About v2AP Round 7
+7
stnick88
Ozzy3213
Driver
CJB
Steven_Sharks
dammit_chris
SirJohnnyEnglish
11 posters
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AP Round 7
by SirJohnnyEnglish Mon 24 Oct - 22:09
First topic message reminder :
Team Sheets and tactics due by COB Thur
Predictions open Fri. Results due Sun/Mon
London Irish v Bath
Sunny Intervals, 12 Degrees, 4mph Winds
London Irish
Manager – stnick88
16. WP Nel 17. Neil Briggs 18. Duncan Bell 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Joe Worsley 21. Neal De Kock 22. Matthew Tait 23. Juan Martin Hernandez
Tactics
- Set-Piece - Ruthlessly target the set piece. Tonga'uhia and Castro have the ability to give any scrum in the world problems, which is what we will look to do here against Bath. We will look to get the drive on and win as many penalties as possible at scrum time, whilst also using it as a platform to attack off. We will also use the lineout as an attacking platform, with Kennedy our main go to guy. Mumm, Daniel and Spies will also be used as options. Kennedy will disrupt as much opposition ball as possible.
- Breakdown - We will compete fiercely at the breakdown and use Tonga, Mumm, Castro, Spies etc to smash as many rucks as possible and get Fourie scavenging for ball (legally). Any turnover ball will be used to counter attack Bath. We will look to secure our own ball quickly and play the game at pace to get Naqa, Fourie, Armitage running with the ball.
- We want to control this game and dominate territory. We feel we have the pack to do this, and the half backs who both have great kicking games and are very good controlling players. Pienaar will have license to play what is infront of him and try and spot gaps to exploit, either with his running game or putting team mates through gaps.
- Dupuy to kick all penalties, if out of range we will kick deep to touch and use our lineout to good effect. Subs as and when needed.
- We will look to put pressure on Hodgson and give him a hit early on to knock his confidence. We will also get Spies and Naqa running at him to expose his defence. We will also look to test Varndell and try and get players one on one with him where they will fancy their chances of running through him.
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane
16. Jon Golding 17. Matt Thompson 18. Paulica Ion 19. Rob Simmons 20. Tom Guest 21 Richard Wigglesworth 22 Steven Shingler 23 Tim Nanai Williams
Tactics
Set Piece
We have some of the on form scrummagers in the world and will look to use the scrum as a platform. Ion and Golding will come on after 60 minutes to maintain dominance in the scrum. Look for Hoeata to take the banker ball.
Breakdown
We will be looking to slow the ball down for Irish and get turnovers if possible. We will be putting bodies into the breakdown with Armitage our go to man to get the turnovers.
Control
FDP and Hodgson will look to keep the tempo going throughout the game. FDP will look for spaces in the opposition backline and space in behind the back 3 for the grubber etc. Hodgson will look to keep us playing in the right areas and bring our backline into play when it's on.
Carries
Our game plan will be to have lots of big carries. Sean O’Brien will lead the carries. All our big carriers will be looking to get over the gain line making as many yards as possible. We will look to concentrate Irish defence centrally before releasing our wingers.
Kicking
Francois Steyn will be our main kicker. He will look to take on penalties in front of halfway as this is easily within his range. He will look for drop goals if there isn’t a lot on.
Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs
Grey Cloud, 13 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
16. Schalk Brits 17. Aston Croall 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Skivington 20. Alasdair Strokosch 21. Ryan Glynn 22. Freddie Burns 23. George Lowe
Tactics
We go into this week fully aware of the task at hand and we need to match up to a physical and dogged Exeter pack and we feel we have the men to do that. We have picked a heavy and physical front 5 which will work hard at hitting rucks and winning us set piece ball. Our back row is a big strong unit which will make its presence felt in the loose and at the breakdown. We have deliberately picked a 9, 10, 12 which we feel will control the game to the tempo and field position which we want. In contrast at 13 and in our back 3 we have deliberately picked strike runners who can be put into space by the inside backs.
In the pack we will play as we have done the rest of the season. We will look for our forwards to carry at pace and in numbers with the aim of breaking the gain line and winning collisions. They will look to carry of 9 10 and 12 and will look to vary their angles of running as we don't want the Exeter defence to be able to line our players up to tackle them. The conditions allow us to look for offloads and we will do this when the percentages are in our favour (ie not high risk offloads everytime). We will look to commit at least 3 men to each ruck but will of course commit more if Exeter look to target this area. We want to get quick ball before we send the ball wide and we also want to commit defenders before looking to play a wider and more expansive game.
Our backs are going to look to run when the opportunity is on. We will kick when we have no other options and will always look to find touch unless we are kicking in an attacking way (crossfield, up and under etc). The half backs will control our play and will look to feed runners all game and control our field position. We really like the look of the Dickson/Contepomi combination and think we can control the game with these to steeing our ship. Flutey and Canale will give us a solid centre pairing which will suit our desire to play exciting yet disciplined rugby. Both will look to pick lines in the midfield and attack the inside and outside shoulders of Exeter's defenders. Our back 3 is packed with pace and strength and we want to use them as much as possible. The blindside wing is encouraged to come off his wing and look for work.
The setpiece is an area we are going to look to attack. We feel that we will win our own scrum ball and we really want to attack the Exeter lineout. We want to put pressure on the whole Exeter line out as we feel they might be short of natural lineout jumpers. On our own lineout we will be happy to use any of our back 5 but will usually look to shorten the line to 4 or 5 men and use Dowson, Fearns and Vernon as first up carriers in midfield.
In defence we are looking to employ a quick line speed so as to give Exeter very little thinking time. We will look to be aggressive in the collisions and knock Exeter backwards. When we can we will look to double up and have one man looking to get onto the ball. We will look to compete at the breakdown when we have the numerical advantage or have the first man their. Whilst we are looking to put Exeter under constant pressure we don't want to give away penalties so will be very disciplined.
Our subs bench has a number of players who will provide and impact upon the game. Ryan Glynn is there so we have specialist scrum half cover should we need it, but Dickson won't be coming off unless he has to. Brits will come on after 50 mins and cause his usual mayhem.
Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver
16.Neil Clark 17.Andrew Sheridan 18.Tom Mercy 19.Tommy Hayes 20.Declan Danahar 21.Dave Wallace 22.Byron Kelleher 23.Steven Myler
Tactics
- EXETER BELONG IN THE AVIVA AND WE’RE COMING TO QUINS TO PICK UP THE WIN AND PROVE WE BELONG IN THIS LEAGUE
- Exeter will play a high impact game up front and WILL dominate up front , Perugini , Kayser , Zirka , Shaw and Short all looking to keep the ball in the tight and take quins on up front and build the phases and take away the momentum from Quins.
- We will opt to scrum down at every opportunity and take quins on using the experience of our front row to attack Marler , Rees and Mujati, Beattie will keep the ball at his feet and wait for the penalty to ping quins back or punish them with ROG’s boot.
- We will use D’Arcy to set a target in the back line as our big hard runner who will look to crash the ball up all day. Sucking the defenders in for the pacey backs to get on the outside of him.
- Defence - we will look to flood the field with numbers concentration on working back to form a solid defensive line and commiting as few numbers to the contact area as possible only putting numbers in for the turnover.
- we will go back to basics to kill quins offloading game with the tackler going low with two fringe defenders taking the player receiving the offload into a choke tackle to hold the ball up to win the put in at the scrum.
- we will aim to tie in the Quins back row keeping first and second phase balls close to the ruck area to really tie up the quins pack using the pivot man to allow our runners to cut angles and attack defenders weak arm shoulders.
- Lineouts - we will look to get the jumper up quickly and get the ball away from the contact area quickly aswell.
- Quins are going to be using a rush defense - this requires disipline in holding the line and we ask whether they can do this for 80 minutes and not leaving any dog legs in defence for our outside backs to expose.
- Quins motivation - Steve has been consistent with his selections this season and the quins team must be pretty complacent about there places and struggling to motivate them selves whilst Chiefs play better with there backs against the wall and are in the position where the element of surprise is on there side.
Gloucester Rugby v Saracens
White Cloud, 12 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt
16. Nick Wood 17. Deon Fourie 18. Coonie Ousthuizen 19. Richie Grey 20. AJ 21. Dave Lewis 22. Berrick Barnes 23. Lesley vainokolo
Glaws Tactics
Glaws welcom Sarries to Kingsholm for what promises to be a thriller. Gloucester were massively effected by the WC probably more than any team so are happy with their current league position and looking to push on.
Glaws have picked a strong side with a massive pack stocked to the brim with ball carriers and work rate. We are planning on keeping the ball and starving a more lightweight sarries pack of the ball. Should be a great game with both sides using different tactics.
GLAWS TACTICS- PACK
SET PIECE-
Glaws have a serious pack out and are looking forward to taking on the Sharks front row. They are formidable opponents but may be a little undercooked. Glaws have gone for a seasoned front row with Steenkamp strauss and White and will look to take it to Sarries. White is on to play 40 minutes before being replaced by Coonie at tight head as we look to cogreatntinue keeping the ball anc carrying it at sarries.
We see ourr back 5 in the scrum as being the key difference in terms of power coming through the scrum. Bakkies, Palmer, Ferris, Alberts and burger will be driving the front row looking to push sarries off their ball and if not making it so they have poor quality ball to attack with. To attack well you have to have good quality ball and we aim to deny it.
Alberts will be looking to pick up often on our ball and to take it to sarries backrow. sarries have gone for two light flankers in wood and smith and we intend to tie them in by picking up and driving at them. We have gone for balance with Ferris and Burger both being complete workhorses and Burger amassing nearly 50 caps at openside is no slouch at the breakdown.
LINEOUT-
We have as ever great lineout options with bakkies, Palmer, Burger and Ferris all experts in this field. We will be looking to pull in our own ball and drive sucking in the sarries pack and really looking to drain them before launching our many ball carriers such as Steenkamp, Strauss, Palmer, Ferris, Bakkies, Alberts and Burger at them off the tail of the maul.
As the game progresses we will be look to start using ball off the top and getting it wide and also having our big ball carriers in midfield to continue the assault.
On their ball we will be looking to dominate their throw in and at worse disrupt their ball. we have a pack that is full of experience that also knows how to win close games and who will bring their experience to use. Bakkies will be looking to make elstadts life a nightmare at every ruck and maul and really deny him banker ball.
FORWARDS- OVERALL
You do not pick such a brutal pack as glaws and not use it. we will be looking to win every collision and target every breakdown with venom. we are aiming to control the pace of the game and carry carry carry the ball at saracens and force them to work at the areas that no one likes which is tackling non stop.
Every lineout maul and breakdown will be targetted intelligently and we aim to physically stick it to Sarries. We see the amount of ball carriers in our side as a big positive and this will also influence how we play. we will introduce Coonie, Gray, Wood, Fourie and AJ at some point to continue this.
Control of ball and territory is key in big games and our pack has the ability and experience to do this.
BACKS
Obviously Gloucester are using a huge mobile ball carrying pack to win this game and the backs will decide by how much. lamb's job is to probe and control the game by helping us keep the ball. he will be looking to hit Hape short going back towards the pack or up the middle to set the next wave of possession. he will also be looking to hit the corners where necessary so our lineout can attack theirs and keep hold of the territory battle.
As the game wears on and we start to tire them more and more holes will appear and that is when he can come alive and hit our big backrow in midfield or hit our exciting runners such as may, carraro etc who can take advantage of tired forwards standing in the defensive line.
We aim to win this convinvingly and are going to do it by playing an aggressive ball carrying possesion based game that will look to blow the oppostion away
Key points
1. We are packed with ball carriers through out the side. to keep the ball you need lots of ball carriers
2. Our back row is in stunning form and offers everything. man for man we see it as better than Sarries although a different sort of backrow.
3. Experience. The gloucester team is packed with experience all over with a sprinkling of youth. in tight games experience matters. All of this gloucester team have been playing together for long time and the combinations tried and tested
4. Kingsholm Factor- Kingsholm is a scary place to go to and is a pressure cooker atmosphere. how will young tyros like spence, farrell etc fare in this atmosphere.
5 Balance- our side has the ability to change game plan if needed which is essential.
6. Real life form- Players like Ferris, Burger, Steenkamp, Palmer, May etc are all in storming form
Saracens
Manager – LDCPete
16. Scott Lawson 17. Matt Mullan 18. Alex Corbisiero 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Alessandro Zanni 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Rene Ranger 23. Alex Goode
Tactics
Our generic gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game.
In attack our primary gameplan is always to control possession and run the ball, utilising big carriers attacking gaps in the line, and looking to offload to support runners to continue getting over the gainline and keep the ball alive. If the offload is not on, we will take the contact and look to recycle quickly at the breakdown. If running the ball is not on we will uitilise the kicking game of one of our backs to take us into the right area of the pitch.
In defence we will look to blitz, with our scrum half sweeping behind the defensive line. Key for us is line speed, getting up to make the tackle before the ball carrier hits the gainline, and confidence and trust in the man next to you in the defensive line, meaning we will not jump out or get pulled to far away from the next defender leaving gaps that can be exploited.
At the breakdown, we will not overcommit players. If the ball is not there to be won, then we will commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow it down whilst maintaining a strong defensive line across the pitch. If the ball looks like it is there to be won, we will look to get more numbers there quickly, with the first 1 or 2 players immediately rucking past the ball to clear the opposition players who are trying to get hands on it, and the next man in will then look to get it out quickly for us to counter attack on turnover ball.
We will look to really attack the scrum, both in attack and defence. We will not be looking to drop the scrum at all, and JvN in his role as captain will be talking to the referee constantly to ensure that he is aware that we want to scrummage. We will look to be aggressive in this area throughout. On our ball in attack we will pack down as per shirt numbers. On opposition put in in their territory, JvN will pack down as a flanker with Smith at 8, and Wood and JvN will stay down as long as possible providing extra grunt in order for us to either shove them back and take it against the head, or ensure that the opposition number 8 has difficult ball to deal with.
Game Specific Tactics
Key Points
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons
Sunny Intervals, 11 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit Chris
16. Rob Webber 17. Juan Pablo Orlandi 18. Mako Vunipola 19. Alexander Lapandy 20. Dave Attwood 21. Danny Cipriani 22.Max Evans 23. Tomassi Benvenutti
Tactics
Tactics:
Overview – we have picked a team that is capable of playing at a high tempo and will look to build on the three big wins that Saints have achieved in as many weeks and have a team that is capable of scoring tries all over the park. We will look to concentrate more on the set piece, which we believe is key to beating Newcastle and have picked five jumpers for the lineout and a strong scrum to give us field position and a foundation to build attacks.
Key points
*We have a strong set piece and will target the lineout as a base to launch attacks, five lineout jumpers give us an advantage is this area. The pack is also really fresh and brings a lot of power.
* We have some really strong runners to break through the Newcastle defensive line, the Newcastle team is really lacking ball carriers, whilst we have Lawes, Albacete, Messam, Parisse, de Villiers an Tuilagi.
* The team has a lot of leaders, Hartley, Hayman, Albacete, Parisse, Giteau, de Villiers and these players will up their performances for the big games, especially as we also welcome back Foden and Ashton, whilst giving Stevens, Lawes, Simpson and Tuilagi a run out (each played a maximum of 50 minutes last week, whilst this is a lot of Newcastle players first game back since the World Cup, so expect timing to be off).
* We will move the ball around the park and look to attack Newcastle – every one of our backs is a game changer, full international and each can win a game with a bit of magic. Combined with our ability to break the gainline we will score tries.
* Attacking options galore in backline, threat of Simpson, powerful midfield and try scoring back three. Newcastle defence will have to be on top of its game.
Forwards – Set Piece & Breakdown
We have picked a team that will look to take Newcastle on at the set piece and due to the conditions we envisage that emphasis will be placed mostly at the lineout because the dry conditions will mean that there wont be as many scrums.
Our scrum is more than solid and has a lot of power behind the front row, in Lawes, Albacete and Parisse – we will get Simpson to stick very closely to Youngs on defensive scrums and put the out of form scrum half under pressure.
As such we have picked a team that has five lineout jumpers (Lawes, Albacete, Clark, Messam and Parisse) and in Dylan Hartley we have one of the best lineout throwers in the game. This gives us a lot of options and different ways that we can attack Newcastle, we will look to mix up the lineout as much as possible, and will use Parisse and Albacete when we want quick ball to set our backs away. We have specifically picked Clark to add to our lineout options. We will target the Newcastle lineout as a lot of their ball will go straight to O’Connell, who hasn’t played since the World Cup and will take time to settle into the game.
Defensively at the lineout we are we will get Simpson to stand in the 5 metre channel (as a hooker would do) – and then bring Hartley into the lineout itself and move Messam into the midfield to target Nick Evans and put him under intense pressure. We want Messam to force Evans into kicking the ball to our backthree or being caught in possession – with de Villiers putting pressure on Barritt we will look to tie Newcastle up in the midfield area.
Our pack will also do a lot of carrying work as we look to work field position and go through the phases, waiting for the opportunity to break the gainline and generate quick ball to unleash the backs. Lawes, Albacete, Messam and Parisse all bring a great ball carrying threat from our forwards and this will give us a great chance to secure a lot of ball, possession and territory.
The breakdown will be a fierce battle, as Brussow and Robshaw will be a threat – but we will look to use Lawes and Messam’s power to clear Brussow and Robshaw out of this area and for Clark and Parisse to target the ball. We will look to force Newcastle into making mistakes and if the ball is there to be won we will commit numbers and on our ball we will ensure that we strike rucks in numbers to stop Brussow getting his hands on the ball.
Backs
Whilst our forwards will secure us ball, our backline will be marshalled by Giteau who will dictate the play and bring de Villiers and Tuilagi into play to smash the ball up into the Newcastle midfield – there will also be the chance to use them both as dummy runners and with Giteau’s passing bring in our dangerous back three – Siviatu and Ashton to come in off their wings looking for ball.
We are going to attack, but wont be throwing the ball around for the sake of it, it is important for us to get over the gainline and provide Simpson the chance to snipe at pace around the fringes, but because of the power of our lineout Giteau wont be afraid to kick the ball for the corners and allow our pack to pressurise O’Connell and co.
We have a lot of different threats around the park in terms of how we can attack, speed at no9, power in midfield and try scoring threats in the back three – Giteau is the guy to draw defenders and unlock the Newcastle defence.
Giteau to kick penalties when they are available, especially whenever the game is close, but we want to keep the scoreboard ticking over and try and make Newcastle chase the game.
Defence
Defensively we will look to play an aggressive game in the forwards and marshall the breakdown/ruck area extremely well to stop the threat of Youngs. We will also look to get Messam pressuring Evans at every opportunity e.g. from the lineout (as above).
The Saints midfield will look to try and hold Evans, Barritt and Payne up in the tackle area and wait for support from the pack. By stopping them going to ground we will get the scrum put in and the turnover. Simpson will track behind the midfield to put down any line breaks.
We will also aim to use the lineout as a very good means of putting pressure on Newcastle and using our five jumpers to force them into mistakes.
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
16. Tom Lindsay 17. Juan Gomez 18. Boris Stankovich 19. Geoff Parling 20. Juan Smith 21. Kelly Brown 22. Jonny Arr 23. Toby Flood
TACTICS
General play - We’re looking to play a forward dominating, messy game to spoil Saints at home. We’ll be looking to control the breakdown and slow every phase of possession Saints have. On our ball we’ll be looking to move Saints around the pitch and keep hold of the ball. Brussouw & Robshaw are the key men in this encounter, they’ll be looking to spoil Saints quick ball and get their hands on any attacking ball. We’ll be playing at much higher tempo in the forwards to wear the Saints pack down and have went for 6/2 split to back this up. We’ll look to get Brown & Smith on early in the second to keep up the physicality and control at the breakdown. Evans will look to nail everything within distance and keep us infront on the scoreboard, heeping the pressure on Giteau.
We’re basically looking to make this game a kick fest and only allow Saints points from the tee where we know Giteau is not strong.
Forwards
Set Piece
We'll be looking to use the set piece as a platform to set up attacks. Our tactics during each game may change if we spot a weakness in the oppposition set piece during the 80mins. This is the role of the team captain.
Scrum - We'll be looking to set a platform and use the scrum to get fast ball to out 9/10 axis. PDJ and Roncero are excellent technical scrummagers who will give us a sound foundation and look to get at their opposite numbers from the off. If a weakness is seen we’ll look to keep the push on and drive the opposition back, taking scrum options at pens if totally on top. If not we’ll be using the scrum as restart and getting the ball in and out so we can attack the opposition 9/10 axis.
We don’t see much give in either scrum and can see neither side getting much dominance. Stevens will be targeted early on by PDJ to see if he’s recovered from his WC battering.
Lineout – A massive contest here. We see us having a huge advantage with POC leading the line and Vermeulen & Schofield offering huge targets. Saints have some good options but we can’t see a caller in the Saints pack. Albacete & Lawes don’t make the calls for club or country, this could be a really big advantage for us and we will target the lineout if a weakness is seen early on.
Target Breakdown & Rucks
This is often were games and won and lost as seen in the WC. Brussow will look to make a complete mess of Saints attacking ball by slowing and turning over at every chance. We’ll target Simpson from the off as he likes to attack the fringes rather than pass so we feel we can get him isolated more often than not. With no breakdown specialist in the Saints pack, Brussow & Robshaw will have free reign to spoil and slow down phase after phase.
Backs
Halfbacks
Halfbacks win you games on the hard pitches and in Youngs/Evans we have two of the best about. With a solid platform Youngs will look to snipe around and find gaps in the opposion defense, especially at 2/3rd phase attacks when defenses start to fray. Youngs gives us a massive threat and will look to mix his game up throughgout the game. Evans will play his natural game and come into the line flat. He’ll look to mix the play up with varying passes and look to hit behind the back 3 if on. Youngs will sweep up behind a blitz defense with Barritt leading the line.
Backline balance
We have numerous running options and the option to mix things up in the backline. Barritt gives Evans go to ball if needed and we'll look to get Ben Smith in as second receiver to give us a different focal point. Payne will look to come off the shoulder of attacks (similar to Conrad) and inject pace into the midfield. He'll look to alternate at FB with Smith. Bowe/Maitland give us pace and power on the flanks and we'll look to bring to bring them into the game whenever possible.
Points to target against opposition
After studying the opposition over a number of weeks we’ll be looking to specifically target these areas:
LINEOUT – Saints have put a huge emphasis on the lineout, yet they have nobody who leads the lineout. Up against an inform POC we will look to get a massive upper hand here and spoil Saints attacking platform. As quoted by Matt: “Lineout ball is the best attacking ball”. With POC looking to spoil and steal on every throw, putting Hartley under huge pressure.
BREAKDOWN – Brussow & Robshaw will look to dismantle Saints at the breakdown and spoil attack after attack. Youngs is at his best on turnover ball and we’ll look to annoy Saints all game here. With no real quality at the breakdown for Saints and no openside (Clark has not played 7 for Saints this season and is up against one of the best in the world) we will look to dominate. As seen in games in the WC when a world class openside has free reign he can destroy the opposition. We won’t be just looking for turnovers, Brussow will look to wrap up his man and prevent him placing the ball resulting 9/10 a pen to the defending team. With this we’ll look to gain points or territory
KICKING CONTEST – With us looking to make a complete mess of the breakdown and slowing down play we expect this game to be low scoring affair with points from the tee being huge. Evans is a marksman from the tee and could be the difference up against Giteau who is of the last few years a poor tee kicker.
SAINTS 12/13 axis – Saints have a fantastic back 3 but are JDV and Manu the players to get the ball out fast to unleash these players? We don’t think so and will look to wrap JDV from the off as 9 times out of 10 he will look for contact and hinder attacking play (As seen when SA brought in Steyn at 12 and they looked a transformed team). With Saints looking to play a free running attacking game, JDV is the complete wrong 12 to do this and Manu isn’t exactly renowned for his game opening passes. Both classy players but both look for contact rather passing the ball and we think this may hinder Saints attacking play, also giving us the chance of getting Brussow in to spoil play.
LEAGUE FORM – There’s a difference to putting away weakened teams in LV to putting full strength outfits away in the league. Saints league form isn’t great with 2 wins from 6. We’ve 2 away wins already this season and 5 wins from 6. Confidence, momentum and form go to us in this one and this could be key. Look at Quins in the AP as a prime example.
REAL GAME FORM – We’ve got some players in cracking form. Roncero, POC, Robshaw, Brussow, Evans, Barritt, Bowe and players like Maitland, Smith and Payne off the back of fantastic S15 seasons.
6/2 BENCH - We'll be looking for forward dominance and high tempo throughout the game. With this we've got some serious talent to bring on early in the second. Juan Smith and Kelly Brown will give us some serious grunt and energy to allow Brussow space and time to work his magic at the breakdown.
Worcester Warriors v London Wasps
White Cloud, 12 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd
16.Chris Fortey 17.George Porter 18.Chris Budgen 19.Leo Cullen 20.Sebastian Chabal 21.Eion Reddan 22.Morne Steyn 23.Sam Vesty
Tactics
Forwards
We have picked a big front 5 to battle hard in the lineouts and scrums. The back row have flankers who are capable of stealing ball and we will look to slow the ball down and cover the kicks behind our wingers by looking at quick lineouts. Morgan and Hamilton will run off of the backs to create space and the morgan-peel axis has been playing well together so far. When it comes to our front 5 they will look to run in pods to hit every other ruck and look to take our the support and allow gaps for our fetchers. Up the jumper is the order of the day when kicked into corners to suck them in and look to perform rolling mauls.
Backs
We have Robinson who will look to kick into corners to pin the opposition back and we will put pressure on their lineouts. Malzieu will look to release our forwards runners and Clarke to make the headway and the gaps for our support runners. We have pace in our wings and both will look to run off the breaks for offloads. Habana and Garvey will go hunting for the ball and look to take the player on the outside. Morgan will hit gaps and is comfortable under the high ball.
Defence
Rushed banana defence targettting 10 and pods to look to slow down any ball.
Overall
*Bring on Steyn on 60 mins to kick for goals and corners and to ease him back in,
*Forward orientated for first 20mins and then each time we have an attacking lineout,
*Backs to look to run the ball in their half and create gaps for the pacy wingers,
*Robinson/Steyn/Vesty to pin them back constantly and look to bring in the wings when possible,
*Slow down their ball and provide quick ball for ours using the pod system,
*We are at home and will get the crowd vocal through attractive rugby,
*Kick for goal when kickable and don't be afraid to drop kick (backs),
*WIN
London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry
16. Andy Titterell 17. Charlie Beech 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Steve Mafi 20. Tom Johnson 21. Mike Blair 22. Rory Clegg 23. Noah Cato
Tactics
After winning our last three games in all competitions we are feeling very high on confidence and feel that we go into this clash with Worcester with plenty of momentum. We are fully aware how difficult a place Worcester is to go and have picked a gritty, powerful and physical front 5 which will work very hard at rucks and winning us set piece ball at scrum time and lineout. We feel that if we can assert ourselves physically and win the forward battle, providing our backs with a solid platform we will be able to come have a good chance of coming away with a hard fought victory. We have plenty of players who are bang in form.
Our game plan is based around using the power we have in our team to set out a platform for our backs to be able to attack from. We will look to use the set piece as a platform for attacks. Our front row is a very good scrummaging unit and we will hopefully be able to build attacks from there and earn some penalties for Gopperth to make use of. Our pack will be physical and relentless up front, we will play with controlled aggression. Early on we will look to our forwards to get us onto the front foot by attacking in groups with some grunt and powerful carrying, getting us over the gain line. We will start as we mean to go on with a high intensity, hitting the collision area hard and driving our players over the gain line. We will look to recycle the ball efficiently within the pack working Worcester hard in defence in the early stages.
We have three excellent kicking options in Gopperth, McAlister and Mortlock, any slow ball we have we will look to kick in behind the Worcester wingers and keep them pinned back where we will look to isolate and pressurize them into making mistakes in their own half. We will look to hit the rucks hard and compete when we can, any turnovers we do make we will look to get the ball out wide and attack the space available. At rucks on our own ball we will look to secure the ball by coming from low to high to present Claassens with clean, quick ball and get our forwards running onto the ball at different angles to pierce the Worcester defence. We will look to compete at the breakdown if we have the numbers there, however if the ball is clearly there’s we will not commit numbers to the ruck, instead we will look to organize our defence ready to deal with the next Worcester carrier.
In the forwards we will look to drive our carriers over the gain line and really look to win the collisions. We have plenty of dynamic carriers including the explosive and in form James Haskell. Gopperth will look to bring in our strike runners in McAlister and Mortlock. If it is on we will look to offload the ball to the supporting players and keep Worcester working off the ball in defence. We will look for Mortlock to stay strong in the contact area and either offload if he wins the collision, or the support players will keep driving him on, building up momentum and speed in our attacks. So long as our ball carriers have the support, we will look to pierce gaps in the Worcester defensive line and offload to supporting players.
With the ball in hand we will look to our strike runners to attack gaps and half gaps in their defence targeting the outside shoulder of the Worcester players and will look to attack the fly half channel in the Worcester defence, hopefully opening them up. When possible we will look to get our offloading game going to alternate the point of attack and keep Worcester working off the ball in defence and pierce the gaps we have created. With quick ball and offloading we will look to create and expose mismatches in the midfield. Our mobile and dynamic back row will look to support our ball carriers, taking offloads and powerfully driving forward. We will ensure our ball carriers have plenty of support in each phase, so they we can continue to play an offloading game. Any loose kicks our back three get will be returned with interest. We have plenty of pace in our back three and will look to use them when we can.
At lineouts we will look to exert as much pressure as possible on Worcester’s throws with Wentzel looking to steal some opposition throws. On our own throw we will use Wentzel as our main go to man but will mix it up by using Chisholm, Haskell and Wilson. From there we will look to slowly sap the energy out of Worcester by using the rolling maul. We will look to suck in as many Worcester defenders to open up spaces elsewhere for us to attack. We’ll look to really target the scrum and create a platform, we feel that we can gain an advantage here, if we get a nudge on we will look to keep Worcester going backwards. We will ensure our discipline is exemplary. We will play hard rugby but ensure we play by the rules, discipline will be key.
We will look to attack in numbers, we have plenty of powerful and dynamic carriers in our pack who will get us over the gain line and set us out a solid platform to build from. We have plenty of grit in our team and feel that if we can push Worcester onto the back foot by winning the forward battle we will be able to unsettle them. We want to continue our winning ways and feel that if we can play at a high tempo and push Worcester onto the back foot we will be able to do this. Our forwards will set the tone with huge carrying and from there we will look to get our offloading game going and bring our strike runners into the game. We have plenty of impact to call upon from the bench to continue our high levels of intensity and power.
Team Sheets and tactics due by COB Thur
Predictions open Fri. Results due Sun/Mon
London Irish v Bath
Sunny Intervals, 12 Degrees, 4mph Winds
London Irish
Manager – stnick88
| 01. Soane Tonga'uhia | 09. Julien Dupuy |
| 02. James Buckland | 10. Ruan Pienaar |
| 03. Martin Castrogiovanni | |
| 04. Dean Mumm | 11. Paul Sackey |
| 05. Nick Kennedy | 12. Sireli Naqalevuki |
| 06. Keegan Daniel | 13. Jacques Fourie |
| 07. Hendrie Fourie | 14. J.P Pieterson |
| 08. Pierre Spies | 15. Delon Armitage |
16. WP Nel 17. Neil Briggs 18. Duncan Bell 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Joe Worsley 21. Neal De Kock 22. Matthew Tait 23. Juan Martin Hernandez
Tactics
- Set-Piece - Ruthlessly target the set piece. Tonga'uhia and Castro have the ability to give any scrum in the world problems, which is what we will look to do here against Bath. We will look to get the drive on and win as many penalties as possible at scrum time, whilst also using it as a platform to attack off. We will also use the lineout as an attacking platform, with Kennedy our main go to guy. Mumm, Daniel and Spies will also be used as options. Kennedy will disrupt as much opposition ball as possible.
- Breakdown - We will compete fiercely at the breakdown and use Tonga, Mumm, Castro, Spies etc to smash as many rucks as possible and get Fourie scavenging for ball (legally). Any turnover ball will be used to counter attack Bath. We will look to secure our own ball quickly and play the game at pace to get Naqa, Fourie, Armitage running with the ball.
- We want to control this game and dominate territory. We feel we have the pack to do this, and the half backs who both have great kicking games and are very good controlling players. Pienaar will have license to play what is infront of him and try and spot gaps to exploit, either with his running game or putting team mates through gaps.
- Dupuy to kick all penalties, if out of range we will kick deep to touch and use our lineout to good effect. Subs as and when needed.
- We will look to put pressure on Hodgson and give him a hit early on to knock his confidence. We will also get Spies and Naqa running at him to expose his defence. We will also look to test Varndell and try and get players one on one with him where they will fancy their chances of running through him.
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane
| 01. Cian Healy | 09. Fourie Du Preez |
| 02. Joe Ward | 10. Charlie Hodgson |
| 03. Davit Kubrashvilli | |
| 04. Jarrad Hoeata | 11. Ugo Monye |
| 05. Tim Swinson | 12. Anthony Allen |
| 06. Sean O’Brien | 13. Joe Ansboro |
| 07. Steffon Armitage | 14. Tim Varndell |
| 08. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe | 15. Francois Steyn |
Tactics
Set Piece
We have some of the on form scrummagers in the world and will look to use the scrum as a platform. Ion and Golding will come on after 60 minutes to maintain dominance in the scrum. Look for Hoeata to take the banker ball.
Breakdown
We will be looking to slow the ball down for Irish and get turnovers if possible. We will be putting bodies into the breakdown with Armitage our go to man to get the turnovers.
Control
FDP and Hodgson will look to keep the tempo going throughout the game. FDP will look for spaces in the opposition backline and space in behind the back 3 for the grubber etc. Hodgson will look to keep us playing in the right areas and bring our backline into play when it's on.
Carries
Our game plan will be to have lots of big carries. Sean O’Brien will lead the carries. All our big carriers will be looking to get over the gain line making as many yards as possible. We will look to concentrate Irish defence centrally before releasing our wingers.
Kicking
Francois Steyn will be our main kicker. He will look to take on penalties in front of halfway as this is easily within his range. He will look for drop goals if there isn’t a lot on.
Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs
Grey Cloud, 13 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
| 01. Joe Marler | 09. Lee Dickson (c) |
| 02. Matthew Rees | 10. Felipe Contepomi (k) |
| 03. Brian Mujati | |
| 04. Jerome Thion | 11. Joe Rokocoko |
| 05. Erik Lund | 12. Riki Flutey |
| 06. Carl Fearns | 13. Gonzalo Canale |
| 07. Phil Dowson | 14. Jonathan Joseph |
| 08. Richie Vernon | 15. Luke Morahan |
16. Schalk Brits 17. Aston Croall 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Skivington 20. Alasdair Strokosch 21. Ryan Glynn 22. Freddie Burns 23. George Lowe
Tactics
We go into this week fully aware of the task at hand and we need to match up to a physical and dogged Exeter pack and we feel we have the men to do that. We have picked a heavy and physical front 5 which will work hard at hitting rucks and winning us set piece ball. Our back row is a big strong unit which will make its presence felt in the loose and at the breakdown. We have deliberately picked a 9, 10, 12 which we feel will control the game to the tempo and field position which we want. In contrast at 13 and in our back 3 we have deliberately picked strike runners who can be put into space by the inside backs.
In the pack we will play as we have done the rest of the season. We will look for our forwards to carry at pace and in numbers with the aim of breaking the gain line and winning collisions. They will look to carry of 9 10 and 12 and will look to vary their angles of running as we don't want the Exeter defence to be able to line our players up to tackle them. The conditions allow us to look for offloads and we will do this when the percentages are in our favour (ie not high risk offloads everytime). We will look to commit at least 3 men to each ruck but will of course commit more if Exeter look to target this area. We want to get quick ball before we send the ball wide and we also want to commit defenders before looking to play a wider and more expansive game.
Our backs are going to look to run when the opportunity is on. We will kick when we have no other options and will always look to find touch unless we are kicking in an attacking way (crossfield, up and under etc). The half backs will control our play and will look to feed runners all game and control our field position. We really like the look of the Dickson/Contepomi combination and think we can control the game with these to steeing our ship. Flutey and Canale will give us a solid centre pairing which will suit our desire to play exciting yet disciplined rugby. Both will look to pick lines in the midfield and attack the inside and outside shoulders of Exeter's defenders. Our back 3 is packed with pace and strength and we want to use them as much as possible. The blindside wing is encouraged to come off his wing and look for work.
The setpiece is an area we are going to look to attack. We feel that we will win our own scrum ball and we really want to attack the Exeter lineout. We want to put pressure on the whole Exeter line out as we feel they might be short of natural lineout jumpers. On our own lineout we will be happy to use any of our back 5 but will usually look to shorten the line to 4 or 5 men and use Dowson, Fearns and Vernon as first up carriers in midfield.
In defence we are looking to employ a quick line speed so as to give Exeter very little thinking time. We will look to be aggressive in the collisions and knock Exeter backwards. When we can we will look to double up and have one man looking to get onto the ball. We will look to compete at the breakdown when we have the numerical advantage or have the first man their. Whilst we are looking to put Exeter under constant pressure we don't want to give away penalties so will be very disciplined.
Our subs bench has a number of players who will provide and impact upon the game. Ryan Glynn is there so we have specialist scrum half cover should we need it, but Dickson won't be coming off unless he has to. Brits will come on after 50 mins and cause his usual mayhem.
Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver
| 01.Salvator Perugini | 09.Haydn Thomas |
| 02.Ben Kayser | 10.Ronan O'Gara |
| 03.Davit Zirkashvilli | |
| 04.Simon Shaw | 11.Luke Fitzgerald |
| 05.Peter Short | 12.Gordan D'Arcy |
| 06.Lewis Moody (c) | 13.George Pisi |
| 07.Shane Jennings | 14.Horace Aguella |
| 08.Johnnie Beattie | 15.Luke Arscott |
16.Neil Clark 17.Andrew Sheridan 18.Tom Mercy 19.Tommy Hayes 20.Declan Danahar 21.Dave Wallace 22.Byron Kelleher 23.Steven Myler
Tactics
- EXETER BELONG IN THE AVIVA AND WE’RE COMING TO QUINS TO PICK UP THE WIN AND PROVE WE BELONG IN THIS LEAGUE
- Exeter will play a high impact game up front and WILL dominate up front , Perugini , Kayser , Zirka , Shaw and Short all looking to keep the ball in the tight and take quins on up front and build the phases and take away the momentum from Quins.
- We will opt to scrum down at every opportunity and take quins on using the experience of our front row to attack Marler , Rees and Mujati, Beattie will keep the ball at his feet and wait for the penalty to ping quins back or punish them with ROG’s boot.
- We will use D’Arcy to set a target in the back line as our big hard runner who will look to crash the ball up all day. Sucking the defenders in for the pacey backs to get on the outside of him.
- Defence - we will look to flood the field with numbers concentration on working back to form a solid defensive line and commiting as few numbers to the contact area as possible only putting numbers in for the turnover.
- we will go back to basics to kill quins offloading game with the tackler going low with two fringe defenders taking the player receiving the offload into a choke tackle to hold the ball up to win the put in at the scrum.
- we will aim to tie in the Quins back row keeping first and second phase balls close to the ruck area to really tie up the quins pack using the pivot man to allow our runners to cut angles and attack defenders weak arm shoulders.
- Lineouts - we will look to get the jumper up quickly and get the ball away from the contact area quickly aswell.
- Quins are going to be using a rush defense - this requires disipline in holding the line and we ask whether they can do this for 80 minutes and not leaving any dog legs in defence for our outside backs to expose.
- Quins motivation - Steve has been consistent with his selections this season and the quins team must be pretty complacent about there places and struggling to motivate them selves whilst Chiefs play better with there backs against the wall and are in the position where the element of surprise is on there side.
Gloucester Rugby v Saracens
White Cloud, 12 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt
| 01. Guthro Steenkamp | 09. Rory Lawson |
| 02. Adriaan Strauss | 10. Ryan lamb |
| 03. Julian White | |
| 04. Bakkies Botha | 11. Matt Carraro |
| 05. Tom Palmer | 12. Shantayne Hape |
| 06. Stephen Ferris | 13. Johnny May |
| 07. Shalk Burger(C) | 14. JSD |
| 08. Willem Alberts | 15. Scott Hamilton |
16. Nick Wood 17. Deon Fourie 18. Coonie Ousthuizen 19. Richie Grey 20. AJ 21. Dave Lewis 22. Berrick Barnes 23. Lesley vainokolo
Glaws Tactics
Glaws welcom Sarries to Kingsholm for what promises to be a thriller. Gloucester were massively effected by the WC probably more than any team so are happy with their current league position and looking to push on.
Glaws have picked a strong side with a massive pack stocked to the brim with ball carriers and work rate. We are planning on keeping the ball and starving a more lightweight sarries pack of the ball. Should be a great game with both sides using different tactics.
GLAWS TACTICS- PACK
SET PIECE-
Glaws have a serious pack out and are looking forward to taking on the Sharks front row. They are formidable opponents but may be a little undercooked. Glaws have gone for a seasoned front row with Steenkamp strauss and White and will look to take it to Sarries. White is on to play 40 minutes before being replaced by Coonie at tight head as we look to cogreatntinue keeping the ball anc carrying it at sarries.
We see ourr back 5 in the scrum as being the key difference in terms of power coming through the scrum. Bakkies, Palmer, Ferris, Alberts and burger will be driving the front row looking to push sarries off their ball and if not making it so they have poor quality ball to attack with. To attack well you have to have good quality ball and we aim to deny it.
Alberts will be looking to pick up often on our ball and to take it to sarries backrow. sarries have gone for two light flankers in wood and smith and we intend to tie them in by picking up and driving at them. We have gone for balance with Ferris and Burger both being complete workhorses and Burger amassing nearly 50 caps at openside is no slouch at the breakdown.
LINEOUT-
We have as ever great lineout options with bakkies, Palmer, Burger and Ferris all experts in this field. We will be looking to pull in our own ball and drive sucking in the sarries pack and really looking to drain them before launching our many ball carriers such as Steenkamp, Strauss, Palmer, Ferris, Bakkies, Alberts and Burger at them off the tail of the maul.
As the game progresses we will be look to start using ball off the top and getting it wide and also having our big ball carriers in midfield to continue the assault.
On their ball we will be looking to dominate their throw in and at worse disrupt their ball. we have a pack that is full of experience that also knows how to win close games and who will bring their experience to use. Bakkies will be looking to make elstadts life a nightmare at every ruck and maul and really deny him banker ball.
FORWARDS- OVERALL
You do not pick such a brutal pack as glaws and not use it. we will be looking to win every collision and target every breakdown with venom. we are aiming to control the pace of the game and carry carry carry the ball at saracens and force them to work at the areas that no one likes which is tackling non stop.
Every lineout maul and breakdown will be targetted intelligently and we aim to physically stick it to Sarries. We see the amount of ball carriers in our side as a big positive and this will also influence how we play. we will introduce Coonie, Gray, Wood, Fourie and AJ at some point to continue this.
Control of ball and territory is key in big games and our pack has the ability and experience to do this.
BACKS
Obviously Gloucester are using a huge mobile ball carrying pack to win this game and the backs will decide by how much. lamb's job is to probe and control the game by helping us keep the ball. he will be looking to hit Hape short going back towards the pack or up the middle to set the next wave of possession. he will also be looking to hit the corners where necessary so our lineout can attack theirs and keep hold of the territory battle.
As the game wears on and we start to tire them more and more holes will appear and that is when he can come alive and hit our big backrow in midfield or hit our exciting runners such as may, carraro etc who can take advantage of tired forwards standing in the defensive line.
We aim to win this convinvingly and are going to do it by playing an aggressive ball carrying possesion based game that will look to blow the oppostion away
Key points
1. We are packed with ball carriers through out the side. to keep the ball you need lots of ball carriers
2. Our back row is in stunning form and offers everything. man for man we see it as better than Sarries although a different sort of backrow.
3. Experience. The gloucester team is packed with experience all over with a sprinkling of youth. in tight games experience matters. All of this gloucester team have been playing together for long time and the combinations tried and tested
4. Kingsholm Factor- Kingsholm is a scary place to go to and is a pressure cooker atmosphere. how will young tyros like spence, farrell etc fare in this atmosphere.
5 Balance- our side has the ability to change game plan if needed which is essential.
6. Real life form- Players like Ferris, Burger, Steenkamp, Palmer, May etc are all in storming form
Saracens
Manager – LDCPete
| 01. Tendai Mtwarira | 09. Francois Hougaard |
| 02. Bismarck du Plessis | 10. Patric Lambie |
| 03. Jannie du Plessis | |
| 04. Rynhardt Elstadt | 11. Tim Visser |
| 05. Steve Borthwick | 12. Owen Farrell |
| 06. Tom Wood | 13. Nevin Spence |
| 07. George Smith | 14. Mark Cueto |
| 08. Joe van Niekerk (c) | 15. Tom Homer |
16. Scott Lawson 17. Matt Mullan 18. Alex Corbisiero 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Alessandro Zanni 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Rene Ranger 23. Alex Goode
Tactics
Our generic gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game.
In attack our primary gameplan is always to control possession and run the ball, utilising big carriers attacking gaps in the line, and looking to offload to support runners to continue getting over the gainline and keep the ball alive. If the offload is not on, we will take the contact and look to recycle quickly at the breakdown. If running the ball is not on we will uitilise the kicking game of one of our backs to take us into the right area of the pitch.
In defence we will look to blitz, with our scrum half sweeping behind the defensive line. Key for us is line speed, getting up to make the tackle before the ball carrier hits the gainline, and confidence and trust in the man next to you in the defensive line, meaning we will not jump out or get pulled to far away from the next defender leaving gaps that can be exploited.
At the breakdown, we will not overcommit players. If the ball is not there to be won, then we will commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow it down whilst maintaining a strong defensive line across the pitch. If the ball looks like it is there to be won, we will look to get more numbers there quickly, with the first 1 or 2 players immediately rucking past the ball to clear the opposition players who are trying to get hands on it, and the next man in will then look to get it out quickly for us to counter attack on turnover ball.
We will look to really attack the scrum, both in attack and defence. We will not be looking to drop the scrum at all, and JvN in his role as captain will be talking to the referee constantly to ensure that he is aware that we want to scrummage. We will look to be aggressive in this area throughout. On our ball in attack we will pack down as per shirt numbers. On opposition put in in their territory, JvN will pack down as a flanker with Smith at 8, and Wood and JvN will stay down as long as possible providing extra grunt in order for us to either shove them back and take it against the head, or ensure that the opposition number 8 has difficult ball to deal with.
Game Specific Tactics
- Move their pack around - Gloucester have a heavier pack on show than us, so we will look to stay away from becoming involved in an arm wrestle and will instead look to move them around the pitch, switching the point of attack and playing to our strengths and not theirs. We will do this by utilising the kicking games that we have to switch play, and also Lambie to vary the points of attack with ball in hand. We will try to get our backs to isolate Julian White when attacking with ball in hand.
- Our lineout ball - Steve Borthwick will call our lineout and will look to use it as a real attacking weapon. We will mix it up using Elstadt, Borthwick, Wood and van Niekerk as jumpers, and when in the right areas of the field will look to play quickly off the top and get the ball going through the hands and stretching the Gloucester defence.
- Opposition lineout ball - We will really look to disrupt and challenge in the air for the ball, utilising the expertese of Borthwick at the lineout, along with the athleticism of Elstadt and Wood to do this. We will aim to ensure that even if we don't win the ball we get a hand in and make it scrappy ball for Gloucester to play with.
- Control Territory - Although our primary gameplan is one of controlling possession and going through the phases running the ball, away from home we will be looking to ensure that we play in the right areas, and utilising the kicking games of Lambie, Farrell and Homer to do this. When we kick we will not kick aimlessesly and will look to kick for touch and then contest the lineout deep in Gloucester territory.
- Take The Points - We will try to be clinical and ensure that we come away from Gloucester territory with points on every occasion. We will take every kickable penalty at goal, with 3 excellent goalkickers in the team. We will be patient and go through the phases when required in order to open up gaps that we can exploit for tries. If it is clear that we are not in a position to come away with a try, we will take the drop goal opportunities. If we have a penalty advantage in the Gloucester half, we will not go for the drop goal as some teams do, but will look to try something risky to create a try from nothing, safe in the knowledge that we can come back for the three points off the tee if it goes wrong. (You've got to speculate to accumulate).
Key Points
- We have 5 very combative South Africans in our pack, who are unlikely to be outmuscled in the collisions, despite Gloucester having the heavier pack. It is what these guys thrive on and what you need to win tough away matches. Having said that, as stated in tactics we will be looking to play our game and hit gaps rather than take the tackles.
- Our in game form is excellent, with 5 wins from 6 in the AP, and we have not just thrown in a whole host of players back from the World Cup. All of the returnees featured off of the bench last weekend for us to reintergrate them into the squad.
- Real life form. We have two of the most in form backs in the AP in Farrell and Homer, and both are points machines. They are today playing outside of an international class half back pairing, and have support from a seasoned international winger and the leading tryscorer in the Magners for the past 2 seasons on the other wing.
- We have a very balanced side, with forwards who are good in the set piece and the loose, and backs who are very solid defensively and despite not being huge all punch above their weight in the tackle, as well as providing a good running threat and kicking game. This will allow us to adapt as the game demands and vary our play to suit what is required.
- Hougaard is just the sort of scrum half to to combat the hard hitting Gloucester back row, as his pace and sniping runs mean that will have to keep an eye on him as opposed to a 9 who offers little running threat where they can then largely ignore him and target the 10. They cannot do that with Hougaard there which will give Lambie the time and space to show his considerable skillset.
- We know win can win at Kingsholm, having done it previously, so mentally are in a good place for this game. We are also under no pressure, as we are ahead of where we had planned to be at this stage, whereas Gloucester after their inconsistent start know they need to win at home and cannot afford to drop points. Pressure does funny things to players, and it is all on Gloucester in this game
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons
Sunny Intervals, 11 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit Chris
| 01. Matt Stevens | 09. Joe Simpson |
| 02. Dylan Hartley (c) | 10. Matt Giteau |
| 03. Carl Hayman | |
| 04. Courtney Lawes | 11. Chris Ashton |
| 05. Patricio Albacete | 12. Jean de Villiers |
| 06. Liam Messam | 13. Manu Tuilagi |
| 07. Calum Clark | 14. Siti Siviatu |
| 08. Sergio Parisse | 15. Ben Foden |
16. Rob Webber 17. Juan Pablo Orlandi 18. Mako Vunipola 19. Alexander Lapandy 20. Dave Attwood 21. Danny Cipriani 22.Max Evans 23. Tomassi Benvenutti
Tactics
Tactics:
Overview – we have picked a team that is capable of playing at a high tempo and will look to build on the three big wins that Saints have achieved in as many weeks and have a team that is capable of scoring tries all over the park. We will look to concentrate more on the set piece, which we believe is key to beating Newcastle and have picked five jumpers for the lineout and a strong scrum to give us field position and a foundation to build attacks.
Key points
*We have a strong set piece and will target the lineout as a base to launch attacks, five lineout jumpers give us an advantage is this area. The pack is also really fresh and brings a lot of power.
* We have some really strong runners to break through the Newcastle defensive line, the Newcastle team is really lacking ball carriers, whilst we have Lawes, Albacete, Messam, Parisse, de Villiers an Tuilagi.
* The team has a lot of leaders, Hartley, Hayman, Albacete, Parisse, Giteau, de Villiers and these players will up their performances for the big games, especially as we also welcome back Foden and Ashton, whilst giving Stevens, Lawes, Simpson and Tuilagi a run out (each played a maximum of 50 minutes last week, whilst this is a lot of Newcastle players first game back since the World Cup, so expect timing to be off).
* We will move the ball around the park and look to attack Newcastle – every one of our backs is a game changer, full international and each can win a game with a bit of magic. Combined with our ability to break the gainline we will score tries.
* Attacking options galore in backline, threat of Simpson, powerful midfield and try scoring back three. Newcastle defence will have to be on top of its game.
Forwards – Set Piece & Breakdown
We have picked a team that will look to take Newcastle on at the set piece and due to the conditions we envisage that emphasis will be placed mostly at the lineout because the dry conditions will mean that there wont be as many scrums.
Our scrum is more than solid and has a lot of power behind the front row, in Lawes, Albacete and Parisse – we will get Simpson to stick very closely to Youngs on defensive scrums and put the out of form scrum half under pressure.
As such we have picked a team that has five lineout jumpers (Lawes, Albacete, Clark, Messam and Parisse) and in Dylan Hartley we have one of the best lineout throwers in the game. This gives us a lot of options and different ways that we can attack Newcastle, we will look to mix up the lineout as much as possible, and will use Parisse and Albacete when we want quick ball to set our backs away. We have specifically picked Clark to add to our lineout options. We will target the Newcastle lineout as a lot of their ball will go straight to O’Connell, who hasn’t played since the World Cup and will take time to settle into the game.
Defensively at the lineout we are we will get Simpson to stand in the 5 metre channel (as a hooker would do) – and then bring Hartley into the lineout itself and move Messam into the midfield to target Nick Evans and put him under intense pressure. We want Messam to force Evans into kicking the ball to our backthree or being caught in possession – with de Villiers putting pressure on Barritt we will look to tie Newcastle up in the midfield area.
Our pack will also do a lot of carrying work as we look to work field position and go through the phases, waiting for the opportunity to break the gainline and generate quick ball to unleash the backs. Lawes, Albacete, Messam and Parisse all bring a great ball carrying threat from our forwards and this will give us a great chance to secure a lot of ball, possession and territory.
The breakdown will be a fierce battle, as Brussow and Robshaw will be a threat – but we will look to use Lawes and Messam’s power to clear Brussow and Robshaw out of this area and for Clark and Parisse to target the ball. We will look to force Newcastle into making mistakes and if the ball is there to be won we will commit numbers and on our ball we will ensure that we strike rucks in numbers to stop Brussow getting his hands on the ball.
Backs
Whilst our forwards will secure us ball, our backline will be marshalled by Giteau who will dictate the play and bring de Villiers and Tuilagi into play to smash the ball up into the Newcastle midfield – there will also be the chance to use them both as dummy runners and with Giteau’s passing bring in our dangerous back three – Siviatu and Ashton to come in off their wings looking for ball.
We are going to attack, but wont be throwing the ball around for the sake of it, it is important for us to get over the gainline and provide Simpson the chance to snipe at pace around the fringes, but because of the power of our lineout Giteau wont be afraid to kick the ball for the corners and allow our pack to pressurise O’Connell and co.
We have a lot of different threats around the park in terms of how we can attack, speed at no9, power in midfield and try scoring threats in the back three – Giteau is the guy to draw defenders and unlock the Newcastle defence.
Giteau to kick penalties when they are available, especially whenever the game is close, but we want to keep the scoreboard ticking over and try and make Newcastle chase the game.
Defence
Defensively we will look to play an aggressive game in the forwards and marshall the breakdown/ruck area extremely well to stop the threat of Youngs. We will also look to get Messam pressuring Evans at every opportunity e.g. from the lineout (as above).
The Saints midfield will look to try and hold Evans, Barritt and Payne up in the tackle area and wait for support from the pack. By stopping them going to ground we will get the scrum put in and the turnover. Simpson will track behind the midfield to put down any line breaks.
We will also aim to use the lineout as a very good means of putting pressure on Newcastle and using our five jumpers to force them into mistakes.
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
| 01. Rodrigo Roncero | 09. Ben Youngs |
| 02. Marius Tincu | 10. Nick Evans |
| 03. Paul Doran-Jones | |
| 04. Dean Schofield | 11. Sean Maitland |
| 05. Paul O’Connell(c) | 12. Brad Barritt |
| 06. Chris Robshaw | 13. Jared Payne |
| 07. Heinrich Brussow | 14. Tommy Bowe |
| 08. Duane Vermeulen | 15. Ben Smith |
16. Tom Lindsay 17. Juan Gomez 18. Boris Stankovich 19. Geoff Parling 20. Juan Smith 21. Kelly Brown 22. Jonny Arr 23. Toby Flood
TACTICS
General play - We’re looking to play a forward dominating, messy game to spoil Saints at home. We’ll be looking to control the breakdown and slow every phase of possession Saints have. On our ball we’ll be looking to move Saints around the pitch and keep hold of the ball. Brussouw & Robshaw are the key men in this encounter, they’ll be looking to spoil Saints quick ball and get their hands on any attacking ball. We’ll be playing at much higher tempo in the forwards to wear the Saints pack down and have went for 6/2 split to back this up. We’ll look to get Brown & Smith on early in the second to keep up the physicality and control at the breakdown. Evans will look to nail everything within distance and keep us infront on the scoreboard, heeping the pressure on Giteau.
We’re basically looking to make this game a kick fest and only allow Saints points from the tee where we know Giteau is not strong.
Forwards
Set Piece
We'll be looking to use the set piece as a platform to set up attacks. Our tactics during each game may change if we spot a weakness in the oppposition set piece during the 80mins. This is the role of the team captain.
Scrum - We'll be looking to set a platform and use the scrum to get fast ball to out 9/10 axis. PDJ and Roncero are excellent technical scrummagers who will give us a sound foundation and look to get at their opposite numbers from the off. If a weakness is seen we’ll look to keep the push on and drive the opposition back, taking scrum options at pens if totally on top. If not we’ll be using the scrum as restart and getting the ball in and out so we can attack the opposition 9/10 axis.
We don’t see much give in either scrum and can see neither side getting much dominance. Stevens will be targeted early on by PDJ to see if he’s recovered from his WC battering.
Lineout – A massive contest here. We see us having a huge advantage with POC leading the line and Vermeulen & Schofield offering huge targets. Saints have some good options but we can’t see a caller in the Saints pack. Albacete & Lawes don’t make the calls for club or country, this could be a really big advantage for us and we will target the lineout if a weakness is seen early on.
Target Breakdown & Rucks
This is often were games and won and lost as seen in the WC. Brussow will look to make a complete mess of Saints attacking ball by slowing and turning over at every chance. We’ll target Simpson from the off as he likes to attack the fringes rather than pass so we feel we can get him isolated more often than not. With no breakdown specialist in the Saints pack, Brussow & Robshaw will have free reign to spoil and slow down phase after phase.
Backs
Halfbacks
Halfbacks win you games on the hard pitches and in Youngs/Evans we have two of the best about. With a solid platform Youngs will look to snipe around and find gaps in the opposion defense, especially at 2/3rd phase attacks when defenses start to fray. Youngs gives us a massive threat and will look to mix his game up throughgout the game. Evans will play his natural game and come into the line flat. He’ll look to mix the play up with varying passes and look to hit behind the back 3 if on. Youngs will sweep up behind a blitz defense with Barritt leading the line.
Backline balance
We have numerous running options and the option to mix things up in the backline. Barritt gives Evans go to ball if needed and we'll look to get Ben Smith in as second receiver to give us a different focal point. Payne will look to come off the shoulder of attacks (similar to Conrad) and inject pace into the midfield. He'll look to alternate at FB with Smith. Bowe/Maitland give us pace and power on the flanks and we'll look to bring to bring them into the game whenever possible.
Points to target against opposition
After studying the opposition over a number of weeks we’ll be looking to specifically target these areas:
LINEOUT – Saints have put a huge emphasis on the lineout, yet they have nobody who leads the lineout. Up against an inform POC we will look to get a massive upper hand here and spoil Saints attacking platform. As quoted by Matt: “Lineout ball is the best attacking ball”. With POC looking to spoil and steal on every throw, putting Hartley under huge pressure.
BREAKDOWN – Brussow & Robshaw will look to dismantle Saints at the breakdown and spoil attack after attack. Youngs is at his best on turnover ball and we’ll look to annoy Saints all game here. With no real quality at the breakdown for Saints and no openside (Clark has not played 7 for Saints this season and is up against one of the best in the world) we will look to dominate. As seen in games in the WC when a world class openside has free reign he can destroy the opposition. We won’t be just looking for turnovers, Brussow will look to wrap up his man and prevent him placing the ball resulting 9/10 a pen to the defending team. With this we’ll look to gain points or territory
KICKING CONTEST – With us looking to make a complete mess of the breakdown and slowing down play we expect this game to be low scoring affair with points from the tee being huge. Evans is a marksman from the tee and could be the difference up against Giteau who is of the last few years a poor tee kicker.
SAINTS 12/13 axis – Saints have a fantastic back 3 but are JDV and Manu the players to get the ball out fast to unleash these players? We don’t think so and will look to wrap JDV from the off as 9 times out of 10 he will look for contact and hinder attacking play (As seen when SA brought in Steyn at 12 and they looked a transformed team). With Saints looking to play a free running attacking game, JDV is the complete wrong 12 to do this and Manu isn’t exactly renowned for his game opening passes. Both classy players but both look for contact rather passing the ball and we think this may hinder Saints attacking play, also giving us the chance of getting Brussow in to spoil play.
LEAGUE FORM – There’s a difference to putting away weakened teams in LV to putting full strength outfits away in the league. Saints league form isn’t great with 2 wins from 6. We’ve 2 away wins already this season and 5 wins from 6. Confidence, momentum and form go to us in this one and this could be key. Look at Quins in the AP as a prime example.
REAL GAME FORM – We’ve got some players in cracking form. Roncero, POC, Robshaw, Brussow, Evans, Barritt, Bowe and players like Maitland, Smith and Payne off the back of fantastic S15 seasons.
6/2 BENCH - We'll be looking for forward dominance and high tempo throughout the game. With this we've got some serious talent to bring on early in the second. Juan Smith and Kelly Brown will give us some serious grunt and energy to allow Brussow space and time to work his magic at the breakdown.
Worcester Warriors v London Wasps
White Cloud, 12 Degrees, 4mph Winds
Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd
| 01.David Flatman | 09.Dwayne Peel |
| 02.Richardt Strauss | 10.Nicky Robinson |
| 03.Sylvain Marconnet | |
| 04.Jim Hamilton | 11.Bryan Habana |
| 05.Kearnen Myall | 12.Julien Malzieu |
| 06.Craig Newby (c) | 13.Jon Clarke |
| 07.Martyn Williams (c) | 14.Marcel Garvey |
| 08.Ben Morgan | 15.Ollie Morgan |
16.Chris Fortey 17.George Porter 18.Chris Budgen 19.Leo Cullen 20.Sebastian Chabal 21.Eion Reddan 22.Morne Steyn 23.Sam Vesty
Tactics
Forwards
We have picked a big front 5 to battle hard in the lineouts and scrums. The back row have flankers who are capable of stealing ball and we will look to slow the ball down and cover the kicks behind our wingers by looking at quick lineouts. Morgan and Hamilton will run off of the backs to create space and the morgan-peel axis has been playing well together so far. When it comes to our front 5 they will look to run in pods to hit every other ruck and look to take our the support and allow gaps for our fetchers. Up the jumper is the order of the day when kicked into corners to suck them in and look to perform rolling mauls.
Backs
We have Robinson who will look to kick into corners to pin the opposition back and we will put pressure on their lineouts. Malzieu will look to release our forwards runners and Clarke to make the headway and the gaps for our support runners. We have pace in our wings and both will look to run off the breaks for offloads. Habana and Garvey will go hunting for the ball and look to take the player on the outside. Morgan will hit gaps and is comfortable under the high ball.
Defence
Rushed banana defence targettting 10 and pods to look to slow down any ball.
Overall
*Bring on Steyn on 60 mins to kick for goals and corners and to ease him back in,
*Forward orientated for first 20mins and then each time we have an attacking lineout,
*Backs to look to run the ball in their half and create gaps for the pacy wingers,
*Robinson/Steyn/Vesty to pin them back constantly and look to bring in the wings when possible,
*Slow down their ball and provide quick ball for ours using the pod system,
*We are at home and will get the crowd vocal through attractive rugby,
*Kick for goal when kickable and don't be afraid to drop kick (backs),
*WIN
London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry
| 01. Perry Freshwater | 09. Michael Claassens |
| 02. Steve Thompson | 10. Jimmy Gopperth |
| 03. Carlos Nieto | |
| 04. Mark Chisholm | 11. Chris Wyles |
| 05. Marco Wentzel | 12. Luke McAlister |
| 06. James Haskell | 13. Stirling Mortlock (c) |
| 07. Jacques Burger | 14. Tom Williams |
| 08. Roger Wilson | 15. Mike Brown |
16. Andy Titterell 17. Charlie Beech 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Steve Mafi 20. Tom Johnson 21. Mike Blair 22. Rory Clegg 23. Noah Cato
Tactics
After winning our last three games in all competitions we are feeling very high on confidence and feel that we go into this clash with Worcester with plenty of momentum. We are fully aware how difficult a place Worcester is to go and have picked a gritty, powerful and physical front 5 which will work very hard at rucks and winning us set piece ball at scrum time and lineout. We feel that if we can assert ourselves physically and win the forward battle, providing our backs with a solid platform we will be able to come have a good chance of coming away with a hard fought victory. We have plenty of players who are bang in form.
Our game plan is based around using the power we have in our team to set out a platform for our backs to be able to attack from. We will look to use the set piece as a platform for attacks. Our front row is a very good scrummaging unit and we will hopefully be able to build attacks from there and earn some penalties for Gopperth to make use of. Our pack will be physical and relentless up front, we will play with controlled aggression. Early on we will look to our forwards to get us onto the front foot by attacking in groups with some grunt and powerful carrying, getting us over the gain line. We will start as we mean to go on with a high intensity, hitting the collision area hard and driving our players over the gain line. We will look to recycle the ball efficiently within the pack working Worcester hard in defence in the early stages.
We have three excellent kicking options in Gopperth, McAlister and Mortlock, any slow ball we have we will look to kick in behind the Worcester wingers and keep them pinned back where we will look to isolate and pressurize them into making mistakes in their own half. We will look to hit the rucks hard and compete when we can, any turnovers we do make we will look to get the ball out wide and attack the space available. At rucks on our own ball we will look to secure the ball by coming from low to high to present Claassens with clean, quick ball and get our forwards running onto the ball at different angles to pierce the Worcester defence. We will look to compete at the breakdown if we have the numbers there, however if the ball is clearly there’s we will not commit numbers to the ruck, instead we will look to organize our defence ready to deal with the next Worcester carrier.
In the forwards we will look to drive our carriers over the gain line and really look to win the collisions. We have plenty of dynamic carriers including the explosive and in form James Haskell. Gopperth will look to bring in our strike runners in McAlister and Mortlock. If it is on we will look to offload the ball to the supporting players and keep Worcester working off the ball in defence. We will look for Mortlock to stay strong in the contact area and either offload if he wins the collision, or the support players will keep driving him on, building up momentum and speed in our attacks. So long as our ball carriers have the support, we will look to pierce gaps in the Worcester defensive line and offload to supporting players.
With the ball in hand we will look to our strike runners to attack gaps and half gaps in their defence targeting the outside shoulder of the Worcester players and will look to attack the fly half channel in the Worcester defence, hopefully opening them up. When possible we will look to get our offloading game going to alternate the point of attack and keep Worcester working off the ball in defence and pierce the gaps we have created. With quick ball and offloading we will look to create and expose mismatches in the midfield. Our mobile and dynamic back row will look to support our ball carriers, taking offloads and powerfully driving forward. We will ensure our ball carriers have plenty of support in each phase, so they we can continue to play an offloading game. Any loose kicks our back three get will be returned with interest. We have plenty of pace in our back three and will look to use them when we can.
At lineouts we will look to exert as much pressure as possible on Worcester’s throws with Wentzel looking to steal some opposition throws. On our own throw we will use Wentzel as our main go to man but will mix it up by using Chisholm, Haskell and Wilson. From there we will look to slowly sap the energy out of Worcester by using the rolling maul. We will look to suck in as many Worcester defenders to open up spaces elsewhere for us to attack. We’ll look to really target the scrum and create a platform, we feel that we can gain an advantage here, if we get a nudge on we will look to keep Worcester going backwards. We will ensure our discipline is exemplary. We will play hard rugby but ensure we play by the rules, discipline will be key.
We will look to attack in numbers, we have plenty of powerful and dynamic carriers in our pack who will get us over the gain line and set us out a solid platform to build from. We have plenty of grit in our team and feel that if we can push Worcester onto the back foot by winning the forward battle we will be able to unsettle them. We want to continue our winning ways and feel that if we can play at a high tempo and push Worcester onto the back foot we will be able to do this. Our forwards will set the tone with huge carrying and from there we will look to get our offloading game going and bring our strike runners into the game. We have plenty of impact to call upon from the bench to continue our high levels of intensity and power.
Last edited by SirJohnnyEnglish on Thu 27 Oct - 23:17; edited 2 times in total
SirJohnnyEnglish- Posts : 8536
Join date : 2011-05-10
Age : 36
Location : Limerick
Re: AP Round 7
by stnick88 Fri 28 Oct - 14:52
Harlequins v Exeter - Close scrum battle, Zirak for me will get the edge on Marler and have Exeter have a very gritty front five. For me they also have the egde in the backrow with Jennings doing well at the breakdown. Quins for me have the better controlling half backs, O'Gara is solid but Contepomi played well in the WC and Dickson controls well. More danger out wide for Quins and a solid centre combo. Like Pisi for Chiefs. Apart from Brits, prefer the Chiefs bench and think they can help Chiefs edge out the game.
20-22
Gloucester v Saracens - Pretty close scrum battle but on the whole I prefer the Sarries Sharks unit. 2nd rows go to Glos though and Bakkies power will help in the scrum. Back row's go to Glos for me with a powerful and pacey unit. This will help Lamb through the game although he is playing reasonably well in real life. Sarries have the stronger combo at half back and will be dangerous in attack. Close centre's, May running off Hape would be succesful and Farrell is looking tidy. Think Glos have a bit more off the bench and at home sneak it.
27-25
Northampton v Newcastle - Tight upfront no real dominance either way. Prefer the Saints 2nd row combo but Falcons edge the back row although Parisse is stand out for me. For me the 9's are even, Youngs off form and Simpson playing q.well but both will enjoy conditions. Evans and Giteau is close, Evans on better form but Giteau still holds class. The Saints backline is dangerous. Good strong Falcons backline but Saints have that extra spark. See the thinking in Poolys tactics but think Saints will make use of their good ball and score tries.
28-25
Worcester v Wasps - Big, experienced front rows on show here. Think Wenztel will lead the lineout well for Wasps and may nick a lineour or two. Think Warriors half backs will do well and like the Welsh combo. But Wasps centres are impressive and will get some joy. Garvey may not be a big name but is a decent player, very quick and scores tries. Prefer the Warriors back 3 and think they have enough at home to win.
26-25
Sale v Leicester - Close front fives, and close backrow, Palu no form and prefer Salvi at 7. Care and Sexton lacking a bit of top form for Sale, but they have a good on form back line. Like Tigers backs and Tuilagi Ojo both playing well and will be dangerous out wide. Think Sale will get enough good ball to win at home.
22-20
20-22
Gloucester v Saracens - Pretty close scrum battle but on the whole I prefer the Sarries Sharks unit. 2nd rows go to Glos though and Bakkies power will help in the scrum. Back row's go to Glos for me with a powerful and pacey unit. This will help Lamb through the game although he is playing reasonably well in real life. Sarries have the stronger combo at half back and will be dangerous in attack. Close centre's, May running off Hape would be succesful and Farrell is looking tidy. Think Glos have a bit more off the bench and at home sneak it.
27-25
Northampton v Newcastle - Tight upfront no real dominance either way. Prefer the Saints 2nd row combo but Falcons edge the back row although Parisse is stand out for me. For me the 9's are even, Youngs off form and Simpson playing q.well but both will enjoy conditions. Evans and Giteau is close, Evans on better form but Giteau still holds class. The Saints backline is dangerous. Good strong Falcons backline but Saints have that extra spark. See the thinking in Poolys tactics but think Saints will make use of their good ball and score tries.
28-25
Worcester v Wasps - Big, experienced front rows on show here. Think Wenztel will lead the lineout well for Wasps and may nick a lineour or two. Think Warriors half backs will do well and like the Welsh combo. But Wasps centres are impressive and will get some joy. Garvey may not be a big name but is a decent player, very quick and scores tries. Prefer the Warriors back 3 and think they have enough at home to win.
26-25
Sale v Leicester - Close front fives, and close backrow, Palu no form and prefer Salvi at 7. Care and Sexton lacking a bit of top form for Sale, but they have a good on form back line. Like Tigers backs and Tuilagi Ojo both playing well and will be dangerous out wide. Think Sale will get enough good ball to win at home.
22-20
stnick88- Posts : 5345
Join date : 2011-05-10
Re: AP Round 7
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 28 Oct - 14:56
Irish 21 - 20 Bath
Fierce battle up front. Bath have the better from, but I don't really see either side gaining a massive advantage. Second row is a similar story, with neither unit getting the upper hand, although I see Irish having a stronger lineout. For me Bath take the back row with a great unit with great balance to it. Very interesting HB battle. Struggle to give either side the edge. Irish for me take the centres with some great form, and maybe just edge the back three, but not by much. Both sides have some decent bench options. Really, really tough to call. Home advantage and a better back line sneaks it for Irish in the end.
Harlequins 24 - 21 Exeter
Very difficult to separate the front rows. Maybe slight edge to Exeter, but not by a lot. Tight in the second rows, the Biarritz combo maybe just edging it. Great back row battle - I have it to Quins on form just. HB's to Quins for me with a nice combo. Really close centre battle, and a similar story in the back threes. 2 great benches. Quins at home have just about enough for me, but won't have it all their own way.
Gloucester 19 - 18 Saracens
Front row goes to Sarries Saffer unit in my eyes. Second row sees Gloucester on top by quite a distance. Great back row battle, where I see Gloucester having too much power for Sarries. Sarries much stronger HB combo for me, but the centres is tough to call with form on both sides, maybe slight edge to Sarries. Tight back threes. think Sarries have a bit more on the bench. Really tough to call this game as both sides look on top in certain areas. I think Gloucester pack has a little too much grunt, and they will just grind out the win.
Saints 15 - 18 Newcastle
Front row goes to Newcastle with better form in Roncero and Tincu. Like Saints second row, but see POC dominating the lineout. Back row to Newcastle with some great form, and better man for man. Evans the main man in the HB's, but do like the Saints pair. Bit more in the centres for Saints, with some good form too. Saints just take the back threes but good battle. Newcastle take the set piece and back row, and despite Saints having the better back line, don’t see them getting much quick ball. Newcastle edge it for me.
Worcester 22 - 24 Wasps
Wasps take the scrum with their powerful unit. Good powerful second row battle, no clear winner for me. Some massive power in Wasps back row, although Worcester have some units too. Edge to Wasps though. 1 a piece in the HB's with Peel and Gopperth the picks. Mac the form centre for me, although Clarke offers good option. Edge to Worcester in the back three. Wasps have so much power in the pack, and think they can just do enough to give Gopperth the kicking opportunities.
Fierce battle up front. Bath have the better from, but I don't really see either side gaining a massive advantage. Second row is a similar story, with neither unit getting the upper hand, although I see Irish having a stronger lineout. For me Bath take the back row with a great unit with great balance to it. Very interesting HB battle. Struggle to give either side the edge. Irish for me take the centres with some great form, and maybe just edge the back three, but not by much. Both sides have some decent bench options. Really, really tough to call. Home advantage and a better back line sneaks it for Irish in the end.
Harlequins 24 - 21 Exeter
Very difficult to separate the front rows. Maybe slight edge to Exeter, but not by a lot. Tight in the second rows, the Biarritz combo maybe just edging it. Great back row battle - I have it to Quins on form just. HB's to Quins for me with a nice combo. Really close centre battle, and a similar story in the back threes. 2 great benches. Quins at home have just about enough for me, but won't have it all their own way.
Gloucester 19 - 18 Saracens
Front row goes to Sarries Saffer unit in my eyes. Second row sees Gloucester on top by quite a distance. Great back row battle, where I see Gloucester having too much power for Sarries. Sarries much stronger HB combo for me, but the centres is tough to call with form on both sides, maybe slight edge to Sarries. Tight back threes. think Sarries have a bit more on the bench. Really tough to call this game as both sides look on top in certain areas. I think Gloucester pack has a little too much grunt, and they will just grind out the win.
Saints 15 - 18 Newcastle
Front row goes to Newcastle with better form in Roncero and Tincu. Like Saints second row, but see POC dominating the lineout. Back row to Newcastle with some great form, and better man for man. Evans the main man in the HB's, but do like the Saints pair. Bit more in the centres for Saints, with some good form too. Saints just take the back threes but good battle. Newcastle take the set piece and back row, and despite Saints having the better back line, don’t see them getting much quick ball. Newcastle edge it for me.
Worcester 22 - 24 Wasps
Wasps take the scrum with their powerful unit. Good powerful second row battle, no clear winner for me. Some massive power in Wasps back row, although Worcester have some units too. Edge to Wasps though. 1 a piece in the HB's with Peel and Gopperth the picks. Mac the form centre for me, although Clarke offers good option. Edge to Worcester in the back three. Wasps have so much power in the pack, and think they can just do enough to give Gopperth the kicking opportunities.
LukeLovesLuka- Posts : 5865
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Age : 40
Location : London
Re: AP Round 7
by prop_lyd Fri 28 Oct - 18:03
Irish 20-18 Bath
Another massive centre battle here and see the Irish dominance in the front 5 just edging this. Steyn's boot will keep Bath ticking.
Quins 28-24 Exeter
See the packs even so can't really see Exeter's predicted dominance coming here. The centre's do go to Exeter with a couple of creative runners when on form by the Quins back 3 should be able to make headway. See Brits' introduction as key.
Glos 18-17 Sarries
See the battle upfront being massive here but a bit more gnarled in the back row for Glos nicks it here. Half backs are even but Glos have more impact from the bench. Looking at tactics I'd say Sarries looking at high intensity will definitely keep this game close.
Saints 20-25 Falcons
A good contest up front but I can see the Falcons half-back pairing giving Saints a bit of a schooling. Evans will keep the scoreboard ticking and think the backs running angles from Falcons will nick this good away win.
Another massive centre battle here and see the Irish dominance in the front 5 just edging this. Steyn's boot will keep Bath ticking.
Quins 28-24 Exeter
See the packs even so can't really see Exeter's predicted dominance coming here. The centre's do go to Exeter with a couple of creative runners when on form by the Quins back 3 should be able to make headway. See Brits' introduction as key.
Glos 18-17 Sarries
See the battle upfront being massive here but a bit more gnarled in the back row for Glos nicks it here. Half backs are even but Glos have more impact from the bench. Looking at tactics I'd say Sarries looking at high intensity will definitely keep this game close.
Saints 20-25 Falcons
A good contest up front but I can see the Falcons half-back pairing giving Saints a bit of a schooling. Evans will keep the scoreboard ticking and think the backs running angles from Falcons will nick this good away win.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Driver Fri 28 Oct - 18:08
Irish 15 Bath 10
Monster battle up front with Irish having the edge with Castro more than likely winning a few browny points at scrum time for Pienaar. Locks swing to Irish with Kennedy the best in AP at the set piece. ITFL's back row suits his game plan of carry , carry and carry some more but feel it will wear off towards the end of the game as Guest and Simmons arn't renown for they carrying. Botha and Worsley are pretty big hitters and should have a field day in defense. Not too keen on Dupuy/Pienaar as a combo FDP and Hodgson is a cracker with charlie great on the gain line but can't see him playing much on it.
Monster battle up front with Irish having the edge with Castro more than likely winning a few browny points at scrum time for Pienaar. Locks swing to Irish with Kennedy the best in AP at the set piece. ITFL's back row suits his game plan of carry , carry and carry some more but feel it will wear off towards the end of the game as Guest and Simmons arn't renown for they carrying. Botha and Worsley are pretty big hitters and should have a field day in defense. Not too keen on Dupuy/Pienaar as a combo FDP and Hodgson is a cracker with charlie great on the gain line but can't see him playing much on it.
Driver- Posts : 11038
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Age : 33
Location : Hartlepool
Re: AP Round 7
by Driver Fri 28 Oct - 18:23
Gloucester 20 Saracens 22
Belter of a game here - can see Sarries taking Gloucester to the cleaners at the scrum and lineout with Tom Wood having the edge at the set piece.
Houghard and Lambie have been fantastic of late. Not sure on the Hape and May combo as Hape for me doesn't seem to have the width about his passing game to put May into the wide channels. Spence is going to be a special player with out a doubt and plays his best rugby outside of a Paddy Wallace/ Owen Farrell type of 12. Saracens back 3 are on fire.
Strong tactics despite the conflict of styles. Think Pete has it right that if you want to win away you'v got to play the best brand of rugby you can and his tactics suit it.
Belter of a game here - can see Sarries taking Gloucester to the cleaners at the scrum and lineout with Tom Wood having the edge at the set piece.
Houghard and Lambie have been fantastic of late. Not sure on the Hape and May combo as Hape for me doesn't seem to have the width about his passing game to put May into the wide channels. Spence is going to be a special player with out a doubt and plays his best rugby outside of a Paddy Wallace/ Owen Farrell type of 12. Saracens back 3 are on fire.
Strong tactics despite the conflict of styles. Think Pete has it right that if you want to win away you'v got to play the best brand of rugby you can and his tactics suit it.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Steven_Sharks Fri 28 Oct - 18:28
London Irish 25 - 21 Bath
What strikes me here is that this is going to be a very physical game. I have to say I think that it will be a bit of a lesson at scrum time for the Bath pack and The Irish props are pretty much a dream combo and I can see Healy in particular getting a bit stuck by Castro. Irish should win their own lineouts and perhaps take one or two of Bath's as I don't see a geniune lineout man in there pack. I like both sets of half backs and probably give them to Bath as I think its a combo which will work very well. I think there is a gulf in class between the two centre partnerships and Irish will get some joy in here with a class combination. I like both back 3's but think they will probably cancel each other out. Both benches have some good players on them with perhaps a slight edge to Irish.
Gloucester 24 - 26 Saracens
Front rows are very close to call. Nothing between Beast and Gurthro and struggling to call White and JDP as White will do exactly what Matt wants him to by anchoring the scrum well. BDP a class above Strauss. Much prefer the Bakkies/ Palmer combo to the Sarries choice. Matt's backrow is very very physical and will cause problems to Saracens but I wouldn't consider it stronger than Saracens as they will do exactly what Pete wants them to very well. Probably a very slight edge to Gloucester in the pack. I think that the Saracens halfbacks are the stronger pairing. I will also give the centres to Saracens. I think Lamb needs a controller outside him and I don't see Hape or May taking any of the pressure off him. I have the individual players pretty tight but I think the Saracens centre's fit into their side better. Back 3's are close but probably goes to Gloucester but only just. Both strong benches and will make the game exciting in the latter stages.
Northampton 25 - 23 Newcastle
I think Saints will edge the scrum although it will be a fantastic battle with Newcastle getting into it more as the Saints props on the bench aren't as good as the one's on Newcastles and that could be crucial. The second row also just goes to Saints with Schofield being the weak link amongst the internationals in the second row. Newcastle have the stronger back row. Saints have a far more physical edge which will help them though as Vermaulen will be doing a lot of carrying to make up for Robshaw and Brussow who aren't brilliant carriers. They will however cause Saints a nightmare at the breakdown. Half backs are pretty close. Youngs is a better player than Simpson but isn't streets ahead when form is brought in. Simpson is also as dangerous as you get when it comes to World scrum halfs. Giteau has a slight edge over Nick Evans but the gap isn't huge.
JDV and Manu are a stronger pairing than Barrit and Payne but I can't see there being many gaps in either midfielder. Saints also have the better back 3 but again not by a huge distance. Both benches are pretty strong. Both sets of tactics suit there sides strengths. I think it will be a very difficult task to stop Saints scoring tries with some of players in their side.
Worcester 15 - 15 London Wasps
Scrum battle goes to Wasps with a frightening front 3 which will get some good ground at the scrum. Lineout will be tight, but in real life Myall gave Wentzel a lesson earlier this season so their is perhaps a slight edge to Worcester. Wasps have a very physical back row whereas the experience of the Worcester flankers will use their know how to gain advantages in other areas. Half backs are pretty even, Worcester are stronger going forward but Wasps have better organisational skills. Centres go to Wasps as its a pairing I really like whereas I can't help but think Malzieu and Clarke will struggle a little. I think Worcester have the stronger back 3. Its a tough game to call and I think it would end up a draw.
Will do Sale Leicester on the other page.
What strikes me here is that this is going to be a very physical game. I have to say I think that it will be a bit of a lesson at scrum time for the Bath pack and The Irish props are pretty much a dream combo and I can see Healy in particular getting a bit stuck by Castro. Irish should win their own lineouts and perhaps take one or two of Bath's as I don't see a geniune lineout man in there pack. I like both sets of half backs and probably give them to Bath as I think its a combo which will work very well. I think there is a gulf in class between the two centre partnerships and Irish will get some joy in here with a class combination. I like both back 3's but think they will probably cancel each other out. Both benches have some good players on them with perhaps a slight edge to Irish.
Gloucester 24 - 26 Saracens
Front rows are very close to call. Nothing between Beast and Gurthro and struggling to call White and JDP as White will do exactly what Matt wants him to by anchoring the scrum well. BDP a class above Strauss. Much prefer the Bakkies/ Palmer combo to the Sarries choice. Matt's backrow is very very physical and will cause problems to Saracens but I wouldn't consider it stronger than Saracens as they will do exactly what Pete wants them to very well. Probably a very slight edge to Gloucester in the pack. I think that the Saracens halfbacks are the stronger pairing. I will also give the centres to Saracens. I think Lamb needs a controller outside him and I don't see Hape or May taking any of the pressure off him. I have the individual players pretty tight but I think the Saracens centre's fit into their side better. Back 3's are close but probably goes to Gloucester but only just. Both strong benches and will make the game exciting in the latter stages.
Northampton 25 - 23 Newcastle
I think Saints will edge the scrum although it will be a fantastic battle with Newcastle getting into it more as the Saints props on the bench aren't as good as the one's on Newcastles and that could be crucial. The second row also just goes to Saints with Schofield being the weak link amongst the internationals in the second row. Newcastle have the stronger back row. Saints have a far more physical edge which will help them though as Vermaulen will be doing a lot of carrying to make up for Robshaw and Brussow who aren't brilliant carriers. They will however cause Saints a nightmare at the breakdown. Half backs are pretty close. Youngs is a better player than Simpson but isn't streets ahead when form is brought in. Simpson is also as dangerous as you get when it comes to World scrum halfs. Giteau has a slight edge over Nick Evans but the gap isn't huge.
JDV and Manu are a stronger pairing than Barrit and Payne but I can't see there being many gaps in either midfielder. Saints also have the better back 3 but again not by a huge distance. Both benches are pretty strong. Both sets of tactics suit there sides strengths. I think it will be a very difficult task to stop Saints scoring tries with some of players in their side.
Worcester 15 - 15 London Wasps
Scrum battle goes to Wasps with a frightening front 3 which will get some good ground at the scrum. Lineout will be tight, but in real life Myall gave Wentzel a lesson earlier this season so their is perhaps a slight edge to Worcester. Wasps have a very physical back row whereas the experience of the Worcester flankers will use their know how to gain advantages in other areas. Half backs are pretty even, Worcester are stronger going forward but Wasps have better organisational skills. Centres go to Wasps as its a pairing I really like whereas I can't help but think Malzieu and Clarke will struggle a little. I think Worcester have the stronger back 3. Its a tough game to call and I think it would end up a draw.
Will do Sale Leicester on the other page.
Last edited by Steven_Sharks on Fri 28 Oct - 18:29; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Edit: forgot to put Saints/Newcastle score)
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Re: AP Round 7
by CJB Fri 28 Oct - 19:52
Quins 23-17 Exeter
Not much in the forwards but the backs win it for Quins.
Gloucester 16-18 Sarries
Better half back combo wins it for Sarries.
Saints 24-25 Falcons
Nick Evans seems to be the back on best form and will clinch win for Newcastle.
Warriors 19-22 Wasps
Too much in the forwards from Wasps.
Not much in the forwards but the backs win it for Quins.
Gloucester 16-18 Sarries
Better half back combo wins it for Sarries.
Saints 24-25 Falcons
Nick Evans seems to be the back on best form and will clinch win for Newcastle.
Warriors 19-22 Wasps
Too much in the forwards from Wasps.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Fri 28 Oct - 21:52
London Irish 23 Bath Rugby 19
I really like the Bath side and the balance of that back row, with SOB's carries, Steffon's breakdown work and JMFL's all round game, can see them being very effective in the loose. Set piece though goes to Irish for me, and they have enough quality behind it to use that ball effectively. Bath great attacking threat out wide, but can see them getting bashed through in the centres, and I would have gone with Steyn at 12 given his world cup form. Home advantage and a little more quality wins it for Irish.
I really like the Bath side and the balance of that back row, with SOB's carries, Steffon's breakdown work and JMFL's all round game, can see them being very effective in the loose. Set piece though goes to Irish for me, and they have enough quality behind it to use that ball effectively. Bath great attacking threat out wide, but can see them getting bashed through in the centres, and I would have gone with Steyn at 12 given his world cup form. Home advantage and a little more quality wins it for Irish.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Fri 28 Oct - 21:56
Harlequins 23 Exeter Chiefs 21
Not much to call between the starting XV's for me really, both with a few strengths and weaknesses. I do see Quins as having more impact off the bench though, and that is the clincher for me.
Not much to call between the starting XV's for me really, both with a few strengths and weaknesses. I do see Quins as having more impact off the bench though, and that is the clincher for me.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Fri 28 Oct - 22:04
Northampton Saints 19 Newcastle Falcons 18
I think Pooly's tactic of trying to make it a messy game, particularly at the breakdown is a valid one as long as they still try to play when they get the ball, which I think they are set up to do. The question I have to answer is whether Saints have the players to still be effective off messy ball. I am no fan of their halfbacks, but if they can get any ball to Ashton, Tuilagi and Foden then Saints will have chances to score. Not convinced on Youngs form for Falcons, been a while since I've seen him play well, so question whether they would be able to play much either. Close call, but just enough in the Saints side to cling on to the win.
I think Pooly's tactic of trying to make it a messy game, particularly at the breakdown is a valid one as long as they still try to play when they get the ball, which I think they are set up to do. The question I have to answer is whether Saints have the players to still be effective off messy ball. I am no fan of their halfbacks, but if they can get any ball to Ashton, Tuilagi and Foden then Saints will have chances to score. Not convinced on Youngs form for Falcons, been a while since I've seen him play well, so question whether they would be able to play much either. Close call, but just enough in the Saints side to cling on to the win.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Fri 28 Oct - 22:09
Worcester Warriors 23 London Wasps 26
Tough call, but a little more class in the Wasps team for me and they have the most in form player in Luke McAlister who has been in very good form for Toulouse so far this season. They have enough big carriers as well to carry out their gameplan, although Worcester would run them close with the in form Dwayne peel pulling the strings at nine.
Tough call, but a little more class in the Wasps team for me and they have the most in form player in Luke McAlister who has been in very good form for Toulouse so far this season. They have enough big carriers as well to carry out their gameplan, although Worcester would run them close with the in form Dwayne peel pulling the strings at nine.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Fri 28 Oct - 22:20
Just so everyone knows SJE is away this weekend, not sure if he'll be predicting, but I will be doing the scores tomorrow at 12 lunchtime. 
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Re: AP Round 7
by Driver Sat 29 Oct - 0:02
Northampton 20 Newcastle 20
Home advantage is pretty big here and that gets the ball rolling as saints have a pretty sound scrum but have sacraficed lineout ball POC would have a field day here.
Back rows Clark isn't in the same league as Brussouw and Messem is a lump to carry and doesn't do much else when i'v seen him. Parrise overshadows Vermulen
Half backs win or lose you a game.
Simpson has electric pace , simpson can score from 60 meters - HE IS A SCRUM HALF NOT A WINGER! He's service is average , has little kicking about him and does the bare minimun. Youngs was half fit and still got the nod over simpson and gets the nod from me here. Evans is on par with Giteau. Saints outside backs better with some great strike runners.
Pooly tactics are bang on for your team.
Chris tactics better every week mate
great game
Home advantage is pretty big here and that gets the ball rolling as saints have a pretty sound scrum but have sacraficed lineout ball POC would have a field day here.
Back rows Clark isn't in the same league as Brussouw and Messem is a lump to carry and doesn't do much else when i'v seen him. Parrise overshadows Vermulen
Half backs win or lose you a game.
Simpson has electric pace , simpson can score from 60 meters - HE IS A SCRUM HALF NOT A WINGER! He's service is average , has little kicking about him and does the bare minimun. Youngs was half fit and still got the nod over simpson and gets the nod from me here. Evans is on par with Giteau. Saints outside backs better with some great strike runners.
Pooly tactics are bang on for your team.
Chris tactics better every week mate
great game
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Re: AP Round 7
by Driver Sat 29 Oct - 0:06
Worcester 12 London Wasps 18
More quality in Wasps team , Peel is worcesters heartbeat. Both teams have great impact benchs!
More quality in Wasps team , Peel is worcesters heartbeat. Both teams have great impact benchs!
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Re: AP Round 7
by Sgt_Pooly Sat 29 Oct - 11:16
Irish 23-23 Bath
Think Irish lose a bit of go forward with Pienaar at 10. Good pack battle with nothing to seperate, tight game with Bath having edge, but Irish are starting to look in some form and with Tonga/Castro leading the pack fight in the loose think they'll keep up.
Harlequins 15-17 Exeter
Pack to Exeter in this one in a filthy affair. Think it'll be battle of the boots and ROG to get the edge on. Big bench for Exeter to seal win, tough on Quins but just think Exeter have the better players for the fight.
Gloucester 23-20 Saracens
Very different styles in this one. See Sarries getting edge on in scrum throughout game. Gloucester 4-8 much stronger but Sarries are set up really well. I love all 3 Gloucester backrow but I just think they lack somebody at the breakdown. Think Sarries edge the halfbacks but a little pragmatic 10-13 and no real line breaking option. Nice balance for Gloucester midfield. Little more in Sarries back 3 although would never start Homer over Goode. Great benches from both. Gloucester edge but it's a tight one.
Worcester 27-27 Wasps
Big fan of both front rows, really tight, bit of an edge for Wasps in engine room but tight pack battle. Halfbacks really close again but a bit more in midfield for Wasps. Cracking game with Wasps recent form really pushing for the win, think Worcester at home keep them in it.
Sale 30-30 Leicester
No change upfront in a good battle, little more grunt for Tigers engine room though and a little edge in the backrow but a good pack battle. Cracking halfback battle off good ball, both pairings are pure quality. Form and pace throughout the back 3's, great game from two side who'll be right up there, can't seperate sorry.
Think Irish lose a bit of go forward with Pienaar at 10. Good pack battle with nothing to seperate, tight game with Bath having edge, but Irish are starting to look in some form and with Tonga/Castro leading the pack fight in the loose think they'll keep up.
Harlequins 15-17 Exeter
Pack to Exeter in this one in a filthy affair. Think it'll be battle of the boots and ROG to get the edge on. Big bench for Exeter to seal win, tough on Quins but just think Exeter have the better players for the fight.
Gloucester 23-20 Saracens
Very different styles in this one. See Sarries getting edge on in scrum throughout game. Gloucester 4-8 much stronger but Sarries are set up really well. I love all 3 Gloucester backrow but I just think they lack somebody at the breakdown. Think Sarries edge the halfbacks but a little pragmatic 10-13 and no real line breaking option. Nice balance for Gloucester midfield. Little more in Sarries back 3 although would never start Homer over Goode. Great benches from both. Gloucester edge but it's a tight one.
Worcester 27-27 Wasps
Big fan of both front rows, really tight, bit of an edge for Wasps in engine room but tight pack battle. Halfbacks really close again but a bit more in midfield for Wasps. Cracking game with Wasps recent form really pushing for the win, think Worcester at home keep them in it.
Sale 30-30 Leicester
No change upfront in a good battle, little more grunt for Tigers engine room though and a little edge in the backrow but a good pack battle. Cracking halfback battle off good ball, both pairings are pure quality. Form and pace throughout the back 3's, great game from two side who'll be right up there, can't seperate sorry.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Guest Sat 29 Oct - 11:30
Saints 22 22 Newcastle how do you split this?? Front row even 2nd rows Chris, backrow pooly. See Clark as a weakness vermaulen starting to lose rating. Half backs shaded to pooly. Centres land slide to Chris. Poolys pairing poor for me. Back 3 2-1 to Chris.
Tactics spot on and both benches with weak front rows. Had saints winning a few times but think Poolys backrow saves it
Tactics spot on and both benches with weak front rows. Had saints winning a few times but think Poolys backrow saves it
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Re: AP Round 7
by Guest Sat 29 Oct - 11:32
Irish 23-21 bath Irish just a bit to much. Bath centres all wrong for me. Set piece to Irish. Great bath backrow balance
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Re: AP Round 7
by Guest Sat 29 Oct - 11:37
Quins 22-22 Exeter think Exeter pack will ruin quins game and scrum to them. Quins more quality out behind
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Re: AP Round 7
by Guest Sat 29 Oct - 11:39
Worcester 19-20 wasps really even but think Worcester centres will struggle. Shame for Worcester that McCabe is going to be out 9 months in real life
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Sat 29 Oct - 12:00
RESULTS
Sale Sharks 35 Leicester Tigers 26
London Irish 29 Bath Rugby 19
Harlequins 27 Exeter Chiefs 23
Gloucester 26 Saracens 23
Northampton Saints 25 Newcastle Falcons 25
Worcester Warriors 23 London Wasps 27
Sale Sharks 35 Leicester Tigers 26
London Irish 29 Bath Rugby 19
Harlequins 27 Exeter Chiefs 23
Gloucester 26 Saracens 23
Northampton Saints 25 Newcastle Falcons 25
Worcester Warriors 23 London Wasps 27
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Re: AP Round 7
by Guest Sat 29 Oct - 12:02
Thought our game was closer than that pete. I always say home advantage worth 3 points so that plays out.
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Re: AP Round 7
by stnick88 Sat 29 Oct - 12:07
dam just missed the bonus point! could of done with that
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Sat 29 Oct - 13:32
It's a reasonable result, knew I was up against it a bit when I saw your monster back row, so happy with the LBP.
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Re: AP Round 7
by 'Arry Sat 29 Oct - 17:22
Sorry for not predicting guys, my internet has been down and I've only just got it back!
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Sun 30 Oct - 14:14
Sale Sharks 35 Leicester Tigers 26
Tries: Strettle (2), Bekker, Care
Conversions: Sexton (3)
Penalties: Sexton (3)
Tries: Croft, Tuilagi
Conversions: James (2)
Penalties: James (4)
London Irish 29 Bath Rugby 19
Tries: Daniel, Castrogiovanni
Conversions: Dupuy (2)
Penalties: Dupuy (5)
Tries: Monye
Conversions: Hodgson
Penalties: Hodgson (4)
Harlequins 27 Exeter Chiefs 23
Tries: Canale, Rees, Lowe
Conversions: Contepomi (3)
Penalties: Contepomi (2)
Tries: Arscott, Kayser
Conversions: O'Gara (2)
Penalties: O'Gara (3)
Gloucester 26 Saracens 23
Tries: Ferris, Ousthuizen
Conversions: Lamb (2)
Penalties: Lamb (4)
Tries: Visser (2)
Conversions: Homer (2)
Penalties: Homer (3)
Northampton Saints 25 Newcastle Falcons 25
Tries: Ashton (2), Stevens
Conversions: Giteau (2)
Penalties: Giteau (2)
Tries: J.Smith
Conversions: Evans
Penalties: Evans (5)
Worcester Warriors 23 London Wasps 27
Tries: Habana, Peel
Conversions: Robinson, Steyn
Penalties: Robinson (2), Steyn
Tries: Wyles, Thompson, Brown
Conversions: Gopperth (3)
Penalties: Gopperth (2)
Tries: Strettle (2), Bekker, Care
Conversions: Sexton (3)
Penalties: Sexton (3)
Tries: Croft, Tuilagi
Conversions: James (2)
Penalties: James (4)
London Irish 29 Bath Rugby 19
Tries: Daniel, Castrogiovanni
Conversions: Dupuy (2)
Penalties: Dupuy (5)
Tries: Monye
Conversions: Hodgson
Penalties: Hodgson (4)
Harlequins 27 Exeter Chiefs 23
Tries: Canale, Rees, Lowe
Conversions: Contepomi (3)
Penalties: Contepomi (2)
Tries: Arscott, Kayser
Conversions: O'Gara (2)
Penalties: O'Gara (3)
Gloucester 26 Saracens 23
Tries: Ferris, Ousthuizen
Conversions: Lamb (2)
Penalties: Lamb (4)
Tries: Visser (2)
Conversions: Homer (2)
Penalties: Homer (3)
Northampton Saints 25 Newcastle Falcons 25
Tries: Ashton (2), Stevens
Conversions: Giteau (2)
Penalties: Giteau (2)
Tries: J.Smith
Conversions: Evans
Penalties: Evans (5)
Worcester Warriors 23 London Wasps 27
Tries: Habana, Peel
Conversions: Robinson, Steyn
Penalties: Robinson (2), Steyn
Tries: Wyles, Thompson, Brown
Conversions: Gopperth (3)
Penalties: Gopperth (2)
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Re: AP Round 7
by dammit_chris Sun 30 Oct - 20:03
Driver - saw your comments about Simpson, take it you haven't watched him for best part of 12 months? The things you describe him not being able to do are nonsense - if the Wasps v Saints game is on the box this weekend then please watch him as he's been absolutely awesome for Wasps, he won the game for us on Friday versus Worcester with a piece of magic and his passing is now up there with the best of no9's in the premiership.
Please just watch him, as I'm really surprised that anyone who watches rugby would have that opinion of Simpson - only criticism that should be aimed at him (Arry take this onboard for next week!) is that he doesnt always make the correct decision of when to pass or run, still tends to run it a bit too much. Just watch him next week
Please just watch him, as I'm really surprised that anyone who watches rugby would have that opinion of Simpson - only criticism that should be aimed at him (Arry take this onboard for next week!) is that he doesnt always make the correct decision of when to pass or run, still tends to run it a bit too much. Just watch him next week
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Re: AP Round 7
by Guest Sun 30 Oct - 20:12
Agree 100% Chris very tidy player but sometimes takes wrong option. Think playing behind a beaten pack often does not help. This year wasps one of lowest tries conceded and Simpsons cover big part of this
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Re: AP Round 7
by dammit_chris Sun 30 Oct - 20:37
Mat - I really don't know why people say that Simpson has a poor pass, or isnt a good scrumhalf. If you look at Ben Youngs new 'two-steps' then pass routine the England coaches have given him and compare that to Simpson, you'd have to say Simpson had the faster service.
His covering defence is exceptional, mainly because he's so fast over 60metres - his trouble last two seasons was playing behind a truly awful pack, but still in both those seasons he won Wasps player of the season - he's played two games for us this season, scored a great try against Dragons and won the game for us against Worcester on Friday.
Only issue is that he takes wrong options and his pace sometimes takes him away from support and this leads to turnovers - passing is great, accuracy is great, box kicking is good and can't think of another scrum half with his running threat. To me he's a game winner and on very good form. If he gets one start for England whilst YOungs is injured then Youngs will struggle to get the shirt back...
His covering defence is exceptional, mainly because he's so fast over 60metres - his trouble last two seasons was playing behind a truly awful pack, but still in both those seasons he won Wasps player of the season - he's played two games for us this season, scored a great try against Dragons and won the game for us against Worcester on Friday.
Only issue is that he takes wrong options and his pace sometimes takes him away from support and this leads to turnovers - passing is great, accuracy is great, box kicking is good and can't think of another scrum half with his running threat. To me he's a game winner and on very good form. If he gets one start for England whilst YOungs is injured then Youngs will struggle to get the shirt back...
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Re: AP Round 7
by Ozzy3213 Sun 30 Oct - 21:04
Two issues that people have I think Chris are these
1. He doesn't get the ball away in one smooth movement when he arrives at the back of a ruck, so it can at times give the impression of poor service because it looks ragged.
2. You big him up too much. From the way you talk about him it's as if he is better than Genia, FdP etc, so when people look at him and he is not, he gets marked way down because of the disparity in what people see and what you say. I know we all big our own players up at times, but sometimes you go a little OTT with Simpson.
1. He doesn't get the ball away in one smooth movement when he arrives at the back of a ruck, so it can at times give the impression of poor service because it looks ragged.
2. You big him up too much. From the way you talk about him it's as if he is better than Genia, FdP etc, so when people look at him and he is not, he gets marked way down because of the disparity in what people see and what you say. I know we all big our own players up at times, but sometimes you go a little OTT with Simpson.
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Re: AP Round 7
by dammit_chris Sun 30 Oct - 21:27
Pete - not bigging him up as much as Genia and FdP - the lads not even an international in terms of having 10+ games, same as Youngs isnt in their league as they've won things, played at the highest level etc.
He hasn't had a good pack at Wasps since his debut, which has improved this season and playing next to Robinson will improve all aspects of his game.
Just don't understand how he gets criticism for aspects of his game that are actually good - whilst would completely understand it if people said his game managements isnt quite there in terms of making right decisions, but havent seen a criticism of him like that yet, its all about him not being able to pass.
He hasn't had a good pack at Wasps since his debut, which has improved this season and playing next to Robinson will improve all aspects of his game.
Just don't understand how he gets criticism for aspects of his game that are actually good - whilst would completely understand it if people said his game managements isnt quite there in terms of making right decisions, but havent seen a criticism of him like that yet, its all about him not being able to pass.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Sgt_Pooly Sun 30 Oct - 22:07
I think Youngs has played at a slightly higher level and performed. Simpson is nothing more than a good AP scrum half currently and can't be considered anything better until he proves himself at a higher level.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Sgt_Pooly Sun 30 Oct - 23:29
"passing is great, accuracy is great, box kicking is good and can't think of another scrum half with his running threat"
He's an exceptional running threat but hasn't got the basics to step up yet. His box kicking is certainly not up to standard as is his service. I've seen Simpson plenty of times and he's a real talent, just not currently Internation class (no shame in that)
He's an exceptional running threat but hasn't got the basics to step up yet. His box kicking is certainly not up to standard as is his service. I've seen Simpson plenty of times and he's a real talent, just not currently Internation class (no shame in that)
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Re: AP Round 7
by dammit_chris Mon 31 Oct - 7:41
Again Pooly I can't disagree with you more on that point - his basics are very good - his passing is now top draw, I wouldnt have said that say 12 months ago - I'm a big Wasps fan and go and watch them at every opportunity, his game has come on majorly over that time, and like I say the only aspect of his game I think needs improving is his decision making, no problems with his basics. For me he's an ideal player to have on the bench in an international, best impact sub going - so I'm not saying he should start for England, just saying that he's improved a heck of a lot.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Sgt_Pooly Mon 31 Oct - 7:59
I've not seen an massive improvement in his basics over the year, still very raw for me. His service is a long way short of International class as are other basic skills needed to step. Still early days for him though, he's a young lad.
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Re: AP Round 7
by dammit_chris Mon 31 Oct - 8:28
He's got the fastest recorded pass in world rugby Pooly - you need to look at how he's played behind a beaten pack for best part of his professional career. Youngs is the best English no9, but he's been off form for the best part of 10 months, Care is then the second best, but he blows hot and cold and I dont think that there is one aspect of his game that is or could be world class, he's a very good no9. Simpson has all the ability in the world, its his game management that is off, he runs the ball too much and gets isolated - nothing to do with his service, box kicking etc, I watch nearly every home game and all games in south of England, so know what I am talking about with Simpson.
If you give Simpson a pack that goes forward and makes ground, we are talking about a very good prospect, playing next to Robinson will help improve his game management I would hope and for me we then have the perfect impact sub for England - that's the way England need to move forward now in getting players who can make an impact from the bench.
If you give Simpson a pack that goes forward and makes ground, we are talking about a very good prospect, playing next to Robinson will help improve his game management I would hope and for me we then have the perfect impact sub for England - that's the way England need to move forward now in getting players who can make an impact from the bench.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Sgt_Pooly Mon 31 Oct - 8:37
The fastest pass thing is a joke Chris, that doesn't relate to real rugby. Again, I've seen enough of Simpson to forge an opinion. You forgot about Wigglesworth, he's also ahead of Simpson.
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Re: AP Round 7
by dammit_chris Mon 31 Oct - 8:54
Not really mate - he's out for the season. So technically I'm ahead of Wigglesworth.
Pooly, there are a lot of Wasps players that I like, who I would be biased towards because I'm a Wasps fan - but I dont go round shouting about Varndell, Flutey, Waldouck, Webber etc - I go for Simpson because he's got ridiculous talent, find a match report this weekend that doesn't sing his praises, find a match report from any of his games over the last 6 months that doesnt sing his praises.
The lad can pass - if you said he made wrong decisions and ran up blind allies then I'd be in total agreement with you, but to say he can't pass or his other basics arent up to it, is in my opinion wrong. 12 months ago I'd agree with you, but all aspects of his game have improved - if Simpson was at Leicester, Sarries or Saints then everyone would be saying how good this guy is.
Pooly, there are a lot of Wasps players that I like, who I would be biased towards because I'm a Wasps fan - but I dont go round shouting about Varndell, Flutey, Waldouck, Webber etc - I go for Simpson because he's got ridiculous talent, find a match report this weekend that doesn't sing his praises, find a match report from any of his games over the last 6 months that doesnt sing his praises.
The lad can pass - if you said he made wrong decisions and ran up blind allies then I'd be in total agreement with you, but to say he can't pass or his other basics arent up to it, is in my opinion wrong. 12 months ago I'd agree with you, but all aspects of his game have improved - if Simpson was at Leicester, Sarries or Saints then everyone would be saying how good this guy is.
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Re: AP Round 7
by Sgt_Pooly Mon 31 Oct - 10:09
I have my opinions of him mate, as do quite a few others by the looks of things. Reading a match report or you constantly going on about him isn't going to change that.
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Re: AP Round 7
by SirJohnnyEnglish Mon 31 Oct - 20:11
Full prediction bonuses for everyone except for myself and Arry who didnt predict
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