Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
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prop_lyd
Ozzy3213
stnick88
Londonirishollie
Sgt_Pooly
Bathite
SirJohnnyEnglish
Fluxy
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Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
First topic message reminder :
Team Sheets and tactics due by Saturday (20:00)
Predictions due till Tuesday (20:00)
Sale Sharks v London Wasps
light showers, 19mph winds, 6'
Sale Sharks
Manager – Ollie
16. Alasdair Dickinson 17. Marc Jones 18. Tony Buckley 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jordan Crane 21. Scott Mathie 22. Jonny Leota 23. Will Addison
London Wasps
Manager – Stnick88
16. Zak Taulafo 17. Ben Broster 18. Andy Titterell 19. Richard Birkett 20. Michael Lipman 21. Charlie Davies 22. Jimmy Gopperth 23. Mike Brown
Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby
light showers, 17mph winds, 7'
Exeter Chiefs
Head Coach – Ozzy3213
16. Simon Alcott 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. Tommy Hayes 20. James Phillips 21. Junior Poluleuigaga 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Phil Dollman
Tactics
Our gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game. We will work as units and play a structured game (as the Chiefs and Saracens do in real life). We will put a lot of emphasis on the set piece, and look to use both as a real platform to play from, whilst not allowing our opponents to do the same. We will also look to use our big ball carriers to attack the gainline whilst having support runners on their shoulders to either take the offload or hit the ruck quickly as appropriate.
Specifics
Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite
16. D.Flatman 17. P.Dixon 18. A.Perenise 19. S.Hooper 20. G.Mercer 21. C.Cook 22. M.Banahan 23. I.Dagg
TACTICS
This deep into the season, it is important to rest some players, who have started every game so far and to test squad depth. I've picked a very strong bench, that can have a real impact and is an area of real advantage over our opponents. With Exeter playing a high intensity game, we think that they could make mistakes late in the game, as they tire and having players of the quality of Perenise, Dagg and Banahan to bring will help us to secure wins across the pitch. Banahan comes on after 50mins, replacing Carraro at 12, to give a huge physical attacking threat and to draw defenders across, creating space for Laulala to release the speedsters out wide. Dagg comes on to track Laulala in the second half and can read his offloads off his shoulder.
Looking at Exeter's tactics it seems there is real confusion at the breakdown and conflicting tactics. It is unclear how you can slow ball down and scrag the scrum half without over committing to the ruck. In Moody and Louw, we have 2 specialists at the breakdown, who will look to secure the area on our ball and spoil opposition ball.
BACKS
* Carraro picked at 12, our best defender, so looks to organise the team defensively and nullify the threat of Naqe. Carraro to run hard and straight in attack, setting up a ruck on the gainline, so our big ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Shaw, Fearns can smash through and create space out wide.
* Vesty at 15 for extra kicking option, with him coming into the line at second receiver in attack, to allow a second playmaker and kicking option
* Picked Woodburn and Heathcote to start as both in great form. Heathcote plays the basics very well and is the perfect player for a tough away game, whilst Woodburn is a real try scoring threat and great in the air.
* Heathcote looks play it safe away from home and look for territory. With Woodburn and Biggs, we have 2 great kick chasers and will look to pressurise Exeter wingers, who aren't known for their kicking game. Vesty holds back, waiting for the return kick and building a counter attack with support runners
* Laulala to look for the half gap and offload, with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
FORWARDS
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Attwood, Caldwell to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Carraro and Laulala to exploit
* With the scrummaging strength in the front row and with Flatman and Perenise coming on after 50 mins, we have the opportunity to challenge at scrum time and spoil their ball, forcing their back row and scrum half to work with messy ball. Classens experience here is crucial
* At the lineout, look to challenge for the ball in their half with the number 1 jumper. In our half, look to challenge for the ball at ground level, after the throw. The strength of Caldwell, Attwood and Franks coupled with ball winning of Louw and Moody is a great combo.
* Moody and Louw to pressurise opposition half backs, it is a new combination and inexperienced in this competition. Look to force their decision making, hoping for mistakes, this will continue in the second half, with Mercer replacing Moody.
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
Light showers, 16mph winds, 4'
Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly
16. Tom Youngs 17. Dan Cole 18. Boris Stankovich 19. Ed Slater 20. Jacques Cronje 21. Sam Harrison 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. George Lowe
Tactics
In the windy conditions we'll be looking to play at a high tempo and intensity from the off and move the opposition around the park.
We will look to set a tone in the set piece with our big scrummaging front 5 and will look for the squeeze from the off. Parling will lead the line and we will look to target the opposition's throw with Newby/Parling marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Youngs marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes.
Warburton & Newby will target the breakdown with Youngs sniping around and playing flat to the line to allow Barnes & Manu space to run into. JOC will come looking for the ball in midfield and link up with Manu causing problems in the opposition midfield. We'll look to refresh pack around 60mins + and keep up the intensity.
Barnes will act as second playmaker and look to bring our backs into play and exploit Manu’s physicalty with mismatches and also as a decoy to draw the opposition defense.
- Look to use the wind to test out Falcons back 3
- Increase pressure in set piece in 2nd half
- look to get at new combinations in opposition backline
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Fluxy
16. Euan Murray 17. David Paice 18. Bob Casey 19. Hienrich Brussow 20. Rory Clegg 21. Steven Shingler 22. Seb Stegmann 23. Darren Fearns
Tactics
General Gameplan; Playing Leicester away will be tough, however we have picked a young and frsh team to take them on. From the outset we will lookk to pressurise them, and will be comitted at the breakdown so that we can win the collisions and give us momentum. We will play sensible rugby; in our half look to clear the lines with solid chases and to pressurise their lineout. Then in their half look to play clever by sucking in defenders using big ball carriers like Gray, Muller and Mercey to punch holes. Then look to put pace on the ball.
Key Points;
Set-pieces; We will look to at least gain parity in this area, White will have had limited time at this level along with Webber and Ayerza who have played quite often there will be some tired legs late on and they will be disjointed.
Lineouts we will target Parling as he is the primary jumper. In our twenty two, we will legally looking to bring the man with the ball once he is on his feet straight to ground to prevent any mauling. We will compete with their lineout everywhere else.
Breakdowns; The back five of this pack are young and mobile and will always get to the breakdown. Whenever carrying the ball they will look to break through the tackles as they have been comitted to working for each other and will look to win the collisions. Nutley and Brussow will be first to all breakdowns and slow the opposition ball down legally, or turn it over. The pair of them will also look to haslle Youngs, as he has been out of form and his head will drop once he starts making mistakes.
Defensive line; We won't commit more than two players to any of the rucks on their ball, unless the turnover is on. If they have won the ball we look to get into line and then press at the same speed. The scrum-half will sweep behind, with the fullback also further back - creating three lines of defence.
Backs; We will look to play some simple rugby at this stage against a good team at home. Backs to be clever look for mismatches and numbers advantages to work oppurtunities to put our wingers or whoever is spare over the try line. Manning will direct traffic offering a spark to get an exicting midfield moving. May will step into first reciever to mix things up and keep the defence guessing.
Penalties; Will be taken when kickable for Cuthbert.
Substitutions; Euan Murray on for Tom Mercey at 60 minutes, likewise Golding on for Fearn at the same time. Welch on for Nutley if we were losing in the second half. Also if we are down by a more than ten points we can bring on Clegg to inject some pace and direction for Manning. And finally Stegmann on for Fielden at 65 minutes.
London Irish v Northampton Saints
Light showers, 16mph winds, 8'
London Irish
Manager – Pullthestrings
16. James Buckland, 17. Alex Corbisiero, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Tom Palmer, 20. Imanol Harinordoquy, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Jonathon Spratt, 23 Marlande Yarde
Tactics
Confidence is high at London Irish; we're unbeaten at home and look to keep it that way against the Saints. We'll stick to our normal game plan, using the piston system in attack with Bowden patrolling behind the pack. In defence we'll use the up and out system, forcing them to pass and get isolated at the breakdown.
We have some real firepower on the bench so we'll be looking to get them involved and seal the victory.
- Use the set piece as a platform to build attacks. At scrum time, we have 5 big front row scrummagers at our disposal to compete with the Saints. If it's messy, Hala'ufia to pick and go to set it up.
- Similarly with the lineout, use jumpers Mafi, Kennedy and Pocock. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and go for off-the-top ball to get wide quickly. Harinordoquy and Palmer are options too.
- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Gibson and Pocock staying strong on their feet. When they arise, two quicks balls away and go. Backs, forwards, back yourselves.
- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.
- Big runners off Bowden give us real go forward. Look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. The space will come, and when it does, we go.
- Simpson is back in to give us real tempo and get the ball early to Bowden. He'll control the pack and use big runners to set up a platform to go from.
- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.
- Bowden to go for points at every opportunity. With Delon on hand also, we can have a pop from anywhere in their half. Make them scared to give away penalties in their half, thus giving us more time at the breakdown.
Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish
16. Alex Waller 17. Brett Sharman 18. Danny Herriot 19. Christian Day 20. Roger Wilson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Jamie Elliot
General Game Plan:
We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Irish line, looking to offload in contact to support runners thus changing the point of attack and keeping our forward momentum going. Sexton will look to attack from first receiver and inject pace to the proceedings committing the Irish defence and leaving space in wider channels for our runners to exploit. If running the ball is not on our halfbacks will look to the boot to put us in the right areas.
On defence, we will use a blitz defence coming up at pace looking to isolate the Irish ball carriers with the “choke” tackle before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to turn the ball over. Lee Dickson will act as a sweeper to cover any grubbers or chips behind the line while our back three will sit deep ready to cover any kicks down the touch lines and counter attack at pace.
With the blitz in operation we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it fast and hard. The first two players on the scene will look to ruck past the ball and clear out Pocock and co providing quick counter attacking ball to be used against a disorganised defensive line. If the ball does not look available we will not commit to the ruck and look to strengthen the defensive line instead.
Key Points:
•Scrum
We will contest every engagement! On our own feed we will look to get the wheel on and create extra room for our 8-9-10 axis to work in. On Irish ball we feel we have the edge and want to disrupt the put in as much as possible looking for penalties and freekicks.
•Lineout
With 5 jumpers and minimal challenge on our ball, we want to really use the lineout as an attacking platform like South Africa in recent years. We will use a full compliment and play the ball off the top allowing our halfbacks to get on the ball at pace with room outside.
Irish have thrown Servat and Palmer (Kennedy is ineligible) straight in to the side with 2 days training. Their lineout will be fairly basic and likely to be kept between Servat and Palmer due to their Newcastle link up.
We will look to really disrupt here and will send Lawes up at the front of the lineout while Read marks Palmer in the line out. We want to take full advantage and get our hands on as much Irish ball as possible and wreck their game plan
•Fringe Defence
Around the rucks Tom Wood will look to play on the limits of the offside line, like he does so well, hassling Simpson denying him the opportunity to snipe. We know if we can disrupt him his service to Bowden will go downhill.
•Chris Hala'ufia
We will look to put some big hits in on Hala'ufia early on and make things physical looking to rile him up. We know with his disciplinary record we can force some illegal retaliatory play from him and a trip to the sin bin.
•Target the defence
We will target Regan Kings unfamiliarty with the Irish patterns and take advantage sending runners down his channel. We will also look to take advantage of the Irish "up and out system". Ashton will look to cut lines off our midfield against the drift, completly breaking the defensive line.
Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins
light showers, 13mph winds, 7'
Gloucester
Manager – prop_lyd
16. Scott Lawson 17. Dario Chistolini 18. Adam Jones 19. Jim Hamilton 20. JVN 21. Rory Lawson 22. Tim Taylor 23. Iain Balshaw
Overall
Fast paced game is going to be played today looking to get points and a morale boosting win. Our pack and backs are very mobile and will look to stretch Quins across the pitch and look for our first win. We have JVN on the bench who is a game changer and a born leader to come on in the 2nd half.
Forwards
*Front row to look to dominate the scrums and hit every other ruck to ensure quick ball,
*Work in pod systems so there are always free players as runners,
*2nd row to look for quick lineout ball and to steal and add pressure onto their throws,
*Backrow to look for turnovers all game and to provide runners in the 10-12 channel,
*Bring on our game changers in Jones, Hamilton and JVN to add brute force to the match and continue the pressure.
Backs
*Lewis to look to provide Lambie with quick ball and Lambie to look to run everything unless in our own 22 where we'll clear for touch,
*EFS to create the gaps and May to blitz through them with support runners,
*Use the back row as decoys and give them the ball now and again to 'spice' things up,
*JSD and Sharples to go hunting with Morgan playing cheeky grubbers to put Quins on back foot,
*Play attractive fast rugby with steady heads ready to come on and slow the game down when we have a substantial lead.
Harlequins
Manager – Driver
16.Tom Lindsey 17.Kieren Brookes 18.Rob Buchanan 19.George Skivington 20.Chris Robshaw 21.Nic Berry 22.Riki Flutey 23.Danny Cipriani
Tactics
- Typical quins game plan , play at a high tempo and keep the ball moving with plenty of width and off loads.
- Brown to counter any kicks and run them back with interest
- Care and Evans to control the tempo and put us into the right areas of the pitch to put Glaws under the cosh on there try line.
- Lindsey/Robshaw/Flutey on at 50/70/60 for Neil Best/Matt Kvesic/Casson to up the tempo.
- Lindsey to slot in at 6 to make best use of his powerfull runs in the loose and not have to worry about putting the ball in at the lineout and play his natural game.
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
light showers, 13mph winds, 7'
WorcesterWarriors
Manager – InTheFastLane
16. Ed Shervington 17. Ceri Jones 18. George Porter 19. Ben Gulliver 20. Jake Abbott 21. Jonny Arr 22. Andy Goode 23. Anthony Allen
Tactics
SARCENS
Manager – Luke
16. Rhys Gill 17. Jamie George 18. John Smit 19. Hugh Vyvyan 20. Jackson Wray 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Nils Mordt 23. Brad Barritt
Tactics
We will work as units and play a structured game. We will use the scrum and lineout as weapons.
- Attack the lineout as much as we can using the tactical kicking of Spencer, Hodgson and Farrell. Borthwick to lead, supported by Joubert, Kruis and Saull.
- Call for scrums when we can if we are getting the advantage we expect to. Joubert to control from the base.
- Look to all of our forwards to give us real go-forward with their carrying.
- Saull is the man charged with reaching the breakdown first, securing first phase possession for us and pilfering the possession of the opposition.
- Hodgson is given license to play the game as he sees it. We do ask that he uses our lineout and carrying ability to put pressure on the opposition, but if he sees an opportunity to attack out wide - that is his call.
- Our back three are encouraged to do what they do best - counter attacking and running the ball back. All have good boots to rely on if it isn't on or they are isolated, but the counter is what we ask them to look for.
- Early on Farrell to kick all penalites within range, but we won't necessarily go for the 3 points as the game progresses. Borthwick to make the call dependant on the success of the lineout.
- Use a very powerful bench to tie the game up in the last 20/30 mins.
Team Sheets and tactics due by Saturday (20:00)
Predictions due till Tuesday (20:00)
Sale Sharks v London Wasps
light showers, 19mph winds, 6'
Sale Sharks
Manager – Ollie
01. Andrew Sheridan | 09. Dwanye Peel |
02. Joe Ward | 10. Jonny Wilkinson (K) |
03. Davit Kubriashvili | |
04. Dean Schofield | 11. Mark Cueto |
05. Andrei Ostrakov | 12. Sam Tuitipou |
06. James Gaskell (C) | 13. Jacque Fourie |
07. Hendre Fourie | 14. Tom Brady |
08. Richie Vernon | 15. Rob Miller |
16. Alasdair Dickinson 17. Marc Jones 18. Tony Buckley 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jordan Crane 21. Scott Mathie 22. Jonny Leota 23. Will Addison
London Wasps
Manager – Stnick88
01. Tim Payne | 09. Karl Dickson |
02. George Chuter | 10. Nicky Robinson |
03. Nicolas Mas | |
04. Matt Garvey | 11. Tom Varndell |
05. Marco Wentzel | 12. Jordan Turner-Hall |
06. Tinus Du Plessis | 13. Jonathan Joseph |
07. Julien Salvi | 14. Alesana Tuilagi |
08. Pedrie Wannenburg | 15. Richard Haugton |
16. Zak Taulafo 17. Ben Broster 18. Andy Titterell 19. Richard Birkett 20. Michael Lipman 21. Charlie Davies 22. Jimmy Gopperth 23. Mike Brown
Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby
light showers, 17mph winds, 7'
Exeter Chiefs
Head Coach – Ozzy3213
01. Perry Freshwater | 09. Haydn Thomas |
02. Bismarck du Plessis | 10. Aaron Cruden |
03. Craig Mitchell | |
04. James Horwill (c) | 11. Gonzalo Camacho |
05. James Hanks | 12. Sireli Naqelevuki |
06. Tom Johnson | 13. Jason Shoemark |
07. Steffon Armitage | 14. Paul Sackey |
08. Ofisa Treviranus | 15. Isa Nacewa |
16. Simon Alcott 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. Tommy Hayes 20. James Phillips 21. Junior Poluleuigaga 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Phil Dollman
Tactics
Our gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game. We will work as units and play a structured game (as the Chiefs and Saracens do in real life). We will put a lot of emphasis on the set piece, and look to use both as a real platform to play from, whilst not allowing our opponents to do the same. We will also look to use our big ball carriers to attack the gainline whilst having support runners on their shoulders to either take the offload or hit the ruck quickly as appropriate.
Specifics
- Attacking
- Play in the right areas - Cruden to use his boot to ensure we play in the right half of the pitch (kicking for touch and contesting the lineout, not to the Bath back 4).
- Control Possession - When in the right areas our pack and centres to all carry hard and straight and look to get over the gainline and recycle.
- Use driving mauls - Support runners to hit the ball carrier in contact and keep him up and drive forward turning it into a maul. Also use driving mauls off of lineouts.
- Take all points on offer - Cruden to take every kickable penalty at goal.
- Defensive
- Slow opposition ball down - Look to legally (do not give penalties away) slow the ball at the breakdown by getting our back row over it to deny Bath any momentum.
- Do not overcommit to rucks - If the ball is not there to be won, do not overcommit but maintain a solid defensive line and control gainline momentum.
- Blitz Defence - Get up to the gainline quickly as a unit and stop Bath getting any forward momentum. Haydn Thomas to sweep in behind.
- Target Classens - Back row to play on the limit of the offside line at the ruck and look to really scrag Classens at every opportunity.
- Key Points
- Home Advantage - Very few teams go to Sandy Park and get a result, however many big names they have in the side (See Leicester Tigers last week in real life).
- New Head Coach - New head coach in place always sees an upturn in form for players as they get a boost from the fresh start.
Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite
01. N.Catt | 09. M.Classens |
02. L.Mears | 10. T.Heathcote |
03.O.Franks | |
04. D.Attwood | 11. T.Biggs |
05. R.Caldwell | 12. M.Carraro |
06. L.Moody | 13. C.Laulala |
07. F.Louw | 14. O.Woodburn |
08. S.Taylor | 15. S.Vesty |
16. D.Flatman 17. P.Dixon 18. A.Perenise 19. S.Hooper 20. G.Mercer 21. C.Cook 22. M.Banahan 23. I.Dagg
TACTICS
This deep into the season, it is important to rest some players, who have started every game so far and to test squad depth. I've picked a very strong bench, that can have a real impact and is an area of real advantage over our opponents. With Exeter playing a high intensity game, we think that they could make mistakes late in the game, as they tire and having players of the quality of Perenise, Dagg and Banahan to bring will help us to secure wins across the pitch. Banahan comes on after 50mins, replacing Carraro at 12, to give a huge physical attacking threat and to draw defenders across, creating space for Laulala to release the speedsters out wide. Dagg comes on to track Laulala in the second half and can read his offloads off his shoulder.
Looking at Exeter's tactics it seems there is real confusion at the breakdown and conflicting tactics. It is unclear how you can slow ball down and scrag the scrum half without over committing to the ruck. In Moody and Louw, we have 2 specialists at the breakdown, who will look to secure the area on our ball and spoil opposition ball.
BACKS
* Carraro picked at 12, our best defender, so looks to organise the team defensively and nullify the threat of Naqe. Carraro to run hard and straight in attack, setting up a ruck on the gainline, so our big ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Shaw, Fearns can smash through and create space out wide.
* Vesty at 15 for extra kicking option, with him coming into the line at second receiver in attack, to allow a second playmaker and kicking option
* Picked Woodburn and Heathcote to start as both in great form. Heathcote plays the basics very well and is the perfect player for a tough away game, whilst Woodburn is a real try scoring threat and great in the air.
* Heathcote looks play it safe away from home and look for territory. With Woodburn and Biggs, we have 2 great kick chasers and will look to pressurise Exeter wingers, who aren't known for their kicking game. Vesty holds back, waiting for the return kick and building a counter attack with support runners
* Laulala to look for the half gap and offload, with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
FORWARDS
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Attwood, Caldwell to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Carraro and Laulala to exploit
* With the scrummaging strength in the front row and with Flatman and Perenise coming on after 50 mins, we have the opportunity to challenge at scrum time and spoil their ball, forcing their back row and scrum half to work with messy ball. Classens experience here is crucial
* At the lineout, look to challenge for the ball in their half with the number 1 jumper. In our half, look to challenge for the ball at ground level, after the throw. The strength of Caldwell, Attwood and Franks coupled with ball winning of Louw and Moody is a great combo.
* Moody and Louw to pressurise opposition half backs, it is a new combination and inexperienced in this competition. Look to force their decision making, hoping for mistakes, this will continue in the second half, with Mercer replacing Moody.
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
Light showers, 16mph winds, 4'
Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly
01. Marco Ayerza | 09. Ben Youngs |
02. Rob Webber | 10. Toby Flood |
03. Martin Castrogiovani | |
04. Lewis Deacon | 11. Miles Benjamin |
05. Geoff Parling | 12. Berrick Barnes |
06. Craig Newby | 13. Manu Tuilagi |
07. Sam Warburton (c) | 14. James O’Connor |
08. Thomas Waldroum | 15. Geordan Murphy |
16. Tom Youngs 17. Dan Cole 18. Boris Stankovich 19. Ed Slater 20. Jacques Cronje 21. Sam Harrison 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. George Lowe
Tactics
In the windy conditions we'll be looking to play at a high tempo and intensity from the off and move the opposition around the park.
We will look to set a tone in the set piece with our big scrummaging front 5 and will look for the squeeze from the off. Parling will lead the line and we will look to target the opposition's throw with Newby/Parling marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Youngs marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes.
Warburton & Newby will target the breakdown with Youngs sniping around and playing flat to the line to allow Barnes & Manu space to run into. JOC will come looking for the ball in midfield and link up with Manu causing problems in the opposition midfield. We'll look to refresh pack around 60mins + and keep up the intensity.
Barnes will act as second playmaker and look to bring our backs into play and exploit Manu’s physicalty with mismatches and also as a decoy to draw the opposition defense.
- Look to use the wind to test out Falcons back 3
- Increase pressure in set piece in 2nd half
- look to get at new combinations in opposition backline
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Fluxy
01. Jon Golding | 09. Jordi Pasqualin |
02. Rob Vickers | 10. Jeremy Manning(K) |
03. Tom Mercey | |
04. Johann Muller (C) | 11. Jack Cuthbert |
05. James Hudson | 12. Dominic Waldlouck |
06. Ben Nutley | 13. Tom May |
07. William Welch | 14. Luke Fielden |
08. Alex Gray | 15. Tom Catterick |
16. Euan Murray 17. David Paice 18. Bob Casey 19. Hienrich Brussow 20. Rory Clegg 21. Steven Shingler 22. Seb Stegmann 23. Darren Fearns
Tactics
General Gameplan; Playing Leicester away will be tough, however we have picked a young and frsh team to take them on. From the outset we will lookk to pressurise them, and will be comitted at the breakdown so that we can win the collisions and give us momentum. We will play sensible rugby; in our half look to clear the lines with solid chases and to pressurise their lineout. Then in their half look to play clever by sucking in defenders using big ball carriers like Gray, Muller and Mercey to punch holes. Then look to put pace on the ball.
Key Points;
Set-pieces; We will look to at least gain parity in this area, White will have had limited time at this level along with Webber and Ayerza who have played quite often there will be some tired legs late on and they will be disjointed.
Lineouts we will target Parling as he is the primary jumper. In our twenty two, we will legally looking to bring the man with the ball once he is on his feet straight to ground to prevent any mauling. We will compete with their lineout everywhere else.
Breakdowns; The back five of this pack are young and mobile and will always get to the breakdown. Whenever carrying the ball they will look to break through the tackles as they have been comitted to working for each other and will look to win the collisions. Nutley and Brussow will be first to all breakdowns and slow the opposition ball down legally, or turn it over. The pair of them will also look to haslle Youngs, as he has been out of form and his head will drop once he starts making mistakes.
Defensive line; We won't commit more than two players to any of the rucks on their ball, unless the turnover is on. If they have won the ball we look to get into line and then press at the same speed. The scrum-half will sweep behind, with the fullback also further back - creating three lines of defence.
Backs; We will look to play some simple rugby at this stage against a good team at home. Backs to be clever look for mismatches and numbers advantages to work oppurtunities to put our wingers or whoever is spare over the try line. Manning will direct traffic offering a spark to get an exicting midfield moving. May will step into first reciever to mix things up and keep the defence guessing.
Penalties; Will be taken when kickable for Cuthbert.
Substitutions; Euan Murray on for Tom Mercey at 60 minutes, likewise Golding on for Fearn at the same time. Welch on for Nutley if we were losing in the second half. Also if we are down by a more than ten points we can bring on Clegg to inject some pace and direction for Manning. And finally Stegmann on for Fielden at 65 minutes.
London Irish v Northampton Saints
Light showers, 16mph winds, 8'
London Irish
Manager – Pullthestrings
01. Clarke Dermody (c) | 09. Joe Simpson |
02. William Servat | 10. Daniel Bowden (k) |
03. Paulică Ion | |
04. Steve Mafi | 11. Topsy Ojo |
05. Nick Kennedy | 12. Shontayne Hape |
06. Jamie Gibson | 13. Regan King |
07. David Pocock | 14. Adam Thompstone |
08. Chris Hala'ufia | 15. Delon Armitage (k) |
Tactics
Confidence is high at London Irish; we're unbeaten at home and look to keep it that way against the Saints. We'll stick to our normal game plan, using the piston system in attack with Bowden patrolling behind the pack. In defence we'll use the up and out system, forcing them to pass and get isolated at the breakdown.
We have some real firepower on the bench so we'll be looking to get them involved and seal the victory.
- Use the set piece as a platform to build attacks. At scrum time, we have 5 big front row scrummagers at our disposal to compete with the Saints. If it's messy, Hala'ufia to pick and go to set it up.
- Similarly with the lineout, use jumpers Mafi, Kennedy and Pocock. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and go for off-the-top ball to get wide quickly. Harinordoquy and Palmer are options too.
- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Gibson and Pocock staying strong on their feet. When they arise, two quicks balls away and go. Backs, forwards, back yourselves.
- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.
- Big runners off Bowden give us real go forward. Look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. The space will come, and when it does, we go.
- Simpson is back in to give us real tempo and get the ball early to Bowden. He'll control the pack and use big runners to set up a platform to go from.
- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.
- Bowden to go for points at every opportunity. With Delon on hand also, we can have a pop from anywhere in their half. Make them scared to give away penalties in their half, thus giving us more time at the breakdown.
Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish
01. Paul Doran Jones | 09. Lee Dickson |
02. Mikey Haywood | 10. Johnny Sexton |
03. Brian Mujati | |
04. Courtney Lawes | 11. Vasily Artemiev |
05. Samu Manoa | 12. James Downey |
06. Calum Clark | 13. John Clarke |
07. Tom Wood | 14. Chris Ashton |
08. Kieran Read | 15. Ben Foden |
16. Alex Waller 17. Brett Sharman 18. Danny Herriot 19. Christian Day 20. Roger Wilson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Jamie Elliot
General Game Plan:
We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Irish line, looking to offload in contact to support runners thus changing the point of attack and keeping our forward momentum going. Sexton will look to attack from first receiver and inject pace to the proceedings committing the Irish defence and leaving space in wider channels for our runners to exploit. If running the ball is not on our halfbacks will look to the boot to put us in the right areas.
On defence, we will use a blitz defence coming up at pace looking to isolate the Irish ball carriers with the “choke” tackle before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to turn the ball over. Lee Dickson will act as a sweeper to cover any grubbers or chips behind the line while our back three will sit deep ready to cover any kicks down the touch lines and counter attack at pace.
With the blitz in operation we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it fast and hard. The first two players on the scene will look to ruck past the ball and clear out Pocock and co providing quick counter attacking ball to be used against a disorganised defensive line. If the ball does not look available we will not commit to the ruck and look to strengthen the defensive line instead.
Key Points:
•Scrum
We will contest every engagement! On our own feed we will look to get the wheel on and create extra room for our 8-9-10 axis to work in. On Irish ball we feel we have the edge and want to disrupt the put in as much as possible looking for penalties and freekicks.
•Lineout
With 5 jumpers and minimal challenge on our ball, we want to really use the lineout as an attacking platform like South Africa in recent years. We will use a full compliment and play the ball off the top allowing our halfbacks to get on the ball at pace with room outside.
Irish have thrown Servat and Palmer (Kennedy is ineligible) straight in to the side with 2 days training. Their lineout will be fairly basic and likely to be kept between Servat and Palmer due to their Newcastle link up.
We will look to really disrupt here and will send Lawes up at the front of the lineout while Read marks Palmer in the line out. We want to take full advantage and get our hands on as much Irish ball as possible and wreck their game plan
•Fringe Defence
Around the rucks Tom Wood will look to play on the limits of the offside line, like he does so well, hassling Simpson denying him the opportunity to snipe. We know if we can disrupt him his service to Bowden will go downhill.
•Chris Hala'ufia
We will look to put some big hits in on Hala'ufia early on and make things physical looking to rile him up. We know with his disciplinary record we can force some illegal retaliatory play from him and a trip to the sin bin.
•Target the defence
We will target Regan Kings unfamiliarty with the Irish patterns and take advantage sending runners down his channel. We will also look to take advantage of the Irish "up and out system". Ashton will look to cut lines off our midfield against the drift, completly breaking the defensive line.
Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins
light showers, 13mph winds, 7'
Gloucester
Manager – prop_lyd
01. Nick Wood | 09. Dave Lewis |
02. Darren Dawiduk | 10. Patrick Lambie (k) |
03. Rupert Harden | |
04. Alex Brown | 11. Charlie Sharples |
05. Will James | 12. EFS |
06. Peter Buxton | 13. Johnny May |
07. Akapusi Qera | 14. JSD |
08. Luke Narraway (c) | 15. Ollie Morgan |
16. Scott Lawson 17. Dario Chistolini 18. Adam Jones 19. Jim Hamilton 20. JVN 21. Rory Lawson 22. Tim Taylor 23. Iain Balshaw
Overall
Fast paced game is going to be played today looking to get points and a morale boosting win. Our pack and backs are very mobile and will look to stretch Quins across the pitch and look for our first win. We have JVN on the bench who is a game changer and a born leader to come on in the 2nd half.
Forwards
*Front row to look to dominate the scrums and hit every other ruck to ensure quick ball,
*Work in pod systems so there are always free players as runners,
*2nd row to look for quick lineout ball and to steal and add pressure onto their throws,
*Backrow to look for turnovers all game and to provide runners in the 10-12 channel,
*Bring on our game changers in Jones, Hamilton and JVN to add brute force to the match and continue the pressure.
Backs
*Lewis to look to provide Lambie with quick ball and Lambie to look to run everything unless in our own 22 where we'll clear for touch,
*EFS to create the gaps and May to blitz through them with support runners,
*Use the back row as decoys and give them the ball now and again to 'spice' things up,
*JSD and Sharples to go hunting with Morgan playing cheeky grubbers to put Quins on back foot,
*Play attractive fast rugby with steady heads ready to come on and slow the game down when we have a substantial lead.
Harlequins
Manager – Driver
01.Joe Marler | 09.Danny Care |
02.Joe Grey | 10.Nick Evans (k) |
03.James Johnstone | |
04.Charlie Matthews | 11.Scott Hamilton |
05.George Robson | 12.Tom Casson |
06.Neil Best | 13.Jared Payne |
07.Matt Kvesic | 14.Elliot Daly |
08.Nick Easter (c) | 15.Greg Goosen |
16.Tom Lindsey 17.Kieren Brookes 18.Rob Buchanan 19.George Skivington 20.Chris Robshaw 21.Nic Berry 22.Riki Flutey 23.Danny Cipriani
Tactics
- Typical quins game plan , play at a high tempo and keep the ball moving with plenty of width and off loads.
- Brown to counter any kicks and run them back with interest
- Care and Evans to control the tempo and put us into the right areas of the pitch to put Glaws under the cosh on there try line.
- Lindsey/Robshaw/Flutey on at 50/70/60 for Neil Best/Matt Kvesic/Casson to up the tempo.
- Lindsey to slot in at 6 to make best use of his powerfull runs in the loose and not have to worry about putting the ball in at the lineout and play his natural game.
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
light showers, 13mph winds, 7'
WorcesterWarriors
Manager – InTheFastLane
01. Matt Mullan | 09. Will Genia |
02. Alexi Lutui | 10. Dan Carter |
03. Tevita Taumoepeau | |
04. James Percival | 11. Ugo Monye |
05. Gerhard Mostert | 12. Ma’a Nonu |
06. James Haskell | 13. Matt Hopper |
07. Maurie Fa'asavalu | 14. Marcel Garvey |
08. Ben Morgan | 15. Luke Rooney |
Tactics
- We have a strong 8-9-10-12 axis and will look to control the game using these positions.
- Will Genia will be looking to snipe around the fringes and will use his running game to pressure Gloucester
- Dan Carter is the best Fly Half in the world and will look to control our game making changes as he sees fit
- Look to get our dangerous back three involved and into open space so they can cause trouble.
- Our backrow will look to provide some big carries as well
- Nonu to be focus of Attack then use him as dummy with Carter pulling the strings
SARCENS
Manager – Luke
01. Matt Stevens | 09. Ben Spencer |
02. Schalk Brits | 10. Charlie Hodgson |
03. Carlos Nieto | |
04. George Kruis | 11. Joe Maddock |
05. Steve Borthwick (c) | 12. Owen Farrell (k) |
06. Jacques Burger | 13. Adam Powell |
07. Andy Saull | 14. James Short |
08. Ernst Joubert | 15. Alex Goode |
16. Rhys Gill 17. Jamie George 18. John Smit 19. Hugh Vyvyan 20. Jackson Wray 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Nils Mordt 23. Brad Barritt
Tactics
We will work as units and play a structured game. We will use the scrum and lineout as weapons.
- Attack the lineout as much as we can using the tactical kicking of Spencer, Hodgson and Farrell. Borthwick to lead, supported by Joubert, Kruis and Saull.
- Call for scrums when we can if we are getting the advantage we expect to. Joubert to control from the base.
- Look to all of our forwards to give us real go-forward with their carrying.
- Saull is the man charged with reaching the breakdown first, securing first phase possession for us and pilfering the possession of the opposition.
- Hodgson is given license to play the game as he sees it. We do ask that he uses our lineout and carrying ability to put pressure on the opposition, but if he sees an opportunity to attack out wide - that is his call.
- Our back three are encouraged to do what they do best - counter attacking and running the ball back. All have good boots to rely on if it isn't on or they are isolated, but the counter is what we ask them to look for.
- Early on Farrell to kick all penalites within range, but we won't necessarily go for the 3 points as the game progresses. Borthwick to make the call dependant on the success of the lineout.
- Use a very powerful bench to tie the game up in the last 20/30 mins.
Last edited by Fluxy on Sun 19 Feb 2012, 12:32 pm; edited 2 times in total
Fluxy- Aviva Premiership Commissioner
- Posts : 12117
Join date : 2011-01-28
Age : 33
Location : Isle of Wight
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Fluxy wrote:
The official Blogs smiley!
Driver- Posts : 11038
Join date : 2011-04-20
Age : 32
Location : Hartlepool
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Ok well I would hate to think people thought I was complaining, I'm not. No qualms with any predictions at all, Pete said he thought It would be closer, I agreed.
My human nature point is that if you walk down the street and see a bloke stop and stare ad something, everyone stops and stares at it! Humans are like sheep!
My human nature point is that if you walk down the street and see a bloke stop and stare ad something, everyone stops and stares at it! Humans are like sheep!
Bathite- Posts : 8468
Join date : 2011-05-01
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Bathite, are you saying you're not human!?
Fluxy- Aviva Premiership Commissioner
- Posts : 12117
Join date : 2011-01-28
Age : 33
Location : Isle of Wight
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Pooly, do you want me to post the results?
Ozzy3213- Moderator
- Posts : 18500
Join date : 2011-01-29
Age : 48
Location : Sandhurst
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Well I didnt want you to find out like this, but the time has come. I'm Optimus prime and I can't find this freaking octogon anywhere
Bathite- Posts : 8468
Join date : 2011-05-01
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Fluxy are you still looking after Barca in the other league as you have not been for a while and I wanted to tie up a deal with you if that's ok?
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Did you do results Pete? No issues if not, should be back for 4
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Results
Sale Sharks 25 London Wasps 17
Exeter Chiefs 26 Bath Rugby 16
Leicester Tigers 34 Newcastle Falcons 16
London Irish 19 Northampton Saints 29
Gloucester 34 Harlequins 24
Worcester Warriors 27 Saracens 21
Sale Sharks 25 London Wasps 17
Exeter Chiefs 26 Bath Rugby 16
Leicester Tigers 34 Newcastle Falcons 16
London Irish 19 Northampton Saints 29
Gloucester 34 Harlequins 24
Worcester Warriors 27 Saracens 21
Ozzy3213- Moderator
- Posts : 18500
Join date : 2011-01-29
Age : 48
Location : Sandhurst
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Cheers Pete, get budgets done later
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
No worries bud, happy to help.
Ozzy3213- Moderator
- Posts : 18500
Join date : 2011-01-29
Age : 48
Location : Sandhurst
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Gash, not even a BP.
pullthestrings- Posts : 5914
Join date : 2011-01-27
Age : 36
Location : Reading
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Not many LBPs this week, 5 pretty convincing home wins out of 6
Bathite- Posts : 8468
Join date : 2011-05-01
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Good to see Prop get a win!
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Damn I was so close to the bonus point!! Tell you what the table is going to be awful tight looking at those results
SirJohnnyEnglish- Posts : 8536
Join date : 2011-05-10
Age : 36
Location : Limerick
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
You're not wrong SJE. Despite winning I only move up one place as the three teams above me all won as well. Top 2 and bottom 4 all won, so I think the top 2 are probably stretched too far away for many to catch them now, but the rest of the table is pretty condensed.
Ozzy3213- Moderator
- Posts : 18500
Join date : 2011-01-29
Age : 48
Location : Sandhurst
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
Yeah think theres going to be just 8 points between last and 4th just having a quick look at the table. So anyone could still make the playoffs! Very interesting season with only half the fixtures. I've got some tough away games still to come but delighted that I got Tigers and Worcester in particular at home. Also the Irish game was good timing with Pull just bringing in some key players. A few weeks down the line and I'd fully expect Pull to of won the game!
SirJohnnyEnglish- Posts : 8536
Join date : 2011-05-10
Age : 36
Location : Limerick
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
SJE, cheers mate - I hope that's it, failure to 'bed in' my new transfers. Overall, pretty happy with the depth of my squad but maybe the 1st team could do with a kick up the arse. Where do people reckon I need to improve?
pullthestrings- Posts : 5914
Join date : 2011-01-27
Age : 36
Location : Reading
Re: Aviva Premiership Round 5 - Week 9
To be honest mate theres no real weakness to your starting 15 now you have a bit of everything and you would be well matched against anyone in the league. Maybe improve at TH. Ion isnt a weakness really but there are better options in the league and id look to get another FH in as beyond Bowden your a bit lacking. Would also allow you play Bowden in the centres as well where I'd expect he will play the majority of next season for Tigers
SirJohnnyEnglish- Posts : 8536
Join date : 2011-05-10
Age : 36
Location : Limerick
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