Super League - Week 1

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Racing Metro 92 vs Crusaders
Location - Stade Olympique Yves-Du-Manoir
Light Clouds, 7 degrees, 10 mph North Westerly winds

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Racing Metro

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Juandre Kruger	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Henry Chavancy
07. Francois Louw	14. Ben Smith
08. Jacques Cronje	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Luc Ducalcon 17. Dimitri Szarzeswski 18. Soane Tonghu'ia 19. Jone Qovu 20. Wenclas Lauret 21. Sebastian Descons 22. Jonthan Wisnewski 23. Adrien Plante

TACTICS
We like to focus around a solid set piece, using home advantage and forcing the opposition into making mistakes. In Strauss, Louw and Kruger we have a proven lineout combination. Crusaders have a new hooker, who won't know the calls, so will pressurise him by jumping with whitelock and forcing him to throw elsewhere. Kruger will call the lineout and look to challenge opposition ball in the air from middle jumper. In Strauss and Jones we have 2 big scrummagers that we will look to exert pressure at scrum time. We like to play in the right areas and don't take risks in our third. Use Sexton and JMH boot to kick in behind and for territory. Use up and under off slow ball in when in centre channel. Keep the scoreboard ticking over with Sexton.
- 8-9-10-12-13 is the crucial axis of the team. Our boys play there together week in week out. Out opposition are a disjointed unit, with carter injured and out of form for a long time. Look to exploit this uncertainty defensively
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. Target Carter, who is injured as out of form; force him to play deep and limit his options. Lydiate to be first man in defence in the 1 out channel
- Roberts to lead the fan defence, looking to isolate individuals and allow back row to compete for turnovers. Machenaud to sweep up.
- Utilise the Lions 10/12 combo and get Sexton on the wrap around, using Roberts to draw defenders and encourage Smith to come into the space
- Use Tiny, Strauss, Retallick, Cronje as our big ball carriers around the fringes to keep the defence narrrow. Machenaud to snipe to keep them honest.

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Crusaders

01. Vincent Debaty	09. Jonathan Pelissie
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Zac Guildford
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Jonathan Davies
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Ryan Crotty
07. Richie McCaw (c)	14. Israel Folau
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Dagg

16. Ben Funnell 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Dominic Bird 20. Matt Todd 21. Andrew Ellis 22. Tom Taylor 23. Tom Marshall

Strong carrying up front through the likes of Gorgodze, Hartley and Franks in the tight, with Read and Whitelock free to do damage further out. McCaw to do his usual job of turning ball over, well supported by Read's work rate and Gorgodze's power clearing out. We want the ball to go straight at the heart of Racing's defence. We feel we have an advantage in the front 5, with our established combination in the second row starting against a first time pairing. Franks and Hartley are a very good scrummaging duo, and we want to target Tongahuia who hasn't shown himself to be as strong under the new rules. In the backs, we have great talent in the 3/4s, Pelissie is charged with getting quick ball to Carter who will play flat and get the likes of Davies, Crotty, Folau and Dagg breaking the line.

Line out - Hartley is a very good thrower, Whitelock to lead the line with Romano, Gorgodze and Read all available as jumpers

Target Ben Smith in defence, he is still new to the 13 position so Dagg and Crotty are charged with attacking that channel when possible.

We have Dagg and Folau, both great under the high ball so Carter is free to target the wings with high kicks for Folau to chase

Get Gorgodze running at Sexton, tying in Lydiate then go again with Read or our centres, all big, strong runners with great skill.

We feel we have a stronger bench with current All Blacks in Crockett, Bird, Todd and Taylor to come on in the last 20 to close out the game

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Stormers vs RC Toulon
Location - Newlands Stadium
Sunny Intervals, 22 degrees, 22mph South Easterly winds.

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Stormers

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Will Genia
02. Deon Fourie	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Nathan Hines	11. Julian Savea
05. Eben Etzebeth	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Schalk Burger (c)	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Gio Aplon
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Scarra Ntubeni 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Brok Harris19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Gerard Van Den Heever

Look to play a simple game based around the strong set piece game to secure possession. The pack is full of heavy carriers to get over the gain line consistently and capable of clearing out the rucks quickly and efficiently to create quick ball when possible. Look to create quick ball off pods outside the fringe defences of the ruck. Genia and Faz to run the game. Genia will look to keep the defences honest and punish any lapse in fringe defence by sniping any holes. Looking for any quick ball for Genia to orchestrate the attacking movements of the backs, and to keep the opponents guessing. faz to play flat in attack to bring in the centres who can play simple and direct rugby or get it wide to our dangerous back three.

Set-piece - strong and efficient, look to put pressure on in certain situations on opposition ball. Eg clearing kicks from scrums and line outs in their 22
Breakdown - Collectively look to clear ball and smash opposing players out of the way. Opposing slow down legally by flooding the breakdown. 
Home Advantage - Stormers don't lose at home.
Playing the %'s - Faz will keep the board ticking over and pegging the back, with Armitage the only reliable kicking option. 
Working on Players - Corbs to target Cole at the scrum, Etzebeth man mark Bonnaire come the line out. Everyone hounding Smith all day at every situation.

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Toulon

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jocelina Suta	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Julien Bonnaire	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Rudi Wulf
08. Joe Van Niekerk (c)	15. Delon Armitage

16. Kyle Cooper 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Ali Williams 20. Chris Masoe 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Matt Giteau 23. Drew Mitchell

Tactics
We have strength all over the pack with international position in the majority of positions. Hard hitting rugby is what we are looking for with strong carriers in our pack who will look to make the holes and in defence to clear out and give Armitage and Bonnaire time and space to get over the ball. Johnny is our captain as he can pull the strings at 10 and bring influential passages of play. In our backs we have excitement everywhere with Fofana and AAC both looking for the offloads from the tackles and we know how dangerous all of our back three are going to be. This is our first game and we are looking to stamp our mark all over the league. Our bench is strong again and brings impact all of the park, we will utilise this as and when and will look to run at tired legs throughout the last 20 minutes.

*Familiarity-Jenkins, Hibbard and Cole met on Lions, Suta-Botha-Armitage-JVN play together, Back 3 are all similar and play together.
*9-10 combo-we have Smith who can deliver quick ball to Johnny who will then look to play a fast attacking game especially from turnover ball.
*Bench-Our bench is full of impact and will look to dominate the end of the game.
*Defence-we have strong defensive leaders in AAC and Wilkinson and will look to slow down/turnover a lot of ball.
*Set Piece-power is key today at scrum time and in the lineouts Hibbard's darts have improved and he has quality jumpers and lifters to utilise.

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Natal Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
Location - Kings Park
Light Rain Showers, 23 degrees, 18mph South Westerly winds

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The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213
 

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Danny Care
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patric Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. George North
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Warburton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parrise (c)	15. James O'Connor

 

16. Sebastien Bruno 17. Cian Healy 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Franco van der Merwe 20. Marcell Coetzee 21. Ryan Kankowski 22. Freddie Michalak 23. Paul Jordaan
 
TACTICS

We will play a traditional South African gameplan in the forwards, being ultra physical and looking to dominate the collisions in attack and defence.  We will be looking to run the ball, using the pack and big backs off first phase ball, with support runners on the ball carriers shoulder for the offloads in or just prior to contact.  We will be looking to play at a high tempo and keep the ball alive. Lambie will play flat with the outside backs coming from positions of depth to gain momentum.  In defence we will employ the blitz and look to hit the ball carrier before he hits the gainline to stop ASM getting any momentum.  Danny Care will act as a sweeper behind the defensive line.

• Breakdown.  In attack we will put numbers in rucking past the ball to free it up quickly to go again.  In defence we will be selective.  If it is on to clear out and turn ball over we will throw number sin to do so, otherwise we will keep a strong defensive line.
  
• Spaces not faces.  Our runners will target the gaps in the defensive line rather than defenders and look to breach the gainline regularly.
  
• Target Rougerie.  For all his fine attributes he's not rapid and we will target his outside shoulder trying to get the winger to step in to assist.  When this happens we will be looking to get O'Connor into the attacking line to create the overlap out wide.
  
• Target Cruden.  In defence our back row will look to get onto Cruden quickly with Parra not being a sniping 9 who offers threat around the fringes.
  
• Home advantage.  Welcome to the Shark Tank. 60,000 Durbanites baying for blood.  Intimidating much!
  

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ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager - ChequeredJersey

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10.    Aaron Cruden
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04.  Jamie Cudmore	11. Napolioni Nalaga
05.  Andries Bekker	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Alexandre Lapandry	13.   Aurelien Rougerie (c)
07. Sam Cane	14.  Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Lee Byrne

16. Clement Ric 17. Corey Flynn 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Julien Pierre  20. Julien Bardy 21.  Ludovic Radosavljevic 22.  Matthieu Bastareaud 23. Elvis Vermeulen

Tactics:

The focus will be on creating quick ball with the breakdown and patient carrying then using it to devastating effect. If attacking ball is slow, Parra will command the pack to patiently carry in groups of 3 and maul, looking to speed up the ball at the next ruck, and kick high balls into space and deep kicks for territory if he deems this the right option, occasionally using crash balls off Cruden (Nonu or the backrow). Quick ball will inevitably leave gaps and the 8-10 axis are to identify these as soon as they pop up and attack them, whether Parra sniping, back row carrying or spinning to Cruden who will attack the line and distribute to Nonu (or the blindside winger/FB looking for the inside ball).  If the gaps are exploited, the other players to support as the Chiefs and All-Blacks do, if the gaps close, pass out of contact to exploit the new gap formed.

Breakdown- use speed and technique at the breakdown with our backrow working as a unit (as support runners they should be first to the breakdown anyway) rather than over-committing numbers so we have more options in defence and attack. If the ball is there to be turned over, hit the breakdown with numbers
Defence - use the blitz led by Rougerie to cut down their chance to build momentum. Parra is an exceptional defensive 9 covering Cruden's inside, Kayser to sweep
Targets - Mtawarira can be targeted by Zirakashvili in the scrum, and Parra and Cudmore will look to wind up Care and Lawes. Look to draw O'Connor into the line, as he can often commit himself in defence, leaving space for the offload or chip
Subs - use pack subs only if the pack tires but we have class on the bench, so no need to hold anything in reserve.
Discipline - with fiery players on both sides, we will need to be disciplined but also wind theirs up. Parra's boot will make every penalty costly

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Toulouse vs Leicester Tigers
Location - Stade Ernest-Wallon
Light Rain Showers, 5 degrees, 11mph North Westerly

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StadeToulousian
DOR: Driver
 

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Tom Youngs	10. Remi Tales
03. Cencus Johnstone
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Hosea Gear
05. Romain Millo-Chulski	12. Luke McCallister
06. Thiery Dusitour (c)	13. Florain Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Louise Pickamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

 

16.Chilliboy Ralapelle 17.Antonio Guillamon 18.Vasil Kakovan 19.Patrico Albacete 20.Joe Tekori 21.Yannick Nyanga 22.Jean Marc Doussain 23.Clermount Poitrinaud

Tactics

We've gone for what we know best and that is a power game based on plenty of carry in pack and dangerous runners outwide to punish the opposition, We've picked a massive front 5 with plenty of power from the bench and won't let the tempo drop and ensure that the tigers can't keep up with our tempo. Vermaak and Tales will be key to how we play and will look to bring runners in and put plenty of dents in the Tigers defence. Playing loose and at a high tempo this game will suit our game plan with our backs running wild into the space.

• Ruck blastingQuick ball is going to be key on the battlefield and our pack is full of ruck clearers and will ensure we can punch holes in a disorganised defence line.
  
  
• Aggressive defence Plenty of power around the fringes and aggressive blitz with 9-15 all fearsome defenders who will look to smash there man and drive him back. Vermaak to sweep behind.
  
  
• Experienced bench 4 of our bench have played in RWC finals so know all about big games. Alba has played 57 times for Argintina and is still one of the best in the Buissness.
  

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Leicester Tigers

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Piri Weepu
02. Leonardo Ghrialdini	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Louis Deacon	11. Chris Ashton
05. Geoff Parling	12. Manu Tuilagi
06. Tom Croft	13. Anthony Allen
07. Pablo Matera	14. Gonzalo Camacho
08. Juan Manuel Leguizamon (c)	15. Yoann Huget

REPLACEMENTS: 16.G.Chuter 17.B.Stankovich 18.Jerome Schuster 19.Julien Salvi 20.Graeme Kitchener 21.Ben Youngs 22.Matthew Tait

On paper, a very strong side with a very powerful bench, particuarly in the forwards. We want to use our immense forwards pack in a physical battle, and a physical game, particuarly at the breakdown. Make sure we keep the ball and dont give away silly possession, we will look to keep ball in hand, and not kick it away. Parling will carry the ball on a regular basis as will JML, Weepu will occasionally box kick for ground, however in the main he will try and get quick ball for forwards to run onto. Tuilgai will carry the ball reguarly and look to power over the gain line and get ball for Ashton and Huget to run with and cause carnage in the oppo defence.

replacements: Salvi for Matera (55 mins) (Youngs for Weepu 65 mins) (Tait for Huget 72 mins)

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Updated in post below

Looking forward to welcoming ASM to The Shark Tank!!!

ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10.    Aaron Cruden
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04.  Jamie Cudmore	11. Napolioni Nalaga
05.  Andries Bekker	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Alexandre Lapandry	13.   Aurelien Rougerie (c)
07. Sam Cane	14.  Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Lee Byrne

16. Clement Ric 17. Corey Flynn 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Julien Pierre  20. Julien Bardy 21.  Ludovic Radosavljevic 22.  Matthieu Bastareaud 23. Elvis Vermeulen

Tactics:

The focus will be on creating quick ball with the breakdown and patient carrying then using it to devastating effect. If attacking ball is slow, Parra will command the pack to patiently carry in groups of 3 and maul, looking to speed up the ball at the next ruck, and kick high balls into space and deep kicks for territory if he deems this the right option, occasionally using crash balls off Cruden (Nonu or the backrow). Quick ball will inevitably leave gaps and the 8-10 axis are to identify these as soon as they pop up and attack them, whether Parra sniping, back row carrying or spinning to Cruden who will attack the line and distribute to Nonu (or the blindside winger/FB looking for the inside ball). If the gaps are exploited, the other players to support as the Chiefs and All-Blacks do, if the gaps close, pass out of contact to exploit the new gap formed.

Breakdown- use speed and technique at the breakdown with our backrow working as a unit (as support runners they should be first to the breakdown anyway) rather than over-committing numbers so we have more options in defence and attack. If the ball is there to be turned over, hit the breakdown with numbers
Defence - use the blitz led by Rougerie to cut down their chance to build momentum. Parra is an exceptional defensive 9 covering Cruden's inside, Kayser to sweep
Targets - Mtawarira can be targeted by Zirakashvili in the scrum, and Parra and Cudmore will look to wind up Care and Lawes. Look to draw O'Connor into the line, as he can often commit himself in defence, leaving space for the offload or chip
Subs - use pack subs only if the pack tires but we have class on the bench, so no need to hold anything in reserve.
Discipline - with fiery players on both sides, we will need to be disciplined but also wind theirs up. Parra's boot will make every penalty costly

The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213
 

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Danny Care
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patric Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. George North
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Warburton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parrise (c)	15. James O'Connor

 
16. Sebastien Bruno 17. Cian Healy 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Franco van der Merwe 20. Marcell Coetzee 21. Ryan Kankowski 22. Freddie Michalak 23. Paul Jordaan
 
TACTICS

We will play a traditional South African gameplan in the forwards, being ultra physical and looking to dominate the collisions in attack and defence.  We will be looking to run the ball, using the pack and big backs off first phase ball, with support runners on the ball carriers shoulder for the offloads in or just prior to contact.  We will be looking to play at a high tempo and keep the ball alive. Lambie will play flat with the outside backs coming from positions of depth to gain momentum.  In defence we will employ the blitz and look to hit the ball carrier before he hits the gainline to stop ASM getting any momentum.  Danny Care will act as a sweeper behind the defensive line.

• Breakdown.  In attack we will put numbers in rucking past the ball to free it up quickly to go again.  In defence we will be selective.  If it is on to clear out and turn ball over we will throw number sin to do so, otherwise we will keep a strong defensive line.
  
• Spaces not faces.  Our runners will target the gaps in the defensive line rather than defenders and look to breach the gainline regularly.
  
• Target Rougerie.  For all his fine attributes he's not rapid and we will target his outside shoulder trying to get the winger to step in to assist.  When this happens we will be looking to get O'Connor into the attacking line to create the overlap out wide.
  
• Target Cruden.  In defence our back row will look to get onto Cruden quickly with Parra not being a sniping 9 who offers threat around the fringes.
  
• Home advantage.  Welcome to the Shark Tank. 60,000 Durbanites baying for blood.  Intimidating much!
  

StadeToulousian
DOR: Driver
 

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Tom Youngs	10. Remi Tales
03. Cencus Johnstone
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Hosea Gear
05. Romain Millo-Chulski	12. Luke McCallister
06. Thiery Dusitour (c)	13. Florain Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Vincent Clerc
08. Louise Pickamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

 

16.Chilliboy Ralapelle 17.Antonio Guillamon 18.Vasil Kakovan 19.Patrico Albacete 20.Joe Tekori 21.Yannick Nyanga 22.Jean Marc Doussain 23.Clermount Poitrinaud

Tactics

We've gone for what we know best and that is a power game based on plenty of carry in pack and dangerous runners outwide to punish the opposition, We've picked a massive front 5 with plenty of power from the bench and won't let the tempo drop and ensure that the tigers can't keep up with our tempo. Vermaak and Tales will be key to how we play and will look to bring runners in and put plenty of dents in the Tigers defence. Playing loose and at a high tempo this game will suit our game plan with our backs running wild into the space.

• Ruck blastingQuick ball is going to be key on the battlefield and our pack is full of ruck clearers and will ensure we can punch holes in a disorganised defence line.
  
  
• Aggressive defence Plenty of power around the fringes and aggressive blitz with 9-15 all fearsome defenders who will look to smash there man and drive him back. Vermaak to sweep behind.
  
  
• Experienced bench 4 of our bench have played in RWC finals so know all about big games. Alba has played 57 times for Argintina and is still one of the best in the Buissness.

Weather update lads

Light showers sounds good. Soften the ground a bit, but not too wet to stop some running rugby.

Quite amazed at the winds tbh, going to be a bit gusty!

Need a top quality full back in those conditions!  

Happy with Light rain too, makes tactics interesting!

Dumb question .. Team sheets in by 12am Friday morning or 12am Saturday morning

Says at the top mate

Midnight Friday is 00:00 Saturday Morning

That's why I'm asking! Midnight Friday morning or Friday night..?

I did say dumb question  

Tactics added. Le't get it on!!!

Team and tactics updated.

 

Stormers

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Will Genia
02. Deon Fourie	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Nathan Hines	11. Julian Savea
05. Eben Etzebeth	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Schalk Burger (c)	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Gio Aplon
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Scarra Ntubeni 17. Steven Kitshoff 18. Brok Harris19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Dewaldt Duvenage 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Gerard Van Den Heever

Look to play a simple game based around the strong set piece game to secure possession. The pack is full of heavy carriers to get over the gain line consistently and capable of clearing out the rucks quickly and efficiently to create quick ball when possible. Look to create quick ball off pods outside the fringe defences of the ruck. Genia and Faz to run the game. Genia will look to keep the defences honest and punish any lapse in fringe defence by sniping any holes. Looking for any quick ball for Genia to orchestrate the attacking movements of the backs, and to keep the opponents guessing. faz to play flat in attack to bring in the centres who can play simple and direct rugby or get it wide to our dangerous back three.

Set-piece - strong and efficient, look to put pressure on in certain situations on opposition ball. Eg clearing kicks from scrums and line outs in their 22
Breakdown - Collectively look to clear ball and smash opposing players out of the way. Opposing slow down legally by flooding the breakdown. 
Home Advantage - Stormers don't lose at home.
Playing the %'s - Faz will keep the board ticking over and pegging the back, with Armitage the only reliable kicking option. 
Working on Players - Corbs to target Cole at the scrum, Etzebeth man mark Bonnaire come the line out. Everyone hounding Smith all day at every situation.

[quote="Bathite"]Racing Metro

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Adam Jones
04. Juandre Kruger	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Henry Chavancy
07. Francois Louw	14. Ben Smith
08. Jacques Cronje	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Luc Ducalcon 17. Dimitri Szarzeswski 18. Soane Tonghu'ia 19. Jone Qovu 20. Wenclas Lauret 21. Sebastian Descons 22. Jonthan Wisnewski 23. Adrien Plante

TACTICS
We like to focus around a solid set piece, using home advantage and forcing the opposition into making mistakes. In Strauss, Louw and Kruger we have a proven lineout combination. Crusaders have a new hooker, who won't know the calls, so will pressurise him by jumping with whitelock and forcing him to throw elsewhere. Kruger will call the lineout and look to challenge opposition ball in the air from middle jumper. In Strauss and Jones we have 2 big scrummagers that we will look to exert pressure at scrum time. We like to play in the right areas and don't take risks in our third. Use Sexton and JMH boot to kick in behind and for territory. Use up and under off slow ball in when in centre channel. Keep the scoreboard ticking over with Sexton.
- 8-9-10-12-13 is the crucial axis of the team. Our boys play there together week in week out. Out opposition are a disjointed unit, with carter injured and out of form for a long time. Look to exploit this uncertainty defensively
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. Target Carter, who is injured as out of form; force him to play deep and limit his options. Lydiate to be first man in defence in the 1 out channel
- Roberts to lead the fan defence, looking to isolate individuals and allow back row to compete for turnovers. Machenaud to sweep up.
- Utilise the Lions 10/12 combo and get Sexton on the wrap around, using Roberts to draw defenders and encourage Smith to come into the space
- Use Tiny, Strauss, Retallick, Cronje as our big ball carriers around the fringes to keep the defence narrrow. Machenaud to snipe to keep them honest.

Toulon

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson (k)
03. Dan Cole
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jocelina Suta	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Julien Bonnaire	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Rudi Wulf
08. Joe Van Niekerk (c)	15. Delon Armitage

16. Kyle Cooper 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Carl Hayman 19. Ali Williams 20. Chris Masoe 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Matt Giteau 23. Drew Mitchell

Tactics
We have strength all over the pack with international position in the majority of positions. Hard hitting rugby is what we are looking for with strong carriers in our pack who will look to make the holes and in defence to clear out and give Armitage and Bonnaire time and space to get over the ball. Johnny is our captain as he can pull the strings at 10 and bring influential passages of play. In our backs we have excitement everywhere with Fofana and AAC both looking for the offloads from the tackles and we know how dangerous all of our back three are going to be. This is our first game and we are looking to stamp our mark all over the league. Our bench is strong again and brings impact all of the park, we will utilise this as and when and will look to run at tired legs throughout the last 20 minutes.

*Familiarity-Jenkins, Hibbard and Cole met on Lions, Suta-Botha-Armitage-JVN play together, Back 3 are all similar and play together.
*9-10 combo-we have Smith who can deliver quick ball to Johnny who will then look to play a fast attacking game especially from turnover ball.
*Bench-Our bench is full of impact and will look to dominate the end of the game.
*Defence-we have strong defensive leaders in AAC and Wilkinson and will look to slow down/turnover a lot of ball.
*Set Piece-power is key today at scrum time and in the lineouts Hibbard's darts have improved and he has quality jumpers and lifters to utilise.

I'm presuming you mean Bakkies and not BJ at 4 prop?

Ah you spotted my late change!!

No Tigers team?

He's got 23 hours hasn't he?

I don't know! This Friday 12 thing confused me...

I'm not the only one then!!

Tonight. You have until tonight. Didn't think it was such a confusing statement lol

Midnight Friday is pretty self explanatory! Morons!

Guys, do my tactics read as 5 lines or 8 lines to you as it seems to differ on which computer I go on!

6 lines!!!

ok that's weird!! On my pc at home Ozzy's is only 5 lines whereas at work it's 8!!

I think it depends on what browser you on. At the moment I am on IE and mine is 5 lines, but I think on Chrome it might come up as 6 or 7 for some reason. I suspect as long as it is one paragraph and not war an dpeace then it is ok.

I left it open. But I wanted it to be sensible so anything too silly I will cut down.

But I love posting long tactics

LEICESTER TIGERS

01.Marcos Ayerza
02.Leonardo Ghrialdini
03.Martin Castrogivanni
04.Louis Deacon
05.Geoff Parling
6.Tom Croft
07.Pablo Matera
08.Juan Manuel Lgeguizamon (c)
09.Piri Weepu 
10.Toby Flood (K)
11.Chris Ashton
12.Manu Tuilagi
13.Anthony Allen
14.Gonzalo Camacho
15.Yoann Huget

REPLACEMENTS: 16.G.Chuter 17.B.Stankovich 18.Jerome Schuster 19.Julien Salvi 20.Graeme Kitchener 21.Ben Youngs 22.Matthew Tait

On paper, a very strong side with a very powerful bench, particuarly in the forwards. We want to use our immense forwards pack in a physical battle, and a physical game, particuarly at the breakdown. Make sure we keep the ball and dont give away silly possession, we will look to keep ball in hand, and not kick it away. Parling will carry the ball on a regular basis as will JML, Weepu will occasionally box kick for ground, however in the main he will try and get quick ball for forwards to run onto. Tuilgai will carry the ball reguarly and look to power over the gain line and get ball for Ashton and Huget to run with and cause carnage in the oppo defence. 

replacements: Salvi for Matera (55 mins) (Youngs for Weepu 65 mins) (Tait for Huget 72 mins)

Crusaders[/color]

01. Vincent Debaty	09. Jonathan Pelissie
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Zac Guildford
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Jonathan Davies
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Ryan Crotty
07. Richie McCaw (c)	14. Israel Folau
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Dagg

16. Ben Funnell 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Dominic Bird 20. Matt Todd 21. Andrew Ellis 22. Tom Taylor 23. Tom Marshall

Strong carrying up front through the likes of Gorgodze, Hartley and Franks in the tight, with Read and Whitelock free to do damage further out. McCaw to do his usual job of turning ball over, well supported by Read's work rate and Gorgodze's power clearing out. We want the ball to go straight at the heart of Racing's defence. We feel we have an advantage in the front 5, with our established combination in the second row starting against a first time pairing. Franks and Hartley are a very good scrummaging duo, and we want to target Tongahuia who hasn't shown himself to be as strong under the new rules. In the backs, we have great talent in the 3/4s, Pelissie is charged with getting quick ball to Carter who will play flat and get the likes of Davies, Crotty, Folau and Dagg breaking the line.

Line out - Hartley is a very good thrower, Whitelock to lead the line with Romano, Gorgodze and Read all available as jumpers

Target Ben Smith in defence, he is still new to the 13 position so Dagg and Crotty are charged with attacking that channel when possible.

We have Dagg and Folau, both great under the high ball so Carter is free to target the wings with high kicks for Folau to chase

Get Gorgodze running at Sexton, tying in Lydiate then go again with Read or our centres, all big, strong runners with great skill.

We feel we have a stronger bench with current All Blacks in Crockett, Bird, Todd and Taylor to come on in the last 20 to close out the game

These are open

Metro 25-30 Crusaders
SP: Slight advantage to Crusaders here I feel.
BK: Again Crusaders bringing more international experience but Lydiate won't leave any gaps.
HB: Tough one as to be honest I don't know a lot about the scrum-halves, feel both 10's are on form (before Carter was injured).
OB: 2 strong set ups but do prefer the Crusaders one.
BE: Feel Metro bring more power here.
TA: Metro using their power players well and the 10-12 combo, Crusaders could really cause problems with their forwards and have danger in the backs.
Taking home advantage into this and can see Crusaders being slightly tired so will lose a couple of points early on.

Sharks 28-25 Clermont
SP: 2 hugely strong set pieces on show today, feel Sharks could just edge the scrum.
BK: Feel Sharks are a slight step up here.
HB: Again great pairings, both 9's suit the style of their 10's play.
OB: Looking at current internationals I see Sharks having more current experience of tough game.
BE: Tough to split with neither being overly strong, Ric and Healy could provide some impact.
TA: Sharks have selected a highly physical team all over to bring Clermont into a power game. If Clermont get quick ball they will be dangerous but feel they could struggle to do this against the Sharks back row.
Home advantage is a slight one with the Shark Tank being a cauldron, no major jet lag for Clermont though.

Toulouse 25-20 Tigers
SP: Tigers good but Toulouse a step up.
BK: Same again here.
HB: Tigers better in this area.
OB: Closer here but again a little more from Toulouse to see them home.
BE: Tigers for some reason a man down on the bench not naming a 23rd man, Toulouse bring good impact.
TA: Toulouse using their bench well and their power front 5. Tigers will keep it close if they keep the ball but may struggle a little against this Toulouse backrow.
Home advantage slight but no jet lag here.

Metro 22 - 22 Crusaders

Scrum: Under the old rules, Jones would have the beating of Debaty, but he's not quite been there this season and I think the scrum is pretty evens stevens,both will secure good attacking ball without disrupting the other side

Lineout: The Crusaders have more options and 2 excellent jumpers (Whitelock supreme) but a new (though good) Hooker. Nevertheless I think they will win their own ball, but may be unable to spread it wide from this set piece. Metro have an established link between lineout caller and thrower and gain an advantage here but it is a small one.

Breakdown: Louw excellent here but the Crusaders pack and backrow offer a tad more. Louw might slow some ball when he's there but Crusaders will still be able to produce quick ball and have an advantage here.

Tight Carrying/pack: Fairly even power in the front 5s, but Crusaders have an advantage in the back row with 2 excellent carriers and tactics that use them well (Gorgodze as a first line carrier to specifically counter Lydiate is exactly what I would do).

Halfbacks and game management: Carter and Sexton excellent at managing their sides and reading the game, but Machenaud helps Sexton a tad more than his opposite number. Both can get their backline moving but both struggling a bit this season. Sexton has shown more signs of return to form this season than Carter and had a great last game.Both will be targeted by the opposite defence and carriers and will need help from their 9s to take this pressure off and as I say that gives Metro the advtantage. Both fine kicking for points and goal. Metro also using sensible tactics, but be careful kicking for territory against Dagg and Folau.

Attack: Both sides have a step down at 13 but very sexy backlines with a powerful 12. JD in better form than Roberts though Roberts more used to this role. Smith the standout attacker but Folau and Dagg together make the Crusaders lethal on the counter. Great tactics to get the backline on the front foot by Crusaders, Metro rely on keeping the defence narrow to make space for Smith, which will work but will provide fewer opportunities.

Defence: Good hardworking tacklers in the pack with some exploitable defenders in the backs on both sides. Lydiate would be an advantage but countered well. Evens
Bench: Crusaders have a stronger bench, but the bench is less important as this is the first game of the season

Other factors? Crusaders have had a long trip and will be tired/jet-lagged, but as it is the first game of the season, this should affect the match too much.

Overall: Metro play a canny game and with Sexton in better form than Carter and their lineout stronger, they will have a territorial advantage, but Crusaders offer more in attack with a better breakdown and will get more possession and score more tries. However, Metro have the home advantage and can use the territory pressure to win kickable penalties. It's a draw

il vote monday, cos busy today (flying visit)and will be hungover tomorrow.

Stormers 23 - 22 Toulon

Scrum: 2 good units but Stormers have a better unit. I'm hard pressed to decide how to grade Corbs, as he has been excellent every time he has played recently but plays so rarely it's hard to rate. Regardless, I think on recent form Corbs will edge Cole, Hibbard edge Fourie and Mas will destroy Jenkins. Similar power from the 2nd rows too.

Lineout: Etzebeth majestic here and ably helped by Hines but if Hibbard throws well, Bonnaire is a sure fire catcher and Botha underrated and one of the best front jumpers in lineout history. Man-marking Bonnaire will be to little avail as that just opens up Botha and Suta as options and I'm not sure Bonnaire can be easily marked even by Etzebeth, so in fact this gives what would have been an even area to Toulon.

Breakdown: Looks pretty even across the packs, Armitage highly (though IMO over) rated here, but 2 good contenders in Burger and SOB and actually 2 whole packs that compete very well.

Tight Carrying/pack: Huge ability in both sides, Botha and JVN still the real deal and Toulon front row very handy too, and this is actually what I feel Armitage's strength is. However, immense power from Stormers takes it, awesome carrying pack in the "back 5".

Halfbacks and game management: Farrell a great kicker but still has a lot to learn in terms of management and moving his backline. He also plays less well outside a "running" 9 like Genia, though Genia has experience of taking the pressure of his 10s and controlling the game. This will impede his own game just like we saw on the Lions Tour. I would have specifically pressured him. Wilko is a great game manager and has the edge here and Smith is out of form a tad (relatively) but a good match for Wilko and will give him time and space with his quick pass (though won't fix the defence).

Attack: Stormers look to have the marginally better attack and can utilise either of their plans, though they focus on the tighter game today (I think that is sensible), but will struggle to get moving if their halfbacks don't click as I suspect, though the power and playmaking ability of their pack may bail them out. Toulon still have a very dangerous attack suited to the style of play they have chosen and Fofana and AAC will make breaks and Habana can utilise this. Wulf looks a weak point.

Defence: Savea can be exploited in kick returns though he has improved, and JDJ and Aplon are on the small side so JDV needs to be on his game leading the line. Fofana is exploitable at 12 but AAC excellent to plug that gap. In the backs I see Toulon on top but destructive tackles from Burger and SOB will put them under pressure.

Bench: Toulon's is far stronger

Other factors? Stormers are hard to beat at home, shortish trip though.

Overall:Really hard to call, Wilko and his backs in the sun could really make Farrell's youth and style pay, but the Stormers pack and home advantage are really big issues. Toulon's bench mean they get very very close but the Stormers beat them into submission and win with kicks, not tries.

CF wrote:il vote monday, cos busy today (flying visit)and will be hungover tomorrow.

remember deadline is by 9am though

Crumbs CJ mate, are you making up for the lack of tactics?!

ok, well if im hungover, then im hungover lol

Thought people would like detailed feedback?

Not worried buddy

It's good work, just wasn't expecting it!

It's more fun than revising for my Situational Judgement Test

Toulouse 27 - 21 Leicester Tigers

Scrum: I actually give Tigers the very slight advantage here, I highly rate Ayerza and though Castro is fading, there are questions about Youngs' hooking abilities.

Lineout: Tigers have an advantage here too with Youngs having a few poor games recently (though good yesterday) and Croft and Parling an excellent lineout double act. Croft could even disrupt some Toulouse ball.

Breakdown: Now Toulouse have an advantage as here Youngs is an asset and there are more established breakdown players for Toulouse than Tigers, with the rest of the pack clearing out

Tight Carrying/pack: Advantage Toulouse again. Great work rate from JML, Matera and Parling in particular for Tigers but Toulouse have more power-carrying in the front 5 as well as Pickles, (and Dus isn't bad either) and this allows Hooper to shine at his natural game, whereas Croft won't have the similar luxury outside of scrum-time.

Halfbacks and game management: Vermaak and Tales not world-class operators but still well-regarded, in form and would work together well. Should be ok at the kicking aspects and good at bringing the backline into play. Flood is experienced and Weepu even more so, but Flood has IMO tended to play better outside a running or passing 9, rather than a controlling 9 like Piri. Weepu takes a lot of pressure off Flood's kicking game though, I'm just unsure that Flood is in the best of form, so a slight advantage Toulouse here. Halfpenny's kicking key, he is a far better goal-kicker than Flood or Piri.

Attack: Don't know why Tigers have Allen at 13 and Manu at 12, the other way round tehy are an excellent combo! Toulouse backline not very flashy but very efficient, McAlister a much better 12 than 10 and Fritz will work well to keep the ball alive and bring the good finishers on the wing in. Halfpenny also an underrated attacker. Tigers centres very good and established duo if they were the other way around! Ashton not in form. Camacho and Huget fine but not as good as opposite numbers. Clerc getting on a bit, btw. Have to give Toulouse the advantage here.

Defence: Generally solid backlines though Clerc could be overpowered and exploited with chips and blindside attacks, Ashton still struggling technically and positionally. Toulouse flankers though add an immense pressure on Flood, through Dus' destructiveness and Hooper's pace and persistence (despite what I said on the homepage this is a good matchup for him), and that plays in Toulouse's favour.

Bench: Toulouse have a very strong bench

Other factors? Light rain emphasises forward's importance and kicking

Overall: Toulouse at home and have enough from their pack top overcome the set piece deficiency. Add in advantages out-wide and Halfpenny's kicking and they win reasonably comfortably

RAW POWER!!!