Aviva Premiership Round Nine

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Bath Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs
Location - The Rec
Sunny, 7 degrees, 13 mph North North Westerly winds

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Bath Rugby

Manager – inthefastlane

01. Charlie Faumuania	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Chris Brooker	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Davit Kubrashvilli
04. Luke Romano	11. Cory Jane
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Anthony Allen
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Joel Tomkins
07. James Haskell	14. Nopolini Nalaga
08. Jordan Crane	15. Stuart Hogg

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16. - 17. Carl Rimmer 18. Cian Healy 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Rhys Ruddock 21.  Richard Wigglesworth 22. Ben Smith 23. Rob Miller


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 get an advantage at scrum time with a strong front five picked. 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: At the line out we will look to keep our own ball and challenge the Irish line out. Kitchener offers a strong banker ball option at the front whilst Bekker and Lobbe offer solid jumping options.

We will be looking for big carries from the forwards with the likes of Hibbard, Crane, Kitchener, Lobbe and Haskell dangerous runners who can really create gaps for our backs. We will be looking for lots of energy from our forwards to open up holes to be exploited. 

Breakdown: Look to clear hard and fast with Haskell 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. FDP and Hodgson will look to really get the backs going with a good tempo. FDP will attack fringes and try to keep the defence guessing. Look to get our big runners involved as early as possible with Allen, Tomkins, Hogg and Nalaga seeing lots of the ball. 

Defence: Use an blitz defence in order to put pressure on Exeter

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo. 

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Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Logovii Mulipola	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Rob Webber	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. Will Collier
04. Brad Thorn	11. Tom Varndell
05. Geoff Parling	12. Francis Saili
06. Kelly Brown	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Chris Robshaw (c)	14. Maxime Medard
08. Nick Williams	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Jack Yeandle 17. Yannick Forestier 18. Mike Ross 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Sam Jones 21. Haydn Thomas 22. Stephen Myler  23. Marcelo Bosch

Key Points

• Mobile pack picked to dominate the set-pieces and breakdown.
  
• Use the strong forward bench to maintain forward pressure late on and control of the game.
  
• Strong spine in decision making positions of the team. Basic territorial game in conditions. Utilise good territory for attacking opportunities.
  
• Flood will kick all points available, he can kick from within their half, so this indicates that Bath should be wary of giving away penalties.
  
• Home territory - At home Sandy Park is a fortress, and at home we make a fight out of the game and rarely lose.
  
• Keep ball alive in the conditions and get the backs involved where possible. 
  

Game plan

Selected a physically strong side to combat the physicality of the Bath side. Chiefs won't look to get drawn into a physical fight however, as they will look to open up the game to allow their backs a chance to attack the Bath back line. The side has the potential to play an all code game, therefore if one aspect of the game isn't working we can shift and adapt to start exploiting an area which gives us the advantage. 
We will look to play a simple territorial game and look to be playing with the ball within their 22. Every where else on the pitch we will look to peg Bath back, unless we can take the kick for goal. Simple set-piece game which we look to dominate our own ball, and contest every opposition put in. The pack that has been selected is mobile and strong around the park, especially in the tackle, on the floor and ball in hand. 

Attack

• Use quick ball off the top using Parling as primary caller. Parling and our jumpers should be much more quicker getting up in the air so look for quick mauls. With the big pack look to set the maul in the opponents 22. 
  
• Look to set the scrum quickly and strike the ball to the back. Not looking to get into a scrum fight which will end up with penalties going to either side. This is to allow Williams to attack off the base of the scrum.
  
• Pack filled big carriers to provide a number of options in the tight exchanges. Look to keep moving the point of attack with clever offloads and forward interplay. Look for forward pods outside the third guard in the line to really stretch their defences and get over the gain line to create momentum.
  
• Look to flood the breakdown and clear out bodies, to keep ball clean so that the halfbacks can dictate the game. (Eg AB's or Eng vs AB 2012 style)
  
• Look to use a league style move to unlock the defence. Saili can either take it short and through gaps or it can be screened to Rougerie with the 14, and 15 to attack the numbers outside. 
  

Defence

• We will use a Blitz drift line in defence to cut down Taylor's options and push him inside towards our back-row.
  
• Machenaud to sweep behind the defencive line, and to counter any loose kicks or turnover ball - either by quickly shipping it wide to the back three, or kicking in behind their back three.
  
• The whole pack is mobile and capable of getting over the ball at the breakdown. Look to powerfully clear opponents out of the ruck, and use the strong tackling to keep chopping down the Bath runners.
  
• If we kick in behind their back-line or back three, we look to at least make them have to turn into an advancing black line which will not allow the receiver time to make decision or escape with clean ball. Every kick to be chased, the kick is as only as good as the chase.
  

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Gloucester Rugby vs Leicester Tigers
Location - Kingsholm Stadium
Sunny, 6 degrees, 13 mph North North Westerly winds

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Gloucester Rugby

01. Nick Wood	09. TJ Perenara
02. Adriaan Strauss	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Matt Scott
06. Tom Croft	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Akapusi Qera	14. Hosea Gear
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Israel Dagg

16. Guthro Steenkamp 17. Joe Grey 18. Tom Palmer 19. Rupert harden 20. Jamie Heaslip 21. Dan Robson  22. Berrick Barnes 23. Matt Banahan 

Glos tactics.

Set piece

Target there scrum to put pressure on them. Strauss and figallo to really target the chilliboy/ Sheridan unit. Strauss and figallo are two of the form front rowers in international rugby and will look to disrupt their ball.

On our ball we will look to anchor and get the ball in and away as we want to play an extremely high tempo attacking game.

Line out

With croft Robson etzbeth and Dickinson we have four top jumpers and will look to pressure on there throw.
We will put chilliboys average darts under immense pressure.

On our ball we will vary it. We will be looking to drive in our half and go off the top mainly In their half.

Generally we will be looking to get our dynamic pack on the front foot and over the gainline to produce quick ball to give to carter. We have a pack full of carriers and pace so will look to target the breakdown by getting there first and hitting it hard. We have a lot of footballing forwards in our pack so will be looking to offload. The weather is perfect so we will look to play at pace.

Backs

We will look for our 9 and 10 to run the show.

Carter will kick a lot initially as we want to win the territory battle. Speight is suspect going backwards so will be tested out.

We see the length of Carter's kicking being able to give us territory so we can play in the right places.

When in their half we will look to hit them at pace. TJ Perenara can really up the pace and will look to hit carter so he can play. We have a backline that has pace subtlety and gas and feel that we have the ability to unlock their defence for lots of tries.

Carter will look to create mismatches and we will look to isolate players like speight. This will be a quick high scoring game In these conditions and think our backs have the right blend.

We will also when it's on try the up and under and the cross kick.

Defensively we will look to blitz to put pressure on wilkinson who struggles playing a high tempo game. This could lead to some intercepts. Pernara to act as sweeper

Carter to kick all kicks and bench to be used as necessary

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Chiliboy Ralepelle	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Nathan Hines	11. Henry Speight
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Steve Mafi	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Jacques Burger	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Tom Youngs 17. Harry Rudkin 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Pascal Pape 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Dwayne Peel 22. Pat Lambie 23. Ugo Monye

Tactics:

We will play to our strengths and play a game built around our intelligent HB's controlling the game and the power and strength of our side.

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cole and Sheridan to look to really get into the opposition. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Joubert or Hines at the front and Mafi or Myall off the top as our four key options. 
Shortened lineouts with Burger in midfield as crash or decoy option. 

- Put serious pressure on Strauss' throws with Joubert at the front on all Gloucester's throws.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Gloucester defence. The likes of Mafi, Burger, Hines, Ralepelle and Myall to be used to target the Gloucester 10/12 channel.

- In attacking play, we will look to get runners attacking the gain line looking for gaps. We do want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack and looking for where the gaps are.

- Target the Gloucester back three if looking vulnerable with form issues there. Look to the in-form Mike Brown to win the 15 battle and give us counter-attacking options as much as possible.

- 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. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Target the last 30 mins. Unload our bench to see the game out for the win.

- Wilkinson to kick all penalties.

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London Irish vs London Wasps
Location - Madjeski Stadium
Sunny, 6 degrees, 14 mph North North Westerly winds

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London Irish


Manager - Prop
 

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Rory Kockott
02. Hika Elliott	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Nick Kennedy	11. Bjorn Basson
05. Matt Garvey	12. Luke McAlister
06. Scott Higginbotham (c)	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Henry Trinder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

16. T.Lindsay 17. T.Smallbone 18. M.Stevens 19. S.Hooper 20. T.Dusatoir 21. J.Moates 22. S.Geraghty 23. -

Key Points

Form
We have taken at least a point from every game we have played so far in the league this season and will look to continue that with a convincing win as the players look to put it all on the line ready for a well deserved rest in the cup competition.

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.

Lineouts
Our lineouts have been picked on and targetting quite often however, we have selected a team with powerful lifters and consistent jumpers so Lindsay will be used to their jumping. Any messy lineouts will go to the prop standing at the front and driven on. We will look to maul alot of ball if it is not on.



Attacking

• We want to force errors from and will target the 12 channel by sending big runners down his channel.
  
  
  
  
  

• Kockott and Evans to play what's in front of them and look to McAlister who will look to play in Smith or snipe as much as possible. If it isn't on then Evans will stick it in the corners and, with Kennedy, Garvey, Higginbotham we have the number jumpers to gain the ball back, we know they 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 Basson and Cummins.
  
  
  
  
  

• 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.
  
  
  
  
  

• Power to close out the win in Lindsay, Stevens and Dusatoir will have a field day against tired legs, excitement to continue to target the tired players through Moates' sniping, heavy impact at the scrum to come on and Trinder and Geraghty can continue to control the game and bring further excitement and pace..
  
  
  
  
  

Set Piece

• Strong scrum which will get the edge up on the Jones 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 slowing down the ball led by McAlister so he has no time to kick or give quick ball to the centres (we will have a backrower on Evans's shoulder to look for quick turnover ball, we will protect the channels to stop 9 sniping.
  
  
  
  
  

• Kockott 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.
  

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London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213
 

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Aaron Smith
02. Deon Fourie	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Pat McCabe
06. Marcel Coetzee	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Anthony Watson

16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Paul James 18. Martin Castrogiovanni 19. George Skivington 20. Tom Johnson 21. Paul Hodgson 22. Gareth Anscombe 23. Jack Nowell
 
Key Points

• Scrum.  We will target this relentlessly.  For all his bulk, Adam Jones has not gone brilliantly since coming back from the Lions.  We will look to drive the advantage home bringing our bench on around the 50 minute mark.
  
  
• Form.  We have lost once this season in all competitions, so come into this with momentum and confidence.
  
  

 
 
Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a fast paced offloading game, utilising big carriers with pacy backs on their sholders to take the offloads and hit the gaps.  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 mobility, and move the Irish 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.  Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.
 
Specifics

• Lineout.  On our ball early on we will go safe throwing to the front or middle.  Once Bismarck is on we will open it up, and look to go to the back and play off the top.
  
• Scrum.  Target the loosehead.  Wilson and then Castro off the bench will look to target the link between Crockett and Elliott.  Crockett is a tall prop and we will look to get underneath and really destabilise from there.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, if we cannot get the offload away then the support runners will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play.  As stated we will play a fast paced running game.  Farrell will play flat and use McCabe and forwards to truck it up on first phase ball.  The Irish team will have decent midfield defence, but we feel they may be vulnerable in wider areas and will look to shift the play there quickly.
  

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Saracens vs Sale Sharks
Location - Allianz Park
Sunny, 6 degrees, 15 mph North North Westerly winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Matt Mullen	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Keven Mealamu	10. Morne Steyn
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Julian Pierre	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Louis Deacon(c)	12. Jean de Villiers
06. Carl Fearns	13. Jonathan Davies
07. George Smith	14. Chris Ashton
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Lee Byrne

 
16. Chris Whitehead  17. Max Lahiff  18. Clement Ric  19. Tim Swinson  20. Tom Guest  21. Chris Cook  22. Gareth Steenson  23. George Lowe
 
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. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work.
 
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. Our TH and Hooker will look to target Kakovin and try to get between him and Kayser to allow JdP to work on Kakovin.
 
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 Sale as they have no recognised line out leader (Bath have one of worst line outs in AP)
 
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 Smith 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 JD on his shoulder. JDV to run at 9/10 channel and target possible weakness. JDV to be used as decoy running at Steyn looking to take him out of the defensive line to free up space for JD to get at Fickou on the outside. Look to alternate Fearns/JVN depending on the scrum, look to use Fearns off the base running at Sexton.
 
Points -
 
Front row form and the new laws - The Sale props have struggled with the new laws and neither are first choice for their respective clubs, we've got a strong unit (JdP thriving under new laws) backed up by a serious scrummaging lock combo, we could get a big advantage here.
 
Rolling maul and physicality - Look to use our physicality and drive through the opp defence, if weakness seen look to exploit.
 
Steyn - In great kicking form and will look to keep us ahead on the score board
 
JD kicking - look for him to use the grubber to get behind Steyn who lacks a bit of turning pace these days
 
Centre form - Possibly the form centres in world rugby. Look to get them involved in the game as much as possible and be the spark in the backline. JDV as decoy and strong focal point with JD running off his shoulder. Ashton to track as something is always going to happen with JD ball in hand
 
Look to get JD one on one with Steyn and look to beat him outside
 
Form - We're putting some serious form together, beating Falcons at home and Exeter away in recent weeks. Sale will find it tough to break us down at home and we have the perfect FH to keep us ahead on the scoreboard
 
Opposition back 3 - Look to test out Abendanon early on with some up and unders and strong kick chase from Ashton/Malzieu. Look to get at Eastmond postionally with him not playing wing much these days.
 
Game plan - Intensity and points on the board, keep it simple and effective and grind Sale down and use the spark of our backline in the opposition half

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Vasil Kakovin	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Kyle Eastmond
05. Iain Henderson	12. Francois Steyn
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Gael Fickou
07. Fulgence Quedragao	14. Simon Zebo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

16. Marcos Ayerza 17. David Paice 18. Phil Swainston 19. Christian Day 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Ben Spencer 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Will Addison

We will play a fast paced, high intensity offloading game looking to create space for our halfbacks and to get our back three onto the ball as much possible in wider channels.

- Quick ball for Pickles off the scrum. Look to set the scrum quickly and strike the ball to the back. Not looking to get into a scrum fight which will end up with penalties going to either side. This is to allow Picamoles to attack off the base of the scrum. 

- Attack from the lineout. Five genuine jumping options allows us to mix it up and really use the lineout as an attacking platform. Look to get the ball to Sexton and Eastmond with space outside. 

- Attack Sarries lineout. Sarries have gone front ball all season as they lack the the jumpers to play off the top. Quedragao will look to jump at the front and really disrupt Sarries ball as it has become predictable and easy to read. 

- Look to mix up play. Sexton & Eastmond to interchange at first receiver and change the point of attack. Care provides a threat snipping around the base.

- Get the back three involved. Zebo, Eastmond and Bendy all to run lines looking for the inside ball or offload to get in behind the opposition defence. 

- Hit the breakdown hard. Look to our dynamic front five to clear the ruck and allow the likes of Nyanga & Quedragao to really attack the breakdown.

- Target turnovers late on. Smith struggled through the Super season in the last quarter. We will look to introduce Kvesic and keep up the work rate at the breakdown. 

- Straight line blitz defence focusing on a quick line speed to isolate the ball carrier before the gain line. Care to sweep in behind to cover chips and grubbers. 

- Disrupt Sarries attacking play. We have the physicality to match Sarries in the contact area and will look to really get in their faces with the blitz defence. There is no one in the Sarries backline capable of changing the game and they will not be able to build momentum on the crash with Vermaaks slow service.  

- Counter the Sarries kicking game with our wingers sitting deep on defence to prevent kicks in behind. They will look to run the ball back with interest which forces the opposition into playing the ball and making mistakes.

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Worcester Warriors vs Northampton Saints
Location - Sixways Stadium
Sunny, 6 degrees, 12 mph North North Westerly winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - stnick88

01. Nathan Catt	09. Dimitri Yachvili
02. Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Danie Russouw	11. David Strettle
05. Johann Muller	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Ashley Johnson	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Ross Rennie	14. Sean Maitland
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Delon Armitage

16. Brett Sturgess 17. Dave Ward 18. BJ Botha 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Phil Dowson 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Olly Barkley 23. Mark Cueto

Tactics

- Play a territorial game. Look for our half backs to get us in to the right areas of the pitch. Use big ball carriers like AJ, Russouw, Waldrom, Mujati and Big Bast to drive forward and use a power game to attack. Once defenders are committed we will use the ball and get FTD pulling the strings and bring Armitage, Tagi, Mermoz etc in to play. 
- Yachvili to kick all pens for goal to keep scoreboard kicking over.
- Muller to call the lineout and be our main go to man. 
- Look to use the rolling maul to good effect and win pens or at least gain territorial advantage.
- pressurise ford. He has shown his kicking can go to bits so we will look to knock his confidence early on. 

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Northampton Saints


1. Mako Vunipola
2, Dylan Hartley (c)
3, Ben Teimafano
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Samo Manoa
7. Sam Cane
8. Sergio Parisse
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford
11. Siti Siviatu
12. Matt Giteau
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Christian Wade
15. Ben Foden

Subs 16. - 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Carl Hayman 19. Steve Luatua 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Elliot Daly

Tactics:Saints will play a high intensity/tempo'd game from the outset and take the game to Worcester. 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 gainline battle and the collisions with our big ball carriers and generate quick ball for our backline that will make the most of the perfect conditions to attack and score tries. Really strong pack selected to provide Simpson and Ford an attacking platform.

Win the forward battle: Great conditions for our forwards, Picked a mobile pack, with a lot of ball carriers and physicality to take the game to the home side and get a good platform for our halfback, while putting the French duo for Warriors under pressure throughout. 

Setpiece: Will continue with the England lineout options, supported by Parisse and Manoa. We will aim to generate plenty of quick ball to attack Worcester. Use Lawes and Launch to target Worcester's throw and give them scrappy ball. Target Catt in the Worcester scrum, but will look to really turn the screw in the scrum in second half when we empty our bench and put more pressure on Warriors. 

Breakdown/Backrow: Mobile and strong pack to really attack Worcester at the breakdown, Cane selected to really target turnovers and to slow down opposition ball, will look to clear him out in numbers and attack the fringes at the breakdown. Will also aim to knock Worcester back in the tackle with likes of Lawes and Manoa tostop their forward momentum and give us the advantage of hitting the rucks going forward. 

Possession/Territory: Perfect conditions for Saints, will want to get the ball in the hands of our pack who are all big ball carriers and get us over the gainline and suck tacklers in to create space outwide. Have Ford/Giteau to put us in key areas of the pitch and will be used to bring our backline into play. 

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 - Vunipola, Hartley, Teimafano, Lawes, Launchbury, Parisse and Manoa can all get us over the gainline. We will really target the gainline, suck in Worcester defenders and then go out wide to our backline. 

Defence: Aggressive blitz defence, putting pressure onto the Worcester halfbacks. Very good defensive pack with Lawes and Launchbury's workrates being massive for us. Will look for big hits and to force mistakes. Simpson to sweep behind and backthree to counter any loose kicks. 

Key selection points: Stong pack that is vital for away games
Win the collisions and gainline battle - whole pack big ball carriers. 
Perfect conditions for us to attack. 
In good form - boosted by return of Hartley, Lawes, Launchbury and Parisse to the pack.
Strong bench to bring on in the second half. 

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Newcastle Falcons vs Harlequins
Location - Kingston Park
Sunny Intervals, 6 degrees, 14 mph North Westerly

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Newcastle Falcons

01. Alex Waller	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rory Best	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Owen Franks
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Tim Visser
05. Ali Williams	12. Brad Barritt
06. Liam Messam	13. Rene Ranger
07. Richie McCaw	14. Charles Piutua
08. Kieran Read	15. Alex Goode

16. Darren Dawidiuk 17. Soane Tonga'uiha 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Ed Slater 20. Juan Smith 21. Sam Harrison 22. Henry Slade 23. Charlie Sharples

Tactics

Falcons will look to play a high tempo game based around smashing it up in the tight and moving the ball into our danger runners outwide. We've got too ensure first and formost that we defend well and have worked hard on a system too shut down Quins big threats who are Pierre Spies and Jamie Roberts.
We will look to break the gainline and use support runners off the shoulder and offloads to break through Quins and score tries. We'll look to be aggressive at the contact and force errors from the opposition. Youngs and Cruden will look to play what's in front of them and attack the space not the face (Cheers for that one Ozzy  )
Youngs to sweep behind the line and cover any kicks through.

Key Points

• DEFENCE SYSTEM - We'll look to use McCaw as the man to cut Spies down with Read coming in and getting over the ball to deny Quins quick first phase ball. Barritt will look to cut Roberts run down by hitting him low and hard and putting him on the deck and going over the ball.
  
  
• Breakdown - We need to be aggresive at the breakdown , rucking past the man and working hard for the turnover. Burns isn't in a good place with his rugby at the minute and we need to make a mess of the breakdown so we can pressure Burns.
  
  
• Player fatigue - McCaw and Read have been conditioned as proffesional athletes to play games off the bounce and will have a few days off after this game to recover so they'll have 80 minutes in the tank
  
  
• Dangerous wingers - Huget and Haili arn't the greatest in defence and Timbo and Ranger are both top finishing wingers and give a 1 on 1 will back them selves to score.
  

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Lee Dickson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Yoann Huget
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Florian Fritz
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Pierre Spies	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Joe Marler 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Nick Easter 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Dan Bowden 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics
Quins tactics

- Retain possession in the Newcastle half using big carriers particularly targeting Aaron Cruden's channel. If defenders are used to reinforce this channel then we will exploit the gaps this will create elsewhere. 

- Commit as many to the ruck as is required to get quick ball so that Dickson and Burns can control our game and put players into space against a disorganised defence. We will look to have runners of 9 and 10 and Burns will stand flat to keep the Newcastle defence honest. 

- Target the set piece. Really look to get at the Newcastle scrum and look to put really pressure on at the line out. 

- In our own half look to kick to the open spaces we feel will be left on the field with two wingers we feel we can kick behind and gain territory. Use the boots of Burns and Kearney to exploit the gaps. 

- Look to control the breakdown. Wood and Braid will look to get on top in this area and against Read and McCaw who will be fatigued following a mammoth test match on Sunday.

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Bath 15 Exeter Chiefs 17

Like the set out of both teams so i was forced into nit picking for this result so the result went down to Form , players suiting the game plan and set piece.

Firstly the Bath front 5 offer a solid scrum but is held back by having Chris Brooker at 2 who is second choice at Wuss in real world. Don't think Fau will get on top of Collier that much and Webber/Mulipola will get away with some penalties at the scrum. A lock of a lineout leader see's the Bath lineout struggle against a top operator which Geoff Parling is.(CJB mentions Bekker as a jumper but he's not in team?) The back row swings towards Chiefs with Robshaw best on show. Lobbe has zero form. Flood/Hernandez should be able to pin Bath back as Fluxy suggests in his tactics and being able to exploit the set piece sees Chiefs steal a vital win.

Goucester 20 Leicester 20
London Irish 17 London Wasps 18
Saracens 11 Sale Sharks 10
Worcester 15 Northampton 16

Will do predos tomorrow guys, have got to a presentation for some funding.

Bath 18-20 Exeter
SP: Feel Bath bring a bit more here to the scrum but Chiefs could take the lineout battle.
BK: Quite close but giving this to Chiefs.
HB: Think Bath bring a bit more control but Chiefs could make something out of nothing here.
OB: Bit more for the Chiefs.
BE: Bath being a hooker down doesn't help but both teams do bring great impact.
TA: Bath using their forwards power well here before releasing the backs. Chiefs will keep the scoreboard ticking and will target the lineout a bit, feel Chiefs back row could slow down Bath ball enough.

Glos 22-21 Tigers
SP: Great battle here with Tigers maybe getting a slight advantage.
BK: Good set up from both with Burger the standout on show.
HB: Again fantastic pairings which I can't really see much of a gap in.
OB: Think Glos have a tiny bit more here in the backline.
BE: This is where Glos are a bit stronger in the front row.
TA: Gloucester using good tactics looking to pin back Tigers. Tigers will win the collisions up front but not sure whether they have enough in the back link to win at Kingsholm.

Sarries 19-20 Sale
SP: Like the look of both but Sale have more lineout options.
BK: Again great balance from Sale, big fan of this back row. Sarries bring the old school experience of Smith which could slow down some ball.
HB: 2 great pairings at half-back, can't split them.
OB: Such a tough one to split here and again can't see any gaps in a tight game.
BE: Benches are ok but won't swing the game either way.
TA: Sarries have got good gameplan and Steyn's kicking will suit them but don't think they'll get it all their own way at the lineout. Sale targeting the lineout well but on current form not sure how much difference Kvesic will make towards the end of the game, feel Sale just have enough up front to edge this one.

Warriors 15-20 Saints
SP: Saints stronger here.
BK: Good from Warriors but Saints bring more experience.
HB: This is where Warriors' experience will help.
OB: Warriors look dangerous but Saints look too strong here.
BE: Steady from Warriors and strong from Saints but Saints lose marks by not having a full front row complement on.
TA: Scoreboard ticking will help and Warriors will get a small joy from their maul. Saints will win the collision and think that their tempo will be too much for Warriors.

Falcons 23-22 Quins
SP: Both have a good balance of experience and youth and will nullify each other.
BK: McCaw and Read may be blowing after that game against Ireland, Quins may have a bit more gas in the tank but both McCaw and Read can make something from nothing.
HB: Youngs-Cruden looks stronger.
OB: Injuries to both 12's makes it hard to rate them. Both sets of backs good enough to cancel each other out.
BE: Good impact from both.
TA: Falcons using the half-backs well to pull the strings. Quins boot will clear the danger and their runners will get some gainline but not enough I feel.

Bath 24 - 23 Chiefs

Decent front row battle that Bath slightly edge, and the second row contest is really close with neither side doinating there. Similar story in the back rows - two good units that look strong, not sure on the balance of the Bath unit though. Not a great deal in the pack battle. I think Bath have a bit more about them at HB, but Chiefs look stronger in the centres. Bath take the back threes, but always do. This is a really close game, with not a lot in it either way. Think home advantage is the difference.


Irish 25 - 27 Wasps

Think Wasps look a little stronger on form up front so edge there, and I think that they can edge the second row contest with a bit more power from their duo. Really good back row contest - as a unit think Wasps are better balanced and in better form. Wasps edge the HB contest with both players in good nick - the centre battles is fairly tight with Wasps edging the back threes. Wasps for me, overall, are looking the better ide, and think they nick a great away win here.


Sarries 24 - 22 Sale

Two decent scrummaging units, neither side enough to dominate. Similar story in the second rows with two decent combos, but neither has enough, quality wise, to get on top. Reall like both back rows - think Sale would probably justa bout nick that with a great unit with a bit of everything. Sarries on better form at HB for me, but Sale's unit always strong - Sarries dominate in the centres whilst back threes fairly even. This is a really good game - I think Sarries have bought really well, and for me their 10, 12, 13 will win games, escpecially at home like today.

Bath Rugby 17 Exeter Chiefs 18
Gloucester 20 Leicester Tigers 19
Saracens 20 Sale Sharks 20
Worcester Warriors 16 Northampton Saints 17

Not predicting the Falcons vs. Quins game as I picked the Falcons side.

Bath 21-20 Exeter
Nothing much between the sides here. Close set piece battle and neither side will slow the breakdown down. Little more for Bath at halfback but rest of the backlines even. Home advantage the deciding factor.

Gloucester 24-23 Tigers
Similar to the last game very even throughout and at Kingsholm can't bet against Glaws seeing out a tight game.

Irish 19-21 Wasps
Can see Wasps getting a bit of a shove on at the scrum on current form and they edge the breakdown battle slightly. Halfbacks are tight but more in the backs for Irish. More of an impact of the Wasps bench. Wasps have the pack to take a result away from home.

Worc 23-26 Saints
Nothing between the set pieces but Saints front 5 can really put a shift on around the park. Bit more to the backrow for Saints but Worc with the better backs on show. Best bench in the league (although a hook short!!!) for Saints and they have impact everywhere.

Falcons 27-24 Quins
Quins edging the scrum battle but Falcons back row is a real plus here. Falcons halfbacks a step up. Quins edge midfield but evens in the back three. Backrow and halfbacks seal this for the home side.

Bath 26 - 24 Exeter

This is a huge game for Bath who really need to win. I think they should control the scrum with two powerful props whereas I see Exeter perhaps controlling the lineout. JMF the outstanding backrow player on the park but perhaps a bit more for the Exeter unit. Half backs to Bath in both positions who I think will control the game well and put their side into the right parts of the pitch, particularly finding space behind Varndell. I give Bath the slightest edge in the centres but not a great deal and prefer the Bath back three. Essentially this game was huge for Bath and I feel they have enough to win this.

Gloucester 23 - 22 Leicester

Two big strong packs an I feel the scrum with be quite even but the lineout should go the way of Gloucester if anyone. Backrows are very tough to call but I just about give the advantage to Gloucester with Dickinson's excellent form and Croft's international class edging a very close contest. Half backs are even with one a piece. A slight edge to Tigers in the centres but the back three goes to Gloucester despite Brown's excellent form. Its a tough call but I see a bit more for Gloucester across the park and at home they take a good win.

London Irish 25 - 24 London Wasps

Don't see a great deal in it upfront with Scrum even and lineout perhaps edging the way of Irish. As unit I think both front 5's cover all bases and two physical back rows will be well matched across the park. At half back it is a fascinating battle with experience taking on youth and I feel that the Irish pair will control and manage the game a little better than the Wasps combo. I like the Irish centre combination and consider it a fair way stronger than the Wasps duo whilst I prefer the Wasps wings with Dulin the stand out full back. Another tough game to call but I think Irish just snatch it despite being a man down on the bench.

Saracens 22 - 22 Sale

Not much in the line out for Saracens and although this isn't Sale's strong suit they should be able to get some joy here. Not much in the scrums with the breakdown also being a good contest. I think I prefer the Sale pack across the park and they will get the edge upfront. The backs are much more of a contest with Saracens showing real strength here. Half backs are one a piece for me with Care and Steyn but the centres go to Saracens with the back three's even. Quite hard to call this so I have to say draw.

Worcester 27 - 26 Northampton

Packs look even on paper with the advantage to Worcester at the set piece and Saints in the loose and at the breakdown. At half back I prefer the Worcester combination to control and manage the game but the moments of magic will come from Simpson. Both sets of outside backs are very strong but I feel Saints have that bit more. Very tough to call this one, I think it just goes to Worcester at home.

Bath 23 - 22 Exeter
Just a bit more in the Bath pack in terms of getting them over the gainline, I like Hodgson at no10 for them as think his creativity will get the best out of the Bath backline. Exeter will certainly push this one close though as overall the two teams are very evenly matched and they will get some joy from Brooker too.

Gloucester 21 - 19 Leicester
Very tough place to go. Sunny conditions, both teams have big packs and will smash each other around, but can see the defences for each being excellent. Some great form players from both, Burger especially. Always like Gloucester's lineout options and getting good control here will give Carter the ball he needs to see the home side shade it.

London Irish 23 - 23 London Wasps
Not a lot in this one at all, Trinder shifting to the wing shouldn't make too much difference due to his speed, The packs are very even and Irish have some great form there. The subs will make a difference, but again due to the conditions I am not putting much into the scrum in predos. Can see the Wasps subs swaying the game back in the final 20minutes, but not enough to win it.

Newcastle 26-27 Quins
Purely on the fact that McCaw and Read have played in the AIs and not been rested I see Quins sneaking it. Would have had them on the bench, as last few weekends have been brutal for them.

Saracens 27 - 28 Sale
Really hard to call, really liking the Sarries backline the 10-12-13 is up there as one of the best in the league now. Give Sale the away win here though because I think they have more gainline breakers and carriers in the pack, especially the backrow where I think they can win the collisions. Narrow away win.

Bath 25–23 Exeter

FR - Edge up front for Bath but will even up with the Exeter bench
SR - Two strong partnerships, not much in it and can see each side holding their own throw esp with Lobbe in the Bath side
BR - Again nothing really in this contest, very even across the back 5
HB - FdP edges the half backs to Bath but a good contest, Flood playing well
CE - 2 solid defensive units, bit more of a spark for Exeter though
B3 - Bath with an exciting unit that will give their opposite numbers trouble, just sneak it here.
Overall - Really tight affair, not much in the sides at all so have to edge to the home side


Gloucester 22–21 Leicester

FR - Nothing between the units, good contest
SR - One a piece in the locks, again very tight and both back rows good in the set piece
BR - Not much to call again, Gloucester probably a beter unit but Croft just lacking a bit of form evens it up
HB - Not much in the 9’s but Gloucester a class up at 10
CE - I like both units but stronger for Tigers, 36 luckily picked up a bit of form against NZ
B3 - Browns great form levels him up with a class above Dagg but Gloucester shade the wings
Overall - Another really tight game. Tigers going well gives them kudos but Gloucester strong at home and enough in the side to sneak a close one


Irish 17–18 Wasps

FR - I like the Wasps props and can see them getting on top a bit. Luckily for Pete Corbs is available more than in real life.
SR - Wasps shade the 2nd rows but can see Irish having a bit more joy in the line out with Fouries throwing
BR - Better backrow unit for Irish, esp the flanks. Vermeulen thebetter 8 but he’s played a lot of rugby of late and this narrows it up
HB - A little shade to Irish in the half backs, not much in it though
CE - Real step up for Irish. Wasps just lack some spark 10-13
B3 - Strong back 3 for Wasps, not sure how much ball they’ll see though
Overall - Irish hit hard with call ups at last minute and it works against them. Wasps have a great bench and they’ll grind though this one. Problem is I just think they’ll play a bit like England with no real edge. If Pete got a flair 12 in I think they’d really open up and unleash that back 3


Worcester 22–20 Northampton

FR - Tight contest, not much in it.
SR - Not much in the 2nd rows, still a bit unsure of Lawes and the line out calling
BR - Worcester stronger at 7 but Saints have the edge at 6/8
HB - Class above for Worcester. I’m not sold on Ford and I think him and Simpson could struggle a bit as a pairing defensively
CE - Two good centre units, nothing in it
B3 - Again nothing in it
Overall - Saints prob edge the pack but no replacement for Hartley stops them doing it for 80. I’m unsure that the Saints halfbacks can see out the game and Worcester strong in the backs and Yach can work them round the pitch. Home advantage and Saints halfbacks see Worcester edge.


Newcastle 25–22 Harlequins

FR - Tight contest, nothing in it.
SR - Again not much in it, both teams set out well
BR - Step up for Falcons in each position, 6  a good contest
HB - Class above for Falcons, best half back combo in the game currently, really gives them some spark
CE - 2 strong units, would be a good physical contest
B3 - Again some quality on show and hard to split
Overall - Both teams have players that will be jaded after a busy AI so I’ve just predicted as normal. Falcons backrow and halfbacks are pure quality and will be win them this one.

Bath Rugby 19 Exeter Chiefs 18

Saracens 20 Sale Sharks 21- Saracens need more dynamism in pack. Great centre pairing
Worcester Warriors 16 Northampton Saints 17
Falcons 24-24 Quins. Mccaw and read should not have been played for me

Glos 23-22 Tigers
Irish 26-27 Wasps
Sarries 20-18 Sale
Warriors 24-23 Saints
Falcons 25-24Quins

Edited my score for bath game as I had it wrong way round sorry

RESULTS:

Bath Rugby 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)
Exeter Chiefs 25 (T:3 C:2 P:2)

Gloucester Rugby 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)
Leicester Tigers 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

London Irish 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)
London Wasps 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)

Saracens 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)
Sale Sharks 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Worcester Warriors 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)
Northampton Saints 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

Newcastle Falcons 27 (T:3 C:3 P:2)
Harlequins 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Points deduction for ineligible players = Bath, Irish & Saints

BONUSES:
Full: Steve, Prop, Chris, SJE, Pooly & Nick
Scores/Incomplete: Matt, Luke, Pete & Driver
Fined: Fluxy

Big win for the Falcons massive.

The timesheet deadlines having an effect this week with Flux picking up the draw!
Happy to take a draw away from Sarries not many will with Steyn JDV & Davies ruling the roost

Steyn Davies and JDV is a cracking trio

Sarries are becoming a hard team to beat now.

Sorry for not predicting. I am struggling a little with the 3pm deadline. 

I will try much harder to at least to get scores in though!

Sorry to rob you of the win CJB!

Well happily with that win, genuinely thought my game could go wither way this week.

Think I came unstuck with cummins being in oz squad.
Good win fella, another losing bonus point for me!