Aviva Premiership Final

Newcastle Falcons vs Saracens
23 degrees , 8mph winds , sunny


Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
 

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rory Best	10. Toby Flood
03. Owen Franks
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. James O’Connor
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Jaque Fourie
07. Richie McCaw	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

 
16. William Servat 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater  20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Jonny Arr 22. Nick Evans 23. Brad Barritt
 
 
Tactics
 
-           PSYCHOLOGICAL EDGE – Beating Saracens in last years final & a few weeks ago in league (Both full strength Sarries sides)
-           PHYSICAL EDGE – A week off to focus on the final whilst Saracens have played 2 gruelling matches against a very physical Gloucester side
-           CONFIDENCE – We have finished top of the table and come into this one in top form after a great semi win against a top Tigers side. Sarries have just suffered a heart breaking HC final defeat to Gloucester and will be at rock bottom.
-           CONTINUITY – We have made minimal changes over the last few games (Although weeks breaks in games to rest players) whilst Saracens have chopped and changed large numbers of their team for each game
-           BREAKDOWN – With McCaw then Brussow coming into the game we’ll look to dominate the breakdown and prevent any momentum for Sarries. This will also give us a great attacking platform to counter with and use the pace of Youngs, JOC etc
 
 
General – High intensity, quick passing game. Look to keep the ball alive in the forwards and Flood to bring backline into play whenever possible.
 
FORWARDS
 
Set Piece:
 
Scrum – With the great conditions and minimal restarts expected we’ll be looking to use the scrum as a restart and get the ball in and out. We’ve selected Franks and Barcella for their dynamism in the loose and solid scrummaging. On Saracens put in, Franks will look to target Corbisiero with Brad Thorn backing him up in the engine room. With a hefty front 5 and Thorn/Parling renound for their scrummaging ability we should be fine if Saracens decide to get push on. Barcella & Jones squared up against each other in the HC a few months back and neither came out on top so we’re confident with Franks at TH our platform will be steady.
 
Lineout – quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller, also look to use Read at the tail and McCaw, Thorn to offer front ball. Target opposition ball and contest outside of 22 especially. 5 good jumping options throughout side. In opposition half look for Best (one of safest throws in game) to throw to middle/back which generates quicker/attacking ball. With JOC/AAC coming into the attacking line flat we’ll look to open up the Saracens midfield with neither centre renound for their defence on the turn.
 
Breakdown – Look to target breakdown throughout game and really slow Saracens attacking ball down and limit Lambie’s options forcing him to kick. McCaw to lead the attack with Read & Robshaw providing a devastating trio. Will look to get Thorn in at rucks who’ll clear out and give our backrow the ideal opportunity to get hands on ball. Brussow will look to carry on the charge in the second and dominate Saracens.
 
Defence – Look to use the blitz defence and get in the face of Lambie preventing any momentum. We feel Saracens lack a bit of creativity in the 10-13 channel so if we can wrap them up in midfield with Fourie leading (best defensive 13 in world rugby) they’ll offer limited attacking threat.
 
BACKS
 
Halfbacks – Look to get fast attacking ball and Youngs to play how he does best….on instinct. With Flood flat to the line he’ll look to play what’s on and open up the Saracens defence, especially outwide. Look to keep our hands on the ball and go through the phases and starve Saracens of decent ball.
 
Centres – JOC will act as 2nd playmaker and 2nd kicking option if needed in the backs. He’ll look to come off Flood’s shoulder and dance through the Saracens midfield (we won’t be able to smash through that’s for sure). Fourie will come into the line and test out JD’s defence but always recycling the ball and keeping us going forward. AAC will look to come into the line also, picking good lines off JOC and using Fourie as decoy. With so many running threats in the backline we think we can target Sarancens throughout the game and starve them of any good ball.
 
Back 3 – Serious gas and power to exploit Saracens out wide. Flood will look to get the backline into play and run Saracens ragged throughout the game. Look to play at high tempo and keep the ball alive.
 
SUBS – Numerous options to use depending on game is going. Evans on for Flood….Barritt on for Benjamin and JOC to wing, to tighten up midfield in the 2nd, Brussow on for Robshaw or McCaw depending on what needed in game, McCaw will swap to BS and play right/left if needed.
 
 
 
Points:
 
HISTORY – We beat Saracens in last years final and have a recent win against their strongest team. Saracens have struggled in recent years in finals losing all 3 they have took part in
BREAKDOWN – Look to target ruthlessly all game….slow Sarries ball down & attack with turnover ball
BUILD UP – We’ve had 2 weeks to prepare for this final whilst Saracens have had a gruelling extra time semi and a tough loss in the HC
CONDITIONS – Team for conditions with Flood pulling the strings (7/8 BP’s in row for Tigers in AP) and serious runners such as JOC/AAC/Fourie/Bowe/Benjamin
GRUNT – Thorn offers us massive amounts of grunt in the scrum and around the park and a big carrying option which Sarries lack in the engine room
PROP MOBILITY – Barcella & Franks gives us serious work rate around the park and can act as extra flankers in the loose
WORKRATE – With players like McCaw. Read, Robshaw, Parling, Thorn we have some engines to cover the ground in the great conditions
FORM – I’m sure Pete will point out that some of my players are out of form, possibly but this is something we both suffer from. Barcella has played 12 games for Biarritz this season, Adam Jones has played 12 games for Ospreys. Jaque Fourie is playing in Japan whilst Ma’a Nonu played in Japan and has been awful since coming back, be hard to judge either against that. McCaw has just returned from injury (S15 team of the week this week though) and Dusatoir has struggled to reach the heights of previous seasons for club and country. We both have some seriously in form players (Best, Thorn, Robshaw, Read, Flood)(Corbs, JD, Goode, Parra, TJ) and we both have some not playing at their best (Barcella, Youngs, JOC, Fourie)(Nallet, Dusatoir, Nonu, Cueto)


Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patric Lambie
03. Adam Jones
04. Lionel Nallet	11. Digby Ioane
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Tom Johnson	13. Jonathon Davies
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Mark Cueto
08. Joe van Niekerk (c)	15. Alex Goode

16. George Chuter 17. Max Lahiff 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Wood 21. Morgan Parra 22. Owen Farrell 23. Andrew Trimble

Tactics

Our generic gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game.

In attack our primary gameplan is always to control possession and run the ball, utilising big carriers attacking gaps in the line, and looking to offload to support runners to continue getting over the gainline and keep the ball alive. If 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. Jones will look to take the hit and drop anchor allowing Corbisiero to attack the opposition tighthead. On our ball we will keep our flankers bound in tight and shoving hard behind the props and we will look to get the scrum turning legally to take the Falcons back row out of the defensive equation before launching attacks. Our flankers will play slightly looser with heads up on Falcons ball in order to be of quickly to stop any set play attacks.


Game Specific Tactics

• Target 10-12 channel – Look to get big carriers down the 10 and 12 channels to suck defenders in and create gaps out wide to exploit.
  
  
• Get to Ben Youngs – Back row will look to target Ben Youngs at the back of rucks and really rattle him to try to put him off his game.
  
  
• Get Ioane tracking inside – When we have possession Ioane will be looking to track the ball inside and be on the ball carriers shoulder to take any popped offloads and hit the gaps to get well over the gainline.
  
  
• Breakdown – When Falcons carry in, unless the player is isolated and a turnover is on, we will only commit enough players to legally slow the ball, instead maintaining a strong defensive line.
  

Addressing Pooly's Key Points

• Psychological edge – Pooly cites beating us a year ago and in the last league encounter as giving them a psychologival edge. He fails to mention that we beat them twice in between them games including knocking them out of the Heineken Cup so have in fact beaten them in 2 of our last 3 meetings including a knockout game. Psychological edge my a r s e!
  
  
• Physical edge – Pooly says they will have a physical edge as they've had a week off but we will be battle hardened and have 6 players in our pack who didn't play last week so will be every bit as fresh as the Falcons players.
  
  
• Confidence - Pooly cites finishing top as giving them confidence, but fails to recognise that finishing top does not win a trophy and there is no differnece between what you get for finishing 1st or 2nd in this league (a home semi), so on that basis we will be every bit as confident as them. If they see finishing top as being this huge achievement that may lead to complacency from them. Also the loss to Gloucester last week just makes the players more determined to regain the AP title.
  
  
• Continuity - Pooly cites us as having 'chopped and changed' our team. We have had an AP side and a HC side, which seems to serve Leinster pretty well in the real world so not sure that this would be a great issue for us.
  
  
• Breakdown – Pooly cites McCaw and Brussow being the difference at the breakdown, but our breakdown approach when we carry will be to get numbers there hard and fast and take their fetcher off his feet quickly. If he keeps his hands on the ball once we've hit him then it's a penalty to us.
  
  
• History – Just as a point of order we've not lost all 3 finals we have taken part in as I distinctly remember beating Gloucester the seaosn before last to become champions.
  
  
• Form – I am not going to get into the form debate, as I disagree with Pooly's assessment of some players form which he has highlighted. It is subjective anyway, and you all can decide for yourselves who is in form and who isn't. As a point of order though what does Adam Jones playing 12 games for the Ospreys have to do with anything?
  

My Key Points

• Desire – Our focus from R1 was on regaining the title from Falcons. We have prepared for this 80 minutes all season and have the desire to get the job done.
  
  
• Defensive solidity - I cannot emphasise this enough. Throughout our team we are defensively secure with players who tackle like tanks and are sound positionally. This is what Leinsters HC success was built on. Both ASM and Ulster just could not break them down and then got hit on the counter. That is how this Saracens team is model and it is a system of playing that is proven as successful.
  
  
• That's it - No comments about Pooly's team or bigging up of my own individual players. The team is there to be seen and how we want to play is documented. This game is about opinions and you will all have your own on how this pans out. Thank you all for a great season once again, and good luck to Pooly.
  
  

Saracens name their side to face Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership final this week. Adam Jones returns to anchor the scrum, with former international captains Lionel Nallet and Steve Borthwick reunited in the second row. Thierry Dusautoir and Joe van Niekerk both also return in the back row, alongside Tom Johnson who comes in for Tom Wood. In the backs Ma'a Nonu and Mark Cueto replace Owen Farrell and Andrew Trimble.

Head coach Ozzy3213 had this to say.

“What happened last weekend against Gloucester is now history, and we are completely focused on the task in hand against Newcastle. To be able to bring back 4 former international captains in the pack, along with the in form Tom Johnson is massive for us, and puts us in a strong position in terms of both leadership and balance. Conditions for the game look like being good and we are coming to play some rugby, so it should be a good game for the fans.”

Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patric Lambie
03. Adam Jones
04. Lionel Nallet	11. Digby Ioane
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Tom Johnson	13. Jonathon Davies
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Mark Cueto
08. Joe van Niekerk (c)	15. Alex Goode

16. George Chuter 17. Max Lahiff 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Wood 21. Morgan Parra 22. Owen Farrell 23. Andrew Trimble

Tactics

Our generic gameplan revolves around a high intensity attacking and defensive game.

In attack our primary gameplan is always to control possession and run the ball, utilising big carriers attacking gaps in the line, and looking to offload to support runners to continue getting over the gainline and keep the ball alive. If 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. Jones will look to take the hit and drop anchor allowing Corbisiero to attack the opposition tighthead. On our ball we will keep our flankers bound in tight and shoving hard behind the props and we will look to get the scrum turning legally to take the Falcons back row out of the defensive equation before launching attacks. Our flankers will play slightly looser with heads up on Falcons ball in order to be of quickly to stop any set play attacks.


Game Specific Tactics

• Target 10-12 channel – Look to get big carriers down the 10 and 12 channels to suck defenders in and create gaps out wide to exploit.
  
  
• Get to Ben Youngs – Back row will look to target Ben Youngs at the back of rucks and really rattle him to try to put him off his game.
  
  
• Get Ioane tracking inside – When we have possession Ioane will be looking to track the ball inside and be on the ball carriers shoulder to take any popped offloads and hit the gaps to get well over the gainline.
  
  
• Breakdown – When Falcons carry in, unless the player is isolated and a turnover is on, we will only commit enough players to legally slow the ball, instead maintaining a strong defensive line.
  

Addressing Pooly's Key Points

• Psychological edge – Pooly cites beating us a year ago and in the last league encounter as giving them a psychologival edge. He fails to mention that we beat them twice in between them games including knocking them out of the Heineken Cup so have in fact beaten them in 2 of our last 3 meetings including a knockout game. Psychological edge my a r s e!
  
  
• Physical edge – Pooly says they will have a physical edge as they've had a week off but we will be battle hardened and have 6 players in our pack who didn't play last week so will be every bit as fresh as the Falcons players.
  
  
• Confidence - Pooly cites finishing top as giving them confidence, but fails to recognise that finishing top does not win a trophy and there is no differnece between what you get for finishing 1st or 2nd in this league (a home semi), so on that basis we will be every bit as confident as them. If they see finishing top as being this huge achievement that may lead to complacency from them. Also the loss to Gloucester last week just makes the players more determined to regain the AP title.
  
  
• Continuity - Pooly cites us as having 'chopped and changed' our team. We have had an AP side and a HC side, which seems to serve Leinster pretty well in the real world so not sure that this would be a great issue for us.
  
  
• Breakdown – Pooly cites McCaw and Brussow being the difference at the breakdown, but our breakdown approach when we carry will be to get numbers there hard and fast and take their fetcher off his feet quickly. If he keeps his hands on the ball once we've hit him then it's a penalty to us.
  
  
• History – Just as a point of order we've not lost all 3 finals we have taken part in as I distinctly remember beating Gloucester the seaosn before last to become champions.
  
  
• Form – I am not going to get into the form debate, as I disagree with Pooly's assessment of some players form which he has highlighted. It is subjective anyway, and you all can decide for yourselves who is in form and who isn't. As a point of order though what does Adam Jones playing 12 games for the Ospreys have to do with anything?
  

My Key Points

• Desire – Our focus from R1 was on regaining the title from Falcons. We have prepared for this 80 minutes all season and have the desire to get the job done.
  
  
• Defensive solidity - I cannot emphasise this enough. Throughout our team we are defensively secure with players who tackle like tanks and are sound positionally. This is what Leinsters HC success was built on. Both ASM and Ulster just could not break them down and then got hit on the counter. That is how this Saracens team is model and it is a system of playing that is proven as successful.
  
  
• That's it - No comments about Pooly's team or bigging up of my own individual players. The team is there to be seen and how we want to play is documented. This game is about opinions and you will all have your own on how this pans out. Thank you all for a great season once again, and good luck to Pooly.
  
  

No messing about Pete!

Great conditions for running rugby.

Cracking side you've got out there too.....good luck mate

Should be a cracker mate, best of luck to you as well.

Looking forward to this one!

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
 

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rory Best	10. Toby Flood
03. Owen Franks
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. James O’Connor
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Jaque Fourie
07. Richie McCaw©	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

 
16. William Servat 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater  20. Heinrich Brussow 21. Jonny Arr 22. Nick Evans 23. Brad Barritt
 
 
Tactics
 
-           PSYCHOLOGICAL EDGE – Beating Saracens in last years final & a few weeks ago in league (Both full strength Sarries sides)
-           PHYSICAL EDGE – A week off to focus on the final whilst Saracens have played 2 gruelling matches against a very physical Gloucester side
-           CONFIDENCE – We have finished top of the table and come into this one in top form after a great semi win against a top Tigers side. Sarries have just suffered a heart breaking HC final defeat to Gloucester and will be at rock bottom.
-           CONTINUITY – We have made minimal changes over the last few games (Although weeks breaks in games to rest players) whilst Saracens have chopped and changed large numbers of their team for each game
-           BREAKDOWN – With McCaw then Brussow coming into the game we’ll look to dominate the breakdown and prevent any momentum for Sarries. This will also give us a great attacking platform to counter with and use the pace of Youngs, JOC etc
 
 
General – High intensity, quick passing game. Look to keep the ball alive in the forwards and Flood to bring backline into play whenever possible.
 
FORWARDS
 
Set Piece:
 
Scrum – With the great conditions and minimal restarts expected we’ll be looking to use the scrum as a restart and get the ball in and out. We’ve selected Franks and Barcella for their dynamism in the loose and solid scrummaging. On Saracens put in, Franks will look to target Corbisiero with Brad Thorn backing him up in the engine room. With a hefty front 5 and Thorn/Parling renound for their scrummaging ability we should be fine if Saracens decide to get push on. Barcella & Jones squared up against each other in the HC a few months back and neither came out on top so we’re confident with Franks at TH our platform will be steady.
 
Lineout – quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller, also look to use Read at the tail and McCaw, Thorn to offer front ball. Target opposition ball and contest outside of 22 especially. 5 good jumping options throughout side. In opposition half look for Best (one of safest throws in game) to throw to middle/back which generates quicker/attacking ball. With JOC/AAC coming into the attacking line flat we’ll look to open up the Saracens midfield with neither centre renound for their defence on the turn.
 
Breakdown – Look to target breakdown throughout game and really slow Saracens attacking ball down and limit Lambie’s options forcing him to kick. McCaw to lead the attack with Read & Robshaw providing a devastating trio. Will look to get Thorn in at rucks who’ll clear out and give our backrow the ideal opportunity to get hands on ball. Brussow will look to carry on the charge in the second and dominate Saracens.
 
Defence – Look to use the blitz defence and get in the face of Lambie preventing any momentum. We feel Saracens lack a bit of creativity in the 10-13 channel so if we can wrap them up in midfield with Fourie leading (best defensive 13 in world rugby) they’ll offer limited attacking threat.
 
BACKS
 
Halfbacks – Look to get fast attacking ball and Youngs to play how he does best….on instinct. With Flood flat to the line he’ll look to play what’s on and open up the Saracens defence, especially outwide. Look to keep our hands on the ball and go through the phases and starve Saracens of decent ball.
 
Centres – JOC will act as 2nd playmaker and 2nd kicking option if needed in the backs. He’ll look to come off Flood’s shoulder and dance through the Saracens midfield (we won’t be able to smash through that’s for sure). Fourie will come into the line and test out JD’s defence but always recycling the ball and keeping us going forward. AAC will look to come into the line also, picking good lines off JOC and using Fourie as decoy. With so many running threats in the backline we think we can target Sarancens throughout the game and starve them of any good ball.
 
Back 3 – Serious gas and power to exploit Saracens out wide. Flood will look to get the backline into play and run Saracens ragged throughout the game. Look to play at high tempo and keep the ball alive.
 
SUBS – Numerous options to use depending on game is going. Evans on for Flood….Barritt on for Benjamin and JOC to wing, to tighten up midfield in the 2nd, Brussow on for Robshaw or McCaw depending on what needed in game, McCaw will swap to BS and play right/left if needed.
 
 
 
Points:
 
HISTORY – We beat Saracens in last years final and have a recent win against their strongest team. Saracens have struggled in recent years in finals losing all 3 they have took part in
BREAKDOWN – Look to target ruthlessly all game….slow Sarries ball down & attack with turnover ball
BUILD UP – We’ve had 2 weeks to prepare for this final whilst Saracens have had a gruelling extra time semi and a tough loss in the HC
CONDITIONS – Team for conditions with Flood pulling the strings (7/8 BP’s in row for Tigers in AP) and serious runners such as JOC/AAC/Fourie/Bowe/Benjamin
GRUNT – Thorn offers us massive amounts of grunt in the scrum and around the park and a big carrying option which Sarries lack in the engine room
PROP MOBILITY – Barcella & Franks gives us serious work rate around the park and can act as extra flankers in the loose
WORKRATE – With players like McCaw. Read, Robshaw, Parling, Thorn we have some engines to cover the ground in the great conditions
FORM – I’m sure Pete will point out that some of my players are out of form, possibly but this is something we both suffer from. Barcella has played 12 games for Biarritz this season, Adam Jones has played 12 games for Ospreys. Jaque Fourie is playing in Japan whilst Ma’a Nonu played in Japan and has been awful since coming back, be hard to judge either against that. McCaw has just returned from injury (S15 team of the week this week though) and Dusatoir has struggled to reach the heights of previous seasons for club and country. We both have some seriously in form players (Best, Thorn, Robshaw, Read, Flood)(Corbs, JD, Goode, Parra, TJ) and we both have some not playing at their best (Barcella, Youngs, JOC, Fourie)(Nallet, Dusatoir, Nonu, Cueto)

Teams are up, I know it's an hour early but...


Predictions are open!!!

Pete

7 paragraphs in your tactics are talking directly about Pooly's tactics. Surely we banned this a while ago? How is this possible to comment on, realistically speaking?

Pooly you have released Johnny Arr yet he is in your bench

I've not spoken about his tactics only the points he makes about my team, some of which are factually incorrect. His tactics, i.e. how he will play the game I have not mentioned.

Just got an hour meeting and then will come back and predict! A real toughie this one.

who comes in for Jonny Arr. I will hold off predicting as it could make a difference

Pooly has it marked on domestics that the release goes through after the final so Arr should be available for this game

Saracens 23 - 21 Newcastle

Such a difficult game to predict on, both teams have contrasting styles for the game and can see it being a case of Saracens getting more penalties than Newcastle because of their approach (just like Sarries in real life), but Newcastle will be the more threatening.

I can only see Sarries getting one try through their pack/lineout and then keeping their score going with penalties etc. Newcastle could well get 2-3 tries but wont stop the stem of penalties.

I think Pooly is really unlcuky that both Youngs and JOC are out of sorts, both game changers but I can't remember when either had a decent run of 2-3 games playing really well. With that in mind I think that the Sarries defence can hold strong and stop them scoring as many tries as perhaps they would have done otherwise - Sarries backline is very hard to get around and with Fourie in Japan it is quite hard to rate how well he would do overall now.

In terms of the packs, there are certainly better names in the Falcons pack, but I've said this quite a few times before in that Pete's pack would gel really well and be a better unit overall.

I am a bit unsure about what the tactics are around Pooly's subs and whether McCaw is meant to play the full 80mins, if not then I think its a mistake to lose his leadership, and if they move him to 6 and Brussow at 7 then it alters how they are going to be able to get on the front foot etc. Dont see Brussow as an impact sub.

Newcastle to get more tries, but Saracens more penalties and with Parra and Farrell to come on I can see them being able to see the game home right at the end.

Contrasting styles, but someone made a good point in last weeks final or AP semi final that these games are won with the team that controls the game the most, believe Sarries have two sets of halfbacks that can do this, and Farrell has ice in his veins for the big moments.

So close and sorry to have to pick a winner - Pooly if Youngs and JOC were on better form would have said you'd have won!

Newcastle v Saracens
- Very tight battle in the front row, with a slight egde to Saracens but not enough for scrum domination. Both Sarries replacement props will make a good impact but not the greatest scrummagers. For me it is the opposite for Falcons so an interesting battle. Thorn gives great power in the engine room and Parling v Borthwick is a good battle, both good operators. The backrow for me is where Falcons can get an upper hand. Robshaw on cracking form and Read having a good season. McCaw short on form but with Brussow to bring on they can get good possession. Dusatoir Sarries standout, TJ is a solid player and will put in a good shift. Both halfbacks offer great attacking threats. Falcons combo on good form, as our Sarries. Neither 12 on great form but too good 13's. Back 3's are close, Ioane a great threat as is Bowe in the big games. Sarries have a strong bench but being able to bring on Brussow and Evans is massive for Falcons. Cant believe POC didnt even make the Falcons bench, guess due to 10 EQ rule. shame! All in all, a great final, but for me Falcons have the edge upfront to get better possession and let their half backs attack off a solid platform. Sarries wont be too affected by fatigue but just cant see them overcoming this Falcons machine.

28-24

Newcastle 25-24 Sarries

I'd just edge the back row battle to Falcons but can see Sarries engine room causing problems meaning there'll be no gain from either side at scrum time. Sarries will take the lineout and the 9-10 channel but it's in the outside backs where Falcons come to form. Looking at the bench Sarries do seem more powerful in the backs than Falcons although Brussouw will dominate the breakdown against tired legs. This is such a hard match to predict (probably go to extra time) but with the inital breakdown dominance slowing the ball for Sarries I'm going to have to give it to Falcons.

Newcastle 20-24 Sarries

Where do you start with this one.

Great game great game.
There are so many conflicting battles all over the park.

Front row absolute landslide for sarries. Whist there will not be many scrums in the loose and every other aspect Sarries are superior.
Barcella is massively marked down. Barely played in 2 years and when he has he has been poor. Pooly points to him playing 12 games this year. How many were as sub http://www.statbunker.com/rugby/btb/index.php?PL=player&PlayerID=23073&PlayerCompType=&season=2011&StatType=seasonmatches&pointsType=&PlayerInClubID=
This is a final and you cannot carry players.

Second row Falcons take it with a decent pairing. Nallet vs Thorn is a great battle just shaded by Thorn. 2 Lightweight carriers in the 5 position but they are there for their lineout. I prefer Parling although Borthwick does offer lineout and leadership.

Backrow is some battle which Newcastle take. Dusatioir is phenomenal and a will cause Newcastle problems. Not much between TJ and Robshaw and both are honest grafters.

8 is a different gravy for Newcastle and Read the form player in world rugby. Both units work well together but Newcastle shade it.

Half backs go to sarries. Hougaard will give youngs a torrid time. He is in cracking form and really harasses his opposition number. Youngs is in miserable form and could really struggle in this game and this will affect the backline.

Lambie better than flood although positive marks to flood for his excellent form.

The rest of the backs is very interesting. Pooly has some of the biggest names in world rugby in his backline but so many of them are out of form Fourie, Bowe, AAC etc. you expect big game players to step up in big games but there are form issues in almost every player so I can see a stuttering misfiring backs performance.
That said Sarries have a few form issues with Nonu and Cueto etc. however they have ioane JD etc who have been in great form. Albeit JD been injured for about 6 weeks which is fine.
I can see this being a see saw match with an even battle but the sarries halfbacks using their ball better and seeing them to a win. Well done Lads on a great season

Newcastle 24 - 27 Saracens

Upfront there is a great battle to be fought. Scrum to me goes marginally to Saracens. I think they have the better scrummagers and I disagree with Pooly saying Parling being a renowned scrumager. In the front row I would say in terms of carriers the front rows are even. I prefer what the Newcastle locks bring to the game in the loose but I think the lineout's will be pretty even with perhaps a slight advantage to Saracens.

In the back row I think I prefer the balance on the Saracens which is greater than the sum of it's parts in my view. As individuals though there is an advantage to Newcastle. Dusatoir is the star man on show in the backrows as his form over the last 12 months has been simply brilliant. The breakdown will probably go in the favour of Newcastle but I don't see it being a huge issue with both sides every capable of turning over the ball.

Half backs is a tough call. Houghard is the stronger 9 for me with a great running game as well a ever improving service and will thrive on this hard ground. At 10 it is a great battle with Flood and Lambie both in imperious form and both in there comfort zones when playing on the front foot so the dominance up front is important.

The centre's are fascinating. I am a big fan of the controlling 12 and JOC fits the bill for this role although I don't think he is as good at 12 as Nonu. However with Fourie in Japan he is a weakness and against the unit of Nonu (although out of form) and Jonathan Davies and this nudges the centres in Saracens favour.

In the back three's it is tough. Bowe isn't in great form but I wouldn't say Ioane has had a great S15 so far. Not much at all between Miles Benjamin and Cueto with Benjamin exciting but lacking in basics whereas Cueto is the king of basics but has lost his spark. AAC much the stronger 15 so would give the back 3's to Newcastle.

On the bench I am looking for game changers and I see one a piece with Parra and Evans both influencing the game when they come on. I slightly prefer the Saracens replacement props could take a battering in the scrum.

Tactically both sides are playing to strengths. For me the Saracens unit will take some breaking down with strong defenders everywhere and it will take some almighty breaking down by Newcastle. I think that with no real advantages either way up front it will be a really tight game which will just edge the way of Saracens.

Had manic day so only time for scores on doors off to rugby end of season bash

Newcastle 27 Saracens 21

I make this to be one tight contest. Going to the wire

It's as tight as a nuns chuff for sure!

Luke, Arry, SJE and ITFL to predict.

Newcastle 30-27 Saracens

Cracking front row battle and there won’t be any backward steps in the scrum. Decent lineout options for both sides but bit more quality to the Falcons engine room. Great back row battle. Bit more at blindside and 8 for Falcons. Two contrasting 7s. McCaw better at the breakdown but Dus in better form and will be a real wrecking ball. Tight forward battle overall with a slight edge to Falcons due to the engine room.

Two good attacking 10s in decent form but Houghard wins the 9 battle on current form. Midfield battle is even with JOC shading 12 at the moment and Davies 13. In the back 3 Digby will get Sarries over the gainline but Bowe and AAC will do the same for Falcons who have the edge here. From the bench Sarries can look to control the tempo somewhat but Brussow will be massive against tired legs. Skipping over some of the key points both game plans are solid as always. Both sides have big game experience with league and Heino finals in the past

Ridiculously tight game between the two best teams in the league but a slight edge in the pack to Newcastle will see them to take this.

Newcastle 28-24 Saracens
I think Saracens have an edge in the front row. Think both tightheads will hold an advantage with BDP being an advantage Sarries edge the lineout but Falcons pair offer more in the loose. Think Newcastle edge the back row despite Dusatoir being the stand out. Overall hardly anything between the forwards. Do prefer the Newcastle forwards on the bench with Brussow + Servat especially being able to change games.

Half backs are both solid and nothing once again between em. Experience factor possibly edges towards Newcastle. back five hard to call, Pooly has the better set of backs in terms of quality but Pete has the better form backs. Both have solid subs to come on for their backs. Think the difference is leaders/players who can produce a moment of magic and I think Pooly has more of them.

Newcastle 29 - 27 Saracens

Advantage Sarries in the front row but two good units. Not many scrums so no biggie. See Sarries struggling a bit in the 2nd row, with Thorn on fire compared to Nallet. Newcastle take every battle in the back row for me, although Sarries unit is so hard working so not a great deal in it. Sarries take the HB's for me but Newcastle have a strong duo. Centres is tough to call with form an issue - JD swings it for Sarries. Newcastle stronger back three but slight form issues. Two top benches. This one is really tough to call. I'm edging to newcastle with their back row and fully rested 23, against a Sarries side that might just run out of gas in the last quarter. 

Two great sides managed by two great blokes who are a credit to the league. Congratulating both of you in making this one hell of a final. 

Can't wait for the new season to start

Well Done pooly! Your recent transfers will reinfOrce this. Sbw and cruden great signings. 40 man squads mean we will See tighter games

Congrats Pooly! Well done.

Newcastle 25 - 22 Saracens

Just getting this in now because I'm in a rush, any explanations I will do later on.

I won't be on untill sometime tomorrow so in the event of extra time I won't be able to predict (no idea if it's close haven't had a chance to browse predictions)

RESULT

Newcastle Falcons 33 Saracens 27


Congratulations Pooly mate, and thanks to everyone for a great season. Well done to those who won trophies and thank you to those who didn't for hanging on in there until the end and getting predictions in each week.

Congrats Pooly, cracking season everyone

Well done Pooly

Well done pooly. Hard luck pete, 2 finals!

Congrats Pooly and good work on the season all!! Worcester for H.C next year!!

3 final defeats in a week if you include the other game nick

Now I know how Mat felt 2 years ago when he lost the HC final to Pooly then the AP final to me.

Ah well, at least I was involved at the death again, just need to find that little bit extra to turn near misses into wins.

Not a lot in either game Pete. Only small details in each game for me. Better to be in both finals than none at all

Absolutely luke. All about finding those missing ingredients to kick on next season now.

Stocking up for etzbeth hey pete !!

Much as I don't like paying over the odds for players I might have to with him I think. Although having said that I do have my eye on a couple of other young Saffa locks, so we'll see.