The Aviva Cup Round 1 - Week 12

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Saracens v London Irish

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SARCENS
Manager – Luke

01. Rhys Gill	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. John Smit	10. Brock James
03. Carlos Nieto
04. George Kruis	11. Joe Maddock
05. Hugh Vyvyan	12. Adam Powell
06. Kelly Brown	13. Joel Tomkins
07. Andy Saull	14. James Short
08. Ernst Joubert (c)	15. Alex Goode

16. Jared Saunders 17. Jamie George 18. Matt Stevens 19. Hayden Smith 20. Jackson Wray 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Charlie Hodgson 23. Michael Tagicakibau

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London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Max Lahiff	09. Joe Simpson
02. James Buckland	10. Daniel Bowden
03. Paulica Ion
04. Steve Mafi	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Nick Kennedy (c)	12. Shontayne Hape
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Regan King
07. David Pocock	14. Tom Homer (k)
08. Ally Hogg	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Vickers, 17. Faan Rautenbach, 18. Leo Halavatau, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. Declan Danaher, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Shane Geraghty, 23 Topsy Ojo

Tactics

- Use the set piece as a platform to build attacks. For scrums, big efforts from the engine room to hold it steady. Hogg to pick if it's messy and tidy it up.

- Similarly with the lineout, use jumpers Kennedy, Pocock and Gibson. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and go for off-the-top ball to get wide quickly.

- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Pocock and Gibson 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.

- Use the piston system Irish have developed so well. Big runners off Bowden to give us real go forward, inside and outside runs.

- For slow ball, look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown, giving space out wide.

- Simpson to prawl behind the defense line and mop up any breaks or half breaks. Patrol the breakdown area and keep an eye up for numbers.

- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.

- Homer to go for points at every opportunity.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.

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Harlequins v Worcester Warriors

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Harlequins
Manager – Driver

01.Kieron Brookes	09.Luke Burgess
02.Tom Lindsey	10.Nick Evans (c)(k)
03.Chris Budgen
04.Charlie Matthews	11.Sam Stuart
05.George Skivington	12.Tom Casson
06.Jack Clifford	13.Elliot Daly
07.Matt Kvesic	14.Andy Short
08.Nick Easter	15.Hugo Southwell

16.Rob Bunchman 17.Joe Marler 18.Mark Lambert 19.Tom Denton 20.Joe Trayfoot 21.Riku Tipuna 22.Danny Cipriani 23.Tom Williams

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WorcesterWarriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. George Porter	09. Jonny Arr
02. Ed Shervington	10. Joe Carlisle
03. James Currie
04. Nile Dacres	11. Josh Drauniniu
05. Chris Jones	12. Alex Crockett
06. Sam Betty	.Alex Grove
07. Jake Abbott	14. Eerie Claasens
08. Kai Horstmann	15. Alex Goode

16. Stephen Moore 17. Matt Mullan 18. Tevita Taumoepeau 19. Gerhard Mostert 20. James Haskell 21. Will Genia 22. Dan Carter 23. Ma’a Nonu

Tactics
Not looking to take the cup too seriously saving ourselves for a late push at the European spots in the league

Our game plan will be territory based this week. We have good kicking options in the back line with Arr, Carlisle, Goode and Claasens all having good boots while Grove and Crockett also have decent kicking. We will be looking to switch the focus of attack and put the ball into their 22 or out for a lineout. Drauininu will lead the chase and we will look to really pressure Quins.
We will also be looking to get at quins in the breakdown. We will be looking to get numbers into the breakdown and use Jake Abbott to get the turnover. We also will look to use our bench to maximum effect in the second half against Quins. We will look to play a more open, expansive running game. We will look for control by Genia and Carter.

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Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks

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Gloucester

Manager – prop_lyd

01. Dan Murphy	09. Dave Lewis
02. Korree Britton	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Dario Chistolini
04. Will James	11. Johnny May
05. Tom Savage	12. Mike Tindall
06. Peter Buxton	13. Henry Trinder
07. Alasdair Strokosch	14. Ian Clark
08. Luke Narraway (c)	15. Ollie Morgan

16. Matais Cortese 17. Rupert Harden 18. Shaun Knight 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Akapusi Qera 21. Dan Robson 22.Ryan Mills 23. JSD

Tactics
We are giving a few players their chance to stake their claim for a starting spot this week and want to see points proven with a big pack and pace and youth in the backs. We will look to play simple rugby in the backs with easy hands and exploiting the gaps when they come. We will look to push Sale to force the ball out wide and block off any attack they atempt. Fast attractive rugby is the aim today.

Forwards
*Front row to look to hold their own and this is their chance to prove their worth here, look to go low and drive up on Chistolini.
*Look to target their lineout with Strokosch marshalling the troops here.
*Use our experienced Backrow to put pressure on their breakdown and use their 'skills' to slow the ball down.
*Put pressure on 10 to prevent him playing well and slowing down their ball.
*Use our bench wisely with Harden, Qera and Whitelock able to come on and change the game or shore up problem places if required.

Backs
*Quick ball to Burns who will look to release the young wingers who both have pace to burn. If nothing's on then pin them into the corners and add pressure on lineouts.
*Centres to go route A straight through the defence looking for the offloads to the forward support or the back 3's who all have pace to burn.
*Wingers to run back any kicked ball looking for space and forwards to support them.
*Tindall to lead an 'in your face' defence with a forward looking to steal/slow down ball at each breakdown.
*Use our bench with Mills adding more fresh legs and JSD able to slot in anywhere and make a chance out of nothing.

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Sale Sharks

Manager – LondonIrishOllie

01.Andrew Sheridan	09.Scott Mathie
02.Marc Jones	10.Nick McLeod
03.Henry Thomas
04.Andrei Ostrikov	11.Will Addison
05.Kearnan Myall	12.Luther Burrell
06.Onosai Auva'a	13.Jonny Leota
07.Dave Seymour	14.Tom Brady
08.Jordan Crane	15.Joaquin Tucalet

Subs - 16.Nathan Charles 17.Lee Imoliek 18.Vadim Cobilas 19.Frazer McKenzie 20.Hendre Fourie 21.Andy Powell 22.Cillian Willis 23.Rob Miller

Tactics
We are looking to go to Kingsholm and come away with a win targeting the forward battle, with our frontrow all better scrummagers than their opposite numbers.

Lineout - Britton is a player who gets next to no game time. So will not be used to the pressures of having to find jumpers in a pressuer situation. We are going to put up jumpers at every oppurtunity, and look to put him and the gloucester jumpers underhuge pressure.

- Ostrikov and Myall will be the main jumpers with Crane and Auva'a also being used for vareity.

Scrum Time - With Sheridan and Jones are seasoned pros who are first choice for Sale IRL, and Thomas is an England Saxon. Whereas Gloucester have a front row that lacks that level of experience, with Murphy never being a first choice at the top level and Chistolini who hasn't got into Italy's 6 nation squad even with Castro injured. So it is an area we beleive we can get a clear advanatage.

McLeod has been in great form this year, and is a great all round player. He will use Leota and Burrell to get us over the gainline in midfield.

We will utilise a blitz defence and look to get in Tindall's face to put pressure on his distrubution which we beleive is suspect.

MacLeod is a reliablle kick so will take all kickable points in the first half. Then in the second half the decision will be made based on situation.

Any kicks our attacking back 3 will look to run back if there is any back dog legs in the line. Tucalet, Addison and Brady are all great runners.

Early on MacLeod and Mathie will look to dictate where the game is played with their superior kicking games.

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Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Boris Stankovich	09. Danny Care
02. Tom Youngs	10. George Ford
03. Julian White
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Walker
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Joe Launchbury	13. George Lowe
07. Luke Wallace	14. Matt Smith
08. Jacques Cronje(c)	15. Niall Morris

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Marco Ayerza 18. Ryan Bowers 19. Lewis Deacon 20. Sam Warbuton 21. Sam Harrison 22. James O’Connor 23. Miles Benjamin

TACTICS:

- Target set piece (scrum especially) with two of the best scrummaging props in the AP
- Numerous jumpers to secure own ball & put pressure on opposition (Kitch/Slater/Launch/Cronje)
- Look to get mobile/powerful back five into game and win the contact driving opposition back and smashing every ruck
- Target turnover ball & look to slow opposition with Wallace key
- Care & Ford to dictate tempo and Tweletrees offers 2nd kicking option
- Play fast open offloading game and high intensity rugby to wear opposition down
- Impact bench to see game out

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Exeter Chiefs

Head Coach – Ozzy3213

01. Brett Sturgess	09. Kevin Barrett
02. Scott Spurling	10. Ignacio Mieres
03. Hoani Tui
04. Tommy Hayes (c)	11. Josh Tatupu
05. Aly Muldowney	12. Sam Hill
06. James Phillips	13. Richard Kahui
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Richard Baxter	15. Luke Arscott

16. Neil Clark 17. Ben Moon 18. John Andress 19. Addison Lockley 20. Herbie Stupple 21. James Lightfoot-Brown 22. Henry Slade 23. Jack Nowell

Tactics

Our gameplan involves doing everything with a high intensity and asserting ourselves on our opponents, both in attack and defence. 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. We will look to keep the ball alive as much as possible and keep it off the deck limiting the number of rucks in the match.

Specifics

• Attacking
  
  
• Play ball in hand - We have backs with good handling skills and intend on using them.
  
• Take all points - Mieres will take every penalty at goal, and look to take any drop goal opportunities to build a lead.
  
• Target White int he loose - We will look to isolate Julian White in open play against any of our backs.
  
  
• Defensive
  
  
• Blitz Defence - We will look to blitz and stop the Tigers carriers before they hit the gainline. Barret will sweep in behind the defensive line.
  
• Breakdown - We will look to get our back row there quickly and contest for the ball if it's on to be won, but we will not overcommit, instead maintaining a sold defensive line to repel Tigers ball carriers.
  
  
• Key Points
  
  
• Real life results - These teams are very close to real life still, and the Chiefs have beaten Tigers twice this season.
  
• Focus - Tigers focus is likely to be on securing a home play off semi, whereas we see this as our best chance of Heineken Cup rugby next season.
  
• 15 v 16 - We are clearly at a disadvantage in the loose as Julian White is like 2 players for our opponents with his super mobility.
  

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London Wasps v Northampton Saints

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London Wasps

Manager – Stnick88

01. Zak Tau'lafo	09. Karl Dickson
02. George Chuter	10. Nicky Robinson
03. Ben Broster
04. Matt Garvey	11. Tom Varndell
05. Richard Birkett	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Tinus Du Plessis	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Lipman	14. Alesana Tuilagi
08. Pedrie Wannenburg	15. Jimmy Gopperth

16. Tim Payne 17. Aaron Jarvis 18. Chris Brooker 19. Marco Wentzel 20. Tom Rees 21. Charlie Davies 22. Chris Bell 23. Richard Haughton

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Northampton Saints

Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Alex Waller	09. Stuart Commins
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Ryan Lamb
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Scott Armstrong
05. Mark Sorenson	12. Greig Tonks
06. James Craig	13. John Clarke
07. Teminia Harrison	14. Noah Cato
08. Roger Wilson	15. George Pisi

16. Ethan Waller 17. Brett Sharman 18. Brian Mujati 19. Christian Day 20. Calum Clark 21. Alex Day 22. Stephen Myler 23. Tom Stephenson

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Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby

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Newcastle Falcons

Manager – Fluxy

01. Grant Shiells	09. Jordi Pasqualin
02. David Paice	10. Tom Heathcote (K)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Bob Casey	11. Luke Fielden
05. James Hudson (C)	12. Steven Shingler
06. Ben Nutley	13. Joe Ansbro
07. Will Welch	14. Suka Hufanga
08. Mark Wilson	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Tom Mercey 17. Rob Vickers 18. Darren Fearns 19. Simon Shaw 20. Jerome Kaino 21. Tom May 22. Jack Cuthbert 23. Paul Hodgson

Tactics
General Gameplan;
Teams don’t come to the fortress that is Kingston Park, and have an easy time. As we will be up in the opposition faces, not giving them a moment to spare, pressure will grow and lead to mistakes and penalties.
Our pack is fully committed to the Falcons cause and the front five along with the backrow will look to dominate the collisions and rucks to give us forward momentum. This will get us over the gainline each time, and will cause the Bath defence to always be on the back foot.
The quality possession from our clever and dynamic forward play will allow us to release our potent backline, with Pasqualin looking to play intelligently by getting the ball away from the rucks as quick as possible in attack. This will allow Heathcote and Shingler to pull the strings in midfield and create mismatches so we can spread the ball out wide to our dangerous runners to make use of the space on offer.

Key Points;

Strong Spine; With our powerful front five, we will get the drive on, on our ball to create space and time for our 8-9-10.

Scrums; Against their ball we will get the shove and attempt to wheel the scrum so that their halfbacks become isolated from their backline.

Lineouts;will be a solid supply for possession for us, as our pack contains four strong and athletic jumpers.

Defensive set up;The pressure here will lead to mistakes and opportunities from scrums and penalties for us to take advantage of. We will always challenge their lineout, other than when we are on our own five metre, where will look to sack the jumper as soon as he lands on his feet.

Breakdowns; We have selected a very physical and committed team, and will always work for each other and put their bodies online for one another. We will legally slow down ball and look for turnovers.

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 opportunities to put our wingers or whoever is spare over the try line. Heathcote will direct traffic offering a spark to get an exciting midfield moving.

Penalties; Heathcote will look to take all penalties within his range, unless Hudson dictates we have a serious advantage at the lineout where will kick for touch.

Substitutions; We willl look to use our powerful bench to make some momentum changing substitutes and to allow us to blood new players and combinations.

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Bath Rugby

Manager – Bathite

01. N.Catt	09. C.Cook
02. R.Batty	10. S.Donald
03. A.Perenise
04. R.Caldwell	11.O.Woodburn
05. J.Muller	12. F.Steyn (k)
06. M.Lund	13. C.Laulala
07. G.Mercer	14. T.Biggs
08. S.Taylor	15. I.Dagg

16. O.Franks 17. L.Mears 18. C.Beech 19. S.Hooper 20. F.Louw 21. M.Classens 22. R.Clegg 23. K.Eastmond

TACTICS TBC

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Not at home Pooly haven't got the coding...doing it on my phone!

Have till 8 tonight to get it in correct format

Power gone to your head Pooly? Just let him have it..

Teams have to be in by 8pm in correct format so it's easy for Flux to upload. Get fined 0.5m if in incorrect format.

You're like Monica from Friends.

'Rules help control the fun'

I'm sure Flux is a smart enough lad to put the teamsheets in the correct format if people are having trouble getting them in.

Not sure what your issue is here.....

People have from Wed till Sat to get teams in correct format to make it easier for Flux/whoever to upload.

This has been in since day 1. It's a pain in the ass having to do numerous peoples team sheets for them because they can't be bothered. If you can't get the format in take the hit.....simple.

There's no "fun" added/removed its just you get fined 0.5m....

No pull its known as "organised fun"

London Irish manager Pullthestrings has picked a strong side to face Saracens today. Some key players were rested last week, allowing squad players to gain great exposure against the top side in the league. The players coming back in are fresh and targetting the win today.

London Irish
Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Max Lahiff	09. Joe Simpson
02. James Buckland	10. Daniel Bowden
03. Paulica Ion
04. Steve Mafi	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Nick Kennedy (c)	12. Shontayne Hape
06. Declan Danaher	13. Regan King
07. David Pocock	14. Tom Homer (k)
08. Chris Hala'ufia	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Vickers, 17. Faan Rautenbach, 18. Leo Halavatau, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. Jamie Gibson, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Shane Geraghty, 23 Topsy Ojo

Tactics
In the rainy conditions, we've adjusted our usual game plan to place more emphasis on the set piece and breakdown area. In general, we will use our piston system and look to use our running power to get over the gain line. We'll use the boot sensibly play position. If it's on, we'll trust in our handling ability and have a go.

- Use the set piece as a platform to build attacks. For scrums, big efforts from the engine room to hold it steady. Dermody, Danahar and Hala'ufia come in to add weight. Hala'ufia to pick if it gets messy and set the plaform.

- Similarly with the lineout, use jumpers Kennedy Danahar and Pocock. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and try to initiate a rolling maul to give the backs more time.

- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Pocock staying strong on his feet. When they arise, lets use them to our advantage. If the back three are sparse, look to kick for territory. If there are mis-matches, lets have a go.

- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.

- Use the piston system Irish have developed so well. Big runners off Bowden to give us real go forward, inside and outside runs.

- For slow ball, look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. This will give more time to the backs.

- Simpson to prawl behind the defense line and mop up any breaks or half breaks. Patrol the breakdown area and keep an eye up for numbers.

- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.

- Homer to go for points at every opportunity.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.

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Not looking to take the cup too seriously saving ourselves for a late push at the European spots in the league

Our game plan will be territory based this week. We have good kicking options in the back line with Arr, Carlisle, Goode and Claasens all having good boots while Grove and Crockett also have decent kicking. We will be looking to switch the focus of attack and put the ball into their 22 or out for a lineout. Drauininu will lead the chase and we will look to really pressure Quins.

We will also be looking to get at quins in the breakdown. We will be looking to get numbers into the breakdown and use Jake Abbott to get the turnover. We also will look to use our bench to maximum effect in the second half against Quins. We will look to play a more open, expansive running game. We will look for control by Genia and Carter.

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Will try get it in coding later: Going to Chelsea game though.

WorcesterWarriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. George Porter	09. Jonny Arr
02. Ed Shervington	10. Joe Carlisle
03. James Currie
04. Nile Dacres	11. Josh Drauniniu
05. Chris Jones	12. Alex Crockett
06. Sam Betty	.Alex Grove
07. Jake Abbott	14. Eerie Claasens
08. Kai Horstmann	15. Alex Goode

16. Stephen Moore 17. Matt Mullan 18. Tevita Taumoepeau 19. Gerhard Mostert 20. James Haskell 21. Will Genia 22. Dan Carter 23. Ma’a Nonu

Tactics
Not looking to take the cup too seriously saving ourselves for a late push at the European spots in the league

Our game plan will be territory based this week. We have good kicking options in the back line with Arr, Carlisle, Goode and Claasens all having good boots while Grove and Crockett also have decent kicking. We will be looking to switch the focus of attack and put the ball into their 22 or out for a lineout. Drauininu will lead the chase and we will look to really pressure Quins.

We will also be looking to get at quins in the breakdown. We will be looking to get numbers into the breakdown and use Jake Abbott to get the turnover. We also will look to use our bench to maximum effect in the second half against Quins. We will look to play a more open, expansive running game. We will look for control by Genia and Carter.



OFFICIAL LINEUP

PREDO'S NEARLY OPEN....

I'm still doing the page!

Just posted last weeks teams, would that be alright for you mate?

Yea that's fine fella

Predictions open yet?

Sorry guys for not getting a team in had a hectic weekend with wedding planning and my stag do!! As there is no predictions in can i put a different team sheet in as I was most definately going for a 2nd string side for the cup and I know Nick is looking to target this. If not no worries

I havent done any tactics yet johnny and am happy not to if you are not also.

Works for me Nick mate. This is the team I'd like to put out if Pooly allows it


Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Alex Waller	09. Stuart Commins
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Ryan Lamb
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Scott Armstrong
05. Mark Sorenson	12. Greig Tonks
06. James Craig	13. John Clarke
07. Teminia Harrison	14. Noah Cato
08. Roger Wilson	15. George Pisi

16. Ethan Waller 17. Brett Sharman 18. Brian Mujati 19. Christian Day 20. Calum Clark 21. Alex Day 22. Stephen Myler 23. Tom Stephenson

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If no predo's come in before Flux can change it I'm happy mate.

If a predo comes in we'll have to stick with the side though

I'll hold fire on my predictions, will have a bash at them tonight

Changed

ITFL I've already put your team in the correct format

Cheers Fluxy

No problems, that's £5m SJE...

Sarries 19 - 20 Irish
It's a close one, but I have Irish winning the battle in key areas, at the lineout and the breakdown, with an advantage 4-8. Think they will get a bit of beasting in the scrum mind. I prefer Irish's backs by quite a bit and Simpson suits their style of play, dictating a fast tempo to get the best out of Bowden. All of a sudden their backs look really threatening, with King and Tagi and although i can't stand the dude, Delon is a good fb at this level, despite form issues and moving Homer to the wing helps me give Irish a narrow win. Not enough spark in Sarries backline, who have been hit by all these call ups.

Quins 18 - 9 Worcs
Quins have put out a stronger side and look dominant 1-10, which at home is a huge advantage. Can't see Worcs winning much ball up front at all and it is going to be difficult to get that backline moving, especially with Crockett at 12, who is an OC specialist and lacking gametime. Worcs have a cracking bench, but I think that the damage has already been done and it comes too late

Glos 10 - 12 Sale
A real tale of forwards versus backs, with both teams strong and weak in opposite areas. With Sale dominating up front and in the set piece, but Glos having so much talent in the backs, despite resting a few. I see a lot more matchwinners in Glos' side, but I think that they will struggle to get quick and clean ball and will lose out at the breakdown. Think that Sale have got their tactics down to a tee and Macleod's form counts for them, to steer the ship to a narrow win. Glos score a break away try, but miss a late pen through Burns to steal it.

Tigers 19 - 15 Chiefs
Hard to see past the tigers here at home, without Exeter stars, they don't get the pack dominance that they want / need. Leicester have the quality 6-10, which is crucial here to dictate the tempo of the game. Exeter probably have the better backs, but Tigers are no mugs and the form of Matt Smith helps them even it up a bit

Wasps 19 - 13 Saints
A strong Wasps side will win here, with home support and many of their first team on display. Gopperth at 15 might well be a genius idea, his kicking keeping them in all the right positions. I see a big advantage in the back row and the lineout will go to the home side and with JJ and JTH in combination, there is enough firepower and form to see this one through.

Sarries 21 Irish 23
Sarries to get the upper hand in the scrum but Irish will dominate the lineout. Pocock will show his class against Saull. And i think Simpson and Bowden will relish the extra freedom the cup allows them. Not convinced by Tomkins yet. Lack of tactics from Sarries doesn't help.

Quins 20 Worcester 7

Quins look dominant in the pack and with Evans at 10, i can only see this going one way. Worcester to have a late surge when subs come on. But a team with a dominant pack, a world class 10 and at home its only going one way.

Leicester 19 Exeter 18

Very close here in my opinion. Normally i would say that a young fly half is a massive disadvanatge but Ford is a class above most young fly halfs and has played well for Tigers in the LV IRL when their pack hasn't been overly dominant. Exeter lack the top players to get a win, and playing Spurling means that Exeter will struggle at set piece. Meaning a Leicester win.

Wasps 31 Saints 21

I expect this to be an open affair. Wasps will dominante possesion, with the better backrow and more go forward but Saints will win the scrum battle, with lineout time pretty even. Both have exciting backs on show and with good ball i can see JTH and JJ enjoying their afternoon. Not convinced by either fullback - Pisi poor under high ball and Gopperth lacks running game (i could understand playing him at fullback in bad weather).

Newcastle 21 Bath 22
I think the front 5 battle will go to Newcastle but the backrow goes to Bath. I can see the lineout being even but Newcastle will get a shove on in the scrum. Heathcote is in good form and Shingler and Ansbro are a decent combo but Bath have the better backs overall and i think they will do just enough with the ball to get the narrowest of away wins.

SARACENS 20-24 LONDON IRISH

Have to mark down Sarries down for no game plan a little. See Sarries edging front row but think Irish have went in strong in the back 5 and will really contest well. Wouldn't say Pocock was much of a jumper though Pull. I think the Sarries halfbacks will dictate the game better but I see much more threat in the irish backline (homer aside) and I think they'll just sneak it.

HARLEQUINS 23-16 WORCESTER

Nothing in the packs, great to see the kids giving a shot by both teams and will do them good for the experience. Quins have a very exciting backline though and I think the damage will be done before the Worcester bench gets on. When did Worcester sign Alex Goode??

GLOUCESTER 22-22 SALE

See a front 5 edge and pack advantage for Sale here and I think they'll get the nudge on in the set piece and loose. Total turnaround in the backs though with Gloucester giving some good balance and stong runners. Too close to call this one and have to sit on the fence.

WASPS 25-16 SAINTS

I see a good front 5 advanatge for Saints and I imagine them getting a nudge on in the scrum. Again it's a little turnaround in the back row and backline. I really like the set-up & balance for Wasps and I think they'll give Saints a bit of a run a round despite Saints being away from home lol

NEWCASTLE 20-27 BATH

Prefer the Falcons front 5 although not sure how long of the game Casey would last, think Falcons def have a scrum advantage. Better backrow for Bath though and good to both teams putting the yougsters out. Serious quality in the Bath backline though and it looks they're taking this comp very seriously. Bath backs to get in the game and give them the win.

not quite sure what u done there pooly but its wasps v saints, and its at wasps not saints!

Got the win didn't you lol

I keep mixing the teams up with other game,!?!?

Sarries 20 Irish 18

Leicester 22 Chiefs 19

Glaws 28 Sale 25

Wasps 29 Saints 27

Falcons 18 Bath 25

Saracens v Irish - Its close ufpront but think Sarries have a bit more power. Pocock would own the breakdown though. More controlling half backs from Saracens, more spark from Irish and more in the backline for Irish. Tight away win.
20-23

Quins v Worcester - Alot of potential in that Quins side, will be helped by Burgess and Evans pulling the strings. Great bench from Warriors, but Quins have more all over the park and will pull away in the end.
29-19

Glos v Sharks - Sale win the forwards battle, Glos the backs. Dont think Sale backs will cause enough problems with the good ball they get, but Mcleod will kick goals. Just enough spark and class for Glos to win at home.
25-23

Tigers v Chiefs - Strong Tigers 2nd side! Too much at home for a strong chiefs side. think exeter backrow will cause the youngsters of tigers problems. Little bit more creativity in Tigers backline which will see them sneak home. Care and Ford is a nice combo.
21-19

Falcons v Bath - Slight egde to falcons front five, but think baths halfbacks, notably donald, and backline will do more damage than falcons. shingler/ansbro is a nice combo and heathcote playing well. too close to call.
20-20

Saracens 16-20 London Irish

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Sarries with a slight edge at scrum time. Pocock to give Irish control at the breakdown though. Not much in it else where in the packs. Irish with the edge at halfback (Parra ineligible for Sarries) and the backline in general.

Irish with a game plan and more threat on show pick up a good win.

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Harlequins 22-22 Worcester Warriors

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Not sure on either scrum but Quins with a bit more in the 2nd row and some more form in the back row get a pack edge. Quins halfbacks need to bed in together but there’s a big step up in quality. Back lines are tight and not much in it either way. (Alex Goode playing for 2 teams this week??). Big step up from the bench for Worcester but surely the big 3 need a break at some stage.

Quins with a game plan would do enough to seal this otherwise it’s a draw

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Gloucester Rugby 18-18 Sale Sharks

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Sale with an edge at set piece time and at the breakdown here. Glaws with the better carriers on show though. At halfback Glaws have more attacking intent but McLeod can control the tempo of the game better. Glaws with more across the backline but Tinds at 12 slows them a little

Sale have the pack to cause real problems away from home but haven’t the attacking intent to take full advantage and this sees a draw.

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Leicester Tigers 20-18 Exeter Chiefs

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Not an awful lot in it in this one. Looking at names you would expect Tigers to win the pack battle comfortably but this isn’t far off the Chiefs pack that beasted Tigers in real life a month ago. Tigers maybe just shading the breakdown but not a lot in it while Chiefs shade the loose. In the backs prefer the Tigers halfbacks and they could open up any defence. Nacewa the main man in the backlines.

Very tight affair overall and Tigers take this due to home advantage

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Newcastle Falcons 22-24 Bath Rugby

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Falcons can get control of the scrum here. Lineout evenly contested as is the breakdown battle. In the backs though Bath have gone very strong and have some real quality at 10 and in midfield.

Shame theres no conditions here as a wet day would have really helped Newcastle out but with Donald and Steyn pulling the strings Bath should shade this

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Saracens 12 - 25 London Irish

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Two good packs on show, but the sarries get a nudge on in the scrum. However the ability of the Irish backrow wins them some valuable ball, and gives them time to attack with the ball. The quick change of Parra before the game costs Sarries in a moment of confusion as to who starts.
Irish have a good backline out today, whereas Saracens are hit hard by Six Nations call ups.

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Harlequins 18 - 6 Worcester Warriors

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Quins have a much better team in the pack and the halfbacks on show, and it tells as they manage to dictate the pace of the through the duration of the game. Warriors bench comes on to make an impact the tired legs can't make much an impact

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Gloucester Rugby 18 - 16 Sale Sharks

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Despite the number of changes made the Gloucester team still looks dangerous when they get ball in hand. They suffer up front where Sale get the edge, but the Cherry and WHites have accomplished ball carriers which gives them go forward. A brace of tries from Jonny May secures the win. But Macleod keeps the score respectable for the Sharks.

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Leicester Tigers 15 - 12 Exeter Chiefs

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A close game, with the Tigers getting a slight edge in the scrum and around the park with the powerful Launchbury and Cronje. But the dogged Chiefs pack keeps them in the game and wins a valuable source of possession. But at home with a good set of halbacks that take control I can't fault their efforts.

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London Wasps 21 - 15 Northampton Saints

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A very strong Wasps team shows how they are looking to target the cup for some silverware this year. You can't look past their pack as they dominate the early exchanges. I like the balance of the Saints backline and they have a dangerous look to them, but the explosiveness of Joseph anf the power of Tuilagi see's Wasps home, at home.

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Sarries 21-20 Irish
Glos 26-19 Sale
Leicester 17-18 Exeter
Wasps 24-20 Saints
Falcons 16-18 Bath

Quins 22 - 15 Worcester

I think Quins have a little bit extra here, especially at home. The pack is mobile and will get about. The coolness and experience at 8-9-10 will see through and dictate the game.
I also think Worcester's mentality of not taking the cup seriously will hinder them.

Gloucester 21 - 20 Sale

As long as Gloucester limit Sale's possible edge at the set piece, they have enough in the back line to see this one off. Sale will be disruptive and cause problems but if Burns uses his back line they'll be plenty o' opportunities.

Leicester 12 - 13 Exeter

Massive battle in the pack, fascinating. A brand new 8-9-10 combo for Leicester with no real direction. That little bit more experience at half back and a bit of spark in the back 3, Exeter edge this one.

Wasps 22 - 19 Northampton

Wasps sneak the battle in the forwards with a big effort from the back row. See constant threats from the Wasps back three whereas I think the Saints back three would be pinned back due to the kicking of Robinson. A decent home win.

Newcastle 12 - 18 Bath

I feel Bath have a bit more about them all round here. The front row would secure decent ball, and between Frans and Donald they'd keep the scoreboard ticking over for a pretty professional win.

Lost the tab due to internet problems.. was more extensive but I've rushed those to get them in on time..

Predo's closed

FULL BONUS FOR:

Bathite, Pooly, Pull, Nick, FLux, SJE, Ollie

HALF FOR:

Driver, ITFL

NO BONUS:

Arry, Pete, Prop

Ah balls.

Sorry folks, I clean forgot that the prediction deadline was this evening.

No probs Pete, pretty close game in the end

Speak for yourself

Yea you got a bit of a humping lol....Bathite went big in the backs and you missed your backrow.

Only the cup

Thought it would've been closer with tactics too

Scores were close, final score looks a bit nasty.

Concentrate on the league Flux

Well i'm happy with my result lol!