Week 16 - Aviva Premiership Round 9

First topic message reminder :

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Team Sheets and tactics due by Saturday (20:00)
Predictions due till Tuesday (20:00)

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Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby
Cloudy, Drizzle, 8 degrees, 5 mph

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Sale Sharks

Manager – LondonIrishOllie

01.Andrew Sheridan	09.Scott Mathie
02.Gary Botha	10.Jonny Wilkinson
03.Davit Kubriashvili
04.Dean Schofield	11.Charlie Amesbury
05.Kearnan Myall	12.Luther Burrell
06.Onosai Auva’a	13.Jaque Fourie
07.Dave Seymour	14.Tom Brady
08.Richie Vernon	15.Nick McLeod

16.Marc Jones 17.Vadlim Cobilas 18.Alasdair Dickinson 19.James Gaskell 20.Schalk Burger 21.Ciaran Willis 22.Rob Miller 23.Jonny Leota

Tactics
At home we expect a win and as always at the very least we expect a solid set piece, which will ensure possession for us. In poor conditions, it is vital that we play a solid percentage game.

At scrum time we will look to target them as Mears and Flatman can be got at in this area, and if we can isolate Franks he will not be able to save them from going backwards. At the very least Kubs and Botha will disrupt their scrum a lot.

At lineout time Myall and Schofield will be our main jumpers and from the ball we secure we will look to set up mauls. We will gain momentum from this. Vernon will also be used as a jumper on occasion.

We also think our backrow can win the battle as although we do not have the big names we have a unit that works well together and knows each others games, whereas they have SOB who only joined them the morning before the game and Fearns who has absolutely no form to speak of.

Donald will be targeted. He is not good form and lacks confidence. This means that under pressure he will not be good and will not enjoy out backrow getting in his face.

With Wilko at 10 and McLeod at 15 we have two players who can kick tactically to a very high standard, which is key in these conditions.

Bring Burger on with 20 mins left to run havoc at the tired Bath defence. Other subs to be made as and when needed.

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Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite

01. D.Flatman	09. C.Cook
02. L.Mears	10. S.Donald
03. O.Franks
04. G.Skivington	11. O.Woodburn
05. R.Caldwell	12. F.Steyn (k)
06. S.O'Brien	13. C.Laulala
07. F.Louw (c)	14. T.Biggs
08. C.Fearns	15. I.Dagg

16. A.Perenise 17. R.Batty 18. C.Beech 19. S.Taylor 20. M.Lund 21. M.McMillan 22. R.Clegg 23. M.Banahan

TACTICS TBC

General
In poor handling conditions and away from home, the kicking game will be crucial and with Donald, Steyn and Dagg, we have three of the best. We want to make sure that we play rugby in the opposition half and force handling errors, where we can attack the scrum and use the boot of Steyn to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Donald and Steyn to ensure we play sensible rugby in the right areas, kicking long for touch in our 22, using the up and under in the centre of the pitch and delicate grubbers in behind centres to chase and force kickable penalties. Steyn leads the rush defence, cramping Wilkinson for time and space and ensuring he takes the ball deep behind the gainline.

Forwards
* Picked a very physical pack to make sure that we defend strongly and smash over the gainline. Look to isolate weaker players such as Gaskell and Seymour in contact and use the rolling maul as a real weapon with secure lineout ball.
* 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, tying in oppositon back row to the ruck/maul
* Louw is a breakdown specialist and will look to stay on his feet at the ruck and slow opposition ball down. Fearns and Lund to guard to the fringes of the ruck
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Caldwell, O'Brien, Lund, Fearns 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
* Franks to really target opposition LH, so 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.

Backs
* Dagg given free rein in attack, looking to come into the line either side of Laulala, taking advantage of power and offloading. Laulala to look for the half gap and offload, with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
* Donald to take the ball flat on the gainline, drawing defenders and buying time and space for Steyn in the 2nd playmaker role. Donald / Steyn not afraid to bosh it up if nothing on and set up the ruck.
* Vary the point of attack with Donald and Steyn interchanging and using the up and under and grubber in behind the centres. Look to keep it unpredictable on the gainline and difficult to defend against
* Use the 13 channel to tire Fourie in defence. Get Laulala on the ball early on and encourage a very pacy back three to run off his shoulder, looking for the offload.
* In the second half, bring on Banahan for a huge physical threat. Encourage him to run into the 12 channel early on and test a tired defence. Utilise the crossfield kick from Steyn to test defence outwide with a height mismatch

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Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Patchy rain, Overcast, 8 degrees, 5 mph

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Gloucester

Manager – prop_lyd

01. Nick Wood	09. Rory Lawson
02. Darren Dawiduk	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Sam Whitelock	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Tom Savage	12. EFS
06. Alisdair Strokosch	13. Henry Trinder
07. Akapusi Qera (c)	14. Ian Clark
08. Brett Deacon	15. Pat Lambie

16. Scott Lawson 17. Rupert Harden 18. Shaun Knight 19. Alex Brown 20. Andy Hazell 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ryan Mills 23. Olly Morgan

Tactics
We have had a massive win against Leicester and are targetting 5 points at home to climb towards the top 6 and a cup spot. We expect a tough forwards battle and will come at them. We may be injury hit but every player coming in is in good form especially the youngsters Savage and Clark and also Mills who will look to compete for a space at 12 from next season. With Lambie and Burns we have 2 players who can slot in at 10 and make the inspirational breaks. We expect to win this match and none of our players are safe so need to impress.

Forwards
*Get the inital hit and look for the second shove on the scrums, the front row will look to turn them inside out and their main target will be to clear out the rucks for quick ball
*Dominate the lineouts with 4 jumpers starting and 2 more to come on, the 2nd rows will look to be physical and Whitelock'll look to link with the back row, Brown will come on to take apart a tired lineout.
*Backrow to carry strong throughout the game and to run off the back line giving them further options.
*Look for turnovers and use Qera's hard hitting and Strokosch's to do this and slow their ball, Deacon will provide the link to the back line and we will look at a 8-9-15 move off the base of the scrum.
*Use the bench with impact subs in all positions with Hazell coming on on the hour to hit tired defence at the breakdown.

Backs
*Quick ball to Burns who will look to release EFS and Trinder to get us over the gainline if the ball is slow we will pin them back off the park, he will have the freedom to use his initative with clever kicks.
*Centres to run straight and hard and to look to offload to back 3 or back row support, Trinder will look to target tired forwards with angles.
*Back 3 to go hunting for the ball and use their angled running to slice through the defence, high balls will be used to get space and give Clark the opportunity to run, Lambie will pick and choose his runs and, when with the ball in own half will sometimes look at up and unders.
*Hard blitz banana defence with a backrower on Burns' shoulder to look to get the first hit and turnover, Lawson/Lewis will act as a sweeper.
*Use the bench wisely with Mills and Morgan adding extra pace. Clark will relish this chance after his outstanding displays for Hartpury recently

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Newcastle Falcons

Manager – Fluxy

01. Grant Shiells	09. Paul Hodgson
02. David Paice	10. Joel Hodgson (K)
03. David Wilson
04. Bob Casey	11. Adam Thompstone
05. James Hudson (C)	12. Tom May
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Dominic Waldlouck
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Luke Fielden
08. Chris Hala’ufia	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Tom Mercey 17. Joe Graham 18. Tim Swinson 19. Alex Gray 20. Suka Hufanga 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Seb Stegmann 23. Alex Corbisiero

Tactics
The confidence in the squad is sky high, as we are on a roll at the moment, off the back of two consecutive wins. Our game plan is based upon a high intensity attacking game, and a solid defence with competition at the breakdown against the opposition, hunting for turnovers. In the greasy conditions we will play simple territorial game with Hudson leading our lineout and utilising our number of adept jumpers. The Hodgsons will dictate the tempo and the direction from halfbacks, trying to get us playing in the right areas of the pitch and to make it difficult for the opposition to get out of their half. In early phases we will try and get big ball carriers in like Kaino and Hala’ufia, on the inside and outside of Hodgson to punch holes in the defence. Once over the game line and giving our backs quick ball, this will allow our strong runners like; Waldlouck, May and Thompstone cutting lines off Hodsgon. May will alternate with Hodgson at first receiver to keep the defence guessing. Early penalties will be kicked at goal to gain a strangle hold on the game. We will look to use our strong bench in the second half to blood new signings, Pienaar can come and kick penalties, to secure the game and see out the result.

Forwards;


• Lineout - We have a large number of quality lineout jumpers and a very cleverly run lineout with Hudson at the helm. This should be a main focus of possession either from the disruption of opposition ball or just claiming our own.
  
  
• Scrums - The powerful front five, will get the drive on, on our ball to create space and time for our 8-9-10. On their ball we will get the shove and wheel the scrum so that their 8 and 9 become isolated from their backline, here Brussow and Kaino can cause turnovers.
  
  
• Breakdown - We have selected a very physical and committed team, and will always work for each other and put their bodies online for one another. Brussow and Kaino will be first to all breakdowns and slow the opposition ball down legally, or turn it over.
  
  
• Defensive line - No more than two players, at 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, with the fullback also further back - creating three lines of defence.
  
  Backs;
  
  
• Game plan - With the slippery conditions, we will play a simple game. Kicking to the corners to pin back the Glouscester backs. There will be raft of handling mistakes and we will look to capitalise on them in the conditions.
  
  
• Back three - Thompstone and Fielden will come off the wings to come in the line and to cross the gainline on crash balls. Any kicked ball will be run back, to get us back in their half. Unless under pressure look to find touch.
  
  
• Penalties - Hodgson will look to take all penalties within his range, unless Hudson dictates we have a serious advantage at the lineout where we will kick for touch.
  
  Key Points;
  
• Confidence is high, and our play will be confident yet assured.
  
  
• Off the back of some very good wins, we have a chance to upset another big team away from home in the horrible coniditons
  

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Harlequins v London Wasps
Sunny, Patchy cloud, 9 degrees, 8 mph

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Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Chris Budgen	09.Luke Burgess
02.Joe Grey	10.Nick Evans
03.Dan Cole
04.Ollie Kohn	11.Elliot Daley
05.George Robson	12.Riki Flutey
06.Neil Best	13.Jared Payne
07.Chris Robshaw (c)	14.Scott Hamilton
08.Nick Easter	15.Danny Cipriani

16.Tom Lindsey 17.Jon Golding 18.James Johnstone 19.Charlie Matthews 20.Matt Kvesic 21.Nic Berry 22.Tom Casson 23.Greg Goosen

Tactics

OVERALL PLAN

Run the ball and play at a high tempo with Evans looking to really attack the gainline and get our backs moving from all areas of the pitch with the forwatds running hard in the narrow channels and pulling the Wasps pack. Our game plan is based around a high workrate which our pack has along with plenty of youth and impact from the bench.

Burgess and Evans to play flat and whats in front of them and really move the Wasps pack about.

Budgen and Cole are fierce scrummages and will hold there own as well as looking to make a mess of Wasps put in.

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London Wasps

Manager – Stnick88

01. Tim Payne	09. Karl Dickson
02. Chris Brooker	10. Jimmy Gopperth
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Ross Filipo	11. Joe Ansbro
05. James Cannon	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Pedrie Wannenburg	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Julien Salvi	14. Leigh Halfpenny
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Mike Brown

16. Zak Tau'lafo 17. Ben Broster 18. Andy Titterell 19. John Hart 20. Michael Lipman 21. Micky Young 22. Ryan Davis 23. Tom Varndell

Tactics
- Good conditions, play an attacking game.
- Use big ball carriers like Parisse, Wannenburg, Filipo, Brooker, JTH to make in roads before spreading the ball to JJ, Ansbro, Halfpenny etc.
- Target the breakdown and get Salvi in there quick to secure quick ball and legally slow down opposition ball.
- JJ to look for the outside break on his man. He has the gas and is incredibly good at the outside break.
- Halfpenny to kick long range pens with Gopperth taking any pens in range.
- Gopperth instructed not to kick away loose ball. We want to play a running game and will use JTH and JJ to test Quins.
- Get good width and try and get Ansbro and 1/2p one on one with their opponents.

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London Irish v Saracens
Sunny, Light drizzle, 8 degrees, 7 mph

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London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Joe Simpson
02. William Servat	10. Daniel Bowden
03. Euan Murray
04. Tom Palmer	11. Paul Diggin
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Jamie Noon
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Delon Armitage
07. David Pocock	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Tom Homer (k)

16. James Buckland, 17. Paulica Ion, 18. Clarke Dermody, 19. Steve Mafi, 20. Declan Danahar, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Guy Armitage, 23 Ryan Shortlan

Tactics
We will continue to play the way we have done in this Aviva Cup, securing two victories in the process. 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.

- Massive front row on show today, so we'll use the scrum as a weapon. Quick ball to Bowden if we're stable, Harinordoquy to pick and go if it's messy

- In the lineout, we'll dominate. 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 and Gibson 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. We've opted for a more mobile pack with players like Jenkins, Gibson, Harinordoquy.

- 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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SARCENS

Manager – Beshocked

01. Rhys Gill	09. Morgan Parra (K)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Brock James
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Andy Short
05. George Kruis	12. Owen Farrell
06. Kelly Brown	13. Adam Powell
07. Jacques Burger	14. Michael Tagicakibau
08. BErnst Joubert©	15. Chris Wyles

16.Smit, 17.Stevens, 18.Vunipola, 19.Vyvan, 20.Saull, 21.De Kock, Hodgson, 22.Smith 23.Ransom

Tactics

All revolving about huge workrate,pressure,patience and stopping London Irish from playing their natural running game. This means stopping London Irish players getting over the gain line, forcing the errors to rack up. We'll use our powerful backrow to spearhead the effort. We are happy to play without the ball, we want to force the penalties,the turnovers and attack from good positions.

With the ball in hand we will vary our play - occasionally counter attacking from deep with the likes of Brits and Joubert, bash the ball up the field, throw the ball out wide, probing kicks over the top,grubbers etc always looking for space to exploit.

With a full strength frontrow we will look to put pressure on our opposite numbers. Gill,Brits and Nieto are all underrated scrummagers who will really ask questions of their opposite numbers.

At the lineout will be organised by Joubert who will be taking the captaincy too. He will be our main jumper but ably supported by Kruis and Botha. Our lineout should be very efficient as Brits is an excellent thrower and has great understanding with his team mates. Winning our own throw is the highest priority but will also look to disrupt our opposite numbers.

Backrow to smash the opposition backwards, put huge pressure on the opposition halfbacks and stop any London Irish momentum building. We have a formidable unit who all have an excellent understanding.

Parra and James to be patient but to vary play intelligently. Variety is always good.

Farrell and Powell to vary play to keep the opposition guessing.

Tagicakibau and Short to come off their wings looking for work. Both are deceptively strong and will create space for others.

Bring on the bench to make a huge impact in the last 20 - the likes of Smith,Stevens,Smit,De Kock and Hodgson will be there to really stretch the opposition defence and have licence to play with a bit more width and adventure.

Particularly relish seeing Conrad Smith vs his opposite number with 20 mins to go.

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Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Cloudy, Light drizzle, 7 degrees, 6 mph

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Northampton Saints

Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Brian Mujati
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Noah Cato
05. Christian Day	12. John Clarke
06. Stephen Ferris	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. Vasily Artemiev
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Ethan Waller 17. Mike Haywood 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Mark Sorenson 20. Roger Wilson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Scott Armstrong

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General Game Plan:

We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Tigers 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 flat from first receiver and inject pace to the proceedings committing the Tigers 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 Leicester ball carriers before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to hit the breakdown harder. 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 the Leicester players 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.

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Key Points:

•Home Advantage

With a baying home crowd at the hostile Gardens looking to intimidate both Tigers and the ref, Leicester will need to be at their very best to win! We are unbeaten this season and have great momentum after back to back wins at the Rec.

•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 Tigers ball we will disrupt the put in looking for penalties or to create rushed poor ball for Youngs.

Mujati, and PDJ in turn, will look to get at the link between T. Youngs and Ayerza to cause serious problems for the Tigers scrum.

•Lineout

With 5 jumpers we want to really use the lineout as an attacking platform, similar to 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.

•Target the Tigers wingers

We will test Wade, as he is not particularly renowned for his skills under the ball. Sexton will look to send some high hanging balls to the corners. He will look to execute kick and chases and crossfield kicks into the corners when we see Wade out of position.

On turnover ball Sexton will look to use the crossfield kick to Cato's wing with JOC likely to be in the midfield.

•Fringe Defence

We will look to stay tight around the fringes and deny Care opportunities to snipe and force him to continually go to his first receiver. Taking away the fringes limits Care and the Tigers attacking game.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Marco Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tom Youngs	10. Toby Flood
03. Martin Castrogiovani
04. Richie Gray	11. Christian Wade
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Tom Croft	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. James O’Connor
08. Thomas Waldroum	15. Geordan Murphy

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Julian Wite 18. Boris Stankovich 19. Ed Slater 20. Jacques Cronje 21. Sam Harrison 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. George Lowe

Tactics

In the damp conditions we’ll be looking to play a high tempo game and limit the offloading with the greasy ball. We’ll be looking for big carries from our pack to free up space around the fringes for out talented backline to work in.
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 Croft/Gray marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Care marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes. Gray will play things simple as he's still bedding into the set piece but with Parling leading the line there's little pressure on him here. Warburton & Croft 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.

- Look to get JOC onto the ball as much as possible, look to use to loop with Tuilagi
- Flood to kick whats on offer and keep the board ticking over
- TARGET SAINTS LINEOUT
- TARGET SAINTS scrum – look to keep ball in on own ball and force pen
- Barnes/Flood to ping corners if weakness seen in Saints lineout

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Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Overcast, 8 degrees, 5 mph

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WorcesterWarriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. Matt Mullan	09. Will Genia
02. Ed Shervington	10. Dan Carter
03. Tevita Taumoepeau
04. Gerhard Mostert	11. Ugo Monye
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Ma’a Nonu
06. James Haskell	13. Matt Hopper
07. Jake Abbott	14. Marcel Garvey
08. Ben Morgan	15. Luke Rooney

16. George Bee 17. Oliver Tomascyzk 18. James Currie 19. James Percival 20. Sam Betty 21. Jonny Arr 22. Andy Goode 23. Tom Arscott

Tactics

• We have a strong 8-9-10-12 axis and will look to control the game using these positions.

• This is a key game and all the players know it and will really rise to the occasion. The key players are well rested and can really put the boot into a more fatigued Exeter side.

• Will Genia will be looking to snipe around the fringes and will use his running game to pressure Exeter

• Dan Carter is the best Fly Half in the world and will look to control our game making changes as he sees fit

• We will look to getting Nonu into the game and creating mismatches so he can run at Chiefs defenders

• 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 .

• We will look to get quite a few bodies down in the breakdown to secure own ball and Abbott will look for turnover ball

• Nonu to be focus of Attack then use him as dummy with Carter pulling the strings.

• Look to get an edge at lineouts with Mostert and Kitchener

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Exeter Chiefs

Head Coach – Ozzy3213

01. Perry Freshwater	09. Kevin Barrett
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Ignacio Mieres
03. Craig Mitchell
04. Tommy Hayes	11. Josh Tatupu
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Sireli Naqalevuki
06. Tom Johnson	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Paul Sackey
08. Ofisa Treviranus	15. Jack Nowell

16. Neil Clark 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Hanks 20. Richard Baxter 21. James Lightfoot-Brown 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Jason Shoemark

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 turn this game into a real slugfest, keeping the ball generally close to the ruck when carrying and looking to drag opposition forwards in and tying them up in rucks and mauls. Only when it is completely on will we look to go wide.

Specifics

• Attacking
  
  
• Target the scrum – We are aiming to scrum, and use it as a real attacking weapon.
  
  
• Carry close to the ruck – Get big carriers carrying close to the rucks forcing Sale to make lots of tackles which will tire them quickly.
  
  
  
• Defensive
  
  
• Blitz Defence - We will look to blitz and stop the Warriors carriers before they hit the gainline. Barrett will sweep in behind the 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 solid defensive line to repel the Warriors ball carriers.
  
  
  
• Key Points
  
  
• Form/Momentum/Confidence - We are off the back of three great results and come in full of confidence having qualified for the cup semi finals.
  
  
• Gameplan – Simple gameplan with the right players to be able to effect it perfectly.
  
  
  

As we are talking team selections and Clarke at 12 has been highlighted!! What do people think of 10. Myler 12. Sexton? 10. ROG 12. Sexton looked good for Ireland during the 6 nations and Myler/Sexton has the exact same balance. How would people rate that?

I wouldn't be a fan of Sexton at 12 to be honest SJE. Going forward I think he would do ok, but could give you some issues defensively in my opinion.

Couldnt see many defensive issues?? Sexton is probably the best defensive international flyhalf around at the moment. Tackles like a machine.Wasnt found out positionally for Ireland at 12 during the 6 nations either.

I'd rate Sexton higher than Clarke without doubt but don't think he makes a great 12. Be ok on front foot.

'Best defensive international fly half'

Not sure I would agree with that mate but as I said above, al about opinions. He is a decent (ish) one on one tackler, but has not played 12 much in the past 5 years and I would see him as the weak link in the defensive chain in that position.

"Sexton is probably the best defensive international flyhalf around at the moment"

I think Mr Farrell may take that award, in the NH anyway.

Wilkinson for me every day of the week, have him on playercam for a game and watch how many tackles and yards he makes defensively

Wilkinson has retired from International rugby

Well going on their stats from ESPN Sexton was 31 made 2 missed to 32 made and 3 missed for Farrell for the 6 nations.

Sexton's defence has been immense for Ireland since his debut. Down south only Carter would be a good tackling 10. Steyn not the greatest and Cooper not even worth talking about. So hes definately one of the best in the world at the moment.

No one could touch Wilko in his prime Bathite but he does fall of the odd tackle nowadays. Look back over his last few games for England. Misses the odd few now and again these days.

I wouldn't put a lot of store by the stats. Doesn't show if they were one on one or part of a gang tackle, or whether the misses were from great attacking play or a positional error on his part.

I'll go with my eyes over the stats, and for me Sexton ok defensively at 10, but would be an issue for me at 12.

To be fair Sexton stopped Jonah North when he was on the rampage against Ireland before his off load to Davies.


Butch James is a pretty big defender at 10.

Stopped him but not the offload making it a pretty meaningless tackle in the end. As I say, I am taking nothing away from him as a defender at 10, but he has barely played at 12, which is a different position when lining up in defence.

I don't think missed tackles tells the full story Johnny. I would never say Sexton has an issue with defence but I wouldn't say he was the best in the world. I'd have Flood ahead of him too tbh although not really Int these days!

Farrell is immense in defence, hits so hard too. Attacking wise is another story though.....

Just watching Leinster/Blues game....Leinster sooooo good. Heaslip still loking poor (only20mins in).

Brad Thorn is immense, was reading Mike Ross say he's never had a lock like Thorn behind him before he adds so much in the scrum.

People forget sometimes that the scrum is an 8 man effort, not just the front row. If you have locks/back row that scrummage well it can be massive for a teams effort.

I was going to release him on other game but he looks like a 28yo, totally outplaying Davies.

I always prefer playing with a heavy 2nd row pairing personally rather than another back-rower!!

Have only seen glimpses of the game Pooly. BOD is looking quite good again. Watch him and Sexton for some moments of pure brilliance! Read the same from Ross. Really anchors any scrum well. Be some game between them and Clermount. Overall winner should come from that game.
Hines another old warrior who was impeccable this weekend. Just shows if a player looks after himself they can still go well into their 30s

Sexton looks great for Leinster, always does

Just look for the inside pass from him Pooly pure cheeky. Joe Schmidt has that side so well drilled. They run great lines and always know where each other are going to be. Its a complete contrast to how Kidney has Ireland playing at the moment. Ireland should be looking to base their style of Leinster and Ulster to a lesser extent. Both play good winning rugby

I'm nearly through 1st half......just put Thorn comment on AP1 to annoy Matt lol

He was refusing to rate him couple of weeks back so he'll be hating it!

Just seen BOD try.....that was gorgeous! Fitzy looking on fire too