Anthony Watson

_
16. Tatafu Polota Nau, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Dave Wilson, 19. Alun Wyn-Jones, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Sebastian Tillous Borde, 22. Rhys Priesland, 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

---

Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Likes of Kaino, Du Plessis to offer extra pair of hands in the backline when required
- Mix up forward runners off 9 and 10 to give go forward and tie in defence. When space opens up, go wide and utilise pace of back three.
Defence:
- Quick line speed, getting up to the 10 and putting pressure on.
- Only step out of the line for big hit opportunities.
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- Compete for the turnover if it's on, even if it's only to slow down the ball
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in defence
Territory:
- Use box kicks from 9 and nudges from 10 out of hand to pin them back.
- Play rugby in their half and make them attack from deep
- Full back to marshall the back 3 and make sure our positioning is spot on for kick returns

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Reece Hodge
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Danny Care 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Willie Le Roux

Attributes:
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.  

Attack: We will be playing a high intensity phased attacking game. 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 and restructure our attacking phases. 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: Straight line blitz defence 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. Foley & Bendy to cover the background dropping deep to cut off the green grass available to kick into.

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 Attwood to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball while Retalick marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

Predictions open and to me please gents

Flux,

You've got Dagg and Falou the wrong way round buddy.

Apologies mate, amended

Exeter Chiefs 13 - 17 Sale Sharks
Exeter can be a very disruptive side with the players they have in the pack, with Ewers able to cause a lot of trouble with his big carries. Home side have a very good controller at no9, just not sure they will get many tries out wide. Sale pack can more than hold its own, but Coles is a class above at no2. Lot of power in the Sale backline that sees them power their way to victory, but not entirely sure that they click as a unit. 

Exeter Chiefs 22 - 23 Sale Sharks
Chiefs' carriers and halfbacks fit the gameplan well, can see them making a lot of yards with the pack though any pack duel with Sale is tough. Sale looking more to stretch the defence ball in hand and look well set up to do that too. Exeter are tough up front but Sale probably just take the scrum, the lineout will be very close. Both backrows work well as units but Sale have a touch more class. The backlines function well in the gameplan, but I think Sale are a touch better set up to deal with Chiefs' gameplan than vice-versa. That sees them just win a very close match.

Exeter Chiefs 23 - 22 Sale Sharks 
Can actually see Exeter getting a bit of a nudge on in the scrum and around the park with Sale missing some big guns in the front row. Retalick the best lock on show but Attwood not the best of late evens things up. Harrison at 8 doesn't work too well but flanks are close, Sale on top in the backrow. Backs actually pretty close and Exeter can just shade this in an impressive win. 

Exeter Chiefs 22 - 23 Sale Sharks

Exeter Chiefs 23 - 25 Sale Sharks
A good little contest between these packs, but for me the Sharks edge the back row, which helps them dictate play a little. Likewise outwide Sale just nick the backs, especially off the bench. Close game by the Chiefs, but just not enough.

Harlequins 29 - 26 Newcastle Falcons
That is a beast of an away pack and they could outmuscle the homeside in certain areas, Quins could do with their props hitting some form but Creevy is looking excellent. The Quins backline is brilliant outside their halfbacks, threats all over the park and will cause any team problems, which is the same as the Falcons back three. Not sure the Falcons halfbacks quite have enough to steer their team to a win. 

Harlequins 33 - 31 Newcastle Falcons
Both packs are very mobile and hard-working, meaning we have a very wide, open game. Falcons really get after the halfbacks and with these halfbacks and Falcons' backrow this will definitely be tough for Quins to handle for me. Both set pieces will be tough and very tight, and the breakdown variable - I would say that Quins edge the backrow contest far away from the set piece and tight play and Falcons a bit closer to the tight play but in this sort of game it's hard to tell how this will play out overall. Falcons back 3 are lethal, and if they suck in players enough by running at Jantjes, they are perfectly suited to finish off chances in space. Quins attack is so good though, and McKenzie can take pressure off Jantjes in a way that the Lions cannot, with the Quins backrow's linking ability helping McGrath. I think Quins just have enough at home

Harlequins 23 - 24 Newcastle Falcons
Both front rows not the biggest scrummagers and cancel each other out with Healy/George not at their peak with coming straight from 6N duty. Cracking back 5's from both sides, some real quality on show, love Quins engine room despite not being top world class are a great unit. Both halfbacks not the greatest and JJ marked down evening the centres up, good back 3 contest. Too many 6 nations players for Quins costs them in a real tight game. 

Harlequins 24 - 25 Newcastle Falcons


Harlequins 27 - 26 Newcastle Falcons


Harlequins 27 - 26 Newcastle Falcons
Game of the round for me here. Falcons just a bit stronger at scrum time, although both very clean on their own throw at the line out. A touch more guile in the Falcons back row, but both sets of forwards very strong. Both back lines very creative and will score points, but see the Quins attack stretching the Falcons defence a little more than the other. Narrowest of victories with the boot of Mckenzie doing the damage.

Northampton Saints 26 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Saints power in teh pack and on the wings is very hard to match, so Tigers using mobility is a sensible approach. Saints will take the scrum and the lineout. Tigers' backrow has subtle class though in purely physical terms may struggle with the size of Saints'. Saints conversely look light in the centres - but the power outside probably means it doesn't matter and the running quality there outside their attacking 9-10 is class. Not sure about Foden these days but otherwise a classy backline, just Tigers will be able to make ground running at the midfield with Beale coming into the line. The Francoises and Beale give a really strong attacking spine to Tigers' but not too sure about 36 any more. The back 3 looks excellent at kick defence and running those back. Tigers put up a really good fight but Saints at home is too much to ask

Northampton Saints 21 - 20 Leicester Tigers


Northampton Saints 25 - 24 Leicester Tigers

Saracens 27 - 22 Bath Rugby
Saracens tactical use of finishers and post-subs gameplan, I like. Bath's attacking gameplan fits their backline perfectly. Saracens can target their set piece a bit, and will have joy at the lineout especially using the maul. Rucks will be interesting, because both backrows are adept there, and Sarries driving through the middle could disrupt Bath ball or ref-dependent could result in a lot of penalties against them. In attack, Bath's halfbacks are perfect and the backline is awesome and will cause Saracens loads of trouble, but Saracens exploit their weaknesses in the air outwide well and have the halfbacks and back 3 to do so, and the centres are a mix of form and class (though struggling with age, surely). Saracens are really well prepared for this one


Saracens 23 - 22 Bath Rugby


Saracens 27 - 26 Bath Rugby


Saracens 26 - 24 Bath Rugby 
Sarries have a front five to make this difficult for the Bath back line to get hold of good possession, which reflects the result. Not quite been Bath's year, but with their back line finally coming into some shape, they will challenge most teams. Sarries have the edge from the possession to dictate this game however and earn a solid home victory.

Wasps 20 - 18 Worcester Warriors 
Wasps have built up a really impressive pack, some big carriers and signing of Barrett is huge, really completes their pack, especially with Kaino's power at no6. They edge the battle in the forwards and Cruden will be able to exert his influnece. Defensively the Wasps backline can really contain the Worcester backs who won't get as much ball to attack with. 

Wasps 21 - 20 Worcester Warriors
Good contest in the scrum, but a very solid Wasps' pack probably wins the lineout contest and other areas like mauls. The breakdown, however, is interesting, and though Wasps' backrow is high quality, the presence of Todd as well as Williams in the second row helping out goes Worcester's way. The second row for Worcester are a weakness in the lineout but make up for it by helping in open play, and HBs aside Worcester's backline can attack from anywhere - the problem is that Wasps have a big step up at halfback. Not sure Kearney is their best FB, have to say I think he was the weakest FB in this year's 6N and TNW is a better shout. At home, Wasps hold on for a win that could go teh other way away

Wasps 25 - 25 Worcester Warriors 
Some real form issues in the Wasps packs, they could do with a view signings to refresh their side a bit. Worcester good if not too strong but enough to just get an overall edge. Wasps halfbacks a big step up and little in the backs with a few 6N players canceling out. Close game overall.

Wasps 29 - 28 Worcester Warriors



Wasps 23 - 22 Worcester Warriors
Both quite event up front, but the form of the likes of kaino and Barrett just swings it to wasps. Out wide Warriors look impressive, but slightly hampered by Williams current form at 10 for me. Wasps solid in midfield which will allow space for their wide men. Narrow victory for the home side, with some good impact off the bench.

Bristol Rugby 22 - 20 Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester with the star names, but Bristol have the more detailed tactics and some really good combinations that gel, combined with home advantage they get a narrow win. Gopperth is a match winner at the moment and Fearns has been playing very well in France and good shout to target Cipriani.

Bristol Rugby 21 - 25 Gloucester Rugby
Good to see some tactics from Gloucester at last!! Strong front 5 unit from the away side that will get stuck in to Bristol early on. LCD's darts not the greatest but some power in the unit. Gloucester weak on the flanks, need improving quickly with Croft not at this level giving Bristol a way back in. Gloucester a step up in the backs, I'd swap Dagg and Folau around.

Bristol Rugby 20 - 19 Gloucester Rugby

Bristol Rugby 25 - 25 Gloucester Rugby 


Bristol Rugby 25 - 25 Gloucester Rugby 
Tough contest in the front row with both quite even. Likewise a similar story moving into the back fives of each pack. Heaslip would probably be tired come the 60 minute mark and make things slightly interesting by who would play 8 after that,. Gloucester have the attacking edge in the backs, with Cips pulling the strings, with Dagg and TJ backing him up. However the guile and pace of the Bristol back three are a constant threat. Can;t split either of these at the final whistle.