Aviva Premiership Round Twenty Two

Team & Tactics - 0000hrs Sunday
Predictions - 2000 hrs Tuesday

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Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester
Location - Sandy park
Weather - Sunny Intervals, 10 degrees, 15mph North North Easterly

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Exeter Chiefs

Manager – Pooly (Caretaker)

01. John Afoa	09. TJ Perenara
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Pascal Pape	11. Israel Folau
05. James Horwill	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Steve Mafi	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Toby Faletau	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Simon Alcott 18. John Andress 19. James Hanks 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Gonzalo Camacho

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

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Gloucester

01. Nick Wood	09. Dimitri Yachvilli
02. Rory Best	10. Pat Lambie (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Johnny May
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Savage	13. JDJ
07. Sam Cane	14. JSD
08. JVN (c)	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Korree Britton 17. Antoine Guillamon 18. Rubert Harden 19. Akapusi Qera 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dan Robson 22. Freddie Burns 23. Henry Trinder

Tactics

Key Points

Strong-Balanced Backrow
JVN brings a very strong carrying game and can run off our outside backs to hit the gaps and power through. Cane brings his breakdown work and learning from the master McCaw can't be a bad thing at international level he will look to make a nuisance of himself. Savage brings abrasiveness and hard hitting tackles, he will bring impact with his loose play and in the tight. These three will be the backbone to a good win.

Play-makers
In Yachvilli and Lambie we have two big play makers who can play off of JVN and put us into the right places with tactical kicking and using Roberts and JDJ at the right time to get us over the gainline.


Attacking

• We come off the back of a huge win and expect nothing else but another big win.

• Yachvilli and Lambie to play what's in front of them and look to release Roberts or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Lambie will stick it in the corners and, with Hamilton, Whitelock, Cane, JVN and Savage 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 JSD and May.

• 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.

• Impact bench to shore up our victory and to keep the scoreboard ticking (Burns) , Robson and Trinder will play fast-in your face-rugby, Qera and Narraway will have a field day against tired legs in the loose.

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.

• Yachvilli to control the game and will look to sweep and counter attack off any kick through's.

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Savage and 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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Harlequins v Northampton Saints
Location - Twickenham Stoop
Weather - Sunny Intervals, 10 degrees, 15mph North North Easterly

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Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Mark Lambert	09.Bryn Hall
02.John Smit (c)	10.Tom Heatcote (K)
03.Will Collier
04.James Percival	11.James Short
05.Al Hargreaves	12.Hudson Tonga'uhia
06.Iain Henderson	13.Sam Stuart
07.Jamie Gibson	14.George North
08.Semisi Taulava	15.Ollie Lindsey Hague

16.Neil Briggs 17.Marcos Ayerza 18.Chris Budgen 19.Mo Botha 20.Marcell Coatzee 21.Luke Burguss 22.Gareth Steenson 23.Harry Sloan

Tactics

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Northampton Saints

Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish

01. Soane Tonga'uiha	09. Lee Dickson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Brian Mujati
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Chris Ashton
05. Andries Bekker	12. Gael Fickou
06. Stephen Ferris	13. George Pisi
07. Tom Wood	14. JP Pieterson
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Foden

16. Steven Kitshoff 17. Richardt Strauss 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Courtney Lawes 20. Calum Clark 21. Aaron Smith 22. Stephen Myler 23. Jamie Elliot

Key Points

Tactics

We will look to control territory and apply pressure on Sharks in key areas looking to force mistakes. When in possession in the right areas, we will look to play a strong carrying game, attacking in groups so as to win the collisions and get over the gain line. Offloads will be kept to an absolute minimum as we look to sustain pressure deep in Welsh territory. We will kick all penalties in Sharks territory at goal and take the drop goal option whenever it’s available.

• In these conditions the scrum will be an important weapon. With a powerful front 5 on show we will look to keep it up and take full advantage drawing penalties from Sharks.

• With handling an issue we want to keep things simple and use Bekker, Wood and Read as banker ball at the lineout. We will look to bring the ball down into the maul and use the physicality of our pack to drive us into the right areas.

• We will look to blitz aggressively, 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.

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

• The back 3 will sit deep to cover any kicks down the line and 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 it with Wood 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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Leicester Tigers v London Irish
Location - Welford Road
Weather - Sunny Intervals, 10 degrees, 15mph North North Easterly

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Leicester Tigers

Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Toby Flood
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Digby Ioane
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Maurie Fa’asalavu	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. James O’Connor

16. Tom Youngs 17. Martin Castrogiovani 18. Alex Corbisiero 19. Richie Gray 20. Sam Warburton 21. Karl Dickson 22. George Ford 23. Marlon Yarde

Tactics

We will base our game around high tempo, high intensity rugby. We’ll look to use the set piece as a foundation to work from and turn the screw on the opposition if a weakness is seen. We’ll look for big carries from our pack to give us go forward ball which our backs thrives upon.

In the great conditions we’ll look to use the offload when on and change the point of attack to keep the opposition defence guessing, with our tried and trusted Flood/Barnes combo pulling the strings.

Flood/Barnes will dictate tempo and look to get Manu running angles to either punch holes in the opposition midfield or draw the decoy and allow our back 3 into the game. Our back 3 will be brought in whenever possible to cause havoc in the opposition defence.

When the 3 is on in front of the posts we’ll take and the captain will make the call on set piece if an advantage is seen.



- Turn screw in set piece if weakness seen
- HOME RECORD – immense home form
- Youngs to attack the gaps and allow Flood time to hit the line
- Manu to be used as crash and decoy with back 3 coming into the line
- Look to clear out past the ball with big pack to allow Gill hands on to force the steal. Youngs will be primed waiting for this to exploit gaps and put JOC into space
- JOC to come into the line and look for gaps between the opp halfbacks
- Full International forwards bench to make impact in last 20 mins
- Squad freshness - plenty of rotation over the last few weeks to keep team fresh

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London Irish

Manager – N/A

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Joe Simpson
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Quade Cooper
03. Euan Murray
04. Simon Shaw	11. Marland Yarde
05. Nick Kennedy	12. Dan Bowden
06. Tom Guest	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. David Pocock (c)	14. David Strettle
08. Imanol Harinodoquy	15. Delon Armitage (k)

16. Rob Herring, 17. Paulica Ion, 18. Max Lahiff, 19. Tom Palmer, 20. Jerome Kaino, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Brock James, 23. Sailosi Tagicakibau

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London Welsh v Worcester Warriors
Location - Kassam Stadium
Weather - Sunny Intervals, 10 degrees, 15mph North North Easterly

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London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Paul James	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans (K)
03. David Wilson
04. George Kruis	11. Maxime Medard
05. Paul O'Connell(C)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jackson Wray	13. George Lowe
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Horacio Agulla
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Hugo Southwell

16. Rhys Gill 17. Frans Malherbe 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Tom Johnson 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Dominic Waldlouck 23. Adam Thompstone

Tactics

With a strong record at home the team will look to build on recent form and set up a strong finish to the campaign. 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 Picamoles, O'Connell, Care and Evans, and they know what will be required to get we want from the game - a win. With the decent conditions, we will look to play a simple expansive game in attack and in defence will look to force Warriors to play from in their 22 and use our strong lineout and kicking game to pressure them.

• James and Wilson are solid technicians and will secure our own feed, to provide first phase possession for our backs. A big target for us here is to get under the front-row and make them go backwards with constant pressure.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, POC will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Kruis jumping in the middle. If winning own ball POC will look to call full number lineouts to tie in the Wuss fowards.
  
  
• Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. We will look to offload in the tackle to keep moving the point of attack and tire out the big Wuss pack, this will keep Haskell, Morgan, Marler and Figallo on the move.
  
  
• The backrow will target the halfbacks, which will lead to them rushing and making handling errors and mistakes. Big empahsis on running forwards down the ten channel when there is slow ball.
  
  
• We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines. Evans will direct traffic with the use of quick pods systems outside the guards of the rucks, and target any of our forwards against their backs.
  
  
• We will use a banana drift line in defence to cut down Carters options and push him inside towards our backrow.
  
  
• [b]Look for Pickles to run down Carter's channel off scrums, and big carries down this channel in open play.
  
  
• Evans has some dangerous backs out side him, and will look to test Nonu's and Freuans defence as both can be lacking here, especially in club form.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Nev will kick all points, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Wuss should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• With Care coming into the side, it shows the intent that we want to attack with our strong source of possession from lineouts and scrums

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Worcester Warriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. Joe Marler	09. Will Genia
02. Tafata Polota Nau	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. George Robson	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Maa Nonu
06. James Haskell	13. Robbie Freaun
07. Michael Hooper	14. Julien Savea
08. Ben Morgan	15. Tom Homer

16. Will Radburn 17. George Porter 18. Tevita Taumopeau 19. Gerhard Mostert 20. Liam Messam 21. Shaun Perry 22. Matt Hooper 23. Kurtley Beale

Overall: Look for strong running rugby led by our half back combination who will look to control our tempo and keep us playing in the right areas.

We have momentum. 12 wins in 15 games, with 2 losses the result of a second string. Our players will be fresh and with the high of winning will be looking to keep the run going

We are expecting to dominate the scrum with a good squeeze and will look to win penalties. If we experience looks of success here look to relentlessly target it.

At the lineout we feel we can hold our own and if we can develop an advantage early we shall look to switch the game plan and look for corners with the boot. Robson, Kitchener, Morgan and Haskell are all quality jumpers and we will look to switch up the lineout.

As well as performing in the set piece we will be looking to get our forwards making some big carries in open play. This will be key in the conditions and with our big runners we feel we can dominate. We will be looking to burst into space and makes gains with the likes of Morgan, TPN, Figallo and Haskell on the ball.

Look to attack the breakdown hard and fast with lots of bodies looking to slow down or turn over Welsh ball. We have picked a back row that we feel can really target the breakdown with Hooper our main man.

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, Homer, Cuthbert and Savea will be looking to make use of the spaces with their running

Use a blitz defence with Homer trailing

With Carter, Genia and Homer we have some quality boots and we will look to take advantage. If we experience dominance at the lineout look to put the ball into corners. Genia will also use his box kick abilities to give our players something to chase.

We will look to make full use of our bench. Porter, Radian + Taumoepeau are quality options who will look to get involved around the park and at scrumtime. Mostert will look to come on add Grit. Messam can add his carrying for our pack. Hopper and Beale can be solid against tired legs.

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Sale Sharks v London Wasps
Location - Salford City Stadium
Weather - Sunny Intervals, 10 degrees, 15mph North North Easterly

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Sale Sharks

Manager – N/A

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Haydn Thomas
02. Gary Botha	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Henry Thomas
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Cameron Shepard
05. James Gaskell	12. Jonathon Davies
06. Matt Garvey	13. Jonathon Joseph
07. David Seymour	14. Tom Brady
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Rob Miller

16. Nathan Charles, 17. Davit Kubriashvili , 18. Logoviii Mulipola, 19. Kearnan Myall, 20. Schalk Burger, 21. Scott Mathie, 22. Johan Goosen, 23. Charlie Amesbury

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London Wasps

Manager – CF

01. Ben Broster	09. Micky Young
02. Dimitri Swarzeski	10. Shane Geragthy (K)
03. Hoani Tui
04. James Cannon	11. Paul Sackey
05. Ross Filipo	12. Luke Marshall
06. Tinius Du Plessis	13. Matheiu Basteraud
07. Jacques Burger	14. Mike Brown
08. Thomas Waldrom (C)	15. Richard haughton

Eeplacements: 16.Chuter 17 'Beast' 18.Stankovich 19.Deacon 20.Weepu 21.Robinson 22.Varndell 23.Monye

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Saracens v Bath
Location - Allianz Park
Weather - Sunny Intervals, 10 degrees, 15mph North North Easterly

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Saracens

Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Ben Spencer
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Beauden Barrett (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Ollie Kohn	11. Tom Williams
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Tom Casson
06. Kelly Brown (c.)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Nick Easter	15. Leigh Halfpenny (lk)

16. Matt Mullan 17. Schalk Brits 18. Carlos Nieto 19. Donnacha Ryan 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Morgan Parra 22. Vereniki Goneva 23. Alex Goode

Tactics-

Attacking rugby weather again. Let's give our Lions and Wallabies a good run out ahead of the Tour whilst keeping some legs fresh for Europe (I think)

Breakdown- Unit work. Fraser doing the fetching, Easter clearing out and Brown switching between the two with help from the other forwards. Don't overcommit unless we think the turnover is on.

Scrum- Mako is on great form and will look to impose himself on the opposition with Kepu using his technique to solidify his side and Kohn putting in power behind. Run Back row moves off a moving scrum to draw in defenders to make space for the backs. Our replacements are class so go all out in the front row as we can replace tired legs.

Lineout- Keep it simple throwing to the front more often than elsewhere but then take them by surprise with some long throws over the top, and moves to let Mako peel around into the 5m line gap from his back-lifter position (1 man half-lift with Kepu on Matthews at the front) . Easter to call.

Defence- Blitz led by Smith with Spencer sweeping the chip, fringe defence led by Brown, let Fraser harry the half-backs with an early break off setpieces and rucks.

Attack- Send quick ball to Barrett at 10 then pop inside or out to a forward like Easter or Mako or Buchanan to suck in the defence then either offload or recycle off the floor for 2nd phase attack which will be spread out wide to use the space created. Blindside wingers and Halfpenny looking to join the line at pace through the middle (calling for the ball to let the centres know they are there) when they see a gap, and all breaks supported hard by the backrow and Smith. Barrett and Casson to look for the chip/grubber if there is space on the wing and generally play what is on. Slow ball to be taken on by picks of 3 in the forwards to speed it up, but don't be afraid to maul or for Barrett to kick high for possession.

Kicking- take all points on offer and kick high for possession today, with at least 2 out of the wings, Smith and backrow chasing to try and reclaim the ball.

Subs- If the lineout creaks, bring on Ryan (at lock or 6) and use Brown to cover 7. Rep;lace the props when they tire and if we need impact bring on Billy and/or Brits. Parra is there to close out and game if it gets tight or if Spencer struggles to impose himself, If we need pace outside we have Goneva and Goode is solid 10/15 cover

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Bath Rugby
Manager – Flux/Pooly

01. Cian Healy	09. Micheal Classens
02. Adrian Strauss	10. James Hook (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Dave Attwood	11. Tom Varndell
05. Johann Muller	12. Francois Steyn
06. Carl Fearns	13. Elliot Daly
07. Francois Louw(c)	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Sean O'Brien	15. Israel Dagg

16. John Golding 17. Christophe Tolufua 18. Kane Palmer-Newport 19. Rynhardt Eldsadt 20. Julian Salvi 21. Chris Cook 22. Kyle Eastmond 23. Tom Biggs

Tactics

• Basic game around the big front five, being mobile and strong in contact. The whole pack can carry the ball well, Hook and Claasens will use a simple pod system to get front foot ball.
  
  
• Muller to run lineout, Attwood and Louw as back up jumpers, great advantage and possession to be had here against Sarries.
  
  
• Mobile back-row that can carry and be a nuisance at the breakdown, either turning ball over or slowing it down.
  
  
• Claasens and Hook to play a simple game, slow ball goes to forwards to gain momentum. Quick ball shipped into Steyns hand who will look to get the back three and Daly into spaces.
  
  
• Hook to kick, Steyn to kick for long range penalties.
  
  
• Dagg to marshal the back-three and look to counter any poor kicks to him or his back-three.
  
  
• In the decent conditions, simple but small popping of the ball to big carriers coming in at angles will keep Sarries defence going backwards.

Harlequins

Manager – Driver

01.Mark Lambert	09.Bryn Hall
02.John Smit (c)	10.Tom Heatcote (K)
03.Will Collier
04.James Percival	11.James Short
05.Al Hargreaves	12.Hudson Tonga'uhia
06.Iain Henderson	13.Sam Stuart
07.Jamie Gibson	14.George North
08.Semisi Taulava	15.Ollie Lindsey Hague

16.Neil Briggs 17.Marcos Ayerza 18.Chris Budgen 19.Mo Botha 20.Marcell Coatzee 21.Luke Burguss 22.Gareth Steenson 23.Harry Sloan

Tactics

There will be changes once I know what I am playing for and whether I am still in Europe or not

Saracens
Manager – ChequeredJersey

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Ben Spencer
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Beauden Barrett (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Ollie Kohn	11. Tom Williams
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Tom Casson
06. Kelly Brown (c.)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Nick Easter	15. Leigh Halfpenny (lk)

16. Matt Mullan 17. Schalk Brits 18. Carlos Nieto 19. Donnacha Ryan 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Morgan Parra 22. Vereniki Goneva 23. Alex Goode

Tactics-

Attacking rugby weather again. Let's give our Lions and Wallabies a good run out ahead of the Tour whilst keeping some legs fresh for Europe (I think)

Breakdown- Unit work. Fraser doing the fetching, Easter clearing out and Brown switching between the two with help from the other forwards. Don't overcommit unless we think the turnover is on.

Scrum- Mako is on great form and will look to impose himself on the opposition with Kepu using his technique to solidify his side and Kohn putting in power behind. Run Back row moves off a moving scrum to draw in defenders to make space for the backs. Our replacements are class so go all out in the front row as we can replace tired legs.

Lineout- Keep it simple throwing to the front more often than elsewhere but then take them by surprise with some long throws over the top, and moves to let Mako peel around into the 5m line gap from his back-lifter position (1 man half-lift with Kepu on Matthews at the front) . Easter to call.

Defence- Blitz led by Smith with Spencer sweeping the chip, fringe defence led by Brown, let Fraser harry the half-backs with an early break off setpieces and rucks.

Attack- Send quick ball to Barrett at 10 then pop inside or out to a forward like Easter or Mako or Buchanan to suck in the defence then either offload or recycle off the floor for 2nd phase attack which will be spread out wide to use the space created. Blindside wingers and Halfpenny looking to join the line at pace through the middle (calling for the ball to let the centres know they are there) when they see a gap, and all breaks supported hard by the backrow and Smith. Barrett and Casson to look for the chip/grubber if there is space on the wing and generally play what is on. Slow ball to be taken on by picks of 3 in the forwards to speed it up, but don't be afraid to maul or for Barrett to kick high for possession.

Kicking- take all points on offer and kick high for possession today, with at least 2 out of the wings, Smith and backrow chasing to try and reclaim the ball.

Subs- If the lineout creaks, bring on Ryan (at lock or 6) and use Brown to cover 7. Rep;lace the props when they tire and if we need impact bring on Billy and/or Brits. Parra is there to close out and game if it gets tight or if Spencer struggles to impose himself, If we need pace outside we have Goneva and Goode is solid 10/15 cover

01. Nick Wood	09. Dimitri Yachvilli
02. Rory Best	10. Pat Lambie (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Johnny May
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Savage	13. JDJ
07. Sam Cane	14. JSD
08. JVN (c)	15. Iain Balshaw

16. Korree Britton 17. Antoine Guillamon 18. Rubert Harden 19. Akapusi Qera 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dan Robson 22. Freddie Burns 23. Henry Trinder

Tactics

Key Points

Strong-Balanced Backrow
JVN brings a very strong carrying game and can run off our outside backs to hit the gaps and power through. Cane brings his breakdown work and learning from the master McCaw can't be a bad thing at international level he will look to make a nuisance of himself. Savage brings abrasiveness and hard hitting tackles, he will bring impact with his loose play and in the tight. These three will be the backbone to a good win.

Play-makers
In Yachvilli and Lambie we have two big play makers who can play off of JVN and put us into the right places with tactical kicking and using Roberts and JDJ at the right time to get us over the gainline.


Attacking

• We come off the back of a huge win and expect nothing else but another big win.

• Yachvilli and Lambie to play what's in front of them and look to release Roberts or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Lambie will stick it in the corners and, with Hamilton, Whitelock, Cane, JVN and Savage 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 JSD and May.

• 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.

• Impact bench to shore up our victory and to keep the scoreboard ticking (Burns) , Robson and Trinder will play fast-in your face-rugby, Qera and Narraway will have a field day against tired legs in the loose.

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.

• Yachvilli to control the game and will look to sweep and counter attack off any kick through's.

• We will hit the breakdown quick to give Savage and 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.

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Pooly (Caretaker)

01. John Afoa	09. TJ Perenara
02. Rob Webber	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Pascal Pape	11. Israel Folau
05. James Horwill	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Steve Mafi	13. Richard Kahui
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Toby Faletau	15. Isa Nacewa

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Simon Alcott 18. John Andress 19. James Hanks 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ian Humphreys 23. Gonzalo Camacho

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

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Toby Flood
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Digby Ioane
05. Geoff Parling	12. Berrick Barnes
06. Maurie Fa’asalavu	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. James O’Connor

16. Tom Youngs 17. Martin Castrogiovani 18. Alex Corbisiero 19. Richie Gray 20. Sam Warburton 21. Karl Dickson 22. George Ford 23. Marlon Yarde

Tactics

We will base our game around high tempo, high intensity rugby. We’ll look to use the set piece as a foundation to work from and turn the screw on the opposition if a weakness is seen. We’ll look for big carries from our pack to give us go forward ball which our backs thrives upon.

In the great conditions we’ll look to use the offload when on and change the point of attack to keep the opposition defence guessing, with our tried and trusted Flood/Barnes combo pulling the strings.

Flood/Barnes will dictate tempo and look to get Manu running angles to either punch holes in the opposition midfield or draw the decoy and allow our back 3 into the game. Our back 3 will be brought in whenever possible to cause havoc in the opposition defence.

When the 3 is on in front of the posts we’ll take and the captain will make the call on set piece if an advantage is seen.



- Turn screw in set piece if weakness seen
- HOME RECORD – immense home form
- Youngs to attack the gaps and allow Flood time to hit the line
- Manu to be used as crash and decoy with back 3 coming into the line
- Look to clear out past the ball with big pack to allow Gill hands on to force the steal. Youngs will be primed waiting for this to exploit gaps and put JOC into space
- JOC to come into the line and look for gaps between the opp halfbacks
- Full International forwards bench to make impact in last 20 mins
- Squad freshness - plenty of rotation over the last few weeks to keep team fresh

I'll try to update weather tonight, finally rid of my dreadful dissertation!

WASPS TACTICS

01.Ben Broster
02.Dimitri Swarzeski
03.Hoani Tui
04.James Cannon
05.Ross Flippio
06.Tinis Du Plessis
07.Jaque Burger
08.Thomas Waldrom (C)
09.Micky Young
10.Shane Geraghty
11.Paul Sackey
12.Luke Marshall
13.Mathieu Basteraud
14.Mike Brown
15.Richard Haughton

replacements: 16.Chuter 17 'Beast' 18.Stankovich 19.Deacon 20.Weepu 21.Robinson 22.Varndell 23.Monye

Worcester Warriors

Manager – InTheFastLane

01. Joe Marler	09. Will Genia
02. Tafata Polota Nau	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. George Robson	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Maa Nonu
06. James Haskell	13. Robbie Freaun
07. Michael Hooper	14. Julien Savea
08. Ben Morgan	15. Tom Homer

16. Will Radburn 17. George Porter 18. Tevita Taumopeau 19. Gerhard Mostert 20. Liam Messam 21. Shaun Perry 22. Matt Hooper 23. Kurtley Beale

Overall: Look for strong running rugby led by our half back combination who will look to control our tempo and keep us playing in the right areas.

We have momentum. 12 wins in 15 games, with 2 losses the result of a second string. Our players will be fresh and with the high of winning will be looking to keep the run going

We are expecting to dominate the scrum with a good squeeze and will look to win penalties. If we experience looks of success here look to relentlessly target it.

At the lineout we feel we can hold our own and if we can develop an advantage early we shall look to switch the game plan and look for corners with the boot. Robson, Kitchener, Morgan and Haskell are all quality jumpers and we will look to switch up the lineout.

As well as performing in the set piece we will be looking to get our forwards making some big carries in open play. This will be key in the conditions and with our big runners we feel we can dominate. We will be looking to burst into space and makes gains with the likes of Morgan, TPN, Figallo and Haskell on the ball.

Look to attack the breakdown hard and fast with lots of bodies looking to slow down or turn over Welsh ball. We have picked a back row that we feel can really target the breakdown with Hooper our main man.

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, Homer, Cuthbert and Savea will be looking to make use of the spaces with their running

Use a blitz defence with Homer trailing

With Carter, Genia and Homer we have some quality boots and we will look to take advantage. If we experience dominance at the lineout look to put the ball into corners. Genia will also use his box kick abilities to give our players something to chase.

We will look to make full use of our bench. Porter, Radian + Taumoepeau are quality options who will look to get involved around the park and at scrumtime. Mostert will look to come on add Grit. Messam can add his carrying for our pack. Hopper and Beale can be solid against tired legs.

London Welsh

Manager – Fluxy

01. Paul James	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Nick Evans (K)
03. David Wilson
04. George Kruis	11. Maxime Medard
05. Paul O'Connell(C)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jackson Wray	13. George Lowe
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Horacio Agulla
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Hugo Southwell

16. Rhys Gill 17. Frans Malherbe 18. Tom Lindsay 19. Steve Borthwick 20. Tom Johnson 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Dominic Waldlouck 23. Adam Thompstone

Tactics

With a strong record at home the team will look to build on recent form and set up a strong finish to the campaign. 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 Picamoles, O'Connell, Care and Evans, and they know what will be required to get we want from the game - a win. With the decent conditions, we will look to play a simple expansive game in attack and in defence will look to force Warriors to play from in their 22 and use our strong lineout and kicking game to pressure them.

• James and Wilson are solid technicians and will secure our own feed, to provide first phase possession for our backs. A big target for us here is to get under the front-row and make them go backwards with constant pressure.
  
  
• With a strong lineout, POC will lead the lineout and use himself as banker ball at the front of the line with Kruis jumping in the middle. If winning own ball POC will look to call full number lineouts to tie in the Wuss fowards.
  
  
• Our whole pack is mobile and capable of snaffling ball at the breakdown. We will look to offload in the tackle to keep moving the point of attack and tire out the big Wuss pack, this will keep Haskell, Morgan, Marler and Figallo on the move.
  
  
• The backrow will target the halfbacks, which will lead to them rushing and making handling errors and mistakes. Big empahsis on running forwards down the ten channel when there is slow ball.
  
  
• We will look to keep the ball alive, preventing them from setting any defensive lines. Evans will direct traffic with the use of quick pods systems outside the guards of the rucks, and target any of our forwards against their backs.
  
  
• We will use a banana drift line in defence to cut down Carters options and push him inside towards our backrow.
  
  
• [b]Look for Pickles to run down Carter's channel off scrums, and big carries down this channel in open play.
  
  
• Evans has some dangerous backs out side him, and will look to test Nonu's and Freuans defence as both can be lacking here, especially in club form.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Nev will kick all points, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Wuss should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
  
• With Care coming into the side, it shows the intent that we want to attack with our strong source of possession from lineouts and scrums

Everything is up to date if you want to confirm its okay Pooly?>

Lets go mate

Quins 15-22 Saints
SP: It appears that Quins may have rested some players and Saints strong here.
BK: Again Saints are a step up.
HB: Saints will teach the young Quins a lesson here.
AT: North the standout but Saints have quality across the backline.
BE: Just feel Saints are stronger overall.
TA: None from Quins is a killer, Saints seem set out to play Sharks but have enough general tactics.

Tigers 28-24 Irish
SP: Huge battle up front with Tigers taking scrum but Irish causing their lineout problems.
BK: Evens in the backrow with great balance from both.
HB: Prefer the Tigers pairing at the moment, Simpson and Cooper looking good though.
AT: This is where Tigers come into their own and take the game.
BE: Strong for Tigers. Yarde is in both sides?
TA: None for Irish. Tigers hitting the lines and using a good impact bench gets the win.

Welsh 22-22 Warriors
SP: Welsh’s props bring great form with them and with POC behind will do well at the set piece.
BK: Great battle, feel Haskell brings a bit more than Wray but Picamoles better than Morgan at the moment.
HB: Another good battle, shaded by Warriors but Evans will give Carter a run for his money at game management and Care will be dangerous from close range.
AT: Warriors look good, feel Barritt could mark Nonu out of the game though. Bit more of a killer instinct out wide for Warriors but Agulla no shirker.
BE: Good impact from both.
TA: Welsh pick the right spots using strong runners and a good scrum for a platform. When Warriors have ball in hand they’ll be very dangerous. Hard to split this one.

Sharks 30-22 Wasps
SP: Sharks have a good advantage here.
BK: Wasps a bit closer but Lobbe a step up.
HB: Not a lot between the 9’s, Sale have the better 10.
AT: Wasps look strong here but again Sale a little bit more.
BE: Good benches, Wasps could have started with Beast and Weepu and would have made it a closer game.
TA: N/A

Sarries 20-21 Bath
SP: Feel Bath take the set piece but Sarries lineout looks good.
BK: Fraser vs Louw will be a good battle which I feel the South African will just shade in current form.
HB: Bath set out for running quick ball, Sarries will get the ball moving.
AT: Great attacking options from both here.
BE: Feel Sarries take this battle.
TA: Great tactics layout from Sarries covering everything. Bath keeping it simple. Feel the backs are even here and it’s just a little bit more international quality helps Bath up front.

Sorry, they are not full in a bit of a rush today

Chiefs 34 - 34 Gloucester
Attacking backlines and tactics see a high scoring affair. Chiefs slightly stronger and at home but better tactics from Gloucester see them draw

Quins 24 - 31 Saints
Some experimentation by Quins good for the future but Saints are stronger in this fixture and have tactics

Tigers 34 - Irish 26
Aside from the centres (who lack flair), Irish team is very strong and in form but Tigers are that bit stronger, at home and have tactics and win

Welsh 28 - Warriors 28
V close, can't pick a winner. Warriors have the better backs (though Care's form is on fire and he will test Genia, like he should have been doing against the Lions next month rather than watching Phillips shown as the one-trick pony he is) and Welsh edge the forwards, maybe, and the bench. Great tactics from each side, I'm pussying out of calling this.

Sale 30 - Wasps 23
Sale have a stronger team esp in the pack and with home advantage they will win

Ezeter 24 glaws 24
Tigers 30 Irish 23
Welsh 23 Wuss 21
Sale 29 wasps 25
Saracens 25 bath 21

Quins 19-26 Saints
Welsh 22-23 Worcester
Sale 24-22 Wasps
Saracens 28-26 Bath

Exeter 29-30 Gloucester
Quins 14-36 Saints
Tigers 27-23 Irish
Sale 24-20 Wasps
Sarries 18-21 Bath

Exeter Chiefs 31 - 30 Gloucester

There is a splash more quality in the Chiefs pack, but Afoa at LH closes the gap and makes packs even. Better form in the Chiefs halfbacks and backs, although Glos can really attack in the back three. The bench of Glos has a bit more ability in it, but with the in form Wilko Chiefs nick it at home.

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Harlequins 19 - 29 Northampton Saints

I can see that Quins have rested some players with their eyes on the AP play-offs. They have given some very good stars of the future some game time, but they are up against established internationals and Saint will secure a good win away from home.

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Leicester Tigers 28 - 20 London Irish

Unfortunately there is too much in this Tigers team overall. But the Irish side are no slouches and will make a game out of it especially with their back five. Tigers finish the league in some style though.

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Sale Sharks 30 - 20 London Wasps

Sale have a great pack and this will set up the space and ball for Cruden to attack from. The iffy Wasps sides have cost them, especially without having thei best side out every week. A forgettable season for them.

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Saracens 25 - 27 Bath

Just a bit too much quality in the bath side up front will see Bath through at home here. I like some of the young lads that Sarries have put out, but against some quality players internationally they will struggle.

Are these closed too?

Should be. Any chance you could whip up results?

Will do it now, late for clinic anyway another 10 mins won't hurt

RESULTS

Quins 18 - 31 Saints*
Exeter* 30 - 30 Gloucester*
Tigers 32* - 23 Irish
Welsh 24 - 24 Worcester
Sale 31* - 22 Wasps
Saracens 24* - 25 Bath

Cheers CJ, I will try and update the table and get the next thread up for fixtures

Full: Prop, CJ, Flux

Half: Driver, Pooly, CJB

Page: Flux

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