Aviva Premiership Round Fourteen (6 Nations)

Team & Tactics - 2000hrs Saturday
Predictions - 2359hrs Tuesday

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Bath vs Worcester Warriors
Location - The Rec
Weather - Overcast, 5mph, 4 degrees

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Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite

01. N.Catt	09. M.Classens
02. L.Mears	10. O.Barkley (k)
03. O.Franks
04. J.Muller (c)	11. T.Biggs
05. F. VD Merwe	12. M.Banahan
06. F.Louw	13. E.Daly
07. J.Salvi	14. T.Bowe
08. S.Kalamafoni	15. I.Dagg

16. O.Tomascyuk 17. C.Tolufua 18. J.Golding 19. R.Eldsadt 20. C.Fearns 21. C.Cook 22. S.Donald 23. C.Lualala

TACTICS TBC
As always, look to secure a platform up front. Two big scrummaging locks picked, along with world class Franks at cornerstone. Look to secure breakdown with two proven 7s. Great options off the bench with Tolufua, Eldstadt and Fearns all offering big physical impact against tired legs

Forwards
- Picked two opensides to dominate the breakdown. Both Salvi and Louw are great at the contact area
- Kalamafoni to provide ball carrying threat, Louw operates as link man, Salvi first to every ruck to compete
- Franks looks to get a squeeze on Porter for a mismatch and potential yellow card
- Muller will continue to make the lineout calls and look to challenge opposition throws for the steal

Backs
- Look to play in the opposition half, use the boots of Barkley and Daly to gain yardage. If nothing on / slow ball, use Banahan, Louw and Kalamafoni on the crash
- Classens and Barkley to target Garvey with kicks to the corner and up and unders for Bowe / Banahan to challenge
- Banahan picked at 12 to match Nonu's physicality and test him in defence
- Bowe look to catch Homer out of position and take advantage of pace mismatch

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]Worcester Warriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. George Porter	09. Will Genia
02. Stephen Moore	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Gerhard Mostert	11. Tom Homer
05. George Robson	12. Ma’a Nonu
06. Liam Messam	13. Robbie Freaun
07. Michael Hopper	14. Marcel Garvey
08. Ben Morgan	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Ed Shervington 17. Louis Padian 18. Tevita Taumoepeau 19. Nile Dacres 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Shaun Perry 22. Andy Goode 23. Matt Hooper

Overall: Look for strong running rugby

Look to be competitive at scrumtime with Messam controlling it from the back. Figallo and Moore have a huge advantage over their opposing numbers and will really look to pressure the scrum. If we sense an advantage look to call the scrum whenever possible and go for penalties.

At the lineout we will look to secure our own ball and challenge the Bath throw. Mears is a bit flaky on his throw whilst Moore is very solid. Robson and Messam will be challenging in the air while Mostert will offer solid banker ball at the front.

As well as performing in the set piece we will be looking to get our forwards making some big carries in open play. We will be looking to get Messam/Robson/Moore/Morgan on the ball and making gains

Look to attack the breakdown hard and fast with lots of bodies looking to slow down or turn over Bath ball. Hooper is absolutely brilliant at getting over the ball and he will be backed up by Messam and Morgan looking to nuisance of themselves.

Strong half back combination will be looking to control the tempo of our game. Will Genia will play his natural game mixing it up with his passing and his sniping runs. Dan Carter is our main playmaker and will look to use his vast array of talents to adapt to the game. He will look to get his running and passing game involved while his kicking offers another option.

The back five will be looking to make inroads with their attacking running. Nonu will be look to make strong runs, crashing through defences. He will look to draw in defences to offer more space for our other runners. Freaun is a player in a similar vain to Nonu and will be used for his ability to get over the gainline. Homer, Beale and Garvey will be looking to make use of the spaces with their movement.

Use a blitz defence with huge intensity to put pressure on Bath decision makers. Kurtley Beale will sweep in behind for any grubbers which we will either counter generously or have a run at the defence.

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Harlequins vs London Wasps
Location - Twickenham Stoop
Weather - White Cloud, 5mph, 9 degrees

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Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Marcos Ayerza	09.Richard Wrigglesworth
02.Joe Grey	10.Morne Steyn
03.James Johnstone
04.Eben Etzebeth	11.Bryan Habana
05.Mouritz Botha	12.Hudson Tonga'uhia
06.Tom Croft (c)	13.Adam Ashley-Cooper
07.Jamie Gibson	14.Mark Cueto
08.Semisi Taulava	15.Jared Payne

16.John Smit 17.Mark Lambert 18.Will Collier 19.James Percival 20.Marcell Coatzee 21.Bryn Hall 22.Nicky Robinson 23.Andy Short

Big pack to get ontop the Wasps front 5 and put them under the cosh at the Scrum and rucks with plenty of impact from the bench.

Scrummage for 80 minutes with strong scrummagers on the bench to come on if need

Steyn to test Wasps backs 3s position game with Kicks in behind with Habana and Cueto chasing with neither being on the small side.

Tonga/AAC to take the ball to the gain line and ask questions of the Wasps back line with Habana/Cueto/Payne coming into the line to cause problems

Croft to run our lineout whilst Taulava and Gibson will look to smash rucks to slow down and Wasps ball.

Jumpers from 4-8 in our pack giving Joe Grey plenty of targets with Etzebeth and Corft targeting the Wasps Lineout.

Wrigglesworth to control the tempo , feeding Morne Steyn the ball at the right times and using his own vision to snipe and put the ball in behind Wasps.

Blitz Defence to stop Wasps backs playing with Wrigglesworth sweeping behind

Impact from the bench will see this game through Smit will keep things calm up front , Coatzee will come on and smash everything in front of him. . Hall and Robinson are a exciting half back pair and will put plenty of pace onto the game.

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London Wasps

Manager – CF

01. Ben Broster	09. Piri Weepu (C)
02. George Chuter	10. Jimmy Gopperth (K)
03. Matt Stevens
04. Ross Filipo	11. Ugo Monye
05. James Cannon	12. Jacque Fourie
06. Tinius Du Plessis	13. Chris Bell
07. Matt Everard	14. Tom Varndell
08. Jacque Burger	15. Richard Haughton

REPLACEMENTS: 16.Chris Brooker 17.Boris Stankovich 18.Jeremy Castex 19.Marco Wenztel 20.Micky Young 21.Shane Geraghty 22.Alex Cheeseman 23.Charlie Ingall

TEAM NEWS: PIRI WEEPU MAKES DEBUT AS CAPTAIN

With players missing through 6 nations duty, also have chosen to rest other first team regualrs, so playing a fringe side, and seeing how they get on. Looking to be strong at the scrum and secure at the line out, look to get quuck ball to the backs with Varndell's pace looking to get past the quins defence. Also looking for drop goals to keep the board ticking over. The forwards in the 2nd half, will hopefully start to take advantage over a hopefully tiring defence, building phases and then giving the back quick ball to run onto.

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Leicester Tigers vs London Welsh
Location - Welford Road
Weather - white cloud, 9mph, 9 degrees

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Karl Dickson
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Berrick Barnes
03. Aaron Jarvis
04. Tom Price	11. Digby Ioane
05. Alister Hargreaves	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Matt Smith
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Jacque Cronje	15. James O’Connor

16. Jamie George 17. Luke Cowen-Dickie 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Sam Jones 20. Luke Wallace 21. Sam Harrison 22. 23. Marlon Yarde

Tactics

In the good conditions we’ll be looking to play a high tempo game and look for the offload. We’ll be looking for big carries from our pack to free up space around the fringes for out talented backline to work in. Barnes will look to dictate play in our half and pin the oppo back with directed kicking.

We will look to set a tone in the set piece with our big scrummaging front 5 and will look for the squeeze from the off. Price will lead the line and we will look to target the opposition's throw with Hargreaves/Cronje marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Dickson marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes.

The flankers will target the breakdown with Dickson sniping around and playing flat to the line to allow Barnes & JOC space to run into. Ioane will come looking for the ball in midfield and link up with JTH causing problems in the opposition midfield. We'll look to refresh pack around 60mins + and keep up the intensity.

- Look to get JOC onto the ball as much as possible
- Barnes to kick whats on offer and keep the board ticking over
- Barnes/JOC to alternate and dictate play
- Use Hargreaves as simple option in lineout as just signed
- Look to use scrum whenever possible and target the opp front row all game with impact bench
- Look to get back 3 into play whenever possible

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London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Rhys Gill	09. Will Chudley
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans(k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Dean Mumm	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Paul O'Connell (C)	12. Tom Casson
06. Tim Johnson	13. George Lowe
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Horacio Agulla
08. Nick Easter	15. Hugo Southwell

16. Tom French 17. Scott Wilson 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Tim Swinson 20. David Sisi 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Dominic Waldlouck 23. Adam Thompstone

Tactics

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, and Evans knows when to attack and when we need to clear the lines. We will look to go through simple phases to reproduce quick ball to cut the defence open. We have brilliant leaders all other the pitch in POC, Easter and Evans, and they know what will be required to get we want from the game - a win. With the terrible conditions, they also know how we will want to play our game. We will look to force Wasps to play from in their 22 and use our strong lineout and kicking game to pressure them. After good form in Europe, we will continue to build on our great position in the league.

Tactics

• Gill and Wilson are solid technicians and will secure our own feed, to provide first phase possession for our backs. We have strong props on the bench as well, so we should not be outclassed throughout the game
  
  
• With a strong lineout, O'Connell will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Mumm jumping in the middle. If winning own ball POC will look to call full number lineouts to tie in the Wasps fowards.
  
  
• Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. Collectively we will look to (legally!) slow down Tigers' ball as much possible, only committing men to rucks if the turnover is on, to prevent them any front foot ball for their big carriers.
  
  
• The backrow will target the halfbacks, allowing them no time on the ball, which will lead to them rushing and making handling errors and mistakes.
  
  
• We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines and moving the point of attack. Evans will direct traffic with the use of quick pods systems outside the guards of the rucks.
  
  
• Off any first phase possession, the blindside winger will come in to create options off Evans so that it can keep the defence guessing to whether we will go wide, or cut against the grain.
  
  
• We will look to test the Tigers back three with Evans throwing the bomb in and grubbers behind the blitz defence. Their back three can be got at here as they won't be the best defensively, and their urge to attack will find them short in most cases. All kicks will be chased.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Evans will kick all points, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Tigers should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• At home we make it a struggle for anyone to even get a LBP at our fortress.

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London Irish v Saracens
Location - Madejski Stadium
Weather - Grey cloud, 7mph, 7 degrees

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London Irish

Manager – Mad for Chelsea

01. Dean Greyling	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Herring	10. Brock James (k)
03. Paulica Ion
04. Simon Shaw	11. Sailosi Tagicakibau
05. Nick Kennedy (c)	12. Shontayne Hape
06. Tom Guest	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07.Andy Saull	14. Alesana Tuilagi
08. Imanol Harinordoquy	15. Marland Yarde

16. Scott Lawson 17.Fraan Rautenbach, 18.Tom Smallbone, 19. Tom Palmer, 20.Jerome Kaino, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Quade Cooper, 23. David Strettle

Tactics:

Once again, ordinary conditions means starts for James at fly-half for his ability to control the game, and Shaw in the engine room for added grunt (particularly in the scrums), while Tuilagi keeps his place on the wing after an effective performance last week. Look to dominate territory, using James's tactical kicking, but when we get the ball in opposition territory go for it, as conditions should allow some rugby to be played, and tries could be important for qualifying.

- Tuilagi to come off his wing looking for work in the middle. Use Hape's off-loading game to put him and Rougerie in space.

- don't be afraid of playing rugby. If it looks on, be prepared to spin the ball wide.

- dominate territory through James's boot, play in the right areas of the pitch.

- hit the breakdown hard when turnovers look possible, secure quick ball when in posession.

- Play a rush defense, looking to swamp the moves before they get going, and not give the opposition time to place their attacks. Always have at least a couple of players back to field kicks.

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Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Matt Mullan	09. Julien Dupuy(k)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Williams
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Anthony Allen
06. Richie McCaw (c)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Chris York	15. Chris Wyles

16. Jared Saunders 17. Rob Buchanan 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Maro Itoje 20. Billy Vunipola. 21. Jordan Burns 22. Sam Stanley 23. Nathan Earle


Tactics to be adapted depending on opposition and weather

This week we have a mix of experience and youthful vigor, giving some young guns like Itoje and Earle a run out off the bench, especially if the game needs breaking up. To that end, we will aim to build a solid platform early in the game then build attacking momentum from this. The general plan, as is in vogue, is to attain quick attacking ball. To do this, McCaw and Fraser will double up to attack rucks, ensuring one of them is there to get hands on the ball, with other forwards running in support of players to ruck over in units and clear players out. Quick ball will be moved around quickly, spinning fast to Hodgson and then attacking through 3 major channels- Allen at 12 with runners inside and Smith in support to capitalise on breaks he makes; Brits or Ben T on the pop aiming at 10; and inside passes to the blindside winger or Wyles. When ball is not quick, we will tight carry and maul with Botha, Big Ben, York etc and rely on Dupuy to play for territory when appropriate. We will run back ball kicked at the back 3 unless doing so is stupid.

Defence- blitz led by Smith, with Fraser rushing the 10 and McCaw harrying 9

Scrums- should be able to hurt any scrum with our front row, so aim to put the shove on. I'd like to see back row moves in the opponent's 22 as our back row are all handy ball-players. Attack the blindside on a call.

Lineout- lots of decent options but not our main caller so Botha to call and jump from the front. Mobile backrow, so go for long throws in attacking positions if the weather permits.

Kicking- Dupuy knows when to kick for the corner, let's have him doing that and height on other kicks, as McCaw is a fantastic kick chaser. Take any points on offer.

Subs- no pre-planned subs but make a couple of changes later on to blood players depending on where the players look most tired. If we need to loosen the match up, bring on Earles or Burns, to tighten it up Stanley at 12 adds another kicker. If we aren't making enough head way in the forward battle, let Billy go on a rampage

Most of all let's stay calm and play in their 22, no silly running from our 22 and make sure whenever anyone makes a break, carry, ruck, maul, kick or tackle, they have support to retain/turnover the ball

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Northampton Saints vs Gloucester
Location - Franklins Gardens
Weather - Grey Cloud, 5 mph, 9 degrees

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Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Stephen Myler
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Vasily Artemiev
05. Andries Bekker	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Stephen Ferris	13. George Pisi
07. Calum Clark	14. Jamie Elliot
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. S. Kitshoff 17. B. Sharman 18. D. Herriot 19. James Craig 20. Phil Dowson 21. Lee Dickson 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Gael Fickou

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 Smith & Myler and force the opposition 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 opposition territory, with 5 jumping options to use, we will look to play off the top and move the ball out to Myler 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 opposition momentum before it can get going.

• Smith 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 Clark looking to get his hands on the ball.

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

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Gloucester

01.Antoine Guillamon	09.Dan Robson
02.Darren Dawiduk	10.Freddie Burns
03.Rupert Harden
04.Sam Whitelock	11.Charlie Sharples
05.Tom Savage	12.Ryan Mills
06.Akapusi Qera	13.Rob Horne
07.Sam Cane	14.JSD
08.JVN	15.Pat Lambie

16. Korree Britton 17. Shaun Knight 18. Tom Heard 19. Will James 20. Luke Narraway 21. Rory Lawson 22. EFS 23. Jonny May

Key Points

Big Match Experience
Alot of our players have the big game experience whether it's local derby's, world cup finals, 4 nations.

Flair in Backs
We have an exciting, young, back line available with JSD playing a mentoring role today, these boys want to play fast, attractive rugby.

Strong Backrow
Heavy and strong backrow who have all been rested at points recently ready for this league game, they can all alternate their jobs and have strong carrying options.
Attacking

• We want to force errors from Saints and will be sending our big runners down the 10-12 channel and looking for quick offloads.

• Robson and Burns to play what's in front of them and look to release Mills or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Burns/Lambie will stick it in the corners and, with Whitelock, Savage and Cane we have a number of jumpers to gain the ball back.

• Look for runners off of 10 and 12 channel to make the initial break before sending the ball out wide to Sharples/JSD/Lambie.

• We will look to use our big pack to carry alot of ball and, if it isn't on then run off of 9 and take a couple of 'up the jumper' phases to drag defenders in.

• Our back three will look to come off their wings and hit the right angles.

• Flair in May and Efs to come off bench to shore up our victory and to keep the scoreboard ticking, James brings extra grunt and Narraway will have a field day against tired legs in open play.

Set Piece

• Strong scrum which will get the edge up on the tighthead side and a good bench to come on as well to continue the pressure, 8-9-10 is a move we will use alot.

• We will use the maul to get ourselves up the pitch quickly and power over from short distance.

• Lineout has been mentioned previously where we have many strong jumpers here who will look to control attacking and defensive ones.

Defending

• Banana blitz defence targetting 10 so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres, we will protect the channels to stop 9 sniping.

• Kerr Barlow will look to sweep and counter attack off any kick through's.

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Cane time to get over the ball and obliterate any protection they have in place.

• If the turnover isn't on we won't commit and will fan out defending inside-out.

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Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs
Location - Saltford City Stadium
Weather - Grey cloud, 10 mph, 7 degrees

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Sale Sharks
Manager – LondonIrishOllie

01.Andrew Sheridan	09.Hadyn Thomas
02.Gary Botha	10.Aaron Cruden (k)
03.Davit Kubriashvilli
04.Matt Garvey (c)	11.Tom Brady
05.James Gaskell	12.Sam Tuitupou
06.JMF Lobbe	13.Jonathan Joseph
07.Dave Seymour	14.Cameron Shephard
08.Jordan Crane	15.Rob Miller

Subs 16.Marc Jones 17.Logovoi Mulipola 18.Henry Thomas 19.Dean Schofield 20.Schalk Burger 21.Scott Mathie 22.Johan Goosen 23.Eli Walker

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Tactics

Cruden to stand flat and use Tuitupou and JJ to test there defence, as both Naqa and Folau are questionable in that area, especially Folau due to a lack of rugby game time, especially first phase were there will be a lack of cover for Folau.

Look to put there lineout under pressure with Gaskell and JMF especially adept in this area.

Look to take points when on offer

Use impact players from bench to make a difference.

Brady and Shephard to look for work and get on our centres shoulders.

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Pooly (Caretaker)

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. TJ Perenara
02. Scott Spurling	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Loius Deacon	11. Matt Jess
05. Pascal Pape(c)	12. Sireli Naqelevuki
06. Steve Mafi	13. Israel Folau
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Simon Alcott 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Horwill 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Luke Arscott

Tactics

- Look to set a tone in the set piece with big front 5 unit & two big scrummaging locks
- Dominate collisions and allow TJ fast ball to attack with
- Look to ruck over the ball and allow Steffon to get in amongst things
- Wilko to take 3 points on offer
- Look to keep ball in hand and work through the phases

TBC - depending on weather and opposition

Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite

01. N.Catt	09. M.Classens
02. L.Mears	10. O.Barkley (k)
03. O.Franks
04. J.Muller (c)	11. T.Biggs
05. F. VD Merwe	12. M.Banahan
06. F.Louw	13. E.Daly
07. J.Salvi	14. T.Bowe
08. S.Kalamafoni	15. I.Dagg

16. O.Tomascyuk 17. C.Tolufua 18. J.Golding 19. R.Eldsadt 20. C.Fearns 21. C.Cook 22. S.Donald 23. C.Lualala

TACTICS TBC
As always, look to secure a platform up front. Two big scrummaging locks picked, along with world class Franks at cornerstone. Look to secure breakdown with two proven 7s. Great options off the bench with Tolufua, Eldstadt and Fearns all offering big physical impact against tired legs

Forwards
- Picked two opensides to dominate the breakdown. Both Salvi and Louw are great at the contact area
- Kalamafoni to provide ball carrying threat, Louw operates as link man, Salvi first to every ruck to compete
- Franks looks to get a squeeze on Porter for a mismatch and potential yellow card
- Muller will continue to make the lineout calls and look to challenge opposition throws for the steal

Backs
- Look to play in the opposition half, use the boots of Barkley and Daly to gain yardage. If nothing on / slow ball, use Banahan, Louw and Kalamafoni on the crash
- Classens and Barkley to target Garvey with kicks to the corner and up and unders for Bowe / Banahan to challenge
- Banahan picked at 12 to match Nonu's physicality and test him in defence
- Bowe look to catch Homer out of position and take advantage of pace mismatch

this isnt for this week is it?

No mate you want LV Cup Round 4 for this week

Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Marcos Ayerza	09.Richard Wrigglesworth
02.Joe Grey	10.Morne Steyn
03.James Johnstone
04.Eben Etzebeth	11.Bryan Habana
05.Mouritz Botha	12.Hudson Tonga'uhia
06.Tom Croft (c)	13.Adam Ashley-Cooper
07.Jamie Gibson	14.Mark Cueto
08.Semisi Taulava	15.Jared Payne

16.John Smit 17.Mark Lambert 18.Will Collier 19.James Percival 20.Marcell Coatzee 21.Bryn Hall 22.Nicky Robinson 23.Andy Short

Big pack to get ontop the Wasps front 5 and put them under the cosh at the Scrum and rucks with plenty of impact from the bench.

Scrummage for 80 minutes with strong scrummagers on the bench to come on if need

Steyn to test Wasps backs 3s position game with Kicks in behind with Habana and Cueto chasing with neither being on the small side.

Tonga/AAC to take the ball to the gain line and ask questions of the Wasps back line with Habana/Cueto/Payne coming into the line to cause problems

Croft to run our lineout whilst Taulava and Gibson will look to smash rucks to slow down and Wasps ball.

Jumpers from 4-8 in our pack giving Joe Grey plenty of targets with Etzebeth and Corft targeting the Wasps Lineout.

Wrigglesworth to control the tempo , feeding Morne Steyn the ball at the right times and using his own vision to snipe and put the ball in behind Wasps.

Blitz Defence to stop Wasps backs playing with Wrigglesworth sweeping behind

Impact from the bench will see this game through Smit will keep things calm up front , Coatzee will come on and smash everything in front of him. . Hall and Robinson are a exciting half back pair and will put plenty of pace onto the game.

Worcester Warriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. George Porter	09. Will Genia
02. Stephen Moore	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Gerhard Mostert	11. Tom Homer
05. George Robson	12. Ma’a Nonu
06. Liam Messam	13. Robbie Freaun
07. Michael Hopper	14. Marcel Garvey
08. Ben Morgan	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Ed Shervington 17. Louis Padian 18. Tevita Taumoepeau 19. Nile Dacres 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Shaun Perry 22. Andy Goode 23. Matt Hooper

Overall: Look for strong running rugby

Look to be competitive at scrumtime with Messam controlling it from the back. Figallo and Moore have a huge advantage over their opposing numbers and will really look to pressure the scrum. If we sense an advantage look to call the scrum whenever possible and go for penalties.

At the lineout we will look to secure our own ball and challenge the Bath throw. Mears is a bit flaky on his throw whilst Moore is very solid. Robson and Messam will be challenging in the air while Mostert will offer solid banker ball at the front.

As well as performing in the set piece we will be looking to get our forwards making some big carries in open play. We will be looking to get Messam/Robson/Moore/Morgan on the ball and making gains

Look to attack the breakdown hard and fast with lots of bodies looking to slow down or turn over Bath ball. Hooper is absolutely brilliant at getting over the ball and he will be backed up by Messam and Morgan looking to nuisance of themselves.

Strong half back combination will be looking to control the tempo of our game. Will Genia will play his natural game mixing it up with his passing and his sniping runs. Dan Carter is our main playmaker and will look to use his vast array of talents to adapt to the game. He will look to get his running and passing game involved while his kicking offers another option.

The back five will be looking to make inroads with their attacking running. Nonu will be look to make strong runs, crashing through defences. He will look to draw in defences to offer more space for our other runners. Freaun is a player in a similar vain to Nonu and will be used for his ability to get over the gainline. Homer, Beale and Garvey will be looking to make use of the spaces with their movement.

Use a blitz defence with huge intensity to put pressure on Bath decision makers. Kurtley Beale will sweep in behind for any grubbers which we will either counter generously or have a run at the defence.

01.Antoine Guillamon	09.Dan Robson
02.Darren Dawiduk	10.Freddie Burns
03.Rupert Harden
04.Sam Whitelock	11.Charlie Sharples
05.Tom Savage	12.Ryan Mills
06.Akapusi Qera	13.Rob Horne
07.Sam Cane	14.JSD
08.JVN	15.Pat Lambie

16. Korree Britton 17. Shaun Knight 18. Tom Heard 19. Will James 20. Luke Narraway 21. Rory Lawson 22. EFS 23. Jonny May

Key Points

Big Match Experience
Alot of our players have the big game experience whether it's local derby's, world cup finals, 4 nations.

Flair in Backs
We have an exciting, young, back line available with JSD playing a mentoring role today, these boys want to play fast, attractive rugby.

Strong Backrow
Heavy and strong backrow who have all been rested at points recently ready for this league game, they can all alternate their jobs and have strong carrying options.
Attacking

• We want to force errors from Saints and will be sending our big runners down the 10-12 channel and looking for quick offloads.

• Robson and Burns to play what's in front of them and look to release Mills or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Burns/Lambie will stick it in the corners and, with Whitelock, Savage and Cane we have a number of jumpers to gain the ball back.

• Look for runners off of 10 and 12 channel to make the initial break before sending the ball out wide to Sharples/JSD/Lambie.

• We will look to use our big pack to carry alot of ball and, if it isn't on then run off of 9 and take a couple of 'up the jumper' phases to drag defenders in.

• Our back three will look to come off their wings and hit the right angles.

• Flair in May and Efs to come off bench to shore up our victory and to keep the scoreboard ticking, James brings extra grunt and Narraway will have a field day against tired legs in open play.

Set Piece

• Strong scrum which will get the edge up on the tighthead side and a good bench to come on as well to continue the pressure, 8-9-10 is a move we will use alot.

• We will use the maul to get ourselves up the pitch quickly and power over from short distance.

• Lineout has been mentioned previously where we have many strong jumpers here who will look to control attacking and defensive ones.

Defending

• Banana blitz defence targetting 10 so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres, we will protect the channels to stop 9 sniping.

• Kerr Barlow will look to sweep and counter attack off any kick through's.

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Cane time to get over the ball and obliterate any protection they have in place.

• If the turnover isn't on we won't commit and will fan out defending inside-out.

London Welsh name their preliminary team for the weekend game this week against top of the table Leicester. A raft of changes have been made after Welsh rotated during the LV cup tournament to allow game time for their youngsters and to rest some of the squad. There are notable recalls for Captain Paul O'Connell, Nick Easter, Nick Evans and Hugo Southwell. Along with the notable debut for former Springbok Hienrich Brussow.

London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Rhys Gill	09. Will Chudley
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans(k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Dean Mumm	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Paul O'Connell (C)	12. Tom Casson/Dominic Waldlouck
06. Tim Johnson	13. George Lowe
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Horacio Agulla
08. Nick Easter	15. Hugo Southwell

16. Tom French 17. Scott Wilson 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Tim Swinson 20. David Sisi 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Dominic Waldlouck/Tom Casson 23. Adam Thompstone

Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Matt Mullan	09. Julien Dupuy(k)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Williams
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Anthony Allen
06. Richie McCaw (c)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Chris York	15. Chris Wyles

16. Jared Saunders 17. Rob Buchanan 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Maro Itoje 20. Billy Vunipola. 21. Jordan Burns 22. Sam Stanley 23. Nathan Earle


Tactics to be adapted depending on opposition and weather

This week we have a mix of experience and youthful vigor, giving some young guns like Itoje and Earle a run out off the bench, especially if the game needs breaking up. To that end, we will aim to build a solid platform early in the game then build attacking momentum from this. The general plan, as is in vogue, is to attain quick attacking ball. To do this, McCaw and Fraser will double up to attack rucks, ensuring one of them is there to get hands on the ball, with other forwards running in support of players to ruck over in units and clear players out. Quick ball will be moved around quickly, spinning fast to Hodgson and then attacking through 3 major channels- Allen at 12 with runners inside and Smith in support to capitalise on breaks he makes; Brits or Ben T on the pop aiming at 10; and inside passes to the blindside winger or Wyles. When ball is not quick, we will tight carry and maul with Botha, Big Ben, York etc and rely on Dupuy to play for territory when appropriate. We will run back ball kicked at the back 3 unless doing so is stupid.

Defence- blitz led by Smith, with Fraser rushing the 10 and McCaw harrying 9

Scrums- should be able to hurt any scrum with our front row, so aim to put the shove on. I'd like to see back row moves in the opponent's 22 as our back row are all handy ball-players. Attack the blindside on a call.

Lineout- lots of decent options but not our main caller so Botha to call and jump from the front. Mobile backrow, so go for long throws in attacking positions if the weather permits.

Kicking- Dupuy knows when to kick for the corner, let's have him doing that and height on other kicks, as McCaw is a fantastic kick chaser. Take any points on offer.

Subs- no pre-planned subs but make a couple of changes later on to blood players depending on where the players look most tired. If we need to loosen the match up, bring on Earles or Burns, to tighten it up Stanley at 12 adds another kicker. If we aren't making enough head way in the forward battle, let Billy go on a rampage

Most of all let's stay calm and play in their 22, no silly running from our 22 and make sure whenever anyone makes a break, carry, ruck, maul, kick or tackle, they have support to retain/turnover the ball

Botha starts in the place of Hargreaves.

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Pooly (Caretaker)

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. TJ Perenara
02. Scott Spurling	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Loius Deacon	11. Matt Jess
05. Pascal Pape(c)	12. Sireli Naqelevuki
06. Steve Mafi	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Simon Alcott 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Horwill 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Israel Folau

Tactics

- Look to set a tone in the set piece with big front 5 unit & two big scrummaging locks
- Dominate collisions and allow TJ fast ball to attack with
- Look to ruck over the ball and allow Steffon to get in amongst things
- Wilko to take 3 points on offer
- Look to keep ball in hand and work through the phases

Pape's still with France, non?

Not involved this week picked up an injury last week

Better take him out of my Fantasy 6N team then! Ffs

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Karl Dickson
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Berrick Barnes
03. Aaron Jarvis
04. Tom Price	11. Digby Ioane
05. Alister Hargreaves	12. Jordan Turner-Hall
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Matt Smith
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Jacque Cronje	15. James O’Connor

16. Jamie George 17. Luke Cowen-Dickie 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Sam Jones 20. Luke Wallace 21. Sam Harrison 22. 23. Marlon Yarde

Tactics

In the good conditions we’ll be looking to play a high tempo game and look for the offload. We’ll be looking for big carries from our pack to free up space around the fringes for out talented backline to work in. Barnes will look to dictate play in our half and pin the oppo back with directed kicking.

We will look to set a tone in the set piece with our big scrummaging front 5 and will look for the squeeze from the off. Price will lead the line and we will look to target the opposition's throw with Hargreaves/Cronje marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Dickson marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes.

The flankers will target the breakdown with Dickson sniping around and playing flat to the line to allow Barnes & JOC space to run into. Ioane will come looking for the ball in midfield and link up with JTH causing problems in the opposition midfield. We'll look to refresh pack around 60mins + and keep up the intensity.

- Look to get JOC onto the ball as much as possible
- Barnes to kick whats on offer and keep the board ticking over
- Barnes/JOC to alternate and dictate play
- Use Hargreaves as simple option in lineout as just signed
- Look to use scrum whenever possible and target the opp front row all game with impact bench
- Look to get back 3 into play whenever possible

Sale Sharks
Manager – LondonIrishOllie

01.Andrew Sheridan	09.Hadyn Thomas
02.Gary Botha	10.Aaron Cruden (k)
03.Davit Kubriashvilli
04.Matt Garvey (c)	11.Tom Brady
05.James Gaskell	12.Sam Tuitupou
06.JMF Lobbe	13.Jonathan Joseph
07.Dave Seymour	14.Cameron Shephard
08.Jordan Crane	15.Rob Miller

Subs 16.Marc Jones 17.Logovoi Mulipola 18.Henry Thomas 19.Dean Schofield 20.Schalk Burger 21.Scott Mathie 22.Johan Goosen 23.Eli Walker

---

Tactics

Cruden to stand flat and use Tuitupou and JJ to test there defence, as both Naqa and Folau are questionable in that area, especially Folau due to a lack of rugby game time, especially first phase were there will be a lack of cover for Folau.

Look to put there lineout under pressure with Gaskell and JMF especially adept in this area.

Look to take points when on offer

Use impact players from bench to make a difference.

Brady and Shephard to look for work and get on our centres shoulders.

WASPS TACTICS TO PLAY QUINS

1.Ben Broster
2.George Chuter
3.Matt Stevens
4.Ross Flippio
5.James Cannon
6.Tinis Du plessis
7.Matt Everard
8.Jaque Burger
9.Piri Weepu (C)
10.Jimmy Gopperth
11.Ugo Monye
12.Jaque Fourie
13.Chris Bell
14.Tom Varndell
15.Richard Haughton

REPLACEMENTS: 16.Chris Brooker 17.Boris Stankovich 18.Jeremy Castex 19.Marco Wenztel 20.Micky Young 21.Shane Geraghty 22.Alex Cheeseman 23.Charlie Ingall

TEAM NEWS: PIRI WEEPU MAKES DEBUT AS CAPTAIN

With players missing through 6 nations duty, also have chosen to rest other first team regualrs, so playing a fringe side, and seeing how they get on. Looking to be strong at the scrum and secure at the line out, look to get quuck ball to the backs with Varndell's pace looking to get past the quins defence. Also looking for drop goals to keep the board ticking over. The forwards in the 2nd half, will hopefully start to take advantage over a hopefully tiring defence, building phases and then giving the back quick ball to run onto.

Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Stephen Myler
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Vasily Artemiev
05. Andries Bekker	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Stephen Ferris	13. George Pisi
07. Calum Clark	14. Jamie Elliot
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. S. Kitshoff 17. B. Sharman 18. D. Herriot 19. James Craig 20. Phil Dowson 21. Lee Dickson 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Gael Fickou

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 Smith & Myler and force the opposition 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 opposition territory, with 5 jumping options to use, we will look to play off the top and move the ball out to Myler 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 opposition momentum before it can get going.

• Smith 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 Clark 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.

Deadline passed

Predos open.

I've lifted and updated the Irish team from last week. Because I hate giving away defaults. (Sorry CJ!)

Carl Fearns is injured from the Bath side?

Good spot...

Can you remove him Flux.

5 points removed from Bath's points total.

Better than a 30-0

no probs

Do Irish get a penalty too?

Quins 25 v 20 Wasps
Tigers 19 v 19 Welsh
Irish 17 v 19 Sarries
Saints 26 v 24 Glos
Sale 20 v 24 Exeter

Irish get 30-0 loss

Can I have some feedback then?

Are predictions open?

Doh!

drinking again driver?!

Lol, no gym starts again tomorrow! 9am in a body building gym! Geordie Shore here I come haha

Bath 24-21 Worcester

SP: Not much give in the scrum. Feel Bath have better lineout options.

BR: International quality from Worcester, great form from Bath.

HB: International quality will edge this battle.

AT: Bath have better scoring options, both 12’s may stifle quick ball.

DE: Strong from both teams.

BE: Not heard of some of the Warriors’, Bath have good cover.

TA: Can’t see where Warriors will score with 2 crashing centres, think Bath’s kicking tactics will win a good game.



Quins 28-16 Wasps

SP: Chuter’s experience will help but Quins are too powerful here.

BR: Good balance from Quins with Croft and Burger the standouts.

HB: Like the Wasps hb’s but not sure about Weepu going straight into squad (did he play last week?), Quins are their usual steady pairing who do the job.

AT: Proven scorers with Haughton a bit out of his depth here.

DE: Strong from Quins.

BE: Wentzel will make a difference, Coatzee and Hall good options.

TA: Wasps keeping scoreboard ticking will work, but as they say, it is a fringe squad which Quins tactics have set out to exploit.





Tigers 25-20 Welsh

SP: Both LH’s will get on top but feel Welsh have the engine room and lineout.

BR: Good options from both teams.

HB: 9 to Tigers, 10 to Welsh.

AT: Tigers look stronger here.

DE: Solid from both sides.

BE: Front row to Tigers, rest is even.

TA: Playing flat will help Tigers, Welsh kicking to Tigers back three, even with a chase, will cause problems for themselves.





Irish 0-30 Sarries

Sarries Feedback

SP: Scrum and lineout look very strong..

BR: Playing 2 7’s will help at times but not all the time, maybe staring B.V would help for power at 8.

HB: Steady, experienced pair here.

AT: Quick ball and Allen shifting it will get tries.

DE: Pretty strong.

BE: Hit and miss here.

TA: Good use of two 7’s for quick ball and the ball carriers option from front 5. 3 running options is good but put into tactics how you’ll use your back three a bit too.





Sharks 22-24 Chiefs

SP: Spurling the only weakness here from both sides but Alcott can shore this up if any issues.

BR: Good power from Chiefs but good technical skills here from Sharks.

HB: Prefer the Chiefs pairing here but Cruden isn’t to be sniffed at.

AT: Steady from Sharks, Chiefs have a bit more flair.

DE: Both strong.

BE: Overall to Sharks but Scays and Horwill will make some difference for Chiefs.

TA: Keeping the scoreboard ticking and targeting Folau will work for Sharks. Chiefs locks will cause all sorts of issues. Very close game.

Bath 20 Worcester 19

Bath have a good set piece and will take there chances when they come. Muller will take all his own ball with Flip pretty good at 2. Franks will smash Porter in the scrum. Not been overly impressed with Figallo when i'v seen him. A bit more possetion for Bath see them get more trys with Little Lee Mears scoring in his last game.

Leicester Tigers 27 London Welsh 20

Tigers take the breakdown but struggle a bit in the set piece with this being big Al's first game at 5. Liam Gill will own the break down. Dicko and Barnes are a good pair to dictate tempo. Outwide tigers win this game and make the most of there chances. Nev keeps it tight.

London Irish 19 Saracens 15

Irish take the pack with Greyling and Ion a mean pair of props , Can see Richie keeping this tight for Sarries winning key penalties. Simpson and James is sincilating form and put Irish into the right areas of the field. Home advantage swings this.

Will do rest later on.

Bath 10- 12 Worcester

Tigers- 25-6 Welsh

Irish 0-30 Sarries

Sharks 24-Chiefs 24

Saints 12- Gloucster 20

you have Sale down as scoring 4 CF.

Flux, can you take Fearns off the Bath bench please

Bath 14-15 Worcester

Great match ups throughout. Nothing in the front 5's but Worcester backrow has a bit more. With the packs close (home advantage getting it tight) the Worcester halfbacks step it up. Bit more in midfield seals a good win.

Harlequins 24-20 Wasps

Some good AP performers for Wasps but Quins a step up in this one. They just a bit more in the pack to set up a platform and the talent in the backline to finish things off. I see some tries in Wasps that will keep it close.

Saints 20-19 Gloucester

Belting game, probably of game of round. Big fan of both sides and can see them making play offs. If at Gloucester see reverse but Saints have some big names out and a strong spine to side. SBW still a big force for Johnny and he'll just be the difference here I think.

Quins 32–17 Wasps
Quins have a really good set of forwards here. See them having a huge advantage here. Think they also have the half backs, not a huge Weepu fan tbh. Think Quins have the outside backs to take advantage of this. Wasps hurt during the 6N

Tigers 24–23 Welsh
Another team hurt is Leicester. However their front row is still deadly and they have an edge here but see Welsh as far better in the second row. I think Welsh have a stronger back row and overall in the forwards have an advantage. Not sure about Barnes at FH so Welsh have a slight half back edge. Outside backs are very good from Tigers though. At Welford Park though I think Tigers literally just edge it. Neutral/away ground would give it to Welsh

Irish 0-30 Sarries
(Feedback) Fan of the front five here from Sarries. Not sure whether I like McCaw at 6 tbh. Big Hodgson fan but dislike Dupuy. Centre partnership one of the best in the league.

Saints 25–21 Gloucester
Saints front row has the advantage. Whitelock the star in the second row but Savage looks a bit out of place. Very strong back rows and Saints take the edge. Smith a quality fan but Myler is flaky to say the least. Prefer the Glaws outside backs but Saints have enough.

Sale 23-26 Exeter
Front row weakness is Spurling which gives it to Sale. Exeter have the stronger second and just about back row. Half backs are both very solid, slight advantage to Exeter here and in the back three although prefer the Sale centres, not too sure about Folua

Northampton 23 Gloucester 20

Tough , tough game to call with both sides having some really good players on display. Saints win the front 5 battle with them having international props and Bekker best in lineout in SH. Not sure on balance in props back row but there backs should get plenty of turnover ball from Qera and Cane. SBW will get some joy running at Mills. Both sides have good tactics which is the norm with SJE and Prop.


Sale Sharks 20 Exeter Chiefs 19

Really good game this with both teams set out well . Scott Spurling costs Chiefs an away win up against Gary Botha is a pretty good hooker. Sale more set up to score trys but Nacewa and Jane keep them in it till the death.

Bath 24 - 25 Worcester
Scrum- close but Bath just edge it with Franks there (my catchphrase?!)
Lineout- Even. I think Wuss have better options but despite what CJB says I back Mears as a pie-thrower, and think he'd step it up in his last ever match!
Breakdown- Hooper immense here, but Bath have 2 7s and thus will have a man at more rucks than Worcester and win here.
Forward battle- Both good sets of carriers but Worcester make it clearer how they will use them.
Halfbacks- Bath's are absolutely fine but Carter and Genia the best in the world
Attack- Edge to Worcester with that deadly centre duo. Very good attacks though.
Defence- Biggs a weak spot but with Bath targeting very real weaknesses in the Wuss wingers I think Wuss will crack first
Kicking- Got to go with Carter and Beale
Subs- Edge to Bath, just
Overall- Worcester have enough of an advantage when they get the ball to steal a 1 point win.

Quins 20 - 12 Wasps


Scrum- clear advantage to Quins here, really really good prop combo vs an average one
Lineout- another one Quins' way with 3 top options and a really good thrower
Breakdown-harder to call, I think all of wasps' pack will chip in and this will be shared.
Forward battle- Quins have more grunt, esp as I'm not sure about Burger at 8 (how much has he played there?) though neither is a pack big on carrying
Halfbacks- Got to say I'm not inspired by either, lots of kicking by the looks of it, but probably just Wasps as Weepu can control a game pretty well. I'm not convinced Morne Steyn has any vision, Driver.
Attack- Wasps have the better wingers with Monye finding some form and Varndell scoring for fun. But in this match I see catching high balls and kick chases and boshy centres as more important and Quins have the better all around unit at this gameplan, Cueto and Habana are better at this type of play too. wasps will get the scoreboard ticking with DGs though
Defence- Goes to Quins too
Kicking- evens all in all
Subs-Quins make a slightly bigger impact
Overall- Quins have too much at home, dominating the set piece

Bath 22-24 Worcester Warriors

Scrum: Both LHs struggle but Worcester get a bigger edge here
Lineout: Evens. Decent battle.
Breakdown: Bath pick off a few more turnovers but don’t always secure fast ball with a miss-balanced back row
HB's: Step up in class to Warriors
Attack: More threat out wide to Bath but Worcester will get over the gain line more in the backrow and midfield
Defence: Daly may struggle against the opposition midfield
Bench: Edge to Bath. Unsure on who a few of the Warriors are.
Tactics: Kicking game from Bath will see some joy but feel the physicality of Worcester will just win out.


Harlequins 34-20 London Wasps

Scrum: See Quins stuffing Wasps here.
Lineout: Not sure on either sides calling options but Quins have the jumpers to torment Wasps
Breakdown: Neither backrow is well balanced but Quins front 5 offers more at the ruck
HB's: 1 a piece. Neither 10 allows for an attacking game
Attack: Out of form and out of position Fourie hurts Wasps.
Defence: Both sides fairly solid here
Bench: Quins with stronger options to call on.
Tactics: Neither side have much detail in their game plans which will hurt against the better tacticioners in the league. Quins front 5 is just to much for Wasps here though


Leicester Tigers 20-18 London Welsh

Scrum: See Both THs struggling a little
Lineout: Better options for Welsh even out of form POC should steal ball of new boy Hargreaves
Breakdown: Good even battle here.
HB's: Edge to Welsh with Evans better at 10 then Barnes
Attack: Both sides with options to get through or around the defence
Defence: Not overly sure on Casson or Smith positionally
Bench: Not sure on the Welsh back up 10 options. Tigers are a man down as well!
Tactics: Decent game plans from both but Welsh may have been better of kicking for the corners rather then trying to test the back 3 out who will return the kicks with interest


London Irish 17-22 Saracens

Scrum: Sarries get on top.
Lineout: See Irish poaching a few balls here.
Breakdown: Plenty of turnovers for Sarries. Irish front row won’t help out much at the ruck plenty of slow ball
HB's: Edge to Irish. Nothing between the 10s but Dupuy not in the best of form
Attack: Serious power in the Irish backs make up for lack of carriers in the pack.
Defence: Nothing between the sides.
Bench: Step up for Irish in the backs off the bench
Tactics: More detail to Sarries but Irish set up well taking advantage of the lineout with a territory game but slow ball for most of the game kills them.


Sale Sharks 17-17 Exeter Chiefs

Scrum: Great battle here!
Lineout: Decent battle but Sale may pip one or two balls putting Spruling under pressure
Breakdown: Edge to Chiefs with their 2nd row masters of the dark arts slowing ball down
HB's: Not much between the sides although arguably neither combo are well balanced
Attack: More threat out wide for Chiefs. Not sure on Folau at 13 though.
Defence: Both 13s could be got at defensively
Bench: Not an awful lot between the sides. Goosens boot makes a difference though
Tactics: No detail really from either side. Sale at least give an idea of their attacking structure though. Tough one to call slow ball a problem for Sale but being more structured and at home helps.

Tigers 23 -20 Welsh

Scrum- Tigers' scrum weaker than usual but still strong enough with Domingo and BDP.
Lineout- has to go to Welsh- can't see anyone challenging POC in the air and he will steal some of Hargreaves' ball too, I think
Breakdown- Flux, you can't legally slow ball, you can just avoid getting caught! Some good players here, think Brussouw and Gill cancel each other out.
Forward battle- can't call this, lots of carrying and fringe defence here
Halfbacks- both 9s Ok but unspectacular, probably an edge to Dickson, but Nev edges Barnes (despite him missing a match-winning kick on Saturday!) and together Welsh take this
Attack-Like the Welsh centres as i know they can work together but Tigers look more imposing and Wade and Ioane will cause havoc on the wings and JOC could be dangerous joining the line. Better tactics from Flux though
Defence- some flakiness in Tigers' D, goes to Welsh
Kicking- Goes to Welsh with Nev, as JOC can use this aspect of his game less at FB. Can see Welsh kick chase being v effective
Subs-Definite advantage to Tigers, deadly bench!
Overall (btw, Flux, you aren't at your "home fortress" this match )- Tigers down but still in it at 60mins, the changes help them come back from behind.

Saints 27 - 24 Gloucester

Scrum- evens, with Guillamon shoring up the Gloucester scrum and Mujati on the downslide
Lineout- Gloucester, just
Breakdown- Goes to Gloucester, nobody there is good enough to slow down Cane at the breakdown
Forward battle- some huge carrier here but Saints' backrow and Manoa are an immense unit in the tight carrying game and will make yards all day
Halfbacks- Gloucester- Burns miles ahead of Myler at pretty much all aspects of rugby
Attack- lethal back 3 for Gloucester but better centres (still rating SBW) for Saints. Think Gloucester edge it on their approach
Defence- Saints rock solid whilst Gloucester looks a little frail, esp on the wings.
Kicking- Gloucester
Subs-exciting players on both benches mean tries later on
Overall- Saints win through home advantage and a brutal effort at the fringes of rucks and a tight enough defence to just hold out the Glaws attack.

Sale 18-17 Exeter

Scrum- huge battle here, I think Sale just about get ahead with Spurling rather green, though Gaskell at lock weakens a great Sale scrum a little. Lots of penalties on offer.
Lineout- with Gaskell and JMF I think Sale edge this
Breakdown- Steffon and Seymour cancel out but Mafi gives Exeter an advantage
Forward battle- Advantage chiefs- the two second rows will carry a lot and I love the backrow balance
Halfbacks-evens- Johnny had a shocker this weekend and Cruden thus wins but Perenara is a class above Thomas.
Attack- Exeter have a little more X-factor (pun not intended but left in once noticed)
Defence- can't see much difference
Kicking- Sale
Subs- equal!
Overall- Sale will get battered a bit but the crowd and scrum pushes them on at home.

hi all, just a very quick post to say sorry for not getting team in for this week. I was away on a skiing trip with internet very scarce (not to say non existent except at exhorbitant prices) and just got back. Not quitting or anything, just couldn't get online for this week-end.

No dramas mate, good to have you back