Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Ten

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Newcastle Falcons vs. London Wasps

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Luke Burgess
02. Rory Best	10. Toby Flood
03. Paul Doran-Jones
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Paul O’Connell	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Kelly Brown	13. George Lowe
07. Heinrich Brussow	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Jackson Wray	15. Jared Payne

16. Lee Mears 17. Clement Ric 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. John Barclay 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Henry Slade 23. Ben Williams

Tactics:

HOME ADVANTAGE – Won every game at home in over 2 years
BACKLINE – Major talent and game breakers in backline
FRONT 5 - To set us strong platform


General – High intensity, quick passing game. Look to keep the ball alive in the forwards and use the offload to keep the tempo high. We'll look to set a platform with strong front 5 and control the collision and breakdown. Our pack will look to get Flood on the front foot and dictate play with SBW outside him he has the perfect 12 to draw defences away and look for the outside backs to get into the game.

FORWARDS

Scrum – With the good conditions and minimal restarts expected we’ll be looking to use the scrum as a restart and get the ball in and out and provide quick ball to our backline. If a glaring weakness is seen in the opposition we’ll look to keep the ball in longer but this is the call of the pack captain. Strong bench options to put squeeze on in 2nd half.

Lineout – quick ball off the top using POC as primary caller, also look to use Brown, Thorn to offer front ball. Target opposition ball and contest outside of 22 especially. 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 our midfield coming into the attacking line flat we’ll look to open up the opposition midfield.

Breakdown – Look to target breakdown throughout game and really slow opposition attacking ball down and limit the opposition FH’s options forcing him to kick. Brussow to lead the attack and time his arrival to the ruch to allow him to attemp turnover or slow of opp ball. Will look to get Thorn/POC in at rucks if possible who’ll clear out and give our backrow the ideal opportunity to get hands on ball.

Defence – Look to use the blitz defence and get in the face of the opposition preventing any momentum. Burgess to sweep in behind and look out for any grubbers.

BACKS

Halfbacks – Look to get fast attacking ball and Burgess to play how he does he does for Aus/Toulouse by raising the tempo and attacking the fringes. Flood to play flat to the line and bring SBW into play.

Centres – Look to Get SBW hitting it hard through the centre and draw in the opposition defence. Also look to use him as decoy with Flood using the miss pass and getting Lowe on the outside or Bowe through the middle/outside.

Back 3 – Serious gas and power to exploit the opposition out wide. Payne look to make the break or have Bowe tracking to play the slide pass.

POINTS:-


London Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Ben Daley	09. Haydn Thomas
02. Sean Cronin	10. Stephen Myler
03. Shaun Knight
04. Mouritz Botha	11. Tom Varndell
05. Marco Wentzel	12. Dan Bowden
06. Samu Manoa	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathon Poff	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Roger Wilson	15. Simon Zebo

16. Huia Edmonds 17. Charlie Beech 18.Carlos Nieto 19. Dan Tuohy 20. Beau Robinson 21. Jonah Holmes 22. Dan Hipkiss 23. Matt Banahan

Tactics
As the first game in charge of a new club not all of the plays and cohesion will be in place, so form the off we will employ a simple yet effective game plan against and imperious team away form home. We look to impose ourselves from the off and let the opposition 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 opportunity. We will only play in the right areas of the paddock, therefore Myler will look to keep us penned in the Falcons 22. If Falcons are to score against us they will have to run the ball 80+ metres. We will look to go through simple phases to reproduce quick ball to cut the defence open. Slow ball we will look to set up pods and runners off Bowden, as this will drag Falcons defenders further. We have experienced players all other the pitch in Wentzel, Poff and Myler, and they will lead the team. With the changeable conditions, they also know how we will want to play our game.

Tactics

• Solid scrummagers on and off the bench, we will look to secure our own ball and at least pressure the Falcons feed. Sometimes look to legally wheel their feed to cut of the scrum-half from the backline.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, Wentzel will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Botha jumping in the middle. Look to run full number lineouts to tie in the opposing pack.
  
  
• Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. Collectively we will look to (legally!) slow down Falcons' ball as much possible, only committing men to rucks if they only have two or less men in the ruck. Otherwise we will pull men out into the line to prevent them any front foot ball for their big carriers.
  
  
• The backrow will target the halfbacks, allowing them no time on the ball, which will lead to them rushing and making handling errors and mistakes.
  
  
• We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines and moving the point of attack. Myler will direct traffic with the use of quick pods systems outside the guards of the rucks.
  
  
• Off any first phase possession, the blindside winger will come in to create options off Myler so that it can keep the defence guessing to whether we will go wide, or cut against the grain.
  
  
• We will run a slow drift line in defence, with Thomas sweeping. We won't look to blitz, as with the line the falcons carriers then have to go through us. And with Flood being the only kicking option the team, we can only see the attack attempting to out pass us.
  
  
• Look to use our strong bench for impact later in the game. To get an advantage in the scrum, and collisions with big impact players.
  
  
• Myler kick all points, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Falcons should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• Despite Falcons not losing at home for a long time, this shouldn't matter. To us its another game, and we want a win - especially with the boys willing to show what they can do for their new manager

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Harlequins vs. Worcester Warriors

b]Harlequins[/b]
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Lee Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Greg Laidlaw (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Felipe Contepomi
06. Dave Denton	13. Florian Fritz
07. Chris Henry	14. Zac Guildford
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ben Franks 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Kruis 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Anthony Faainga

Tactics

Similar to how we play every week. Use the big carriers in our side to punch holes in the opposition defence before we look to get the ball into the wider channels for our backs to exploit the gaps. We will look to get quick ball at the breakdown and keep the tempo high to tire Worcester out. We will not kick aimlessly and will look to offload when it is on.

We will look for our forwards to carry off 9 and 10 and when they do this we will look for them to carry at pace and in numbers. When they hit contact we will look to win the collisions and keep the legs pumping to keep up the momentum. When we are getting quick ball we want Laidlaw and Contepomi to attack the line to make it harder for the Worcester defence to defend. Always looking for our forwards to carry in numbers so they have support for the offload and so we can ruck the ball quickly and keep the attack going.

When we get the ball to the backs we are looking to get the ball into the hands of our dangermen at 13 and in the back 3. If we create these guys gaps then they will make the yards and score the tries.

At the set piece we will be trying to get the nudge on at scrum time as well as looking for Steve Borthwick to control the lineout. We will look to shorten the lineout between the 22m lines to get Denton and Easter into a position to carry in the midfield.

In defence we want a quick linespeed and to double up in the tackle when it is on. We will look for our players to look to get the turnover when its on and for our pack to legally slow down the Worcester ball.

Key Points

- Packed with physical carriers in our pack so we can make ground with every carry. Very mobile pack as well.

- Dickson best 9 around for playing at a quick tempo. Service brilliant and commands the pack well.

- 10 and 12 both capable of controlling field position should we need to switch tactics. Packed with creativity across the backline.

- As always we are looking to score tries but a win comes first. Can't afford to slip up at home.

- Good bench packed with impact players.


Worcester Warriors

01. Beast	09. Kerr Barlow
02. Gary Botha	10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Jim Hamilton (c)	11. Sean Maitland
05. Ollie Kohn	12. Pat McCabe
06. Tom Savage	13. Matt Hopper
07. Mamuka Gorgodze	14. James Short
08. Jerome Kaino	15. Rob Cook

16. Korree Britton 17. Nathan Catt 18. Chris Budgen 19. Juan Cruz Guilleman 20. Chris Walker 21. Eion Reddan 22. Tom Heathcote 23. Olly Barkley

Tactics

We for survival today and disrupt Quins. We have picked a grizzled pack who will play up the jumper rugby before releasing an exciting outside back line. International quality is in the key areas with in form players alongside these. After gaining a good draw against Sarries with a understrength backrow we welcome back Gorgodze and bring Kaino in for his first start.

Forwards
*Front row to concentrate on the scrum and get the upper hand from the hit. We will look to get the edge on them on their feed to open a clearer route for Gorgodze to run at their attack,
*2nd row-lineouts is key today and we have jumpers who will look for quick ball and to disrupt their ball. Hamilton and Kohn will look to get under their skin and Kaino is an extra lineout jumper,
*Back-row have international experience in Kaino and Gorgodze who will bring power to the game and be strong carriers over the pitch along with Savage, we will use both Kaino and Savage to aim to hit every other defensive ruck to look for the turnover or disrupt their plan of getting quick ball,
*Experience and impact on the bench, Budgie will look to maintain our scrum advantage with the youngsters and Guilleman can bring impact power.

Backs
*Quick ball from Kerr-Barlow and Steyn will play what's in front of him, he will look to run quite a bit of ball if there is space ahead and the defence are disorganised but if not he'll pin Quins back deep into touch and we will challenge their lineouts. Go for goal when the opportunities are there,
*Strong centres with McCabe looking for the offload to a forward runner or to Hopper who will look to get across the gainline before releasing the strong running back 3,
*On the wings we have players who are proven scorers, Short and Maitland will both bring pace, both will look to come off their wing's for work. Cook has been hitting the line well in real life and will do the same, he will also look to clear our line when pressure is put from deep kicks,
*We have further pace on the bench with Heathcote and Barkley can fill in and play a kicking game if the clock needs to be wound down, Peel will look to add experience and look to snipe as will Kerr-Barlow.

Defence
*Banana-blitz defence with McCabe leading this and Kerr-Barlow sweeping,
*If we get turnover ball by committing 2 players at the ruck then we will go for it and play with our heads up,
*Defence inside-out making sure that the pillar's are protected.

Overall
*Control the set piece,
*Put pressure by kicking deep and if it's on, use our strong backs to break the line and offload when it's on,
*This is a massive game and we know we have to win this and have picked a strong set of players to do so with a useful impact bench.

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Leicester Tigers vs. Bath Rugby

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Sebastien Bruno	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Nathan Hines	11. Ugo Monye
05. Alistair Hargreaves	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. James Scaysbrook	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Jonny Harris 17. Jimmy Stevens 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Pascal Pape 20. Francois Louw 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Dominic Waldouck

Tactics:

We will play to our strengths and play a game built around our intelligent HB's controlling the game, the power of our pack and the strength in our set piece.

- Ability to play in different ways - we're not here to kick the ball away. We have the personnel in our side to play a mixture of different styles, and we will play the game as we see it.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Bruno, Mujati and Sheridan to look to really get the shove on.

- Attack at all lineouts. Our lineout is led by Hargreaves; with Joubert, Hines and SOB as our other jumping options.
Some great lineout stealers in our ranks who will pressure every one of Brooker's throws.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Bath defence. The likes of SOB, Joubert, Hines, Hargreaves and Scaysbrook to be used to crash through the Bath defence.
Look to play an offloading game, with runners always supporting.

- Huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Scaysbrook, and the likes of SOB and BOD, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Yachvili our general pulling the strings. We want Yach and Wilko to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are. We want Mermoz and BOD on the ball looking to send our back three into space.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline. We have aggressive forwards to carry out this instruction. Yachvili to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Unload our powerful bench to impact the game in the second half.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalites.


Key Points:

Form and Momentum
8 wins out of 9 in the league, we are absolutely flying at the minute and have so much confidence - sitting top of the league. In stark contrast - Bath have just won 4 of their 9 league games this season. Particularly at Welford Road, we feel unbeatable, and have already beaten the likes of Newcastle, Saints and Quins at home this season.

Impact off the Bench
Unless injury or cards say otherwise, we will introduce Cencus Johnston, Pascal Pape and Francois Louw off the bench early in the 2nd half - as they return from international duty. All three are in sensational from, and we hope for them to carry this into the Tigers shirt to give us the upper hand in the second half.

Fresh Pack
All of our players have been managed stringently this season in terms of game time, and we have chosen not to start any of the international players who played a lot over the AI's. In contrast, Bath are playing Healy, Kubs and Lobbe in their pack, who have all featured heavily for their countries over the last month.


Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Chris Brooker	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvili
04. Louis Deacon	11. Maxime Medard
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Anthony Allen
06. Brad Shields	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Akapusi Qera	14. Napolini Nalaga
08. Juan Martin Fernando Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Euan Murray 17. Will Tanner 18. Jon Golding 19. Jarrad Hoeata 20. David Seymour 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Luther Burrell 23. Rob Miller

Overall: Look to play the conditions throughout with Hodgson running the tempo. Use big runners/carries and go through the phases. Keep things simple in our own half and increase the pressure in opposition half. We will especially look to exploit the lineout where we feel we have a big advantage

Scrum: We will look to be competitive at scrum time with Lobbe controlling it from the back. Lobbe will control the scrum from number eight. Apply pressure and look to get nudge on throughout. Look to play the ref and if not going our way use as a restart.

Lineout: Our second row partnership is where we really feel we can have advantage. With Kitchener, Lobbe and Deacon backed up by Shields we can really get at the opposition throw. We will look to really attack the lineout as somewhere we have an advantage over Tigers.

We will be looking for big carries from the forwards with the likes of Lobbe, Healy and Shields dangerous runners who can really create gaps for our backs. We will be looking for lots of energy from our forwards to open up holes to be exploited. Our carrying is somewhere we feel we have a distinct advantage.

Breakdown: Look to clear hard and fast with Qera and Shields looking to make a real nuisance of themselves and get their hands on the ball

Backs: We will be looking to use the backs in order to create or go through holes. Wigglesworth and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo.. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Rougerie, Hogg and Nalaga seeing lots of the ball. Hodgson will often look to deep in the corners if we feel we have the lineout dominance established. Lobbe will lead any chases.

Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Tiger’s key decision makers and prevent them from playing. Richard Wigglesworth to sweep in behind.

Substitutes: Our subs will come on and look to keep a high tempo. Tanner, Murray and Golding will look to come in and help the scrum. Hoeata will look to add grit late on whilst Seymour will look to add to breakdown late on. Du Preez has a lot of experience and will look to use it late on to control the tempo. Burrell and Miller are great options late on. Burrell can inject a little bit of tempo and energy. Miller also capable of runs offer another boot late on to keep territory.

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London Welsh vs. London Irish

London Welsh
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Brett Sturgess	09. Morgan Parra
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patric Lambie
03. Adam Jones
04. Dean Schofield	11. Bryan Habana
05. George Skivington	12. Gavin Henson
06. Tom Johnson	13. Darren Cave
07. Thierry Dusautoir	14. Matt Jess
08. Sione Kalamafoni	15. Jaco Taute

16. Chris Whitehead 17. Steven Kitschoff 18. Frans Malherbe 19. James Hanks 20. Luke Wallace 21. Charlie Davies 22. Joel Tomkins 23. Louis Ludik

Basic Game Plan

Basic tactical premise for us to control possession and be solid defensively. Focus will be on winning the gainline collisions in both attack and defence. In order to do this we have picked a very big pack to try to physically dominate this area of the game. We are aware that Irish have big backs so will be looking for the gaps and offloading in attack rather than trying to drive over players all the time. We will look to apply pressure to Irish by keeping the ball for long periods and wearing them down defensively, and also by maintaining a solid defence and denying them opportunities to get on the score board. Pressure forces mistakes, and we will look to capitalise on any that Saints make.

Attacking specifics

• Pat Lambie to play what he sees, but in essence we want to control possession and go through the phases.
  
• Target Tagicakibau in defence, in particular big carriers looking to go on his inside shoulder where he is not the best one on one tackler..
  
• Support runners to ruck past the ball quickly if the carrier goes to ground in order to secure quick ball to go again.
  
• Go through the phases, looking to mix things up. Irish have a big backline from 11-14 and we want move them around and create gaps rather than looking for the contact.
  

Defensive specifics

• We will look to play a blitz defence with quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline and knock him back even further. Parra will sweep in behind.
  
• We will not overcommit to the breakdown. If a turnover is on, we will go for it, counter rucking and hitting on the break. If it is not on to win the ball, we will send in a couple of players to legally slow it, and get our defensive line set quickly and strongly a la France in the World Cup. We want to control the gainline in defence and attack.
  
• Maintain discipline and do not give away penalties.
  

Key Points

• Good form, beating Falcons and getting a losing bonus point at Gloucester and a draw at Saints, but not the sort of form that breeds complacency. We are in a good place, knowing that we can win, but we have to play well to do so, and are at home.
  
• Experienced internationals in key position (2,8,9,10) who know how to control a game.
  
• Our focus is on controlling possession and keeping the ball alive. We want to hit gaps and get the ball away to support runners, causing the big Irish backs to have to work very hard defensively, which in turn should create gaps for us to put runners through..
  
• We have no traditional fetcher, but with BdP in the side the balance of our pack is good as he is better at the breakdown than most opensides.
  
• We may not have as many ‘stars’ in the side as some teams, but our players complement each other and work as a unit, and you need some solid citizens in sides to do the grunt work, and we have that in abundance. Not flash, just effective.
  

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean-Baptiste Poux	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Tom Lindsay	10. Nick Evans
03. WP Nel
04. Matt Garvey	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Johann Muller	12. Luke McAllister
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Mathieu Bastereaud
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Pierre Spies	15. Delon Armitage

16. Matt Stevens 17. James Buckland 18. Brok Harris 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Will Fraser 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

London Irish stick with the side that recorded an impressive win over the champions Newcastle Falcons for their match against London Welsh. Dubbed the battle of the Exiles, Irish will be determined to consolidate their position in the playoffs before returning to Heineken Cup duty next week.

Tactics

- We are on good form and will look to continue that form against a side playing at a new home ground for the season.

- We want to use our backs as much as possible and attack Welsh. Evans and Mac will look to control the game and get us playing in the right areas. Bast will be used as a carrier and decoy runner and will no doubt attract a lot of attention from the Welsh defence.

- We will look to test the defensive combo of Henson and Cave with runners like Bast and Spies.

- Evans to kick all pens in range for goal, if not go for touch and use Muller as our main jumper, with Garvey, Daniel and Spies also options. We will try to disrupt as much opposition ball as possible.

- Key area in this game is the breakdown and we have the master Armitage to dominate this area. We will look to clear out rucks quick and allow Armitage to secure quick ball and disrupt and turnover as much opposition ball as he can. Any turnover ball will be countered to get the likes of Tagi and Armitage in space.

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Sale Sharks vs. Northampton Saints

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Ben Spencer
02. Darren Dawdiuk	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Kyle Eastmond
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Robbie Freuan
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Christian Day 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Nicholas Bezy 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Will Addison

Key Points

• Target Fofana positionally on defence. He has gone from playing 12 all season for Saints, to playing wing for France and now thrown in at 13. His defensive positioning has to be all over the place and with his habit of rushing out of the line as well this is an area where there will be space all game.Question marks over the Saints defence as Fofana is the defensive leader!

• Look to win the battle of the back rows. There is a lack of ground work in the Saints unit and with POM & Quedragao back in our side this week we feel this is an area we can dominate.

• If Dawdiuk is anything it’s a solid basics hooker (ask Matt!!) and with 5 strong jumping options the lineout should be an area of dominance for us up against Bonnaire.

Tactics

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 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 Spencer, Sexton & Steyn and force Northampton to come at us from deep.

• 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 Saints 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.

• We will play an aggressive blitz on defence, playing on the edge of the offside line and coming up at pace, looking to isolate the ball carrier and stop any Northampton momentum before it can get going.

• Spencer 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 ball.

• 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 POM & Quedragao 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.

Northampton Saints

Manager – Dammit Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Bradley Davies	11. Siti Siviatu
05. Patricio Albacete	12. Matt Giteau
06. Calum Clark	13. Wesley Fofana
07. Julian Bonnaire	14. Christian Wade
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Ben Foden

16. Rob Webber 17. Sona Taumalolo 18. Logovi'i Mulipola 19. Julian Salvi 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Sam Harrison 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Matthew Tait

Overview - Saints will play a physical and aggressive game in the forwards where we will look to control possession and get our big ball carriers onto the ball. Provide plenty of opportunities for strike runners in backline & Giteau pulling the attacking strings in the 12 shirt. Hernandez's boot will allow us to also vary the game and pin the Sale team deep within their own half, with Bonnaire leading the lineout we will aim to place Sale under pressure here too.

Pack/SetPiece/Breakdown

- Will look to work through the phases and work around the fringes to make hard yards and give Hernandez a platform to launch attacks from, aiming for touch and lineouts. Looking to get Albcete, Davies, Clark and Parisse on the ball as much as possible.

- We are going to target Dawdiuk throughout the game and see this as a key area we can exploit in both set pieces - especially as everyone of our front row (incl. replacements) are internationals.

- We will target the set piece, especially with Bonnaire's presence in the lineout and will put the pressure on Spencer at no9 - if we can get some control on both scrum and lineout (due to Dawdiuk's lack of experience) then we can definitely get at Spencer.

- When opportunities are there to secure turnover ball we will put numbers into that area, initially we will look at the physicality of our pack at the breakdown to slow down Sale ball and frustrate them. But in the second half we will introduce Salvi to generate faster ball.

Attack -

- Hernandez and Giteau combination really allows Saints to vary the game - Hernandez's boot and Giteau's attacking/passing ability. Simpson will also be asked to snipe around the breakdown area and ensure that the Sale backrow are caught in two minds as to whether they should target him or Hernandez who will control the game at 10 with his kicking game.

- Will get Giteau controlling the attacking strings and he will look to put our strike runners into space - Fofana, Siviatu, Wade and Foden - each offering a different attacking threat for Sale.

- Attack Eastmond's wing, test him at this level.

- Kick all points and keep the scoreboard ticking over.


Defence -

- aggressive defence with a strong physical pack that will look to force Sale into mistakes and handling errors, again will look to target the set piece and cuse as a platform for the rest of our game.

- will use the kicking game of Hernandez and Gitea to clear our lines.

- will implement a blitz defence, with Fofana leading the defence in the midfield.

Key points -

- To target Dawdiuk throughout his time on the pitch gain advantage in both set pieces here.

- Place pressure on Ben Spencer, who is another talented youngster in a key position and this is an area we would like to take advantage of.

- Test Kyle Eastmonds defence early on.

- All international replacements for front row - use to get upper hand.

- Stop Sale building momentum by putting the ball deep and long into their own half and then targeting the lineout for as much as possible.

- Change the game in second half with introduction of Salvi and look to up the tempo by securing quick ball at the breakdown.

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Saracens vs. Gloucester

Saracens
Manager – Mike Driver

01.Matt Mullen	09.Jean Doussain(k)
02.George Chuter	10.Iain Humphries
03.Ben Tameifuna
04.Flip Van Der Merwe	11.Mark Cueto
05.Bryn Evans	12.Gael Fickou
06.Joe Van Nikirk (C)	13.Henry Trinder
07.Ross Rennie	14.Tim Visser
08.Rapheal Lakafia	15.Elliot Daley(K)

16.John Smit 17.Max Lahiff 18.Craig Mitchell 19.Tim Swinson 20.Luke Narraway 21.Will Chudley 22. Ronan O'Gara 23.Chris Bell

Tactics

Saracens go into this game motivated and confident after finding there feet with 2 wins and a draw out of there last 4 games.

Saracens will look to use the set piece as a platform to play from and know we have the solid lineout and scrum to secure our own clean ball. Smit will look to mix his throw up with Evans , FVM , Lakafia and JVN offering themselves as targets.

JMD and Ihump to play the game what is infront of them and mix there attack up with JMD attacking the fringes and hitting Ihump to spead the ball with big runners in our back line with Fickou taking the ball to the line to attract defenders creating the space.

We will look to use the choke tackle with FVM , Evans and JVN looking to wrap there man whilst Rennie will target the breakdown.

Lakafia to clean up any ball at scrum and hit the ball up at Goosen.

KEY POINTS

SHORTEN THE LINEOUT AND ALLOW JVN , RENNIE AND FVM TO CARRY OFF IHUMP

HUMP THE HIGHBALL ON Sharples WITH A STRONG CHASE FROM OUT BACK THREE AND RENNIE

TARGET Juan De Jong WITH A BIG BALL CARRIER AT 13 WITH TRINDER HOLDING HIS RUN TO HIT THE LINE AT MAC 9.

SHIFT TURNOVER BALL AND ATTACK THE DOG LEG

BLITZ DEFENCE WITH JMD SWEEPING AND THE BLINDSIDE WING DROPPING TO COVER ANY KICKS

JMD/Daley to build a lead with long range kicks.

Cummins had a field day for Aus running through Sharples , imagine what the much more powerful Visser will do, Get the ball to Visser in 1 on 1 with Sharples as much as we can.


Gloucester

01. Nick Wood	09. Will Genia
02. Joe Grey	10. Johan Goosen
03. Jamie Johnstone
04. Richie Grey	11. Hosea Gear
05. George Robson	12. Matt Scott
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Alex Lapandry	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Immanol Harinordoqouy	15. Johnny May

16. Coonie ousthuizen 17. Deon Fourie 18. Rupert Harden 19. Tom Palmer 20. Andy Saull 21. Dan Robson 22. Kahui 23. JSD

Glaws travel to Sarries looking to continue there huge momentum they have built up.

Glaws would also like to point out Will Genia has only been out injured since 9th September so we are surprised he was picked out for lack of form. We think there is a higher power at work here and have developed a huge siege mentality and are border line paranoid


- Target Scrums- We have a strong front row unit backed with internationals all over the pack. We also have a great front row bench to bring on meaning they can go all out for the time they are on.
- Target Lineout- As ever we see this as a huge area of strength. Lineout is vital for securing your own possession and launching attacks but it is also vital for stiflling the opposition. With Hari, Lapandry, Ferris and Robson we have the ability to dismantle the Sarries lineout.
We will be looking to drive ball early on and then move to more off the top after we have won the right to attack wide.
- Use our ball carriers. We have a team packed with them and will use them to punch holes and get on the front foot to either offload or get quick ball going. ....

Target 9,10 channel- Glos will focus here and look to turn the screw
- breakdown we will target this area and look to turn over ball by getting numbers in to ruin or steal sarries ball.
- Mobility- We have a team blessed with mobility all over the pack and will look to utilise this to run the legs of sarriesand take them to positions they do not want to b e in.
The aim of the game is to create quick ball for Genia so he can dictate the game and get the backs running the ball in for scores.


We have a backline of pure balance of pace and power. we have the ability to punch holes and also the ability to play wide and fast.
- We will aim to raise the tempo in the second half with quick throw ins and countering loose kicks.

We are targetting the bonus point for tries and will be playing open. bench has impact so will be used as necessary.

All kicks at goal in range will be attempted by Goosen

---

Welsh 25 - 24 Irish

Welsh front row struggling a little form wise but think they still have enough to take the scrum. Decent 2nd row battle that Irish just about edge. Really tight back row contest that is difficult to split. Packs in general very close. Great HB battle, with one apiece, that is tough to split. Just prefer Irish's centres, with back threes tight. Really close game this, for me the only deciding factor is home advantage.

Falcons 20-17 Wasps
Simple rugby will help Wasps keep this one close with good tactics. Can see Falcons getting the edge at scrum time but Knight is into some good form at the moment. 2nd row's bring carriers from Falcons but Wasps could disrupt their lineout. Heavy hitting backrows with Falcons having some international quality but Wasps getting a great balance here. Prefer the Falcon's hb's but Myler will give Wasps territory. Good centres from Wasps may edge the collision. More in the back 3 from Falcons but do like Zebo at 15 at the moment. Impact bench from Falcons takes the close game. Good start Fluxy!!

Tigers 24-20 Bath
2 good front rows on show with Tigers taking it with a bit more at 2. Good lineout operators in the 2nd row from both sides, would like to see a bit of grunt there too. 2 great backrows with balance and carrying options think they will nullify each other. 9-10, Tigers have the international quality but Hodgson brings some good form with him here. Prefer the Tigers centres and think that Mermoz brings more than Allen. Back three will finish any opportunities and think that Tigers will give them a bit more. Backs subs from Tigers will win this.

Welsh 19-17 Irish
Much better front row from Welsh here. Garvey's doing well and Muller coming back will be a bonus for Irish, Welsh have a good bedded in partnership. 2 great sets of backrows sorry guy's I really can't split this, Spies is one of my fav players to watch but so's K now! Control at 9-10 for Irish but feel Welsh bring the spark here. Centres to Irish here but Cave won't let much through. Feel Welsh have the finisher's who should get ball off the shoulders of their centres here. Not much in the backs. Think Welsh taking the front row ergo the scrum will edge this.

Sharks 20-19 Saints
Evens in the front row with both th's getting the nudge on. 2nd rows give form to Sharks and international experience more for Saints. Prefer the Shark back row with their 7 in fantastic form. 9 to Saints, 10 to Sharks. Steady for the Sharks centres who should get good ball and a bit of flair for Saints here. Back three's are fantastic here with Eastmond and Wade on good scoring form. Think the Sale control on the bench will edge them home.

Sarries 15-16 Glos
Glos bring the power and form to the front row battle here. 2nd rows again to Glos with a stronger front 5 edging the scrums. Backrows even, would prefer to see JVN at 8 and would have helped, both will disrupt lineout ball. 9 to Genia and 10 to IHump who I'm enjoying watching at the moment. Centres evens with Glos not bringing much form and Sarries having a good pairing. Back 3 full of scorers here and don't see why everyone's targetting Sharples after 1 international match against Oz where defence was questionable. 2 good benches but I do think that Glos just have enough in the front 5 to take this, won't be an attracive game.

Harlequins 19-16 Worcester

Not much in it up front, both are pretty solid units in a good contest. Think Quins have a slight edge in the engine room mainly due to Botha but the lineout will be tight. Little bit more in the Quins backrow again, not sure of Kaino with him not really playing since the WC is pretty hard to rate.

Worcester shade 9 but the 10's are close with Steyn's poor form evening it out. Prefer the Worcester centre pairing but again not loads in it and nothing between the wing battle, Kearney gives Quins back 3 a boost. Tight one with Worcester contesting well in all areas but Quins just having that little extra that get them the win.

Leicester 22-22 Bath

Not much in the front 5, props cancel each other out but Brooker lacks a bit of form for Bath. Engine room shades to Bath with stronger unit. Bath stronger backrow unit, especially 7/8 and will get edge here.

Good from in halfbacks from both sides and centres again really tight in a good contest. Nothing in back 3's but Medard's lack of form hinders Bath a bit. Hard one to call this, Bath get edge in pack and will make it really hard for Yach/Wilko to dictate the game. Tigers form save them from loss here, as they've been immense.

Welsh 19-21 Irish

Welsh edge front row unit with some top draw players. Don't think Jones has been at the top of his game but neither has Poux so just see Welsh getting nudge on here. Stronger engine room from Irish giving them an edge in loose and lineout with a strong combo. Dus the standout in backrows but the Irish 6/8 are a step in quality and I think they'll get some control in the loose.

Great 9 battle and nothing in two class acts, Evans will give Irish more though and allow them to control game a little. Backs just go with Irish really despite some great form in Habana for Pete and he'll give Yarde a torrid time I just see more in the centre combo with McAlister the standout. Welsh will dominate scrum but Irish a little stronger throughout and do enough for win. Tight game.

Sale 23-19 Northampton

Great scrum battle straight away, not seeing as Dawiduk as weakness against Hartley and both props will hold own. Bekker the standout lock and I can see him shading things at the lineout but not loads in it with good options in Saints backrow. Nothing in the 8's on recent form but ale just have a step up on the flanks but two good units.

Nothing in the 9's with Spencer suiting Sale's lineout and Spencer with Saints backline. Step up at 10 though with Sexton able to control the game better, Saints just lack a top 10 in their backline to really fire them. Never seen Fofana play 13(real life or Saints) so could be an issue and SJE makes a vaild point that he's not a defensive leader esp playing out of position, can see Sales hard running pair perhaps getting some joy here. Saints stronger back 3, will be a fanny off between Wade and Eastmond though(only kidding!!). Saints stronger front row bench but Sale with Barrett esp will see out game.

Saracens 19-19 Gloucester

Another really tight one. Not much in two steady front rows, Flip shades Gray who's been poor but Robson has been great and will get joy at lineout over Evans especially. Hari/Ferris form issues for different reasons but still class. Sarries have definite flank edge though and will get control of breakdown.

Genia shades the 9's but nothing in the 10's. Raw centre partnership for Sarries but neither of Gloucester pair offer much in attack which will see a bit of cancel out in midfield. Gloucester stronger back 3 just but Sharples can def be got at defensively and May better on wing imo. If Visser on Sharples could have game changer but Gear solid. Home advantage gives Sarries edge but Gloucester have some class that keeps them in it.

Falcons v Wasps
- Agree with above good tactics for Wasps but unfortunately Falcons just have that little bit extra especially at home. backs are close but an egde in the front five for falcons sees them edge the pack.
24-21

quins v warriors
- bit more form for quins pack gets them some front foot ball. unconvinced by laidlaw at 10 but steyn also not on great form. little bit more class in quins outside backs sees them take it.
25-22

tigers v bath
- not alot in this one at all. packs close, half backs close maybe a slight egde to leicester. backlines both very strong. some good impact on both benches to keep it tight throughout.
27-27

sale v saints
- another really tough game to call here. close in the packs although sale may edge the breakdown. not a huge spencer fan but sexton is class and with steyn outside him can control the game. good exciting wingers on both sides and lots of form.
27-24

sarries v glos
- like the sarries pack has bit of everything and will grind out pens. glos have the more exciting backline but think sarries can disrupt their service. better bench from glos but they need a little bit more form in the pack to really get that backline going.
20-20

Falcons 22 - 20 Wasps
Really tough place to go for first game and Wasps have their tactics spot on and can cause Falcons some issues with their pack, Wray will find it tough at no8. Think a few more world class players though - issue for me is that I find it hard to rate Benjamin (injury) and SBW (playing in Japan), so it will be very close.

Tigers 20 - 19 Bath
Closest game of the week - packs so even and Bath will just about edge the breakdown with Qera playing - but the control that the Tigers 9&10 have and home advantage for me is enough to win this for them. Bloody tough to call though!

Welsh 20 - 17 Irish
See Henson as a big weakness in the Welsh backline as haven't been impressed at all by him - he will be solid in defence, but can see a lot of attacks being slowed down by him. Difference for me though is the quality in hookers - huge step up for Lindsay and for me will lose Irish the game.

Quins 27 - 23 Worcester
Really like the Quins pack, but the Warriors are going to be a really tough team to break down due to the strength in their own pack. More quality for me in the Quins backline and that combined with home ad wins the game.

Sarries 23 - 25 Glos
Very even throughout the packs, extra quality at the base of the scrum for Gloucester. When games are this close and conditions ideal for backs I look at the threat outwide and with Gear, May and Sharples Gloucester have that one extra try in them. Driver would look for a more experienced centre as both very young.

Falcons 16-13 wasps

Great tactics Fluxy. Falcons win scrums and grunt. Wasps line out. Very even game Lowe sbw thorn Brussow Benjamin almost unplayable in this game but falcons half backs win this.

Jackson wray out of his depth more than any player in league for me. Pooly has been hit harder by AI's than any other manager.


Still enough and falcons will be top 4 all year

Quins 22-18 Worcester

Good game. Prop gone for up jumper rugby which is right in some
Ways however can
See line out being a shambles for
Them.

Backrow massively to Quins kaino no 8 and no form.

Worcester half backs a step up
Which keeps it close. Great back 3 battle and front row battle

Leicester 23-22 Bath

Front 5's have a slight edge to Bath. Both hookers struggle at this level and set piece is pretty tight. Back rows also very tight, SOB and JMFL the standouts with JMF in fine form.
Leicester more
Control and outside backs combo

Welsh 22-22 Irish

Can't separate. Welsh take front row. Second row even. Backrow shaded Irish maybe.

Pienaar Evans w
Draws this despite welsh having good half backs.

Parra gone backwards whereas Pienaar so so good.

However welsh have tries
In them
And home
Advantage

Sale 22-21 saints

Game of day?

Saints take front row and maybe shade engine room.
Bekker had dreadful season and many think he is finished due to injuries.

Sale Backrow great and wins battle. All sale Backrow in form. Pickles not line out leader however line out even.

Dawiduik great darts but been poor for glos.

Saints lack a focal point in backs. Freaun and steyn is no partnership but they will ruin saints.

Newcastle Falcons 20 London Wasps 20

For me in the key positions (2,8,9,10) there is very little in this game, with no real standout. In fact Wray is the weakest and possibly gives Wasps an edge in this regard. Tactically Wasps are spot on and this will be a real game. Ultimately Falcons have enough quality to not get beat at home here, but they don't have enough to win for me, with players like POC and Brussow carrying no real form for me due to being constantly injured. Sorry boys, it's a draw for me.


Harlequins 24 Worcester Warriors 20

Two solid packs, but prop has been badly hit in the back row, which is a little bit unbalanced on this occasion. Other than that not much to choose between the packs, although maybe a little better ball handling skills in the Quins one. Key controlling jerseys not much in it, but that bit more in the pack at home gives Quins the win.


Leicester Tigers 23 Bath Rugby 22

Hell of a game this one, really like the quality on show in both packs, and like the balance in the Tigers back row, think it would work well as a unit. Really nothing in this game and it just comes down to me prefering the Tigers half backs to Bath's, and as they are at home the squeak a narrow win.


Sale Sharks 36 Northampton Saints 35

I have this as a high scorer. Both packs will work hard, maybe Saints have a little bit more in the key controlling positions, but not masses, small edge there. Issue for me with Saints is who is the sort of go to man in the backs to get over the gainline? Possibly Wade with a bit of magic and that is fine, but he is up against Eastmond who is a good one on one tackler and very pacy himself. Lots of threat from the Sale back 3 and tactics getting theminvolved lots is completely right. At Franklins Gardens I might have gone the other way with this, but I'm not sure that Saints have quite enough to win away here, but this is a high scoring thriller.


Saracens 24 Gloucester 24

This game has taken me the longest to sort to be honest. Key jerseys - Chuter is shot and can't play at this level now, so Gloucester have that one, Lakafia just about matches up to Harinordoquy at 8, but I would have given that one to Saracens had JvN been playing 8. Half backs are where I have struggled to call, with Genia and Goosen injured, but ultimately, they haven't been out that long and their most recent form beofre injury was good, so I have to give them the edge over JMD and iHumph. Around those jerseys, both teams have good attacking threat. At Kingsholm, this is a Gloucester win, but Saracens are at home and improving each week, and I think they have enough here to take a draw.

What time we closing Pete? Will be back on about 6?

Newcastle 24-20 Wasps
Newcastle have a very strong front five, big advantage in the front row. Back row goes to Wasps with Wray a weakness atm and Brussow not on form. Half backs go to Newcastle never been a huge Myler fan, a little flaky imo. Centres from Wasps so strong and both have very good back threes.

Quins 23-20 Warriors
Two grizzly front row, Quins edge it for me. Close again in second row, just to Quins. Back row probably biggest advantage to Steve, not sure about Kaino. Really quality centres and half backs for Warriors which keeps it close.

Welsh 25-26 Irish
Much prefer the Welsh front row here, second row goes toIrish though. Forwards so hard to call. Irish half back combo is one of my favourites and they have the advantage here. Advantage to the Irish centres here, not a Henson fan.

Sale 21-20 Saints
Prefer the Saints front row but the Sale second row. Such quality in both back rows hard to call, slight edge to Sale. Half backs slight edge to Saints but Sexton is quality. Prefer the Sale centres and hardly anything in the back three.

Sarries 22-27 Gloucester
Slight edge to gloucester in the front five, back rows are close and hard to call. Good but lacking in form in the half backs from Gloucester. Prefer the Sarries centre but Glos take back three

Sale 28 - 25 Saints

Give the advanatge to Saints in the front row, with the 2nd rows very tough to split. Two really good back rows, probably slight edge to Sale but not a lot in it. Two really strong packs that are difficult to seperate. As a unit edge to Sale in the HBs, Saints lack of a WC 10 may cost them this season. Sale take the centres for me, but prefer Saints' back three on qulaity, but Sale have better form. Two good sides, but at home and with slightly stronger backs, give it to Sale.

Saracens 24 - 24 Gloucester

Edge to Glos up front, and give them the edge in the 2nd row, although Grey's form a bit of an issue. Two really good back rows on display, Lapandry the weakest on show giving Sarries the edge. Glos take the advanatge at HB, although decent form for Sarries. JdJ has done nothing for me of late, and although I like Scott, Sarries the stronger int he centres for me. Glos take back three. Good game this - at home think Sarries can cause Glos problems and think they can nick a draw.

Off the bottom of the table!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!