Aviva Premiership Round Four

First topic message reminder :

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

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Exeter Chiefs v Saracens
Location - Sandy Park
-Sunny, 15 Degrees, 9mph Winds

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Exeter Chiefs

Manager – Luke

01. Brett Sturgess	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Loius Deacon	11. Paul Sackey
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Sireli Naqelevuki
06. Steve Mafi	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Matt Jess
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Ben Moon 17. Neil Clark 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Hanks 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ignacio Mieres 23. Luke Arscott

Tactics

We will play a structured game built around our massive ball carriers, the strength of our set piece and getting our lightning backline into space.

- Attack the scrum as a weapon - and call when we can. Look to really get the shove on.

- Use Wilkinson's boot to attack our strong lineout with Horwill, Joubert, Mafi and Deacon all massive jumpers. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Massive line-breakers right throughout the side that will look to tire down the opposition defence. We will use our big carriers consistently to tire down the opposition.
The likes of Afoa, Mafi, Armitage, Horwill, Joubert and Naqelevuki used off the shoulder crashing through the opposition defence.

- Armitage is the man charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off turnover ball.

- Box kicks from Peel and up and unders from Wilkinson to give the opposition problems in the air.
Lightning back line to really get the chase on.

- Look to play attacking rugby in the backs, getting the likes of Kahui and Nacewa on the ball when we can.

- 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.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalites.

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Saracens

Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Morgan Parra (k.)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Ollie Kohn	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Anthony Allen
06. Will Fraser	13. Chris Wyles
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Leigh Halfpenny
08. Kelly Brown (c.)	15. Alex Goode

16. Matt Mullan 17. Harry Allen 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Joe Robinson 22. Ben Spencer 23. Sam Smith


Tactics

Sub coverage- Fraser covers 7, Brown 6 (Vunipola to 8), Robinson 5 and 6, Goode 10 and 12 (halfpenny to 15), Goneva 13.

Main plan this week is to target the breakdown. Poff and Fraser are adept on the floor so they will double up to get to and slow down/secure ball whilst Brown and Ryan hit the rucks and clear them out. As ever, keep slow ball tight, either with picks in groups of 3 relying on the props and second row to do some carrying, or by passing to Hodgson who will have Brown or Botha on his shoulder for the pop crash ball. . It's sunny today so let's kick as little as we need to. If they kick at us, run it back if it's on, the back 3 are excellent at that. Quick ball will be spread wide and this week we will treat Wyles as a centre in the Antipodean manner - an extra outside back. 11, 13 and 14 all to run support lines off Allen so if he breaks the line off Charlie's flat passes they can support and finish the move. If not they will be ready for his pass or the miss from 10. Goode to join the line between 12 and 13 as a pivot in set plays. If Allen is tackled pre pass, Brown to secure ball and Parra to instantly recycle to the out backs.


- defence- blitz, led by Allen. I want Fraser in Peel's face and Brown to cover blindside as this plays to their strengths.

- scrum- we have a tasty front row and bulk from Kohn so let's try and get a drive on. Use back row blindside moves if we get momentum.

- lineout- called by Ryan, jumpers Inc Ryan, Fraser and Brown. Mark Mafi on their throw. Use short throw to Mako at the front when near their line, support with Brits rolling in. Sometime use Brown as dummy half here.

- take points at goal. If it's close, don't forget drop goals. Use mauls In the first half and Sub on a whole new pack if we tire. Both their centres are wingers so I'd like Allen to really test their positioning

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Gloucester v London Wasps
Location - Kingsholm
-Sunny, 14 Degrees, 9mph Winds

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Gloucester

Manager – prop_lyd

01. Nick Wood	09. Dan Robson
02. Darren Dawiduk	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Alex Brown	11. JSD
05. Jim Hamilton	12. EFS
06. Alisdair Strokosch	13. Jamie Roberts
07. Akapusi Qera	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Luke Narraway (c)	15. Johnny May

16. Scott Lawson 17. Dan Murphy 18. Rupert Harden 19. Tom Savage 20.JVN 21. Dimitri Yachvilli 22. Mike Tindall 23. Iain Balshaw


Tactics

We are aiming to hit the ground running this season with a new and exciting brand of confrontational forwards with pace and flair in the backs. Wood and Hamilton will lead the side from the front. Our game will want to get the ball to a set of backs who can make a lot of inroads. And our back row will get a lot of turnover ball. We know Wasps will be trying to impress their new coach but we are providing a baptism of fire here and forcing players who won't know each other into making mistakes, attractive rugby is the aim in good conditions.



Forwards

*Experienced front row who will look to dominate the set piece and Jones will be the anchor, we will go up on Jones' side and won't go backwards....we go up, forward and down but not backwards.

*2nd rows are two strong players who will look to control the lineout and to put pressure on their back 5 in the scrum with confrontational play we will target the Wasps lineout keeping Wentzel quiet.

*Backrow are breakdown specialists with Strokosch and Qera both terrorising here and Narraway providing brute strength off the back of the scrum and off the backs, again the bench provides more go forward with JVN.



Backs

* Robson to snipe when space but to release Burns and EFS when possible, he will go for goal when in range,

* EFS to be the playmaker for Roberts who will have a winger on his shoulder at all times and also look for Narraway to break through the defence,

* Exciting backs here who will link well and look to constantly run at and through the Wasps defence,

* A fast back 3 here who will always look for work and are strong in defence and under the high ball.We will look to target the Wasps players making their debuts who won't be used to one another.



Defence

*EFS to lead this,

*Strokosch/Qera to be on 10’s shoulder looking to wrap the ball up,

*Contest at the breakdown and all set piece.

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London Wasps

Manager – GeordieFalcon

01.Tim Payne	09.Danny Care
02.George Chuter	10. Morne Steyn
03.Nicholas Mas
04.George Skivington	11.Mark Cueto
05. Marco Wentzel	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06.Thierry Dusautoir	13. Jacque Fourie
07.Julien Salvi	14. Ugo Monye
08.Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

16. Matt Stevens 17. Chris Brooker 18. Jeremy Castez 19.Micky Young 20. Jeremy Castez 21. Joe Ansbro 22. Ben Broster 23. Tom Varndnell
Tactics

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Leicester Tigers v Harlequins
Location - Welford Road
-Sunny, 13 Degrees, 2mph Wind

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Leicester Tigers

Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismark du Plessis	10. Toby Flood
03. Dan Cole
04. Richie Gray	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. James O’Connor
06. Maurie Fa'asalavu	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Sam Warburton(c)	14. Christian Wade
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Rob Kearney

16. Tom Youngs 17. Martin Castrogiovani 18. Luke Cowen-Dickie 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Tom Croft 21. Karl Dickson 22. George Ford 23. Jordan Turner-Hall

Tactics

We will base our game around high tempo, high intensity rugby. We’ll look to use the set piece as a foundation to work from and turn the screw on the opposition if a weakness is seen. We’ll look for big carries from our pack to give us go forward ball which Youngs thrives upon.

We’ll look to target the lineout throughout with 5 top draw options. Croft, Parling and Gray will look to mark the front, middle and back and put intense pressure on throughout the game.

Flood/JOC will dictate tempo and look to get Manu running angles to either punch holes in the opposition midfield or draw the decoy and allow our back 3 into the game.

When the 3 is on in front of the posts we’ll take and the captain will make the call on set piece if an advantage is seen.



- Turn screw in set piece if weakness seen
- High intensity & keep the ball alive
- Youngs to attack the gaps and allow Flood time to hit the line
- Manu to be used as crash and decoy with back 3 coming into the line
- Target lineout with world class operators
- Warburton/Fasa to marshal breakdown and slow/turnover opp ball

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Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Alex Corbisero	09.Richard Wrigglesworth
02.John Smith	10.Owen Farrell (K)
03.James Johnstone
04.Mauritz Botha	11.George North
05.Alistair Hargreaves	12.Wesley Fofana
06.Chris Robshaw(c)	13.Adam Ashley-Cooper
07.Hienrich Brussouw	14.Jared Payne
08.Willem Alberts	15.Nick Abendanon

16.Joe Grey 17.Mark Lambert 18.Chris Budgen 19.Eben Etzebeth 20.Jon Fisher 21.Luke Burgess 22.Tom Heathcote 23.Ollie Lindsey Hague

In fine rugby playing conditions Quins will look to play the game at a high tempo shift the ball wide and keeping a high intensity through out. We have gone for a physical front 5 to allow us to gain a solid attacking platform to allow our backs to come into the game. A powerful scrummaging front row will really see us attack the Tigers front row and look to separate the tighthead from the rest of his front row with Smit focusing his hit more on the 3 and test his patience. Robshaw will look to get around the field linking play up , offloading and hitting rucks whilst Newby will play his strengths and get through plenty of graft in the tight and carry from the base with Brussouw targetting the breakdown to steal ball. North , Payne and Bendy to come into the line and look for the ball in gaps and counter any kicks with interest.


Farrell to use his wide range of kicking skills to stretch the Tigers defense and put the ball in behind the wingers with plenty of pressure from a on rushing Quins chase

Blitz defense putting pressure on the Tigers back line using line speed and keeping disciplined with our penalty count , Wrigga to sweep behind and cover any kicks through and line breaks

Hargreaves to put pressure on the Tigers lineout with jumpers throughout our pack from 4-8.

Impact players on the bench Etzebeth , Burguss , Grey all capable of keeping the tempo up and not letting tigers rest.

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London Irish v Bath
Location - Madejski Stadium
-Sunny, 15 Degrees, 6mph Winds

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London Irish

Manager – Pullthestrings

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Joe Simpson
02. James Buckland	10. Brock James
03. Euan Murray
04. Tom Palmer	11. Tom Homer (k)
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Daniel Bowden
06. Declan Danaher	13. Regan King
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Sailosi Tagicakibau
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Herring, 17. Max Lahiff, 18. Leo Halavatau, 19. Simon Shaw, 20. Tom Guest, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Aurelien Rougerie, 23. Alesana Tuilagi

Tactics
- Conditions are ripe for running rugby today, so we'll really have a go at Bath and play what we see.

- Be solid at the set piece to create a decent platform to attack from. We have big players on the bench to ensure we keep solid for the full game.

- Look to really gain confidence and stability at scrum time. Quick ball to James if we're stable, Harinordoquy to pick and go if it's messy

- In the lineout, we'll dominate. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack, leaving more space out wide. Compete for their ball.

- Play in their half initially. Look for territory and target their back three. When the game opens up a bit, we'll go from anyway if it's on.

- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Pocock staying strong on his feet. When they arise, lets use them to our advantage. If the back three are sparse, look to kick for territory. If there are mis-matches, lets have a go.

- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.

- Simpson to keep the tempo high, getting the ball quickly away from the breakdown and releasing the backs. The back three to be hungry and look to get involved.

- Use the piston system Irish have developed so well. Big runners off James to give us real go forward, inside and outside runs.

- For slow ball, look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. This will give more time to the backs.

- Key emphasis on defence in midfield, looking for the big tackles in there is the opportunity. Rush up fast and close down their space, forcing errors and turnovers where they'll be mismatched.

- Homer to go for points at every opportunity.We can have a pop from anywhere in their half. Make them scared to give away penalties in their half, thus giving us more time at the breakdown.

- Bench is full of impact players to keep the intensity high and have a run at Baths tired legs.

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Bath Rugby

Manager – Bathite

01. C.Healy	09. M.Classens (c)
02. L.Mears	10. J.Hook
03. A.Perenise
04. J.Muller	11. K.Eastmond
05. D.Attwood	12. M.Banahan
06. S.O'Brien	13. C.Laulala
07. F.Louw	14. T.Biggs
08. C.Fearns	15. R.Chisholm

16. K.P-Newport 17. C.Tolufua 18. N.Catt 19. R.Caldwell 20. M.Lund 21. C.Cook 22. S.Donald 23. O.Woodburn

TACTICS TBC

General
- We want to make sure that we play rugby in the opposition half and force handling errors, where we can attack the scrum. Use the physicality of our pack to our advantage, keeping the ball tight in the middle section of the pitch to retain possession and build a platform to attack from. In our third clear to touch and challenge for the ball at lineout.
- With slow ball, use Banahan on the switch off Hook to tie up and fix defenders, looking to get Laulala and Hook half a yard
- Hook to ensure we play sensible rugby in the right areas, kicking long for touch in our 22, using the up and under in the centre of the pitch and delicate grubbers in behind centres to chase and force kickable penalties.
- Banahan leads the rush defence, with SOB/Fearns flying up to cramp 10 for time and space and ensuring he takes the ball deep behind the gainline and starving their outside backs of ball. Classens sweeps up behind for counter attacks

Forwards
* Fearns plays as an openside, looking to secure the breakdown
* Picked a very physical pack to make sure that we defend strongly and smash over the gainline. Fearns to lead pack from base of scrum making hard yards and setting up the ruck for Louw and Fearns to clear out. Fearns to mark opposite 8 in defence to prevent charges from base of scrum
* At the lineout, Muller will lead the calls and look to pressurise oppoistion hooker and compete at every throw
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Tolufua, O'Brien, Fearns to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Laulala to exploit

Backs
* Chisholm given free rein in attack, looking to come into the line either side of Laulala. Laulala to look for the half gap with power and offload (only if on), with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
* Hook to take the ball flat on the gainline, drawing defenders and buying time and space for Banahan. Banahan often used as dummy runner to keep it unpredictable
* Use the inside pass with forward runners of SOB, Louw, Fearns to keep the inside shoulder honest and force the 10 to make tackles.
* Get Laulala on the ball early on and encourage a very pacy back three to run off his shoulder. Only offload if it is on, otherwise, crash it up and use SOB, Fearns, Caldwell to clear out and Louw to secure.
* Eastmond to get free rein in attack, looking to pop up as second receiver. Can interchange with Banahan on the wing

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Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors
Location - Franklin Gardens
-Sunny, 13 Degrees, 4mph Winds

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Northampton Saints

Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Courtney Lawes	11. Chris Ashton
05. Samu Manoa	12. James Downey
06. Phil Dowson	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. Vasily Artemiev
08. Roger Wilson	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Dylan Hartley 18. Brian Mujati 19. James Craig 20. Stephen Ferris 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Sonny Bill Williams

Key Points

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Momentum

• We are 3 for 3 and come into this game with some crucial wins over play off rivals Bath & Gloucester. Worcester come in 0 for 3 and with no momentum. We will look for a blitz start and get points on the board fast as we expect heads will drop.

Home Advantage

• We have a fantastic record here and with a baying home crowd at the hostile Gardens looking to intimidate both Worcester and the ref, Worcester will need to be at their very best to win!

Get At Hooper

• We will target the 13 axis with big carries from the likes of Manoa, Tonga, Strauss, Wilson and Downey. This is an area we can make good ground from based on last weeks Worcester selection.

Game Plan

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Attack

• We will look to play a fast paced attacking game using big carriers running of the 9/10/12 axis to get us over the gain line and generate quick ball.

• Keeping the ball alive is crucial so our carriers will be looking for support runners to hit on the offload to keep the ball moving and get us further over the gain line.

• Our back three will look to get involved as much as possible running support lines of the halfbacks and midfield looking for the inside ball or offload.

• If for whatever reason we aren’t getting quick ball, we will look to take control of territory with the boots of Dickson & Sexton and force Worcester to come at us from deep.

Set Piece

• With a powerful front 5 on show we will look to keep the scrum up and use it as a weapon. On our own feed we will look to get the wheel on and give our 8-9-10 axis as much room as possible to attack from.

• In Worcester territory, with 5 jumping options to use, we will look to play off the top and move the ball out to Sexton and the backs.

• In our own territory, we will look to take the ball down into the maul and drive ourselves into the right areas.

Defense

• We will look to blitz aggressively, playing on the edge of the offside line and coming up at pace, looking to isolate the ball carrier and stop any Worcester momentum before it can get going.

• Lee Dickson will act as a sweeper and cover any chips or grubbers behind the defensive line.

• We will leave two players sitting deep to cover any kicks and they will look to counter attack of any loose kicks.

Breakdown

• With the blitz in operation, we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it hard and fast. If the ball looks available we will flood the breakdown with Wood & Dowson looking to get their hands on the ball.

• If the ball is not immediately available we will only commit 1 or 2 players to legally slow the ball down and instead look to strengthen the defensive line.

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Worcester Warriors

Manager – CJB

01. Joe Marler	09. Will Genia
02. Ed Shervington	10. George Ford
03. Tevita Taumoepeau
04. George Robson	11. David Strettle
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Dan Carter
06. James Haskell	13. Matt Hopper
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Marcel Garvey
08. Ben Morgan	15. Luke Rooney

16. Stephen Moore 17. George Porter 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Gerhard Mostert 20. Andy Saull 21. Jonny Arr 22. Steven Shingler 23. Ernie Claasens

Overall: Look to play a strong, basic game. We have tremendous ball carriers who we will look to get on the ball and with Genia – Ford – Carter we have a very strong 9-10-12 axis who can really do some damage.

We are going to look to exploit the lineout as we feel we can dominate here. With Robson, Haskell and Kitchener we feel we have a strong basis here against Lawes and Mano

Carter and Genia will look to get there hands on the ball as much as possible. They will control the game from our perspective

Carter should be rested having not played for 4 weeks

Strong bench can come on and potentially change the game

Lots of big carries especially from the backrow

Look to get Kvesic + Haskell on the floor and turning over ball

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Sale Sharks v London Welsh
Location - Salford City Stadium
-Light Rain, 10 Degrees, 9mph Winds

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Sale Sharks

Manager – LondonIrishOllie

01.Logovii Mulipola	09.Hadyn Thomas
02.Gary Botha	10.Nick McLeod
03.Davit Kubriashvilli
04.Yoann Maestri	11.Will Addison
05.Dean Schofield	12. Sam Tuitipou
06.Richie Vernon	13.Jonothan Davies
07.Dave Seymour	14.Tom Brady
08.Jordan Crane	15.Rob Miller

Subs
16.Andrew Sheridan 17.Marc Jones 18.Henry Thomas 19.Matt Garvey 20.James Gaskell 21.Scott Mathie 22.Jonathan Joseph 23.Luther Burrell
Tactics

Following an away win at Quins last week we have named a largely unchanged team with the exception of Crane coming in at 8 and Burrell, Joseph and Garvey coming on to the bench.

- We have named a team full of ball carriers with 2 powerful 2nd rows and a two big centres who can get over the gainline.
-Seymour will look to scavenge on the floor and slow their ball down.
-McLeod and Thomas will look to use there kicking games to push Welsh back into their half.
-Addison will come off his wing to get on do JDv2's shoulder to attempt to profit from any offloads.
-Kubs will target Gill at scrum time.
-Waldouck will be targeted by Davies, as physically there is a massive difference.

Impact Bench - Sheridan, JJ, Burrell and Thomas can offer a lot from the bench and put the game away.

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London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Rhys Gill	09. Paul Hodgson
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. David Wilson
04. Paul O'Connell (C)	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Tim Swinson	12. Brad Barritt
06. Ashley Johnson	13. Dominic Waldlouck
07. Will Welch	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Nick Easter	15. Hugo Southwell

16. Paul James 17. Craig Mitchell 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Dean Mumm 20. Tom Johnson 21. Joel Hodgson 22. George Lowe 23. Ben Ransom

We look to impose ourselves from the off and let the oppisition know how we are going to play the game and how we want to dictate the pace of the game. Our brand of rugby is physical and fast, however we won't just run the ball at every oppurtunity. We will only play in the right areas of the paddock, and Evans knows when to attack and when we need to clear the lines. We will look to go through simple phases to reproduce quick ball to cut the defence open. We have brilliant leaders all other the pitch in POC, Easter, Hodgson and Evans, and they know what will be required to get we want from the game - a win. Nothing will be left in the changing room from our boys, they want to put the rest of the league on high alert with a strong display of effective and efficient attacking rugby from the set pieces.

Tactics

• Gill and Wilson are solid technicians and will secure our own feed, to provide first phase possesion for our backs. Gill will look to put pressure on the Sharks feed. With James and Mitchell to come on, our scrummaging should remain a threat throughout the game.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, O'Connell will lead the lineout and use Swinson as a banker ball at the front of the line with POC jumping in the middle. If winning own ball POC will look to cut the lineout to five, to allow Easter to get a chance to run at the defence in open field.
  
  
• Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. Collectively we will look to (legally!) slow down Sharks' ball as much possible, only committing men to rucks if the turnover is on.
  
  
• Evans will look to angle runners either side of the opposition centres to get in Barritt running at their weak inside shoulders, as he prone to rushing up from 12.
  
  
• Off any first phase possession, there Barritt will run a straight line to get over the gainline to provide quick ball whilst the opposition defence is still organising itself.
  
  
• Evans will direct traffic and marshall the attacking forces, looking for the distribution of Waldlouck outside him to release our dangerous roaming back three.
  
  
• With the possibility of a greasy ball, we will look to keeping the passes simple and not to extravagant to keep handling errors down. If penned in our 22, we look kick and chase towards the Sharks back three, with pressure errors and possession could arise for us.
  
  
• Look to use our strong bench for impact later in the game, and to bed in players like; Mitchell, Johnson, Mumm, Lowe
  
  
• Evans will kick all points, unless POC dictates we have a dominate set piece at the moment in time.

Score for the last game please Fluxy mate

Gloucester 26 - 25 Wasps 

Advantage Glaws in the front row with a string combo, but prefer the pairing for wasps in the 2nd row. Much better back row on display for the away side with Glaws struggling form wise. Fairly even HBs - not sure what Steyn is doing playing. Contrast in styles in the centres, like both pairs but form issues again. Fairly even back threes. Really tight game, wasps marginally stronger but home advantage gives Glaws a very tight win. 


Tigers 25 - 21 Harlequins 

Just prefer tigers front row but good contest. Tad more quality on display for the home side in the 2nd row, with the back rows very tight. Again, not sure what Alberts is doing playing. Tigers take the HBs but not by a great deal. Similar story in the centres. Fairly even back threes. Just Newcastle throughout. 


Irish 22 - 22 Bath 

Not a great deal in the scrum, or the second row for that matter. Two solid front fives. Back rows difficult to call, no clear winner. Slight edge to the away side in the HBs, And the same in the centres. Despite homer on the wing Irish edge the back threes. Really tight game - home advantage vs stronger midfield means no winner for me. 


Saints 28 - 23 Worcester

 Slight edge to Saints come scrum time. Pretty even 2nd row battle - real power from Saints. Slight edge to saints in the back row but two nice units. One apiece in the HBs but saints edge on form. Not much in it beyond there bar carter, pisi really aids Saints. Think saints have too much at home today. 


Sale 21 - 23 Welsh 

Sale take the front row for me, and I don't see much in those second rows, maybe edge to the home side. Welsh have the form in the back row and take it comfortably. Evans the standout In the HBs sees welsh stronger, I like welshs centre combo and don't see much in the back threes. Bar The front five think welsh have enough for a great win. 

Exeter 28 - 24 Saracens

Gloucester 25 - 24 wasps*

* very unlucky from wasps here, CF has put together a decent side but too many new faces and lack of tactics hinder them

Tigers 21 - 19 Quins

Sale 17 - 23 Welsh

Saints 20 - 14 Worcester

Exeter 23–19 Saracens
Prefer the Sarries front row marginally. Quality second row from Exeter and have a bit more in the back row. Overall give the forwards edge to Exeter. Really like both half back combinations but the edge goes to Exeter with Wilkinson being in such good form. Edge in the centres to the Exeter pairing. The Saracens back three is very dangerous but I’m not sure how much they will get into the game.

Glos 29–27 Wasps
Gloucester have one of my fav front rows and I feel they have the edge here. Second row goes to Wasps though as well as the back row. This game is a real mis-match in the half backs and I just see Wasps controlling the match from here much better. From 11-15 both teams are very strong. Steyn possibly shouldn’t be playing this game and lack of tactics cost em here.

Tigers 28–24 Quins
Scary front row battle. Edge to Tigers. Prefer the Tigers second row but possibly edge to backrow to Quins. Both very strong half back combos. Scary centres combos, possibly prefer Tigers with electric back threes.

Irish 23–21 Bath
Prefer the Bath front row. Prefer the lock and back row of Irish though so they have the overall edge in the forwards. Half backs edge to Bath but Irish win the rest of backs.

Sale 21–20 Welsh
Sale front row looks really strong here but about equal in second row. About even in the back row but strong half backs from Welsh. Slight edge elsewhere in the backs to Sale. Both have really strong benches but at home Sale edge.

Exeter 22 - 15 Saracens

Gloucester 25 - 20 wasps

Tigers 17 - 15 Quins

Sale 14 - 16 Welsh

Saints 18 - 12 Worcester

Haven't really got time for full predictions tonight, sorry lads

Results:

Exeter Chiefs 28-18 Saracens
Gloucester Rugby 29-22 London Wasps
Leicester Tigers 26-18 Harlequins
London Irish 24-21 Bath Rugby
Northampton Saints 27-18 Worcester Warriors
Sale Sharks 21-26 London Welsh

Bonus:

Full: Prop, Driver, CJ, SJE, Fluxy, Pooly, Luke & CJB
Score Only: CF & Pull

All preidictions were taken into account to give a true and fair view.

Guys,

Would you be happy to extend the deadline out to 10pm on Tuesdays? Doesn't bother me as I'm usually training Tuesday nights and dont do results till the morning.

Did I read somewhere the website is blocked for you at work Pull? Would a 10pm deadline suit you better?

I'd be keen to extend it as well.

Have I missed out on my half bonus? I did do scores, but was 18 minutes late. This is the first time I haven't done a full prediction since I joined these games, I'm normally pretty reliable!

Yeah I know mate but I was a stooge last week and didn't allow after the deadline, Think it was CJB posted similar time to you last week, so its only fair I stuck to the deadline this week.

Happy to leave it open till 10pm futhermore though if people need that extra time as it doesn't really affect when results go up and it gives everyone a fair crack of the whip to get descriptive predictions in.

Shouldn't have bothered!

Yeah, 8 isn't ideal, I don't get back from work until about then usually

Can't wait to potentially unlease Denton from the base of the scrum next week!

What time do you start Bathite? Sounds like a nasty long day!
10pm cut off it is so from now on.

Depends mate, work with Australia and JP, so have some 7am starts and the US as well, so late finishes. Normally home around 8, so 10 is ideal, cheers.

first prediction cash missed - sob

i'm predicting Saints loss' for the rest of the season

(obviously i'm joking)

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Guys,

Would you be happy to extend the deadline out to 10pm on Tuesdays? Doesn't bother me as I'm usually training Tuesday nights and dont do results till the morning.

Did I read somewhere the website is blocked for you at work Pull? Would a 10pm deadline suit you better?

Yeah, blocked at work now mate. I haven't heard anything from them with regards to internet usage, but they must be blocking common websites.

I also have training on tuesdays until 9:30ish, so a 10pm deadline (or later) would suit me well

11pm maybe boys?

11pm works fine so to give you a chance to get descriptive predictions in then