Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
+6
LukeLovesLuka
Sgt_Pooly
Driver
dammit_chris
SirJohnnyEnglish
Fluxy
10 posters
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Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
First topic message reminder :
Cardiff Blues vs Worcester Warriors
Location - Cardiff Arms Park
Light Rain Showers, 9 Degrees, 12 mph North Westerly Winds
Cardiff Blues
Replacements: 16 Marc Breeze, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Benoit Bourrust, 19 James Down, 20 Rory Watts-Jones, 21 Alex Walker, 22 Aled Summerhill, 23 Harry Robinson
Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88
16. Brett Sturgess 17. Dave Ward 18. BJ Botha 19. James Hudson 20. Phil Dowson 21. Dimitri Yachvili 22. - 23. Tom Casson
Tusi Pisi called into the Samoa XV
Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins
Location - Cardiff Arms Park
Light Rain Showers, 10 Degrees, 14mph NorthWesterly Winds
Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Fluxy
16. Jack Yeandle 17. - 18. Ben Afeaki 19. Brad Thorn 20. Nick Williams 21. Bryn Hall 22. Freddie Michalak 23. Dom Shipperly
Logovii Mulipola in the Samoa XV
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
16. Rob Buchanan 17. Kieran Brookes 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. George Kruis 20 Jamie Gibson 21. Luke McGrath 22. Dan Bowden 23. Anthony Faainga
Tactics
Use the pack to get us across the gain line with the aim of getting us quick ball to release our backs.
Look to control the set piece with a strong scrum and a lineout. Experience upfront will aid us in the area.
Look to be aggressive in defence with a quick line speed. Aim to double up in the tackle when we get the chance.
Target the breakdown with Braid doing the damage here. Look for all our back row to carry in the midfield alongside our powerful midfield of Serfontein and Tapuai.
Dickson to control the tempo and Burns to stand flat and bring our big carriers into the game when we have quick ball.
In our own half we will look to kick for territory with Burns and Serfontein but in the opposition half we will retain possession and attempt to tire out Exeter and then take advantage of a unorganised defence.
Leicester Tigers vs Ospreys
Location - Welford Road
Heavy Rain Showers, 7 Degrees, 10 mph Southerly Winds
Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
16. Charlie Clare 17. Harry Rudkin 18. Neale Farthing 19. Romain Taofifenua 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Tamati Ellison 23. Paul Sackey
Tactics:
Ospreys
Replacements: 16 Matthew Dwyer, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Dan Suter, 19 Rhodri Hughes, 20 Arthur Ellis, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Hanno Dirksen
Sale Sharks vs Bath Rugby
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Heavy Rain Showers, 7 Degrees, 7 mph South Westerly Winds
Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE
16. Jefferson Poiret 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Ross Harrison 19. Tom Savage 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Ben Spencer 22. Timo Swiel 23. Will Addison
Bath - no side
London Wasps vs Saracens
Location - Adams Park
Light Rain Showers, 12 Degrees, 8 mph South Westerly Winds
London Wasps
Manager Ozzy3213
16. Rob Hawkins 17. Scott Sio 18. Fraser Balmain 19. James Hanks 20. Marcel Coetzee 21. Nathan Fowles 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Tom Fowlie
Basic Game Plan
Despite the light rain, we will be looking to play a fast paced game targetting areas where we feel there are defensive weaknesses to get across the gainline at pace. We will look to shift the point of attack and keep the ball moving. Our back row will look to support and hit rucks hard to free up quick ball. Our intention is to utilize our strength, which is pace, and move the Saracens pack around to tire them and create space for our runners.
In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Tillouse-Borde will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.
Specifics
Saracens
Manager – Pooly
16. Tiaan Liebenberg 17. Max Lahiff 18. Biyi Alo 19. Matt Hankin 20. Tom Guest 21. Chris Cook 22. Adam Thompstone 23. Lee Byrne
Tactics:
General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality and will look to dominate the contact and get over the gain line. We'll be playing a high tempo physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in the their half.
Scrum - Look to get a platform and keep the ball in on attacking ball if a weakness is seen in the opposition set piece. With our big locks look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back.
Line out - Look to play it safe and use the rolling maul to good effect. Our big pack should have a lot of joy here and will tie in the opposition defence. We won't be going for the rear of the line out much and will be content with securing our own ball and getting a push on. We'll look to contest on opp throw and target their hooker to see if we can disrupt him early on.
Defence - High intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player. Huge physical pack that can look to dominate the collision and breakdown allowing Saull etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.
Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to inject pace from the breakdown and have Lowe on his shoulder. Burrell to run at 9/10 channel and target possible weakness. Burrell to be used as decoy running at opp 12 looking to take him out of the defensive line to free up space for Lowe.
Points:
- Get the ball to our big wingers and target youngsters defence
- Target Fourie throw throughout
- look to put big legal hit in Janjtes and put him on back foot
Newcastle Falcons vs London Irish
Location - Kingston Park
Sunny Intervals, 6 Degrees, 9 mph South Westerly Winds
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Driver
16.George McGuigan 17.Rhoidi Jones 18.Scott Wilson 19.Ali Williams 20.Joel Conelon 21.Sam Harrison 22.Jimmy Goppereth 23.Chris Farrell
Newcastle Falcons tactics
Falcons to play a high tempo game based around tieing Irish in around the ruck area and moveing the ball into wide channel to try and stretch the Irish defence aross the field.
Use our big carriers in the pack to get over the gainline and allow a platform for our half backs to attack the line and put Irish onto the back foot using our explosive runners in the back line such as Ranger , Sharples, Cuthbert and Payne to cause havoc in 1 on 1 situations.
We will look to use a strong set piece to pressure the opposition using Kruger to target the Irish throw and target Kennedy who isn’t have the best of times of late. Waller has scrummed really well of late and will look to pull Stevens away and isolate the Irish hooker to allow Dawiduiak and PDJ to really scrimmage on him and force him up.
Houghaard will look to carry the ball at the fringes and snipe before launching a delayed pass to JOC
JOC will share the play making duties allowing us to change to point of attack to target the weak points in the Irish defence line.
Guy Armitage on the Irish right wing isn’t know for his pace and we’ll look to put the ball outwide and isolate him with Sharples and Payne looking to take him on the outside.
We’re going to bomb behind the Irish wings early on to test there kicking game out to catch them out of position and exploit the space behind them.
A big aggressive line let by Barrett who will look to stop Naqa in his tracks to prevent any Irish momentum from building.
KEY POINTS
BIG HITS AND CARRIES – These will dictate the tempo and we’ll use these to give ourselves momentum and carry us forward.
PLAYER NOUS- We’ve got plenty of intelligent players operating on the park for us. Juan Smith will look to dictate the tempo of the breakdown and shut the short runners down.
TARGET NICK EVANS – He’s been moved to 15 by Quins in real life because of his poor decision making and we’ll look to take full advantage of this.
London Irish
Manager - Prop
16. T.Lindsay 17. T.Smallbone 18. A.Guillamon 19. M.Garvey 20. E.Jackson 21. R.Kockott 22. Owen Williams 23. Conrad Smith
Key Points
Balanced Backrow
We have picked a big backrow who are well balanced. Gorgodze will look to be abrasive and run at 10 looking to put him off his game. Fraser will look to dismantle the breakdown. Higginbotham will look to carry the ball all day and be the link man.
8-9-10-12-13
We want quick ball for our half-backs to tactically put us into territory (off the pitch). Our 8-9-10-12-13 will look to be influential and all have played together in this game alot so know each other well. These can all be standout playmakers who will look to control the game at our tempo in the light rain we will not expect attractive rugby.
International Quality
We have international quality players in all positions and, after having our defence picked on a little recently we feel that bringing Higginbotham, Smith and Gorgodze will help the cover tackles here.
Impact Bench
With the likes of Conrad Smith, Owen Williams and Rory Kockott coming off the bench we feel that the last 20 minutes we will be able to open up Falcons here.
Positional Play
Strong pack who will look to be abrasive but defend inside-out and not have any gaps in midfield here. Our back three will look to use their power to get through tackles and run off their oppositions shoulders.
Halfbacks
We have selected experience and youth here with moates looking to snipe, Naqa will use his power to make the gaps for the runners off of his shoulder.
Northampton Saints vs Gloucester
Location - Franlin Gardens
Light Rain, 10 Degrees, 9 mph Westerly Winds
Northampton Saints
16. Scott Spurling 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Henry Thomas 19. Samo Manoa 20. Jacques du Plessis 21. Nikola Matawulu 22. Mark Bennett 23. Jamie Elliott
Tactics:
Saints will play a high intensity/tempo'd game from the outset and take the game to Gloucester. We will look to place them under pressure with a really physical, aggressive approach and defence to force errors and mistakes to exploit. We will look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to get space for our backthree.
Setpiece: With the conditions we have selected four strong jumpers, Neveill, Gaskell, Clark and Bonnaire to give Haywood options. But will look for safe ball early on and getting the ball to Fonua on second phase to get us over the gainline and set up quick ball from that. Once the game goes on we will look for quick ball from the lineout. Very strong scrum, will look to use this as an attacking platform and place Gloucester under pressure.
Breakdown/Backrow: Picked a powerful backrow to target Salvi and keep him from slowing down our ball, will look to clear him out in numbers and attack the fringes at the breakdown. Look to hit Gloucester back in the tackle area and stop their forward momentum and give us the advantage of hitting the rucks going forward.
Possession/Territory: Selected Ford at no10 for his kicking game and ability to unlock defences with his passing - especially to get Tuilagi into one on ones and bring our back three into play. Ford and Giteau's kicking game can get us into key areas to pressurise Gloucester and into point scoring range.
Attack the Gainline/Win Collisions: Again look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to provide our backs with the platform to attack, big ball carriers in the pack - will give Fonoa 50mins before he's replaced with Manoa. We have an attacking platform from both setpieces and will use Giteua, Tuilagi and Siviatu as players to get us over the gainline and then look to get Daly and Williams into space.
Defence: Aggressive blitz defence, putting pressure onto Barnes and making it hard for Gloucester to get over the gainline and generate quick ball. Simpson to sweep behind. Strong midfield to stop GLoucester having joy up the middle and dangerous back three to counter any misplaced kicks.
Impact Bench: Strong bench to really up the intensity in final 20-25minutes.
Key selection points:
Target the set piece and collisions as key areas of the gain.
Home advantage and current Anglo Welsh Champions
Get the ball to our big runners early on and punch through the gainline - use Fonoa a lot early on to suck in defenders, before replacing him with Manoa.
Look for quick ball and to give Williams and Daly space to attack.
Gloucester
We will be looking to use a power game to get on the front foot and utilise our bigger pack to dominate saints to allow us to release our backs.
Scrum
We have a powerful unit with World class Figallo really looking to dominate. Backed up by a powerful engine room we will look to use scrum to wheel in or favour and try and nick their ball.
Line out
We will be using this as a platform to attack with Palmer Croft Hari and Bird serious operators. We will look to vary between driving and off the top.
Croft Hari and Bird will look to dominate Haywood throwing in and starve saints of ball.
Breakdown
Our pack is bigger more experienced and more skilled at breakdown.
Salvi will be sent in to steal ball.
Backs
We will be aiming to go off any quick ball generated by the forwards. TJ Pernara is a high tempo player and will keep them honest but more often than not hit Barnes and let Barnes dictate.
Barnes has option of ebersohn as second playmaker or the direct Masi. The aim is to get in behind them and generate quick ball to create Mia
Matches and overlaps.
We will look to get gear and may involved and stretch saints.
If a move stalls then forwards will look to rebuild and get on front foot again.
Key points
Experience and size of pack
2,8,9,10 shirts all to Glos
Line out dominance
Bench
Home teams to be named by midnight on Tuesday
Away teams to be named by midnight on Wednesday
Tactics to be provided by midnight on Thursday
Predictions by 15:00 hours on Sunday
Away teams to be named by midnight on Wednesday
Tactics to be provided by midnight on Thursday
Predictions by 15:00 hours on Sunday
Cardiff Blues vs Worcester Warriors
Location - Cardiff Arms Park
Light Rain Showers, 9 Degrees, 12 mph North Westerly Winds
Cardiff Blues
01. Sam Hobbs | 09. Lewis Jones |
02. Kevin Dacey | 10. Gareth Davies |
03. Fau Felise | |
04. Lou Reed | 11. Chris Czekaj |
05. Filo Paulo | 12. Dafydd Hewitt |
06. Andries Pretorious | 13. Richard Smith |
07. Josh Navidi (c) | 14. Tom Williams |
08. Robin Copeland | 15. Dan Fish |
Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88
01. Nathan Catt | 09. Michael Classens |
02. Richardt Strauss | 10. Olly Barkley |
03. Halani Aulika | |
04. James Percival | 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau |
05. Dominic Barrow | 12. Kyle Godwin |
06. Ashley Johnson | 13. Casey Laulala |
07. Shane Jennings | 14. Mark Cueto |
08. Johnnie Beattie | 15. Ben Ransom |
Tusi Pisi called into the Samoa XV
Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins
Location - Cardiff Arms Park
Light Rain Showers, 10 Degrees, 14mph NorthWesterly Winds
Exeter Chiefs
Manager – Fluxy
01. Alec Hepburn | 09. Haydn Thomas |
02. Jack Yeandle | 10. Stephen Myler (k) |
03. Will Collier | |
04. Mike Williams | 11. Tom Varndell |
05. Alistair Hargreaves | 12. Bundee Aki |
06. Maurie Fa'asavalu | 13. Aurelien Rougerie |
07. Sam Jones (c) | 14. Zac Guildford |
08. Semisi Taulava | 15. Matt Tait |
Logovii Mulipola in the Samoa XV
Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
01. Gjorgi Jgenti | 09. Karl Dickson |
02. Gary Botha | 10. Freddie Burns (k) |
03. John Afoa | |
04. Bakkies Botha | 11. Tom Biggs |
05. Hugh Pyle | 12. Jan Serfontein |
06. Lappies Labushagne | 13. Ben Tapuai |
07. Luke Braid | 14. Topsy Ojo |
08. Nick Easter (c) | 15. Andre Taylor |
Tactics
Use the pack to get us across the gain line with the aim of getting us quick ball to release our backs.
Look to control the set piece with a strong scrum and a lineout. Experience upfront will aid us in the area.
Look to be aggressive in defence with a quick line speed. Aim to double up in the tackle when we get the chance.
Target the breakdown with Braid doing the damage here. Look for all our back row to carry in the midfield alongside our powerful midfield of Serfontein and Tapuai.
Dickson to control the tempo and Burns to stand flat and bring our big carriers into the game when we have quick ball.
In our own half we will look to kick for territory with Burns and Serfontein but in the opposition half we will retain possession and attempt to tire out Exeter and then take advantage of a unorganised defence.
Leicester Tigers vs Ospreys
Location - Welford Road
Heavy Rain Showers, 7 Degrees, 10 mph Southerly Winds
Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka
01. Andrew Sheridan | 09. Dwayne Peel |
02. Chiliboy Ralepelle | 10. Brock James (k) |
03. Craig Mitchell | |
04. Nathan Hines | 11. Ugo Monye |
05. Kearnan Myall | 12. Clement Poitrenaud |
06. Steve Mafi | 13. Dominic Waldouck |
07. Jacques Burger (c) | 14. Henry Speight |
08. Edwin Maka | 15. Kurtley Beale |
Tactics:
Ospreys
01. Marc Thomas | 09. Tito Tibaldi |
02. Scott Baldwin | 10. Matthew Morgan |
03. Joe Rees | |
04. Lloyd Peers | 11. Ben John |
05. James King | 12. Andrew Bishop |
06. Joe Bearman | 13. Jonathon Spratt (c) |
07. Sam Lewis | 14. Aisea Natoga |
08. Morgan Allen | 15. Richard Fussell |
Sale Sharks vs Bath Rugby
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Heavy Rain Showers, 7 Degrees, 7 mph South Westerly Winds
Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE
01. Dave Kilcoyne | 09. Kieran Marmion |
02. David Paice | 10. JJ Hanrahan |
03. Phil Swainston | |
04. Iain Henderson | 11. Craig Gilroy |
05. Christian Day | 12. Jordan Turner Hall |
06. Alex Tulou | 13. Robbie Fruean |
07. Matt Todd | 14. Keith Earls |
08. Wycliffe Palu | 15. Jean Marcellin-Buttin |
Bath - no side
London Wasps vs Saracens
Location - Adams Park
Light Rain Showers, 12 Degrees, 8 mph South Westerly Winds
London Wasps
Manager Ozzy3213
01. Steven Kitschoff | 09. Nick Phipps |
02. Deon Fourie | 10. Elton Jantjies |
03. Tom Mercey | |
04. Romain Millo-Chluski | 11. Tom Collins |
05. George Skivington | 12. Michelle Campagnaro |
06. Tom Johnson | 13. Tim Nanai-William |
07. Luke Wallace | 14. Jack Nowell |
08. Fotu Auelua | 15. Anthony Watson |
16. Rob Hawkins 17. Scott Sio 18. Fraser Balmain 19. James Hanks 20. Marcel Coetzee 21. Nathan Fowles 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Tom Fowlie
Basic Game Plan
Despite the light rain, we will be looking to play a fast paced game targetting areas where we feel there are defensive weaknesses to get across the gainline at pace. We will look to shift the point of attack and keep the ball moving. Our back row will look to support and hit rucks hard to free up quick ball. Our intention is to utilize our strength, which is pace, and move the Saracens pack around to tire them and create space for our runners.
In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Tillouse-Borde will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.
Specifics
- Breakdown. In attack we will flood it rucking past the ball at pace to free it up quickly and go again. In defence we will not commit to the breakdown unless carrier is isolated and the turnover is on. If that is not the case we will look to slow the ball and maintain a strong defensive line, giving them no ground and forcing a mistake.
- Lineout. We will look to really attack Whitehead’s throwing, with Skivington jumping at the front and the athletic Johnson jumping in the middle. In attack we will look for banker ball and play from there.
- Scrums. We will strike for it on our own ball and get it out quickly and look to go at pace (as the Reds did the year they won the Super XV). On their ball we will employ an 8 man shove and try to drive over it rather than trying to win against the head by striking for it.
- Open Play. Big emphasis keeping the ball alive. Watson to come into the line early to create the extra man and try to release Nanai Williams through gaps. .
- Bench. We will use the bench tactically as when required rather than just unloading it as a matter of course. Not all replacements will necessarily come on.
Saracens
Manager – Pooly
01. Fabien Barcella | 09. Luke Burgess |
02. Chris Whitehead | 10. Gareth Steenson |
03. Clement Ric | |
04. Julian Pierre | 11. Miles Benjamin |
05. Louis Deacon(c) | 12. Luther Burrell |
06. Brad Shields | 13. George Lowe |
07. Andy Saull | 14. Tim Visser |
08. Dave Ewers | 15. Gio Aplon |
Tactics:
General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality and will look to dominate the contact and get over the gain line. We'll be playing a high tempo physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in the their half.
Scrum - Look to get a platform and keep the ball in on attacking ball if a weakness is seen in the opposition set piece. With our big locks look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back.
Line out - Look to play it safe and use the rolling maul to good effect. Our big pack should have a lot of joy here and will tie in the opposition defence. We won't be going for the rear of the line out much and will be content with securing our own ball and getting a push on. We'll look to contest on opp throw and target their hooker to see if we can disrupt him early on.
Defence - High intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player. Huge physical pack that can look to dominate the collision and breakdown allowing Saull etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.
Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to inject pace from the breakdown and have Lowe on his shoulder. Burrell to run at 9/10 channel and target possible weakness. Burrell to be used as decoy running at opp 12 looking to take him out of the defensive line to free up space for Lowe.
Points:
- Get the ball to our big wingers and target youngsters defence
- Target Fourie throw throughout
- look to put big legal hit in Janjtes and put him on back foot
Newcastle Falcons vs London Irish
Location - Kingston Park
Sunny Intervals, 6 Degrees, 9 mph South Westerly Winds
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Driver
01.Alex Waller | 09.Francois Houghaard |
02.Darren Dawiduak | 10.James O'Connor(k) |
03.Paul Doran Jones | |
04.Ed Slater | 11.Charlie Sharples |
05.Juandre Kruger | 12.Brad Barritt |
06.Juan Smith | 13.Rene Ranger |
07.Hienrich Brussouw | 14.Alex Cuthbert |
08.Chris Masoe(c) | 15.Jared Payne |
Newcastle Falcons tactics
Falcons to play a high tempo game based around tieing Irish in around the ruck area and moveing the ball into wide channel to try and stretch the Irish defence aross the field.
Use our big carriers in the pack to get over the gainline and allow a platform for our half backs to attack the line and put Irish onto the back foot using our explosive runners in the back line such as Ranger , Sharples, Cuthbert and Payne to cause havoc in 1 on 1 situations.
We will look to use a strong set piece to pressure the opposition using Kruger to target the Irish throw and target Kennedy who isn’t have the best of times of late. Waller has scrummed really well of late and will look to pull Stevens away and isolate the Irish hooker to allow Dawiduiak and PDJ to really scrimmage on him and force him up.
Houghaard will look to carry the ball at the fringes and snipe before launching a delayed pass to JOC
JOC will share the play making duties allowing us to change to point of attack to target the weak points in the Irish defence line.
Guy Armitage on the Irish right wing isn’t know for his pace and we’ll look to put the ball outwide and isolate him with Sharples and Payne looking to take him on the outside.
We’re going to bomb behind the Irish wings early on to test there kicking game out to catch them out of position and exploit the space behind them.
A big aggressive line let by Barrett who will look to stop Naqa in his tracks to prevent any Irish momentum from building.
KEY POINTS
BIG HITS AND CARRIES – These will dictate the tempo and we’ll use these to give ourselves momentum and carry us forward.
PLAYER NOUS- We’ve got plenty of intelligent players operating on the park for us. Juan Smith will look to dictate the tempo of the breakdown and shut the short runners down.
TARGET NICK EVANS – He’s been moved to 15 by Quins in real life because of his poor decision making and we’ll look to take full advantage of this.
London Irish
Manager - Prop
01. Jerome Schuster | 09. Jack Moates |
02. Hika Elliott | 10. Nick Evans |
03. Matt Stevens | |
04. Nick Kennedy | 11. Sergeal Petersen |
05. Craig Clarke (c) | 12. Sereli Naqalevuki |
06. Mamuka Gorgodze | 13. Henry Trinder |
07. Will Fraser | 14. Guy Armitage |
08. Scott Higginbotham | 15. Robbie Henshaw |
Key Points
Balanced Backrow
We have picked a big backrow who are well balanced. Gorgodze will look to be abrasive and run at 10 looking to put him off his game. Fraser will look to dismantle the breakdown. Higginbotham will look to carry the ball all day and be the link man.
8-9-10-12-13
We want quick ball for our half-backs to tactically put us into territory (off the pitch). Our 8-9-10-12-13 will look to be influential and all have played together in this game alot so know each other well. These can all be standout playmakers who will look to control the game at our tempo in the light rain we will not expect attractive rugby.
International Quality
We have international quality players in all positions and, after having our defence picked on a little recently we feel that bringing Higginbotham, Smith and Gorgodze will help the cover tackles here.
Impact Bench
With the likes of Conrad Smith, Owen Williams and Rory Kockott coming off the bench we feel that the last 20 minutes we will be able to open up Falcons here.
Positional Play
Strong pack who will look to be abrasive but defend inside-out and not have any gaps in midfield here. Our back three will look to use their power to get through tackles and run off their oppositions shoulders.
Halfbacks
We have selected experience and youth here with moates looking to snipe, Naqa will use his power to make the gaps for the runners off of his shoulder.
Northampton Saints vs Gloucester
Location - Franlin Gardens
Light Rain, 10 Degrees, 9 mph Westerly Winds
Northampton Saints
01. Thomas Domingo | 09. Joe Simpson |
02. Mike Haywood | 10. George Ford |
03. Ben Teimafano | |
04. Cadeyn Neville | 11. Siti Siviatu |
05. James Gaskell | 12. Matt Giteau (c)(k) |
06. Julian Bonnaire | 13. Manu Tuilgai |
07. Calum Clark | 14. Jordan Williams |
08. Opeti Fonua | 15. Elliot Daly |
Tactics:
Saints will play a high intensity/tempo'd game from the outset and take the game to Gloucester. We will look to place them under pressure with a really physical, aggressive approach and defence to force errors and mistakes to exploit. We will look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to get space for our backthree.
Setpiece: With the conditions we have selected four strong jumpers, Neveill, Gaskell, Clark and Bonnaire to give Haywood options. But will look for safe ball early on and getting the ball to Fonua on second phase to get us over the gainline and set up quick ball from that. Once the game goes on we will look for quick ball from the lineout. Very strong scrum, will look to use this as an attacking platform and place Gloucester under pressure.
Breakdown/Backrow: Picked a powerful backrow to target Salvi and keep him from slowing down our ball, will look to clear him out in numbers and attack the fringes at the breakdown. Look to hit Gloucester back in the tackle area and stop their forward momentum and give us the advantage of hitting the rucks going forward.
Possession/Territory: Selected Ford at no10 for his kicking game and ability to unlock defences with his passing - especially to get Tuilagi into one on ones and bring our back three into play. Ford and Giteau's kicking game can get us into key areas to pressurise Gloucester and into point scoring range.
Attack the Gainline/Win Collisions: Again look to win the collisions and get over the gainline to provide our backs with the platform to attack, big ball carriers in the pack - will give Fonoa 50mins before he's replaced with Manoa. We have an attacking platform from both setpieces and will use Giteua, Tuilagi and Siviatu as players to get us over the gainline and then look to get Daly and Williams into space.
Defence: Aggressive blitz defence, putting pressure onto Barnes and making it hard for Gloucester to get over the gainline and generate quick ball. Simpson to sweep behind. Strong midfield to stop GLoucester having joy up the middle and dangerous back three to counter any misplaced kicks.
Impact Bench: Strong bench to really up the intensity in final 20-25minutes.
Key selection points:
Target the set piece and collisions as key areas of the gain.
Home advantage and current Anglo Welsh Champions
Get the ball to our big runners early on and punch through the gainline - use Fonoa a lot early on to suck in defenders, before replacing him with Manoa.
Look for quick ball and to give Williams and Daly space to attack.
Gloucester
James Johnstone in the Samoa XV16. - 17. Jaimie George 18. Rupert Harden 19. George Robson 20. Sam Dickinson 21. Dan Robson22. Johan Goosen 23. Charlie Walker
01. Nick Wood 09. TJ Perenara 02. Joe Grey 10. Berrick Barnes 03. Juan Figallo 04. Tom Palmer 11. Johnny May 05. Dominic Bird 12. Robert Ebersohn 06. Tom Croft 13. Andrea Masi 07. Julian Salvi 14. Hosea Gear 08. Imanol Harinordoquoy 15. Iain Balshaw
We will be looking to use a power game to get on the front foot and utilise our bigger pack to dominate saints to allow us to release our backs.
Scrum
We have a powerful unit with World class Figallo really looking to dominate. Backed up by a powerful engine room we will look to use scrum to wheel in or favour and try and nick their ball.
Line out
We will be using this as a platform to attack with Palmer Croft Hari and Bird serious operators. We will look to vary between driving and off the top.
Croft Hari and Bird will look to dominate Haywood throwing in and starve saints of ball.
Breakdown
Our pack is bigger more experienced and more skilled at breakdown.
Salvi will be sent in to steal ball.
Backs
We will be aiming to go off any quick ball generated by the forwards. TJ Pernara is a high tempo player and will keep them honest but more often than not hit Barnes and let Barnes dictate.
Barnes has option of ebersohn as second playmaker or the direct Masi. The aim is to get in behind them and generate quick ball to create Mia
Matches and overlaps.
We will look to get gear and may involved and stretch saints.
If a move stalls then forwards will look to rebuild and get on front foot again.
Key points
Experience and size of pack
2,8,9,10 shirts all to Glos
Line out dominance
Bench
Last edited by Fluxy on Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:59 am; edited 4 times in total
Fluxy- Aviva Premiership Commissioner
- Posts : 12117
Join date : 2011-01-28
Age : 33
Location : Isle of Wight
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Cardiff 8-21 wuss front 5 platform and centres kill this for wuss
Guest- Guest
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Exeter 8-22 Quins thought I posted this earlier. Front 5 dominance show. Fluxy no interest in this tournament I think
Leicester 30-10 ospreys class apart
Leicester 30-10 ospreys class apart
Guest- Guest
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Wasps 17-16 Sarries
Tough game. Really even all over park. Wasps pack so
Much more mobile as sarries pack very slow in front 5. Can see Wallace dominating Saul who has not fulfilled his great talent.
Jantjes kills wasps play but so does burgess.
Both are hugely out of
Form.
Not sure whether campangaro is in Italy squad tomorrow ? If so a draw.
Sarries bigger named backline but Burrell visser etc poor defensively. Nowell and Watson exciting but unproven.
Can't seperate really but more mobile pack and home advantage sneak it.
Would start liebenberg if I was sarries
Tough game. Really even all over park. Wasps pack so
Much more mobile as sarries pack very slow in front 5. Can see Wallace dominating Saul who has not fulfilled his great talent.
Jantjes kills wasps play but so does burgess.
Both are hugely out of
Form.
Not sure whether campangaro is in Italy squad tomorrow ? If so a draw.
Sarries bigger named backline but Burrell visser etc poor defensively. Nowell and Watson exciting but unproven.
Can't seperate really but more mobile pack and home advantage sneak it.
Would start liebenberg if I was sarries
Guest- Guest
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Falcons 21-21 Irish
Irish take front 5. Both have great backrow but both have 2 without any form in Brussow smith higginbotham and Fraser.
Evans star halfback and wins easily his battle. Falcons more dangerous with ball and have mismatches out wide with likes of Armitage not up to it.
Can't separate sorry
Irish take front 5. Both have great backrow but both have 2 without any form in Brussow smith higginbotham and Fraser.
Evans star halfback and wins easily his battle. Falcons more dangerous with ball and have mismatches out wide with likes of Armitage not up to it.
Can't separate sorry
Guest- Guest
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Cardiff 15-30 Worcester
Exeter 22-28 Harlequins
Harlequins pack really get on top here and will give Burns a really good ride. Exeter youngsters will get a stuffing in the scrum. Quins backrow has nice blend to it. Backlines much closer but will play off different ball. Good win for a strong Quins side.
Leicester 35-13 Ospreys
Newcastle 29-22 Irish
Strong front 5 unit for Falcons sees them shade. Backrow battle is immense and can't split. I can't see Irish halfbacks clicking yet and more experience here for Irish, exciting runners for Falcons though. Good contest in backline but Falcons overall strong and ease through for the win.
Northampton 26-20 Gloucester
Good advantage in scrum for Saints with 2 props stronger, good hook battle. Back 5's are close but better form for Saints. Palmer & Hari really hinder Gloucester with poor form. Gloucester halfbacks not much form but class above Saints pair. Past that its all Saints with only Gear making Saints lineup, Saints centre pairing so much better than Gloucester pairing. Good win at home for Saints, too many out of form players for Gloucester to make it close.
Exeter 22-28 Harlequins
Harlequins pack really get on top here and will give Burns a really good ride. Exeter youngsters will get a stuffing in the scrum. Quins backrow has nice blend to it. Backlines much closer but will play off different ball. Good win for a strong Quins side.
Leicester 35-13 Ospreys
Newcastle 29-22 Irish
Strong front 5 unit for Falcons sees them shade. Backrow battle is immense and can't split. I can't see Irish halfbacks clicking yet and more experience here for Irish, exciting runners for Falcons though. Good contest in backline but Falcons overall strong and ease through for the win.
Northampton 26-20 Gloucester
Good advantage in scrum for Saints with 2 props stronger, good hook battle. Back 5's are close but better form for Saints. Palmer & Hari really hinder Gloucester with poor form. Gloucester halfbacks not much form but class above Saints pair. Past that its all Saints with only Gear making Saints lineup, Saints centre pairing so much better than Gloucester pairing. Good win at home for Saints, too many out of form players for Gloucester to make it close.
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Blues 20 - 29 Worcester
Chiefs 18 - 25 Harlequins
Edge to Quins up front with a stronger trio. One a piece in the second row, whilst the back row is a good contest. Form of Easter swings it to Quins, and they take the pack battle. Tight HB contest with no real standouts. Beyond there it's fairly even with Quins slightly shading it in terms of quality. Lack if tactics and bench hurts chiefs.
Sale 30 - 0 Bath
Wasps 24 - 20 Saracens
Two decent looking front rows that wasps edge on form. Really good second row contest which just goes again to wasps. Think Sarries have a bit more to their back row and they get on top. Fascinating pack battle. Struggle to separate HBs, prefer Jantjies so wasps sneak it, and it's one a piece in the centres. Newcastle edge back three on quality. Good game, with wasps at home having enough.
Newcastle 22 - 23 Irish
Give the edge to Irish up front, with Newcastle taking the second row with a good duo. Drooling over seeing this back row battle, so much class. Irish take on form though. All a bit soon for Hougaard and JOC for me struggles at 10 so see Evans being in control here. Newcastle look good in the centres though, and the same in the back three. Lack of form in back row and untried at hb sees the home side stifled, and see Evans winning it.
Saints 22 - 20 Gloucester
Neither side dominates up top, but think Gloucs can get one up in the second row. Gloucs looking light on form in the back row, but then saints aren't flying either. Packs very tight overall. Int class sees Gloucs edge the HBs, and saints look good in the centres although good contest. Decent back three battle. Tough to call here, overall I think saints edge on form so going with them.
Glad I don't do pooly's hours....
Chiefs 18 - 25 Harlequins
Edge to Quins up front with a stronger trio. One a piece in the second row, whilst the back row is a good contest. Form of Easter swings it to Quins, and they take the pack battle. Tight HB contest with no real standouts. Beyond there it's fairly even with Quins slightly shading it in terms of quality. Lack if tactics and bench hurts chiefs.
Sale 30 - 0 Bath
Wasps 24 - 20 Saracens
Two decent looking front rows that wasps edge on form. Really good second row contest which just goes again to wasps. Think Sarries have a bit more to their back row and they get on top. Fascinating pack battle. Struggle to separate HBs, prefer Jantjies so wasps sneak it, and it's one a piece in the centres. Newcastle edge back three on quality. Good game, with wasps at home having enough.
Newcastle 22 - 23 Irish
Give the edge to Irish up front, with Newcastle taking the second row with a good duo. Drooling over seeing this back row battle, so much class. Irish take on form though. All a bit soon for Hougaard and JOC for me struggles at 10 so see Evans being in control here. Newcastle look good in the centres though, and the same in the back three. Lack of form in back row and untried at hb sees the home side stifled, and see Evans winning it.
Saints 22 - 20 Gloucester
Neither side dominates up top, but think Gloucs can get one up in the second row. Gloucs looking light on form in the back row, but then saints aren't flying either. Packs very tight overall. Int class sees Gloucs edge the HBs, and saints look good in the centres although good contest. Decent back three battle. Tough to call here, overall I think saints edge on form so going with them.
Glad I don't do pooly's hours....
LukeLovesLuka- Posts : 5865
Join date : 2011-04-19
Age : 40
Location : London
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Apologies can't provide full predictions. Have given a sentence for the AP v AP games.
Cardiff 22 - 34 Worcester
Leicester 29 - 13 Ospreys
Wasps 28 -29 Saracens
Not time to provide full details but I think there is a touch more in the Saracens backs and bit more form up front.
Newcastle 25 - 24 London Irish
Bit more across the side for Newcastle. Back row battle a treat.
Northampton 23 - 24 Gloucester
Gloucester have a strong side out and get a good away win.
Cardiff 22 - 34 Worcester
Leicester 29 - 13 Ospreys
Wasps 28 -29 Saracens
Not time to provide full details but I think there is a touch more in the Saracens backs and bit more form up front.
Newcastle 25 - 24 London Irish
Bit more across the side for Newcastle. Back row battle a treat.
Northampton 23 - 24 Gloucester
Gloucester have a strong side out and get a good away win.
Steven_Sharks- Posts : 7528
Join date : 2011-04-19
Location : Chester/Manchester
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Luke, I'm 4hrs ahead and on my fortnightly day off. Nice to get them in early
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Where you at?
LukeLovesLuka- Posts : 5865
Join date : 2011-04-19
Age : 40
Location : London
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Oman, basically just the middle of nowhere in the desert.
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Should get scores in tomorrow, been working in Taunton till 8 and trying o catch up on the rugby now!
prop_lyd- Posts : 10387
Join date : 2011-01-28
Age : 36
Location : Rogerstone, Wales
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Blues 15-21 warriors
Chiefs 15-16 quins
Tigers 35-15 ospreys
Sharks 30-0 bath
Wasps 18-19 sarries
Saints 20-19 glos
I've done one point margins for ones that needed explainations, sorry guys been a pretty draining day yesterday running a group at work
Chiefs 15-16 quins
Tigers 35-15 ospreys
Sharks 30-0 bath
Wasps 18-19 sarries
Saints 20-19 glos
I've done one point margins for ones that needed explainations, sorry guys been a pretty draining day yesterday running a group at work
prop_lyd- Posts : 10387
Join date : 2011-01-28
Age : 36
Location : Rogerstone, Wales
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
Cardiff 15 - 32 Worcester
Strong Warriors side and too much for Cardiff.
Leicester 38 - 12 Ospreys
Easy win for Tigers at home.
Exeter 23 - 26 Quins
Think that the Exeter front row will struggle and Yeandle is named on the bench as well as in the starting 15 and with no Mulipola on the bench they've just got one front row replacement. Otherwise very even across the park.
Wasps 26 -24 Saracens
Really close game, very difficult to choose between the two sides. Would say Wasps edge the front five and can build a better platform at home and this is key in the game. Bit more ball and the Sarries backthree could have caused some damage.
Newcastle 28 - 26 London Irish
Another really tough game to call - Driver said earlier in the week he was targeting this competition and can see that with the team he has selected. Backrow battle will be brutal, just see the home pack having enough to get enough ball.
Sale - Bath
Haven't seen a Bath team?
Strong Warriors side and too much for Cardiff.
Leicester 38 - 12 Ospreys
Easy win for Tigers at home.
Exeter 23 - 26 Quins
Think that the Exeter front row will struggle and Yeandle is named on the bench as well as in the starting 15 and with no Mulipola on the bench they've just got one front row replacement. Otherwise very even across the park.
Wasps 26 -24 Saracens
Really close game, very difficult to choose between the two sides. Would say Wasps edge the front five and can build a better platform at home and this is key in the game. Bit more ball and the Sarries backthree could have caused some damage.
Newcastle 28 - 26 London Irish
Another really tough game to call - Driver said earlier in the week he was targeting this competition and can see that with the team he has selected. Backrow battle will be brutal, just see the home pack having enough to get enough ball.
Sale - Bath
Haven't seen a Bath team?
dammit_chris- Posts : 8685
Join date : 2011-05-03
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
London Wasps 27 Saracens 25
Wasps can build a better platform to attack from and this will see them good , Sarries backs can put points on board but won't get enough chances.
Sale 28 Bath 0
No Bath team
Northamton 16 Gloucester 20
Good side from glaws shows there taking this serious
Wasps can build a better platform to attack from and this will see them good , Sarries backs can put points on board but won't get enough chances.
Sale 28 Bath 0
No Bath team
Northamton 16 Gloucester 20
Good side from glaws shows there taking this serious
Driver- Posts : 11038
Join date : 2011-04-20
Age : 33
Location : Hartlepool
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
RESULTS:
Cardiff Blues 15 (P:5)
Worcester Warriors 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Exeter Chiefs 16 (T:1 C:1 P:3)
Harlequins 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Leicester Tigers 36 (T:5 C:4 P:1)
Ospreys 14 (T:2 C:2)
Sale Sharks 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Bath 0
London Wasps 23 (T:3 C:1 P:2)
Saracens 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)
Newcastle Falcons 26 (T:3 C:1 P:3)
London Irish 24 (T:3 C:3 P:1)
Northampton Saints 24 (T:3 C:3 P:1)
Gloucester 21 (T3:C:3)
Cardiff Blues 15 (P:5)
Worcester Warriors 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Exeter Chiefs 16 (T:1 C:1 P:3)
Harlequins 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Leicester Tigers 36 (T:5 C:4 P:1)
Ospreys 14 (T:2 C:2)
Sale Sharks 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Bath 0
London Wasps 23 (T:3 C:1 P:2)
Saracens 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)
Newcastle Falcons 26 (T:3 C:1 P:3)
London Irish 24 (T:3 C:3 P:1)
Northampton Saints 24 (T:3 C:3 P:1)
Gloucester 21 (T3:C:3)
SirJohnnyEnglish- Posts : 8536
Join date : 2011-05-10
Age : 36
Location : Limerick
Re: Anglo-Welsh Cup Round One
BONUSES:
Full: Matt, Steve, Luke, Pete, Chris, SJE, Pooly
Scores/Incomplete: Prop, Driver
Fined: CJB, Fluxy, Nick
Full: Matt, Steve, Luke, Pete, Chris, SJE, Pooly
Scores/Incomplete: Prop, Driver
Fined: CJB, Fluxy, Nick
SirJohnnyEnglish- Posts : 8536
Join date : 2011-05-10
Age : 36
Location : Limerick
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