About v2AP Round 20
+6
Ozzy3213
Steven_Sharks
stnick88
CJB
Sgt_Pooly
Driver
10 posters
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AP Round 20
by Driver Mon 09 Apr 2012, 13:17
First topic message reminder :
Team Sheets and tactics due by 23:59 hours on Thursday
Predictions open at 00:01 hours on Friday. Predictions Close at 12:00 hours on Saturday
Sale Sharks vs. Bath Rugby
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 8mph
Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE
16. Nathan Catt 17. Brett Sharman 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Christian Day 20. 21. Ben Spencer 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Sam Smith
General Game Plan:
We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Bath 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 fly half and inject pace to the proceedings committing the Bath defence and leaving space in wider channels to exploit. If running the ball is not on Sexton & Hook will look to the boot to put us in the right areas
At scrum time we will look to contest each and 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. While on Bath feeds we will disrupt the put in looking for penalties or to create rushed, poor ball for the Bath halfbacks. With 5 jumping options and a reliable thrower at hooker we will look to attack from the lineout mixing things up by bringing the ball down into the maul and using the physicality of our pack or else playing the ball of the top and injecting serious pace into the play.
On defence, we will use a blitz defence coming up at pace looking to isolate the Bath ball carriers before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to hit the breakdown harder. Danny Care 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 defence 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 Bath players providing quick counter attacking ball to be cleared and 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:
•Home Advantage
With a baying home crowd at the hostile Edgeley Park, intimidating both Bath and the ref, Bath will need to be at their very best to win!
•Playing off the fringes
With no real running threat from the Bath scrumhalf our defensive line can neglect the fringes somewhat and concentrate on wider areas.
•Target the flyhalf
With no back up 10 on the bench we will look to target Skrela mercilessly throughout the game. We will look play on the edge of the offside line and hit him early with our well drilled blitz. The boys have been told not to hold back in the tackle. This is made easier with the lack of a running option at 9. With Skrela off the pitch, Kurtley Beale is left to fill in at 10 and we will be happy to send big runners down his channel
•Familiarity
Fatigue shouldnt be an issue for Care, Hook, POM and Bendy after being well rotated this season but a big advantage for us is the familiarity this team have together. This is the side that has just secured Sale Sharks their first Heiniken Cup semi final appearance and they know each other inside out. None of Baths side have started together for 2 weeks now and surely rustiness will be an issue as they have been thrown together and they will need time to get back into the run of things
•Turnover Ball
With both POM and Thomson adept at securing turnover ball we will look to take full advantage. With Beale in the line looking to take the ball on at 1st receiver Sexton and Hook will look to take full advantage of the space left behind with no fullback home and use clever chip and chases and kicks deep and central into Bath territory.
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane
16. Jon Golding 17. Joe Ward 18. Dave Wilson 19. Rob Simmons 20. JMF Lobbe 21. Chris Cook 22. Isiah Toeava 23. Tom Varndell
Tactics
Psychological
16 wins in 20 games is a brilliant record to have and our players are all brimming with confidence. We also feel we are the more rested team. Not one of our players starting today has played the last two games. The Sale team was exactly the same for a hard fought Heineken Cup Quarter Final last week. Care, POM, Hook, and Bendy have all played for four consecutive weeks.
Overall
We will be looking to play attacking running rugby off our set piece superiority.
Set Piece
Our formidable front row has been picked to play well at scrum time and to have a big impact in the loose as well. We will look to target the scrum as we feel in these conditions there will be a lot of scrums and it is somewhere we can really dominate. At the lineout we have options with Whitelock and SOB capable of taking opposition ball. At the front we have Deacon offering the banker ball.
Kicking
We will look to put the ball behind the Sale back three and put pressure on them in their own 22 with Whitelock leading the chase. We will not be looking to kick to their back three but making them turn round in order to keep pressure on. Beale will be our main kicker looking to take on anything in range. Skrela is another option who can kick the ball and if need be will kick.
Ball in Hand
Our game plan is based around our attacking skills with the ball in hand. With Healy, SOB, Mealamu etc we have some of the best forwards who can real make inroads with their running. We will look to make sure runners aren’t isolated with good tracking and will offload if there is minimal risk.
Our backs will be looking to get their hands on the ball and make attacking inroads. Wigglesworth will look to control the tempo of the backs. Skrela is a good attacking option and which French centres Mermoz and Rougerie outside him he has familiarity and good crash ball options. Both will be looking to make big runs through holes pulling defenders into them. North and Woodburn are also big runners who will look to get their hand on the ball and cause problems. Beale will look to join attacks late, offering a good running option who can take opposition defenders and ` run through gaps. We will look to target the Sexton-Hook channel which we feel can be taken advantage of defensively.
Defence
We will look for a quick defensive line to put pressure on the key Sale decision makers. Our defence will leave Beale trailing to get any deep kicks. He will be able to either return with interest or able to make a good run.
We will be looking to isolate runners and force a turnover by getting bodies into the breakdown when we see an opportunity and use Skinners skill in the ground. We feel this is somewhere we can really get an advantage so will look to go for a turnover whenever there is a chance.
Substitutions
We really feel our substitutes can come on and maintain dominance. We have three good props able to come on from the bench and keep the scrum solid. Simmons will come on and look to put in big yards and make his impact felt. Similarly Lobbe will offer solid running options as well as having an effect in the set piece. Chris Cook is someone who can come on and inject some inventiveness into the game. Toeava and Varndell are good runners who can really change games against tired defenders.
Gloucester vs. Newcastle Falcons
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 7mph
Gloucester
Manager – mat
16. Coonie ousthuizen 17. Darren diawiduik 18. Julian white 19. Richie grey 20. Willem Alberts 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ryan lamb 23. Johnny may
Tactics
Glaws welcome falcons to fortress kingsholm where they get the chance to play the form team in the league !
We have won at Leicester and sarries away where falcons lost last week so will be looking to continue our run of form which is the best in the league at the citadel that is kingsholm.
Conditions are suited to running rugby and Gloucester will be looking to play high intensity game with ball carrying forwards taking it to the opposition before getting the ball out wide to our devestating strike runners.
Pack
Glaws have gone for a dynamic mobile ball carrying pack. Nick wood and grey are there to do a 40 minute blast before unleashing coonie and dawiduik to add to the dynamic ball carrying pack and keep up the pressure.
We also plan to get richie gray and Alberts on early in the second half to reap further damage. Big games like
This are won after 50 minutes so we are making sure our bench makes an impact.
Set piece
We are not anticipating that many scrums but when they happen we are aiming to get under the falcons and get a nudge on to allow our backrow to pick up our for genia to clear quickly to goosen. Our front row is not very tall and will be very awkward to scrummage against especially with bakkies and palmer driving behind.
On opposition ball we will look to disrupt and have genia sniping to get at falcons 8 or trying to collar youngs.
Lineout
As ever we have 5 jumpers and 5 very good
Ones we will be looking to vary our throw and to start with will be looking to drive through the middle and hit runners off the side to take it to the heart of Newcastle and also to keep the ball and control tempo.
On opposition ball we will fancy out chances of disrupting or stealing the falcons ball. Thorn is known to not
Be the greatest at lineout which will leave pressure on oconnel or
Parling whichever plays. Hari palmer etc will look to exploit this as a key area for glos. lineout ball is some of the best attacking ball.
General forward play
Glaws are looking to take it to falcons get over gain line and look to offload when on or control the ball to carry it at them again. We are aiming to carry the ball and to win the physical battle before getting it wide.
We have the hardest working backrow about and they will be looking to lead the attacking effort whilst also smashing the breakdown and leading the defensive effort.
Ferris burger and hari will hunt as a pack and look to keep the intensity up.
The intro of coonie,grey and Alberts will continue this as we relentlessly carry it to them to either retain the ball or create quick gain line ball to allow goosen to get it wide.
Backs
The backs job is to use the great ball generated by the pack. Genia will be leading the backs and will be giving the ball only when it needs to go.
We are aiming to give goosen an arm chair ride so the form ten of super 15( along with barrett) can do what he does best kick or run the ball. As goosen can hoof the ball over from 60 plus metres falcons will be loathe to concede penalties.
Early on goosen will look to pin Newcastle back and turn them to make them
Kick for
Touch so as we can win territory battle.
He will also look to truck it up through kahui who is in razor sharp form and who will hopefully be up against Fourie.
Goosen will also use the garryowen to test out the Newcastle back 3 early on.
As the game progresses goosen will look to use our strike runners and raise the tempo. He will often interchange with Barnes who is there to offer a second receiver and kicker option. This will also take the pressure of goosen when needed.
The aim of our back play is to attack at great pace and to Create mismatches against forwards. If there is any gaps we want goosen to take it as he has a great break on him.
As the game breaks up we will be looking to
Counter loose kicks and take quick throws. We want dagg,jsd and sharples to get ball in hand and attack. May to enter the fray at 60 to add his magic
On defence genia will sweep as he does for aussies.
Key points
Settled team
Pack carrying options
Lineout strength
Dynamic game changing bench
Home advantage
Form we are on fire and have been for months
Attacking options in backs
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
16. Tom Lindsay 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20.Juan Smith 21. Jonny Arr 22. Nick Evans 23. Sean Maitland
Tactics:
Gameplan – Simple rugby.......With the game away and in damp/Greasy conditions we’ll be looking to control the set piece, pack and look to play in the right areas of the pitch. Flood will dictate play and will look to clear his lines from our own 22. We’ll look to put pressure on the opposition set piece throughout the game and we think we can get the upperhand in both scrum & lineout.
Defence – We’ll be deploying the rush defence and targeting the Gloucester 10/12 channel. McCaw will target Goosen and put him off his game early. Steyn/Fourie have been selected for their physical pressence and world class defence and will look to close down their opposite numbers early.
Set piece – Wet conditions usually means plenty of knock on which means plenty of scrums. We’ve went for a hefty scrummaging unit to really tear into Gloucester from the off. Franks & Barcella will look to get a strong hit on then look to drive through the Gloucester props. We foresee plenty of pens coming our way so will look for the corners in our own half where Parling lead the line and secure safe ball. Franks & Servat will look to target Gray/Wood all game. Gray especially is suspect in the scrum will will receive some treatment in the tight.
We’ll look for the take and drive on our own ball with Servat being the key man here. With 5 good jumpers and Parling pulling the strings we’ll keep things solid on our own throw whilst looking to target Gloucesters throw all game.
Pack – We’ve went for numerous carrying options in the pack and will look to use short pick and drives and keep things simple. McCaw will lead the assault and will also look to make a bit of a mess of the breakdown. With the poor conditions they’ll be plenty of opportunity to get hands in rucks and force turnover ball which will be used to force Gloucester retreating back.
Backs – Immemse physical/carrying options in the backline to keep us going forward and give us extra carrying options in poor conditions. Youngs/Flood to play whats on and Steyn to offer huge boot from 22. Look to use JOC coming into the line and to pop up at 2nd receiver. Look to get Bowe involved and target Sharples defence throughout.
KEY POINTS:
Damp/greasy conditions = knock ons = scrums
To win away you need to get at scrum/lineout/breakdown.....we feel we have the edge here this week.
SCRUM - We've went for a huge scrummaging front 5 and will look to target Gloucester all game. We can get a massive upperhand here (see England v Ireland in similar conditions).
LINEOUT - Parling will look to take apart the Gloucester lineout and secure ours with 5 top options. See a bif advantage here with Palmer off his game lately.
BREAKDOWN - With two similar players selected at flank for Gloucester we'll look to dominate the breakdown and turnover/slow Gloucester ball down. Burger/Ferris are great players but both are poor on the deck and could be an issue against our trio.
GOOSEN - Few games in for Gloucester and not used to greasy pitches/wet ball. We'll look to get at him all game and behind a beaten scrum he could be in for a tough day.
Harlequins vs. London Wasps
Light rain , 11 degrees , wind 6mph
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
16. Schalk Brits 17. Matias Aguero 18. Ruaridh Murphy 19. James Gaskell 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Rory Clegg 23. Jonathan Joseph
Tactics
We welcome Wasps to the Stoop for what is a huge game in our season. We need to win, preferably whilst scoring 4 tries to get the full 5 points and pressure those above us. We will certainly not be Wasps likely, although there priorities may lie in other places than the league. We have picked a side which we feel can play the conditions to their advantage.
Game Plan
We will be concentrating on ball retention and building the phase play in attack and aggression in defence. We will work hard in attack with our carriers looking to get over the gain line and to create quick ball so we can increase the tempo. We are looking for all of our pack and our centres to really look to carry hard. We will always be looking to attack the gaps and not run directly at the defenders. We will look for Dickson, Priestland, Morahan and Kearney to put us into the right territory when we are in our own half and then look for our pack to take the ball back in the lineout.
Lee Dickson will control the tempo of our game and as well get quick ball from the rucks he will look to increase the tempo and then look to put runners into gaps against a disorganised defence. Our runners will generally look to run lines of 9 and 10 either off their inside shoulder or coming on an angle from the midfield. Variation will be key to getting through the Wasps defence so we don’t want all our players running the same simple angles.
Forwards
Upfront we have a big pack which is packed with experience. We’ve gone for a strong front 5 which is going to hit rucks all day long, carry hard and win the set piece battle for us. Our back row has been picked to make the hard yards, win the breakdown battle and to generally get us going forward. We are looking for our forwards to carry hard and in numbers with the aim to win the collisions. It is important for us to win the collisions in attack in defence as it will give us the head start at the breakdown.
At the breakdown we want to ruck past the ball so the ball is immediately available to Dickson. On the opposition breakdown we will look to get the first man there or too adapt a low body position and then attempt to ruck the Wasps men off the ball.
We will look to really put pressure onto the setpiece with Sharpe and Skivington putting big pressure on at the lineout and our front 5 putting a shove on at the scrum.
Backs
Our backline has been picked for these conditions deliberately. We see it as capable of being strong in defence as well as having the craft in attack to score some point. We will have Hape and Lowe running lines off Priestland in the early phases and as we get quicker ball we will look for Hape to hit a dummy line and for Lowe to be picked out in a wider channel with support men to put into gaps. Out wide we have powerful and elusive runners who will search for the ball and look to carry hard.
Defence
Aggressive with a quick line speed. We want to really hammer into wasps from the start and prevent them from getting any momentum in attack and in doing this we need to keep our discipline. We want them to start trying to force things. As well as this we are looking for Warburton to dominate the breakdown so wasps really are feeding of scraps. We will look to slow down the ball legally at the breakdown if we can’t turn the ball over. This will mean our forwards adapting a low body position and rucking the Wasps men off the ball. We will then look for our quick line speed to put pressure on the key decision makers for Wasps at 9, 10 and 12. We feel we have a very strong back three when it comes to returning kicks and we will look to use loose kicks to kickstart our own attacks.
Game Specific Tactical Key Points
- Start up front. We need to be aggressive with wasps in every way upfront. We will look to win the set piece battle from the off. We want to win the collisions and carry the ball in numbers so there is support available for the offload or to get the quick ball at the ruck.
- Control the breakdown. We feel with Warburton we have the man to control this aspect of the game, with Wasps without a recognised fetcher.
- Control the games tempo and starve Wasps of the ball. Dickson and Priestland to control the game in this aspect.
- When we do kick, look to test Wade and Williams who I feel can both be tested under the high ball and when it comes to positioning. Important not to kick loosely to Wade and Brown though. We have 3 tremendous kickers at 9, 10 and 15.
- Look to use Hape as a decoy runner. when we get quick ball and look to get the ball into Lowe’s hands in wider channels.
Other Points
- Wasps have other fish to fry with their league campaign now taking a backseat to European exploits (from the outside anyway). We however simply have the league to concentrate on with 4th place in our sights. We will want this one more.
- We had two weeks to prepare for this game with bodies and minds free of a European battle the week before.
- We have Leaders throughout the side and most importantly the pack.
London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Perry Freshwater 18. Carlos Nieto 19. Richard Birkett 20. Luke Narraway 21. Nick Phipps 22. Steven Myler 23. Noah Cato
Tactics
We have picked a dynamic and mobile forward pack with plenty of ball carriers which will hopefully get us over the gain line and onto the front foot. The conditions are perfect for attacking rugby and we will look to start the game with a really high intensity and look to recycle the ball through several phases of play. We will look to hit the contact area hard and win the collisions, hopefully allowing our players to keep their hands free to offload to supporting players, alternating the point of attack throughout.
Hopefully our carriers will suck in Quins defenders, so we can spread the ball out wide to our dangerous runners to make use of the space on offer. We will start as we mean to go on with a high intensity, hitting the collision area hard and driving our players over the gain line. We will look to get quick ball, recycling the ball efficiently to keep the momentum in our attacks.
Ford will play flat in attack and on the gain line, we will use Bowden as a second playmaking option, and will look to Roberts to run plenty of hard lines into the Quins defensive line, targeting Priestland, looking to win collisions to get our offloading game going if it’s on. We will look to attack gaps and half gaps in the Quins defence and target the outside shoulder.
At the breakdown we will come from low to high in clearing out Quins players to ensure Burgess has clean ball. We will look to the kicking games of Ford & Bowden to put the ball in behind the Quins wingers and keep them pinned back in their own half where we can pressurize them. We will mix things up at the lineout and look to use Mafi to give us the all important tail ball.
We will look to make a nuisance of ourselves at the breakdown, looking to (legally) slow down as much Quins ball as we can to frustrate Dickson. We will look to get the ball in and out of the scrum as quickly as we can to continue our high intensity game plan.
London Irish v Saracens
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 7mph
London Irish
Manager – stnick88
16. WP Nel 17. James Buckland 18. Duncan Bell 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Hendrie Fourie 21. Julien Dupuy 22. Luke McAllister 23. Marland Yarde
Tactics
- In good conditions, play an attacking, running game, similar to the recent victories. We will run back loose kicks and not look to give away possession. We want to keep the ball in hand, run at Saracens, tire their defence and look for mismatches.
- We use the scrum as a an attacking platform, with two good scrummaging props we will look to turn the screw and win penalties or use Spies to pick up and carry or Pienaar to get the ball out to the backs. Castro and Tonga'uhia will look to get us on the front foot and drive Sarries back, looking to win penalties.
- We will look to win the contact area and the collisions. With Castro, Garvey, Spies, Steffon, Kaino, SBW in the side, we have some big, powerful units who will look to smash over the gain line and put Saracens on the backfoot. We will look for quick ball for Pienaar to use and create opportunities with.
- Kennedy will be our main lineout target and we willl look for quick ball off the top on most occasions, if not use Garvey at the front to create a maul.
- We willl look to dominate possession and tire the Sarries defence. Spies, Kaino, Armitage, Garvey, Tonga'uhia etc will carry hard and look to make inroads. We will look for Pienaar and JMH to play what is infront of them and put SBW and co into gaps and space. Our wingers, especially Tagicakibau, will come inside and along with Smith, look to gather the offloads from SBW, which he will only do when it is on.
- At the breakdown, we will look to use our powerful flankers and the breakdown skills of Steffon to secure quick ball and slow down opposition ball. Any turnover ball will be counter attacked.
- Pienaar will kick all pens for goal in range. If not we will go for touch and use the lineout as a platform to attack.
- If any attacks become slow and we are in danger of being turned of making a mistake, we will look for JMH to pop over a drop goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
- We have plenty of impact off the bench to keep things fresh and hopefully see out the game.
- We have won 4 league games in a row, morale and confidence is high and we will look to continue our good form in our battle for the playoffs.
Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213
16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Tendai Mtwarira 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Johnson 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Mark Cueto 23. Tom Homer
Tactics
Our generic gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game.
In attack our primary gameplan is always to control possession and run the ball, utilising big carriers attacking gaps in the line, and looking to offload to support runners to continue getting over the gainline and keep the ball alive. However, We recognise that the ball will be damp in this game so if the offload is not on, we will take the contact and look to recycle quickly at the breakdown. If running the ball is not on we will uitilise the kicking game of one of our backs to take us into the right area of the pitch.
In defence we will look to blitz, with our scrum half sweeping behind the defensive line. Key for us is line speed, getting up to make the tackle before the ball carrier hits the gainline, and confidence and trust in the man next to you in the defensive line, meaning we will not jump out or get pulled to far away from the next defender leaving gaps that can be exploited.
At the breakdown, we will not overcommit players. If the ball is not there to be won, then we will commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow it down whilst maintaining a strong defensive line across the pitch. If the ball looks like it is there to be won, we will look to get more numbers there quickly, with the first 1 or 2 players immediately rucking past the ball to clear the opposition players who are trying to get hands on it, and the next man in will then look to get it out quickly for us to counter attack on turnover ball.
At the scrum we will look to keep it up and scrummage. On our ball we will look to get a scrum turning legally to take the Irish back row out of the defensive occasion before launching attacks.
Game Specific Tactics
Key Points
Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Light rain , 9 degrees , wind 7mph
Northampton Saints
Manager - Dammit Chris
16. Mike Haywood 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Matt Stevens 19. Bradley Davies 20. Joe Launchbury 21. Sam Harrison 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Jean de Villiers
Tactics
Overall - Saints are on top form come the business end of the season, having scored twenty tries in five games - the conditions are absolutely perfect to continue playing attacking rugby and we will be looking for the home crowd to get behind the team in what will be a physical battle with Tigers. Again our game will be based around a pack that controls possession, using big ball carriers to get us over the gainline and provide good attacking ball to allow us to play a fast, high-tempo game where we look to put our backthree into scoring positions.
We build our team around an aggressive defence and welcome back Lydiate, Albacete, Giteau, Foden and Fofana into the starting lineup.
Attack - we will continue to play our structured game that evolves working through the phases, getting our big ball carriers on the ball and over the gainline (Albacete, Lawes, Messam, Parisse, Fofana, Tuilagi and Siviatu) - we will look to use our midfield a lot in the game and get them running at their opposite numbers, we see we have an advantage in the 10, 12, 13 channel in terms of attacking options and in the conditions and will look to get as much ball going through Giteau, Fofana and Tuilagi as possible - each offers a completely different attacking threat.
Giteau to mix the game up, bring in the backthree and attack with pace, we see a big advantage in the speed of our midfield and will look to use this whenever possible.
We will not be afraid to attack from deep as the conditions are perfect for our backline and our pack will certainly hold its own. This is especially if Tigers decide to play a kicking game and kick the ball to our backthree - Siviatu, Halfpenny and Foden will run the ball back and attack Tigers whenever possible.
Defence - we build our defensive patterns around Dan Lydiate and Courtney Lawes in the pack, two of the best tacklers in world rugby and will aim to use them to stop Tigers runners getting over the gainline. As normal we will play an aggressive defence, putting our opposition under pressure, using Phillips to get at Yachvilli and then having a rush defence on the 10-12-13 channel and force Wilkinson into a kicking game.
We feel that if we can stop the Tigers forwards getting over the gainline then we can win this game - with Lawes, Albacete, Messam, Lydiate and Parisse we certainly have the defensive players to do this and put in the big hits that force errors and mistakes to exploit.
We also want to make sure that we do not invite Tigers to pressurise us in our own half and when we get the ball (espc. in our own 22) we will get Halfpenny to clear lines and get the ball into touch and into the Tigers half.
Set Piece - We acknowledge that Tigers have a very strong front row and scrum, but with the conditions as they are (e.g. not heavy rain, muddy pitch etc) this is not as worrying as it could have been - Hayman has returned to top form and we can rely on Domingo and Stevens from the bench. We will look to secure steady ball, with Parisse controlling possession at the base of the scrum. On Tigers put in we will get Phillips to try and fluster YAchvilli and put him under a lot of pressure.
Our lineout has three main jumpers, Parisse, Lawes and Albacete - we will look to secure good attacking ball on our own throw. Defensively we will look to target Croft in the lineout and use Albacete to place some pressure on him and at least slow down the attacking ball Croft will get - we will also place Lydiate and Messam at the back of the lineout so they go right for the Tigers backline.
Breakdown - Pocock is an obvious danger to any team, so we have opted to bring in Messam to the backrow with the objective of trying to smash Pocock out of the breakdown area and stop him stealing/slowing down ball. We will look to bully this area as feel that the Saints backrow has a more physical presence. We are fortunate that Fofana and Tuilagi are also very adept at the breakdown - defensively we are very confident in this area of slowing down ball, but will certainly compete for turnovers when opportunities present themselves.
Key Points
* Great form, scoring lots of tries and fresh on the back on a convincing home win against Stade Francais. Tigers went out of the HC last week and we will look to continue our recent run of wins.
* The conditions are great for us to play attacking rugby and get the ball to our backline - we feel we have more creativity from the backs and can really take advantage of any fast ball we generate.
* Whilst we wont deny that Tigers have a slight advantage in the front row, we think our pack is again better suited to the conditions and has more mobility around the park to play to our tactics.
* Halfpenny's boot is a three-point machine - any penalties and we will go for goal and build up the score.
* Defensively we will play very aggressively, try to stop Tigers getting over the gainline with Lawes, Albacete, Messam, Parisse and Lydiate in the forwards - whilst Fofana and Tuilagi will create a brick wall in midfield for Tigers to get through.
* We want to get at Yachvilli and Wilkinson as we do not see either player as particularly creative, so will look to close them down and slow the TIgers attack down from the 9-10 channel.
Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
01. Gethin Jenkins 09. Dimitri Yachvili (k)
02. Sebastian Bruno 10. Jonny Wilkinson
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape 11. Vincent Clerc
05. James Horwill (c) 12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft 13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. David Pocock 14. Cory Jane
08. Thomas Waldrom 15. Isa Nacewa
16. Andrew Sheridan 17. Tom Youngs 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Simon Shaw 20. Samu Manoa 21. Chris Cusiter 22. Rob Miller 23. Topsy Ojo
Tactics
We will play a structured game built around tactiacal HB's, the strength in our set piece and flying back three.
- Attack the scrum as a weapon - and call when we can. Scrum specialist Bruno selected alongside two in-form props to look to really get the shove on.
- Strong lineout with Croft, Pape and Horwill as our main jumpers rotating the target. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.
- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down Saints' defence.
The likes of Waldrom and Horwill used off the shoulder crashing through the Saints defence.
- Pocock is the man charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off turnover ball.
- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Yachvili our general pulling the strings.
- Box kicks from Yachili and up and unders from Wilkinson to give the opposition problems in the air.
Lightning back three to really get the chase on.
- Look to play attacking rugby in the backs, getting the our 11-15 on the ball when we can. Croft to look to get into space and join our backs to cause trouble out wide.
- Our back three are encouraged to do what they do best - counter attacking and running the ball back. If isolated all have good kicking games, but the counter is what we ask them to look for.
- Yachvili to kick all penalites.
- Use our powerful bench to see the game out in the last 20 minutes.
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 6mph
Worcester Warriors
Manager - prop_lyd
01. David Flatman 09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss 10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Jim Hamilton 11. Bryan Habana
05. Ollie Kohn 12. Pat McCabe
06. Scott Higginbotham 13. Julien Malzieu
07. Craig Newby (c) 14. Marcel Garvey
08. Ben Morgan 15. Ollie Morgan
16. Michael Mayhew 17. George Porter 18. Chris Budgen 19. Ryan Jones 20. Mamuka Gorgodze 21. Byron Kelleher 22. Tom Heathcote 23. Greig Tonks
Tactics
AV Premiership Round 10: Exeter Chiefs 18-23 Worcester Warriors
We come into this match with a fresh side and a must win attitude. The squad we have picked is our strongest squad possible and with the home advantage we will be pushing for a good win to secure our safety. This match will be decided by forwards to we have selected a big pack with a back row who are all able to make an aimpact carrying the ball or at the breakdown. In the backs we have certain positions ‘bedded in’ and will use Steyn to kick us territory and McCabe/Malzieu to make the dents in the centre. Our bench is full of talent and impact subs and we will use them throughout the match to run at tired legs.
Forwards
*A front row who know each other well and will look to gain the advantage on the hit. Botha will lead from the front here and Budgen will be brought on in the last 20 to scrummage Chiefs off the park.
*Our 2nd row will look to dominate the lineouts and are quite a heavy partnership as we look to dominate the scrum. Hamilton will keep his head and look to wind up a few characters in the Chiefs side and impose himself at the breakdown whilst Kohn will look to carry the ball up off 9 to make quick yards.
*Back-row will be key at the breakdown and with Higginbotham and Newby we have 2 players who are more than capable of doing this well. They will look to hit every other ruck each to gain turnover ball or slow down their possession. The other player will be looking to hit 10 constantly to put him off his game. Morgan will pick from some scrums when a gap is possible and he always gets over the gainline when carrying so we have guaranteed forward advantage when he has his hands on the ball.
*The bench will be used wisely with Budgen coming on for the last 20 and Jones and Gorgodze being used as and when to add hard ball carrying and an extra lineout option.
Backs
*Quick ball is key here when we get it (we are expecting a hard slog up front) and Peel will be looking for gaps or forwards running to make the hard yards. Steyn will use his boot when we are under pressure but; if we are in the opposition’s half most of the time we will look to get the ball out to the centres. He will take the points when possible and use drop goals to keep the board ticking.
*McCabe will simply be given the role of playmaker with Malzieu and Habana running lines off of him and through the defence. Malzieu will be sued as a battering ram in the first 20 minutes and we will look to release the wingers off 3rd ball phase to make it quick ball and give them the space required (1st ball will be forwards, 2nd ball will be Malzieu/forwards, 3rd ball to the backs).
*Wingers and Morgan are to go looking for work and to stay sturdy in defence. They will all be comfortable under the high ball and have the pace to take the oppostion on the outside shoulder.
*Bench will be used wisely with Kelleher bringing a fast impact game to Heathcote who likes to take the ball on the front foot. Tonks can cover quite a few positions and will be looking to impress having been given this chance.
Defence
*Hard blitz banana defence lead by Malzieu who will call it up.
*Peel/Kelleher will look to sweep and snipe any loose ball.
*Newby/Higginbotham to alternate hitting rucks and hitting 10 to stop quick ball and look for the turnover opportunities.
*If we get a turnover we will look to run it, if nothing is on Steyn will pin them back with long distance touch finders.
Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver
16.Lee Mears 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Ben Alexander 19.Dean Schofield 20.David Wallace 21.Rob Coote 22.Matt Smith 23.Colin Slade
Our game plan is build around a physical forward pack a well controlled tempo and aggressive defense
In what is the game which will make or break our season we know that we need to be well organised in attack and defense and play with our hearts on our sleeve and give our all against a Worcester side who they will be as much pressure on as there us , perhaps a bit more with the Worcester crowd expecting.
Thomas and Mcload are both in rich veins of form and will look to play the percentages and ping the Worcester team in there own half whilst keeping a keen eye open for the overlap and Fitzgerald , Balshaw and Blair coming into the line looking for the gap to hit.
We will also been keen to grind out the phases and use the physical presence and athleticism of Flip Van Der Merwe to add a new dimension to our attack and defense. Juilian Pierre , Werner Kruger , John Smit , Nick Easter and Shane Jennings all thrive in the tight work whilst Wyatt Crockett , Nick Easter and James Hudson all thrive in the loose.
Our game will be organised with grinding the opposition out upfront and looking for the over laps and spaces out wide with Thomas and Mcleod playing what is in front of them.
Team Sheets and tactics due by 23:59 hours on Thursday
Predictions open at 00:01 hours on Friday. Predictions Close at 12:00 hours on Saturday
Sale Sharks vs. Bath Rugby
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 8mph
Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE
| 01. Marcos Ayerza | 09. Danny Care |
| 02. David Paice | 10. Johnny Sexton |
| 03. Davit Zirakishvilli | |
| 04. Alun Wyn Jones | 11. David Strettle |
| 05. Andries Bekker | 12. James Hook |
| 06. Adam Thomson | 13. Robbie Freuen |
| 07. Peter O’Mahony | 14. Luke Rooney |
| 08. Louis Picamoles | 15. Nick Abendanon |
16. Nathan Catt 17. Brett Sharman 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Christian Day 20. 21. Ben Spencer 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Sam Smith
General Game Plan:
We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Bath 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 fly half and inject pace to the proceedings committing the Bath defence and leaving space in wider channels to exploit. If running the ball is not on Sexton & Hook will look to the boot to put us in the right areas
At scrum time we will look to contest each and 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. While on Bath feeds we will disrupt the put in looking for penalties or to create rushed, poor ball for the Bath halfbacks. With 5 jumping options and a reliable thrower at hooker we will look to attack from the lineout mixing things up by bringing the ball down into the maul and using the physicality of our pack or else playing the ball of the top and injecting serious pace into the play.
On defence, we will use a blitz defence coming up at pace looking to isolate the Bath ball carriers before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to hit the breakdown harder. Danny Care 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 defence 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 Bath players providing quick counter attacking ball to be cleared and 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:
•Home Advantage
With a baying home crowd at the hostile Edgeley Park, intimidating both Bath and the ref, Bath will need to be at their very best to win!
•Playing off the fringes
With no real running threat from the Bath scrumhalf our defensive line can neglect the fringes somewhat and concentrate on wider areas.
•Target the flyhalf
With no back up 10 on the bench we will look to target Skrela mercilessly throughout the game. We will look play on the edge of the offside line and hit him early with our well drilled blitz. The boys have been told not to hold back in the tackle. This is made easier with the lack of a running option at 9. With Skrela off the pitch, Kurtley Beale is left to fill in at 10 and we will be happy to send big runners down his channel
•Familiarity
Fatigue shouldnt be an issue for Care, Hook, POM and Bendy after being well rotated this season but a big advantage for us is the familiarity this team have together. This is the side that has just secured Sale Sharks their first Heiniken Cup semi final appearance and they know each other inside out. None of Baths side have started together for 2 weeks now and surely rustiness will be an issue as they have been thrown together and they will need time to get back into the run of things
•Turnover Ball
With both POM and Thomson adept at securing turnover ball we will look to take full advantage. With Beale in the line looking to take the ball on at 1st receiver Sexton and Hook will look to take full advantage of the space left behind with no fullback home and use clever chip and chases and kicks deep and central into Bath territory.
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane
| 01. Cian Healy | 09. Richard Wigglesworth |
| 02. Kevin Mealamu | 10. David Skrela |
| 03. Davit Kubrashvilli | |
| 04. Louis Deacon | 11. George North |
| 05. Sam Whitelock | 12. Maxime Mermoz |
| 06. Sean O’Brien | 13. Aurelien Rougerie |
| 07. Will Skinner | 14. Olly Woodburn |
| 08. Tom Guest | 15. Kurtley Beale |
Tactics
Psychological
16 wins in 20 games is a brilliant record to have and our players are all brimming with confidence. We also feel we are the more rested team. Not one of our players starting today has played the last two games. The Sale team was exactly the same for a hard fought Heineken Cup Quarter Final last week. Care, POM, Hook, and Bendy have all played for four consecutive weeks.
Overall
We will be looking to play attacking running rugby off our set piece superiority.
Set Piece
Our formidable front row has been picked to play well at scrum time and to have a big impact in the loose as well. We will look to target the scrum as we feel in these conditions there will be a lot of scrums and it is somewhere we can really dominate. At the lineout we have options with Whitelock and SOB capable of taking opposition ball. At the front we have Deacon offering the banker ball.
Kicking
We will look to put the ball behind the Sale back three and put pressure on them in their own 22 with Whitelock leading the chase. We will not be looking to kick to their back three but making them turn round in order to keep pressure on. Beale will be our main kicker looking to take on anything in range. Skrela is another option who can kick the ball and if need be will kick.
Ball in Hand
Our game plan is based around our attacking skills with the ball in hand. With Healy, SOB, Mealamu etc we have some of the best forwards who can real make inroads with their running. We will look to make sure runners aren’t isolated with good tracking and will offload if there is minimal risk.
Our backs will be looking to get their hands on the ball and make attacking inroads. Wigglesworth will look to control the tempo of the backs. Skrela is a good attacking option and which French centres Mermoz and Rougerie outside him he has familiarity and good crash ball options. Both will be looking to make big runs through holes pulling defenders into them. North and Woodburn are also big runners who will look to get their hand on the ball and cause problems. Beale will look to join attacks late, offering a good running option who can take opposition defenders and ` run through gaps. We will look to target the Sexton-Hook channel which we feel can be taken advantage of defensively.
Defence
We will look for a quick defensive line to put pressure on the key Sale decision makers. Our defence will leave Beale trailing to get any deep kicks. He will be able to either return with interest or able to make a good run.
We will be looking to isolate runners and force a turnover by getting bodies into the breakdown when we see an opportunity and use Skinners skill in the ground. We feel this is somewhere we can really get an advantage so will look to go for a turnover whenever there is a chance.
Substitutions
We really feel our substitutes can come on and maintain dominance. We have three good props able to come on from the bench and keep the scrum solid. Simmons will come on and look to put in big yards and make his impact felt. Similarly Lobbe will offer solid running options as well as having an effect in the set piece. Chris Cook is someone who can come on and inject some inventiveness into the game. Toeava and Varndell are good runners who can really change games against tired defenders.
Gloucester vs. Newcastle Falcons
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 7mph
Gloucester
Manager – mat
| 01. Nick wood | 09. Will genia |
| 02. Grey | 10. Johan goosen |
| 03. Nicola mas | |
| 04. Bakkies Botha | 11. Charlie sharples |
| 05. Tom palmer | 12. Berrick barnes |
| 06. Steven ferris | 13. Richard Kahui |
| 07. Schalk Burger | 14. JSD |
| 08. immanol harinordoqouy | 15. Israel Dagg |
Tactics
Glaws welcome falcons to fortress kingsholm where they get the chance to play the form team in the league !
We have won at Leicester and sarries away where falcons lost last week so will be looking to continue our run of form which is the best in the league at the citadel that is kingsholm.
Conditions are suited to running rugby and Gloucester will be looking to play high intensity game with ball carrying forwards taking it to the opposition before getting the ball out wide to our devestating strike runners.
Pack
Glaws have gone for a dynamic mobile ball carrying pack. Nick wood and grey are there to do a 40 minute blast before unleashing coonie and dawiduik to add to the dynamic ball carrying pack and keep up the pressure.
We also plan to get richie gray and Alberts on early in the second half to reap further damage. Big games like
This are won after 50 minutes so we are making sure our bench makes an impact.
Set piece
We are not anticipating that many scrums but when they happen we are aiming to get under the falcons and get a nudge on to allow our backrow to pick up our for genia to clear quickly to goosen. Our front row is not very tall and will be very awkward to scrummage against especially with bakkies and palmer driving behind.
On opposition ball we will look to disrupt and have genia sniping to get at falcons 8 or trying to collar youngs.
Lineout
As ever we have 5 jumpers and 5 very good
Ones we will be looking to vary our throw and to start with will be looking to drive through the middle and hit runners off the side to take it to the heart of Newcastle and also to keep the ball and control tempo.
On opposition ball we will fancy out chances of disrupting or stealing the falcons ball. Thorn is known to not
Be the greatest at lineout which will leave pressure on oconnel or
Parling whichever plays. Hari palmer etc will look to exploit this as a key area for glos. lineout ball is some of the best attacking ball.
General forward play
Glaws are looking to take it to falcons get over gain line and look to offload when on or control the ball to carry it at them again. We are aiming to carry the ball and to win the physical battle before getting it wide.
We have the hardest working backrow about and they will be looking to lead the attacking effort whilst also smashing the breakdown and leading the defensive effort.
Ferris burger and hari will hunt as a pack and look to keep the intensity up.
The intro of coonie,grey and Alberts will continue this as we relentlessly carry it to them to either retain the ball or create quick gain line ball to allow goosen to get it wide.
Backs
The backs job is to use the great ball generated by the pack. Genia will be leading the backs and will be giving the ball only when it needs to go.
We are aiming to give goosen an arm chair ride so the form ten of super 15( along with barrett) can do what he does best kick or run the ball. As goosen can hoof the ball over from 60 plus metres falcons will be loathe to concede penalties.
Early on goosen will look to pin Newcastle back and turn them to make them
Kick for
Touch so as we can win territory battle.
He will also look to truck it up through kahui who is in razor sharp form and who will hopefully be up against Fourie.
Goosen will also use the garryowen to test out the Newcastle back 3 early on.
As the game progresses goosen will look to use our strike runners and raise the tempo. He will often interchange with Barnes who is there to offer a second receiver and kicker option. This will also take the pressure of goosen when needed.
The aim of our back play is to attack at great pace and to Create mismatches against forwards. If there is any gaps we want goosen to take it as he has a great break on him.
As the game breaks up we will be looking to
Counter loose kicks and take quick throws. We want dagg,jsd and sharples to get ball in hand and attack. May to enter the fray at 60 to add his magic
On defence genia will sweep as he does for aussies.
Key points
Settled team
Pack carrying options
Lineout strength
Dynamic game changing bench
Home advantage
Form we are on fire and have been for months
Attacking options in backs
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
| 01. Fabien Barcella | 09. Ben Youngs |
| 02. William Servat | 10. Toby Flood |
| 03. Owen Franks | |
| 04. Brad Thorn | 11. Miles Benjamin |
| 05. Geoff Parling | 12. Fran Steyn |
| 06. Chris Robshaw | 13. Jaques Fourie |
| 07. Richie McCaw(c) | 14. Tommy Bowe |
| 08. Kieran Read | 15. James O’Connor |
16. Tom Lindsay 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20.Juan Smith 21. Jonny Arr 22. Nick Evans 23. Sean Maitland
Tactics:
Gameplan – Simple rugby.......With the game away and in damp/Greasy conditions we’ll be looking to control the set piece, pack and look to play in the right areas of the pitch. Flood will dictate play and will look to clear his lines from our own 22. We’ll look to put pressure on the opposition set piece throughout the game and we think we can get the upperhand in both scrum & lineout.
Defence – We’ll be deploying the rush defence and targeting the Gloucester 10/12 channel. McCaw will target Goosen and put him off his game early. Steyn/Fourie have been selected for their physical pressence and world class defence and will look to close down their opposite numbers early.
Set piece – Wet conditions usually means plenty of knock on which means plenty of scrums. We’ve went for a hefty scrummaging unit to really tear into Gloucester from the off. Franks & Barcella will look to get a strong hit on then look to drive through the Gloucester props. We foresee plenty of pens coming our way so will look for the corners in our own half where Parling lead the line and secure safe ball. Franks & Servat will look to target Gray/Wood all game. Gray especially is suspect in the scrum will will receive some treatment in the tight.
We’ll look for the take and drive on our own ball with Servat being the key man here. With 5 good jumpers and Parling pulling the strings we’ll keep things solid on our own throw whilst looking to target Gloucesters throw all game.
Pack – We’ve went for numerous carrying options in the pack and will look to use short pick and drives and keep things simple. McCaw will lead the assault and will also look to make a bit of a mess of the breakdown. With the poor conditions they’ll be plenty of opportunity to get hands in rucks and force turnover ball which will be used to force Gloucester retreating back.
Backs – Immemse physical/carrying options in the backline to keep us going forward and give us extra carrying options in poor conditions. Youngs/Flood to play whats on and Steyn to offer huge boot from 22. Look to use JOC coming into the line and to pop up at 2nd receiver. Look to get Bowe involved and target Sharples defence throughout.
KEY POINTS:
Damp/greasy conditions = knock ons = scrums
To win away you need to get at scrum/lineout/breakdown.....we feel we have the edge here this week.
SCRUM - We've went for a huge scrummaging front 5 and will look to target Gloucester all game. We can get a massive upperhand here (see England v Ireland in similar conditions).
LINEOUT - Parling will look to take apart the Gloucester lineout and secure ours with 5 top options. See a bif advantage here with Palmer off his game lately.
BREAKDOWN - With two similar players selected at flank for Gloucester we'll look to dominate the breakdown and turnover/slow Gloucester ball down. Burger/Ferris are great players but both are poor on the deck and could be an issue against our trio.
GOOSEN - Few games in for Gloucester and not used to greasy pitches/wet ball. We'll look to get at him all game and behind a beaten scrum he could be in for a tough day.
Harlequins vs. London Wasps
Light rain , 11 degrees , wind 6mph
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
| 01. Tony Woodcock | 09. Lee Dickson |
| 02. Matthew Rees | 10. Rhys Priestland (k) |
| 03. Brian Mujati | |
| 04. Nathan Sharpe | 11. Zac Guildford |
| 05. George Skivington | 12. Shontayne Hape |
| 06. Carl Fearns | 13. George Lowe |
| 07. Sam Warburton (c) | 14. Luke Morahan |
| 08. Jamie Heaslip | 15. Rob Kearney |
16. Schalk Brits 17. Matias Aguero 18. Ruaridh Murphy 19. James Gaskell 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Rory Clegg 23. Jonathan Joseph
Tactics
We welcome Wasps to the Stoop for what is a huge game in our season. We need to win, preferably whilst scoring 4 tries to get the full 5 points and pressure those above us. We will certainly not be Wasps likely, although there priorities may lie in other places than the league. We have picked a side which we feel can play the conditions to their advantage.
Game Plan
We will be concentrating on ball retention and building the phase play in attack and aggression in defence. We will work hard in attack with our carriers looking to get over the gain line and to create quick ball so we can increase the tempo. We are looking for all of our pack and our centres to really look to carry hard. We will always be looking to attack the gaps and not run directly at the defenders. We will look for Dickson, Priestland, Morahan and Kearney to put us into the right territory when we are in our own half and then look for our pack to take the ball back in the lineout.
Lee Dickson will control the tempo of our game and as well get quick ball from the rucks he will look to increase the tempo and then look to put runners into gaps against a disorganised defence. Our runners will generally look to run lines of 9 and 10 either off their inside shoulder or coming on an angle from the midfield. Variation will be key to getting through the Wasps defence so we don’t want all our players running the same simple angles.
Forwards
Upfront we have a big pack which is packed with experience. We’ve gone for a strong front 5 which is going to hit rucks all day long, carry hard and win the set piece battle for us. Our back row has been picked to make the hard yards, win the breakdown battle and to generally get us going forward. We are looking for our forwards to carry hard and in numbers with the aim to win the collisions. It is important for us to win the collisions in attack in defence as it will give us the head start at the breakdown.
At the breakdown we want to ruck past the ball so the ball is immediately available to Dickson. On the opposition breakdown we will look to get the first man there or too adapt a low body position and then attempt to ruck the Wasps men off the ball.
We will look to really put pressure onto the setpiece with Sharpe and Skivington putting big pressure on at the lineout and our front 5 putting a shove on at the scrum.
Backs
Our backline has been picked for these conditions deliberately. We see it as capable of being strong in defence as well as having the craft in attack to score some point. We will have Hape and Lowe running lines off Priestland in the early phases and as we get quicker ball we will look for Hape to hit a dummy line and for Lowe to be picked out in a wider channel with support men to put into gaps. Out wide we have powerful and elusive runners who will search for the ball and look to carry hard.
Defence
Aggressive with a quick line speed. We want to really hammer into wasps from the start and prevent them from getting any momentum in attack and in doing this we need to keep our discipline. We want them to start trying to force things. As well as this we are looking for Warburton to dominate the breakdown so wasps really are feeding of scraps. We will look to slow down the ball legally at the breakdown if we can’t turn the ball over. This will mean our forwards adapting a low body position and rucking the Wasps men off the ball. We will then look for our quick line speed to put pressure on the key decision makers for Wasps at 9, 10 and 12. We feel we have a very strong back three when it comes to returning kicks and we will look to use loose kicks to kickstart our own attacks.
Game Specific Tactical Key Points
- Start up front. We need to be aggressive with wasps in every way upfront. We will look to win the set piece battle from the off. We want to win the collisions and carry the ball in numbers so there is support available for the offload or to get the quick ball at the ruck.
- Control the breakdown. We feel with Warburton we have the man to control this aspect of the game, with Wasps without a recognised fetcher.
- Control the games tempo and starve Wasps of the ball. Dickson and Priestland to control the game in this aspect.
- When we do kick, look to test Wade and Williams who I feel can both be tested under the high ball and when it comes to positioning. Important not to kick loosely to Wade and Brown though. We have 3 tremendous kickers at 9, 10 and 15.
- Look to use Hape as a decoy runner. when we get quick ball and look to get the ball into Lowe’s hands in wider channels.
Other Points
- Wasps have other fish to fry with their league campaign now taking a backseat to European exploits (from the outside anyway). We however simply have the league to concentrate on with 4th place in our sights. We will want this one more.
- We had two weeks to prepare for this game with bodies and minds free of a European battle the week before.
- We have Leaders throughout the side and most importantly the pack.
London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry
| 01. Benn Robinson | 09. Luke Burgess |
| 02. Tatafu Polota-Nau | 10. George Ford (k) |
| 03. James Slipper | |
| 04. Mouritz Botha | 11. Christian Wade |
| 05. Dan Tuohy | 12. Dan Bowden |
| 06. Rocky Elsom (c) | 13. Jamie Roberts |
| 07. Jacques Burger | 14. Tom Williams |
| 08. Steve Mafi | 15. Mike Brown |
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Perry Freshwater 18. Carlos Nieto 19. Richard Birkett 20. Luke Narraway 21. Nick Phipps 22. Steven Myler 23. Noah Cato
Tactics
We have picked a dynamic and mobile forward pack with plenty of ball carriers which will hopefully get us over the gain line and onto the front foot. The conditions are perfect for attacking rugby and we will look to start the game with a really high intensity and look to recycle the ball through several phases of play. We will look to hit the contact area hard and win the collisions, hopefully allowing our players to keep their hands free to offload to supporting players, alternating the point of attack throughout.
Hopefully our carriers will suck in Quins defenders, so we can spread the ball out wide to our dangerous runners to make use of the space on offer. We will start as we mean to go on with a high intensity, hitting the collision area hard and driving our players over the gain line. We will look to get quick ball, recycling the ball efficiently to keep the momentum in our attacks.
Ford will play flat in attack and on the gain line, we will use Bowden as a second playmaking option, and will look to Roberts to run plenty of hard lines into the Quins defensive line, targeting Priestland, looking to win collisions to get our offloading game going if it’s on. We will look to attack gaps and half gaps in the Quins defence and target the outside shoulder.
At the breakdown we will come from low to high in clearing out Quins players to ensure Burgess has clean ball. We will look to the kicking games of Ford & Bowden to put the ball in behind the Quins wingers and keep them pinned back in their own half where we can pressurize them. We will mix things up at the lineout and look to use Mafi to give us the all important tail ball.
We will look to make a nuisance of ourselves at the breakdown, looking to (legally) slow down as much Quins ball as we can to frustrate Dickson. We will look to get the ball in and out of the scrum as quickly as we can to continue our high intensity game plan.
London Irish v Saracens
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 7mph
London Irish
Manager – stnick88
| 01. Soane Tonga'uhia | 09. Ruan Pienaar |
| 02. Andrew Hore | 10. Juan Martin Hernandez |
| 03. Martin Castrogiovanni | |
| 04. Matt Garvey | 11. Paul Sackey |
| 05. Nick Kennedy | 12. Sonny Bill Williams |
| 06. Jerome Kaino | 13. Conrad Smith |
| 07. Steffon Armitage | 14. Sailosi Tagicakibau |
| 08. Pierre Spies | 15. Delon Armitage |
16. WP Nel 17. James Buckland 18. Duncan Bell 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Hendrie Fourie 21. Julien Dupuy 22. Luke McAllister 23. Marland Yarde
Tactics
- In good conditions, play an attacking, running game, similar to the recent victories. We will run back loose kicks and not look to give away possession. We want to keep the ball in hand, run at Saracens, tire their defence and look for mismatches.
- We use the scrum as a an attacking platform, with two good scrummaging props we will look to turn the screw and win penalties or use Spies to pick up and carry or Pienaar to get the ball out to the backs. Castro and Tonga'uhia will look to get us on the front foot and drive Sarries back, looking to win penalties.
- We will look to win the contact area and the collisions. With Castro, Garvey, Spies, Steffon, Kaino, SBW in the side, we have some big, powerful units who will look to smash over the gain line and put Saracens on the backfoot. We will look for quick ball for Pienaar to use and create opportunities with.
- Kennedy will be our main lineout target and we willl look for quick ball off the top on most occasions, if not use Garvey at the front to create a maul.
- We willl look to dominate possession and tire the Sarries defence. Spies, Kaino, Armitage, Garvey, Tonga'uhia etc will carry hard and look to make inroads. We will look for Pienaar and JMH to play what is infront of them and put SBW and co into gaps and space. Our wingers, especially Tagicakibau, will come inside and along with Smith, look to gather the offloads from SBW, which he will only do when it is on.
- At the breakdown, we will look to use our powerful flankers and the breakdown skills of Steffon to secure quick ball and slow down opposition ball. Any turnover ball will be counter attacked.
- Pienaar will kick all pens for goal in range. If not we will go for touch and use the lineout as a platform to attack.
- If any attacks become slow and we are in danger of being turned of making a mistake, we will look for JMH to pop over a drop goal to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
- We have plenty of impact off the bench to keep things fresh and hopefully see out the game.
- We have won 4 league games in a row, morale and confidence is high and we will look to continue our good form in our battle for the playoffs.
Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213
| 01. Alex Corbisiero | 09. Morgan Parra |
| 02. George Chuter | 10. Francois Trinh-Duc |
| 03. Adam Jones | |
| 04. Dave Attwood | 11. Rene Ranger |
| 05. Lionel Nallet | 12. Ma'a Nonu |
| 06. Tom Wood | 13. Henry Trinder |
| 07. Thierry Dusautoir | 14. Andrew Trimble |
| 08. Joe van Niekerk (c) | 15. Patric Lambie |
16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Tendai Mtwarira 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Johnson 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Mark Cueto 23. Tom Homer
Tactics
Our generic gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game.
In attack our primary gameplan is always to control possession and run the ball, utilising big carriers attacking gaps in the line, and looking to offload to support runners to continue getting over the gainline and keep the ball alive. However, We recognise that the ball will be damp in this game so if the offload is not on, we will take the contact and look to recycle quickly at the breakdown. If running the ball is not on we will uitilise the kicking game of one of our backs to take us into the right area of the pitch.
In defence we will look to blitz, with our scrum half sweeping behind the defensive line. Key for us is line speed, getting up to make the tackle before the ball carrier hits the gainline, and confidence and trust in the man next to you in the defensive line, meaning we will not jump out or get pulled to far away from the next defender leaving gaps that can be exploited.
At the breakdown, we will not overcommit players. If the ball is not there to be won, then we will commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow it down whilst maintaining a strong defensive line across the pitch. If the ball looks like it is there to be won, we will look to get more numbers there quickly, with the first 1 or 2 players immediately rucking past the ball to clear the opposition players who are trying to get hands on it, and the next man in will then look to get it out quickly for us to counter attack on turnover ball.
At the scrum we will look to keep it up and scrummage. On our ball we will look to get a scrum turning legally to take the Irish back row out of the defensive occasion before launching attacks.
Game Specific Tactics
- Wingers to track inside - We are looking for both wingers to come in off their wings tracking the ball for short popped offloads of the carriers shoulders creating men over in midfield.
- Target the lineout - If at any point running the ball is not on we will kick for touch in the corners and look to pressurize the Irish lineout deep in their territory.
- Target SBW - We see SBW as their main attacking threat ball in hand due to his offloading. We will be looking for our big tackling defenders to hit him before the gainline with man and ball tackles looking to wrap him up and negate this threat.
- Vary our attack to keep them guessing - Lambie is selected at 15, but will step in at first receiver on occasions to mix things up and vary where attacks are coming from.
Key Points
- Pressure - We are under no pressure in this game. We have secured a play off spot, and our two rivals for a home semi final are playing each other, so one will drop points. If we lose we still cannot be leapfrogged by the team below. We will be free to play with no pressure which means there is less chance of mistake from us. Irish are expected to win at home and are in cup final territory knowing one defeat will end their play off hopes. That is a lot of pressure and pressure causes mistakes.
- Form/Momentum - Our last AP/HC defeat was before the 6 Nations. We are in great from, and have momentum to spare.
- Home straight experience - We have been here before. Timing our run to the play offs perfectly in each of the past 3 seasons. Like Leicester in real life we just don't lose in the run in.
- Bench - We have a full international front row and 2 other very dynamic forwards to bring off the bench to give us great impetus in the final quarter of the game.
Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Light rain , 9 degrees , wind 7mph
Northampton Saints
Manager - Dammit Chris
| 01. Matt Mullan | 09. Mike Phillips |
| 02. Rob Webber | 10. Matt Giteau |
| 03. Carl Hayman | |
| 04. Courtney Lawes | 11. Siti Siviatu |
| 05. Patricio Albacete | 12. Weslie Fofana |
| 06. Dan Lydiate | 13. Manu Tuilagi |
| 07. Liam Messam | 14. Leigh Halfpenny(k) |
| 08. Sergio Parisse | 15. Ben Foden |
16. Mike Haywood 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Matt Stevens 19. Bradley Davies 20. Joe Launchbury 21. Sam Harrison 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Jean de Villiers
Tactics
Overall - Saints are on top form come the business end of the season, having scored twenty tries in five games - the conditions are absolutely perfect to continue playing attacking rugby and we will be looking for the home crowd to get behind the team in what will be a physical battle with Tigers. Again our game will be based around a pack that controls possession, using big ball carriers to get us over the gainline and provide good attacking ball to allow us to play a fast, high-tempo game where we look to put our backthree into scoring positions.
We build our team around an aggressive defence and welcome back Lydiate, Albacete, Giteau, Foden and Fofana into the starting lineup.
Attack - we will continue to play our structured game that evolves working through the phases, getting our big ball carriers on the ball and over the gainline (Albacete, Lawes, Messam, Parisse, Fofana, Tuilagi and Siviatu) - we will look to use our midfield a lot in the game and get them running at their opposite numbers, we see we have an advantage in the 10, 12, 13 channel in terms of attacking options and in the conditions and will look to get as much ball going through Giteau, Fofana and Tuilagi as possible - each offers a completely different attacking threat.
Giteau to mix the game up, bring in the backthree and attack with pace, we see a big advantage in the speed of our midfield and will look to use this whenever possible.
We will not be afraid to attack from deep as the conditions are perfect for our backline and our pack will certainly hold its own. This is especially if Tigers decide to play a kicking game and kick the ball to our backthree - Siviatu, Halfpenny and Foden will run the ball back and attack Tigers whenever possible.
Defence - we build our defensive patterns around Dan Lydiate and Courtney Lawes in the pack, two of the best tacklers in world rugby and will aim to use them to stop Tigers runners getting over the gainline. As normal we will play an aggressive defence, putting our opposition under pressure, using Phillips to get at Yachvilli and then having a rush defence on the 10-12-13 channel and force Wilkinson into a kicking game.
We feel that if we can stop the Tigers forwards getting over the gainline then we can win this game - with Lawes, Albacete, Messam, Lydiate and Parisse we certainly have the defensive players to do this and put in the big hits that force errors and mistakes to exploit.
We also want to make sure that we do not invite Tigers to pressurise us in our own half and when we get the ball (espc. in our own 22) we will get Halfpenny to clear lines and get the ball into touch and into the Tigers half.
Set Piece - We acknowledge that Tigers have a very strong front row and scrum, but with the conditions as they are (e.g. not heavy rain, muddy pitch etc) this is not as worrying as it could have been - Hayman has returned to top form and we can rely on Domingo and Stevens from the bench. We will look to secure steady ball, with Parisse controlling possession at the base of the scrum. On Tigers put in we will get Phillips to try and fluster YAchvilli and put him under a lot of pressure.
Our lineout has three main jumpers, Parisse, Lawes and Albacete - we will look to secure good attacking ball on our own throw. Defensively we will look to target Croft in the lineout and use Albacete to place some pressure on him and at least slow down the attacking ball Croft will get - we will also place Lydiate and Messam at the back of the lineout so they go right for the Tigers backline.
Breakdown - Pocock is an obvious danger to any team, so we have opted to bring in Messam to the backrow with the objective of trying to smash Pocock out of the breakdown area and stop him stealing/slowing down ball. We will look to bully this area as feel that the Saints backrow has a more physical presence. We are fortunate that Fofana and Tuilagi are also very adept at the breakdown - defensively we are very confident in this area of slowing down ball, but will certainly compete for turnovers when opportunities present themselves.
Key Points
* Great form, scoring lots of tries and fresh on the back on a convincing home win against Stade Francais. Tigers went out of the HC last week and we will look to continue our recent run of wins.
* The conditions are great for us to play attacking rugby and get the ball to our backline - we feel we have more creativity from the backs and can really take advantage of any fast ball we generate.
* Whilst we wont deny that Tigers have a slight advantage in the front row, we think our pack is again better suited to the conditions and has more mobility around the park to play to our tactics.
* Halfpenny's boot is a three-point machine - any penalties and we will go for goal and build up the score.
* Defensively we will play very aggressively, try to stop Tigers getting over the gainline with Lawes, Albacete, Messam, Parisse and Lydiate in the forwards - whilst Fofana and Tuilagi will create a brick wall in midfield for Tigers to get through.
* We want to get at Yachvilli and Wilkinson as we do not see either player as particularly creative, so will look to close them down and slow the TIgers attack down from the 9-10 channel.
Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
01. Gethin Jenkins 09. Dimitri Yachvili (k)
02. Sebastian Bruno 10. Jonny Wilkinson
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape 11. Vincent Clerc
05. James Horwill (c) 12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Croft 13. Brian O'Driscoll
07. David Pocock 14. Cory Jane
08. Thomas Waldrom 15. Isa Nacewa
16. Andrew Sheridan 17. Tom Youngs 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Simon Shaw 20. Samu Manoa 21. Chris Cusiter 22. Rob Miller 23. Topsy Ojo
Tactics
We will play a structured game built around tactiacal HB's, the strength in our set piece and flying back three.
- Attack the scrum as a weapon - and call when we can. Scrum specialist Bruno selected alongside two in-form props to look to really get the shove on.
- Strong lineout with Croft, Pape and Horwill as our main jumpers rotating the target. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.
- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down Saints' defence.
The likes of Waldrom and Horwill used off the shoulder crashing through the Saints defence.
- Pocock is the man charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off turnover ball.
- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Yachvili our general pulling the strings.
- Box kicks from Yachili and up and unders from Wilkinson to give the opposition problems in the air.
Lightning back three to really get the chase on.
- Look to play attacking rugby in the backs, getting the our 11-15 on the ball when we can. Croft to look to get into space and join our backs to cause trouble out wide.
- Our back three are encouraged to do what they do best - counter attacking and running the ball back. If isolated all have good kicking games, but the counter is what we ask them to look for.
- Yachvili to kick all penalites.
- Use our powerful bench to see the game out in the last 20 minutes.
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Light rain , 10 degrees , wind 6mph
Worcester Warriors
Manager - prop_lyd
01. David Flatman 09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss 10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Jim Hamilton 11. Bryan Habana
05. Ollie Kohn 12. Pat McCabe
06. Scott Higginbotham 13. Julien Malzieu
07. Craig Newby (c) 14. Marcel Garvey
08. Ben Morgan 15. Ollie Morgan
16. Michael Mayhew 17. George Porter 18. Chris Budgen 19. Ryan Jones 20. Mamuka Gorgodze 21. Byron Kelleher 22. Tom Heathcote 23. Greig Tonks
Tactics
AV Premiership Round 10: Exeter Chiefs 18-23 Worcester Warriors
We come into this match with a fresh side and a must win attitude. The squad we have picked is our strongest squad possible and with the home advantage we will be pushing for a good win to secure our safety. This match will be decided by forwards to we have selected a big pack with a back row who are all able to make an aimpact carrying the ball or at the breakdown. In the backs we have certain positions ‘bedded in’ and will use Steyn to kick us territory and McCabe/Malzieu to make the dents in the centre. Our bench is full of talent and impact subs and we will use them throughout the match to run at tired legs.
Forwards
*A front row who know each other well and will look to gain the advantage on the hit. Botha will lead from the front here and Budgen will be brought on in the last 20 to scrummage Chiefs off the park.
*Our 2nd row will look to dominate the lineouts and are quite a heavy partnership as we look to dominate the scrum. Hamilton will keep his head and look to wind up a few characters in the Chiefs side and impose himself at the breakdown whilst Kohn will look to carry the ball up off 9 to make quick yards.
*Back-row will be key at the breakdown and with Higginbotham and Newby we have 2 players who are more than capable of doing this well. They will look to hit every other ruck each to gain turnover ball or slow down their possession. The other player will be looking to hit 10 constantly to put him off his game. Morgan will pick from some scrums when a gap is possible and he always gets over the gainline when carrying so we have guaranteed forward advantage when he has his hands on the ball.
*The bench will be used wisely with Budgen coming on for the last 20 and Jones and Gorgodze being used as and when to add hard ball carrying and an extra lineout option.
Backs
*Quick ball is key here when we get it (we are expecting a hard slog up front) and Peel will be looking for gaps or forwards running to make the hard yards. Steyn will use his boot when we are under pressure but; if we are in the opposition’s half most of the time we will look to get the ball out to the centres. He will take the points when possible and use drop goals to keep the board ticking.
*McCabe will simply be given the role of playmaker with Malzieu and Habana running lines off of him and through the defence. Malzieu will be sued as a battering ram in the first 20 minutes and we will look to release the wingers off 3rd ball phase to make it quick ball and give them the space required (1st ball will be forwards, 2nd ball will be Malzieu/forwards, 3rd ball to the backs).
*Wingers and Morgan are to go looking for work and to stay sturdy in defence. They will all be comfortable under the high ball and have the pace to take the oppostion on the outside shoulder.
*Bench will be used wisely with Kelleher bringing a fast impact game to Heathcote who likes to take the ball on the front foot. Tonks can cover quite a few positions and will be looking to impress having been given this chance.
Defence
*Hard blitz banana defence lead by Malzieu who will call it up.
*Peel/Kelleher will look to sweep and snipe any loose ball.
*Newby/Higginbotham to alternate hitting rucks and hitting 10 to stop quick ball and look for the turnover opportunities.
*If we get a turnover we will look to run it, if nothing is on Steyn will pin them back with long distance touch finders.
Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver
| 01.Wyatt Crockett | 09.Haydn Thomas |
| 02.John Smit | 10.Nick Mcleod |
| 03.Werner Kruger | |
| 04.Juilian Pierre | 11.Luke Fitzgerald |
| 05.James Hudson | 12.Damian Traille |
| 06.Flip Van Der Merwe | 13.Mike Tindall |
| 07.Shane Jennings | 14.Iain Balshaw |
| 08.Nick Easter (c) | 15.Ben Blair |
16.Lee Mears 17.Brett Sturgess 18.Ben Alexander 19.Dean Schofield 20.David Wallace 21.Rob Coote 22.Matt Smith 23.Colin Slade
Our game plan is build around a physical forward pack a well controlled tempo and aggressive defense
In what is the game which will make or break our season we know that we need to be well organised in attack and defense and play with our hearts on our sleeve and give our all against a Worcester side who they will be as much pressure on as there us , perhaps a bit more with the Worcester crowd expecting.
Thomas and Mcload are both in rich veins of form and will look to play the percentages and ping the Worcester team in there own half whilst keeping a keen eye open for the overlap and Fitzgerald , Balshaw and Blair coming into the line looking for the gap to hit.
We will also been keen to grind out the phases and use the physical presence and athleticism of Flip Van Der Merwe to add a new dimension to our attack and defense. Juilian Pierre , Werner Kruger , John Smit , Nick Easter and Shane Jennings all thrive in the tight work whilst Wyatt Crockett , Nick Easter and James Hudson all thrive in the loose.
Our game will be organised with grinding the opposition out upfront and looking for the over laps and spaces out wide with Thomas and Mcleod playing what is in front of them.
- Hudson to target the Worcester lineout and cause a mess.
- Mcleod , Traille , Tindall and Blair have all got educated boots and will look to put us in the right areas of the pitch
- On the Worcester put in we will pack down with Pierre/FLVM in the row to apply more pressure on the Worcester feed.
Driver- Posts : 11038
Join date : 2011-04-20
Age : 33
Location : Hartlepool
Re: AP Round 20
by Steven_Sharks Sat 14 Apr 2012, 09:47
I think the problem would come when either Newcastle or Wasps come back up that the side who went down is this game wouldn't have a team to come up with.
Steven_Sharks- Posts : 7528
Join date : 2011-04-19
Location : Chester/Manchester
Re: AP Round 20
by prop_lyd Sat 14 Apr 2012, 09:49
Why don't we let whoever gets relegated do what I did last season? Kept all bar 10 of my main squad and some academy players? That means whoever goes down will still be quite competitive after a couple of deals?
In a selfish way, if driver does go down and doesn't lose his team/name I'd be a bit miffed and would understand if he was too as we've both built to stay up and fight the relegation.
In a selfish way, if driver does go down and doesn't lose his team/name I'd be a bit miffed and would understand if he was too as we've both built to stay up and fight the relegation.
prop_lyd- Posts : 10387
Join date : 2011-01-28
Age : 36
Location : Rogerstone, Wales
Re: AP Round 20
by Ozzy3213 Sat 14 Apr 2012, 09:51
I think either way it will get complicated in another seasons time as the team going down in this game is not the same as real life. We got lucky the last couple of seasons as the team that went down in the game was the same as in real life. Either way we can work around it.
Ozzy3213- Moderator
- Posts : 18500
Join date : 2011-01-29
Age : 48
Location : Sandhurst
Re: AP Round 20
by 'Arry Spurs Sat 14 Apr 2012, 10:04
Sale Sharks 28 – 26 Bath Rugby
Front battle very tight, think Sale just have the edge with a very powerful front three. Very even second rows that will both provide good lineout ball. Think the back row battle will be scrappy and untidy and I don’t see either side dominating. I like the variation in the Bath back line, good blend of some powerful carriers and some more nimble players that will exploit gaps. Prefer the Sale half back combo; think Sexton will link up well with Hook, not that much threat out wide though. Think the edge Sale have at scrum time along with home advantage will see them squeak this one.
Gloucester 20 – 21 Newcastle Falcons
Edge in the front five goes to the Falcons, powerful scrummaging front row that will get the upper hand come scrum time. I think Parling will get the upper hand at the lineout. I think Gloucester have more carrying options, than the Falcons that will get them over the gain line. Back row battle is huge, contrasting styles. All out power from Gloucester, plenty of brawn on show. I think the guile of McCaw at the breakdown will help disrupt the quality of ball Gloucester will be able to get. Like the combination of Goosen and Barnes in Mat’s backline, but think the Falcons have the added extra quality on show. Gloucester have a very dynamic bench that will push all the way, however I feel Pooly has all the ingredients for a hard fought away victory here.
London Irish 20 – 20 Saracens
Edge goes to London Irish in the scrum, two beasts propping for them that will provide a solid platform to attack from. Prefer the Sarries back row as a unit. Can see Sonny Bill creating problems for Sarries, plenty of threat and spark on show in the Irish back line. Sarries back line solid, plenty of carriers to execute their high intensity, carrying game plan. Such a tight game, think Sarries have the better bench with some good dynamic options to call upon, but I think with home advantage and more attacking threat in the back line Nick will be able to hold out for a hard fought draw.
Northampton Saints 23- 20 Leicester Tigers
I think the forwards go to the Tigers and the backs go to the Saints. Tigers have the advantage in the set piece but I like the amount of carriers Chris has. I can see Pocock dictating at the breakdown which will disrupt the flow of the Saints game. Think Chris has plenty of spark and runners in his back line to score tries. It’ll be tight though with much pressure coming from the Tigers at the scrum and breakdown. Chris has just enough to squeak this one.
Worcester Warriors 20 – 18 Exeter Chiefs
Very powerful front fives on show, plenty of experience from both sides which is what you need in games like this. The backs goes to Worcester who have much better quality, can see their half backs dictating and controlling the play very well. Unfortunate for Driver that O’Gara is injured. Think the forward battle will be scrappy and very tight, however I think Worcester will be able to do more with the ball in hand and along with home advantage that seals the victory.
Front battle very tight, think Sale just have the edge with a very powerful front three. Very even second rows that will both provide good lineout ball. Think the back row battle will be scrappy and untidy and I don’t see either side dominating. I like the variation in the Bath back line, good blend of some powerful carriers and some more nimble players that will exploit gaps. Prefer the Sale half back combo; think Sexton will link up well with Hook, not that much threat out wide though. Think the edge Sale have at scrum time along with home advantage will see them squeak this one.
Gloucester 20 – 21 Newcastle Falcons
Edge in the front five goes to the Falcons, powerful scrummaging front row that will get the upper hand come scrum time. I think Parling will get the upper hand at the lineout. I think Gloucester have more carrying options, than the Falcons that will get them over the gain line. Back row battle is huge, contrasting styles. All out power from Gloucester, plenty of brawn on show. I think the guile of McCaw at the breakdown will help disrupt the quality of ball Gloucester will be able to get. Like the combination of Goosen and Barnes in Mat’s backline, but think the Falcons have the added extra quality on show. Gloucester have a very dynamic bench that will push all the way, however I feel Pooly has all the ingredients for a hard fought away victory here.
London Irish 20 – 20 Saracens
Edge goes to London Irish in the scrum, two beasts propping for them that will provide a solid platform to attack from. Prefer the Sarries back row as a unit. Can see Sonny Bill creating problems for Sarries, plenty of threat and spark on show in the Irish back line. Sarries back line solid, plenty of carriers to execute their high intensity, carrying game plan. Such a tight game, think Sarries have the better bench with some good dynamic options to call upon, but I think with home advantage and more attacking threat in the back line Nick will be able to hold out for a hard fought draw.
Northampton Saints 23- 20 Leicester Tigers
I think the forwards go to the Tigers and the backs go to the Saints. Tigers have the advantage in the set piece but I like the amount of carriers Chris has. I can see Pocock dictating at the breakdown which will disrupt the flow of the Saints game. Think Chris has plenty of spark and runners in his back line to score tries. It’ll be tight though with much pressure coming from the Tigers at the scrum and breakdown. Chris has just enough to squeak this one.
Worcester Warriors 20 – 18 Exeter Chiefs
Very powerful front fives on show, plenty of experience from both sides which is what you need in games like this. The backs goes to Worcester who have much better quality, can see their half backs dictating and controlling the play very well. Unfortunate for Driver that O’Gara is injured. Think the forward battle will be scrappy and very tight, however I think Worcester will be able to do more with the ball in hand and along with home advantage that seals the victory.
'Arry Spurs- Posts : 1051
Join date : 2011-11-02
Re: AP Round 20
by dammit_chris Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:04
Sale 26 - 23 Bath
Home advantage will see Sale win this game, the front fives are very even, but more class in the backrow for Sale - like SJE's point about Bath not having a running threat from no9, so they will be able to lineup and predict a lot of the Bath attack. Still think Beale will be a big threat from 15 for Bath, but can't see where Bath will get the upper hand here.
Gloucester Rugby 24-23 Newcastle Falcons
Home advantage again is huge when two teams are so even - if it was up north then Falcons would win. The conditions are really good to allow some attacking rugby, pitches have been hard pretty much all season, so a bit of rain will be a great surface. I think that Pooly has placed a bit too much emphasis on the scrum, if it was heavy rain with muddy conditions then I would have probably given Falcons the away win. Decisive factor for me is that Mat can bring on Grey, Alberts and May, think they are all amazing impact players and can swing a game late on. Tough game to call, but Gloucester just edge.
Harlequins 30-26 London Wasps
Can see a high scoring game here, I really do like the balance of Quins and think that they are a real threat at home. Its going to be a really tight battle and feel that Quins just edge it in key areas. However, I think the midfield that Arry has put together of Bowden and Roberts is going to be incredibly dangerous, wont quite click here as they are a new combination but can just see them causing a lot of problems to Hape who is very much out of form and Lowe - they will dfeinitely help George Ford and create chances outwide, especially for Wade who will be lethal in the conditions. Priestland will be a big advantage for Quins and his experience over Ford will see Quins win by 4 points. Exciting game.
London Irish 24-24 Saracens
This is a seriously difficult one to predict - I don't know where Pete has got his pack from but the starting 8 together with all the subs are just fantastic, a real threat and a great combination that will cause Irish real problems. I like the Irish starting front row and the form of Armitage is a definite boost. Still see Sarries as having an advantage - but its a reversal in the backline, the SBW and Smith combination are brilliant and will give Irish backthree a lot of attacking options. Wetter conditions and its an away win, but the rain allows some good running rugby and that is where Irish have the advantage - Sarries definitely will boss the pack battle, but for them to really benefit I still want to see them get a world class back three player.
Worcester Warriors 19-18 Exeter Chiefs
This is going to be a brutal contest, two massive packs, two great kicking number tens and both teams have their tactics spot on. THe thing that swings this for me is that Warriors have a few more top class players than Exeter and a bit more to call on from the bench. Tindall at 13 is a plus and negative - defensively nothing will get passed him, but at the same time a lot of moves will die with him - see Warriors the more likely to get the single try, which ultimately wins it for them!
Home advantage will see Sale win this game, the front fives are very even, but more class in the backrow for Sale - like SJE's point about Bath not having a running threat from no9, so they will be able to lineup and predict a lot of the Bath attack. Still think Beale will be a big threat from 15 for Bath, but can't see where Bath will get the upper hand here.
Gloucester Rugby 24-23 Newcastle Falcons
Home advantage again is huge when two teams are so even - if it was up north then Falcons would win. The conditions are really good to allow some attacking rugby, pitches have been hard pretty much all season, so a bit of rain will be a great surface. I think that Pooly has placed a bit too much emphasis on the scrum, if it was heavy rain with muddy conditions then I would have probably given Falcons the away win. Decisive factor for me is that Mat can bring on Grey, Alberts and May, think they are all amazing impact players and can swing a game late on. Tough game to call, but Gloucester just edge.
Harlequins 30-26 London Wasps
Can see a high scoring game here, I really do like the balance of Quins and think that they are a real threat at home. Its going to be a really tight battle and feel that Quins just edge it in key areas. However, I think the midfield that Arry has put together of Bowden and Roberts is going to be incredibly dangerous, wont quite click here as they are a new combination but can just see them causing a lot of problems to Hape who is very much out of form and Lowe - they will dfeinitely help George Ford and create chances outwide, especially for Wade who will be lethal in the conditions. Priestland will be a big advantage for Quins and his experience over Ford will see Quins win by 4 points. Exciting game.
London Irish 24-24 Saracens
This is a seriously difficult one to predict - I don't know where Pete has got his pack from but the starting 8 together with all the subs are just fantastic, a real threat and a great combination that will cause Irish real problems. I like the Irish starting front row and the form of Armitage is a definite boost. Still see Sarries as having an advantage - but its a reversal in the backline, the SBW and Smith combination are brilliant and will give Irish backthree a lot of attacking options. Wetter conditions and its an away win, but the rain allows some good running rugby and that is where Irish have the advantage - Sarries definitely will boss the pack battle, but for them to really benefit I still want to see them get a world class back three player.
Worcester Warriors 19-18 Exeter Chiefs
This is going to be a brutal contest, two massive packs, two great kicking number tens and both teams have their tactics spot on. THe thing that swings this for me is that Warriors have a few more top class players than Exeter and a bit more to call on from the bench. Tindall at 13 is a plus and negative - defensively nothing will get passed him, but at the same time a lot of moves will die with him - see Warriors the more likely to get the single try, which ultimately wins it for them!
dammit_chris- Posts : 8685
Join date : 2011-05-03
Re: AP Round 20
by Guest Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:32
London Irish 20 – 20 Saracens
Edge to Irish in scrum but just a real ding dong elsewhere. Sarries slightly better just and enough for the draw. Great centre battle. FTD having a rough season
Edge to Irish in scrum but just a real ding dong elsewhere. Sarries slightly better just and enough for the draw. Great centre battle. FTD having a rough season
Guest- Guest
Re: AP Round 20
by Guest Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:34
Quins 29-23 wasps steves pack wins this. Arrys centres will dominate and
It will be high scoring. Quins great bench forwards
It will be high scoring. Quins great bench forwards
Guest- Guest
Re: AP Round 20
by Guest Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:38
Saints 23-22 saints on form best backline in league on form at the moment. They will have less ball but be more effective
Guest- Guest
Re: AP Round 20
by Guest Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:40
Worcester 19-19 Exeter. Have been through this time and again both teams set up well and excellent tactics. Think the game is so vital that there will be mistakes a plenty. Drivers team salvage a late late scrappy draw
Guest- Guest
Re: AP Round 20
by stnick88 Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:41
sorry lads pushed for time
sale 22-20 bath
gloucester 30-30 falcons
quins 25-22 wasps
saints 27-25 tigers
warriors 20-18 chiefs
sale 22-20 bath
gloucester 30-30 falcons
quins 25-22 wasps
saints 27-25 tigers
warriors 20-18 chiefs
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Re: AP Round 20
by Sgt_Pooly Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:51
Rebels fighting losing cause with that pack.
Why spend so much on JOC & Beale when your pack is dire??!?!?
Why spend so much on JOC & Beale when your pack is dire??!?!?
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Re: AP Round 20
by Sgt_Pooly Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:58
In damp condtions I think they’ll be more knock ons and scrums so front 5 more important for me here. Sorry for so many draws but very very close this week.
Sale 23–21 Bath
Massive front 5 battle with some good form for both sides, think Bath might get a little scrum edge on but a great contest and Sale maybe sneak lineout. Stronger backrow for Sale and that pack is strong at home. Little more for the Sale halfbacks but Bath’s backs are fantastic and great for conditions. Cracking match and very close.
Harlequins 21–19 Wasps
Again a good front 5 match up, scrum will be a tight affair with Quins set out a little better for the conditions but more grunt in the Wasps engine room which will help out. Good backrow battle with more a 6 for Wasps but Quins having edge in 7/8. Not sure if Ford is ready for a game at this kind of level and see Priestland having the better control. Much stronger centre combo for Wasps and I think if at home might have been decider. Quins back 3 strong and good for conditions, just have enough here.
London Irish 21–21 Saracens
Massive up front here, think Irish would get a little edge on in scrum but not by much. Not that much in engine rooms on recent form although Nallet still probably the class act. Great backrow battle with some great form for Irish but class for both. Close at halfbacks, little more at 10 for Sarries but both good for conditions. Form wise no contest in centres although Nonu v SBW would be immense but Smith class above Trinder. Little edge for Sarries back 3 decent combo for Irish, another real close one.
Northampton 20–20 Leicester
Can see a scrum and front 5 edge for Tigers in a tight affair. Like Saints backrow for conditions though and a good battle here. Halfbacks just to Tigers but some tasty form for Saints backline. Tigers added quality in the front 5 and halfback gets them a hard fought draw.
Worcester 15–15 Exeter
Game of round at the bottom of table! Think Exeter shade front 5 with Smit’s experience key. Like both backrows and good move with Flip at 6 to give added grunt. More nonce and quality for Worester at halfback and 2 strong defensive units. Nothing in this one but it’ll be messy!
Sale 23–21 Bath
Massive front 5 battle with some good form for both sides, think Bath might get a little scrum edge on but a great contest and Sale maybe sneak lineout. Stronger backrow for Sale and that pack is strong at home. Little more for the Sale halfbacks but Bath’s backs are fantastic and great for conditions. Cracking match and very close.
Harlequins 21–19 Wasps
Again a good front 5 match up, scrum will be a tight affair with Quins set out a little better for the conditions but more grunt in the Wasps engine room which will help out. Good backrow battle with more a 6 for Wasps but Quins having edge in 7/8. Not sure if Ford is ready for a game at this kind of level and see Priestland having the better control. Much stronger centre combo for Wasps and I think if at home might have been decider. Quins back 3 strong and good for conditions, just have enough here.
London Irish 21–21 Saracens
Massive up front here, think Irish would get a little edge on in scrum but not by much. Not that much in engine rooms on recent form although Nallet still probably the class act. Great backrow battle with some great form for Irish but class for both. Close at halfbacks, little more at 10 for Sarries but both good for conditions. Form wise no contest in centres although Nonu v SBW would be immense but Smith class above Trinder. Little edge for Sarries back 3 decent combo for Irish, another real close one.
Northampton 20–20 Leicester
Can see a scrum and front 5 edge for Tigers in a tight affair. Like Saints backrow for conditions though and a good battle here. Halfbacks just to Tigers but some tasty form for Saints backline. Tigers added quality in the front 5 and halfback gets them a hard fought draw.
Worcester 15–15 Exeter
Game of round at the bottom of table! Think Exeter shade front 5 with Smit’s experience key. Like both backrows and good move with Flip at 6 to give added grunt. More nonce and quality for Worester at halfback and 2 strong defensive units. Nothing in this one but it’ll be messy!
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Re: AP Round 20
by Ozzy3213 Sat 14 Apr 2012, 11:58
Sale Sharks 25 Bath Rugby 21
Looking at the teams the one area that I feel that Sale have a big advantage is the back row, where Skinner and Guest are well below their direct opponents in terms of ability. I also agree more with SJE that his team will be battle hardened but not fatigued and I see none of Baths's players having played in the last 2 weeks as an issue for them. In the run in you want match toughness, consistency and familiarity and one team here has that and one doesn't. I like the Bath backs, but don't see them being a totally cohesive unit, so at home I have to go for the Sharks.
Gloucester 23 Newcastle Falcons 22
Really really struggled predicting this one. Two fantastic teams, with different interpretations of the conditions and therefore different tactics. I think that Pooly is right that there will be knock ons with a damp ball, but I can also see what Mat is saying about his team being able to run the ball. The attacking threat from Gloucester is fantastic and I can see them scoring tries, but I can also see a few mistakes that will let Newcastle in for points as they come with a pragmatic approach to the game and look to target the set piece. I do also like the impact Gloucester have from the bench. I can see Gloucester starting fast with maybe atry, but a few mistakes and Falcons coming back into the game and getting on top and building a bit of a lead, before the Glocuester bench come on and re establish themselves. At Kingston Park I would probably have gone the other way, but I can see Mat's bench squeezing Gloucester home for the narrowest of wins.
Harlequins 24 London Wasps 22
Tough one to predict this. One or two form issues for me in the Quins side, and I like the Wasps pack, which has some dynamic players in there, although hard to rate Burger as been injured for a fair while now. The main question for me is does the Wasps pack have enough over their opponents to win away from home and I am not convinced that they do. At Adams Park this may be different, but at The Stoop I think Quins have enough for the win.
Northampton Saints 28 Leicester Tigers 23
Two good sides again, and looking first at the packs, I think Tigers may get a little bit of a nudge on at scrum time, but nothing to significant. Not sure about Messam as a 7 but he does provide a strong carrying option there, although I can see a bit of joy for Pocock at the breakdown. Saints tactics are based around carrying and they have selected a side that suits that which is a big thing for me. At home I think they have enough power in the side to cause Tigers problems, although Tigers will secure enough ball to get some scores of their own. As with the other games, if it was at Welford Road I may have gone the other way, but at home and in good form I cannot see Saints losing this one.
Worcester Warriors 20 Exeter Chiefs 20
Am hating predicting at them moment as every game is tough to call. Think this will be error strewn as both teams will be nervous with what is at stake. Steyn will ensure that Worcester play in the right areas, but Thomas and MacLeod for Chiefs are both in good form and will ensure that they compete fully all the way through. Sorry guys, can't separate this one so got to go for the draw.
Looking at the teams the one area that I feel that Sale have a big advantage is the back row, where Skinner and Guest are well below their direct opponents in terms of ability. I also agree more with SJE that his team will be battle hardened but not fatigued and I see none of Baths's players having played in the last 2 weeks as an issue for them. In the run in you want match toughness, consistency and familiarity and one team here has that and one doesn't. I like the Bath backs, but don't see them being a totally cohesive unit, so at home I have to go for the Sharks.
Gloucester 23 Newcastle Falcons 22
Really really struggled predicting this one. Two fantastic teams, with different interpretations of the conditions and therefore different tactics. I think that Pooly is right that there will be knock ons with a damp ball, but I can also see what Mat is saying about his team being able to run the ball. The attacking threat from Gloucester is fantastic and I can see them scoring tries, but I can also see a few mistakes that will let Newcastle in for points as they come with a pragmatic approach to the game and look to target the set piece. I do also like the impact Gloucester have from the bench. I can see Gloucester starting fast with maybe atry, but a few mistakes and Falcons coming back into the game and getting on top and building a bit of a lead, before the Glocuester bench come on and re establish themselves. At Kingston Park I would probably have gone the other way, but I can see Mat's bench squeezing Gloucester home for the narrowest of wins.
Harlequins 24 London Wasps 22
Tough one to predict this. One or two form issues for me in the Quins side, and I like the Wasps pack, which has some dynamic players in there, although hard to rate Burger as been injured for a fair while now. The main question for me is does the Wasps pack have enough over their opponents to win away from home and I am not convinced that they do. At Adams Park this may be different, but at The Stoop I think Quins have enough for the win.
Northampton Saints 28 Leicester Tigers 23
Two good sides again, and looking first at the packs, I think Tigers may get a little bit of a nudge on at scrum time, but nothing to significant. Not sure about Messam as a 7 but he does provide a strong carrying option there, although I can see a bit of joy for Pocock at the breakdown. Saints tactics are based around carrying and they have selected a side that suits that which is a big thing for me. At home I think they have enough power in the side to cause Tigers problems, although Tigers will secure enough ball to get some scores of their own. As with the other games, if it was at Welford Road I may have gone the other way, but at home and in good form I cannot see Saints losing this one.
Worcester Warriors 20 Exeter Chiefs 20
Am hating predicting at them moment as every game is tough to call. Think this will be error strewn as both teams will be nervous with what is at stake. Steyn will ensure that Worcester play in the right areas, but Thomas and MacLeod for Chiefs are both in good form and will ensure that they compete fully all the way through. Sorry guys, can't separate this one so got to go for the draw.
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Re: AP Round 20
by Ozzy3213 Sat 14 Apr 2012, 12:27
RESULTS
Sale Sharks 33 Bath Rugby 22
Gloucester 26 Newcastle Falcons 26
Harlequins 32 London Wasps 20
London Irish 23 Saracens 24
Northampton Saints 30 Leicester Tigers 25
Worcester Warriors 26 Exeter Chiefs 18
Sale Sharks 33 Bath Rugby 22
Gloucester 26 Newcastle Falcons 26
Harlequins 32 London Wasps 20
London Irish 23 Saracens 24
Northampton Saints 30 Leicester Tigers 25
Worcester Warriors 26 Exeter Chiefs 18
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Re: AP Round 20
by Ozzy3213 Sat 14 Apr 2012, 12:45
Sale Sharks 33 Bath Rugby 22
Tries: Abendanon 2, Care, Bekker : O'Brien
Cons: Cruden 2: Skrela
Pens: Cruden 3 : Skrela 5
Gloucester 26 Newcastle Falcons 26
Tries: Dagg, Alberts : Steyn, Youngs
Cons: Goosen 2 : Flood 2
Pens: Doosen 4 : Flood 4
Harlequins 32 London Wasps 20
Tries: Heaslip, Kearney 2, Joseph : Elsom, Roberts
Cons: Priestland 3 : Ford 2
Pens: Priestland 2 : Ford 2
London Irish 23 Saracens 24
Tries: Spies, Tagicakibau : Trimble, B. du Plessis, Johnson
Cons: Pienaar 2 : Parra 3
Pens: Pienaar 3 : Parra
Northampton Saints 30 Leicester Tigers 25
Tries: Messam, Fofana. Sivivatu, Launchbury : Nacewa
Cons: Halfpenny 2 : Yachvilli
Pens: Halfpenny 2 : Yachvilli 6
Worcester Warriors 26 Exeter Chiefs 18
Tries: Habana 2 :
Cons: Steyn 2 :
Pens: Steyn 4 : MacLeod 6
Tries: Abendanon 2, Care, Bekker : O'Brien
Cons: Cruden 2: Skrela
Pens: Cruden 3 : Skrela 5
Gloucester 26 Newcastle Falcons 26
Tries: Dagg, Alberts : Steyn, Youngs
Cons: Goosen 2 : Flood 2
Pens: Doosen 4 : Flood 4
Harlequins 32 London Wasps 20
Tries: Heaslip, Kearney 2, Joseph : Elsom, Roberts
Cons: Priestland 3 : Ford 2
Pens: Priestland 2 : Ford 2
London Irish 23 Saracens 24
Tries: Spies, Tagicakibau : Trimble, B. du Plessis, Johnson
Cons: Pienaar 2 : Parra 3
Pens: Pienaar 3 : Parra
Northampton Saints 30 Leicester Tigers 25
Tries: Messam, Fofana. Sivivatu, Launchbury : Nacewa
Cons: Halfpenny 2 : Yachvilli
Pens: Halfpenny 2 : Yachvilli 6
Worcester Warriors 26 Exeter Chiefs 18
Tries: Habana 2 :
Cons: Steyn 2 :
Pens: Steyn 4 : MacLeod 6
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Re: AP Round 20
by SirJohnnyEnglish Sun 15 Apr 2012, 16:52
Question for Matt.
What issues do you see with my lineout? Thomson is a good option been great again this season for Highlanders, POM is now one of the main jumpers at Munster and then Bekker is one of the best in the world. Pickles is used as a jumper for Toulouse and France as well and AWJ although not great can be used for the odd jump giving me 5 options??? Never seen you pick up on my lineout before
What issues do you see with my lineout? Thomson is a good option been great again this season for Highlanders, POM is now one of the main jumpers at Munster and then Bekker is one of the best in the world. Pickles is used as a jumper for Toulouse and France as well and AWJ although not great can be used for the odd jump giving me 5 options??? Never seen you pick up on my lineout before
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