Friendlies Match Thread

[Ozzy3213]

If you want to organise a friendly against another team for this week let me know and I will put it on this thread. Teams to be in by Friday night and predos open all weekend. If you can predict please do but no worries if you can't. There is no cash for predicting in these games, they are purely for fun. Player restrictions are between you and your opponent to decide. Let me know if you want a match adding to the thread.

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Saracens Academy XV vs. Northampton Saints Academy XV
at Hong Kong Stadium


Saracens (Academy)
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Steven Kitshoff	09. James Lightfoot-Brown
02. Christopher Tolofua	10. Owen Farrell
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Addison Lockley	11. Milford Keresoma
05. Ruan Botha	12. Patric Lambie
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Jaco Taute
07. Luke Wallace	14. Nathan Earl
08. Alex Gray	15. Jack Nowell

16. Scott Spurling 17. Nick Auterac 18. Phil Swainston 19. Tom Jubb 20. Maro Itoje 21. Matt Hankin 22. Tom Homer 23. Thomas Chapman

Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit Chris

01. Sebastien Taofifenua	09. Bryn Hall
02 Mike Haywood.	10.George Ford (c)(k)
03.Henry Thomas
04.Joe Launchbury	11. Christian Wade
05. James Craig	12. Ashley Beck
06.Jackson Wray	13. Tomassi Benvenuti
07.Liam Gill	14. Elliot Daly
08. Sam Cane	15. Jack Wallace

16. Motu Matu'u 17. Danny Herriot 18.Mako Vunipola 19. Tom Hicks 20. Ben Nutley 21.Alex Day 22.Tyler Bleyendall 23. Jamie Elliot

Tactics

Fast attacking game controlled by Ford and hoping that the referee doesnt realise that a few over aged players have been sneaked in because I couldnt remember the names of some of the academy players!

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Exeter Chiefs vs. Harlequins
at Estadio Azteca


Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Driver

01.Brett Sturgess	09.Lloyd Williams
02.Chris Whitehead	10.Butch James
03.Craig Mitchell
04.Dean Schofield	11.Tim Visser
05.James Hudson	12.James Downey
06.Rhys Ruddock	13.Darren Cave
07.Phil Dowsen	14.Harry Robinson
08.Rapheal Lakafia	15. Ben Smith

16.Hika Elliot 17.Efion Lewis-Roberts 18.Ben Tameifuna 19.Tim Swinson 20.Luke Narraway 21.Haydn Thomas 22.Tom Catterick 23.Matt Smith


Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

On a lovely day for running rugby Harlequins have named what they consider to be one of the most exciting teams which could be found on the planet. With the urge to run the ball all day long they are looking to play an entertaining brand of rugby and score some tries.

01. Joe Marler	09. Lee Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Jerome Thion	11. Andre Taylor
05. James Gaskell	12. Florian Fritz
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Sam Warburton	14. Taku Ngwenya
08. Dave Denton	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ben Franks 19. George Kruis 20. Michael Hooper 21. Karl Dickson 22. Chris Feautai Sautia 23. George Lowe

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London Irish vs. Leicester Tigers
at Millenium Stadium


London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Matt Stevens	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Elton Jantjies
03. WP Nel
04. Matt Garvey	11. Marland Yarde
05. Johann Muller	12. Luke McAllister
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Hendrie Fourie	14. Sailosi Tagicakibau
08. Keegan Daniel	15. Delon Armitage

16. Grant Shiells 17. James Buckland 18. Martin Castrogiovanni 19. Nick Kennedy 20. David Sisi 21. Neil De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Max Evans


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Sarel Pretorius
02. Tom Youngs	10. Kurtley Beale
03. Brian Mujati
04. Nathan Hines (c)	11. Ugo Monye
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. Francois Louw	13. Rene Ranger
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Dom Shipperley
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Jared Saunders 17. Sebastian Bruno 18. Dan Cole 19. Simon Shaw 20. Jordan Crane 21. Micky Young 22. Rory Clegg 23. Josh Matavesi

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Saracens vs. London Wasps
at Loftus Versfeld


Saracens
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Francois Hougaard
02. John Smit	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Adam Jones
04. Lionel Nallet	11. Bryan Habana
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Thierry Dusautoir (c)	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Ross Rennie	14. Digby Ioane
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Luke Fitzgerald

16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Matt Mullan 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Ben McCalman 21. Morgan Parra 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Mark Cueto


London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Luke Burgess
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Steve Mafi	13. George Pisi
07. Beau Robinson	14. Matt Banahan
08. Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Nick Phipps 22. Stephen Jones 23. Joe Ansboro

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[LukeLovesLuka]

Interested.

[Ozzy3213]

Just need to find someone to give you a game mate and let me know. I think Chiefs and Quins are facing off as well.

[Guest]

Some young front row you got there pete. Power to burn. Don't fancy your chances of
Winning
Lineouts with tolufoa though. . In a year or so he could be a bdp style player. I am lucky jj and harden have come through or would be screwed at 3 with just mas.

Tolufoa on French tour where they have picked an experimental side and at toulouse so he must be some prospect.

Kitschoff could be buy of season. I am envious

[Ozzy3213]

If Tolofua can sort his darts out, then he could be world class in the future as the boy is a monster. 6 foot and 18 and half stone and gets around the park. Plenty of time to get his throwing up to scratch. Am happy with him as my 4th choice hooker in the game.

Kitshoff and Coenie I suspect will have a massive battle for the Bok 1 jersey over the next few years.

[Guest]

Beast is massively in form
As well
So SA have great options.

Think Meyers selections for this series have hindered boks massively.

They also have steenkamp when fit who is probably best of the lot. Also greyling.

At 3 they have nowt in reserve hence trying to convert coonie

[stnick88]

I'm up for a friendly

[Ozzy3213]

Beast is still a top player, but I think that Kitshoff and Coenie will overtake him.

Meyers selections are odd. Stormers been the best Saffa team in Super Rugby this year yet only 3 players make the squad. Baffling.

[Ozzy3213]

nick/luke

do you fancy playing each other then? Let me know, and also where the game is to be played and any restrictions on player selections and I'll add your game to the thread.

[LukeLovesLuka]

Sounds good. Not bothered about either location or restriction, nick can call

[stnick88]

Neutral location wherever. Same restrictions as league, 5 eq?

[Driver]

For mine and Steves game i propose the Estadio Alcatraz in Mexico City with conditions set for running rugby.

[Driver]

Exeter Chiefs

Manager – Driver

01.TBA	09.TBA
02TBA.	10.TBA
03.TBA
04.TBA	11.TBA
05.TBA	12.TBA
06.TBA	13.TBA
07.TBA	14.TBA
08.TBA	15.TBA

16.TBA 17.TBA 18.TBA 19.TBA 20.TBA 21.TBA 22.TBA 23.TBA

[Guest]

Chaps not up for friendly games have masses on after this week.

[Ozzy3213]

No worries mat, it's purely for those who fancy it and have the time.

[Guest]

Cheers pete.
I am away with work and off to the england game next weekend and back to back with boring conferences so can't commit. My ticket to the test £27 twickenham should note although as they fill it at 80 quid a pop maybe not.

Amusingly in July I am off the the running of the bulls in San fermin/Pamplona on a stag do

At my size not sure whether to take part. Those bulls look mighty mean

[LukeLovesLuka]

Brother did it last year Matt, his mate had to go head first through a fence to avoid a horn up the wotsit. Great fun he said though.

Leicester Tigers vs London Irish
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Normal league rules apply for selection.

[dammit_chris]

Manager – Dammit Chris

01. Sebastien Taofifenua	09. Bryn Hall
02 Mike Haywood.	10.George Ford (c)(k)
03.Henry Thomas
04.Joe Launchbury	11. Christian Wade
05. James Craig	12. Ashley Beck
06.Jackson Wray	13. Tomassi Benvenuti
07.Liam Gill	14. Elliot Daly
08. Sam Cane	15. Jack Wallace

16. Motu Matu'u 17. Danny Herriot 18.Mako Vunipola 19. Tom Hicks 20. Ben Nutley 21.Alex Day 22.Tyler Bleyendall 23. Jamie Elliot

Tactics

Fast attacking game controlled by Ford and hoping that the referee doesnt realise that a few over aged players have been sneaked in because I couldnt remember the names of some of the academy players!

[Guest]

Not sure I fancy it luke. May hold up in a bar instead

[LukeLovesLuka]

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Sarel Pretorius
02. Tom Youngs	10. Kurtley Beale
03. Brian Mujati
04. Nathan Hines (c)	11. Ugo Monye
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. Francois Louw	13. Rene Ranger
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Dom Shipperley
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Clement Poitrenaud

16. Jared Saunders 17. Sebastian Bruno 18. Dan Cole 19. Simon Shaw 20. Jordan Crane 21. Micky Young 22. Rory Clegg 23. Josh Matavesi

[stnick88]

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Matt Stevens	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Elton Jantjies
03. WP Nel
04. Matt Garvey	11. Marland Yarde
05. Johann Muller	12. Luke McAllister
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Hendrie Fourie	14. Sailosi Tagicakibau
08. Keegan Daniel	15. Delon Armitage

16. Grant Shiells 17. James Buckland 18. Martin Castrogiovanni 19. Nick Kennedy 20. David Sisi 21. Neil De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Max Evans

['Arry Spurs]

Anyone fancy a friendly against me?

[Ozzy3213]

Arry, if nobody else wants a game, then I will put out a side against you as my game with Saints is an academy match.

Will leave it for a bit though to see if anyone else wants a game against you.

['Arry Spurs]

Ok cheers mate, sounds good to me.

[Ozzy3213]

Arry, as nobody else has said they want a game, lets do it. Any restrictions you want on players or just stick out your best XV? Also do you have any preference for where the game is played?

['Arry Spurs]

Stick out best XV's.

I'd like it played at Loftus Versfeld if that's ok with you mate?

[Ozzy3213]

Loftus it is. All my Saffas should feel right at home

['Arry Spurs]

Haha we'll see!

One of my favourite grounds in rugby.

['Arry Spurs]

Also, should we do 10 EQ or just try and put our best 23 out?

[Ozzy3213]

Just go best XV if you want mate, it's just a bit of fun.

['Arry Spurs]

Ok mate, nice one

['Arry Spurs]

London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Luke Burgess
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Steve Mafi	13. George Pisi
07. Beau Robinson	14. Matt Banahan
08. Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Nick Phipps 22. Stephen Jones 23. Joe Ansboro

[Ozzy3213]

London Wasps
Manager – ‘Arry

01. Benn Robinson (c)	09. Luke Burgess
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Dan Bowden (k)
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Dan Tuohy	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Steve Mafi	13. George Pisi [/td Nick Easter	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. James Slipper 18. CJ Van Der Linde 19. Samu Manoa 20. Rocky Elsom 21. Nick Phipps 22. Stephen Jones 23. Joe Ansboro

You going without an openside and right wing then mate?

['Arry Spurs]

Haha yeah it's only friendly

Nah there was an error in my copying and pasting skills!

[dammit_chris]

Pete how are you going to be in Hong Kong and SA at the same time...dedication to the cause!

Will get my team up in a bit, just off for my first attempt at surfing!

[Ozzy3213]

Read my press release, I'll be in South Africa mate

[Driver]

You must have two lambies!

[Ozzy3213]

No idea what you are talking about driver

[Steven_Sharks]

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

On a lovely day for running rugby Harlequins have named what they consider to be one of the most exciting teams which could be found on the planet. With the urge to run the ball all day long they are looking to play an entertaining brand of rugby and score some tries.

01. Joe Marler	09. Lee Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Jerome Thion	11. Andre Taylor
05. James Gaskell	12. Florian Fritz
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Sam Warburton	14. Taku Ngwenya
08. Dave Denton	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ben Franks 19. George Kruis 20. Michael Hooper 21. Karl Dickson 22. Chris Feautai Sautia 23. George Lowe

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[Sgt_Pooly]

People wanting predos on these??

[Ozzy3213]

Aye

[Sgt_Pooly]

That should be fun, I don't know who half these players are...

[Sgt_Pooly]

I'll have a look this afternoon, got a flyer from work

I'll just give feedback on combo's and and a score

[Sgt_Pooly]

SARACENS 21-26 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Pack - Seen little of the Sarries TH and engine room, similar with Saints LH. Toloufu is a great carrier but raw in the lineout so have to give lineout edge to Saints although I think Sarries would edge scrum. Not much in backrows but better balance for Sarries and will edge here.

Backs - Don't know much of the 9's but prefer Ford at 10 and would have better game in conditions. Similar in the centres with Saints having a little more flair and running. Unsure of Sarries back 3 and Saints a good unit. Not sure of many subs.

Overall - More threat in Saints backline ball in hand and I know more players for them so a cheeky win.

[Sgt_Pooly]

IRISH 16-14 LEICESTER

Pack - More of a scummaging unit for Tigers and they'll get nudge on here, not much in the hookers with two good young prospects. Two good engine rooms and both have bought well. Little edge for Tigers with Hines a step above Garvey but Muller just shades Hargreaves (although I'm sure playing in prem will see Hargreaves rating rocket). Good dbalance in the backrows, I like SOB at 8 (his best pos imo) and not much in the conflicts.

Backs - Contrast in styles in half backs and centres. Think Tigers have some real attacking threat in Pretorious & Beale. I like both midfields, can see this working for Tigers in the good conditions and similar for Irish this would be a great winter combo with Mc's kicking and Big Bast offering line breaking. Not a massive amount in back 3's with two good attacking units in good form.

Overall - Really tight this one with two very equal teams. No conditions stated so have to think they're pretty poor as in Wales (strong winds/rain) and this gives Irish a little edge I think with stacks of kicking options although Tigers will get joy in scrum.

[Sgt_Pooly]

SARACENS 28-24 WASPS

Pack - Think Sarries would edge scrum with a stronger unit although lineout will be tight with good options for both, Wasps esp and Wasps offer a little more around the park in the engine room. Good backrow battle although Sarries edge player for player and as a unit.

Backs - Prefer the Wasps halfbacks in this one, 2 strong centre combo's though. Roberts/Nonu not much in it but think JD gives Sarries a little more than Pisi although good combo's. More on the wings for Sarries, not sure of Fitz at FB but a lot of threat for Pete. Good balance for Arry but in need of a little bit of extra class I think.

Overall - Another tight one but Sarries look strong with a good backrow unit and enough in the backs to see the game off.

[SirJohnnyEnglish]

Saracens 30-27 Saints

Lot of power in the young Sarries front 5 and they will edge the scrum but the lineout suffers due to Tolofua’s wobbles. More from the Sarries back row in carrying terms but Saints can see a few turnovers. Don’t know much of either 9. Ford will get his backs into it more but Farrell more solid defensively and has Lambie to help him with the back play. 1 apiece in midfield with Beck edging 12 on current form in the position but Taute edges 13. Don’t know anything of the Sarries back 3 and Saints edge it here. Good game but Sarries edge the pack overall and have enough in the backs to seal the win.

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Irish 23-27 Tigers

Tigers with a distinct edge at the scrum in this one for me. Neither hooker 100% reliable with his darts but Irish have a few more jumping options. Good scrap at the breakdown but more form for the Tigers back row and more carrying wise. Tigers edge the halfbacks with a great attacking unit. Irish with a little bit more in midfield. Hard running from Big Bast could cause the Tigers pair problems on defence. Two good back threes on show. Tigers should see a bit more ball to see this one through.

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Saracens 28-24 Wasps

Not much in the front 5 battle and neither side get any advantage here but Sarries edge the back row battle man for man and get a real edge here. Prefer the Sarries halfbacks who are capable of opening up any defence. No out and out kicker an issue for Sarries though. Battle at 12 is fairly even with not a lot of form for either currently but Sarries edge the 13 and wings. Not sure on Fitzy at 15 defensively but coming forward will be dangerous. Sarries have the halfbacks to take advantage of good ball and open Wasps up for the win.

[Driver]

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – stnick88

01.Brett Sturgess	09.Lloyd Williams
02.Chris Whitehead	10.Butch James
03.Craig Mitchell
04.Dean Schofield	11.Tim Visser
05.James Hudson	12.James Downey
06.Rhys Ruddock	13.Darren Cave
07.Phil Dowsen	14.Harry Robinson
08.Rapheal Lakafia	15. Ben Smith

16.Hika Elliot 17.Efion Lewis-Roberts 18.Ben Tameifuna 19.Tim Swinson 20.Luke Narraway 21.Haydn Thomas 22.Tom Catterick 23.Matt Smith

[Sgt_Pooly]

EXETER 29-31 HARLEQUINS

Pack - Think Exeter will get nudge on in scrum although the Quins front 3 is great around the park. Prefer the Exeter engine room as a unit but see lineout pretty equal. Fantastic backrow from Quins, has a bit of everything. Really like Exeter unit too but Quins have little more class.

Backs - Nothing in the 9's but Cooper even not fully firing has a little more than Butch. Quins midfield looks a bit unbalanced with two 13's in centre and can see Exeter getting some joy here. Love Taylor but better at FB for me, nice unit for Exeter and nothing in back 3's.

Overall - Bit more for Quins in the conditions in a good game

[Steven_Sharks]

I know you have issues with Dickson Pooly but he is considerably better than Lloyd Williams for my money.

Saracens 27 - 30 Saints

Some of the best youngsters in the world on show. I marginally prefer the Saints front 5. back rows a lot closer with a marginal edge to Saracens. Across the backline it is evens for me.

Players I wouldn't see as weaknesses in a full side are

Saracens: Tolafua, Kolisi, Wallace, Farrell, Lambie and Taute

Saints: Launchbury. Gill, Cane, Ford, Beck, Benvanutti, Wade and Daly.

London Irish 22 - 19 Leicester Tigers

I would consider both hookers to be weaknesses in full sides. I love the balance of the Irish locks and think that is a brilliant combo. Not sure how the Irish half back combo would work. Yarde a weakness among the Irish outside backs.

I am unconvinced by Sarel Pretorious as a 9 and think that Ranger is better suited as a winger. Beale is good as a 10 in the dry and would prefer SOB on one of the flanks.

Saracens 28 - 25 Wasps

I like the experience in the Saracens pack and think it has an excellent balance to it particularly in the back row where there are two brilliant tacklers. I worry that Saracens halfbacks might lack a bit of control between them and I think 12 who could play as 10 would accompany the half backs well. Centres brilliant and a nice zip to the back 3.

Wasps might lack a little bit in the lineout with no obvious leader there for me. Pack isn't as strong as Saracens but is by no means weak. I prefer Bowden at 12 but with that centre combo he is the ideal man to put them into spaces. A nice EQ back 3.

I am going to give driver a bit of feedback on his team whilst I'm here.

Front row for me could be got at by the majority of sides full strength front rowers. I like the balance of the back 5 of your scrum. Half backs for me are weak. Butch is up and down and Lloyd Williams a very raw talent and wouldn't be a weakness with ROG outside him. Outside backs are excellent. Great finishers out wide and the battering ram and craft in the midfield is a nice combo.

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