Aviva Premiership Round 8

---

---

Bath Rugby vs Northampton
The Rec
Showers - 8 degrees, 13mph North Easterly Winds

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – Driver

01. Beno Obano	09. Kahn Fotuali
02. Tom Dunn	10. Rhys Priestland (k)
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Luke Charteris	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Matt Garvey	12. Max Clark
06. Francois Louw (c)	13. Matt Banahan
07. Zac Mercer	14. Aled Brew
08. Toby Faletau	15. Freddie Burns

.
16. Jack Walker, 17.Nick Auterac, 18. Scott Andrews 19. Dave Attwood, 20. James Phillips 21. Chris Cook, 22. Rory Jennings, 23. Tom Homer

Tactics:

• Bath have picked a big physical pack to take on opp and disrupt game.
• Plenty of carriers and work rate in pack, backrow to target isolated runners for the turnover
• Kahn to look for the short runners following his snipe the generate quick ball to slow opp line speed down and isolate runners.
• Freddie Burn’s to chip the ball over the top and in behind wingers specifically to test his positioning out.
• Using a blitz defence when short on numbers to put pressure on opp 10
• Pick and Game will be effective for us today and Burns will look to put us in the corners but moving the ball when its on.
• Burns to punish opp indiscipline’s with shots at goal.
• Attwood/Ewels to go up on opp lineout and put pressure on

---

Northampton Saints
Manager: StNick

01. Alex Waller	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Christian Day	11. Ben Foden
05. Michael Paterson	12. Luther Burrell
06. Tom Wood	13. Rob Horne
07. Kwagga Smith	14. Ken Pisi
08. Facundo Isa	15. Alex Goode

.
16 Campese Ma'afu, 17 Reece Marshall, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Tom Collins

Tactics
- Use Isa as the main carrier, supported by Wood, Smith, Burrell
- Myler to kick all pens for goal in range, otherwise go for corner
- Goode to act as second playmaker on occasion

---

---

Exeter Chiefs vs Worcester Warriors
Sandy Park
Cloudy - 8 degrees, 15mph North Easterly Winds

---

Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Ben Moon	09. Nic White
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Gareth Steenson (k)
03. Greg Holmes
04. Jonny Hill	11. Olly Woodburn
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Ian Whitten
07. Matt Kvesic	14. James Short
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Lachlan Turner

. 
16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Carl Rimmer, 18. Marcus Street, 19. Mitch Lees 20. James Chisholm, 21. Jack Maunder 22. Joe Simmonds, 23. Sam Hill

---

Worcester Warriors
Manager – CJB

01. Ethan Waller	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Jack Singleton	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Nick Schonert
04. Will Spencer	11. Bryce Helen
05. Guido Petti	12. Ngani Laumape
06. Blake Gibson	13. Ryan Mills
07. Michael Hopper	14. Wynard Olivier
08. Josh Adams	15. Chris Pennell

16. Ryan Bower 17. Matt Williams 18. Biyi Alo 19. Donnacha O’Callaghan 20. GJ Van Velze 21. Jonny Arr 22. Jamie Shilock 23. NO SUB

---

Gloucester vs Leicester Tigers
Kingsholm
Showers - 8 degrees, 14mph North Easterly Winds

---

Gloucester Rugby
Manager - Prop_Lyd

01. Val Ruskin	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Richie Mo'unga (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Tom Savage (c)	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Franco Mostert	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Lewis Ludlow	13. Jon Davies
07. Ruan Ackerman	14. Ollie Thorley
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jason Woodward

_
16. James Hanson 17. Josh Honeck 18. Gareth Denman 19. Ed Slater 20. Jake Polledri  21. Ben Vellacott 22. Billy Burns 23. Tom Marshall

---

Tactics
*Look to grind them down in the front 5 with a hefty pack not afraid to do dirty work,
*Forwards to work in pods round the corner 2 phases then wide and hit gaps,
*JD2 and 12T to play what's in front of them and look to put runners through,
*Mo'unga to look to get quick ball out, if it isn't on then tactical kicking to corners,
*Defence led by JD2 and with a back rower on Mo'unga's shoulder to assist tackle and get over the ball,
*Look to slow them down with a well balanced back row,
*Use bench wisely with experience to come on and pace in the backs to target tired legs especially Vellacott who will be given a run out towards the end,
*Keep the scoreboard ticking over.

---

Leicester Tigers

01. Ellis Genge	09. Sam Harrison
02. Tom Youngs	10. Matt Toomua
03. Pat Cilliers
04. Dominic Barrow	11. Tom Brady
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Matt Smith
06. Mike Williams	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Brad Shields	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Sione Kalamafoni	15. Telusa Veainu

.
Subs: 16. Harry Thacker 17. Simon McIntyre 18. Chris Baumann 19. Matt Symons 20. Valentino Mapapalangi 21. Jono Kitto 22. Joe Ford 23. Nick Malouf
:-
Tactics:
- Solid set piece to set tone and provide solid platform
- Look to play high intensity rugby with a drift defence, not allowing for space for the opp
- Attack the breakdown when it's on with numerous option
- Physical pack to win collision and numerous carrying options to get us over the gain line
- Keep the intensity up with a strong bench
- Get Telusa Veainu into the game whenever possible, he's a match winner in these conditions

---

Harlequins vs Wasps
The Stoop
Showers - 9 degrees, 13mph North Easterly Winds

---

Harlequins
Manager – CJ

01. Lewis Boyce	09. Will Chudley
02. Dane Coles	10. Marcus Smith
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. James Horwill (c)	11.  Alex Lewington
05. George Merrick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Mat Luamanu	13. Joe Marchant
07. Sam Cane	14. Tim Visser (Charlie Walker if Visser picked)
08. Renaldo Bothma	15. James Lowe

:-
16.  Mark Lambert 17.  Elia Elia 18. Will Collier   19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jack Lam  21. Charlie Mulchrone 22. Demetri Catrakalis 23. Francis Saili

TACTICS

Huge carrying ability throughout our pack, which we will use to smash holes in defence and suck in defenders and make ground past the gain line with direct pick and goes, pops off 9 and 10, as well as powerful backs like Roberts and Visser. Once we have front foot ball and space to target, we have raw pace and footwork in the back 3 and Marchant and Smith to play havoc, with attacking 9-10 to take advantage.

Especially look to send big carriers at Wade and the light midfield, even if they make the tackles we will gain ground. Then mix it up with the Smith pass behind the dummy running Sinckler, like real life Quins

Smith playing heads up rugby, he has a gift for spotting weaknesses and changing attack on the fly, which is key for our approach above.

Always happy to use the kick pass from Smith

Run back kicks where possible

Defence is a blitz, Roberts taking pressure off Smith.

Cane world class at the breakdown, supported by powerful clearing out and likes of Coles.

Looking to run moves off lineout and scrum

We will look to score tries from penalties where possibly. Attacking mentality.

Subs: control from Catrakalis and Saili

---

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Logovi'i Mulipola	09. Dan Robson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. James Gaskell	11. Christian Wade
05. Scott Barrett	12. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
06. James Haskell	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Thomas Young	14. Josh Bassett
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Willie Le Roux

_
16. Tommy Taylor, 17. Matt Mullan, 18. Paul Doran-Jones, 19. Kearnen Myhall, 20. Guy Thompson, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Kyle Eastmond, 23. Marcus Watson

---

Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Loose forwards 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 too 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

---

London Irish vs Sale Sharks
Mad Stad
Showers - 8 degrees, 13mph North Easterly Winds

---

London Irish
Manager – Bambam

01. Ben Franks	09. TJ Perenara
02. Asafo Aumua	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Ollie Hoskins
04. Franco Van Der Merwe	11. Joe Cokanasiga
05. Brodie Retallick (c)	12. Fergus Mulchrone
06. Jack Clifford	13. Johnny Williams
07. Luke Wallace	14. Marland Yarde
08. Jack Conan	15. Jordie Barrett

:-
16. David Paice 17. Danny Hobbs-Ayowemi 18. NO SUB 19. Sebastian De Chaves 20. Ofisa Treviranus 21. Scott Steele 22. James Grayson 23. Jordan Larmour

Using big carriers to make ground in the wet, going wider in the 22 and backing our backline to have the skills to overcome the conditions - Retallick, Furlong, Conan, Aumua to lead us here

Scrappy breakdown players in Clifford and Wallace to get us surprise turnovers which we'll look to either kick through and chase or put through the hands

Strong kicking game with Perenara, Cruden and Barrett used to the NZ rainstorms, putting kicks on a 6 pence if they want to get into a kicking duel. We'll look to pressure Sanchez and see if their other backs can cope with kicking regularly. Barrett at FB for his kicking game

Don't be afraid to counter attack if they kick poorly.

Barrett and Cruden to act as first receiver options, Perenara snipe if its on

Big carriers and a game breaker in Larmour off the bench late on

---

Sale Sharks
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf Du Klerk
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Halani Aulika
04. Josh Beaumont	11. James O'Connor
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Sam James
06. Judicael Cancoriet	13. Jack Goodhue
07. Tom Curry	14. Denny Solomona
08. Josh Strauss	15. Mike Haley

16. Rob Webber 17. Greg Bateman 18. Will Griff John  19. Jono Ross 20 Ben Curry 21. Will Cliff 22. Will Addison 23. Keelan Giles

Tactics

In slippy conditions we will look to use the kicking game of Du Klerk and Sanchez to pin London Irish in their own half and trust our defence and line out to put huge pressure on them to escape from their own territory.

Use our pack to get us over the gain line will ball in hand and tire the Irish defence. Look to get the ball to the backs when their is quick ball and an organised back line ready to strike.

use Sanchez to kick all points on offer. Scoreboard pressure is key to putting Irish under pressure.

---

Saracens vs Newcastle Falcons
Allianz Park
Showers - 8 degrees, 14mph North Easterly Winds

---

Saracens
Manager – Pooly
-

01. Richard Barrington	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Schalk Brits	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Vincent Koch
04. Will Skelton	11. Chris Wyles
05. Eben Etzebeth	12. Brad Barritt
06. Michael Rhodes	13. Damian Penaud
07. Schalk Burger	14. Nathan Earle
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Harry Mallinder

:-
16. Tadgh McElroy 17. Hayden Thompson-Stringer 18. Juan Figallo 19. Nick Isekwe  20. Callum Clark 21. Ben Spencer 22. Max Malins 23. Marcelo Bosch
-
Tactics:

---

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Ozzy

01. Rob Vickers	09. Sonatane Takulua
02. Santiago Socino	10. Toby Flood
03. Owen Franks
04. Dominic Bird	11. Sinoti Sinoti
05. Will Witty	12. Juan Pablo Socino
06. Mark Wilson	13. Maxine Mermoz
07. Will Welch	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Steven Luatua	15. Simon Hammersley

:-
16. Ben Sowery 17. Sami Mavinga 18. David Wilson 19. Sean Robinson 20. Opeti Fonua  21. Sam Stuart 22. Joel Hodgson 23. DTH Van Der Merwe

TACTICS

No 6N players this week I guess?

Players in the 23 won't be available CJ

Harlequins
Manager – CJ

01. Lewis Boyce	09. Will Chudley
02. Dane Coles	10. Marcus Smith
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. James Horwill (c)	11.  Alex Lewington
05. George Merrick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Mat Luamanu	13. Joe Marchant
07. Sam Cane	14. Tim Visser (Charlie Walker if Visser picked)
08. Renaldo Bothma	15. James Lowe

:-
16.  Mark Lambert 17.  Elia Elia 18. Will Collier   19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jack Lam  21. Charlie Mulchrone 22. Demetri Catrakalis 23. Francis Saili

TACTICS

Huge carrying ability throughout our pack, which we will use to smash holes in defence and suck in defenders and make ground past the gain line with direct pick and goes, pops off 9 and 10, as well as powerful backs like Roberts and Visser. Once we have front foot ball and space to target, we have raw pace and footwork in the back 3 and Marchant and Smith to play havoc, with attacking 9-10 to take advantage.

Especially look to send big carriers at Wade and the light midfield, even if they make the tackles we will gain ground. Then mix it up with the Smith pass behind the dummy running Sinckler, like real life Quins

Smith playing heads up rugby, he has a gift for spotting weaknesses and changing attack on the fly, which is key for our approach above.

Always happy to use the kick pass from Smith

Run back kicks where possible

Defence is a blitz, Roberts taking pressure off Smith.

Cane world class at the breakdown, supported by powerful clearing out and likes of Coles.

Looking to run moves off lineout and scrum

We will look to score tries from penalties where possibly. Attacking mentality.

Subs: control from Catrakalis and Saili

Don't know what I'm going to do without all of my 6N players

BamBam wrote:Don't know what I'm going to do without all of my 6N players

This is where you end up top of the table!

Northampton Saints
Manager: StNick

01. Alex Waller	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Christian Day	11. Ben Foden
05. Michael Paterson	12. Luther Burrell
06. Tom Wood	13. Rob Horne
07. Kwagga Smith	14. Ken Pisi
08. Facundo Isa	15. Alex Goode

.
16 Campese Ma'afu, 17 Reece Marshall, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Tom Collins

Tactics
- Use Isa as the main carrier, supported by Wood, Smith, Burrell
- Myler to kick all pens for goal in range, otherwise go for corner
- Goode to act as second playmaker on occasion

---

Saracens
Manager – Pooly
-

01. Richard Barrington	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Schalk Brits	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Vincent Koch
04. Will Skelton	11. Chris Wyles
05. Eben Etzebeth	12. Brad Barritt
06. Michael Rhodes	13. Damian Penaud
07. Schalk Burger	14. Nathan Earle
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Harry Mallinder

:-
16. Tadgh McElroy 17. Hayden Thompson-Stringer 18. Juan Figallo 19. Nick Isiekwe  20. Callum Clark 21. Ben Spencer 22. Max Malins 23. Marcelo Bosch
-
Tactics:

Don't know why it keeps putting in big gaps after the team, just did it to mine like yours CJ.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Don't know why it keeps putting in big gaps after the team, just did it to mine like yours CJ.

Fixed!

Just a little tweaking in the code mode

Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Ben Moon	09. Nic White
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Gareth Steenson (k)
03. Greg Holmes
04. Jonny Hill	11. Olly Woodburn
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Ian Whitten
07. Matt Kvesic	14. James Short
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Lachlan Turner

. 
16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Carl Rimmer, 18. Marcus Street, 19. Mitch Lees 20. James Chisholm, 21. Jack Maunder 22. Joe Simmonds, 23. Sam Hill

Are you doing Tigers Pooly, or shall i?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Are you doing Tigers Pooly, or shall i?

Sorry mate, just seen this. Are you happy to run with them now?

You could Falcons this week if you want to as I'm playing them? Can leave out tactics to make it easier.

Error

Will do Falcons, don’t mind re tactics

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Ozzy

01. Rob Vickers	09. Sonatane Takulua
02. Santiago Socino	10. Toby Flood
03. Owen Franks
04. Dominic Bird	11. Sinoti Sinoti
05. Will Witty	12. Juan Pablo Socino
06. Mark Wilson	13. Maxine Mermoz
07. Will Welch	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Steven Luatua	15. Simon Hammersley

:-
16. Ben Sowery 17. Sami Mavinga 18. David Wilson 19. Sean Robinson 20. Opeti Fonua  21. Sam Stuart 22. Joel Hodgson 23. DTH Van Der Merwe

TACTICS

Nice lol

Worcester Warriors
Manager – CJB

01. Ethan Waller	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Jack Singleton	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Nick Schonert
04. Will Spencer	11. Bryce Helen
05. Guido Petti	12. Ngani Laumape
06. Blake Gibson	13. Ryan Mills
07. Michael Hopper	14. Wynard Olivier
08. Josh Adams	15. Chris Pennell

16. Ryan Bower 17. Matt Williams 18. Biyi Alo 19. Donnacha O’Callaghan 20. GJ Van Velze 21. Jonny Arr 22. Jamie Shilock 23. Dean Hammond

I've swapped out Kruis as a call-up.

Once Wasps have a team I’ll put out tactics

Sale Sharks
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf Du Klerk
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Halani Aulika
04. Josh Beaumont	11. James O'Connor
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Sam James
06. Judicael Cancoriet	13. Jack Goodhue
07. Tom Curry	14. Denny Solomona
08. Josh Strauss	15. Mike Haley

16. Rob Webber 17. Greg Bateman 18. Will Griff John  19. Jono Ross 20 Ben Curry 21. Will Cliff 22. Will Addison 23. Keelan Giles

Tactics

In slippy conditions we will look to use the kicking game of Du Klerk and Sanchez to pin London Irish in their own half and trust our defence and line out to put huge pressure on them to escape from their own territory.

Use our pack to get us over the gain line will ball in hand and tire the Irish defence. Look to get the ball to the backs when their is quick ball and an organised back line ready to strike.

use Sanchez to kick all points on offer. Scoreboard pressure is key to putting Irish under pressure.

London Irish
Manager – Bambam

01. Ben Franks	09. TJ Perenara
02. Asafo Aumua	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Tadgh Furlong
04. Franco Van Der Merwe	11. Joe Cokanasiga
05. Brodie Retallick (c)	12. Fergus Mulchrone
06. Jack Clifford	13. Johnny Williams
07. Luke Wallace	14. Marland Yarde
08. Jack Conan	15. Jordie Barrett

:-
16. David Paice 17. Danny Hobbs-Ayowemi 18. Ollie Hoskins 19. Sebastian De Chaves 20. Ofisa Treviranus 21. Scott Steele 22. James Grayson 23. Jordan Larmour

Using big carriers to make ground in the wet, going wider in the 22 and backing our backline to have the skills to overcome the conditions - Retallick, Furlong, Conan, Aumua to lead us here

Scrappy breakdown players in Clifford and Wallace to get us surprise turnovers which we'll look to either kick through and chase or put through the hands

Strong kicking game with Perenara, Cruden and Barrett used to the NZ rainstorms, putting kicks on a 6 pence if they want to get into a kicking duel. We'll look to pressure Sanchez and see if their other backs can cope with kicking regularly. Barrett at FB for his kicking game

Don't be afraid to counter attack if they kick poorly.

Barrett and Cruden to act as first receiver options, Perenara snipe if its on

Big carriers and a game breaker in Larmour off the bench late on

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Logovi'i Mulipola	09. Dan Robson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. James Gaskell	11. Christian Wade
05. Scott Barrett	12. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
06. James Haskell	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Thomas Young	14. Josh Bassett
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Willie Le Roux

_
16. Tommy Taylor, 17. Matt Mullan, 18. Paul Doran-Jones, 19. Kearnen Myhall, 20. Guy Thompson, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Kyle Eastmond, 23. Marcus Watson

---

Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Loose forwards 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 too 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

Gloucester Rugby
Manager - Prop_Lyd

01. Val Ruskin	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Richie Mo'unga (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Tom Savage (c)	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Franco Mostert	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Lewis Ludlow	13. Jon Davies
07. Ruan Ackerman	14. Ollie Thorley
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jason Woodward

_
16. James Hanson 17. Josh Honeck 18. Gareth Denman 19. Ed Slater 20. Jake Polledri  21. Ben Vellacott 22. Billy Burns 23. Tom Marshall

---

Tactics
*Look to grind them down in the front 5 with a hefty pack not afraid to do dirty work,
*Forwards to work in pods round the corner 2 phases then wide and hit gaps,
*JD2 and 12T to play what's in front of them and look to put runners through,
*Mo'unga to look to get quick ball out, if it isn't on then tactical kicking to corners,
*Defence led by JD2 and with a back rower on Mo'unga's shoulder to assist tackle and get over the ball,
*Look to slow them down with a well balanced back row,
*Use bench wisely with experience to come on and pace in the backs to target tired legs especially Vellacott who will be given a run out towards the end,
*Keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Predictions open....PM to Flux

I've picked up on Furlong & Te'o from Int call ups so far....both removed from Wuss and Irish.

Doh

Easy mistake mate, I've only just noticed.

Josh Adams is remarkably playing wing for Wales and 8 for Wuss, what a man!

Just totting these up now gents

Really thought at home I’d manage a win this week

Also going to point out, a bit late, but bear in mind for next week, that Haskell is banned

Bath Rugby 26 - 22 Northampton Saints 
Close packs but Bath have joy in the breakdown and carrying game. I like the Bath halfback axis and Burns helping out from 15. Saints have a good backline with solid midfield but chip kicks and quickly getting the ball from 9-10-15 to the wings with that go forward from the pack gives Bath an edge.

Bath Rugby 27 - 22 Northampton Saints
I think Bath can attack the Saints scrum which has been creaking of late and I think the home sides back 5 can bring a bit more to the game, although not a huge lot in it. Bath have a bit more in the backline too which is surprising but even with no manager they just have a bit too much for Saints. 

Bath Rugby 29 - 22 Northampton Saints
Bath have a slight advantage in the front five. Again it’s really tight in the backrow. Slight edge to Bath in the half backs. Outside backs to Bath.

Bath Rugby 24 - 21 Northampton Saints
Really like the look of the Bath pack, plenty of power in the front 5 added to some class in the back row, and I think they'll have a bit too much for Saints, who are a solid Premiership pack. Much closer behind the scrum, but with Priestland in great form I think Bath can hold them off

Bath Rugby 21 - 20 Northampton Saints

Bath Rugby 25 - 24 Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs 20 - 19 Worcester Warriors
Despite Exeter missing props, we get a class set piece battle with both sides understated and solid. Maybe Whitelock can attack Worcester’s lineout? Overall Exeter’s backrow has more cohesion and works very well but beware Hooper at the breakdown and he adds a huge danger in the loose. Exeter have efficiency and togetherness in the backs but miss some key players, and Worcester have a lethal halfback combo and more pure class in the backs. In the wet I think Exeter at home would comfortably close this out, but in these conditions Worcester have the speed and ability to score turnover tries off first phase ball and exploit the Chiefs’ missing players for a surprise win. 
Just discovered Worcester actually 2 players down with Teo and Adams selected. Exeter's disadvantage neutralised by Worcester tiredness with only a 6 man bench. 

Exeter Chiefs 24 - 20 Worcester Warriors
Fantastic pack battle even with the 6N boys away, it's a biggy that just sides with the home side. With Worcester missing Teo they lose a bit but not too much, but the home side has enough in the locker despite the Wuss halfbacks. 

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 22 Worcester Warriors
Exeter have so much depth, even missing their internationals they have a very cohesive side and its easy to see how they'll play. Worcester have some good players, but will come up a bit despite a strong pack (although Adams at 8 costs them a bit!)

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 26 Worcester Warriors

Gloucester Rugby 21 - 20 Leicester Tigers
Interesting pack approaches. Gloucester can grind and make ground and sap Tigers with mauls and pick and goes and rumbles in the tight. But Tigers have huge heavy carrying ability and a good scrum. Can’t see much in the lineout, Tigers edge the breakdown. Tigers have match winners in Manu, Veanu and Toomua. Gloucester a rock solid midfield, classy half backs and attacking options. It’s close, home side wins 

Gloucester Rugby 28 - 23 Leicester Tigers
I'd have the home side taking the front 5 but Tigers can get back into it with a competitive backrow that will get at most sides. Gloucester lucky with injuries in the backline and come away with a decent win at home.

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 24 Leicester Tigers
Another tight battle in the front five with Tigers edging it. Prefer the Tigers back row. The half backs go to Gloucester and they have a stronger set of outside backs. Tigers have the better pack but not by enough to get them the win away from home and with the backs a level below. 

Gloucester Rugby 19 - 17 Leicester Tigers
This is a real battle, some very tough forwards on show and they will get into an inevitable arm wrestle. Just think Gloucester have some real class at halfback, and the backs to make the most of their opportunities 

Gloucester Rugby 31 - 30 Leicester Tigers

Gloucester Rugby 32 - 31 Leicester Tigers

Harlequins 26 - 25 Wasps
Game of the round for me with 2 of the best sides in the league lucky with call-ups. I really like the Quins front row, bags of carrying and enough to get parity in the scrum at least. It's a bit closer in the back 5's with a few top draw players on show but Wasps having perhaps more AP nous. Halfbacks to Wasps but I think Quins can get the edge after that and just take the win. 

Harlequins 18 - 27 Wasps
Prefer the Wasps front five but not by much. Back rows are close and despite the presence of Cane, I give the slightest edge to Wasps. Edge in both half back positions to Wasps. Wasps outside backs get the result sured up. 

Harlequins 24 - 20 Wasps
I really like both sides here, despite call ups they look strong all around the park. Think Quins have got it spot on tactically targeting the midfield defence, and with some strong carriers I think they'll make hay here, enough to hold off a very good Wasps pack for the win

Harlequins 25 - 26 Wasps 

London Irish 22 - 22 Sale Sharks
2 teams that in the 6N window look league winners! Interest for me is the backrow, link play and breakdown as both sides remain strong here. Irish maybe focus a tad better on this? Both teams pick sensible kicking approaches and have the boots and chasers to apply pressure here.
Irish can’t have Furlong though and this loss of a key player and presumed weakened bench hurts what would otherwise be a better scrum. Line outs are equally excellent. Breakdown and support play very good, as I said Irish tactics more explicit here. The Irish 9-10-15 and chase is marginally better. They would win but manage a draw hurt by their scrum and weakened bench. Shouldn’t have missed Furlong for Ireland!

London Irish 28 - 28 Sale Sharks
Irish can get on top in the pack but Furlong will hurt them in the 2nd half with sub option and Hoskins not the best. I really like both backlines (although Irish midfield isn't great) and they'll batter it out all game. Just think no TH gives Sale a chance to get the draw.

London Irish 22 - 25 Sale Sharks
Sale get the edge up front in the front five mainly due to the strength of the front row. The back row is slightly better. I do prefer the Irish half backs but they are slightly outgunned outside of that. 

London Irish 24 - 23 Sale Sharks

London Irish 26 - 27 Sale Sharks 

Saracens 27 - 26 Newcastle Falcons

Saracens 28 - 20 Newcastle Falcons
Saracens have the slightly stronger front five. Again not much in the back rows but Sarries edge it. One each in the half backs but prefer the Saracens duo.

Saracens 30 - 22 Newcastle Falcons
A rudderless Falcons side have little hope here, and Saracens put them away with ease even without their internationals

Saracens 27 - 26 Newcastle Falcons 

Saracens 30 - 29 Newcastle Falcons