Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Eleven

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Bath Rugby vs. Saracens
Cloudy, 7 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Jon Golding	09. Aaron Smith
02. Chris Brooker	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvili
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Nopolini Nalaga
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Anthony Allen
06. James Haskell	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. Cory Jane
08. Juan Martin Fernando Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Carl Rimmer 17. Ben Alexander 18. Will Tanner 19. Luke Romano 20. Tom Guest 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. George North 23. Rob Miller

Overall: Look to play flowing rugby with Hodgson pulling the strings. We will be looking for big carries all over to get over the gainline.

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. We will look to hammer this advantage home. We have Whitelock and Lobbe leading our lineout whilst Haskell and Kitchener both offer solid options. We will look to actively pressure the opposition throw. If we see any weakness we will look to slightly alter the game plan, looking for corners in order to put more pressure on the throw.

We will be looking for big carries from the forwards with the likes of Kitchener, Brooker, Lobbe and Haskell 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 Pocock and Haskell 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. Smith and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. Smith will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Nalaga, Rougerie, Jane and Hogg seeing lots of the ball.

Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Quins’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. Rimmer, Tanner and Alexander will look to keep the scrum strong. Romano will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Guest will look to get in gaps with his strong running. Wigglesworth is an experienced head who can control our tempo. North will come on early in the second half and will look to get his hands on the ball for big carries against tired legs. Miller is another strong option who has a strong boot we can use to pen Sarries back late on.


Saracens
Manager – Mike Driver

01.Matt Mullen	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02.John Smit (c)	10.Francois Trinh-Duc
03.Jannie Du Plessie
04.Flip Van Der Merwe	11.Tim Visser
05.Ali Williams	12.Ma'a Nonu
06.Phil Dowson	13.Henry Trinder
07.Ross Rennie	14.Mark Cueto
08.Joe Van Nikirk	15.Elliot Daley (k)

16.Hika Elliot 17.Max Lahiff 18.Ben Tameifuna 19.Tim Swinson 20.Luke Narraway 21.Will Chudley 22.Iain Humphreys 23.Adam Thompstone


Saracens travel to Bath in chase of 4 points and are confident of doing so.

Sarries have picked a big front 5 and will look to attack the Bath scrum with Golding 2nd choice at Championship club and Brooker lacking any real from. To emphesise this we have picked 3 scrummagers with two powerful locks in behind them. We will focus on the 8 man shove with JDP and Smit looking to isolate the hooker and force Brooker to pop up and let Mullen hold out the Tight head. JDP will also look to switch the hit and really go through Golding on other scrums.

Back row Phil Dowson will look to get through the graft in the tight and make a pain at the breakdown and use the dark arts to slow down any Bath ball and fustrate there pack. Rennie will look to target the deck and win turnover ball which is the best ball in rugby with JVN carrying down Charlie Hodgsons channel for 80 minutes.

Dulvenage and FTD to play what they see in front of them , looking for the space outwide and putting kicks in behind the Bath back 3 to test there kicking game. FTD will look to hit our backs on the gainline to ensure they cross the gainline and make a break playing heads up rugby looking for the potential offload but recycling it, if its not on.

KEY POINTS

WILLIAMS TO TARGET THE LINEOUT
SMIT TO TWIST THE REFS ARM WITH DECISIONS
DALEY TO KICK ALL GOALS FROM 60M
RETAIN POSSESTION AT ALL COSTS
120% THROUGH OUT THIS GAME AS WE HAVE TO WIN

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Gloucester vs. Newcastle Falcons
Cloudy, 7 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Gloucester
Manager – Mat

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo.
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Stephen Ferris	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

16.Tim Payne 17. Jamie George 18. James Johnston 19. Tom Palmer 20. Immanol Harinordoquoy 21. TJ Perenara 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Iain Balshaw


Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Ben Youngs
02. Lee Mears	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Owen Franks
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Juandre Kruger	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Richie McCaw©	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Alex Goode

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. Tom Croft 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Colin Slade 23. George Lowe

Tactics

General – Look to play at high intensity and keep the ball alive in the forwards. Cruden to dictate tempo and keep us playing in the right areas and going for the 3 points to keep ahead of the opposition and make them chase the game.

Forwards:

Scrum – With the cold conditions and increased restarts expected we’ll be looking to use the scrum as a weapon and target the opposition. 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. Thorn will pack down behind Franks and look to splinter the opposition hooker/LH. We'll also look to get the when on and open the field for Youngs to break into.

Lineout – quick ball off the top using Kruger as primary caller, also look to use Robshaw at the tail and Read, Thorn to offer front ball. Target opposition ball and contest outside of 22 especially. In opposition half look for Mears (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. Look to use Youngs breaking through the middle or SBW running hard from 1st phase quick lineout ball.

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. McCaw to lead the attack with Read & Robshaw providing a devastating trio. Will look to get Thorn in at rucks who’ll clear out and give our backrow the ideal opportunity to get hands on ball. We'll look to boss this area and ruck over the ball with our phyiscal pack.

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

BACKS

Halfbacks – Look to get fast attacking ball and Youngs to play how he does he does for Leicester by raising the tempo and attacking the fringes. Cruden to play flat to the line and bring SBW into play as he does for the Chiefs.

Centres – Look to Get SBW hitting it hard through the centre and draw in the opposition defence. AAC will track and look to get onto any offload and make dents in the opposition midfield.

Back 3 – Serious gas and power to exploit the opposition out wide. Goode to come into the line and will mix it up off Cruden to give us another tactical kicking option. Look to use Benjamin & Bowe height in the opposition half with Cruden putting in the cross-field kick.

POINTS:

• TEAM FORM - In great form in the league/HC

• FRONT ROW - Strong options throughout game to keep pressure on oppostion

• 8-13 axis - All World class players who can make the difference in a tight game

• Captains - Numerous leaders to see us through a tight game (Robshaw, Read) and captain fantastic in McCaw

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London Irish vs Leicester Tigers
Cloudy, 7 degrees, 8 mph winds.

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Deon Fourie	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Matt Garvey	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Conrad Smith
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pieterson
08. Pierre Spies	15. Delon Armitage

16. Matt Stevens 17. Tom Lindsay 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Will Fraser 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Tactics

- We want to use our backs as much as possible and attack Tigers. Evans and Mac will look to control the game and get us playing in the right areas.

- Evans to kick all pens in range for goal, if not go for touch and use Kennedy as our main jumper, with Garvey and Spies options. We will try to disrupt as much opposition ball as possible, with Kennedy being the man to do so.

- 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 JP and Armitage in space.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape	11. Isa Nacewa
05. Geoff Parling	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Francois Louw	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Ryan Bower 17. Tom Youngs 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Simon Shaw 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Frederic Michalak 23. Maxime Mermoz

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.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Moore to look to really get into an out of sorts Poux and Fourie.

- Attack at all lineouts. Our lineout is led by Parling; with Joubert, Pape and SOB as our other jumping options. Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.
Joubert at the front on Irish throws putting real pressure on Fourie.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Irish defence. The likes of SOB, Louw, Pape, Moore and Joubert to be used to crash through the Irish 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 Louw, and the likes of SOB, Cole and BOD, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.

- If in the centre of the pitch in attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first recievers in Wilko and Beale. We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.

- Use boxkicks and up and unders to target Yarde. Lightning back three to get the chase on, and look to steal the ball or win turnovers with isolated recievers.

- 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
9 wins out of 10 in the league, we are absolutely flying at the minute and have so much confidence - sitting top of the league. Our away form has been a real plus point - having already beat Sale, Saracens, Wasps and London Welsh away from home.

Fresh Side
12 changes to the game last week, we have a very fresh side that is looking to carry on our outstanding league form. In contrast, 5 of Irish's pack played last week, and 3 of their backs.

Impact off Bench
Look to utilise out bench in the 2nd half to dominate Irish. Youngs and Waldrom to add serious carrying options, and Cencus and Shaw to keep the set piece on track. Michalak to give us a bit of creativity if needed at HB, and Mermoz to be introduced at 55 mins to give us more running options in midfield.

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Northampton Saints vs. Harlequins
Sunny Intervals, 6 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit Chris

01.Sona Taumalolo	09. Joe Simpson
02.Mike Haywood	10.Juan Martin Hernandez
03.Sekope Kepu
04.Joe Launchbury	11.Chris Ashton
05.Courtney Lawes	12.Matt Giteau
06.Julian Bonnaire(c)	13.Jean de Villiers
07.Julian Salvi	14.Julian Savea
08.Liam Messam	15.Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Bench: 16. Rob Webber 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Loti Mulipola 19. Calum Clark 20. Sam Cane 21. Mike Phillips 22. George Ford 23. Matthew Tait

Overall - play a high tempo'd, attack minded game against Quins looking to get our strike runners on the ball in both the forwards and the backline and assert control in the midfield with Hernandez and Giteau putting the ball deep into the Quins half and attacking the lineout with Lawes, Launchbury and Bonnaire. Have purposefully picked a team full of ball carriers to get on us on the front foot - Tamalolo, Haywood, Kepu, Launch, Lawes, Messam.

Pack/Setpiece -Haywood picked after his performance against Rory Best and Ulster last week, strong setpiece with a lot of ball carriers in the pack. Will use the scrum to launch Messam and Simpson to vary the attack. Lineout is a good weapon for us, will aim to place Brit's throwing under pressure with Launch, Lawes and Bonnaire. Generate quick ball to attack from.

Attack - Playing a very physical and confrontational game, big carries and looking to get us over the gainline in the pack. Can then have Giteau pulling the strings in midfield, using de Villiers and Savea to punch holes in the Quins midfield. Can mix up the game and challenge Quins defence with Simpson's running and Halfpenny and Ashton's finishing ability.

Mix game up with Hernandez and Giteau interchanging position and control the kicking game. Want to attack Quins lineout with the number of jumpers we have and form of Bonniare. Will use this to get quick ball.

Defence/Breakdown - Physical, aggressive defence led by Lawes and Launch in pack and JdV in the backline. Look to place Burns under a lot of pressure as Dickson not known for his attacking/running so can really fly into Burns.

Double up on Roberts to stop him getting over the gainline.

Put numbers into the breakdown and clear Hooper out as soon as possible. Picked Salvi as out and out no7 with Cane on the bench to make a real go of the breakdown.

Key points

- Advantage if the game can be made as physical and confrontational as possible.
- Get big ball carriers onto the ball, get us over the front foot and look to exploit space outwide.
- Dominate the kicking game and territory battle too (Hernandez, Giteau and Halfpenny).
- Take all points on offer with Halfpenny


Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Lee Dickson (c)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Zac Guildford
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Dave Denton	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Joe Marler 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Kruis 20. Sam Warburton 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Luke Morahan

Tactics

Game Plan

Look to retain possession and draw in Northampton defenders around the ruck and in the midfield before moving the ball wider when defenders are tied up. Use big carriers like Denton, Roberts, Botha, Brits, Hooper and Afoa to punch holes off 9 and 10 we will look to carry at pace and in numbers with the aim of winning collisions and crossing the gainline. If we can we will look to offload but if not we want to recycle the ball quickly and attack again with Burns standing flat. When we are in our own half Burns might look to kick to the corners if our line out is on top or might use his attacking kicking game to get us behind the Northampton defensive line.

Forwards

Look to control the set piece. Look for our front 5 to really turn the screw at the scrum and for Borthwick and Wood to control the lineout. Use Hooper and Wood at the breakdown to slow down Northampton ball. Look to really get at Joe Simpson and disrupt his game with pressure from our hold pack. At the rucks we will ruck past the ball and adopt a low body position and only put as many men into the ruck as we need to.

Backs

Look to get our back 3 involved once we have committed defenders. Look to get the blindside winger involved off of 10's shoulder or behind 12. Look to get JJ in space to attack the outside shoulder. Bring Andre Taylor into the line to display his unbelievable running game and to scare the Saints defenders.

Defence

Quick line speed with pressure upon 10 and 12. Wood and Roberts are the defensive captains and will call when we contest the rucks or spread set to defend.

Key Points

- Win the collisions with lots of physicality in attack and defence.

- Tempo controlled by Dickson and Burns.

- Tie in defenders with big carriers before getting ball wider.

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London Wasps vs. Sale Sharks
Sunny Intervals, 6 degrees, 7 mph winds.

London Wasps
Manager – Fluxy

01. Ben Robinson	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Stephen Myler
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Dan Tuohy	11. Geordan Murphy
05. Samu Manoa	12. Brad Barritt
06. Donnacha Ryan	13. Casey Laulala
07. John Barclay	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Jordan Crane	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. Charlie Beech 18. James Slipper 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Dave Dennis 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Dan Hipkiss 23. Jamie Elliot

Tactics
Our first league game at home under the stewardship of a new manager and the lads will be looking for a big 80 minute performance and to lay a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Adams Park is our fortress and we want to make it difficult for anyone that wants to come and even look for a LBP. 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 Sharks 22. If the Sharks 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 Myler, as this will drag Sharks defenders further apart and produce wholes or mismatches. Why won't be as physically as big as the Sale boys, so we will to set quick rucks to tie in their boys to allow time and space for our backs. We have experienced players all other the pitch in Ryan, Crane 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 Sharks feed. Sometimes look to legally wheel their feed to cut of the scrum-half from the backline.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, Ryan will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Tuohy 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 Sharks' 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.
  
  
• Myler to use Barritt and Laulala to get over the gainline, quick ball will be span out to the backs in the next phase.
  
  
• Brown to look to come into play like he does for Quins and take quick ball of the back of rucks snipe, Murphy in the team can cover his runs at the back.
  
  
• We will run a slow drift line in defence, with Phipps sweeping. We won't look to blitz, as with the line the Sharks carriers then have to go through us. If they begin to look to kick, a blitz can be deployed later on.
  
  
• 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 Sharks should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• We might lack quality, but you can do anything with hard work, effort and 100% commitment. These lads would lie their bodies on the line for the cause lead by Crane.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retallick	11. Kyle Eastmond
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Alex Tulou	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. David Strettle
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Darren Dawdiuk 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Dave Attwood 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Will Addison

Key Points

• Game changers in the key decision making positions. We have both quality and form at 8,9,10,12. We see this as a big advantage and it should allow us to set the tempo of the game.

• Look to punish the slow defensive line Wasps are playing. Look to use Tulou & Pickles (2 strongest carriers in NH this season!) as well as Ayerza, Retalick, Steyn & Freuen to take advantage. Ireland v Wales and more recently Leinster v Clermount show the importance of stopping big dynamic carriers early!

• Target Myler with big hits from the flankers. No back up 10 in the Wasps matchday squad! Without him Wasps will lose shape & structure.

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. Eastmond & Bendy 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 Sexton & Steyn.

• 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 Wasps 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 Wasps momentum before it
  can get going.

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

• The back three will sit 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 Quedragao looking to get his 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 vs. London Welsh
Cloudy, 6 degrees, 5 mph winds.

Worcester Warriors
Manager- prop_lyd

01. Beast	09. Kerr Barlow
02. Gary Botha	10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Ollie Kohn	11. James Short
05. Luke Charteris	12. Pat McCabe
06. Tom Savage (c)	13. Jon Clarke
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Julien Malzieu
08. Ben Morgan	15. Sean Maitland

16. Korree Britton 17. Nathan Catt 18. Chris Budgen 19. Kearnen Myall 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Sam Vesty 23. Fergus McFadden

Tactics

Forwards

We have picked a strong front row who will look to edge up on the tightheads side to allow Morgan more time to pick from the base of the scrum.

A 2nd row who will target the lineout and we will utilise the lineout as a weapon of attack providing both quick ball and allow us to maul with a very heavy and efficient pack.

Back row again is strong and we will look to counter act the breakdown as well as picking up and keeping the game tight which is why we have picked the pack we have. Morgan and Savage will look to run off of 12-13 to create the gaps for the wingers.

Backs

Both Steyn and Maitland are there to clear our lines and put us down into opposition territory. This is where we will use our lineout force. However; we have exciting runners and Steyn will stand deep at times to create the space for our outside backs to hit the gaps.

Steyn will look for quick offloads to wingers or back row who will target the 9-10 channel to bring the ball back into our forwards. This should create overlaps and suck in the defence before quick ball out wide.

We have a back 3 who can all interchange if needs be. They will look to run as much ball as possible but not get isolated so we can keep to our gameplan.

After 30 minutes, if we are getting joy off 1st phase ball we will continue to use it but; for the first 30minutes it will be the forwards ball unless something is on.

Steyn will take all kicks at goal he is confident in.

Defence

We will use a banana defence. People have picked up on our 10-12 defence so we will make sure we have one of our stronger pack members on their shoulders to assist in the tackle and look for quick turnover ball. Any turnovers will be punted off the pitch in the oppositions half unless a massive gap is obvious.

We will look to not commit too many at the breakdown so we can defend strongly from inside out and stop any gaps. If we see an available turnover we will take it but no silly penalties. Pressure will be put on their scrum half to use the ball quickly and put 10 under pressure.

Overall

Forward orientated play with experienced players. Backs to get us into good positions and only throw the ball about when it’s on, other than that our pack and strong pack bench will be controlling the game and rolling us towards the opposition’s tryline.

We are very fired up for this match and have a strong set of leaders in the squad who will look to get us the win and rattle the opposition. It’s time to make people take notice of the Warriors.


London Welsh
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Morgan Parra
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. Dave Wilson
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. Digby Ioane
05. James Hanks	12. Patric Lambie
06. Tom Johnson	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Thierry Dusautoir (c)	14. Bryan Habana
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Chris Whitead 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Adam Jones 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Luke Wallace 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Darren Cave 23. James Simpson-Daniel

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 will however be looking for gaps rather than contact and looking to offload to support runners. We will look to apply pressure to Worcester 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 Worcester make.

Attacking specifics

• Farrell and Lambie to mix things up and interchange at first receiver to keep the Worcester defence guessing where the point of attack will be.
  
• Ioane and Habana to both be tracking inside ball and coming off their wings looking for offloads from the ball carrier.
  
• Support runners to ruck past the ball quickly if the carrier goes to ground in order to secure quick ball to go again.
  
• Target Morne Steyn in defence with big carriers looking to hit him and carry over the gainline forcing other players in to help defensively, then look to exploit the gaps this leaves elsewhere with good offloading and support runners.
  
• Keep the scoreboard ticking over by taking all penalties on offer (as ASM did to Leinster last weekend)
  

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

• Form. Having started the season poorly, we have now lost just 2 of our previous 10 games. Our most recent form is 2 TBP wins in the Amlin, and before that beating Irish and drawing away at Saints.
  
• Experienced internationals in key position (2,8,9,10) who know how to control a game, and in the case of our 8,9,10 axis their recent form is excellent.
  
• Good defence wins games away from home, and we have an excellent defensive backline, who also have the ability to counter attack. Morne is a kicking 10 and if he keeps giving the ball to Ioane, Habana and Taute, or JSD when he comes on, then they will run it back with interest.
  
• 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.
  

---

Some absolute classics this week. Gonna be a long time on predos come friday.

Top 6 vs bottom 6?

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Jon Golding	09. Aaron Smith
02. Chris Brooker	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvili
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Nopolini Nalaga
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Anthony Allen
06. James Haskell	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. Cory Jane
08. Juan Martin Fernando Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

16. Carl Rimmer 17. Ben Alexander 18. Will Tanner 19. Luke Romano 20. Tom Guest 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. George North 23. Rob Miller

Overall: Look to play flowing rugby with Hodgson pulling the strings. We will be looking for big carries all over to get over the gainline.

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. We will look to hammer this advantage home. We have Whitelock and Lobbe leading our lineout whilst Haskell and Kitchener both offer solid options. We will look to actively pressure the opposition throw. If we see any weakness we will look to slightly alter the game plan, looking for corners in order to put more pressure on the throw.

We will be looking for big carries from the forwards with the likes of Kitchener, Brooker, Lobbe and Haskell 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 Pocock and Haskell 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. Smith and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. Smith will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Nalaga, Rougerie, Jane and Hogg seeing lots of the ball.

Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Quins’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. Rimmer, Tanner and Alexander will look to keep the scrum strong. Romano will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Guest will look to get in gaps with his strong running. Wigglesworth is an experienced head who can control our tempo. North will come on early in the second half and will look to get his hands on the ball for big carries against tired legs. Miller is another strong option who has a strong boot we can use to pen Sarries back late on.

Big one Matt

Walk in the park pooly lol

Haha...good to be confident mate. Will be a cracker

Any away wins this week will be massive.

Saracens
Manager – Mike Driver

01.Matt Mullen	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02.John Smit (c)	10.Francois Trinh-Duc
03.Jannie Du Plessie
04.Flip Van Der Merwe	11.Tim Visser
05.Ali Williams	12.Ma'a Nonu
06.Phil Dowson	13.Henry Trinder
07.Ross Rennie	14.Mark Cueto
08.Joe Van Nikirk	15.Elliot Daley (k)

16.Hika Elliot 17.Max Lahiff 18.Ben Tameifuna 19.Tim Swinson 20.Luke Narraway 21.Will Chudley 22.Iain Humphreys 23.Adam Thompstone


Saracens travel to Bath in chase of 4 points and are confident of doing so.

Sarries have picked a big front 5 and will look to attack the Bath scrum with Golding 2nd choice at Championship club and Brooker lacking any real from. To emphesise this we have picked 3 scrummagers with two powerful locks in behind them. We will focus on the 8 man shove with JDP and Smit looking to isolate the hooker and force Brooker to pop up and let Mullen hold out the Tight head. JDP will also look to switch the hit and really go through Golding on other scrums.

Back row Phil Dowson will look to get through the graft in the tight and make a pain at the breakdown and use the dark arts to slow down any Bath ball and fustrate there pack. Rennie will look to target the deck and win turnover ball which is the best ball in rugby with JVN carrying down Charlie Hodgsons channel for 80 minutes.

Dulvenage and FTD to play what they see in front of them , looking for the space outwide and putting kicks in behind the Bath back 3 to test there kicking game. FTD will look to hit our backs on the gainline to ensure they cross the gainline and make a break playing heads up rugby looking for the potential offload but recycling it, if its not on.

KEY POINTS

WILLIAMS TO TARGET THE LINEOUT
SMIT TO TWIST THE REFS ARM WITH DECISIONS
DALEY TO KICK ALL GOALS FROM 60M
RETAIN POSSESTION AT ALL COSTS
120% THROUGH OUT THIS GAME AS WE HAVE TO WIN

Only 4EQ starters Driver

Cheers dude.

Northampton Saints team to play Harlequins
Manager – Dammit Chris

01.Sona Taumalolo	09. Joe Simpson
02.Mike Haywood	10.Juan Martin Hernandez
03.Sekope Kepu
04.Joe Launchbury	11.Chris Ashton
05.Courtney Lawes	12.Matt Giteau
06.Julian Bonnaire(c)	13.Jean de Villiers
07.Julian Salvi	14.Julian Savea
08.Liam Messam	15.Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Bench: 16. Rob Webber 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Loti Mulipola 19. Calum Clark 20. Sam Cane 21. Mike Phillips 22. George Ford 23. Matthew Tait

Overall - play a high tempo'd, attack minded game against Quins looking to get our strike runners on the ball in both the forwards and the backline and assert control in the midfield with Hernandez and Giteau putting the ball deep into the Quins half and attacking the lineout with Lawes, Launchbury and Bonnaire. Have purposefully picked a team full of ball carriers to get on us on the front foot - Tamalolo, Haywood, Kepu, Launch, Lawes, Messam.

Pack/Setpiece -Haywood picked after his performance against Rory Best and Ulster last week, strong setpiece with a lot of ball carriers in the pack. Will use the scrum to launch Messam and Simpson to vary the attack. Lineout is a good weapon for us, will aim to place Brit's throwing under pressure with Launch, Lawes and Bonnaire. Generate quick ball to attack from.

Attack - Playing a very physical and confrontational game, big carries and looking to get us over the gainline in the pack. Can then have Giteau pulling the strings in midfield, using de Villiers and Savea to punch holes in the Quins midfield. Can mix up the game and challenge Quins defence with Simpson's running and Halfpenny and Ashton's finishing ability.

Mix game up with Hernandez and Giteau interchanging position and control the kicking game. Want to attack Quins lineout with the number of jumpers we have and form of Bonniare. Will use this to get quick ball.

Defence/Breakdown - Physical, aggressive defence led by Lawes and Launch in pack and JdV in the backline. Look to place Burns under a lot of pressure as Dickson not known for his attacking/running so can really fly into Burns.

Double up on Roberts to stop him getting over the gainline.

Put numbers into the breakdown and clear Hooper out as soon as possible. Picked Salvi as out and out no7 with Cane on the bench to make a real go of the breakdown.

Key points

- Advantage if the game can be made as physical and confrontational as possible.
- Get big ball carriers onto the ball, get us over the front foot and look to exploit space outwide.
- Dominate the kicking game and territory battle too (Hernandez, Giteau and Halfpenny).
- Take all points on offer with Halfpenny

With Wasps playing their first home game in the league, Director of Rugby Flux has named a rotated his side, compared to the one that has been successful in the Amlin Cup. Tighthead Carlos Nieto comes in for the young Shaun Knight, Dan Tuohy and Samu Manoa move into the lock positions with Donnacha Ryan moving to blindside. This means that Mourtiz Botha takes a place on the bench. Nick Phipps retains the 9 shirt, but Stephen Myler comes into the ten shirt for this game. Finally the experienced Geordan Murphy takes up his place in the side on the wing, for the impressive Jamie Elliot who drops to the bench.

Flux stated in an interview with Sky Sports "The side we decided to pick is based on our strengths and we will look to play to a strong a gameplan that we have worked on since I have taken up my role at the club. Jordan (Crane) will lead the side and he knows he shares the same mantra with the rest of the boys and the coaches and is experienced enough to know what to do for club come Saturday afternoon."

London Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Ben Robinson	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Stephen Myler
03. Carlos Nieto
04. Dan Tuohy	11. Geordan Murphy
05. Samu Manoa	12. Brad Barritt
06. Donnacha Ryan	13. Casey Laulala
07. John Barclay	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Jordan Crane	15. Mike Brown

16. Sean Cronin 17. Charlie Beech 18. James Slipper 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Dave Dennis 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Dan Hipkiss 23. Jamie Elliot

Tactics
Our first league game at home under the stewardship of a new manager and the lads will be looking for a big 80 minute performance and to lay a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Adams Park is our fortress and we want to make it difficult for anyone that wants to come and even look for a LBP. 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 Sharks 22. If the Sharks 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 Myler, as this will drag Sharks defenders further apart and produce wholes or mismatches. Why won't be as physically as big as the Sale boys, so we will to set quick rucks to tie in their boys to allow time and space for our backs. We have experienced players all other the pitch in Ryan, Crane 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 Sharks feed. Sometimes look to legally wheel their feed to cut of the scrum-half from the backline.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, Ryan will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Tuohy 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 Sharks' 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.
  
  
• Myler to use Barritt and Laulala to get over the gainline, quick ball will be span out to the backs in the next phase.
  
  
• Brown to look to come into play like he does for Quins and take quick ball of the back of rucks snipe, Murphy in the team can cover his runs at the back.
  
  
• We will run a slow drift line in defence, with Phipps sweeping. We won't look to blitz, as with the line the Sharks carriers then have to go through us. If they begin to look to kick, a blitz can be deployed later on.
  
  
• 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 Sharks should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• We might lack quality, but you can do anything with hard work, effort and 100% commitment. These lads would lie their bodies on the line for the cause lead by Crane.

---

Leicester Tigers have named their side to play London Irish this week.

Tigers have made 12 changes to the side that played Ulster in the Heineken Cup last week. Only Stephen Moore, Geoff Parling and Billy Twelvetrees remain from that game, as Tigers looked to give many of the players a well earned rest, as they took a break from the Aviva Premiership.

In-form Tigers face tough opposition in London Irish, but sitting top of the AP and having won 9 out of 10 games in the league, confidence will be high throughout the Tigers squad that travels to the Madejski Stadium.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Pascal Pape	11. Isa Nacewa
05. Geoff Parling	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Francois Louw	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Ryan Bower 17. Tom Youngs 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Simon Shaw 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Frederic Michalak 23. Maxime Mermoz

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.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Moore to look to really get into an out of sorts Poux and Fourie.

- Attack at all lineouts. Our lineout is led by Parling; with Joubert, Pape and SOB as our other jumping options. Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.
Joubert at the front on Irish throws putting real pressure on Fourie.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Irish defence. The likes of SOB, Louw, Pape, Moore and Joubert to be used to crash through the Irish 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 Louw, and the likes of SOB, Cole and BOD, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.

- If in the centre of the pitch in attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first recievers in Wilko and Beale. We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.

- Use boxkicks and up and unders to target Yarde. Lightning back three to get the chase on, and look to steal the ball or win turnovers with isolated recievers.

- 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
9 wins out of 10 in the league, we are absolutely flying at the minute and have so much confidence - sitting top of the league. Our away form has been a real plus point - having already beat Sale, Saracens, Wasps and London Welsh away from home.

Fresh Side
12 changes to the game last week, we have a very fresh side that is looking to carry on our outstanding league form. In contrast, 5 of Irish's pack played last week, and 3 of their backs.

Impact off Bench
Look to utilise out bench in the 2nd half to dominate Irish. Youngs and Waldrom to add serious carrying options, and Cencus and Shaw to keep the set piece on track. Michalak to give us a bit of creativity if needed at HB, and Mermoz to be introduced at 55 mins to give us more running options in midfield.

Harlequins

Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Lee Dickson (c)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Zac Guildford
05. Steve Borthwick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Dave Denton	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Joe Marler 18. Kieran Brookes 19. George Kruis 20. Sam Warburton 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Luke Morahan

Tactics

Game Plan

Look to retain possession and draw in Northampton defenders around the ruck and in the midfield before moving the ball wider when defenders are tied up. Use big carriers like Denton, Roberts, Botha, Brits, Hooper and Afoa to punch holes off 9 and 10 we will look to carry at pace and in numbers with the aim of winning collisions and crossing the gainline. If we can we will look to offload but if not we want to recycle the ball quickly and attack again with Burns standing flat. When we are in our own half Burns might look to kick to the corners if our line out is on top or might use his attacking kicking game to get us behind the Northampton defensive line.

Forwards

Look to control the set piece. Look for our front 5 to really turn the screw at the scrum and for Borthwick and Wood to control the lineout. Use Hooper and Wood at the breakdown to slow down Northampton ball. Look to really get at Joe Simpson and disrupt his game with pressure from our hold pack. At the rucks we will ruck past the ball and adopt a low body position and only put as many men into the ruck as we need to.

Backs

Look to get our back 3 involved once we have committed defenders. Look to get the blindside winger involved off of 10's shoulder or behind 12. Look to get JJ in space to attack the outside shoulder. Bring Andre Taylor into the line to display his unbelievable running game and to scare the Saints defenders.

Defence

Quick line speed with pressure upon 10 and 12. Wood and Roberts are the defensive captains and will call when we contest the rucks or spread set to defend.

Key Points

- Win the collisions with lots of physicality in attack and defence.

- Tempo controlled by Dickson and Burns.

- Tie in defenders with big carriers before getting ball wider.

Can't I have a nice week for once please??!! Will hopefully get team in this evening. May struggle for in depth predo's.

No easy games in this league now prop. Every week there are massive matches.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retallick	11. Kyle Eastmond
05. Andries Bekker	12. Francois Steyn
06. Alex Tulou	13. Robbie Freuen
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. David Strettle
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Darren Dawdiuk 18. Luc Ducalcon 19. Dave Attwood 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Ben Spencer 22. James Hook 23. Will Addison

Key Points

• Game changers in the key decision making positions. We have both quality and form at 8,9,10,12. We see this as a big advantage and it should allow us to set the tempo of the game.

• Look to punish the slow defensive line Wasps are playing. Look to use Tulou & Pickles (2 strongest carriers in NH this season!) as well as Ayerza, Retalick, Steyn & Freuen to take advantage. Ireland v Wales and more recently Leinster v Clermount show the importance of stopping big dynamic carriers early!

• Target Myler with big hits from the flankers. No back up 10 in the Wasps matchday squad! Without him Wasps will lose shape & structure.

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. Eastmond & Bendy 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 Sexton & Steyn.

• 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 Wasps 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 Wasps momentum before it
  can get going.

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

• The back three will sit 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 Quedragao looking to get his 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.

01. Beast	09. Kerr Barlow
02. Gary Botha	10. Morne Steyn (k)
03. BJ Botha
04. Ollie Kohn	11. James Short
05. Luke Charteris	12. Pat McCabe
06. Tom Savage (c)	13. Jon Clarke
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Julien Malzieu
08. Ben Morgan	15. Sean Maitland

16. Korree Britton 17. Nathan Catt 18. Chris Budgen 19. Kearnen Myall 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Sam Vesty 23. Fergus McFadden

Tactics

Forwards

We have picked a strong front row who will look to edge up on the tightheads side to allow Morgan more time to pick from the base of the scrum.

A 2nd row who will target the lineout and we will utilise the lineout as a weapon of attack providing both quick ball and allow us to maul with a very heavy and efficient pack.

Back row again is strong and we will look to counter act the breakdown as well as picking up and keeping the game tight which is why we have picked the pack we have. Morgan and Savage will look to run off of 12-13 to create the gaps for the wingers.


Backs

Both Steyn and Maitland are there to clear our lines and put us down into opposition territory. This is where we will use our lineout force. However; we have exciting runners and Steyn will stand deep at times to create the space for our outside backs to hit the gaps.

Steyn will look for quick offloads to wingers or back row who will target the 9-10 channel to bring the ball back into our forwards. This should create overlaps and suck in the defence before quick ball out wide.

We have a back 3 who can all interchange if needs be. They will look to run as much ball as possible but not get isolated so we can keep to our gameplan.

After 30 minutes, if we are getting joy off 1st phase ball we will continue to use it but; for the first 30minutes it will be the forwards ball unless something is on.

Steyn will take all kicks at goal he is confident in.


Defence

We will use a banana defence. People have picked up on our 10-12 defence so we will make sure we have one of our stronger pack members on their shoulders to assist in the tackle and look for quick turnover ball. Any turnovers will be punted off the pitch in the oppositions half unless a massive gap is obvious.

We will look to not commit too many at the breakdown so we can defend strongly from inside out and stop any gaps. If we see an available turnover we will take it but no silly penalties. Pressure will be put on their scrum half to use the ball quickly and put 10 under pressure.


Overall

Forward orientated play with experienced players. Backs to get us into good positions and only throw the ball about when it’s on, other than that our pack and strong pack bench will be controlling the game and rolling us towards the opposition’s tryline.

We are very fired up for this match and have a strong set of leaders in the squad who will look to get us the win and rattle the opposition. It’s time to make people take notice of the Warriors.

London Irish
Manager – stnick88

01. Jean Baptiste Poux	09. Julien Dupuy
02. Deon Fourie	10. Nick Evans
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Matt Garvey	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Luke McAllister
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Conrad Smith
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pieterson
08. Pierre Spies	15. Delon Armitage

16. Matt Stevens 17. Tom Lindsay 18. WP Nel 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Will Fraser 21. Neal De Kock 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Sireli Naqalevuki

Tactics

- We want to use our backs as much as possible and attack Tigers. Evans and Mac will look to control the game and get us playing in the right areas.

- Evans to kick all pens in range for goal, if not go for touch and use Kennedy as our main jumper, with Garvey and Spies options. We will try to disrupt as much opposition ball as possible, with Kennedy being the man to do so.

- 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 JP and Armitage in space.

London Welsh make 7 changes to the side that beat Grenoble last weekend. There are recalls in the pack for Alex Corbisiero, Bismarck du Plessis, Dave Wilson, Sitaleki Timani and Thierry Dusautoir, with Morgan Parra and Jonathan Davies coming into the backline.

London Welsh
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Morgan Parra
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. Dave Wilson
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. Digby Ioane
05. James Hanks	12. Patric Lambie
06. Tom Johnson	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Thierry Dusautoir (c)	14. Bryan Habana
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Chris Whitead 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Adam Jones 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Luke Wallace 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Darren Cave 23. James Simpson-Daniel

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 will however be looking for gaps rather than contact and looking to offload to support runners. We will look to apply pressure to Worcester 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 Worcester make.

Attacking specifics

• Farrell and Lambie to mix things up and interchange at first receiver to keep the Worcester defence guessing where the point of attack will be.
  
• Ioane and Habana to both be tracking inside ball and coming off their wings looking for offloads from the ball carrier.
  
• Support runners to ruck past the ball quickly if the carrier goes to ground in order to secure quick ball to go again.
  
• Target Morne Steyn in defence with big carriers looking to hit him and carry over the gainline forcing other players in to help defensively, then look to exploit the gaps this leaves elsewhere with good offloading and support runners.
  
• Keep the scoreboard ticking over by taking all penalties on offer (as ASM did to Leinster last weekend)
  

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

• Form. Having started the season poorly, we have now lost just 2 of our previous 10 games. Our most recent form is 2 TBP wins in the Amlin, and before that beating Irish and drawing away at Saints.
  
• Experienced internationals in key position (2,8,9,10) who know how to control a game, and in the case of our 8,9,10 axis their recent form is excellent.
  
• Good defence wins games away from home, and we have an excellent defensive backline, who also have the ability to counter attack. Morne is a kicking 10 and if he keeps giving the ball to Ioane, Habana and Taute, or JSD when he comes on, then they will run it back with interest.
  
• 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.
  

Newcastle Falcons

Manager – Sgt Pooly

01. Fabien Barcella	09. Ben Youngs
02. Lee Mears	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Owen Franks
04. Brad Thorn	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Juandre Kruger	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Richie McCaw©	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Kieran Read	15. Alex Goode

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. Tom Croft 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Colin Slade 23. George Lowe


Tactics

General – Look to play at high intensity and keep the ball alive in the forwards. Cruden to dictate tempo and keep us playing in the right areas and going for the 3 points to keep ahead of the opposition and make them chase the game.

Forwards:

Scrum – With the cold conditions and increased restarts expected we’ll be looking to use the scrum as a weapon and target the opposition. 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. Thorn will pack down behind Franks and look to splinter the opposition hooker/LH. We'll also look to get the when on and open the field for Youngs to break into.

Lineout – quick ball off the top using Kruger as primary caller, also look to use Robshaw at the tail and Read, Thorn to offer front ball. Target opposition ball and contest outside of 22 especially. In opposition half look for Mears (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. Look to use Youngs breaking through the middle or SBW running hard from 1st phase quick lineout ball.

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. McCaw to lead the attack with Read & Robshaw providing a devastating trio. Will look to get Thorn in at rucks who’ll clear out and give our backrow the ideal opportunity to get hands on ball. We'll look to boss this area and ruck over the ball with our phyiscal pack.

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

BACKS

Halfbacks – Look to get fast attacking ball and Youngs to play how he does he does for Leicester by raising the tempo and attacking the fringes. Cruden to play flat to the line and bring SBW into play as he does for the Chiefs.

Centres – Look to Get SBW hitting it hard through the centre and draw in the opposition defence. AAC will track and look to get onto any offload and make dents in the opposition midfield.

Back 3 – Serious gas and power to exploit the opposition out wide. Goode to come into the line and will mix it up off Cruden to give us another tactical kicking option. Look to use Benjamin & Bowe height in the opposition half with Cruden putting in the cross-field kick.

POINTS:

• TEAM FORM - In great form in the league/HC

• FRONT ROW - Strong options throughout game to keep pressure on oppostion

• 8-13 axis - All World class players who can make the difference in a tight game

• Captains - Numerous leaders to see us through a tight game (Robshaw, Read) and captain fantastic in McCaw

Just waiting for Mat. As we have allowed teams in on a Friday morning previously this season I shall give him until lunchtime to get his team in.

Predictions for the other games are OPEN

Bath Rugby 22-21 Saracens

Edge at scrum time to Sarries with the Bath hook and LH struggling in this one. Both sides should hold their own lineout but Bath can use it more as an attacking weapon. Back row edge to Bath with more form and ability. Won’t be a lot in it at the breakdown but Bath will carry harder and link it up a bit more. See nothing between the halfbacks and midfield but more danger men in the Bath back three. Off the bench not much difference impact wise. Good game here nothing between the sides overall as they will both get good platforms and the halfbacks are equal. Home advantage is the decider.



Gloucester Rugby TBC Newcastle Falcons



London Irish 19-24 Leicester Tigers

Both sides will hold their own lineout but Tigers will get better attacking platforms from it. See Tigers getting at the scrum a bit in this one as well. Great back row battle which neither side will really get on top off. Nothing much between the halfbacks but Irish stronger in midfield. Tigers with a bit more about them in the back 3. More game changers on the Tigers bench and a more detailed game plan is a plus. Tigers get more of a platform from the set piece and the bench seals the win away from home in the last quarter.



Northampton Saints 15-15 Harlequins

Good even battle at the lineout but slight edge to Quins at the scrum. Nothing between the front 5s around the park. Good back row battle with decent form for both sides and again neither side will get on top. Decent halfback battle. More spark from Burns at 10 but Giteau helps the Saints halfbacks for creativity. More in midfield for Quins. Liking the balance of their centres but Saints with a dangerous back 3. Both sides have strengths and weaknesses on the bench and decent game plans. Tough game to call Saints at home but Quins will get a bit more from the scrum and through the midfield and are deserving of a draw.



Worcester Warriors 12-17 London Welsh

Good little battle at the set piece with neither side ever really getting on top. Same to be said in the back row. Great even pack battle in this one. More form to Welsh at halfback gives them an edge. Neither 10 will bring the best attacking threat but Lambie fixes this for Welsh. Decent midfield battle one a piece but as a combo Welsh stronger. Serious danger men in the Welsh back three. Lack of form for the Worcester wings. Decent threats off both benches but Welsh will get at the scrum. On the game plans kicking ball to the Welsh back three is dangerous and targeting the 10 channel won’t get a lot of joy for Worcester. Welsh backs have the ability to open Worcester up and get a good away win.

Bath 18-16 Sarries

Advantage Sarries in the front row with a good scrummaging set. Both sets of 2^nd rows will keep their own lineout ball here. Feel Bath will get the upper hand in the back row battle. 9-10 provides control from Bath and flair from Sarries. I’d say Bath just take the centre battle with Trinder still coming back from injury and getting to form. Prefer the Sarries back three. In the bench Sarries will control the scrum’s still but Bath have the impact backs here. Just edged to Bath with their backrow providing quicker ball.

Glos 17-18 Falcons
Good tactics and front row on show here from Falcons. No weakness in either 2nd rows so that's even. 2 strong backrows but feel McCaw will get on top of Lapandry. Like both halfback combo's with Glos edging 10 and Falcons, 9. Not sure about SBW or Barnes at the moment, don't think either centre pairing's will get joy. Back 3 just to Glos not sure who to give this game to, think the tactics will just help Falcons.

Irish 14-20 Tigers

Huge battle here but that Tigers side looks scary! Castro may cause an out of sorts Jenkins some issues but Tigers take the rest of the battle. Like the Irish 2^nd row pairing with good form but Tigers have that extra international quality. 2 fantastic back rows which I really can’t split so both will be getting disrupted ball back. Control from both pairs at halfback with Yachvilli back up and running again I think Tigers edge it. Like the Irish centre pairing here with BOD coming back soon this will help Tigers, 12T is in good form. Tries galore in the back 3 with Tigers again having that little more international experience. Tigers take the bench and the win but Irish won’t go down without a fight.



Saints 19-16 Quins

Quins take the scrum battle. Experience against power in the 2^nd rows with both evening themselves out. Not sure about Messam at 8 to be honest, prefer the Quins balance. Saints will get quicker ball from Simpson but Burns’ current form means he won’t be too phased by slower ball. Going to give the centres to Saints with JDV having a little more control than JJ. Think Saints will get a few more tries too when the opportunity comes. Saints bench gets them the win.



Wasps 12-16 Sale

Both tighthead’s will get joy at scrum time. Like the Wasps 2^nd row but Sale’s aren’t pushovers. Great backrow on show from Sale which will edge this battle. 9-10 to Sale with a bit more international quality on show. Can’t really spot a weakness in the outside backs from either side, both have good balance to them. Feel Sale’s half back combination will keep the scoreboard ticking but Wasps do have a good game plan which is matched by the Sharks.

1.steenkamp 
2. Gray
3. Figallo
4  Eben  Etzbeth
5 Robson
6 ferris. 
7 Lapandry
8  Heaslip
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 Johnny may
12 Berrick Barnes
13 Juan de Jongh
14 Charlie Sharples 
15 Israel Dagg
16 Tim Payne
17 Jamie George
18 James Johnstone
19 Tom Palmer
20 immanol Harinordoquoy
21 Tj Perenara
22 Iain Balshaw
23 Ryan Lamb


Chaps my in laws have been flooded majorly in Devon. Having to move everything . No tactics sorry usual big carrying and then move it wide. No idea when next on sorry !

No worries mate, sorting out the family far more important. Will format your team now.

OP updated with Gloucester team, predict away folks.

I'll be doing mine tonight, wife's Xmas do so plenty of time to read through tactics etc. Some great games

Ill do mine tonight got nothing on besides Ulster game

Bath 27 - 25 Saracens

Give the advantage to Sarries up front, whilst the 2nd row is an even battle with Whitelock the standout. Bath are stronger in eachback row position, but Sarries unit will not walk over. Packs pretty even overall. Bath take the HB's on form, but I prefer the Sarries centre combo. Bath take the back threes. This is a very close game betweeen two good sides. Bath, with home advanatge, and a little more in the backs, take it.


Gloucester 22 - 24 Newcastle

Think Newcastle can get the shove on with slightly stronger props here. As a duo prefer the Newcastle duo in the 2nd row but Etzebeth the standout on form. Onform think Newcastle have the better player in each position of the back row, and add the McCaw/Read factor its one sided.One apiece in the HB's, with close centres, and close back threes too. Think Newcastle come here with a stronger pack, a game plan, and the right personnel to get a great win.


Saints 25 - 24 Harlequins

See Quins taking on Saints up front here, whilst the 2nd rows are fairly even. Back rows are tough to split with two good units. Balance wise I think I prefer Saints combo, as their back 5 has a bit of everything. Quins take the HB's, with better form in there, but beyond there its quite tight, Saints have the better back three, although Quins have improved considerably here. Really, really tight. At home edge to Saints.


Wasps 21 - 21 Sale

Not a lot in it up front, whilst I think Wasps have better form at 4, 5, 6 - but Sale a class above at 7 and 8. Really good pack battle that I think Wasps may just edge here. Manoa and Ryan on fire at the minute. Decent form for Wasps but more quality for Sale at HB, and a similar story in the centres. Sale lack top class in back three. Good tight game here. Sale's HBs and back row are strong, but Wasps at home with a powerful side. Can't call it.


Worcester 20 - 26 Welsh

Slight advanatge to Welsh up front, but both LH's to get some change from their opponents. Back 5's give the edge to Welsh but really tight. Just think Welsh have a little more in each back row position. Parra key in the HB's and sees Welsh look much more dangerous - their back three very dangerous and will cause damage. Think Welsh look stronger in most areas of the ptich, and see them getting a good win here.

Bath 23 - 20 Saracens

Front 5's pretty even. Prefer the Saracens front row but back 5 to Bath by a long way. A great unit on show. Half backs to Bath with better form. Centres one a piece and can't call them. Back 3's to Bath. Good contest but Bath have too much.

Gloucester 19 - 19 Newcastle

Prefer Gloucester's front 5 with only Kruger better than his opposite man. Back row is 2 -1 for Falcons with McCaw and Read in fine form. Half backs one a piece with the units pretty level. SBW losing rating for me and centres very close. Back 3's even with Benjamin massively letting down Newcastle's unit. Benches even. With tactics Gloucester sneek this but ends up a draw.

London Irish 22 - 23 Leicester

Not a great deal in it in the front rows but Leicester stronger in the 2nd row. Back rows are a great battle with Steffon's form making a big difference. Packs close, maybe the slightest edge to Leicester. Neither 9 doing great at the moment and Evans and Wilko pretty even. Irish have the stronger centres in both positions and back 3's are level. Better impact on the Leicester bench. Another tight one but here I think Leicester just have enough to edge it.

London Wasps 19 - 20 Sale

Great battle upfront but I prefer the Wasps front row. Both Wasps locks have been excellent when I've seen them and they match the impressive Sale unit. Back rows a good contest with the slight edge to Sale. Half backs to Sale but Phipps and Myler will do a good job for Wasps. Nothing getting through the Wasps midfield and I think the Wasps back three has a fine balance to it and is stronger than their opposite numbers. Yet another close one, I think the back row and half back advantage see's Sale sneak it.

Worcester 24 - 25 London Welsh

Front rows are a fine contest with no real advantage either way at the set piece and maybe Welsh a little stronger in the loose. Locks go to Worcester by a slight margin. back rows a great battle and can't separate them. Half backs to Welsh with Parra's form a big factor. Think Steyn will control the game better than Farrell though. Centres marginally to Welsh with Clarke letting Worcester down. Back 3's again slightly to Welsh who pick up a great away win.

Gloucester 15 Newcastle 23

See Falcons better in 4 out of 5 positions in the front 5 of the scrum with Etzebeth shading Thorn. Back row Falcons take with Robshaw ahead of Ferris on real life form , McCaw yards ahead of Lapandry and Read best player in the world. 9/10 Youngs in pretty solid form with Cruden and Carter a draw. (Great battle) Centre is a tough one with SBW and Barnes both lacking any form in the 12 jersey with Barnes playing 15 for Aus. 13s is a draw De Jong good going forward but AAC rock in defense. Back 3s Falcons have more form in 14/15. Benchs draw. No tactics make for big win for Falcons

London Irish 20 Leicester Tigers 20

front rows would be a draw but the thing which swings it tigers way is they have been together a while but Jenkins in awful form but Castro not at his best either. Locks i'll go for Tigers Garvey will put in a shift but Pape is having a stormer of a season and Parling brings more to line than Kennedy who is just building his relationship with Fourie at the set piece. Back rows are nit picking when looking for a winner with Irish having more form but Tigers the bigger names. Half backs tigers set out like an away side , two of the greatest thinkers on the pitch they will put tigers in the Irish half but Nick Evans is no mug. Dupuy hasn't done anything for about 2 years has he lol? Centres go to Irish with Mac giving them plenty of options in attack. Tigers back 3 a bit more dangerous and have a bit more on the bench to see them to a draw.

Finish mine later.

Bath 24 - 20 Saracens

Bath will struggle upfront against a solid international standard front row. Lineout wise more to Bath with Kitchener, Whitelock and more so JMF ruling the skies. Although Sarries back five are geared towards the heavy carrying, which is matched by the Bath unit. A great balance back row for them will seem them get some advanatge around the park. Especially with Pocock present at the breakdown. Great halfbacks from bath which have a bit of everything to control the game, the quality of this unit outshines the solid Saracens partnership. They can get their back line moving and Nonu will make moves, but the balanced Bath bakcs will make use of their lineout and breakdown advantage. The strong home bench will come on to secure a good home victory.

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Gloucester 26 - 26 Newcastle Falcons

With both LH's being ineffective for quite a while I see the scrum battle as an even contest. Lineout wise again its even, with both teams containing great leaders and jumpers. Big carrying threat from Glos, but will come under severe pressure securing their own ball. They have the physicality but it might take the odd extra man, as Falcons back five are great around the ruck area. Haflbacks about even, Carter will guide Robson through the game. Centres are again even, with maybe something spontaneous coming from SBW being the edge there, but its vice versa in the back three with Glos looking more dangerous with ball in hand. Benches are strong, the lack of tactics will cost Glos a win at home I think.

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London Irish 21 - 25 Leicester Tigers

Both sides have a great set piece. However can see this only helping Tigers as they have a bit more gritty carrying throughout their pack, whereas Irish will want to carry in the wider spaces. This point will catch both sides out every so often, but will benefit Tigers more, as it will draw more players into the rucks and create better mismatches. Irish have a solid backline which Evans can ignite, but there is more to come out the Tigers unit. The controlling halfbacks will get the most out of their backline. Irish have a solid bench, but a bit more impact will come from the Tigers bench and they will secure a good away win.

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Northampton Saints 19 - 24 Harlequins

Lineouts will be even, with both being solid and nicking the odd ball of each other. But the Saints front five are a bit flimsy in the scrum in comparison to the Quins unit. At the breakdown both have brilliant sevens and will be negated, as each will win the odd turn over. Back row edged to Quins with a bit more of a settled unit, Messam can play 8 yes - but will struggle against this unit. Halfbacks is where this gets interesting. Wuins have probably the form EQ halfbacks in the country, Dickson will control the pack well and this will allow Burns time and space to attack and put them in the right positions. Simpson is talented, but under pressure buckles a bit, JMH is a quality player and does well under pressure but you won't get the best out of him. Saints backline can perhaps conjure something out of nothing, but the time that Burns has to put his backs into great positions is a dangerous prospect. The benches are both quality, but just enough to see Quins defeat the mighty Saints at home.

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Worcester Warriors 17 - 22 London Welsh

Two good units up front, with a slight edge to Welsh. But Wuss have a edge at the lineout. Both have big carriers and to me negate each other. Where the seperation comes is at the breakdown with Dus and BdP being ubiquitous. Welsh have a bit more of control and will put their forwards in the right places and the scoreboard ticking over. Steyn for Wuss will keep their score board going but will struggle as they are suffering at the breakdown. Little unsure of Lambie at 12, but there is more creativity from the Welsh centres and will get the most out of their back three. bit more quality in the Welsh backthree and bench will help them edge a tough away game.

Gloucester 21-24 Newcastle
Irish 16-20 Tigers
Saints 25-28 Quins
Wasps 18-23 Sale
Warriors 15-17 Welsh

Irish 16-16 Tigers game of round impossible to split
Saints 28-30 Quins pack too big and physical in front 5 for saints.
Wasps 18-23 Sale bit more class all round for sale. Chock full of ball carriers
Warriors 15-16 welsh would score the only try of game. A game of attrition and not one I would watch if on TV
Bath 27-20 sarries wet weather would have gone for sarries win as bath front row very weak however in good conditions bath take back row and have a far better backline which will score tries and be too physical for sarries.

Irish 22-21 Tigers
Really hard game to predict on, very even up front and I think that the home team has enough control at 9 and 10 to see this through. Nick Evans my favourite no10 in the AP. Home advantage make the difference.

Gloucester 23 - 22 Newcastle
Sorry to hear about the flooding Mat, hope all is ok. Have got used to what the Gloucester tactics are over the years etc, so basing decision on how they usually play. Combined with home advantage I see this as a narrow win. Not sure how to rate SBW anymore. Pooly would look at seeing if you can get someone else on the wing than Benjamin, would have had you winning this one if you had as rest of your backline has a great balance etc.

Wasps 19 - 25 Sale
More class in the Sale team, Wasps need to get find a WC back or game changer there as can't see how they would unlock the Sale defence, which is really solid.

Warriors 19-21 London Welsh
Again it is the weather that effects this result, the usual power of Warriors pack isn't as telling as it owuld be in awful conditions and the backline that Pete has put together is very good with finishers out wide and that will make the difference. Prop just needs Steyn to come into a bit more form and get him standing flat to bring his backline into the game.

Bath 18 - 16 Sarries - Bath been lucky with the weather in this one, as Driver's front five is better but running rugby conditions for me put emphasis on backrow and backs, and I think this is where Bath have the advantage. Driver has great tactics here, would consider playing Cueto at 13, with Thompstone on the wing, could change the backline a bit. Charlie Hodgson is in the best form of his career now, which makes a big difference.

Bath 25–24 Saracens

Good front 5 battle but edge to Sarries here. Bath backrow a class act though and will get edge. Not loads in the backs with Sarries having the centre battle but Bath the back 3. Sarries win at home but Bath just sneak it.

Irish 20–21 Leicester

Very tight scrum battle, two good units and Cole the standout on form. Fourie a bit of a weakness, plays most of his rugby at 7 these days. Tigers bit more in the engine room but nothing in two cracking backrows in good form. Just a bit more spark in the Tigers backline but so so close this one. I just think Tigers will sneak it with some very good recent form.

Northampton 17–18 Harlequins

Better front row unit for Quins, especially in the scrum. 3 cracking locks and Borthwick a standout weakness although Lawes recent form drags Saints down a bit. Quins a step up in the backrow with all 3 players stronger than opposition, especially 7 with Salvi not great. Quins bit more at halfback although Gits gives Saints the centre battle on recent form and the Quins pair struggling recently.Step up for Saints in back 3. Close game but Quins set a tone in the pack and half backs giving them a sneaky win.

Wasps 18–20 Sale

I think Flux has tweaked well and Wasps looking good. Tough this week with Sale having one of the best post injury teams though. Not much in front row but Sale get edge in back 5 of pack. Sale stronger at halfback and centre although a better back 3 Wasps unit. See a sneaky away win again, you’ll get there Flux.

Worcester 15–15 Welsh

Welsh edge front row but Worcester a step up in both locks. Not much in backrows with Savage perhaps the standout in 2 good units. Little bit more Welsh in the halfbacks, not fully convinced by Farrell but rate him higher than previous and if carries on improving could be solid for Pete, Steyn a stonger 10 though. One a piece in the centres, not sure of Lambie at 12 but JD good at 13, similar for Clark for Prop who’s not in great form. Taute aside a real step up for Welsh in the back 3 and Worcester just lack a bit of form. Tough for Worcester but Welsh stong and have enough to get a draw.

Wont be able to get rest done pete

I didn't think I'd won that, massive wins for Tigers & Quins too.

Not often you see 5 away wins in one round.

I can't remember 5 away wins ever to be honest.