About v2Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
+7
Fluxy
LukeLovesLuka
prop_lyd
CJB
Sgt_Pooly
Steven_Sharks
Ozzy3213
11 posters
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Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Mon 31 Dec 2012, 8:35 am
First topic message reminder :
Newcastle Falcons vs. Northampton Saints
Cloudy, 10 degrees, 11mph winds.
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
16.Augustin Creevy 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. Tom Croft 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Adam Ashley-Cooper 23. Miles Benjamin
Tactics:
HOME ADVANTAGE - WON EVERY GAME IN OVER 2 YEARS. LOOKING FOR DOUBLE OVER SAINTS AFTER BEATING THEM AWAY
Game plan...Fast paced, high intensity, offloading, dynamic rugby. We’ll be aiming to control possession and go through the phases. Cruden will play flat and look to get our backline into the game whenever possible and keep the high tempo going throughout.
Set piece:
In the good conditions look to get the ball in and out for Youngs/Cruden to attack with. Look for fast ball off the top of the lineout with Kruger making the calls. If weakness seen in either set piece we’ll look to exploit. Look to exploit Ben T throughout with him only just signing for Saints. Barcella will look to work the youngster over and get him to concede pens.
Pack & Breakdown:
Look for strong carries from our pack, tying in the opposition forwards. We’ll be looking to keep the ball alive and look for the offload when on. Our backrow will target the breakdown and look to get in a second tackler to tie up the opposition carriers. Youngs will wait for the call and look to sweep up any turnover ball getting us on the front foot.
DEFENCE:
Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow out backrow to dominate affairs. Thorn/Robshaw in particular will look to hit the ruck hard and remove attempted turnovers from the equation allowing us to ruck over the ball and control the breakdown. Robshaw/McCaw will look to target the opposition scrum half early on and pressure his ditribution. Youngs to sweep in behind the defensive line.
Backs:
Basically get the backs into play whenever possible with Cruden the spark. Goode will act as second playmaker and come into the line to mix things up. Look to get Bowe & Cuthbert into the game whenever possible. Youngs to play on instinct around the fringes and look to get SBW in on the draw and release to use his power through the middle.
POINTS:
BEN T – With him just signing for Saints we’ll look to target him in set piece and loose as he won’t know the defensive systems at Saints. Youngs/Cruden will look to exploit him in the defensive line throughout.
PHYSICAL PACK – Win the collosion and target rucks to drive through opposition
8/9/10 combo – All world class players who can dictate tempo of game.
BREAKDOWN – Backrow to work their magic and Youngs to monitor to attack on turnover ball. With lack of fetcher in Saints pack will look to exploit here.
FORM – We are in great form in the league with a great away wins over Gloucester and Bath
ROLLING MAUL – With our big front 5 look to get the rolling maul going off selected lineouts and eat up the ground
TARGET SAINTS HALFBACKS – Look for McCaw and backrow to rough Simpson up. He likes to go himself so we’ll look for this and tie him causing slow ball and no scrum half or the turnover.
HARTLEY – Look to wind him up throughout. With Taumanolo not a strong scrummager (getting destroyed weekly in T14) will allow Franks to put pressure on the link between LH and HK and driver Hartley up which doesn’t take much. Thorn to lock down behind Franks to give added push.
Northampton Saints
Manager - Dammit Chris
16. Rob Webber 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logovi'i Mulipola 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Calum Clark 21. Mike Phillips 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Matthew Tait
Key Points
To beat Newcastle away we have targeted the following areas:
• Defence: Team selected on defensive ability. We are aiming to spoil Newcastle's attacking flow, slow down their game and Ashton, Imhoff and Halfpenny selected as defensive unit to stop the threat of Newcastle outwide/limit try scoring opportunities. With Lawes leading the forward defensive effort, we are going to play a very physical/confrontational game. Simpson to sweep behind a blitz defence.
• Attack: To use the ball carriers in our pack to get us over the gainline and work on going through the phases and keeping hold of the ball before attacking at speed. To really disrupt Newcastle's rhythm and their tempo. Simpson in great form (see his try v London Welsh!), whilst Youngs is very hot and cold - main point of attack will be off Giteau who will look to isolate Lowe and put Tuilagi and other backs through his channel. Have no9, 13 and backthree that need just one chance to score.
• Kicking game: Selected Hernandez at no10 for his kicking game, which will be supported by Giteau and Halfpenny. Perceive Newcastle to have no kicking game in their midfield and will look to win the kicking battle and territory game. Winning the territory game will be vital in such a big game and with the kick chase offered by Ashton and Imhoff this will be big factor for Saints.
• Taking three points: With territory we will take every opportunity for three points we can take, whether it is Halfpenny's boot from 55metres out or Hernandez's eye for a drop goal.
• Set piece: Very strong scrum and target Mears who we believe we can exploit as long as he is on the pitch. With the kicking game we have implemented we will also be looking to target the Newcastle lineout, with Bonnaire leading and Lawes, Albacete and Parisse as options this is a key area for us. Aim to generate quick ball from our own throw to attack Newcastle through the midfield. (no issue for Ben T as was club colleague with Sona at the Chiefs).
• Power: We have purposefully picked a team that is full of power and physicality so (i) we can get over the Newcastle gainline and attack with frontfoot ball (both props, Lawes, Albacete, Messam and Parisse in the pack) and (ii) so we can clear out the Newcastle players at the breakdown area and slow down quick Newcastle ball. Aware of how good McCaw is so opting to use a power-based game and limiting his effectiveness instead of directly competing.
• Leadership/Experience: Great mix of leadership/experience in the team, with Hartley, Albacete, Parisse and Bonnaire in the pack and Hernandez and Giteau in the backline. Important to win away.
• Finish strong: We've picked a really strong subs bench to ensure we finish the game the better of the two sides. All big ball carriers and game changers who can add to the physicality in the closing 25/30minutes.
Gloucester vs. London Irish
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 9mph winds.
Gloucester
Manager - Mat
16. Guthro Steenkamp17. Adrian Strauss 18. Rupert Harden 19. Tom Palmer20. Jamie Heaslip 21. Dan Robson 22. Iain Balshaw 23. Ryan lamb
Tactics
Glos are targeting a BP win at home and are really looking to open up the game by getting our big ball carriers on front foot and trying to get in behind Irish. We have gone for a super dynamic bench and will be looking to get our forward replacements on after about 50 to maintain tempo.
Keys points
Target scrum- whole front row in great form with a top bench front row to come on. This enables them to go full tilt from off
Lineout- As ever we have gone for 5 jumpers and have 2 Great throwing hookers. We will really target Lindsay's darts and see this as a key point
We will be mixing the drive and off the top to really get in to Irish
Ball carriers- we are packed with mobile ball carriers and will look to play high intensity with offloading and dynamic rucking.
We will be sending numbers in to rucks I create quick ball early on and also to nullify armitage.
Our Backrow will also target dupuy and try to ruin his ball to evans
Aim is to play an open brand but we will kick all penalties and not look to throw around until we have got on front foot.
8,9,10,12 channel is strong for us and we will use this to dictate tempo.
When we get in right positions we will be trying to isolate one on ones with our super quick backline
As game progresses tempo will be revved up with quick throw ins and our back 3 countering every loose kick.
Defensively we will be aggressive and use the blitz where necessary.
We are targeting the win and the BP win with it and think we have the team and bench to deliver this.
London Irish
Manager – pullthestrings
16. Deon Fourie 17. Grant Shiells 18. WP Nel 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Will Fraser 21. Jack Moates 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Tom Homer
London Welsh vs. Harlequins
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 9mph winds.
London Welsh
Manager – Ozzy3213
16. Chris Whitehead 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Dave Wilson 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Duane Vermeulen 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Darren Cave 23. James Simpson-Daniel
Key Points
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 Quins 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 Quins make.
Specifics
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
16. Rob Buchanan 17. Joe Marler 18. Ben Franks 19. George Kruis 20. Sam Warburton 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Matt Smith
Tactics
Game Plan
We will look to control the possession and the tempo of the game. We will look to keep the ball in hand when we are outside of our own 22 and look to put the pressure on Welsh and cause them to make mistake/give away penalties. We will use our big carriers in our pack to get us over the gainline and tie in defenders before we send the ball into wider channels.
We will be looking for our front 5 to carry off of 9 and 10 with our back row looking to carry off 10 and 12. When our forwards carry we want them to do so with support so they can offload or we can ruck over the ball quickly so we can get quick ball and start again. We want our carriers to win the collisions and keep the legs pumping in contact so as to cross the gain line. We have deliberately picked a pack full of carriers so we can make yards in the early phases of our attack.
In our own 22 or when we do have to kick we will look to kick to touch or use the up and under option so we don't give the London Welsh wingers the chance to run at a broken field.
Forwards
In the pack we will look to control the set piece. Borthwick will run our lineout with Denton, Botha and Easter providing other jumping options. At the scrum we will look to put big pressure on Castro who might not be used to the Welsh scrum technique. When it comes to the ruck we want to adopt a low body position and clear the breakdown so Dickson has clean ball to increase the tempo should he decide to. We don't want to have to commit lots of men to the rucks when we have the ball so we need to be effective with our rucking technique. Welsh don't have a natural breakdown man so we feel we can get some quick ruck ball by rucking quickly and effectively.
Backs
The key to this game lies with our half backs, We have the men to play to the style we want to. Dickson will control our pack and get us quick ball and Freddie Burns will play flat and bring other into the game, as well as kick his goals. It is key for us to cross the gainline to allow Burns to stand flat and attack the Welsh defensive line. We will look to have Jamie Roberts run a line at each opportunity and Burns can either hit him or another forward or he can play behind them and hit JJ or one of the back 3. We will look to get the ball into the hands of our back 3 joining the line at pace once there are gaps outwide.
Defence
We will look to have a quick line speed and out real pressure on the Welsh decision makers. At rucks we are determined to make Welsh work hard at the rucks with Hooper looking to get on the ball early. We will look to double up in the tackle area when we can with one man taking the legs (or winning the collision if its possible) with the second man concentrating on the ball.
Key Points
- Castro comes into the Welsh side straight away. Plausible that he will struggle with calls and knowing the game plan.
- Keep the ball, build the pressure, draw the penalties.
- Kick the points when we have the chance. This is a big game and we will take the points at each opportunity.
Saracens vs. Sale Sharks
Cloudy, 10 degrees, 9mph winds.
Saracens Football Club
Manager – DHLS07
16. George Chuter 17. Max Lahiff 18. Werner Kruger 19. Rob Simmons 20. Phil Dowson 21. Jean-Marc Doussain 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Henry Trinder
Tactics
- Very much a traditional South African game plan as adopted by Heyneke Meyer.
- Big emphasis on the forwards dominating their opponents with their physicality. Be abrasive and niggly and get under the skin of the Sale forwards.
- Tight forward dominated game with big carriers punching holes in the Sale defence.
- Kick/Chase game using our wingers to hunt the ball as it drops and if the opposition winger takes it to wrap him up in the tackle and isolate him to either win us the turnover or the penalty.
- Really go for it on turnover ball and get the ball through the hands and exploit the disorganised defence.
- Use Daly's cannon of a boot to play in the Sale half of the pitch.
- Solid defensive line with Liam Gill either stealing or slowing the ball at the breakdown.
- If we are going through the phases and getting nowhere near to the Sale twenty-two then take the drop goal and the three points.
- Our escape from the relegation battle starts today. The team is fired up this one and want to impress the new manager.
Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE
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
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 Sexton & Steyn and force Sarries to come at us from deep.
London Wasps vs. Bath Rugby
Cloudy, 9 degrees, 7mph winds.
London Wasps
Manager – Fluxy
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
At home this week and we look to seal the first win in Flux era at Adams Park. 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 Bath 22. If Bath 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 Bath defenders further apart and produce wholes or mismatches. Bath have some prominent players at the ruck, so we will look to set and clear rucks quickly and to always have a man on the shoulder. Either to offload quickly or set the before a man can jackal on the ball.
Tactics
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane
16. Jon Golding 17. Chris Brooker 18. Davit Kubrashvilli 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Tom Guest 21. Aaron Smith 22. Nopolini Nalaga 23. Luther Burrell
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 Romano 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 Romano, Mealamu, 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. Wigglesworth 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 North, Rougerie, Jane and Hogg seeing lots of the ball.
Fatigue: We feel we are more fresh than the Wasps team. Robinson, Ryan, Barclay, Crane and Laulala have all started 3 games in a row. Myler has played four of the last five with Ojo playing five straight. Brown and Phipps have played 5 of the last six including 2 internationals with six straight from Barritt.
Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Wapss key decision makers and prevent them from playing. Richard Wigglesworth to sweep in behind.
Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. Golding, Brooker and Kubrashvilli will look to keep the scrum strong. Kitchener will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Guest will look to get in gaps with his strong running. Smith will look to add tempo late on and try to put pressure on Wasps defenders. Nalaga + Burrell will come on early in the second half and will look to get their hands on the ball for big carries against tired legs.
Worcester Warriors vs. Leicester Tigers
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 7mph winds.
Worcester Warriors
Manager - prop_lyd
16. Korree Britton 17. Fraser Balmain 18. Nathan Catt 19. Ollie Kohn 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Pat McCabe 23. Marcel Garvey
Tactics
Overall
Tigers expect us to play a kicking game in the current conditions. We have picked 2 players capable of getting us downfield if needs be but have a beastly pack and will look more towards the forwards. In our backs we have good strike runners across the backline and an inform Peel who will give Steyn more time on the ball. Quick ball will be used only if it is on and gaps can be seen, the forwards will take on a lot of ball today and the backs will have the ball on the front foot.
Forwards
*Heavy front row who have played together for Worcester a lot, will look to gain the nudge on at scrum and clear any obstacles at the breakdown,
*Brute force here and both capable of jumping in the lineout. Both will be wind up merchants and strong carriers from the base of the rucks as we look to pick and drive,
*Breakdown specialist in Tips (lineout option) who will float along the defensive line and pick the gaps at the breakdown to get the turnovers,
*Gorgodze (lineout option) and Morgan are both very hard to stop and will target the centre pairing of Tigers especially BOD who hasn’t played a lot IRL,
*Good front row power and Kohn, Higginbotham will add the extra international quality.
Backs
*Halfback pairing who will capitalise gaps and want quick ball for our outside backs,
*As a change of tactics we will have Steyn standing flat in opposition half, this will allow us to bring in our strike runners quicker and give Barkley quick ball for Jauzion to break through the gainline,
*If we are penned in our own half then we will look to put boot to ball, when this happens Steyn and Barkley will swap to give Steyn more time to clear when stood at 12, he will make sure the ball goes out of play and prevent any quick counter attack,
*The centres have strike runners on their shoulders from 11-15 and 6-8 who will look to break through and support any breaks made,
*Back three won’t see a much ball as we look to play a tight game but Morgan is comfortable under high ball and Short and Maitland will come looking for work,
*Strong impact bench with Reddan providing pace, McCabe will run at tired legs, Garvey brings power to the back 3.
Defence
*Blitz-banana defence with Peel sweeping,
*We will have one of our back 5 players in the 10-12 channel to support Steyn and Barkley and look for a quick turnover,
*Slow down their ball and use Gorgodze to target Wilkinson.
Extra’s
*Conditions are good for this style of rugby,
*Our pack have been praised as a wet weather, winter pack so we are playing to our strength’s today,
*Targeting a win here and give their all as many of the players will rest after this game,
*Tigers may be top but Sixways in the wet with our current team is hard to come away from with a strong win and we will look to bring them down to our level and target a big upset.
Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
16. Ryan Bower 17. Stephen Moore 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Simon Shaw 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Frederic Michalak 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Dominic Waldouck
Tactics:
We will play to our strengths and play a game built around winning the kicking battle by targetting Worcester's back three; the physicality in our pack and the strength in our set piece.
- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Sheridan to look to really get into an out of sorts Beast and Botha.
- Attack at all lineouts. Use Mafi at the front and Parling off the top as our two key options.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.
Mafi at the front on Worcester throws putting real pressure on Botha.
- Physical, abrasive pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Worcester defence. The likes of SOB, Louw, Youngs, Mafi and Hines to be used to crash through the Worcester defence.
Look to play an offloading game, with runners always supporting.
- Look to win battle at 7 with Louw vs Tipuric - 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 kicking game of Yach, Wilko and Beale to target Worcester's back three. 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
11 wins out of 12 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 Irish, Sale, Saracens, Wasps and London Welsh away from home.
Target Worcester's Back Three
We expect M.Steyn to play a kicking game, so have selected Nacewa and Beale in our back three with their safe hands and counter/kicking ability. Use kicking game of Yach, Wilko and Beale to target Worcester's back three with high kicks and win that key battle.
Impact off Bench
Look to utilise our bench in the 2nd half to dominate Irish. Moore and Cencus to keep the set piece on track, and Waldrom to add serious carrying options. Michalak to give us a bit of creativity if needed at HB.
Teams to be named by midnight on Thursday 27th December 2012.
Predictions by 20:00 hours on Saturday 29th December 2012.
Predictions by 20:00 hours on Saturday 29th December 2012.
Newcastle Falcons vs. Northampton Saints
Cloudy, 10 degrees, 11mph winds.
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Sgt Pooly
| 01. Fabien Barcella | 09. Ben Youngs |
| 02. Lee Mears | 10. Aaron Cruden |
| 03. Owen Franks | |
| 04. Brad Thorn | 11. Alex Cuthbert |
| 05. Juandre Kruger | 12. Sonny Bill Williams |
| 06. Chris Robshaw | 13. George Lowe |
| 07. Richie McCaw(c) | 14. Tommy Bowe |
| 08. Kieran Read | 15. Alex Goode |
16.Augustin Creevy 17. Paul Doran-Jones 18. Alex Waller 19. Ed Slater 20. Tom Croft 21. Jimmy Cowan 22. Adam Ashley-Cooper 23. Miles Benjamin
Tactics:
HOME ADVANTAGE - WON EVERY GAME IN OVER 2 YEARS. LOOKING FOR DOUBLE OVER SAINTS AFTER BEATING THEM AWAY
Game plan...Fast paced, high intensity, offloading, dynamic rugby. We’ll be aiming to control possession and go through the phases. Cruden will play flat and look to get our backline into the game whenever possible and keep the high tempo going throughout.
Set piece:
In the good conditions look to get the ball in and out for Youngs/Cruden to attack with. Look for fast ball off the top of the lineout with Kruger making the calls. If weakness seen in either set piece we’ll look to exploit. Look to exploit Ben T throughout with him only just signing for Saints. Barcella will look to work the youngster over and get him to concede pens.
Pack & Breakdown:
Look for strong carries from our pack, tying in the opposition forwards. We’ll be looking to keep the ball alive and look for the offload when on. Our backrow will target the breakdown and look to get in a second tackler to tie up the opposition carriers. Youngs will wait for the call and look to sweep up any turnover ball getting us on the front foot.
DEFENCE:
Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow out backrow to dominate affairs. Thorn/Robshaw in particular will look to hit the ruck hard and remove attempted turnovers from the equation allowing us to ruck over the ball and control the breakdown. Robshaw/McCaw will look to target the opposition scrum half early on and pressure his ditribution. Youngs to sweep in behind the defensive line.
Backs:
Basically get the backs into play whenever possible with Cruden the spark. Goode will act as second playmaker and come into the line to mix things up. Look to get Bowe & Cuthbert into the game whenever possible. Youngs to play on instinct around the fringes and look to get SBW in on the draw and release to use his power through the middle.
POINTS:
BEN T – With him just signing for Saints we’ll look to target him in set piece and loose as he won’t know the defensive systems at Saints. Youngs/Cruden will look to exploit him in the defensive line throughout.
PHYSICAL PACK – Win the collosion and target rucks to drive through opposition
8/9/10 combo – All world class players who can dictate tempo of game.
BREAKDOWN – Backrow to work their magic and Youngs to monitor to attack on turnover ball. With lack of fetcher in Saints pack will look to exploit here.
FORM – We are in great form in the league with a great away wins over Gloucester and Bath
ROLLING MAUL – With our big front 5 look to get the rolling maul going off selected lineouts and eat up the ground
TARGET SAINTS HALFBACKS – Look for McCaw and backrow to rough Simpson up. He likes to go himself so we’ll look for this and tie him causing slow ball and no scrum half or the turnover.
HARTLEY – Look to wind him up throughout. With Taumanolo not a strong scrummager (getting destroyed weekly in T14) will allow Franks to put pressure on the link between LH and HK and driver Hartley up which doesn’t take much. Thorn to lock down behind Franks to give added push.
Northampton Saints
Manager - Dammit Chris
| 01. Sona Taumalolo | 09. Joe Simpson |
| 02. Dylan Hartley(c) | 10. Juan Martin Hernandez |
| 03. Ben Teimafona | |
| 04. Courtney Lawes | 11. Chris Ashton |
| 05. Patricio Albacete | 12. Matt Giteau |
| 06. Liam Messam | 13. Manu Tuilagi |
| 07. Julian Bonnaire | 14. Juan Jose Imhoff |
| 08. Sergio Parisse | 15. Leigh Halfpenny(k) |
16. Rob Webber 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logovi'i Mulipola 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Calum Clark 21. Mike Phillips 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Matthew Tait
Key Points
To beat Newcastle away we have targeted the following areas:
• Defence: Team selected on defensive ability. We are aiming to spoil Newcastle's attacking flow, slow down their game and Ashton, Imhoff and Halfpenny selected as defensive unit to stop the threat of Newcastle outwide/limit try scoring opportunities. With Lawes leading the forward defensive effort, we are going to play a very physical/confrontational game. Simpson to sweep behind a blitz defence.
• Attack: To use the ball carriers in our pack to get us over the gainline and work on going through the phases and keeping hold of the ball before attacking at speed. To really disrupt Newcastle's rhythm and their tempo. Simpson in great form (see his try v London Welsh!), whilst Youngs is very hot and cold - main point of attack will be off Giteau who will look to isolate Lowe and put Tuilagi and other backs through his channel. Have no9, 13 and backthree that need just one chance to score.
• Kicking game: Selected Hernandez at no10 for his kicking game, which will be supported by Giteau and Halfpenny. Perceive Newcastle to have no kicking game in their midfield and will look to win the kicking battle and territory game. Winning the territory game will be vital in such a big game and with the kick chase offered by Ashton and Imhoff this will be big factor for Saints.
• Taking three points: With territory we will take every opportunity for three points we can take, whether it is Halfpenny's boot from 55metres out or Hernandez's eye for a drop goal.
• Set piece: Very strong scrum and target Mears who we believe we can exploit as long as he is on the pitch. With the kicking game we have implemented we will also be looking to target the Newcastle lineout, with Bonnaire leading and Lawes, Albacete and Parisse as options this is a key area for us. Aim to generate quick ball from our own throw to attack Newcastle through the midfield. (no issue for Ben T as was club colleague with Sona at the Chiefs).
• Power: We have purposefully picked a team that is full of power and physicality so (i) we can get over the Newcastle gainline and attack with frontfoot ball (both props, Lawes, Albacete, Messam and Parisse in the pack) and (ii) so we can clear out the Newcastle players at the breakdown area and slow down quick Newcastle ball. Aware of how good McCaw is so opting to use a power-based game and limiting his effectiveness instead of directly competing.
• Leadership/Experience: Great mix of leadership/experience in the team, with Hartley, Albacete, Parisse and Bonnaire in the pack and Hernandez and Giteau in the backline. Important to win away.
• Finish strong: We've picked a really strong subs bench to ensure we finish the game the better of the two sides. All big ball carriers and game changers who can add to the physicality in the closing 25/30minutes.
Gloucester vs. London Irish
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 9mph winds.
Gloucester
Manager - Mat
| 01. Nick Wood | 09. Connor Murray |
| 02. Joe Gray | 10. Dan Carter |
| 03. Jamie Johnstone | |
| 04. Eben Etzebeth | 11. Jonny May |
| 05. George Robson | 12. Berrick Barnes |
| 06. Steven Ferris | 13. Juan de Jongh |
| 07. Alexandre Lapandry | 14. Charlie Sharples |
| 08. Immanol Harinordoquoy | 15. Israel Dagg |
16. Guthro Steenkamp17. Adrian Strauss 18. Rupert Harden 19. Tom Palmer20. Jamie Heaslip 21. Dan Robson 22. Iain Balshaw 23. Ryan lamb
Tactics
Glos are targeting a BP win at home and are really looking to open up the game by getting our big ball carriers on front foot and trying to get in behind Irish. We have gone for a super dynamic bench and will be looking to get our forward replacements on after about 50 to maintain tempo.
Keys points
Target scrum- whole front row in great form with a top bench front row to come on. This enables them to go full tilt from off
Lineout- As ever we have gone for 5 jumpers and have 2 Great throwing hookers. We will really target Lindsay's darts and see this as a key point
We will be mixing the drive and off the top to really get in to Irish
Ball carriers- we are packed with mobile ball carriers and will look to play high intensity with offloading and dynamic rucking.
We will be sending numbers in to rucks I create quick ball early on and also to nullify armitage.
Our Backrow will also target dupuy and try to ruin his ball to evans
Aim is to play an open brand but we will kick all penalties and not look to throw around until we have got on front foot.
8,9,10,12 channel is strong for us and we will use this to dictate tempo.
When we get in right positions we will be trying to isolate one on ones with our super quick backline
As game progresses tempo will be revved up with quick throw ins and our back 3 countering every loose kick.
Defensively we will be aggressive and use the blitz where necessary.
We are targeting the win and the BP win with it and think we have the team and bench to deliver this.
London Irish
Manager – pullthestrings
| 01. Jean Baptiste Poux | 09. Julien Dupuy |
| 02. Tom Lindsay | 10. Nick Evans |
| 03. Adam Jones | |
| 04. Matt Garvey | 11. Marland Yarde |
| 05. Johann Muller | 12. Luke McAllister |
| 06. Yannick Nyanga | 13. Conrad Smith |
| 07. Steffon Armitage | 14. JP Pieterson |
| 08. Keegan Daniel | 15. Delon Armitage |
16. Deon Fourie 17. Grant Shiells 18. WP Nel 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Will Fraser 21. Jack Moates 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Tom Homer
London Welsh vs. Harlequins
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 9mph winds.
London WelshManager – Ozzy3213
| 01. Alex Corbisiero | 09. Morgan Parra |
| 02. Bismarck du Plessis | 10. Patric Lambie |
| 03. Martin Castrogiovanni | |
| 04. Sitaleki Timani | 11. Digby Ioane |
| 05. Dean Schofield | 12. Owen Farrell |
| 06. Tom Johnson | 13. Jonathan Davies |
| 07. Thierry Dusautoir (c) | 14. Bryan Habana |
| 08. Semisi Taulava | 15. Jaco Taute |
16. Chris Whitehead 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Dave Wilson 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Duane Vermeulen 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Darren Cave 23. James Simpson-Daniel
Key Points
- Form/Momentum. Our form over the last 6 matches is DWWWWW so we come into this game in form, full of confidence and with great momentum.
- Home advantage. We have an experienced side playing at home which has to be worth a few points in any game.
- Top international half backs, with world class finishers out wide which will enable us to take any chances that we create.
- 10-12 ability to interchange and keep the Quins defence guessing. Can split left/right off the back of rucks leaving the defence unable to confidently target either.
- Solid defenders throughout the team mean that it will take something special to score points against us. (Only Tigers have conceded fewer points than us this season)
- Schofield and Taulava are both 20st and come in to effect our gameplan of physically dominating the gainline collisions.
- We are playing to control possession and not give Quins any counter attack opportunities.
- Front 5 weight stats: Welsh 94st 2lbs (ave 18st 12lbs) - Quins 88st 9lbs (ave 17st 10lbs). That's a stone a man advantage, and with good techinical props as well our scrum will not be going backwards, and we will have an advantage in the collisions on the gainline.
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 Quins 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 Quins make.
Specifics
- Support runners to ruck past the ball quickly if the carrier goes to ground in order to secure quick ball to go again.
- Ioane and Habana to both be tracking inside ball and coming off their wings looking for offloads from the ball carrier.
- Keep the scoreboard ticking over by taking all penalties on offer.
- 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, being particularly wary of Burns ability to chip and chase.
- 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.
- Schofield to run the lineout mixing it up for us to secure ball and utilise the the maul in attack. In defence will use the athletic Johnson to disrupt Quins ball by putting pressure on Brits.
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
| 01. Tony Woodcock | 09. Lee Dickson |
| 02. Schalk Brits | 10. Freddie Burns (k) |
| 03. John Afoa | |
| 04. Bakkies Botha | 11. Zac Guildford |
| 05. Steve Borthwick (c) | 12. Jamie Roberts |
| 06. Dave Denton | 13. Jonathan Joseph |
| 07. Michael Hooper | 14. Yoann Huget |
| 08. Nick Easter | 15. Rob Kearney |
16. Rob Buchanan 17. Joe Marler 18. Ben Franks 19. George Kruis 20. Sam Warburton 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Matt Smith
Tactics
Game Plan
We will look to control the possession and the tempo of the game. We will look to keep the ball in hand when we are outside of our own 22 and look to put the pressure on Welsh and cause them to make mistake/give away penalties. We will use our big carriers in our pack to get us over the gainline and tie in defenders before we send the ball into wider channels.
We will be looking for our front 5 to carry off of 9 and 10 with our back row looking to carry off 10 and 12. When our forwards carry we want them to do so with support so they can offload or we can ruck over the ball quickly so we can get quick ball and start again. We want our carriers to win the collisions and keep the legs pumping in contact so as to cross the gain line. We have deliberately picked a pack full of carriers so we can make yards in the early phases of our attack.
In our own 22 or when we do have to kick we will look to kick to touch or use the up and under option so we don't give the London Welsh wingers the chance to run at a broken field.
Forwards
In the pack we will look to control the set piece. Borthwick will run our lineout with Denton, Botha and Easter providing other jumping options. At the scrum we will look to put big pressure on Castro who might not be used to the Welsh scrum technique. When it comes to the ruck we want to adopt a low body position and clear the breakdown so Dickson has clean ball to increase the tempo should he decide to. We don't want to have to commit lots of men to the rucks when we have the ball so we need to be effective with our rucking technique. Welsh don't have a natural breakdown man so we feel we can get some quick ruck ball by rucking quickly and effectively.
Backs
The key to this game lies with our half backs, We have the men to play to the style we want to. Dickson will control our pack and get us quick ball and Freddie Burns will play flat and bring other into the game, as well as kick his goals. It is key for us to cross the gainline to allow Burns to stand flat and attack the Welsh defensive line. We will look to have Jamie Roberts run a line at each opportunity and Burns can either hit him or another forward or he can play behind them and hit JJ or one of the back 3. We will look to get the ball into the hands of our back 3 joining the line at pace once there are gaps outwide.
Defence
We will look to have a quick line speed and out real pressure on the Welsh decision makers. At rucks we are determined to make Welsh work hard at the rucks with Hooper looking to get on the ball early. We will look to double up in the tackle area when we can with one man taking the legs (or winning the collision if its possible) with the second man concentrating on the ball.
Key Points
- Castro comes into the Welsh side straight away. Plausible that he will struggle with calls and knowing the game plan.
- Keep the ball, build the pressure, draw the penalties.
- Kick the points when we have the chance. This is a big game and we will take the points at each opportunity.
Saracens vs. Sale Sharks
Cloudy, 10 degrees, 9mph winds.
Saracens Football Club
Manager – DHLS07
| 01. Matt Mullan | 09. Dewaldt Duvenage |
| 02. John Smit (c) | 10. Francois Trinh-Duc |
| 03. Jannie du Plessis | |
| 04. Flip van der Merwe | 11. Mark Cueto |
| 05. Ali Williams | 12. Ma'a Nonu |
| 06. Joe van Niekerk | 13. Jean de Villiers |
| 07. Liam Gill | 14. Adam Thompstone |
| 08. Billy Vunipola | 15. Elliott Daly |
16. George Chuter 17. Max Lahiff 18. Werner Kruger 19. Rob Simmons 20. Phil Dowson 21. Jean-Marc Doussain 22. Gareth Steenson 23. Henry Trinder
Tactics
- Very much a traditional South African game plan as adopted by Heyneke Meyer.
- Big emphasis on the forwards dominating their opponents with their physicality. Be abrasive and niggly and get under the skin of the Sale forwards.
- Tight forward dominated game with big carriers punching holes in the Sale defence.
- Kick/Chase game using our wingers to hunt the ball as it drops and if the opposition winger takes it to wrap him up in the tackle and isolate him to either win us the turnover or the penalty.
- Really go for it on turnover ball and get the ball through the hands and exploit the disorganised defence.
- Use Daly's cannon of a boot to play in the Sale half of the pitch.
- Solid defensive line with Liam Gill either stealing or slowing the ball at the breakdown.
- If we are going through the phases and getting nowhere near to the Sale twenty-two then take the drop goal and the three points.
- Our escape from the relegation battle starts today. The team is fired up this one and want to impress the new manager.
Sale SharksManager – SJE
| 01. Jerome Schuster | 09. Danny Care |
| 02. David Paice | 10. Johnny Sexton |
| 03. Davit Zirakishvilli | |
| 04. Brodie Retalick | 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 |
Key Points
- Momentum. We are 5 wins for 5 and come in to this with a settled side full of form. Sarries find themselves at the bottom of the table, under new management and handing a few debuts out.
- Goalkicking. Lack of a consistent goal kicker in the Sarries side with neither FTD or Elliot high percentage kickers. This is crucial in a game where Sarries will need to take any points on offer.
- Lack of pace in the Sarries back three means the kicking game will have to be spot on for their chasers and FTD is not known for his kicking from hand.
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 Sexton & Steyn and force Sarries 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 Sarries 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 Sarries momentum before it can get going.
- Care 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 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.
London Wasps vs. Bath Rugby
Cloudy, 9 degrees, 7mph 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
At home this week and we look to seal the first win in Flux era at Adams Park. 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 Bath 22. If Bath 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 Bath defenders further apart and produce wholes or mismatches. Bath have some prominent players at the ruck, so we will look to set and clear rucks quickly and to always have a man on the shoulder. Either to offload quickly or set the before a man can jackal on the ball.
Tactics
- This week we believe we have a stronger front row, and bigger scrummaging front five. And we want to use this to our advantage and nullify any front ball that Bath backrow will get.
- 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 and backrow
- 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.
- 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.
- The defence will look to gang up on the carriers and use the 'choke' tackle to prevent quick ruck ball and slow down the guys that are good at the ruck for Bath.
- 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 Bath should be wary of giving away penalties.
- With only Hodgson the only recognised FH in their squad we will look to knock him backwards every-time and unsettle him, He will be there all game and this will cause mistakes when he has been severely rattled. [b]
[b] - In attack we will look to vary the attack with grubbers in behind the big guys of the Bath line to make them turn and pressure them.
Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane
| 01. Ben Alexander | 09. Richard Wigglesworth |
| 02. Kevin Mealamu | 10. Charlie Hodgson |
| 03. Carl Rimmer | |
| 04. Luke Romano | 11. George North |
| 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 |
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 Romano 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 Romano, Mealamu, 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. Wigglesworth 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 North, Rougerie, Jane and Hogg seeing lots of the ball.
Fatigue: We feel we are more fresh than the Wasps team. Robinson, Ryan, Barclay, Crane and Laulala have all started 3 games in a row. Myler has played four of the last five with Ojo playing five straight. Brown and Phipps have played 5 of the last six including 2 internationals with six straight from Barritt.
Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Wapss key decision makers and prevent them from playing. Richard Wigglesworth to sweep in behind.
Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. Golding, Brooker and Kubrashvilli will look to keep the scrum strong. Kitchener will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Guest will look to get in gaps with his strong running. Smith will look to add tempo late on and try to put pressure on Wasps defenders. Nalaga + Burrell will come on early in the second half and will look to get their hands on the ball for big carries against tired legs.
Worcester Warriors vs. Leicester Tigers
Cloudy, 11 degrees, 7mph winds.
Worcester Warriors
Manager - prop_lyd
| 01. Beast | 09. Dwayne Peel |
| 02. Gary Botha | 10. Morne Steyn (k) |
| 03. BJ Botha | |
| 04. Tom Savage | 11. Sean Maitland |
| 05. Jim Hamilton (c) | 12. Olly Barkley |
| 06. Mamuka Gorgodze | 13. Yannick Jauzion |
| 07. Justin Tipuric | 14. James Short |
| 08. Ben Morgan | 15. Olly Morgan |
16. Korree Britton 17. Fraser Balmain 18. Nathan Catt 19. Ollie Kohn 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Eoin Reddan 22. Pat McCabe 23. Marcel Garvey
Tactics
Overall
Tigers expect us to play a kicking game in the current conditions. We have picked 2 players capable of getting us downfield if needs be but have a beastly pack and will look more towards the forwards. In our backs we have good strike runners across the backline and an inform Peel who will give Steyn more time on the ball. Quick ball will be used only if it is on and gaps can be seen, the forwards will take on a lot of ball today and the backs will have the ball on the front foot.
Forwards
*Heavy front row who have played together for Worcester a lot, will look to gain the nudge on at scrum and clear any obstacles at the breakdown,
*Brute force here and both capable of jumping in the lineout. Both will be wind up merchants and strong carriers from the base of the rucks as we look to pick and drive,
*Breakdown specialist in Tips (lineout option) who will float along the defensive line and pick the gaps at the breakdown to get the turnovers,
*Gorgodze (lineout option) and Morgan are both very hard to stop and will target the centre pairing of Tigers especially BOD who hasn’t played a lot IRL,
*Good front row power and Kohn, Higginbotham will add the extra international quality.
Backs
*Halfback pairing who will capitalise gaps and want quick ball for our outside backs,
*As a change of tactics we will have Steyn standing flat in opposition half, this will allow us to bring in our strike runners quicker and give Barkley quick ball for Jauzion to break through the gainline,
*If we are penned in our own half then we will look to put boot to ball, when this happens Steyn and Barkley will swap to give Steyn more time to clear when stood at 12, he will make sure the ball goes out of play and prevent any quick counter attack,
*The centres have strike runners on their shoulders from 11-15 and 6-8 who will look to break through and support any breaks made,
*Back three won’t see a much ball as we look to play a tight game but Morgan is comfortable under high ball and Short and Maitland will come looking for work,
*Strong impact bench with Reddan providing pace, McCabe will run at tired legs, Garvey brings power to the back 3.
Defence
*Blitz-banana defence with Peel sweeping,
*We will have one of our back 5 players in the 10-12 channel to support Steyn and Barkley and look for a quick turnover,
*Slow down their ball and use Gorgodze to target Wilkinson.
Extra’s
*Conditions are good for this style of rugby,
*Our pack have been praised as a wet weather, winter pack so we are playing to our strength’s today,
*Targeting a win here and give their all as many of the players will rest after this game,
*Tigers may be top but Sixways in the wet with our current team is hard to come away from with a strong win and we will look to bring them down to our level and target a big upset.
Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
| 01. Andrew Sheridan | 09. Dimitri Yachvili |
| 02. Tom Youngs | 10. Jonny Wilkinson (k) |
| 03. Dan Cole | |
| 04. Nathan Hines | 11. Isa Nacewa |
| 05. Geoff Parling | 12. Maxime Mermoz |
| 06. Steve Mafi | 13. Brian O'Driscoll (c) |
| 07. Francois Louw | 14. Vincent Clerc |
| 08. Sean O'Brien | 15. Kurtley Beale |
Tactics:
We will play to our strengths and play a game built around winning the kicking battle by targetting Worcester's back three; the physicality in our pack and the strength in our set piece.
- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Sheridan to look to really get into an out of sorts Beast and Botha.
- Attack at all lineouts. Use Mafi at the front and Parling off the top as our two key options.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.
Mafi at the front on Worcester throws putting real pressure on Botha.
- Physical, abrasive pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Worcester defence. The likes of SOB, Louw, Youngs, Mafi and Hines to be used to crash through the Worcester defence.
Look to play an offloading game, with runners always supporting.
- Look to win battle at 7 with Louw vs Tipuric - 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 kicking game of Yach, Wilko and Beale to target Worcester's back three. 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
11 wins out of 12 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 Irish, Sale, Saracens, Wasps and London Welsh away from home.
Target Worcester's Back Three
We expect M.Steyn to play a kicking game, so have selected Nacewa and Beale in our back three with their safe hands and counter/kicking ability. Use kicking game of Yach, Wilko and Beale to target Worcester's back three with high kicks and win that key battle.
Impact off Bench
Look to utilise our bench in the 2nd half to dominate Irish. Moore and Cencus to keep the set piece on track, and Waldrom to add serious carrying options. Michalak to give us a bit of creativity if needed at HB.
Last edited by Ozzy3213 on Sun 06 Jan 2013, 8:36 pm; edited 6 times in total
Ozzy3213- Moderator
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by prop_lyd Fri 04 Jan 2013, 1:07 pm
Falcons 26-22 Saints
Set Piece: Main issue at scrum is playing Ben T from the start. This will affect lineouts too but Saints may trouble the Falcon's throw.
Breakdown: Saints will be ok but they do need an openside so clean ball will be stopped for them.
HB’s: Simpson in form, JMH not setting world alight, Falcons pair are steady.
Attack: Feel Saints may get the upper hand but not sure whether they'll get clean ball. Falcons will capitalise on any mistakes.
Defence: Both very strong.
Bench: Bit more from Saints here.
Tactics: Getting the 3 points each time will help Saints tick along but Falcons will cause issues for them upfront and their simple plan will help. I feel that maybe Saints will struggle at the scrum not just due to the debut but I'm also thinking with the Falcons front row they'll get under Hartley's skin and I'm not a fan of how he scrummages. JMH's boot will keep Saints in it till the end.
Glos 28-23 Irish
Set Piece: Irish will hold their own for a while but Glos will be too powerful. Good lineout pairing for Irish.
Breakdown: 2 sets of very strong breakdown players.
HB’s: Not sure how Murray and Dupuy are playing, Carter and Evans both in good form recently.
Attack: Glos have the carriers but both have strong attacking backs.
Defence: Neither great one on one but both should hold enough and Glos will hold to gameplan but do need someone covering kicks.
Bench: Incredible Glos bench.
Tactics: No tactics is a killer nowadays, Glos isolating them will work.
Welsh 23-20 Quins
Set Piece: Strong at the scrum for both teams and neither will get clean lineout ball with the opposition disrupting them.
Breakdown: On the floor Welsh will be stronger, think Quins have better carriers.
HB’s: You can’t ignore Burns’ form for this, Lambie will play well with quick service from Parra.
Attack: Excellent from Welsh, again, I’m not Farrell’s biggest fan but you can’t ignore how he’s playing. Roberts lacking a bit of form, same with Kearney.
Defence: Strong from both, Welsh won’t let anything through.
Bench: Forward to Quins, backs to Welsh.
Tactics: Agree that Castro may struggle with calls. Welsh have the right calls for the conditons. Quins keep it close using Burns standing flat.
Sarries 15-20 Sale
Set Piece: More from Sarries 2nd rows but Mullan only just coming back IRL gives Sale an edge.
Breakdown: Great balance from Sarries but the Sale backrow are in incredible form.
HB’s: Again, form doesn’t lie for Sharks.
Attack: Sarries have the scorers, Sharks have the centres.
Defence: Both quite strong.
Bench: Neither have huge gamechangers.
Tactics: Debut’s always affect teams. I’d rather have seen Sarries use the ball wide a bit more as I don’t think they’ll beat this Sale squad up front. The scoreboard may tick over but you need tries. Would like to know more about Sharks attack and not just their defence. Tough first match for DHL.
Wasps 18-19 Bath
Set Piece: Bit more from Wasps but Rimmer isn’t awful. 2 very good pairing’s for lineouts.
Breakdown: Bath take this.
HB’s: Myler suits Wasps’ tactics but Hodgson and Wigglesworth work well together.
Attack: 2 dangerous pairings, think Brown’ll hit the line better than Hogg.
Defence: Wasps’ centres won’t let anything through.
Bench: Great impact from Bath here.
Tactics: Neither team look like scoring tries and Flux has his tactics right. I feel that Bath will not get through Wasps. This is the toughest to predict this week. Looking at proven impact players I think Bath will just, just take it by a point.
Set Piece: Main issue at scrum is playing Ben T from the start. This will affect lineouts too but Saints may trouble the Falcon's throw.
Breakdown: Saints will be ok but they do need an openside so clean ball will be stopped for them.
HB’s: Simpson in form, JMH not setting world alight, Falcons pair are steady.
Attack: Feel Saints may get the upper hand but not sure whether they'll get clean ball. Falcons will capitalise on any mistakes.
Defence: Both very strong.
Bench: Bit more from Saints here.
Tactics: Getting the 3 points each time will help Saints tick along but Falcons will cause issues for them upfront and their simple plan will help. I feel that maybe Saints will struggle at the scrum not just due to the debut but I'm also thinking with the Falcons front row they'll get under Hartley's skin and I'm not a fan of how he scrummages. JMH's boot will keep Saints in it till the end.
Glos 28-23 Irish
Set Piece: Irish will hold their own for a while but Glos will be too powerful. Good lineout pairing for Irish.
Breakdown: 2 sets of very strong breakdown players.
HB’s: Not sure how Murray and Dupuy are playing, Carter and Evans both in good form recently.
Attack: Glos have the carriers but both have strong attacking backs.
Defence: Neither great one on one but both should hold enough and Glos will hold to gameplan but do need someone covering kicks.
Bench: Incredible Glos bench.
Tactics: No tactics is a killer nowadays, Glos isolating them will work.
Welsh 23-20 Quins
Set Piece: Strong at the scrum for both teams and neither will get clean lineout ball with the opposition disrupting them.
Breakdown: On the floor Welsh will be stronger, think Quins have better carriers.
HB’s: You can’t ignore Burns’ form for this, Lambie will play well with quick service from Parra.
Attack: Excellent from Welsh, again, I’m not Farrell’s biggest fan but you can’t ignore how he’s playing. Roberts lacking a bit of form, same with Kearney.
Defence: Strong from both, Welsh won’t let anything through.
Bench: Forward to Quins, backs to Welsh.
Tactics: Agree that Castro may struggle with calls. Welsh have the right calls for the conditons. Quins keep it close using Burns standing flat.
Sarries 15-20 Sale
Set Piece: More from Sarries 2nd rows but Mullan only just coming back IRL gives Sale an edge.
Breakdown: Great balance from Sarries but the Sale backrow are in incredible form.
HB’s: Again, form doesn’t lie for Sharks.
Attack: Sarries have the scorers, Sharks have the centres.
Defence: Both quite strong.
Bench: Neither have huge gamechangers.
Tactics: Debut’s always affect teams. I’d rather have seen Sarries use the ball wide a bit more as I don’t think they’ll beat this Sale squad up front. The scoreboard may tick over but you need tries. Would like to know more about Sharks attack and not just their defence. Tough first match for DHL.
Wasps 18-19 Bath
Set Piece: Bit more from Wasps but Rimmer isn’t awful. 2 very good pairing’s for lineouts.
Breakdown: Bath take this.
HB’s: Myler suits Wasps’ tactics but Hodgson and Wigglesworth work well together.
Attack: 2 dangerous pairings, think Brown’ll hit the line better than Hogg.
Defence: Wasps’ centres won’t let anything through.
Bench: Great impact from Bath here.
Tactics: Neither team look like scoring tries and Flux has his tactics right. I feel that Bath will not get through Wasps. This is the toughest to predict this week. Looking at proven impact players I think Bath will just, just take it by a point.
Last edited by prop_lyd on Fri 04 Jan 2013, 7:02 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 04 Jan 2013, 1:39 pm
Newcastle 27 - 22 Saints
Scrum: Mears brings Newcastle down, but Ben T immediate arrival does more for Saints. Advantage Newcastle.
Lineout: Decent battle that neither side dominates.
Breakdown: King Richie vs no natural open side sees Newcastle dominate.
HB's: Think Newcastle are stronger in both positions and they win this battle.
Attack: Both sides have dangerous players all through back line. Tries aplenty.
Defence: Both sides very strong defensively.
Bench: Two top benches with lots of impact. Chris you should be playing Mermoz.
Conclusion: Newcastle too strong at home.
Scrum: Mears brings Newcastle down, but Ben T immediate arrival does more for Saints. Advantage Newcastle.
Lineout: Decent battle that neither side dominates.
Breakdown: King Richie vs no natural open side sees Newcastle dominate.
HB's: Think Newcastle are stronger in both positions and they win this battle.
Attack: Both sides have dangerous players all through back line. Tries aplenty.
Defence: Both sides very strong defensively.
Bench: Two top benches with lots of impact. Chris you should be playing Mermoz.
Conclusion: Newcastle too strong at home.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 04 Jan 2013, 1:46 pm
Gloucester 31 - 23 Irish
Scrum: Irish have the bigger names at prop but lacking in form. Slight advantage to Gloucester.
Lineout: Gloucester have some serious jumpers and gain the upper hand here.
Breakdown: Armitage to get on top of Lapandry, advantage Irish.
HB's: Not a great deal in this battle. Pretty even.
Attack: Think irish have a bit more form. But then Gloucester have Dagg....
Defence: Think both sides strong defensively.
Bench: Gloucester have more impact for me.
Conclusion: Gloucester have home advantage, a stronger side and tactics. Comfortable
Scrum: Irish have the bigger names at prop but lacking in form. Slight advantage to Gloucester.
Lineout: Gloucester have some serious jumpers and gain the upper hand here.
Breakdown: Armitage to get on top of Lapandry, advantage Irish.
HB's: Not a great deal in this battle. Pretty even.
Attack: Think irish have a bit more form. But then Gloucester have Dagg....
Defence: Think both sides strong defensively.
Bench: Gloucester have more impact for me.
Conclusion: Gloucester have home advantage, a stronger side and tactics. Comfortable
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by pullthestrings Fri 04 Jan 2013, 1:53 pm
Sorry boys. Just on phone now.
Will make sure I get it in time next week.
Will make sure I get it in time next week.
pullthestrings- Posts : 5914
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 04 Jan 2013, 1:54 pm
Welsh 24 - 23 Harlequins
Scrum: Tough to split. Think Quins have a bit more form.
Lineout: Advantage Quins for me as I don't see Welsh having a top lineout leader.
Breakdown: Again tough to call - Dus and BdP do well for Welsh.
HB's: Welsh's ints really dominate their counterparts for me.
Attack: Welsh have more out wide, but Roberts to get on top of Farrell.
Defence: Welsh very strong here.
Bench: Both have good impact, slightly more from Quins
Conclusion: Hard to call this one. Better set piece for me for Quins, but I really like this Welsh side, and their HB's win this for them at home.
Scrum: Tough to split. Think Quins have a bit more form.
Lineout: Advantage Quins for me as I don't see Welsh having a top lineout leader.
Breakdown: Again tough to call - Dus and BdP do well for Welsh.
HB's: Welsh's ints really dominate their counterparts for me.
Attack: Welsh have more out wide, but Roberts to get on top of Farrell.
Defence: Welsh very strong here.
Bench: Both have good impact, slightly more from Quins
Conclusion: Hard to call this one. Better set piece for me for Quins, but I really like this Welsh side, and their HB's win this for them at home.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by prop_lyd Fri 04 Jan 2013, 2:52 pm
You up for closing predo's now Luke and having a 0-0 draw?
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by SirJohnnyEnglish Fri 04 Jan 2013, 3:01 pm
Newcastle Falcons 26-21 Northampton Saints
Scrum: Edge to Falcons with Ben T needing to get to know his locks
Lineout: Evens. Both sides with plenty of options
Breakdown: Edge to Falcons. McCaw effect with no opposition 7 and better work from the Falcons pack as a whole
HB's: Tight both units could work well
Attack: Slight edge to Falcons with some massive backs on show
Defence: Saints with the bigger hitters but their wingers may struggle up against opposite numbers
Bench: Not much difference impact wise. Goode may struggle as cover 10 though against a big Saints defensive line
Tactics: Two decent game plans but Saints would be more suited to wetter conditions then today. Falcons taking the threat of Simpson away stifles Saints running game.
Gloucester Rugby 32-22 London Irish
Scrum: Both THs get some joy but Glaws win out with Lindsay poor at this level
Lineout: Glaws edge with better jumpers getting at Lindsay
Breakdown: Edge to Irish with the flanks doing a lot of work.
HB's: Bit more to Glaws with Murray finally showing some form again
Attack: Bit more of a carrying game in the pack to Glaws but both sides with electric runners
Defence: Glaws susceptible one on one out wide and no sweeper on blitz.
Bench: Big step up in the forwards to Glaws
Tactics: No game plan is suicidal for me.
London Welsh 20-20 Harlequins
Scrum: Good battle but Quins will draw a few calls from Castro’s side on debut
Lineout: Another good battle with both sides holding their own
Breakdown: Edge to Welsh with their front 5 offering more then Quins
HB's: Great combo from Welsh but cracking form for Quins. Evens.
Attack: Quins with more of a carrying game but both sides have the ability to open the defence
Defence: Quins could be caught in the 10 and 13 channels at times. Bigger carrying sides could hurt them more.
Bench: Benches fairly even. Some big names on the Quins bench but not much form at the moment
Tactics: Both sides should get the tempo they want at times. Very tough game to call.
London Wasps 19-20 Bath Rugby
Scrum: Slight edge to Wasps but nothing game changing
Lineout: Both sides should hold their own
Breakdown: Bath can make a mess of things with the back 5 of their pack more versed here
HB's: Two solid combos. Hodgson more capable of getting his side moving though
Attack: Nothing between the sides carrying wise but the Bath back 3 make a bigger impact
Defence: Fairly even with both 10s getting caught at times.
Bench: Both sides have a bit of impact but no backup 10 is worrying for Bath
Tactics: Both sides set up well. Targetting Hodgson with no back up is quite effective but Wasps won’t get the quick ball needed for their attacking style
Worcester Warriors 18-25 Leicester Tigers
Scrum: Evens with both front rows well backed up
Lineout: Better attacking platform for Tigers. Bu both sides should hold their own ball
Breakdown: Both sides with plenty to offer here and should get clean ball
HB's: Better form for the Tigers pair and they can control more
Attack: Both sides with decent kicking games but Worcester lack creativity. Strong counter attackers for Tigers
Defence: Tigers caught at 13 with BOD not what he used to be but Worcester weak from 10-13 with Jauzion on debut.
Bench: Serious power off the bench for Tigers
Tactics: Feel the Worcester game plan plays into the hands of Tigers whoms power game will punish the Warriors midfield.
Scrum: Edge to Falcons with Ben T needing to get to know his locks
Lineout: Evens. Both sides with plenty of options
Breakdown: Edge to Falcons. McCaw effect with no opposition 7 and better work from the Falcons pack as a whole
HB's: Tight both units could work well
Attack: Slight edge to Falcons with some massive backs on show
Defence: Saints with the bigger hitters but their wingers may struggle up against opposite numbers
Bench: Not much difference impact wise. Goode may struggle as cover 10 though against a big Saints defensive line
Tactics: Two decent game plans but Saints would be more suited to wetter conditions then today. Falcons taking the threat of Simpson away stifles Saints running game.
Gloucester Rugby 32-22 London Irish
Scrum: Both THs get some joy but Glaws win out with Lindsay poor at this level
Lineout: Glaws edge with better jumpers getting at Lindsay
Breakdown: Edge to Irish with the flanks doing a lot of work.
HB's: Bit more to Glaws with Murray finally showing some form again
Attack: Bit more of a carrying game in the pack to Glaws but both sides with electric runners
Defence: Glaws susceptible one on one out wide and no sweeper on blitz.
Bench: Big step up in the forwards to Glaws
Tactics: No game plan is suicidal for me.
London Welsh 20-20 Harlequins
Scrum: Good battle but Quins will draw a few calls from Castro’s side on debut
Lineout: Another good battle with both sides holding their own
Breakdown: Edge to Welsh with their front 5 offering more then Quins
HB's: Great combo from Welsh but cracking form for Quins. Evens.
Attack: Quins with more of a carrying game but both sides have the ability to open the defence
Defence: Quins could be caught in the 10 and 13 channels at times. Bigger carrying sides could hurt them more.
Bench: Benches fairly even. Some big names on the Quins bench but not much form at the moment
Tactics: Both sides should get the tempo they want at times. Very tough game to call.
London Wasps 19-20 Bath Rugby
Scrum: Slight edge to Wasps but nothing game changing
Lineout: Both sides should hold their own
Breakdown: Bath can make a mess of things with the back 5 of their pack more versed here
HB's: Two solid combos. Hodgson more capable of getting his side moving though
Attack: Nothing between the sides carrying wise but the Bath back 3 make a bigger impact
Defence: Fairly even with both 10s getting caught at times.
Bench: Both sides have a bit of impact but no backup 10 is worrying for Bath
Tactics: Both sides set up well. Targetting Hodgson with no back up is quite effective but Wasps won’t get the quick ball needed for their attacking style
Worcester Warriors 18-25 Leicester Tigers
Scrum: Evens with both front rows well backed up
Lineout: Better attacking platform for Tigers. Bu both sides should hold their own ball
Breakdown: Both sides with plenty to offer here and should get clean ball
HB's: Better form for the Tigers pair and they can control more
Attack: Both sides with decent kicking games but Worcester lack creativity. Strong counter attackers for Tigers
Defence: Tigers caught at 13 with BOD not what he used to be but Worcester weak from 10-13 with Jauzion on debut.
Bench: Serious power off the bench for Tigers
Tactics: Feel the Worcester game plan plays into the hands of Tigers whoms power game will punish the Warriors midfield.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Steven_Sharks Fri 04 Jan 2013, 5:55 pm
Newcastle 26 - 22 Northampton
Basically this is a battle of the Newcastle forwards against the Saints backs as I think this is where each side have a considerable advantage. Ben T will struggle in a new side quite so quickly. It is more important to have the advantage in the forwards than the backs and home advantage gives Newcastle a decent win.
Gloucester 34 - 24 London Irish
Seems to be a theme of people starting there new tight heads this week. Think Gloucester have a marginal advantage across the pack and at half back, and I prefer the balance they have in their outside backs with Yarde standing out as a weakness across both sets. Overall things add up against Irish and Gloucester take a comfortable win.
Saracens 24 - 25 Sale
This is a fascinating contest. The Saracens game plan is set up well for them to make a real contest of this and the 10,12,13 axis is a strong one. great balance of experience and youth in the Saracens pack. Overall U prefer the Sarries front three but would take the Sale locks by a little distance and Sale backrow by a small margin. Halfs backs to Sale but midfield to Saracens. Back threes tight. Very tough to call across the board but think Sale just have enough to sneak the win.
Wasps 24 - 26 Bath
front 5's are tough to call. Rimmer stands out for Bath as a weakness and I think Wasps will control the scrums with the lineout's being even. The Bath back row is a class above the Wasps unit but it won't have a platform at the scrum to make a difference in my view but in the loose Bath's loose forwards will make their presence felt. I prefer the Bath back line and they will just about have enough to break through the strong Wasps back line defensively. It's a good victory for Bath away from home.
Worcester 23 - 24 Leicester
Front row probably just to Leicester with both hookers a presence in the lose but Botha stronger at the set piece. One a piece in the 2nd row with Hamilton and Parling the best operators. As units I think Mafi stands out as a weakness and against a unit as strong as the one Worcester have this gives Worcester the advantage. Overall the packs are even. Nothing for me between the halfbacks with Peel sensational last week for Sale. Outside backs is where the difference in class is in this game. I prefer Leicester in every position here and they will get some joy out here. Overall in a game as tight as this I think this will make the difference with both packs getting good ball to their backs. Narrowest of wins.
Basically this is a battle of the Newcastle forwards against the Saints backs as I think this is where each side have a considerable advantage. Ben T will struggle in a new side quite so quickly. It is more important to have the advantage in the forwards than the backs and home advantage gives Newcastle a decent win.
Gloucester 34 - 24 London Irish
Seems to be a theme of people starting there new tight heads this week. Think Gloucester have a marginal advantage across the pack and at half back, and I prefer the balance they have in their outside backs with Yarde standing out as a weakness across both sets. Overall things add up against Irish and Gloucester take a comfortable win.
Saracens 24 - 25 Sale
This is a fascinating contest. The Saracens game plan is set up well for them to make a real contest of this and the 10,12,13 axis is a strong one. great balance of experience and youth in the Saracens pack. Overall U prefer the Sarries front three but would take the Sale locks by a little distance and Sale backrow by a small margin. Halfs backs to Sale but midfield to Saracens. Back threes tight. Very tough to call across the board but think Sale just have enough to sneak the win.
Wasps 24 - 26 Bath
front 5's are tough to call. Rimmer stands out for Bath as a weakness and I think Wasps will control the scrums with the lineout's being even. The Bath back row is a class above the Wasps unit but it won't have a platform at the scrum to make a difference in my view but in the loose Bath's loose forwards will make their presence felt. I prefer the Bath back line and they will just about have enough to break through the strong Wasps back line defensively. It's a good victory for Bath away from home.
Worcester 23 - 24 Leicester
Front row probably just to Leicester with both hookers a presence in the lose but Botha stronger at the set piece. One a piece in the 2nd row with Hamilton and Parling the best operators. As units I think Mafi stands out as a weakness and against a unit as strong as the one Worcester have this gives Worcester the advantage. Overall the packs are even. Nothing for me between the halfbacks with Peel sensational last week for Sale. Outside backs is where the difference in class is in this game. I prefer Leicester in every position here and they will get some joy out here. Overall in a game as tight as this I think this will make the difference with both packs getting good ball to their backs. Narrowest of wins.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by DHLS07 Fri 04 Jan 2013, 6:34 pm
Newcastle Falcons 22-20 Northampton Saints
Interestingly one team has a non scrummaging hooker (Mears) and one a non scrummaging prop (Taumalolo) so not sure which team would win the scrum battle. Having Mears is like playing with 7 forwards other than in the lineout where he is decent thrower, although having said that if Hartley's talent matched his ego he'd be the best hooker in the world but he's not. Lineout pretty even really. Interesting to have the All Black back row on the pitch but on different sides and unfortunately for Northampton the two of them that are world class are playing for the opposition. I like the Northampton backs better and see them causing more problems for Newcastle than the other way round, but Newcastle win the forwards battle, even with Mears who I think is Poopie, so win the game. Just as an added point I obviously think the kick/chase game can work as I am using it myself but I don't see Ashton being great at it as he's claimed to be in tactics. He's more a tracker, getting on the shoulder of the ball carrier, so this doesn't really work as a tactic for me.
Gloucester 33-28 London Irish
I could see Irish getting on top in the scrum in this one with their front row, but Lindsay's darts can be poor and Muller will be under pressure as a result as Garvey's not the best in the lineout. Decent lineout options for Gloucester and this could be a problem for Irish as off a full lineout with space to exploit the Gloucester backline looks really dangerous. Irish backline are probably a bit better defensively than Gloucester's which will mean that the relative scoring power of the two is about even. Both sets of forwards have a couple of decent carriers, but it's an area that Gloucester look a bit stronger in but not a huge amount. Generally Gloucester are just a bit stronger across the board and no tactics from Irish mean they can't really make that up in any way so it's a Gloucester win.
London Welsh 27-22 Harlequins
Not sure of the legitimacy of the front five weight stats at there's no source given for the data, but at face value a stone a man is some advantage and the Welsh scrum would take some shifting and would likely get on top going forward. Borthwicks presence and no real lineout stealer for Welsh means that Quins will secure their own ball. Welsh may make it difficult and it might not be clean, but Quins won't lose any so they are on top in that area as Welsh could lose one or two. Hooper is top class at the breakdown, but Welsh have got some lumps who will really clear out hard and could get on top at the breakdown through sheer brute force. There would be some huge collisions in this game with some real big lads in the teams. A little bit more in the Welsh backline with Roberts and JJ disappointing to me this year. Like with the Gloucester game I think that Welsh, other than in the lineout, are just a bit stronger across the board and as the tactics from both teams are good with them both wanting to control possession and go through the phases, it will be a Welsh win as the stronger side, particularly defensively. Just as an added point Burns is the sort of 10 that could unlock a defence like the Welsh one as he does the unexpected but I'm not sure that Dickson is the scrum half to get the best from him.
London Wasps 15-17 Bath Rugby
I was looking at the Wasps pack and read down to six and thought this is a good pack, but then reading seven and eight it took the shine off it a bit as I think they are both very average players. The Bath pack is very good, although Rimmer stands out as a weak link in comparison to the others. Scrum wise Wasps can get joy, with Nieto a very good scrummager and Ben Alexander not so much. Robinson isn't the best scrummager either but would have enough to deal with Rimmer, so Wasps get the nod from me here. Bath are better in the lineout with the All Blacks connection of Mealamu, Romano and Whitelock as well as Lobbe in their team. I also think that they would be a bit cleverer at the breakdown and in open play than the Wasps pack and that would give them a real edge in this game. Wasps backs look a bit more pragmatic and the centres would be tough to break down, but I my understanding of their tactic of keeping the ball alive and moving the point of attack is that they are playing a slick offloading game like Quins do in real life and I don't think they have the players to do this really. Myler at 10 would stifle this a bit, and if that's how they are trying to play I can see this been a scrappy affair with loads of knock ons or the ball going to ground backwards and having to be fought over. I just think that Bath have that bit more about them overall and that the Wasps tactics aren't quite right to bridge that gap so it's a Bath win.
Worcester Warriors 18-22 Leicester Tigers
Leicester have some real in form players in their pack and that all English front row is excellent. I think they could do a real job in the scrum. I like both sets of locks, with Hines a real sneaky clever player and Hamilton a real Bar Steward to play against. I could easily see there being a punch up in this game and a few cards issued as a result. The packs are really tough to split looking across all the facets of forward play. The one thing I will say is that BJ Botha is really not that great these days though, and that could be where Leicester get the edge. I'm really not sure about the Worcester tactic of having Steyn playing flat. I like him and he is very effective at what he does, but he operates best sitting slightly off and getting the time to make his decisions of when to kick and when to put the ball into another players hands. On the gain line Francois Louw could kill him as he isn't an instinct player who can make a split second decision there. The Leicester backs are very experienced and top quality and overall I think they have enough to win this game.
Interestingly one team has a non scrummaging hooker (Mears) and one a non scrummaging prop (Taumalolo) so not sure which team would win the scrum battle. Having Mears is like playing with 7 forwards other than in the lineout where he is decent thrower, although having said that if Hartley's talent matched his ego he'd be the best hooker in the world but he's not. Lineout pretty even really. Interesting to have the All Black back row on the pitch but on different sides and unfortunately for Northampton the two of them that are world class are playing for the opposition. I like the Northampton backs better and see them causing more problems for Newcastle than the other way round, but Newcastle win the forwards battle, even with Mears who I think is Poopie, so win the game. Just as an added point I obviously think the kick/chase game can work as I am using it myself but I don't see Ashton being great at it as he's claimed to be in tactics. He's more a tracker, getting on the shoulder of the ball carrier, so this doesn't really work as a tactic for me.
Gloucester 33-28 London Irish
I could see Irish getting on top in the scrum in this one with their front row, but Lindsay's darts can be poor and Muller will be under pressure as a result as Garvey's not the best in the lineout. Decent lineout options for Gloucester and this could be a problem for Irish as off a full lineout with space to exploit the Gloucester backline looks really dangerous. Irish backline are probably a bit better defensively than Gloucester's which will mean that the relative scoring power of the two is about even. Both sets of forwards have a couple of decent carriers, but it's an area that Gloucester look a bit stronger in but not a huge amount. Generally Gloucester are just a bit stronger across the board and no tactics from Irish mean they can't really make that up in any way so it's a Gloucester win.
London Welsh 27-22 Harlequins
Not sure of the legitimacy of the front five weight stats at there's no source given for the data, but at face value a stone a man is some advantage and the Welsh scrum would take some shifting and would likely get on top going forward. Borthwicks presence and no real lineout stealer for Welsh means that Quins will secure their own ball. Welsh may make it difficult and it might not be clean, but Quins won't lose any so they are on top in that area as Welsh could lose one or two. Hooper is top class at the breakdown, but Welsh have got some lumps who will really clear out hard and could get on top at the breakdown through sheer brute force. There would be some huge collisions in this game with some real big lads in the teams. A little bit more in the Welsh backline with Roberts and JJ disappointing to me this year. Like with the Gloucester game I think that Welsh, other than in the lineout, are just a bit stronger across the board and as the tactics from both teams are good with them both wanting to control possession and go through the phases, it will be a Welsh win as the stronger side, particularly defensively. Just as an added point Burns is the sort of 10 that could unlock a defence like the Welsh one as he does the unexpected but I'm not sure that Dickson is the scrum half to get the best from him.
London Wasps 15-17 Bath Rugby
I was looking at the Wasps pack and read down to six and thought this is a good pack, but then reading seven and eight it took the shine off it a bit as I think they are both very average players. The Bath pack is very good, although Rimmer stands out as a weak link in comparison to the others. Scrum wise Wasps can get joy, with Nieto a very good scrummager and Ben Alexander not so much. Robinson isn't the best scrummager either but would have enough to deal with Rimmer, so Wasps get the nod from me here. Bath are better in the lineout with the All Blacks connection of Mealamu, Romano and Whitelock as well as Lobbe in their team. I also think that they would be a bit cleverer at the breakdown and in open play than the Wasps pack and that would give them a real edge in this game. Wasps backs look a bit more pragmatic and the centres would be tough to break down, but I my understanding of their tactic of keeping the ball alive and moving the point of attack is that they are playing a slick offloading game like Quins do in real life and I don't think they have the players to do this really. Myler at 10 would stifle this a bit, and if that's how they are trying to play I can see this been a scrappy affair with loads of knock ons or the ball going to ground backwards and having to be fought over. I just think that Bath have that bit more about them overall and that the Wasps tactics aren't quite right to bridge that gap so it's a Bath win.
Worcester Warriors 18-22 Leicester Tigers
Leicester have some real in form players in their pack and that all English front row is excellent. I think they could do a real job in the scrum. I like both sets of locks, with Hines a real sneaky clever player and Hamilton a real Bar Steward to play against. I could easily see there being a punch up in this game and a few cards issued as a result. The packs are really tough to split looking across all the facets of forward play. The one thing I will say is that BJ Botha is really not that great these days though, and that could be where Leicester get the edge. I'm really not sure about the Worcester tactic of having Steyn playing flat. I like him and he is very effective at what he does, but he operates best sitting slightly off and getting the time to make his decisions of when to kick and when to put the ball into another players hands. On the gain line Francois Louw could kill him as he isn't an instinct player who can make a split second decision there. The Leicester backs are very experienced and top quality and overall I think they have enough to win this game.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by DHLS07 Fri 04 Jan 2013, 6:57 pm
Oh and sorry about the Steenson thing, won't happen again.
DHLS07- Posts : 337
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by CJB Fri 04 Jan 2013, 8:41 pm
Newcastle 27-21 Saints
At home, Newcastle are so difficult to beat and I don't think Saints have enough to do it. I think the Newcastle forwards are very strong and they have an advantage at half backs. Chris has a deadly back five and some great subs but its not enough
Gloucester 28-19 Irish
Understand it is hard for you Pull, but no tactics against Gloucester is practically suicidal. Feel they have anadvantage all over
Welsh 23-22 Quins
Strong front fives. Edge to Quins especially given its Castro's first week. Another small advantage to Quins in the backrow giving them the forwards but not a huge amount in it. Do prefer the Welsh backs and I think at home it edges it to Welsh
Sarries 19-23 Sale
Front row goes to Sarries but big fan of the Sale second row. Prefer the Sale backrow with more proven quality at 7+8. Sale halfbacks are top but Sarries have the midfield. Really tough to call
Warriors 21-24 Tigers
The forwards are very close with a slight edge to Warriors. Front rows are very close with Tigers edging it. Second rows also to Tigers but the back row goes to Warriors. Tigers have class throughout the backs and that gives them the win
At home, Newcastle are so difficult to beat and I don't think Saints have enough to do it. I think the Newcastle forwards are very strong and they have an advantage at half backs. Chris has a deadly back five and some great subs but its not enough
Gloucester 28-19 Irish
Understand it is hard for you Pull, but no tactics against Gloucester is practically suicidal. Feel they have anadvantage all over
Welsh 23-22 Quins
Strong front fives. Edge to Quins especially given its Castro's first week. Another small advantage to Quins in the backrow giving them the forwards but not a huge amount in it. Do prefer the Welsh backs and I think at home it edges it to Welsh
Sarries 19-23 Sale
Front row goes to Sarries but big fan of the Sale second row. Prefer the Sale backrow with more proven quality at 7+8. Sale halfbacks are top but Sarries have the midfield. Really tough to call
Warriors 21-24 Tigers
The forwards are very close with a slight edge to Warriors. Front rows are very close with Tigers edging it. Second rows also to Tigers but the back row goes to Warriors. Tigers have class throughout the backs and that gives them the win
Last edited by CJB on Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:02 pm
Newcastle 24-22 saints
Scrum: fairly even agree with dhl re mears and franks been average for a while with most nz pundits thinking his scrum needs work and he needs competition. Saints have Ben t new and taumalolo who is struggling in France.
Lineout: even again. Read and bonnaire stand outs. Both hookers good darts.
Breakdown: falcons at a canter. Chris resting players but still good Backrow. Robshaw not played much 6 for a while but Newcastle best back row going
HB's: even. Simpson in top form youngs better player but not been great. Unconvinced by cruden at top level but Hernandez lacking for a while. In wet Hernandez every day.
Attack: saints all way. Can't see falcons centres working and giteau tuilagi great form. Falcons huge wings could trouble but saints much more guile and creativity
Defence: both sides good here falcons back row supreme
Bench: even
Conclusion: falcons bit much up front and top at home. Saints huge attacking threat.
Scrum: fairly even agree with dhl re mears and franks been average for a while with most nz pundits thinking his scrum needs work and he needs competition. Saints have Ben t new and taumalolo who is struggling in France.
Lineout: even again. Read and bonnaire stand outs. Both hookers good darts.
Breakdown: falcons at a canter. Chris resting players but still good Backrow. Robshaw not played much 6 for a while but Newcastle best back row going
HB's: even. Simpson in top form youngs better player but not been great. Unconvinced by cruden at top level but Hernandez lacking for a while. In wet Hernandez every day.
Attack: saints all way. Can't see falcons centres working and giteau tuilagi great form. Falcons huge wings could trouble but saints much more guile and creativity
Defence: both sides good here falcons back row supreme
Bench: even
Conclusion: falcons bit much up front and top at home. Saints huge attacking threat.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:29 pm
Saracens 22 - 22 Sale Sharks
Scrum: Not a lot in it, two decent units.
Lineout: Slight edge to Sale but top strong combos on show.
Breakdown: Sarries have more of a specialist 7 on show. Like their back row, but they are up agaianst a top one in Sale's.
HB's: Sale with the stronger duo.
Attack: Like Sarries centre duo, neither side great back threes.
Defence: Neither side weak in defence.
Bench: Both can make decemnt impact on the game.
Conclusion: I like the start DH has made to the game. Side is looking good. Issues around a few new faces though. Think they have enough to match a good Sale side.
Scrum: Not a lot in it, two decent units.
Lineout: Slight edge to Sale but top strong combos on show.
Breakdown: Sarries have more of a specialist 7 on show. Like their back row, but they are up agaianst a top one in Sale's.
HB's: Sale with the stronger duo.
Attack: Like Sarries centre duo, neither side great back threes.
Defence: Neither side weak in defence.
Bench: Both can make decemnt impact on the game.
Conclusion: I like the start DH has made to the game. Side is looking good. Issues around a few new faces though. Think they have enough to match a good Sale side.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Sgt_Pooly Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:37 pm
Gloucester 25-24 Irish
Lack of any game plan costs Irish here as they shade pack bar 4 & 8. Gloucester lineout v strong and love 10/12 axis but midfield doesn't work. No physical option or player to straighten would make them easy to defend against. Irish well set out actually and like balance of backs. Tactics not major issue for me so Gloucester just sneak at home.
Lack of any game plan costs Irish here as they shade pack bar 4 & 8. Gloucester lineout v strong and love 10/12 axis but midfield doesn't work. No physical option or player to straighten would make them easy to defend against. Irish well set out actually and like balance of backs. Tactics not major issue for me so Gloucester just sneak at home.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:38 pm
Wasps 23 - 26 Bath
Scrum: Great battle, both 1's on top.
Lineout: Bath take this through Whitelock and JMF for me.
Breakdown: Pocock the better 7, neither much form to speak of. Advantage Bath.
HB's: Bath pairing have a little more about them
Attack: Hodgson to get Bath moving. Wasps lacking creativity at 10, 12, 13.
Defence: Wasps stronger here.
Bench: Not a great deal in it.
Conclusion: Think Bath can come here and get a good win. Think Hodgson wins the 10 battle, and they have some top players in the pack.
Scrum: Great battle, both 1's on top.
Lineout: Bath take this through Whitelock and JMF for me.
Breakdown: Pocock the better 7, neither much form to speak of. Advantage Bath.
HB's: Bath pairing have a little more about them
Attack: Hodgson to get Bath moving. Wasps lacking creativity at 10, 12, 13.
Defence: Wasps stronger here.
Bench: Not a great deal in it.
Conclusion: Think Bath can come here and get a good win. Think Hodgson wins the 10 battle, and they have some top players in the pack.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Sgt_Pooly Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:46 pm
Welsh 20-20 Quins
Big upfront battle with Castro still settling in so nothing in it. Quins shade engine room with Bakkies the standout lock and can see them controlling lineout. Better backrow at 6/8 for Quins with Dus getting on top of Hooper, Quins shading pack though.
Step up at halfback for Welsh with a stronger pairing but Quins shade centres with Farrell dragging Welsh down a little (he's a fH for me). Good wings with Welsh shading but Kearney class above at FB. Closest game, Quins pack great and will give a slightly better platform. Just think Sarries have kicking options to steal a draw.
Big upfront battle with Castro still settling in so nothing in it. Quins shade engine room with Bakkies the standout lock and can see them controlling lineout. Better backrow at 6/8 for Quins with Dus getting on top of Hooper, Quins shading pack though.
Step up at halfback for Welsh with a stronger pairing but Quins shade centres with Farrell dragging Welsh down a little (he's a fH for me). Good wings with Welsh shading but Kearney class above at FB. Closest game, Quins pack great and will give a slightly better platform. Just think Sarries have kicking options to steal a draw.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:49 pm
Sgt_Pooly wrote:Gloucester 25-24 Irish
Lack of any game plan costs Irish here as they shade pack bar 4 & 8. Gloucester lineout v strong and love 10/12 axis but midfield doesn't work. No physical option or player to straighten would make them easy to defend against. Irish well set out actually and like balance of backs. Tactics not major issue for me so Gloucester just sneak at home.
Game
Plan costs Irish yet tactics don't matter ??? Make your mind up son.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Sgt_Pooly Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:53 pm
Saracens 17-19 Sale
Bit of baptism of fire against one of the form teams. Few too many new faces hinder Sarries a little but I can see them settling in nice with a good gameplan. Sale a bit too much and too settled.
Bit of baptism of fire against one of the form teams. Few too many new faces hinder Sarries a little but I can see them settling in nice with a good gameplan. Sale a bit too much and too settled.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Sgt_Pooly Fri 04 Jan 2013, 9:54 pm
I don't read tactics but I think Pete named side didn't he so its not really how Pull wants to set out?!?! As I said its not a major issue having no tactics but mark a team down for not setting out.
Not sure why issue, you got a win???
Not sure why issue, you got a win???
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:04 pm
Welsh 21-21 quins- how did Welsh team get so good? pete shown how to build a team
Scrum: Great front rows Quins more form but both top. Quins second row balances it out even
Lineout: even. Quins slight advantage but welsh Backrow excellent in air
Breakdown: wow ! Dus Vs hooper massive and Denton tj a battle. Even
HB's: parra more control and Lambie proven int. burns magical form slight edge welsh
Attack: great match up. More balance with Quins dynamite back 3 welsh even
Defence: even huge all over. Power on wings may trouble huget
Bench: Quins just
Conclusion: really even. Welsh tough as teak but Backrow and second rows of Quins does enough to secure draw. Easter and hoopers form and dentons carrying is some unit.
Scrum: Great front rows Quins more form but both top. Quins second row balances it out even
Lineout: even. Quins slight advantage but welsh Backrow excellent in air
Breakdown: wow ! Dus Vs hooper massive and Denton tj a battle. Even
HB's: parra more control and Lambie proven int. burns magical form slight edge welsh
Attack: great match up. More balance with Quins dynamite back 3 welsh even
Defence: even huge all over. Power on wings may trouble huget
Bench: Quins just
Conclusion: really even. Welsh tough as teak but Backrow and second rows of Quins does enough to secure draw. Easter and hoopers form and dentons carrying is some unit.
Last edited by anonmattyt on Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:53 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Sgt_Pooly Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:11 pm
Wasps 21-23 Bath
Worcester 20-24 Tigers
Tough for Flux & Prop, going to be a battle boys.
Worcester 20-24 Tigers
Tough for Flux & Prop, going to be a battle boys.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:33 pm
Saracens 23 24 Sale
Scrum: even good units.saracens front row all good scrummagers and good locks same for sale. Even
Lineout: even - sale better options but sarries better darts and experience
Breakdown: gill will be a nuisance and steal ball but sale no mugs
HB's: sale - one of best units good form. Great call on choice of halfbacks for style dhl going to play
Attack: hard to split. Sarries game plan spot on and great centre match up. Sale back 3 will struggle with ball in air. Sale half backs will create more
Defence: bash all round great battle hard to split
Bench: both quite weak here form wise and personnel wise
Conclusion: sale squeak it. Half backs home form
And momentum do it. Sarries set out superbly and playing the way to get results and bp's
Scrum: even good units.saracens front row all good scrummagers and good locks same for sale. Even
Lineout: even - sale better options but sarries better darts and experience
Breakdown: gill will be a nuisance and steal ball but sale no mugs
HB's: sale - one of best units good form. Great call on choice of halfbacks for style dhl going to play
Attack: hard to split. Sarries game plan spot on and great centre match up. Sale back 3 will struggle with ball in air. Sale half backs will create more
Defence: bash all round great battle hard to split
Bench: both quite weak here form wise and personnel wise
Conclusion: sale squeak it. Half backs home form
And momentum do it. Sarries set out superbly and playing the way to get results and bp's
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by dammit_chris Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:47 pm
Gloucester 30 - 23 London Irish
Pack: Prefer Gloucester set piece, Lindsay a real weakness here and could come unstuck in the setpiece. More ball for Gloucester to attack with. Breakdown will be close, but can see Irish doing quite well here. Adam Jones on debut after joining this week too.
Backs: Not sure how Irish midfield would work, like to see Smith have a real bruiser as a partner. Gloucester backline will just click and with more attacking ball at setpiece I can see them winning by a score. Also some a few more gainline breakers for Mat.
Bench: Stronger bench from the home side. (no tactics make it a more comfortable win for Gloucester too).
London Welsh 27 - 26 Harlequins
Pack: Really like the London Welsh front five, and can see them getting an edge, especially at home. Though Quins more class in the backrow and that makes it a really even battle. Both looking to control possession so will be close run thing with the tactics. Sarries will get more penalties but Quins more tries. However, Castro starting first game after signing is an issue for me, but not enough to change a narrow home win.
Backs: Pete has done well in getting controlling 9/10 and some great finishers - Steven has a lot more flair and I like the threat that his wings offer and has his tactics spot on, but I think he needs one more player that offers something really physical than Roberts/Kearney to win these games away.
Bench: Would say there is a little bit more on paper from the Quins bench, but would have some issues of form around the two main stars - Cooper and Warburton - Sarries have a solid bench, but don't see a lot of impact there.
London Wasps 18-20 Bath Rugby
Pack: There is a really nice balance to the Wasps side and the tactics have been set out really well and they will get an advantage due to Rimmer starting in the front row. Bath have an all star back row and this really does swing things back in favour of the away side.
Backs:Again can't find a fault with the way Wasps have been set out to play and the points made about Myler are spot on. Wasps will put up a huge defensive effort, but I cant see where their tries will come from apart from Brown. Bath have got some match winners and that for me makes the difference.
Bench: Wasps bench will fit in seamlessly into the match - no issues for me there at all, but Bath have that little more class to see out a really narrow away win. Great tactics by Wasps, just need 1-2 game changers.
Worcester Warriors 23-25 Leicester Tigers
Pack: Tough on Warriors that the weather doesnt help them again here, they've got a pack made for wet weather and it will be a brutal contest there. Can't really split the forward units, if anything a slight edge to the home side.
Backs: However...with the backs Tigers have so much class and players who can see out a game, again would have question marks about the flair of the team and ability to score from anywhere on the pitch, but they will be so hard to break down. BOD needs some games to get hsi real life form back though, as that hinders Tigers a bit.
Bench: A seriously strong forward bench for the Tigers and that is really vital to help see them win this game.
Sarries 19-21 Sale
Packs: Sarries pack is in transition at the moment, really young backrow but DHL has set out his team really well and making a very good effort early on. Advantage to Sale in the pack, just - but Sarries have got some great gainline breakers and Vunipola will be a constant heacache for Sale.
Backs: This for me is where the game gets won because SJE has the best halfback combo in the league (might change when Genia is back for Gloucester!) - Sexton controls games and Care is to me the best no9 England have at the moment. DHL got a really powerful backline and nothing is really going to go through the 12/13 combination and the leadership there now is impressive. Just a few too many new faces for Sarries, in a few weeks time result would have been different.
Bench: Do like the make up of the Sarries bench, some good players on form there and will really make a difference in the second half and keep the game really close.
Pack: Prefer Gloucester set piece, Lindsay a real weakness here and could come unstuck in the setpiece. More ball for Gloucester to attack with. Breakdown will be close, but can see Irish doing quite well here. Adam Jones on debut after joining this week too.
Backs: Not sure how Irish midfield would work, like to see Smith have a real bruiser as a partner. Gloucester backline will just click and with more attacking ball at setpiece I can see them winning by a score. Also some a few more gainline breakers for Mat.
Bench: Stronger bench from the home side. (no tactics make it a more comfortable win for Gloucester too).
London Welsh 27 - 26 Harlequins
Pack: Really like the London Welsh front five, and can see them getting an edge, especially at home. Though Quins more class in the backrow and that makes it a really even battle. Both looking to control possession so will be close run thing with the tactics. Sarries will get more penalties but Quins more tries. However, Castro starting first game after signing is an issue for me, but not enough to change a narrow home win.
Backs: Pete has done well in getting controlling 9/10 and some great finishers - Steven has a lot more flair and I like the threat that his wings offer and has his tactics spot on, but I think he needs one more player that offers something really physical than Roberts/Kearney to win these games away.
Bench: Would say there is a little bit more on paper from the Quins bench, but would have some issues of form around the two main stars - Cooper and Warburton - Sarries have a solid bench, but don't see a lot of impact there.
London Wasps 18-20 Bath Rugby
Pack: There is a really nice balance to the Wasps side and the tactics have been set out really well and they will get an advantage due to Rimmer starting in the front row. Bath have an all star back row and this really does swing things back in favour of the away side.
Backs:Again can't find a fault with the way Wasps have been set out to play and the points made about Myler are spot on. Wasps will put up a huge defensive effort, but I cant see where their tries will come from apart from Brown. Bath have got some match winners and that for me makes the difference.
Bench: Wasps bench will fit in seamlessly into the match - no issues for me there at all, but Bath have that little more class to see out a really narrow away win. Great tactics by Wasps, just need 1-2 game changers.
Worcester Warriors 23-25 Leicester Tigers
Pack: Tough on Warriors that the weather doesnt help them again here, they've got a pack made for wet weather and it will be a brutal contest there. Can't really split the forward units, if anything a slight edge to the home side.
Backs: However...with the backs Tigers have so much class and players who can see out a game, again would have question marks about the flair of the team and ability to score from anywhere on the pitch, but they will be so hard to break down. BOD needs some games to get hsi real life form back though, as that hinders Tigers a bit.
Bench: A seriously strong forward bench for the Tigers and that is really vital to help see them win this game.
Sarries 19-21 Sale
Packs: Sarries pack is in transition at the moment, really young backrow but DHL has set out his team really well and making a very good effort early on. Advantage to Sale in the pack, just - but Sarries have got some great gainline breakers and Vunipola will be a constant heacache for Sale.
Backs: This for me is where the game gets won because SJE has the best halfback combo in the league (might change when Genia is back for Gloucester!) - Sexton controls games and Care is to me the best no9 England have at the moment. DHL got a really powerful backline and nothing is really going to go through the 12/13 combination and the leadership there now is impressive. Just a few too many new faces for Sarries, in a few weeks time result would have been different.
Bench: Do like the make up of the Sarries bench, some good players on form there and will really make a difference in the second half and keep the game really close.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:50 pm
Mat
Youve not put a score for my game mate.
Youve not put a score for my game mate.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:52 pm
Wasps 22-25 bath
Scrum: maybe just wasps
Lineout: bath jmf Whitelock
Breakdown: pocock and great Backrow
HB's: has to be bath
Attack: more creativity bath. Fluxy has hard job arry left a team in trouble by selling so many good players
Defence: wasps take this with some unit
Bench: even
Conclusion: wasps competitive but all class with bath. Btw wigglesworth has played 10 lots and even covered for England there so he would
Cover ten well
Scrum: maybe just wasps
Lineout: bath jmf Whitelock
Breakdown: pocock and great Backrow
HB's: has to be bath
Attack: more creativity bath. Fluxy has hard job arry left a team in trouble by selling so many good players
Defence: wasps take this with some unit
Bench: even
Conclusion: wasps competitive but all class with bath. Btw wigglesworth has played 10 lots and even covered for England there so he would
Cover ten well
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by LukeLovesLuka Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:53 pm
CJB hasn't done one for mine and props either.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:53 pm
CJB
You've not put a score for the Worcester vs. Tiggers game mate.
You've not put a score for the Worcester vs. Tiggers game mate.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:54 pm
Sorry Pete it's using this new prop
Format to score. All done. One more to predo.
Good games this week
Format to score. All done. One more to predo.
Good games this week
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Guest Fri 04 Jan 2013, 10:59 pm
Worcester 24-26 leicester
Scrum: even really hard to decide
Lineout: Leicester at a push nowt in it
Breakdown: Worcester but 2 good units
HB's: yach not much form and steyn woeful when playing last. Edge Leicester just
Attack: Leicester have the outside backs and guile. Worcester struggle here. McCabe needs to play
Defence: both solid and that Worcester back row will break ribs
Bench:
Conclusion: Leicester too much in attack once beyond pack. Wet Weather at home and you will be fine prop
Scrum: even really hard to decide
Lineout: Leicester at a push nowt in it
Breakdown: Worcester but 2 good units
HB's: yach not much form and steyn woeful when playing last. Edge Leicester just
Attack: Leicester have the outside backs and guile. Worcester struggle here. McCabe needs to play
Defence: both solid and that Worcester back row will break ribs
Bench:
Conclusion: Leicester too much in attack once beyond pack. Wet Weather at home and you will be fine prop
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Sat 05 Jan 2013, 12:41 pm
Newcastle Falcons 23 Northampton Saints 20
Very little in it in the key decision making jerseys and both teams have decent spines to them. Scrums would be a mess, with loads of resets and guesswork from the ref in relation to penalties. Mears is a bit more reliable throwing in than Hartley, and with decent options to aim at Falcons have an edge there. Couple of form issues in the backs for Falcons, less so for Saints. Winning away is tough, and Saints don't quite have enough up front to do it.
I'm not going to predict on Gloucester vs. London Irish as I put the Irish team in.
Saracens 20 Sale Sharks 20
Good start under new management for Saracens. Well set out and very competitive up front. Bit better decision making at 8, 9, 10 for Sale as Billy V new and FTD instinctive but not a great decision maker. Tactics spot on from both teams and I can see Saracens being tough to be beat in the coming weeks. Not quite enough yet to win against a team with the quality Sale have but won't lose this one either with the way they've set out.
Very little in it in the key decision making jerseys and both teams have decent spines to them. Scrums would be a mess, with loads of resets and guesswork from the ref in relation to penalties. Mears is a bit more reliable throwing in than Hartley, and with decent options to aim at Falcons have an edge there. Couple of form issues in the backs for Falcons, less so for Saints. Winning away is tough, and Saints don't quite have enough up front to do it.
I'm not going to predict on Gloucester vs. London Irish as I put the Irish team in.
Saracens 20 Sale Sharks 20
Good start under new management for Saracens. Well set out and very competitive up front. Bit better decision making at 8, 9, 10 for Sale as Billy V new and FTD instinctive but not a great decision maker. Tactics spot on from both teams and I can see Saracens being tough to be beat in the coming weeks. Not quite enough yet to win against a team with the quality Sale have but won't lose this one either with the way they've set out.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Fluxy Sat 05 Jan 2013, 2:54 pm
Newcastle Falcons 24 - 21 Northampton Saints
Upfront, Saints will get smashed. Their front row for various reasons are good players, but I can't see them doing too well as a unit. Lineout wise more even with maybe more to Saints, so they will have some foothold in the game. Backrows are close, but more impact from Falcons although Parisse holds a light to their power. Under the cuff as they could be from the scrum can see Simpson being harried and making the odd mistake. Not that Youngs would be impervious to that. Great contest out wide, Tuilagi vs SBW a highlight. Bit more creativity from Saints, but they won't see much decent front foot ball. Hernandez will drag his side around to dangerous situations, and will come to fruition. But the strong benches from each side will minimise any late impacts as Newcastle will win at home.
Gloucester 35 - 26 London Irish
A great contest up front with two big units going at each other. Scrums and lineouts are about even with both very strong, and nicking the odd turnover off each other. What edges it for me is Hari at the base over Daniel, as Hari has the extra bit of class about him. The breakdown and the loose are another contest all together as both have players that are prominent here. Where the game is won is by the backs for Glos. They have a brilliant backline which will score tries, against a very secure Irish defensive line. Irish can play some magical stuff too, but Dupuy will just stifle some attacking play for me. Great home win for the Cherries here.
Saracens 21 - 23 Sale Sharks
1-8 is a great fight, even in the scrums, although the line out would edge to Sharks. But across the board the breakdown and carrying is close, but the experience of Sarries in the front five allows them to get some momentum. At the halfbacks this is where the game is won and lost for me. Sharks have a much more astute pairing, whereas FTD and Duvenage haven't necessarily played well for some time. Solid centres for both sides, but again Sharks back three can get at the Sarries unit. Solid first game for the new manager, but Sharks are in some form right now.
London Welsh 27 - 27 Harlequins
Upfront very close, with an edge on the Welsh hit as brits can be a liability in the scrums, lineout edged to Quins though with Borthwick being in some very good form. Breakdown is a great fight, where I think Welsh will pinch come ball with both Dus and BdP but Quins are will get some revenge with Warbs and hooper. Steve has the form EQ half backs and its a good contest against Parra and Lambie. The attacking play to be stifled some what from Farrell at 12. Yes he can play there, but I think Pete needs to find a proper 12 and decide on to who to play at 10 between Lambie and Faz. Both have good backlines both with well implemented plans. For me a nice balance to Quins, but in the end both side will negate one another.
Worcester Warriors 25 - 25 Leicester Tigers
The 1-10 personnel in this game is a battle. Upfront both just match each other, with Warriors suffering a slight bit in lineout stakes. But with their tactics and controlling halfbacks they will make this game nightmare. And with Steyn free to kick points, at home - he will frustrate tigers everytime they lose the ball or make a mistake. Tigers brilliant 11-15 are much better talent wise over Warriors backs, and will score tries. I would love to call Warriors win just because of the niggling boot of Steyn, but unfortunately can see Tigers snatching a last minute try to draw the game.
Upfront, Saints will get smashed. Their front row for various reasons are good players, but I can't see them doing too well as a unit. Lineout wise more even with maybe more to Saints, so they will have some foothold in the game. Backrows are close, but more impact from Falcons although Parisse holds a light to their power. Under the cuff as they could be from the scrum can see Simpson being harried and making the odd mistake. Not that Youngs would be impervious to that. Great contest out wide, Tuilagi vs SBW a highlight. Bit more creativity from Saints, but they won't see much decent front foot ball. Hernandez will drag his side around to dangerous situations, and will come to fruition. But the strong benches from each side will minimise any late impacts as Newcastle will win at home.
Gloucester 35 - 26 London Irish
A great contest up front with two big units going at each other. Scrums and lineouts are about even with both very strong, and nicking the odd turnover off each other. What edges it for me is Hari at the base over Daniel, as Hari has the extra bit of class about him. The breakdown and the loose are another contest all together as both have players that are prominent here. Where the game is won is by the backs for Glos. They have a brilliant backline which will score tries, against a very secure Irish defensive line. Irish can play some magical stuff too, but Dupuy will just stifle some attacking play for me. Great home win for the Cherries here.
Saracens 21 - 23 Sale Sharks
1-8 is a great fight, even in the scrums, although the line out would edge to Sharks. But across the board the breakdown and carrying is close, but the experience of Sarries in the front five allows them to get some momentum. At the halfbacks this is where the game is won and lost for me. Sharks have a much more astute pairing, whereas FTD and Duvenage haven't necessarily played well for some time. Solid centres for both sides, but again Sharks back three can get at the Sarries unit. Solid first game for the new manager, but Sharks are in some form right now.
London Welsh 27 - 27 Harlequins
Upfront very close, with an edge on the Welsh hit as brits can be a liability in the scrums, lineout edged to Quins though with Borthwick being in some very good form. Breakdown is a great fight, where I think Welsh will pinch come ball with both Dus and BdP but Quins are will get some revenge with Warbs and hooper. Steve has the form EQ half backs and its a good contest against Parra and Lambie. The attacking play to be stifled some what from Farrell at 12. Yes he can play there, but I think Pete needs to find a proper 12 and decide on to who to play at 10 between Lambie and Faz. Both have good backlines both with well implemented plans. For me a nice balance to Quins, but in the end both side will negate one another.
Worcester Warriors 25 - 25 Leicester Tigers
The 1-10 personnel in this game is a battle. Upfront both just match each other, with Warriors suffering a slight bit in lineout stakes. But with their tactics and controlling halfbacks they will make this game nightmare. And with Steyn free to kick points, at home - he will frustrate tigers everytime they lose the ball or make a mistake. Tigers brilliant 11-15 are much better talent wise over Warriors backs, and will score tries. I would love to call Warriors win just because of the niggling boot of Steyn, but unfortunately can see Tigers snatching a last minute try to draw the game.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Sat 05 Jan 2013, 7:32 pm
London Wasps 18 Bath Rugby 19
Worcester Warriors 24 Leicester Tigers 24
Worcester Warriors 24 Leicester Tigers 24
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Sun 06 Jan 2013, 2:45 pm
RESULTS
Newcastle Falcons 30 (T: Williams, Franks, Kruger, Bowe C: Cruden 2 P: Cruden 2)
Northampton Saints 21 (T: Parisse, Mulipola C: Halfpenny P: Halfpenny 3)
Gloucester 35 (T: Murray, Harinordoquy, G.Robson, Heaslip, D.Robson C: Carter 5)
London Irish 24 (T: Smith, Moates, Kennedy C: Evans 3 P: Evans)
London Welsh 26 (T: Taute, Tualava, Simpson Daniel C: Farrell P: Farrell 3)
Harlequins 22 (T: Buchanan, Kruis P: Burs 4)
Saracens 20 (T: van Niekerk, Simmons C: Trinh-Duc 2 P: Trinh-Duc 2)
Sale Sharks 25 (T: Retallick, Eastmond, Care C: Sexton 2 P: Sexton 2)
London Wasps 20 (T: Laulala, Elliott C: Myler 2 P: Myler 2)
Bath Rugby 26 (T: Haskell, Smith, Jane C: Hodgson P: Hodgson 3)
Worcester Warriors 23 (T: Morgan, Savage C: Steyn 2 P: Steyn 3)
Leicester Tigers 28 (T: Cole, Nacewa, Mermoz C: Wilkinson 2 P: Wilkinson 3)
Newcastle Falcons 30 (T: Williams, Franks, Kruger, Bowe C: Cruden 2 P: Cruden 2)
Northampton Saints 21 (T: Parisse, Mulipola C: Halfpenny P: Halfpenny 3)
Gloucester 35 (T: Murray, Harinordoquy, G.Robson, Heaslip, D.Robson C: Carter 5)
London Irish 24 (T: Smith, Moates, Kennedy C: Evans 3 P: Evans)
London Welsh 26 (T: Taute, Tualava, Simpson Daniel C: Farrell P: Farrell 3)
Harlequins 22 (T: Buchanan, Kruis P: Burs 4)
Saracens 20 (T: van Niekerk, Simmons C: Trinh-Duc 2 P: Trinh-Duc 2)
Sale Sharks 25 (T: Retallick, Eastmond, Care C: Sexton 2 P: Sexton 2)
London Wasps 20 (T: Laulala, Elliott C: Myler 2 P: Myler 2)
Bath Rugby 26 (T: Haskell, Smith, Jane C: Hodgson P: Hodgson 3)
Worcester Warriors 23 (T: Morgan, Savage C: Steyn 2 P: Steyn 3)
Leicester Tigers 28 (T: Cole, Nacewa, Mermoz C: Wilkinson 2 P: Wilkinson 3)
Last edited by Ozzy3213 on Sun 06 Jan 2013, 8:14 pm; edited 1 time in total
Ozzy3213- Moderator
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Sgt_Pooly Sun 06 Jan 2013, 2:53 pm
Enjoy 
Got to be happy with a TBP against Saints.
Got to be happy with a TBP against Saints.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by Ozzy3213 Sun 06 Jan 2013, 3:13 pm
Gloucester's big win is ominous for the rest of us in that mid table group as they don't lose many in the 6 Nations and look strong from here on in.
Ozzy3213- Moderator
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Ozzy3213- Moderator
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by prop_lyd Sun 06 Jan 2013, 9:10 pm
Happy with bonus point.
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by dammit_chris Sun 06 Jan 2013, 10:07 pm
Quite a few changes planned ahead for next week Pooly, that one was to roughen your lot up a bit - didnt seem to work mind...
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Re: Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Thirteen
by DHLS07 Mon 07 Jan 2013, 3:38 pm
Pretty pleased with a bonus point first week. Need to get some deals done though to start picking up a few more points.
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