Fantasy Aviva Premiership Round Sixteen

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Newcastle Falcons vs. London Welsh
Grey Cloud, 2 degrees, 8 mph wind.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Driver

01.Fabian Barcella	09.Luke Burguss
02.Agustin Creevey	10.Aaron Cruden (K)
03.Paul Doran Jones
04.Ed Slater	11.Miles Benjiman
05.Juandre Kruger	12.James O'Connor
06.Tom Croft	13.George Lowe
07.Richie McCaw (c)	14.Tommy Bowe
08.Kieran Read	15.Adam Ashley-Cooper

16.Jamie George 17.Alex Waller 18.Owen Franks 19.Paul O'Connell 20.Joel Conlon 21.Joel Hodgson 22.Ben Williams 23.Jared Payn

Falcons go into this game owing our supporters a win and more importantly ourselves a win. We will look to play a game plan which suited Ireland in the 2009 Six Nations , keep the ball in the opposition half with Cruden and JOC using there boots to pin Welsh back in the corners and pressuring there lineout with Kruger and Croft looking to crack there code.

Key Points of our game plan

• Retain possession - They can't play rugby without the ball. Keep the ball even if it means grinding the phases out in the tight.
  
• Intelligent kicking - Kick the ball when the space is behind there wings when there is space to exploit.
  
• Line Chase - Have a solid line , everyone in our team is a good defender and even on the kick chase keeping a line is vital. No Gaps.
  
• Strong set piece - Kruger/Croft/Read/McCaw give us plenty of options on our throw and can attack the Welsh throw.
  
• Dominate scrum -Fab , PDJ , Waller and Franks will look to smash the scrum and really go through Alexander on the Welsh put in.

Specifics

• Stay on our feet in the contact , let your support get to you and give you the option to maul or go to ground and generate quick ball.
  
• Defence at a high tempo - put them under pressure around the fringes , straight back onto your feet after a tackle go for the ball , it's there to be taken
  
• Mistakes to a minimum - No silly passes , no stupid kicks. If your not sure run to a defender and recycle the ball.
  
• Patient in defense - Keep a line , no silly penalties.
  
• Take the points - pressure Welsh by building the lead
  

London Welsh
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Paul Hodgson
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Ben Alexander
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. James Simpson-Daniel
05. George Skivington	12. Pat McCabe
06. Tom Johnson	13. Digby Ioane
07. Maurie Fa'asavalu	14. Bryan Habana
08. Duane Vermeulen (c)	15. Jaco Taute

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Steven Kitschoff 18. Phil Swainston 19. James Hanks 20. Luke Wallace 21. Nicolas Bezy 22. Butch James 23. Joel Tomkins

Tactics

Key Points

• Form/Momentum We are unbeaten in 13 matches, and that includes away games at Saints and Tigers..
  
• Selection issues for Falcons Lots of chopping and changing in recent weeks from Falcons mean combinations have no time to gel and players feel unsettled which often leads to under par performances.
  
• Defensive Strength Solid defenders throughout the team mean that it will take something special to score points against us.
  
• Pressure Is all on Falcons with their form seeing them start to slide down the table. If it starts badly at home the crowd will be on their backs and pressure makes players make all sorts of mistakes.
  
• Mobile, Dynamic Pack We have selected a pack that can hold their own in the set piece, but will be good in open play, as the conditions are set to allow decent running rugby.
  
• Impact Bench We have players to bring on who can make a real difference in the game.
  

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 dynamic, physical and mobile pack to 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 Falcons 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 Falcons 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.
  
• Possession over territory. We will look to keep the ball alive and play, but will go through the phases if taken to ground.
  
• 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. Hodgson will sweep in behind.
  
• We will not overcommit to the breakdown. If a turnover is on, we will go for it, counter rucking and hitting on the break. If it is not on to win the ball, we will send in a couple of players to legally slow it, and get our defensive line set quickly and strongly a la France in the World Cup. We want to control the gainline in defence and attack.
  
• Look to play quick from the scrum and lineout, going off the top and quickly into midfield as our default option. We will mix it up dependant on the situation though. If on take quick lineouts and use our back three to attack Falcons in broken field.
  

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Gloucester vs. Worcester Warriors
White Cloud, 2 degrees, 11 mph wind.

Gloucester
Manager - Mat

01. Guthro Steenkamp 09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey 10. Dan Carter
03. Jamie Johnstone
04. Eben Etzebeth 11. Charlie Sharples
05. George Robson 12. Berrick Barnes
06. Willem Alberts 13. Juan de Jongh
07. Akapusi Qera 14. Jonny May
08. Immanol Harinordoquoy 15. Israel Dagg

16. Wood 17 Strauss 18 Harden 19 Palmer 20 Ferris 21 Genia 22 Iain Balshaw 23 Ryan Mills

key Points

+ Form/Momentum We are on a great run and are coming off the back of 2 wins away against saints and wasps whilst Worcester are in a bit of a scrape form wise.

+ Worcester are trying to bed in lots of new players and a manager whereas we have a settled side used to winning

+ Pressure Is all on Worcester. They are in a relegation battle and are playing away

+ Mobile, Dynamic Pack We have selected a pack that can hold their own in the set piece, but who offer a huge amount of carrying and impact.

+Impact Bench We have players to bring on who can make a real difference in the scrum and loose. Proven internationals and young dynamic talent

Game plan

We are targetting the BP win and know we have to win the battle and right to play our quick brand of rugby. We will be looking to get our big runners on the front foot and get over the gain line to produce quick ball for Robson who is in majestic form to hit carter to play wide and direct.

Our pack is huge and mobile but great in set piece and we will be targetting the lineouts and Worcester hookers arrows relentlessly to affect quality of their ball. We will be looking to drive a lot of lineouts to start with to suck them in and looking to pop runners off the back and try and get into the Lambie Barkley channel.

As ever we look to keep the ball and force Worcester in to mistakes to start with and will look to build tempo as we start to get on top. Once we have won the battles bad rights to play we will open up and start to really increase the tempo with our bench contributing and keeping the foot on the pedal.

Specifics

- take all points on offer with carter
- look to use the bomb early on to target cooks Achilles heel
- Territory early doors and pressure their lineout
- blitz defence with scrum half sweeping
- look to send in numbers to breakdown to disrupt and turnover.
- go wide on any turnover ball to really stretch Worcester and create tries needed for BP win
- support runners on shoulder of big runners like Alberts looking for offload and to get in behind


Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Patrick Lambie
03. BJ Botha
04. Dean Schofield	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Johann Muller (c)	12. Olly Barkley
06. Phil Dowson	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Ross Rennie	14. James Short
08. Pierre Spies	15. Rob Cook

16. Nathan Catt 17. Koree Britton 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk 19. Tom Savage 20. Shane Jennings 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Kyle Godwin 23. Olly Morgan

Tactics

- Disrupt Gloucesters flow, don't give them good ball. Get Rennie in at the breakdown ASAP to win turnovers or slow down turnover ball.

- Play a tight game, use Spies, Dowson, Strauss, Beast to carry and tire Glos.

- Lambie and Barkley to dictate play, get us in the right areas of the pitch.

- Barkley to kick all pens for goal.

- Muller to lead the lineout and disrupt opposition ball. Schofield, Dowson and Spies also options.

- Put pressure on Dan Robson. He is a young lad and we will look to shake him up a bit and pressurise him, not allowing him any time.

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Leicester Tigers vs. Saracens
White Cloud, 1 degrees, 10 mph wind.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Ugo Monye
05. Nathan Hines	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Steve Mafi	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. Francois Louw	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Sebastian Bruno 17. Lee Imiolek 18. Brian Mujati 19. Simon Shaw 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Rene Ranger 23. Paul Sackey

Tactics:

We will play to our strengths and play a game built around winning the kicking battle by targetting Sarries' back three; the physicality in our pack and the strength in our set piece.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cencus and Sheridan to look to really get into Mullan and JdP.

- Attack all lineouts. Use safe option of Mafi/Joubert at the front, and also use Hines/Pape in the middle or at the back.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash/decoy option.

- Physical, abrasive pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Sarries defence. The likes of Louw, Mafi, Hines, Pape and Moore to be used to crash through the Sarries defence.
Look to play an offloading game, with runners always supporting.

- 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 Sarries' back three. Lightning back three to get the chase on, and look to steal the ball or win turnovers with isolated recievers.

- We are expecting Duvenage and Steenson to employ a kicking game, so have selected Nacewa and Beale in our back three with their safe hands and counter/kicking ability.

- 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.


Saracens Football Club
Manager – DHLS07

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. John Smit (c)	10. Gareth Steenson
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Flip van der Merwe	11. Mark Cueto
05. Louis Deacon	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Jean de Villiers
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Ben Smith

16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Max Lahiff 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Kevin McLaughlin 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Chris Cook 22. Morne Steyn 23. Matt Hopper

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.

- Tight forward dominated game with big carriers punching holes in the opposition 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.

- Play in the right areas, territory over possession.

- Target the lineout, attacking Leicester ball for the steal, and playing off the top on our ball, using our big backs as crash ball options through the midfield. We are happy to spend 80 minutes putting the ball in the corner and targeting lineout after lineout in Leicester territory.

- Solid defensive line with Steffon Armitage either stealing or slowing the ball at the breakdown.

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London Irish vs. London Wasps
Grey Cloud, 2 degrees, 10 mph wind.

London Irish
Manager - prop_lyd

01. Matt Stevens	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. KHika Elliot	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Brok Harris
04. Mike McCarthy	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy (c)	12. Luke McCalister
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. J.P Pietersen
08. Ben Morgan	15. Zane Kirchner

16. Tom Lindsay 17. Jean Baptiste-Poux 18. WP Nel 19. Matt Garvey 20. Marcel Coetzee 21. Jack Moates 22. Henry Trinder 23. Tom Homer

Key Points

Heavy Back 5
We have selected a very big back 5 to hold the scrum steady and to also provide Fraser with time to get in and challenge for the ball, these players can also cause big problems when running off the back's shoulder's bringing in a new crash-ball wave of attack to our style of play.

9-10-12
We feel we have one of the strongest 9-10-12's in the league with 9 and 12 happy to fill in at 10 as well and alter our style of game. We will look to use Pienaar for his eye for a gap, McCalister for his offloading skills and Evans for his calmness and control. Outside them we have a world cup winner in Smith who can make something out of nothing for our dangerous back three.

Target Myler and wrap up Pisi
We will send runners down Myler's channel at any opportunity, if he switches to stand at 12 then we will switch to target him further. Once Myler's head goes off of the game we can exploit his mistakes. We also know Pisi is a good offloader of the ball so we will smother tackle him with 2 players and hold him down after the tackle.

Attacking

• We want to force errors from Wasps and will be targetting Myler by sending big runners down his channel.

• Pienaar and Evans to play what's in front of them and look to release McCalister (who will be our playmaker) or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Gorgodze and McCarthy we have the number jumpers to gain the ball back, we know Wentzel will be dangerous here so will look to avoid his area and mix up our lineouts.

• Look for runners off of 10 and 12 channel to make the initial break before sending the ball out wide to Pieterson and Yarde.

• 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.

• Youthful energy to come off the bench in Moates, Coetzee and Garvey to continue to target the tired players through Moates' sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Trinder and Homer can continue to control the game, Homer with long range goal kicking and pinning Wasps' back.

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 Myler and Bowden led by Smith so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres (we will have a backrower on Evans' shoulder to look for quick turnover ball, we will protect the channels to stop Thomas sniping.

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

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Fraser 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 Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Benn Robinson	09. Haydn Thomas
02. Rob Webber	10. Stephen Myler
03. Logovii Mulipola
04. Bradley Davies	11. Tom Varndell
05. Marco Wentzel (C)	12. Dan Bowden
06. John Barclay	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Jordan Crane	15. Matt Tait

16. Huia Edmonds 17. Alec Hepburn 18. James Slipper 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Ben Mowen 21. Mike Blair 22. Brock James 23. Jamie Elliot

Tactics
With new faces coming it allows the forwards to adapt to a new more efficient game plan. There is now more impotence in our front five carrying and we will use this as a weapon around the fringes to grind down the opposing defences and suck in players. The brand of rugby we want to play 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 Irish 22. If the Irish lads are going 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 and use the clever sniping of Thomas to draw in defenders.This will drag Irish defenders further apart and produce wholes or mismatches. With a physical pack and will look to dominate from 1-10, so we will to set quick rucks to tie in their boys to allow time and space for our backs. We have experienced players all other the pitch in Wentzel, Myler and Pisi, and they will lead the team. With the changeable conditions, we will keep the gameplan simple and effective.

Tactics
[list]
[*] Solid scrummagers on and off the bench, we will look to secure our own ball and at least pressure the Irish feed. Sometimes look to legally wheel their feed to cut of the scrum-half from the backline. This is an are we hope to gain an upper hand.

[*] With a strong lineout, Wentzel will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Barclay jumping in the middle. Look to run full number lineouts to tie in the opposing pack. This will create space for our backs.

[*] Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. With Fraser not being the most accomplished on the deck, we will pile men intot the rucks to secure turnover possession.

[*] In selecting both Barclay and Poff we have two players more than capable of turning over ball and causing Irish to give away penalties. We will look to get the tackled player down quickly and other the ball as other that Fraser there aren't many others in the Irish team quick or capable to cope with our pair.

[*] We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines and moving the point of attack. They have some very big boys and some good fetchers, so constantly moving the ruck will tire them out and prevent them from snaffling any possession. M ylerwill direct traffic with the use of quick pods systems outside the guards of the rucks.

[*] Despite the game plan being based around the forwards, we will look to use our pacy backline often. Just because we are in a dogfight doesn't mean we can't not turn on the style to score tries.

[*] Myler will use Bowden as the creative lynch-pin in midfield and allow time and space for our back line to wreak havoc, or as another kicking option.

[*] We will run a banana blitz in defence, with Thomas sweeping. This will cut down the time and space for their danger midfield and halfbacks. Sending them inside to the guards of the rucks and creating a chance of isolation and turnover.

[*] 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 on opportunity points,within range. Any other penalties will be sent long to gain a territorial edge with our strong lineout.

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Northampton Saints vs. Bath Rugby
White Cloud, 1 degrees, 11 mph wind.

Northampton Saints
Manager - dammit_chris

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Mano Samoa	11. Christian Wade
05. Calum Clark	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julian Bonnaire (c)	13. Elliot Daly
07. Sam Cane	14. Julian Savea
08. Liam Messam	15. Ben Foden

16. Mike Haywood 17. Ben Tameifuna 18. Henry Thomas 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Dan Lydiate 21. Sam Harrison 22. George Ford 23. Danny Cipriani

Tactics: We have picked a strong forward pack to take on Bath up front and ensure that they do not get the upper hand and control possession. We have home advantage, some very strong ball carriers in both the pack (TFN (sorry SJE), Samoa, Taumalolo, Messam) and the backline (Savea, Foden). But our main advantage in this game is our speed and try scoring ability, so we will be looking to play this game at real pace, work an offloading game and get Hernandez and Giteau controlling the midfield.

Attack: We have pace throughout our backline and will look to secure quick ball from our pack and look to use Giteau's passing ability to pull holes in the Bath defence and put Wade, Foden, Savea and Daly into space. Will look to send our big ball runners down Hodgson's channel and get over the gainline.

In form Simpson to snipe around the fringes. Will also counter any kicks from Bath when it is on - open play we can be very dangerous.

Take points when they are on offer.

Defence: Very even across the packs, will look to play very physically with big hits coming in from the likes of Taumalolo, TFN, Samoa and Messam. Try and force Bath into mistakes and attack from any turnovers.

Will be playing a blitz defence to put pressure on the Bath midfield and will have Simpson sweeping behind defensive line.

Foden back at fb due to his defensive ability and address any linebreaks by the Bath midfield.

Set piece: Strong set piece and will look to attack the scrum and generate quick ball off Bonnaire in the lineout. Have Clark, Messam, Bonnaire, Manoa as options. Use Bonnaire to disrupt the Bath lineout.

Breakdown: Essential part of our gameplan, have selected Cane as our fetcher and will look for turnovers all game. WIll target this in numbers and make sure we use our big pack to clear Pocock out of this area as quickly as possible.

Key Points:
• Get powerful ball runners on the ball early on to test Bath defence.
• Hernandez/Giteau/Daly kicking game to allow Saints to win the territory battle.
• Lineout: Use as an attacking platform
• Target the breakdown for full 80minutes.
• Attack in open play as mich as possible and use our pace to stretch Bath defence and score tries.


Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Aaron Smith
02. Kevin Mealamu	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Cory Jane
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Anthony Allen
06. Tom Guest	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. Nopolini Nalaga
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Rob Miller

16. Jon Golding 17. Chris Brooker 18. Carl Rimmer 19. Luke Romano 20. Rhys Ruddock 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Rob Horne 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 Kitch offers a good banker ball. 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 Faumuania, Mealamu, Lobbe and Guest 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 Lobbe looking to make a real nuisance of themselves and get their hands on the ball

Backs: We will be looking to use the backs in order to create or go through holes. Smith and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. Smith will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Rougerie, Jane and Nalaga seeing lots of the ball. We shall look to target Daly, Beck and Wade with our carries all of whom have suspect defence.

Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Saints key decision makers and prevent them from playing. Aaron Smith to sweep in behind.

Kicking: Charlie Hodgson will look to take on any chances we have to keep the scoreboard ticking. Hodgson, Miller and Jane will also look to test Wade under the high ball with Lobbe looking to lead a run chase.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. Golding, Brooker and Kubrashvilli will look to keep the scrum strong. Romano will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Ruddock will look to really come on and bully tired legs. Wigglesworth will prove a composed head to control tempo late. Horne + 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.

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Sale Sharks vs. Harlequins
White Cloud, 4 degrees, 9 mph wind.


Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Kahn Fotuaili'i
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. Matt Kvesic	14. David Strettle
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Neemia Tialata 19. Dave Attwood 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Will Addison

Key Points

Attack the 10-12 channel
We will look to get the likes of Tulou, Palu, Freuen running down the Quins 10-12 channel. Neither are massive tacklers and we can make good ground here. At lineout time Palu will move out to the backs and look to directly line up against Burns to run at off quick ball.

Attacking

• Look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. Ball in hand, look to use our big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Sexton to exploit.

• We see the offload as a crucial weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum and breaking the defensive line.

• Fotuali'i will look to tie the Quins backrow to the breakdown allowing Sexton to play flat on the gain line. Sexton will look to bring our dangerous runners in to the game or find mismatches for himself to hit on the wrap around.

• 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.

Set Piece

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

• In Quins territory, with 4 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.

• On opposition lineouts Bekker will stand at the front and challenge. At 6ft 10" Quins will need to have their darts spot on.

Defending

• 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 Quins momentum before it
  can get going.

• Fotuali'i 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 Kvesic 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.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Francois Houghard
02. Schal Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Felipe Contepomi
06. Chris Henry	13. Matt Smith
07. Michael Hooper	14. Taku Ngwenya
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ben Franks 19. James Gaskell 20. George Kruis 21. Lee Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

Game Plan

Play the game at pace. We have picked a side packed with players who excel with ball in hand. Our pack will look to be abrasive up front and get us the quick ball we require at rucks and we will look to play at pace when we get the ball with a backline packed with pace and creativity.

Houghard and Burns will look to feed carriers off the rucks until we get quick ball when we will then look to play wider. We have forwards who are very comfortable will ball in hand and will excel in an open game. We will still look to win the collisions and make yards and look to offload when it is on to keep our attacking momentum and allow Sale no time to organise their defence.

Forwards

Upfront we have picked a pack which won’t take a step backwards but is comfortable in an open game. The front 5 is packed with experience to control the set piece and we have picked 2 opensides so we have that extra impact around the park. We will look to ruck effectively on our own ball so we can get the quick ball we need. At the set piece we will look to control the scrum with a powerful front 5 and Borthwick will run the lineout where we will employ a short lineout between the two 22m lines with Hooper and Easter in the midfield as carriers.

Backs

Burns will stand flat and Contepomi is also a second option at first receiver. We will use our forwards to tie in defenders to create spaces out wide for our rapid outside backs. Our back 3 is as good in broken field as any and it is pivotal our pack tie in defenders so these guys can take advantage of the spaces out wide. We will use Matt Smith to crash up when we need to.

Defence

With two 7’s we will really look to legally slow down or turnover Sale ball. With our game plan turnover ball would be excellent to counter attack with so the work that Hooper and Henry do will be vital to us. We will use a quick line speed and try to double up in the tackle with one man taking the man and the other the ball.

Key Points

We are aiming to exploit weakness which we see in the Sale backs defence. Especially the outside centre and back 3 with our game plan to play at pace and run the ball.

Two 7’s to really work around the park linking the play and look for turnovers in defence.

Two first receivers who specialise in putting others into space.

A pacy running back 3 and outside centre who can get across the gainline but is all quick and comfortable on the wing. Looking to get them into space.

A very experienced front 5 to get us on the front foot.

---

Only since Welsh's form has piled up has this been done lol!

You gotta take what advantages you can in this game!

Looks to be a tasty fixture Pete.

I seem to be getting tasty fixtures every week at the moment. Three weeks running I've been playing a team in the top 4.

I have the same run of fixtures. 1 down, 2 to go.

London Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Benn Robinson	09. Haydn Thomas
02. Rob Webber	10. Stephen Myler
03. Logovii Mulipola
04. Bradley Davies	11. Tom Varndell
05. Marco Wentzel (C)	12. Dan Bowden
06. John Barclay	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Jordan Crane	15. Matt Tait

16. Huia Edmonds 17. Alec Hepburn 18. James Slipper 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Ben Mowen 21. Mike Blair 22. Brock James 23. Jamie Elliot

Tactics
With new faces coming it allows the forwards to adapt to a new more efficient game plan. There is now more impotence in our front five carrying and we will use this as a weapon around the fringes to grind down the opposing defences and suck in players. The brand of rugby we want to play 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 Irish 22. If the Irish lads are going 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 and use the clever sniping of Thomas to draw in defenders.This will drag Irish defenders further apart and produce wholes or mismatches. With a physical pack and will look to dominate from 1-10, so we will to set quick rucks to tie in their boys to allow time and space for our backs. We have experienced players all other the pitch in Wentzel, Myler and Pisi, and they will lead the team. With the changeable conditions, we will keep the gameplan simple and effective.

Tactics
[list]
[*] Solid scrummagers on and off the bench, we will look to secure our own ball and at least pressure the Irish feed. Sometimes look to legally wheel their feed to cut of the scrum-half from the backline. This is an are we hope to gain an upper hand.

[*] With a strong lineout, Wentzel will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Barclay jumping in the middle. Look to run full number lineouts to tie in the opposing pack. This will create space for our backs.

[*] Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. With Fraser not being the most accomplished on the deck, we will pile men intot the rucks to secure turnover possession.

[*] In selecting both Barclay and Poff we have two players more than capable of turning over ball and causing Irish to give away penalties. We will look to get the tackled player down quickly and other the ball as other that Fraser there aren't many others in the Irish team quick or capable to cope with our pair.

[*] We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines and moving the point of attack. They have some very big boys and some good fetchers, so constantly moving the ruck will tire them out and prevent them from snaffling any possession. M ylerwill direct traffic with the use of quick pods systems outside the guards of the rucks.

[*] Despite the game plan being based around the forwards, we will look to use our pacy backline often. Just because we are in a dogfight doesn't mean we can't not turn on the style to score tries.

[*] Myler will use Bowden as the creative lynch-pin in midfield and allow time and space for our back line to wreak havoc, or as another kicking option.

[*] We will run a banana blitz in defence, with Thomas sweeping. This will cut down the time and space for their danger midfield and halfbacks. Sending them inside to the guards of the rucks and creating a chance of isolation and turnover.

[*] 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 on opportunity points,within range. Any other penalties will be sent long to gain a territorial edge with our strong lineout.

Having some real selection dilemas this week or am i.....

01. Matt Stevens	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. KHika Elliot	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Brok Harris
04. Mike McCarthy	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy (c)	12. Luke McCalister
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. J.P Pietersen
08. Ben Morgan	15. Zane Kirchner

16. Tom Lindsay 17. Jean Baptiste-Poux 18. WP Nel 19. Matt Garvey 20. Marcel Coetzee 21. Jack Moates 22. Henry Trinder 23. Tom Homer

Key Points

Heavy Back 5
We have selected a very big back 5 to hold the scrum steady and to also provide Fraser with time to get in and challenge for the ball, these players can also cause big problems when running off the back's shoulder's bringing in a new crash-ball wave of attack to our style of play.

9-10-12
We feel we have one of the strongest 9-10-12's in the league with 9 and 12 happy to fill in at 10 as well and alter our style of game. We will look to use Pienaar for his eye for a gap, McCalister for his offloading skills and Evans for his calmness and control. Outside them we have a world cup winner in Smith who can make something out of nothing for our dangerous back three.

Target Myler and wrap up Pisi
We will send runners down Myler's channel at any opportunity, if he switches to stand at 12 then we will switch to target him further. Once Myler's head goes off of the game we can exploit his mistakes. We also know Pisi is a good offloader of the ball so we will smother tackle him with 2 players and hold him down after the tackle.

Attacking

• We want to force errors from Wasps and will be targetting Myler by sending big runners down his channel.

• Pienaar and Evans to play what's in front of them and look to release McCalister (who will be our playmaker) or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Gorgodze and McCarthy we have the number jumpers to gain the ball back, we know Wentzel will be dangerous here so will look to avoid his area and mix up our lineouts.

• Look for runners off of 10 and 12 channel to make the initial break before sending the ball out wide to Pieterson and Yarde.

• 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.

• Youthful energy to come off the bench in Moates, Coetzee and Garvey to continue to target the tired players through Moates' sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Trinder and Homer can continue to control the game, Homer with long range goal kicking and pinning Wasps' back.

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 Myler and Bowden led by Smith so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres (we will have a backrower on Evans' shoulder to look for quick turnover ball, we will protect the channels to stop Thomas sniping.

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

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Fraser 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.

Hore has a ban mate.

Altered cheers

London Wasps

Manager – Fluxy

01. Benn Robinson	09. Haydn Thomas
02. Rob Webber	10. Stephen Myler
03. Logovii Mulipola
04. Bradley Davies	11. Tom Varndell
05. Marco Wentzel (C)	12. Dan Bowden
06. Iain Henderson	13. George Pisi
07. Jonathan Poff	14. Topsy Ojo
08. Ben Mowen	15. Geordan Murphy

16. Huia Edmonds 17. Alec Hepburn 18. James Slipper 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Jordan Crane 21. Jonah Holmes 22. Rhy Priestland 23. Matt Tait

Tactics

Iain Henderson is expected to be named in the Ireland squad for this weekend.

Was only preliminary

Lol.

I'v held off my subs for Poolys game becuase of it , He'll be on the bench for the game if not picked for Ireland.

Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Patrick Lambie
03. BJ Botha
04. Dean Schofield	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Johann Muller (c)	12. Olly Barkley
06. Phil Dowson	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Ross Rennie	14. James Short
08. Pierre Spies	15. Rob Cook

16. Nathan Catt 17. Koree Britton 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk 19. Tom Savage 20. Shane Jennings 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Kyle Godwin 23. Olly Morgan

Tactics

- Disrupt Gloucesters flow, don't give them good ball. Get Rennie in at the breakdown ASAP to win turnovers or slow down turnover ball.

- Play a tight game, use Spies, Dowson, Strauss, Beast to carry and tire Glos.

- Lambie and Barkley to dictate play, get us in the right areas of the pitch.

- Barkley to kick all pens for goal.

- Muller to lead the lineout and disrupt opposition ball. Schofield, Dowson and Spies also options.

- Put pressure on Dan Robson. He is a young lad and we will look to shake him up a bit and pressurise him, not allowing him any time.

Saracens Football Club
Manager – DHLS07

01. Matt Mullan	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. John Smit (c)	10. Gareth Steenson
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Flip van der Merwe	11. Mark Cueto
05. Louis Deacon	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Keegan Daniel	13. Jean de Villiers
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Ben Smith

16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Max Lahiff 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Kevin McLaughlin 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Chris Cook 22. Morne Steyn 23. Matt Hopper

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.

- Tight forward dominated game with big carriers punching holes in the opposition 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.

- Play in the right areas, territory over possession.

- Target the lineout, attacking Leicester ball for the steal, and playing off the top on our ball, using our big backs as crash ball options through the midfield. We are happy to spend 80 minutes putting the ball in the corner and targeting lineout after lineout in Leicester territory.

- Solid defensive line with Steffon Armitage either stealing or slowing the ball at the breakdown.

01. Sona Taumalolo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Juan Martin Hernandez (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Mano Samoa	11. Christian Wade
05. Calum Clark	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julian Bonnaire (c)	13. Elliot Daly
07. Sam Cane	14. Julian Savea
08. Liam Messam	15. Ben Foden

16. Mike Haywood 17. Ben Tameifuna 18. Henry Thomas 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Dan Lydiate 21. Sam Harrison 22. George Ford 23. Danny Cipriani

Tactics: We have picked a strong forward pack to take on Bath up front and ensure that they do not get the upper hand and control possession. We have home advantage, some very strong ball carriers in both the pack (TFN (sorry SJE), Samoa, Taumalolo, Messam) and the backline (Savea, Foden). But our main advantage in this game is our speed and try scoring ability, so we will be looking to play this game at real pace, work an offloading game and get Hernandez and Giteau controlling the midfield.

Attack: We have pace throughout our backline and will look to secure quick ball from our pack and look to use Giteau's passing ability to pull holes in the Bath defence and put Wade, Foden, Savea and Daly into space. Will look to send our big ball runners down Hodgson's channel and get over the gainline.

In form Simpson to snipe around the fringes. Will also counter any kicks from Bath when it is on - open play we can be very dangerous.

Take points when they are on offer.

Defence: Very even across the packs, will look to play very physically with big hits coming in from the likes of Taumalolo, TFN, Samoa and Messam. Try and force Bath into mistakes and attack from any turnovers.

Will be playing a blitz defence to put pressure on the Bath midfield and will have Simpson sweeping behind defensive line.

Foden back at fb due to his defensive ability and address any linebreaks by the Bath midfield.

Set piece: Strong set piece and will look to attack the scrum and generate quick ball off Bonnaire in the lineout. Have Clark, Messam, Bonnaire, Manoa as options. Use Bonnaire to disrupt the Bath lineout.

Breakdown: Essential part of our gameplan, have selected Cane as our fetcher and will look for turnovers all game. WIll target this in numbers and make sure we use our big pack to clear Pocock out of this area as quickly as possible.

Key Points:
• Get powerful ball runners on the ball early on to test Bath defence.
• Hernandez/Giteau/Daly kicking game to allow Saints to win the territory battle.
• Lineout: Use as an attacking platform
• Target the breakdown for full 80minutes.
• Attack in open play as mich as possible and use our pace to stretch Bath defence and score tries.

Domingo will start for France this week Chris

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Aaron Smith
02. Kevin Mealamu	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Cory Jane
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Anthony Allen
06. Tom Guest	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock	14. Nopolini Nalaga
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Rob Miller

16. Jon Golding 17. Chris Brooker 18. Carl Rimmer 19. Luke Romano 20. Rhys Ruddock 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Rob Horne 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 Kitch offers a good banker ball. 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 Faumuania, Mealamu, Lobbe and Guest 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 Lobbe looking to make a real nuisance of themselves and get their hands on the ball

Backs: We will be looking to use the backs in order to create or go through holes. Smith and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. Smith will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Rougerie, Jane and Nalaga seeing lots of the ball. We shall look to target Daly, Beck and Wade with our carries all of whom have suspect defence.

Defence: Use a blitz defence in order to put pressure on Saints key decision makers and prevent them from playing. Aaron Smith to sweep in behind.

Kicking: Charlie Hodgson will look to take on any chances we have to keep the scoreboard ticking. Hodgson, Miller and Jane will also look to test Wade under the high ball with Lobbe looking to lead a run chase.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. Golding, Brooker and Kubrashvilli will look to keep the scrum strong. Romano will look to add grit late as well as another quality lineout operator. Ruddock will look to really come on and bully tired legs. Wigglesworth will prove a composed head to control tempo late. Horne + 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.

London Welsh make two changes to the starting XV and five on the bench as they look to extend their unbeaten run at Kingston Park this weekend. Head coach Ozzy3213 had this to say;-

"We've rotated well so far in order that the boys are fresh coming into the final stretch of the season, and what that means is we can now attack games with some continuity and consistency. We've made minimal changes this week with Ben (Alexander) and Paul (Hodgson) coming into the side from the bench. We've also brought Rob (Hawkins), Phil (Swainston), Nicolas (Bezy), Butch (James) and Joel (Tomkins) onto the bench to give us that freshness. Joel is pushing hard for a start with the form he's showing in training and A games, but having been training with England this week we felt that a bench spot was right, and he can have a major impact for us with his offloading game as the game breaks up in the final quarter. We know it will be tough up at Newcastle, as they are a good side despite their recent form, but Kingston Park doesn't have the same air of invincibility about it that it did have prior to them losing their recently, and we are confident that if we play to our maximum we can go there and get a positive result."

London Welsh
Manager – Ozzy3213

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Paul Hodgson
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Ben Alexander
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. James Simpson-Daniel
05. George Skivington	12. Pat McCabe
06. Tom Johnson	13. Digby Ioane
07. Maurie Fa'asavalu	14. Bryan Habana
08. Duane Vermeulen (c)	15. Jaco Taute

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Steven Kitschoff 18. Phil Swainston 19. James Hanks 20. Luke Wallace 21. Nicolas Bezy 22. Butch James 23. Joel Tomkins

Tactics

Key Points

• Form/Momentum We are unbeaten in 13 matches, and that includes away games at Saints and Tigers..
  
• Selection issues for Falcons Lots of chopping and changing in recent weeks from Falcons mean combinations have no time to gel and players feel unsettled which often leads to under par performances.
  
• Defensive Strength Solid defenders throughout the team mean that it will take something special to score points against us.
  
• Pressure Is all on Falcons with their form seeing them start to slide down the table. If it starts badly at home the crowd will be on their backs and pressure makes players make all sorts of mistakes.
  
• Mobile, Dynamic Pack We have selected a pack that can hold their own in the set piece, but will be good in open play, as the conditions are set to allow decent running rugby.
  
• Impact Bench We have players to bring on who can make a real difference in the game.
  

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 dynamic, physical and mobile pack to 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 Falcons 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 Falcons 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.
  
• Possession over territory. We will look to keep the ball alive and play, but will go through the phases if taken to ground.
  
• 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. Hodgson will sweep in behind.
  
• We will not overcommit to the breakdown. If a turnover is on, we will go for it, counter rucking and hitting on the break. If it is not on to win the ball, we will send in a couple of players to legally slow it, and get our defensive line set quickly and strongly a la France in the World Cup. We want to control the gainline in defence and attack.
  
• Look to play quick from the scrum and lineout, going off the top and quickly into midfield as our default option. We will mix it up dependant on the situation though. If on take quick lineouts and use our back three to attack Falcons in broken field.
  

01. Guthro Steenkamp 09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey 10. Dan Carter
03. Jamie Johnstone
04. Eben Etzebeth 11. Charlie Sharples
05. George Robson 12. Berrick Barnes
06. Willem Alberts 13. Juan de Jongh
07. Akapusi Qera 14. Jonny May
08. Immanol Harinordoquoy 15. Israel Dagg

16. Wood 17 Strauss 18 Harden 19 Palmer 20 Ferris 21 Genia 22 Iain Balshaw 23 Ryan Mills

key Points

+ Form/Momentum We are on a great run and are coming off the back of 2 wins away against saints and wasps whilst Worcester are in a bit of a scrape form wise.

+ Worcester are trying to bed in lots of new players and a manager whereas we have a settled side used to winning

+ Pressure Is all on Worcester. They are in a relegation battle and are playing away

+ Mobile, Dynamic Pack We have selected a pack that can hold their own in the set piece, but who offer a huge amount of carrying and impact.

+Impact Bench We have players to bring on who can make a real difference in the scrum and loose. Proven internationals and young dynamic talent

Game plan

We are targetting the BP win and know we have to win the battle and right to play our quick brand of rugby. We will be looking to get our big runners on the front foot and get over the gain line to produce quick ball for Robson who is in majestic form to hit carter to play wide and direct.

Our pack is huge and mobile but great in set piece and we will be targetting the lineouts and Worcester hookers arrows relentlessly to affect quality of their ball. We will be looking to drive a lot of lineouts to start with to suck them in and looking to pop runners off the back and try and get into the Lambie Barkley channel.

As ever we look to keep the ball and force Worcester in to mistakes to start with and will look to build tempo as we start to get on top. Once we have won the battles bad rights to play we will open up and start to really increase the tempo with our bench contributing and keeping the foot on the pedal.

Specifics

- take all points on offer with carter
- look to use the bomb early on to target cooks Achilles heel
- Territory early doors and pressure their lineout
- blitz defence with scrum half sweeping
- look to send in numbers to breakdown to disrupt and turnover.
- go wide on any turnover ball to really stretch Worcester and create tries needed for BP win
- support runners on shoulder of big runners like Alberts looking for offload and to get in behind

Newcastle Falcons

Manager – Driver

01.Fabian Barcella	09.Luke Burguss
02.Agustin Creevey	10.Aaron Cruden (K)
03.Paul Doran Jones
04.Ed Slater	11.Miles Benjiman
05.Juandre Kruger	12.James O'Connor
06.Tom Croft	13.George Lowe
07.Richie McCaw (c)	14.Tommy Bowe
08.Kieran Read	15.Adam Ashley-Cooper

16.Jamie George 17.Alex Waller 18.Owen Franks 19.Paul O'Connell 20.Joel Conlon 21.Joel Hodgson 22.Ben Williams 23.Jared Payn

Falcons go into this game owing our supporters a win and more importantly ourselves a win. We will look to play a game plan which suited Ireland in the 2009 Six Nations , keep the ball in the opposition half with Cruden and JOC using there boots to pin Welsh back in the corners and pressuring there lineout with Kruger and Croft looking to crack there code.

Key Points of our game plan

• Retain possession - They can't play rugby without the ball. Keep the ball even if it means grinding the phases out in the tight.
  
• Intelligent kicking - Kick the ball when the space is behind there wings when there is space to exploit.
  
• Line Chase - Have a solid line , everyone in our team is a good defender and even on the kick chase keeping a line is vital. No Gaps.
  
• Strong set piece - Kruger/Croft/Read/McCaw give us plenty of options on our throw and can attack the Quins throw.
  

Specifics

• Stay on our feet in the contact , let your support get to you and give you the option to maul or go to ground and generate quick ball.
  
• Defence at a high tempo - put them under pressure around the fringes , straight back onto your feet after a tackle go for the ball , it's there to be taken
  
• Mistakes to a minimum - No silly passes , no stupid kicks. If your not sure run to a defender and recycle the ball.
  
• Patient in defense - Keep a line , no silly penalties.
  
• Take the points - pressure Quins by building the lead
  
• Adam Ashley Cooper to defend at 12 with JOC dropping to 15.
  

Leicester Tigers have named their side to play Sarries this week.

Tigers make 3 changes to the side that lost to Quins last week. Steve Mafi replaces James Scaysbrook - who is on the bench - in the pack. Whilst Jonny Wilkinson and Maxime Mermoz come into the back line for Rene Ranger who drops to the bench, and Vincent Clerc who is playing for France in the Six Nations.


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Ugo Monye
05. Nathan Hines	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Steve Mafi	13. Dominic Waldouck
07. Francois Louw	14. Isa Nacewa
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Sebastian Bruno 17. Lee Imiolek 18. Brian Mujati 19. Simon Shaw 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Rene Ranger 23. Paul Sackey

Tactics:

We will play to our strengths and play a game built around winning the kicking battle by targetting Sarries' back three; the physicality in our pack and the strength in our set piece.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cencus and Sheridan to look to really get into Mullan and JdP.

- Attack all lineouts. Use safe option of Mafi/Joubert at the front, and also use Hines/Pape in the middle or at the back.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash/decoy option.

- Physical, abrasive pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Sarries defence. The likes of Louw, Mafi, Hines, Pape and Moore to be used to crash through the Sarries defence.
Look to play an offloading game, with runners always supporting.

- 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 Sarries' back three. Lightning back three to get the chase on, and look to steal the ball or win turnovers with isolated recievers.

- We are expecting Duvenage and Steenson to employ a kicking game, so have selected Nacewa and Beale in our back three with their safe hands and counter/kicking ability.

- 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.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Kahn Fotuaili'i
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. Matt Kvesic	14. David Strettle
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Neemia Tialata 19. Dave Attwood 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Will Addison

Key Points

Attack the 13 channel
We will look to get the likes of Tulou, Palu, Freuen running down JJs channel. Head on tackling has not been his forte in recent times and we will look to take advantage and make easy ground down his channel.

Attacking

• Look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. Ball in hand, look to use our big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Sexton to exploit.

• We see the offload as a crucial weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum and breaking the defensive line.

• Fotuali'i will look to tie the Quins backrow to the breakdown allowing Sexton to play flat on the gain line. Sexton will look to bring our dangerous runners in to the game or find mismatches for himself to hit on the wrap around.

• 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.

Set Piece

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

• In Quins territory, with 4 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.

• On opposition lineouts Bekker will stand at the front and challenge. At 6ft 10" Quins will need to have their darts spot on.

Defending

• 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 Quins momentum before it
  can get going.

• Fotuali'i 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 Kvesic 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.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Francois Houghard
02. Schal Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Tom Biggs
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Felipe Contepomi
06. Chris Henry	13. Matt Smith
07. Michael Hooper	14. Taku Ngwenya
08. Nick Easter	15. Andre Taylor

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Ben Franks 19. James Gaskell 20. George Kruis 21. Lee Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

Game Plan

Play the game at pace. We have picked a side packed with players who excel with ball in hand. Our pack will look to be abrasive up front and get us the quick ball we require at rucks and we will look to play at pace when we get the ball with a backline packed with pace and creativity.

Houghard and Burns will look to feed carriers off the rucks until we get quick ball when we will then look to play wider. We have forwards who are very comfortable will ball in hand and will excel in an open game. We will still look to win the collisions and make yards and look to offload when it is on to keep our attacking momentum and allow Sale no time to organise their defence.

Forwards

Upfront we have picked a pack which won’t take a step backwards but is comfortable in an open game. The front 5 is packed with experience to control the set piece and we have picked 2 opensides so we have that extra impact around the park. We will look to ruck effectively on our own ball so we can get the quick ball we need. At the set piece we will look to control the scrum with a powerful front 5 and Borthwick will run the lineout where we will employ a short lineout between the two 22m lines with Hooper and Easter in the midfield as carriers.

Backs

Burns will stand flat and Contepomi is also a second option at first receiver. We will use our forwards to tie in defenders to create spaces out wide for our rapid outside backs. Our back 3 is as good in broken field as any and it is pivotal our pack tie in defenders so these guys can take advantage of the spaces out wide. We will use Matt Smith to crash up when we need to.

Defence

With two 7’s we will really look to legally slow down or turnover Sale ball. With our game plan turnover ball would be excellent to counter attack with so the work that Hooper and Henry do will be vital to us. We will use a quick line speed and try to double up in the tackle with one man taking the man and the other the ball.

Key Points

We are aiming to exploit weakness which we see in the Sale backs defence. Especially the outside centre and back 3 with our game plan to play at pace and run the ball.

Two 7’s to really work around the park linking the play and look for turnovers in defence.

Two first receivers who specialise in putting others into space.

A pacy running back 3 and outside centre who can get across the gainline but is all quick and comfortable on the wing. Looking to get them into space.

A very experienced front 5 to get us on the front foot.

Match thread updated, predictions OPEN

Can I remove/change my key point please Pete/Steve? Has become redundant now!

I have no problem with that at all mate. Didn't see your tactics until I'd posted my side. JJ never going to play been to slated in predos for being out of form, only decision was Smith or Faainga.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Kahn Fotuaili'i
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. Matt Kvesic	14. David Strettle
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Ross Harrison 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Neemia Tialata 19. Dave Attwood 20. Victor Vito 21. Ben Spencer 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Will Addison

Key Points

Attack the 10-12 channel
We will look to get the likes of Tulou, Palu, Freuen running down the Quins 10-12 channel. Neither are massive tacklers and we can make good ground here. At lineout time Palu will move out to the backs and look to directly line up against Burns to run at off quick ball.

Attacking

• Look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. Ball in hand, look to use our big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Sexton to exploit.

• We see the offload as a crucial weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum and breaking the defensive line.

• Fotuali'i will look to tie the Quins backrow to the breakdown allowing Sexton to play flat on the gain line. Sexton will look to bring our dangerous runners in to the game or find mismatches for himself to hit on the wrap around.

• 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.

Set Piece

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

• In Quins territory, with 4 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.

• On opposition lineouts Bekker will stand at the front and challenge. At 6ft 10" Quins will need to have their darts spot on.

Defending

• 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 Quins momentum before it
  can get going.

• Fotuali'i 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 Kvesic 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.

Cheers Steve changed it if Pete is ok to accept it

Updated.

Falcons 20-19 Welsh
SP: Bit more grunt from Welsh here, need BDP to play soon though.
BK: Bit of a step up for Falcons at the moment.
HB: Steady from Welsh, exciting from Falcons.
AT: Both very good, Lowe the only one who stands out amongst the internationals.
BE: Good impact from both.
TA: Falcons playing the tight game is the right way but Welsh do have form here which keeps it closer.

Glos 24-20 Warriors
SP: Strong on both sides here.
BK: Glos bring a bit more.
HB: 2 very very good half-back's, experience vs energy at sh.
AT: Can see Glos getting a bit more from their backline.
BE: Good from Warriors, Glos have that little bit more.
TA: Worcester will be able to ruffle a few feathers here today. Glos can do well with their bomb's and blitz defence.

Tigers 28-22 Sarries
SP: 2 strong line-ups, Johnston may get the edge on Mullan.
BK: Like the Tigers balance but Sarries will steal alot of ball.
HB: Tigers a step up here.
AT: Think Tigers will get the better ball.
BE: Strong impact for both, good Sarries backs bench.
TA: Tigers set out ready for the kicking game Sarries bring and think Tigers hb's will win the game.

Saints 28-27 Bath
SP: 2 big front row's clashing, think Saints will take scrum but Bath could cause their lineout issues.
BK: Pocock's hit the ground running, hard to see past him.
HB: Evens.
AT: 2 exciting strong attack layouts.
BE: Not huge benches for either with Rimmer going to struggle but Lydiate been out for a while now.
TA: Tactically, Saints using their big runner's could work well, as well as clearing Pocock. Hodgson putting up the high balls will cause Saints some pressure but I think they'll have too much. Great game.

Sharks 32-29 Quins
SP: Huge from Quins.
BK: Like the look of both backrows with both 7's doing well.
HB: Very, very close battle with this one! Probably my favourite two pairings in the league.
AT: This is where I can see Sharks getting an edge.
BE: 2 strong benches both making impacts.
TA: Good from Quins with big runners, Sharks get it right with hitting the 10-12 channel, both 10's standing flat will make this a high scoring game, think Sharks have a bit more in outside backs.

Newcastle Falcons 20-25 London Welsh
In player terms I would give Welsh the front five and Falcons the back row in the pack. Overall in the pack I would shade a bit more to Welsh as their front five can give them a real platform. I don't see much between Cruden and Jantjies, two exciting attacking players, but Cruden should get slightly better service from his 9. In the outside backs Welsh are strong in attack and defence. For Falcons Cruden and O'Connor defending the 10-12 channel would worry me and Welsh can get some real joy through that area, especially as tactically they are based around carrying and using big runners. Tactically I don't see anything different from Welsh and they play a style that works for them. I'm not sure that Falcons have the carriers to execute a plan where they keep it tight and carry through the phases. Welsh have a big pack and solid midfield defence and could really stop them on the gainline. If they get stuck and Cruden has to kick it's not really his game and Welsh have a back three that can hurt Falcons on the counter. There is also a big disparity between the teams in form and confidence, and I think Welsh win the tactical battle here and come away with a good win after they get ahead of Falcons and the pressure tells on the home side in the final quarter.

Gloucester 26-23 Worcester Warriors
Not as much of a disparity in form between these two, but Gloucester are in slightly better form and are at home. Matts point about Worcester trying to bed new players in is also a valid one. It's a good Worcester pack though, and they will really take it to Gloucester. I know Gloucesters tactics say they are targeting a bonus point win, but I can't see this Worcester side allowing them to really open as they are set up to scrap especially up front. I don't think Gloucester will steal many turnovers at the breakdown, so don't see them hurting Worcester out wide on turnover ball. From eleven to fifteen Gloucester are the better unit by a fair bit, and will keep probing and testing the Worcester defence. The weakness defensively is Barkley and others will have to cover if Gloucester go there which will lead to them tiring as the game goes on. I see Worcester hanging in this one but then fading in the final quarter as the pressure from Gloucester tells.

London Irish 19-22 London Wasps
Not much in this one for form and confidence, if anything Wasps going along slightly better. Irish have picked some hefty players in their pack and that's clearly deliberate going by their key points and tactics. I question the key point of "Pisi is a good offloader of the ball so we will smother tackle him with 2 players and hold him down after the tackle." If you are making it obvious that you are not releasing the tackled player then you are going to get hammered in the penalty count, and Myler is a good enough kicker to make you pay. Fluxy has his tactics right as he always does and I can see his side stifling Irish a bit and stopping them from running up points. If they are also shipping points from penalties this will be a problem for Irish, as will any yellow cards for repeated infringments. That tactic of holding the tackler down after tackle is really nagging me and I see it as absolutely the wrong option and a big factor in losing the game for Irish.

Northampton Saints 24-22 Bath Rugby
Sale Sharks 30-24 Harlequins

Dowson is my only new player playing.

no other new signings are included.

stnick88 thanks for clarifying that. I wasn't certain who was new or not, but your squad as a whole has undergone lots fo changes in the past month and that would have an effect on the side. i am going to alter my score though to reflect the fact that not many new guys are actually playing.

I've had a p.m chat with DHL and just want to clarify that the holding down of pisi won't be done illegally...we'll just look to slow him down from getting to the next phase of play, we won't do it all the time and only when we know we can defend the next wave.

Still illegal

Newcastle 24 - 24 London Welsh

Fascinating tactical battle which will both have success. I can see Welsh doing well in the contact and getting go forward, whilst Newcastle will also be effective kicking and pressuring the line out, however I don't consider Croft and Kruger great at stealing line out ball like POC would for example. Scrum will be advantage Welsh so Newcastle trying to dominate there won't be effective. I think in terms of personnel back row and half backs go to Newcastle which is important. Outside backs and front 5 go to Welsh though so overall this is a very even game. There is more coming off the bench for Welsh which I do think will be important in snatching the draw for Welsh. I can't split these sides so draw it is.

Gloucester 27 - 24 Worcester

I can see this is a scrappy game with Worcester's disruptive game being a success and affecting Gloucester's rhythm, particularly in getting at Robson at 9. Up front their isn't a great deal in it at the setpiece but I think the physicality in the Gloucester pack will come through and get them quick ball on the front foot to allow Robson to feed the dangerous Gloucester back line. Essentially this will be tight but Gloucester have enough to win here, but Worcester looking strong.

Leicester 18 - 16 Saracens

This won't be a classic. Too sides set up in a similar way with a lot of kicking and collisions. I think that Saracens are well set up for this as are Leicester. Key is the Leicester half backs being better well suited to the game plan, but I think the Saracens centre's will really trouble the Leicester pairing. Can't call the packs at the set piece or the breakdown. Off the bench I think Leicester are stronger in the pack and this will help them as the game goes on. Both back threes are well capable to deal with the kicking plans off the opposition. Overall this will be a bit of a stalemate with Leicester slightly better controlled at 9 and 10 and at home they can edge the contest.

London Irish 22 - 21 London Wasps

Upfront there isn't a whole lot in it. Front 5's perhaps slightly to Wasps but I much prefer the Irish back row which is in great form and Wasps lack a bit of balance in the back row, but they will control the breakdown as they intend to do frequently. Overall Irish are a little stronger in the back line. I don't understand why McAllister is the primary Irish playmaker with Pienaar, Evans and Smith in the back line. Irish have the quality to win the game with their back row and back line. Wasps run it very close with a excellent game plan which will serve them very well as the season goes on.

Northampton 26 - 28 Bath

Game of the week. Saints pack is packed with carriers and will be very physical, whilst I think Bath will be more effective around the park. The Bath backline will get some good go forward as I think the Saints back line is lightweight yet exciting. Bath have halfbacks which will control the game a little better than the Saints pair. This is tough to call but I think Bath have the side to win at Saints, who really miss their 6N players.

Newcastle v Welsh
- Big game here, Welsh pushing for top 4/6 and Newcastle for a home semi. Falcons home record is pretty formidable and they have a good pack which will always get them good ball and win some penalties. Welsh have the better front row but I fancy the Falcons backrow to do some damage and get the upper hand at the breakdown. HB go to Falcons. McCabe will organise Welsh well defensively but think Falcons have more spark with JOC and Lowe. Wings to Welsh, but AAC over Taute. Close game, narrow home win.
24-22

Tigers v Saracens
- Tigers always have a good pack out and plenty of form players. I like the way Saracens set up and they have the players to do it. But I can't see them getting the beating of Tigers pack at Welford Road which allows Yachvili and Wilko to control proceedings.
25-21

Irish v Wasps
- Slight front five edge to the away side but Irish backrow is class and will get them some good front foot ball. Pienaar and Evans is a top class combo (thanks to the previous manager) and also a superb centre combo. Dangerous back 3 also. Don't think Thomas and Myler offer the same threat but they do have some good runners in the backs to trouble Irish.
28-24

Saints v Bath
- No real edge upfront to either side. Like the Bath backrow bare Guest at 6. two good HB combos. Slight edge overall to Saints backs with Wade on good form. Narrow home win.
23-22

Sale v Quins
- Another tight battle. Quins backrow edges it with Easter form and Hooper over KVesic. Sales HB is class though. Good form in their backline also with Eastmond especially looking sharp. Prefer Sale backline to take it.
26-23

Newcastle Falcons 20-25 London Welsh

Scrum: Don’t see either side getting much change from here. BDP will need game time soon to keep rating.
Lineout: Both sides should hold their own ball but Falcons will be more dangerous off attacking ball.
Breakdown: Both front 5s will contribute around the park very even battle here although McCaw will pick of a turnover or two.
HB's: Decent combos from both sides. Little more quality to Falcons but Welshs combo suit each other better.
Attack: Slight edge to Welsh with Lowe & Benjamin not bringing as much as their opposite numbers.
Defence: Not sure on Ioane positionally.
Bench: Don’t see either side getting on top in any area with the benches coming in.
Tactics: Contradictory game plan from Falcons. Kicking it long looking for territory but dominating possession to starve the opposition of ball??!! Welsh game plan of holding onto the ball is strong and Pete raises some good points about continuity and all the pressure being on Falcons. Strong tactics from Welsh win the game against a confused Falcons attack.


Gloucester 30-23 Worcester Warriors

Scrum: Cracking battle on display. Don’t see either side getting much momentum here but this changes when the benches come into play with Glaws looking a lot stronger
Lineout: Glaws edge here with more jumpers. They will pip a ball or two but won’t dominate against a canny operator like Muller.
Breakdown: Worcester a bit light weight here in the backrow and Rennie will have to do a lot of work. See Glaws slowing ball down at times.
HB's: 1 a piece. Both combos work well.
Attack: Edge to Glaws with serious runners throughout the backs.
Defence: Worc let down by Cook at FB. Barkley can be caught from time to time as well.
Bench: See Glaws really getting control of the set piece in the last quarter.
Tactics: More detail to the Glaws game plan although I don’t see how they will target the Worc lineout with little kicking mentioned. Worcester struggle in the pack battle at Kingsholm and I can only see one winner here.


Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens

Scrum: Good battle between two big front 5s but Tigers will get a little edge.
Lineout: This is an area I see both sides struggling in against the best lineouts in the league.
Breakdown: Good battle here but see Sarries getting a slight edge with their midfield also strong here.
HB's: Step up to Tigers. Both combo’s the type to look and dominate territory. Tigers better at it though.
Attack: De Villiers at 13 can kill a few attacks but don’t see Sarries playing the wide expansive game anyways. Tigers lacking a go to ball carrier in the backs but have that bit more ingenuity about themselves.
Defence: Thompstone holds little rating at the moment and will struggle up against Monye
Bench: Not an awful lot between the benches but can see Tigers going to a more open running style as the bench comes into play which will do well against tired legs.
Tactics: Two very similar game styles in this one. Sarries have set up well but are facing one of the few teams in the league that can probably do the kick chase game better them. See a low scoring affair here.


London Irish 20-17 London Wasps

Scrum: Neither side particularly strong here.
Lineout: Very good battle here. Kennedy lacking form for Irish but McCarthy helping out makes this an interesting battle against Wentzel.
Breakdown: I see both sides capable of getting clean ball and poaching the odd turnover.
HB's: Step up to Irish who have the ability to control both territory and possession.
Attack: See Irish getting the better of the contact battle with Morgan & Gorgodze bigger carriers then anything Wasps have to offer. I do get the feeling of too many chefs in the kitchen about the way Irish are playing.
Defence: Wasps a little weak in the 10-12 channel. Tactics maybe needed to help cover them.
Bench: Irish may get a slight edge at the scrum with Hepburn/Edmonds struggling a little.
Tactics: Both game plans are solid and suit the sides but Wasps will struggle for momentum at times. The targeting of Pisi sounds as if it will cross the border of what the ref will allow which will see some penalties to keep Wasps in the game.


Northampton Saints 23-26 Bath Rugby

Scrum: Don’t see either side getting on top here with two fairly even front 5s.
Lineout: Slight edge to Bath with TPN still trying to settle in.
Breakdown: Decent battle here with both 2nd rows in the thick of things. Pocock edges the battle of the 7s though.
HB's: Two strong combos. Hodgson more capable of getting his backs moving but Hernadez more of a running threat from 10 himself.
Attack: Saints lacking a go to man in midfield but their front 5 will do a lot of carrying around the fringes.
Defence: Nalaga & Wade can be susceptible to the high ball. Saints midfield will lose out in the contact battle.
Bench: Not much between either sides options. Not sure how Miller would cope at 10 against the big Saints tacklers. Lack of cover in midfield for Saints.
Tactics: Slightly contradictory from Saints. No mention of kicking in the game plan but key points see them looking to win the territory battle. It’s a tough game to call but Bath will make easier yardage through midfield and Saints struggle on attack with a confused game plan.

SJE,

Kicking it long looking for territory but dominating possession to starve the opposition of ball??!!

Hence picking Croft at 6 , he'll put plenty of pressure on the Welsh throw and take ball?

Lads, I've just had a quick scan through whilst eating a McDonalds and feel I need to remind people about not questioning predos. We've been down that road before and it took the fun out of the game for a lot of people.

Quarter pounder with cheese?

I had a large Chicken Nugget meal earlier.

Poor choice driver. You want chicken, go KFC!

Might do yet , the night is still young!

3 x double cheeseburger. Can't to wrong

Big Mac meal. Tasty. Not eaten all day, we've been moving offices so been trying to make sure that the right equipment got put in the right places by the removal firm!