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Fantasy Aviva Premiership Current League Table

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Waiting List
1. pullthestrings
2. Bathite

Welcome to Season 5 of the Aviva Premiership fantasty rugby game. Below are the rules of the game which must be adhered to. If there are any situations that arise in the course of the game which are not covered by the rules, a final decision will be made by the RFU (Ozzy3213) as to how the situation will be resolved.

Senior Squads wrote:
The maximum squad size is 40 senior players. If a team has more than 40 players in their squad then they will be fined £1 million per player over the permitted amounts per day for the first seven days. If after 7 consecutive days a team still has more than the permitted number of players then the team will be fined £2 million per player per day, and fined 1 league point per player per day for the next seven days. If after this time a team still has more than the permitted number of players in their squad, the RFU (me) will remove players at it’s discretion to bring them back under the permitted numbers. There will be no right of appeal to players being removed.

Be aware that all tier one international matches which are played during the season will count in the game, and players selected in the matchday 22's for those matches will not be eligible to play for their clubs on that weekend, therefore you must give due consideration to the make up of your squad.

Academy Rules wrote:
Each team will be allowed to have a listed senior academy squad of 20 players. Players who are in the senior academy must be under 22 years of age as of 1st September 2012 (therefore must have been born on or after 1st Septmber 1990). Players who are under the age of 20 (so born after 1st September 1992) AND are in the academy of the club that you are managing in real life, DO NOT need to be listed as senior academy players as part of your 20, but are available to you in this game and cannot be poached by other clubs without paying you a fee.

Should a player not listed in your 20 senior academy players, but part of the clubs academy in real life move clubs in real life, then you will have first option of promoting him to your listed senior academy. If you choose not to take this option he will become property of the club that he moves to in real life in this game.

Transfers wrote:

• Domestic (other AP Teams)
  Each team has a budget to use in the purchase of players. Domestic transfers between AP clubs, regardless of nationality of player, should be negotiated between the respective managers, and then confirmed on the Domestic Transfer Confirmation Page.
  
  
• Domestic (Championship and below)
  Each team may during the season purchase no more than 3 players from the Championship or the National Leagues. These players must be bid for on the Championship/National League bidding page, and each bid will be considered by me on it's own merits before being accepted or rejected. No bid will be accepted until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed from the time the bid was made, in order to afford other managers the opportunity to make a counter bid.
  
  
• Foreign
  To make a foreign transfer (i.e from any club outside of the AP, regardless of whether the player is English) a bid should be made on the Foreign Transfers Page, which will be considered by me against the posted guidelines for purchase prices before being accepted or rejected. No bid will be accepted until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed from the time the bid was made, in order to afford other managers the opportunity to make a counter bid.
  
  Foreign transfers will unlimited during the off season and 2 during the season. The exact dates of the two transfer windows during the season is to be confirmed.
  

Player Releases wrote:
Managers may choose to release players from their clubs, for which they will be offered compensation

Compensation will be paid as follows

£2 million – current international (must have played international rugby in the previous 12 months)
£1.5 million – former international
£1m – top flight experience
£0.5m – other

If a released player plays in real life for a team outside of this game he will be deemed to have returned to that team. If not then he will be deemed to have signed for a Championship side. If another manager wants to pick a released player up, they will have to bid for him in the same way as for a foreign or Championship/National League player.

Retirements wrote:
There will be no compensation for retiring players. Should a player who retires decide to come out of retirement and play again, then he will automatically go back to the club who he was playing for in the game when he retired.

Fixtures wrote:
There will be 22 Aviva Premiership games per season, plus the play offs. There will also be Heineken Cup, Amlin Challenge Cup and Anglo Welsh Cup matches. These games will take place once a week. A thread will be put up for managers to name their teams on Thursdays, then on Fridays, managers will post the scores that they think will happen from these games (apart from games in which they are involved). An average of all predictions will be taken, and then 0.5 points added to each teams score for each prediction that had them as the winner, and that will then be the final score.

Teams wrote:
When naming your team, not only should you put the starting XV and replacements, but also tactics that your team will employ. Results will be affected by the tactics described.

In addition, each team must have the following:-

At least 10 England qualified players in your matchday 23, and at least 5 of those must be in your starting XV.

At least 2 props and 1 hooker on the bench.

All players must be eligible (not injured or banned).

If you fail to submit a team for a match, then the other team will be automatically awarded a 30-0 bonus point win. If both teams fail to submit a team, then it will be scored as a 0-0 draw.

Injuries and Suspensions wrote:
Injuries in this game do NOT reflect real life, they will be generated by me.

Players banned in real life will be ineligible for selection in this game for the duration of the ban.

Inclusion of injured/banned players will result in them being replaced by players on the bench, and the bench not having eight players, which may result in punishment if it concerns the front-row.

Punishment for fielding an ineligible player will be loss of one match point for a first offence, two for a second offence and so on.

Financial Rewards wrote:
There will be no rewards for the result of an individual match, instead the managers will receive cash for predicting.

£1.5m for descriptive predictions
£0.25m for scores on the doors predictions
If you fail to predict without first advising me that you are unable to do so that week, you will be fined £1m for a first offence, £2m for a second offence, £3m for a third offence etc.

AP finishing positions.

Champions: 8m
Runners Up: 6m
Playoff Semi Finalist Losers: 5m
5th: 4m
6th: 3.5m
7th: 3m
8th: 2.5m
9th: 2m
10th: 1.5m
11th: 1m
12th: 0.5m

Heineken Cup

Losing Quarter Finalists - £2 million each
Losing Semi Finalists - £3 million each
Runners Up - £4 million
Champions - £5 million

Amlin Challenge Cup

Losing Quarter Finalists - £1 million each
Losing Semi Finalists - £2 million each
Runners Up - £3 million
Champions - £4 million

Anglo-Welsh Cup

Losing Semi Finalisst - £1 million each
Runners Up - £2 million
Champions - £3 million


If your budgets falls below minus £10 million for any reason, the administrators (ozzy3213) will step in and players from within your squad will be released for the relevant financial compensation in order to bring your budget back above minus £10 million.

Top 14 is a dire comp. So boring

When it comes to knock outs its time to turn off

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9321693/South-Africa-v-England-how-the-players-rated.html

Very harsh on Marler. Would never have given him a 4. Quite harsh on Youngs as well

Mike Brown: Sound under the high ball but never allowed to get his attacking game going. 6
Chris Ashton: Like Habana, one of the few players who looked capable of relieving the tedium. 7
Manu Tuilagi: Stunning early try-saving tackle on Spies and a gargantuan physical presence. Best game for some time. 8
Brad Barritt: Never remotely at the party. Needs to find more at this level. 4
Ben Foden: One wonderful run from a restart and a sensational try to finish. Just wish he had more ball to play with. 7
Owen Farrell: Kicked away turnover ball and had an unsatisfactory night ball-in-hand. 4
Ben Youngs: Kicked too long and too often early in the match. Is better when he interests defences. 5
Joe Marler: Stuck at it in the scrummage but hardly saw him in open play. 4
Dylan Hartley: A couple of runs in the first half but faded against a heavy duty Bok pack. 5
Dan Cole: Had his work cut out in an England pack which eventually was well beaten by South Africa. 5
Mouritz Botha: Part of a lineout which held its own which against South Africa is a decent effort. 6
Geoff Parling: Echoes of Steve Borthwick in that he rarely makes good yardage on the rumble. 5
Tom Johnson: Effective for the first half hour but then the energy seemed to go from his legs. 6
Chris Robshaw: Forced some early turnovers and was invariably at the heart of the action. 7
Ben Morgan: Two big runs but he does have large patches where he is virtually anonymous. 4

Ah you beat me to it Steven!

Few harsh scores, but he makes the right comments about the players. Agree with his comments about Barritt, though a 4 is very tough on him - you can't just be a good tackler at this level.

We just got out muscled and bullied in the second half - personally thought Hartley and Johnson had good games - Hartley lineout throwing top rate, and did a lot at the breakdown.

Ben Morgan looked very unfit today - he needs to do what ALberts was doing - really think Haskell could help him with the carrying duties though.

Awful ratings. Would have no England player below 6, it was a big effort and nobody was that bad. Even Farrell who struggled in attack was a rock in defence.

Tuilagi at 8 is baffling, I suspect whoever wrote this know little about rugby as he only seems to rate on offensive efforts.

I don't know how you can knock Barritt for being nothing more than a tackler then praise Farrell who just makes tackles and kicks goals

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_7803840,00.html

These much better.

Actually looks like they watched the game Steve:

15 Mike Brown - He did not let Stuart Lancaster down. Solid under the high ball and did his usual hard graft in attack in a performance that will make it hard for coach Stuart Lancaster to change the back-three next week in Johannesburg. 8/10.

14 Chris Ashton - Could not convert his scoring exploits of last week to Durban. He did put in a shift though and came close to getting over the whitewash when he broke through but Francois Hougaard hauled him to ground. 7/10.

13 Manu Tuilagi - Question marks were raised about his form going on tour but Tuilagi silenced the doubters on several occasions with strong carries. Jean de Villiers was bumped more often than not, with Tuilagi hoping to build on this. 7/10.

12 Brad Barritt - It was not a happy return to Durban for Barritt as he was forced to leave the action after suffering a heavy knock to his eye. Before that he was solid enough. 6/10.

11 Ben Foden - Not a bad effort despite being out of position. Foden finished superbly in the 80th minute for England's only try of the night and kept JP Pietersen quiet throughout. 7/10.

10 Owen Farrell - England may bring in Toby Flood at fly-half next weekend as a few poor options and a lack of spark saw the visitors fall away in the second 40 minutes. 6/10.

9 Ben Youngs - Was much better in the first-half than in the second at Kings Park. However, much of that was to do with which forward pack was in the ascendancy. Replaced by Lee Dickson late on but definitely did enough to retain his place next week in Jo'burg. 7/10.

8 Ben Morgan - Was on hand to make a clean break after good work from Johnson but like so many of his team-mates, struggled to back up a strong first-half in the second. 6/10.

7 Chris Robshaw - A turnover machine early on and put in a good shift in defence. 8/10.

6 Tom Johnson - A very good debut in all honesty. Johnson would have had his Exeter team-mates and coaching staff feeling proud after a good performance to open up his England account. He will hopefully improve from the testing debut experience. 7/10.

5 Geoff Parling - It was a typical Parling effort. Exceptional at the line-out while he showed plenty of effort in the loose. In reflection it was pretty much honours even in the lock department. 7/10.

4 Mouritz Botha - Carried well early on but seemed to taper off in the second-half. 6/10.

3 Dan Cole - The Leicester Tiger was excellent and kept Tendai Mtawarira relatively quiet throughout. He is growing into a top international tighthead prop and still has plenty of years left in the tank. Cole will be looking forward to Round Two next week. 8/10.

2 Dylan Hartley - It was expected that Hartley may struggle to contain his temper against the power of Bismarck du Plessis but credit to him he kept pretty cool throughout. However, the Saints hooker did not offer enough carries and grunt. 5/10.

1 Joe Marler - Solid enough on debut and made a good steal close to his own line. Much to take from his first appearance in the jersey and he will be better for it. 6/10.

Looking through them again I would say they are pretty much what I'd give. I'd give Barritt a 5 though and would give Foden and 8.

Barritt was no way worse than Farrell & Morgan! Lol

I think they're pretty fair actually, good reflection of the game.

Irish scores would make interesting reading....

Think the forwards get too highly marked there, as they are pretty much getting marks for their defensive display - we got bullied out of it big time - dont think we get enough grunt from second row at scrum time, would love to have Lawes back, he's really good scrummager.

Do think we need to sort out our 10-12 pretty quick smart, as most of the team picks itself after that.

Is Lawes a good scrummager?

Watched an episode of the rugby club that went into detail about how much power Lawes adds to the Saints scrum - they've struggled in his absence there, so would say yes he is.

I've never heard that before, heard it with Deacon, Bakkies, Thorn etc. Its usually the big lumps at 4 who add to a scrum on the TH side

Seen it mentioned quite a few times - guessing someone as big as Lawes would add a lot of power to a scrum.

I think he actually weighs less than Botha, although weight isn't always proportional to power.

O'Callaghan is meant to a monster in the scrum , well was.

I hope Lawes comes back good next season and avoids injury, think he's potentially very important for England's development, as he's the kind of modern day enforcer we need.

Has O'Callaghan retired Driver?

Lawes has struggled for a while, fitness and form. Big season for him next one. I do like him though, but not sure lock is his best position

Nope but he might as well have.

yawn

What's up with you?

Just the DOC might as well have retired comment. He played against the AB's this morning and is still a very important player for Munster. He isn't the player he was but suggesting he should retire is rubbish.

Defending my player basically in a very laboured way.

DOC was 3rd choice for Munster by the end of the season so wouldnt say hes a very important player and wouldnt have made the bench today if POC was fit. Think his demise is overhyped a bit he is still capable of putting a shift in but has just been overtaken now by younger players. Happens to everyone eventually (except Brad Thorn!!)

I think he offers an important foil for Munster, with Ryan and POC who are both better players, neither is a 4. Think he still got some years left, is only 33.

He will face a lot of competition next year from DOCv2 and Nagle with Penny in as coach. Be an interesting year at Munster a lot of decent young talent to be brought through there

I've always quite liked DOC as a player, funny guy too. I know Matt hates him with a passion

DOC is a character on the Lions tours. I think he is the sort of guy I need next to Pyle, Gaskell and Kruis. Need experience in the 2nd row.

Overall sentiments on game yesterday was we are not good enough.marler will improve on that. Robshaw was fantastic yesterday and Morgan did what I always say about him in that he flits in and Out and is not fit enough but is a great option.

Barritt is not an international and is there for damage limitation.

Our locks offer zero around pitch carrying and it's a huge issue.

We lack leadership at 9 and 10 and youngs kicking was poor. I would give him a 5 and Farrell the same.

Care or Dickson to start and possibly flood also

Agree with you on all points there Mat, think I said the same yesterday.

Robshaw has really stepped up to this level, never thought he would get as good as he has done and continues to improve and grow in each game.

Do think we ballsed up our kick chase game yesterday, but I don't think any of our back three knew where a kick was going to end up, as our tactical kicking was so bad - but it has been for years.

Going to be brutal playing them at altitude...

I think our front 5 on a whole offer very little in in carrying which is a problem.

I never expected our
Scrum to get butchered. Coonie really upped the ante. He would walk in
To most international sides and really should start


Locks need to carry and hit rucks we have 2 who do not do these things that effectively. Palmer was class yesterday and offers much more than any of our locks.

Tj was mixed bag , put in some hits and also missed a few

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/mobile/rugby-union/18380393

Coonie looked troubled at TH I thought but better at LH, PDJ showed he was poor on LH side again and shouldn't be bench as Cole tends to last.

I thought both locks went well personally, Palmer is good from the bench though and adds impact.

Pdj Is a th not dual sides. Stevens best bench option. Next week will be tough at altitude.

23 bench will be better for us with Marler/PDJ.

Only going to get tougher. Need to stop the kicking.

Is 23 bench coming to international rugby ??

Think so Matt, possibly 4N but may be wrong

Pete whats the deal with bids which have been there over 24 hours then someone then bids on that player?

Is an acceptable bid after 24 hours mean the player is yours or is that just bad luck on the person who has bid

Steve have removed my bid

Thanks but you don't have to. I am just curious about the rule.

Anybody see Delve being called up to the Wales squad for Faletau who is injured.

Faletau really hasn't kicked on in 2012.

Still a young lad, suffering a bit of second season syndrome I think.

Make no mistake he is still playing well, but after his first season I thought he would be the standout 8 in the Home nations but development has stalled.

Still could be one of the greats

Young enough to learn and come back strong. Think flanker may suit him better as he is not a footballing 8

Yea fair comment that Steve, he really burst on the scene and looked to have the full package. At 21 he's still learning the game, he's been decent but not great which he was in the WC.

He has played better for Newport than he has Wales. Looks a cut above at regional level.

The battle for the Lions 8 spot will be fascinating. Denton, Morgan, Heaslip and Faletau all have a case for starting. it will be an excellent side story during next season.

On form would have Denton. Very impressive player

True.

But on form you might take Rennie over Warbs.

A lot will depend on the coach. Is Gatland confirmed yet