Super League Round 4

Leicester Tigers vs Racing Metro 92
Welford Road
Light Clouds, 7 degrees, 10mph South Westerly Winds

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LECISTER TIGERS

01.Jerome Schuster
02.Rob Hawkins
03.Boris Stankovich
04.Paul O'Connell (c)
05.Graeme Kitcehener
06.Tom Croft
07.Pablo Matera
08.Jordan Crane
09.Greig Laidlaw
10.Toby Flood (K)
11.Corey Jane
12.James Hook
13.Manu Tuiglai
14.Gonzalo Camacho
15.Juan Martin Hernandez

replacements: 16.Chuter 17.Castro 18.Ric 19.Parling 20.Lamb 21.Huget 22.Ashton 23.Dagg

Due to injuries i can only name one prop and no reserve SH


In a rush so bullet points

.Quick attacking lineouts
.O'Connell ball carrier
.Quick ball from Laidlaw to the backs
.Flood will try to get quick ball and not kick possession away.
.Jane's pace will look to attack oppo defence and tire their defence.
.Tuilagi power over the gain-line
.Hernandez drop goals on regular basis

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Racing Metro 

01. Davit Khinchagishvili	09. Ben Youngs
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Juan Figallo
04. Francois VD Merwe	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Francois Louw (c)	14. Benjamin Fall
08. Toby Faletau	15. Ben Smith

16. Adam Jones 17. Virgile Lacombe 18. Soane Tonghu'ia 19. Jone Qovu 20. Wenclas Lauret 21. Sebastian Descons 22. Jonthan Wisnewski 23. Marc Andreu

TACTICS
We've got a very settled side, that has been very lucky with injuries, whilst Tigers have chopped and changed their team consistently, which won't help them. We've been incredibly close in our last few games, but with the signings of Youngs and Faletau now bedded in we look a much stronger unit. We'll look to squeeze the opposition up front in the first half and play for territory. Use Sexton and Bosch on the 1 out pass to kick for their second half, pinging them back. We'll look to use a very quick and mobile back row to get to that breakdown first. Lydiate clearing out, Louw forcing the turnover and Faletua playing it as he sees it. We've picked a big scrummaging front row, with two very good technical operators, as we think this will be a real weakness for Tigers, without Cole and Ayerza. We have Jones and Tiny to come off the bench in the second half to add fresh legs and mobile ball carriers in the loose.


- We've got a world class spine in this time at 2,5,8,9,10,12,15 and these blokes will lead the team, their experience and decision making will be crucial. The 8 9 10 12 is a very familiar unit from the Lions tour.
- In the backs, we are incredibly solid defensively and have a nice mix of power (Roberts, Imhoff), pace (Smith, Fall, Youngs) and guile (Sexton, Smith and Bosch)
- Many teams have targeted Roberts defensively, so we will use Roberts to draw in defenders on the dummy run and bring Smith into the line. Use Sexton on the wrap around loop and also interchange Bosch and Roberts to keep them guessing.
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. In Faletau and Louw, we have two blokes that are brilliant at turning over ball. Both can't be stopped!
- Roberts to lead the fan defence, looking to isolate individuals and allow back row to compete for turnovers. Youngs to sweep up.
- Use Strauss, Retallick, Faletua, Lydiate as our big ball carriers around the fringes to keep the defence narrrow. Youngs to snipe and look for mismatches against forwards to keep them honest.
- Smith and Bosch both encouraged to come into the line either before Roberts or on his shoulder, looking for the offload.

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Toulouse vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
Stade Ernest-Wallon
Light Rain, 12 degrees, 8 mph South Easterly Winds

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DOR: Driver
 

01. John Afoa	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Tom Youngs	10. Remi Tales
03. Censcus Johnstone
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Hosea Gear
05. Romain Millio Chulski	12. Christian Leialiffano
06. Thiery Dusitour (c)	13. Florain Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Louise Pickamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

16.Christopher Tauloufa 17.Vasil Kokovan 18.Antonia Guillamon 19.Joe Tekori 20.Yannick Nyanga 21.Jean Doussain 22.Luke McCallister 23.Maxime Medard

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ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01. Joe Marler	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Brock James
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04. James Cudmore	11. Julien Malzieu
05. Andries Bekker	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Schalk Burger	13. Regan King
07. Sam Cane	14. Willie Le Roux
08. JMF Lobbe (c)	15. Lee Byrne

16. Wyatt Crockett 17. Ti'i Paulo 18. Frans Malherbe  19.  Samu Manoa 20. Julien Bardy 21. Julien Pierre 22.  Ludovic Radosavljevic  23. Aurelien Rougerie 

Tactics: In rainy weather the pack battle will be more important than ever, so we have picked a 6-2 bench split to rest exhausted players, as well as giving International winger/FB Le Roux his debut on the wing, further protecting us against the high ball. We will focus on the breakdown, set piece and a tactical game. At the breakdown, the back row will work as a unit with all 3 strong on the floor. Commit lots of numbers to turnover able ball or ball in opposition half to win it or win a penalty, but otherwise minimal men to keep the defence set. Cane to chase ball, which will see him ready to hit the breakdown but also as a link/offload option in attack and pressurising the ball player in defence. In attack we will keep slow ball in the pack and Parra kick for the corners (into space, or lots of height with a chase every time). Quick ball spun wide, game kept simple with crash runners like Marler and Burger off James, but offload if it's on as we have great ball players. Wingers and Byrne to look for work, and run kicks back in a team unless a good kick is on. Lots of high kicks for Willie to challenge.

Setpiece- target Youngs in the scrum with a strong unit , and run off 8 at the 7-9-10 area- Hooper works hard but misses tackles. Keep line outs simple and maul to wear down and compete on every throw.

Defence- rush narrow to cut out the attack close to 10-12 channel. Harry the 9-10, with huge intensity and big hits in their half, Parra defending gap inside James/marking Picamoles and Kayser sweeping

Kicks- take any points in their half and use the line out advantage to go for rolling mauls. Push the laws inside their 10m line but act like angels in our own half. Le Roux and Parra to take kicking pressure off James

Subs- Le Roux or Radosavljevic cover 10, Rougerie 13-14, King 12. Lots of forwards, inc Manoa at lock or back row so pack play with 100% intensity and used these subs

Targets- Test Halfpenny against Le Roux and Byrne on high ball, wingers weak in kick defence too. Look to smash Hooper off the ball at rucks with team clearing and several "fetchers".  

 

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Natal Sharks vs Toulon
Kings Park Stadium
Sunny, 27 degrees, 15mph East north easterly Winds

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 The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213
 

01. Cian Healy	09. Danny Care
02. Stephen Moore	10. Patric Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Marland Yarde
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Warburton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. James O'Connor

 
16. Sebastien Bruno 17. Tendai Mtawarira 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 20. Keegan Daniel 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 are aiming to control possession by running the ball in great conditions, 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 our game at a high tempo. 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 Stormers 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 numbers in 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.
  
• Crash Ball.  Frans Steyn to be used at times as a crash ball option through midfield with Pietersen or Yardeon his shoulder tracking the run, looking to be put through a gap by the offload.
  
• Home advantage  Toulon have been travelling.  This is our third game in a row in South Africa, and 2nd on the trot at home. Fatigue is no issue for us but may be for them.
  

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Toulon

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Bryan Habana
05. Ali Williams	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julien bonnaire	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon armitage	14. David Smith
08. Jaime heaslip	15. Alexis palisson

16. Kyle Cooper 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Mako vunipola 19. Danie Russouw 20. Chris masoe 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Butch James 23. Wesley Fofana

Tactics
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 bonnaire and armitage 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 Giteau and AAC both looking to pull the strings and for the offloads from the tackles and we know how dangerous all of our back three are going to be. We will not lose at home. 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. 1st playing 2nd so we will look to keep the scoreboard ticking over too.

*Familiarity- Jenkins is covering tighthead and has played there for Wales. Baack  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 Giteau, 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 lead by bonnaire, Botha and Williams and lifters to utilise.

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Stormers vs Crusaders
Newlands
Light Rain Showers, 23 degrees, 11mph West North Westerly Winds

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Stormers

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Patric Cillers
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Julian Savea
05. James Horwill	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Gio Aplon
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Tian Liebenburg 17. Ross Geldenhuys 18. Brok Harris 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Louis Schrouder 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Chelsin Kolbe

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. Faz to run the game. Duvenage will look to keep the defences honest and punish any lapse in fringe defence by sniping any holes. Looking for any quick ball for Faz 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, 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. 
Keep ball in hand - We can afford to give away silly possession and kick aimlessly to the oppo back three. 
Playing the %'s - Faz will keep the board ticking over.
Working on Players - Corbs to target Franks at the scrum, Wood to man mark Whitelock come the line out, with Etze up at the front.

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Crusaders

01. Marcus Ayerza	09. Jonathan Pelissie
02. Corey Flynn	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Vincent Clerc
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Scott Williams
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Ryan Crotty
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Israel Folau

16. Ben Funnell 17. Vincent Debaty 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Dominic Bird 20. Matt Todd 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Tom Taylor 23. Zac Guildford

Set piece- Ayerza is a dominant scrummager, and we are looking to him to put pressure on the young Stormers tighthead at the scrum. On their feed, Flynn will not hook and will push square on their hooker, isolating Cilliers. Franks is an experienced tighthead and we want him to hold his own vs Corbs, pushing squarely on the bind between hooker and loosehead. In the lineout, we will use Whitelock as a decoy and Romano/Gorgodze as primary jumpers, Flynn has experience throwing to our jumpers despite being a loan signing. Whitelock to mark Eben at the front to make the new hooker throw to the back where Horwill has not had a chance to develop knowledge of the lineout

Breakdown - Robshaw or Read as first man in, Gorgodze, Whitelock and Romano clearing out. Look to take advantage of the new scrum half by making the ball as scrappy as possible, pushing the rules to the limit. SOB likes to carry, we want to hit him early and flood the breakdown looking for the turnover when Wood may be the only Stormers player there. Scrag the 9 at every chance to throw him off his game.

Attack - Williams has played well against JDV for Wales, and we may occasionally use him at outside centre, using his bulk to target the smaller JDJ, with Read or Gorgodze off Carter's shoulder to fix JDV. We are willing to kick, Carter to hang balls up on Aplon and let Piutau and Folau in particular target the smaller player. Back 3 have a licence to counter attack off kicks, and with turnover ball we will go wide early and often. Robshaw to link play, use him at first receiver at times with his pop passes shifting the ball one out

Defence - no defensive weakness in the backs, Piutau is a good defender used to playing against Savea. We want to blitz Farrell in particular, make him ship it on as we don't think he has the long passing ability to get outside our blitz. Kick from our 22, but look to keep the ball in play and chase hard hoping to force a mistake in the rain, we have 3 decent kickers in our back 3, and Carter as primary kicker. Ayerza is a strong fringe defender, helping us around the ruck

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ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01.  Joe Marler	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10.    Brock James
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04.  James Cudmore	11. Julien Malzieu
05.  Andries Bekker	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Schalk Burger	13.   Regan King
07. Sam Cane	14.  Willie Le Roux
08. JMF Lobbe (c)	15. Lee Byrne

16. Wyatt Crockett 17. Ti'i Paulo 18. Frans Malherbe  19.  Samu Manoa 20. Julien Bardy 21. Julien Pierre 22.  Ludovic Radosavljevic  23. Aurelien Rougerie

Tactics: In rainy weather the pack battle will be more important than ever, so we have picked a 6-2 bench split to rest exhausted players, as well as giving International winger/FB Le Roux his debut on the wing, further protecting us against the high ball. We will focus on the breakdown, set piece and a tactical game. At the breakdown, the back row will work as a unit with all 3 strong on the floor. Commit lots of numbers to turnover able ball or ball in opposition half to win it or win a penalty, but otherwise minimal men to keep the defence set. Cane to chase ball, which will see him ready to hit the breakdown but also as a link/offload option in attack and pressurising the ball player in defence. In attack we will keep slow ball in the pack and Parra kick for the corners (into space, or lots of height with a chase every time). Quick ball spun wide, game kept simple with crash runners like Marler and Burger off James, but offload if it's on as we have great ball players. Wingers and Byrne to look for work, and run kicks back in a team unless a good kick is on. Lots of high kicks for Willie to challenge.

Setpiece- target Youngs in the scrum with a strong unit , and run off 8 at the 7-9-10 area- Hooper works hard but misses tackles. Keep line outs simple and maul to wear down and compete on every throw.

Defence- rush narrow to cut out the attack close to 10-12 channel. Harry the 9-10, with huge intensity and big hits in their half, Parra defending gap inside James/marking Picamoles and Kayser sweeping

Kicks- take any points in their half and use the line out advantage to go for rolling mauls. Push the laws inside their 10m line but act like angels in our own half. Le Roux and Parra to take kicking pressure off James

Subs- Le Roux or Radosavljevic cover 10, Rougerie 13-14, King 12. Lots of forwards, inc Manoa at lock or back row so pack play with 100% intensity and used these subs

Targets- Test Halfpenny against Le Roux and Byrne on high ball, wingers weak in kick defence too. Look to smash Hooper off the ball at rucks with team clearing and several "fetchers".

StadeToulousian
DOR: Driver
 

01. John Afoa	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Tom Youngs	10. Remi Tales
03. Censcus Johnstone
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Hosea Gear
05. Romain Millio Chulski	12. Christian Leialiffano
06. Thiery Dusitour (c)	13. Florain Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Louise Pickamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

16.Christopher Tauloufa 17.Vasil Kokovan 18.Antonia Guillamon 19.Joe Tekori 20.Yannick Nyanga 21.Jean Doussain 22.Luke McCallister 23.Maxime Medard

The Durban based Sharks welcome back internationals Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts, Sam Warburton, Sergio Parisse, Danny Care, Conrad Smith, JP Pietersen and James O'Connor after resting them last time out in the knockout cup.  Director of Rugby Ozzy3213 also hands debuts to internationals Stephen Moore and Marland Yarde, as the league leaders seek to extend their winning start to the season.

The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213
 

01. Cian Healy	09. Danny Care
02. Stephen Moore	10. Patric Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Marland Yarde
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Warburton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. James O'Connor

 
16. Sebastien Bruno 17. Tendai Mtawarira 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Pieter-Steph du Toit 20. Keegan Daniel 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 are aiming to control possession by running the ball in great conditions, 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 our game at a high tempo. 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 Stormers 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 numbers in 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.
  
• Crash Ball.  Frans Steyn to be used at times as a crash ball option through midfield with Pietersen or Yardeon his shoulder tracking the run, looking to be put through a gap by the offload.
  
• Home advantage  Toulon have been travelling. This is our third game in a row in South Africa, and 2nd on the trot at home. Fatigue is no issue for us but may be for them.
  

Updated weather.

Racing Metro TBC

01. Davit Khinchagishvili	09. Ben Youngs
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Juan Figallo
04. Francois VD Merwe	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Francois Louw (c)	14. Benjamin Fall
08. Toby Faletau	15. Ben Smith

16. Adam Jones 17. Virgile Lacombe 18. Soane Tonghu'ia 19. Jone Qovu 20. Wenclas Lauret 21. Sebastian Descons 22. Jonthan Wisnewski 23. Marc Andreu

TACTICS
We've got a very settled side, that has been very lucky with injuries, whilst Tigers have chopped and changed their team consistently, which won't help them. We've been incredibly close in our last few games, but with the signings of Youngs and Faletau now bedded in we look a much stronger unit. We'll look to squeeze the opposition up front in the first half and play for territory. Use Sexton and Bosch on the 1 out pass to kick for their second half, pinging them back. We'll look to use a very quick and mobile back row to get to that breakdown first. Lydiate clearing out, Louw forcing the turnover and Faletua playing it as he sees it. We've picked a big scrummaging front row, with two very good technical operators, as we think this will be a real weakness for Tigers, without Cole and Ayerza. We have Jones and Tiny to come off the bench in the second half to add fresh legs and mobile ball carriers in the loose.


- We've got a world class spine in this time at 2,5,8,9,10,12,15 and these blokes will lead the team, their experience and decision making will be crucial. The 8 9 10 12 is a very familiar unit from the Lions tour.
- In the backs, we are incredibly solid defensively and have a nice mix of power (Roberts, Imhoff), pace (Smith, Fall, Youngs) and guile (Sexton, Smith and Bosch)
- Many teams have targeted Roberts defensively, so we will use Roberts to draw in defenders on the dummy run and bring Smith into the line. Use Sexton on the wrap around loop and also interchange Bosch and Roberts to keep them guessing.
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. In Faletau and Louw, we have two blokes that are brilliant at turning over ball. Both can't be stopped!
- Roberts to lead the fan defence, looking to isolate individuals and allow back row to compete for turnovers. Youngs to sweep up.
- Use Strauss, Retallick, Faletua, Lydiate as our big ball carriers around the fringes to keep the defence narrrow. Youngs to snipe and look for mismatches against forwards to keep them honest.
- Smith and Bosch both encouraged to come into the line either before Roberts or on his shoulder, looking for the offload.

Should get my side in tonight ozzy, out for a friends leaving meal but not drinking.

LECISTER TIGERS

01.Jerome Schuster
02.Rob Hawkins
03.Boris Stankovich
04.Paul O'Connell (c)
05.Graeme Kitcehener
06.Tom Croft
07.Pablo Matera
08.Jordan Crane
09.Greig Laidlaw
10.Toby Flood (K)
11.Corey Jane
12.James Hook
13.Manu Tuiglai
14.Gonzalo Camacho
15.Juan Martin Hernandez

replacements: 16.Chuter 17.Castro 18.Ric 19.Parling 20.Lamb 21.Huget 22.Ashton 23.Dagg

Due to injuries i can only name one prop and no reserve SH


In a rush so bullet points

.Quick attacking lineouts
.O'Connell ball carrier
.Quick ball from Laidlaw to the backs
.Flood will try to get quick ball and not kick possession away.
.Jane's pace will look to attack oppo defence and tire their defence.
.Tuilagi power over the gain-line
.Hernandez drop goals on regular basis

You have to have another prop on the bench, I will lend you Ric on loan

cheers

01. Andrew sheridan	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10.    Johnny Wilkinson (k)
03. Carl hayman
04.  Bakkies Botha	11. Bryan Habana
05.  Ali Williams	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julien bonnaire	13.   Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon armitage	14.  David Smith
08. Jaime heaslip	15. Alexis palisson

16. Kyle Cooper 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Mako vunipola 19. Danie Russouw 20. Chris masoe 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Butch James 23. Wesley Fofana

Tactics
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 bonnaire and armitage 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 Giteau and AAC both looking to pull the strings and for the offloads from the tackles and we know how dangerous all of our back three are going to be. We will not lose at home. 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. 1st playing 2nd so we will look to keep the scoreboard ticking over too.

*Familiarity- Jenkins is covering tighthead and has played there for Wales. Baack 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 Giteau, 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 lead by bonnaire, Botha and Williams and lifters to utilise.

Stormers

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Patric Cillers
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Julian Savea
05. James Horwill	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Gio Aplon
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Tian Liebenburg 17. Ross Geldenhuys 18. Brok Harris 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Louis Schrouder 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Chelsin Kolbe

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. Faz to run the game. Duvenage will look to keep the defences honest and punish any lapse in fringe defence by sniping any holes. Looking for any quick ball for Faz 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, 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. 
Keep ball in hand - We can afford to give away silly possession and kick aimlessly to the oppo back three. 
Playing the %'s - Faz will keep the board ticking over.
Working on Players - Corbs to target Franks at the scrum, Wood to man mark Whitelock come the line out, with Etze up at the front.

Only just got in and seen my opponents team.  Will do my tactics in thee morning if that's ok?

Crusaders

01. Marcus Ayerza	09. Jonathan Pelissie
02. Corey Flynn	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Vincent Clerc
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Scott Williams
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Ryan Crotty
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Israel Folau

16. Ben Funnell 17. Vincent Debaty 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Dominic Bird 20. Matt Todd 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Tom Taylor 23. Zac Guildford

Set piece- Ayerza is a dominant scrummager, and we are looking to him to put pressure on the young Stormers tighthead at the scrum. On their feed, Flynn will not hook and will push square on their hooker, isolating Cilliers. Franks is an experienced tighthead and we want him to hold his own vs Corbs, pushing squarely on the bind between hooker and loosehead. In the lineout, we will use Whitelock as a decoy and Romano/Gorgodze as primary jumpers, Flynn has experience throwing to our jumpers despite being a loan signing. Whitelock to mark Eben at the front to make the new hooker throw to the back where Horwill has not had a chance to develop knowledge of the lineout

Breakdown - Robshaw or Read as first man in, Gorgodze, Whitelock and Romano clearing out. Look to take advantage of the new scrum half by making the ball as scrappy as possible, pushing the rules to the limit. SOB likes to carry, we want to hit him early and flood the breakdown looking for the turnover when Wood may be the only Stormers player there. Scrag the 9 at every chance to throw him off his game.

Attack - Williams has played well against JDV for Wales, and we may occasionally use him at outside centre, using his bulk to target the smaller JDJ, with Read or Gorgodze off Carter's shoulder to fix JDV. We are willing to kick, Carter to hang balls up on Aplon and let Piutau and Folau in particular target the smaller player. Back 3 have a licence to counter attack off kicks, and with turnover ball we will go wide early and often. Robshaw to link play, use him at first receiver at times with his pop passes shifting the ball one out

Defence - no defensive weakness in the backs, Piutau is a good defender used to playing against Savea. We want to blitz Farrell in particular, make him ship it on as we don't think he has the long passing ability to get outside our blitz. Kick from our 22, but look to keep the ball in play and chase hard hoping to force a mistake in the rain, we have 3 decent kickers in our back 3, and Carter as primary kicker. Ayerza is a strong fringe defender, helping us around the ruck

No probs mate.

Tactics added.   

Predos open until Monday 4pm.

Tigers 22 - 26 Metro

Scrum- has to go to Metro, Stankovich will struggle and Figallo can murder Schuster
Lineout- both sides should secure their own ball. Croft could be the difference but very close
Breakdown- even across most of the packs but Louw adds some star quality for Metro and will make turnovers
Pack carrying- not a huge amount in either side, so Faletau vs POC and Croft working in spaces is where most of the work here will be. Croft hard to rate through injuries
HBs- in terms of sparking the backline, both Youngs and Sexton very talented but the kicking options at 9, 10,12 and 15 allow Tigers to compete in the game management and kicking states.
Attack- Tigers much improved, but Hook still flaky, Manu injured ant Hernandez struggling. Metro very good backline and good tactics and come up on top
Defence- edge to Metro as Croft and Hook can be found wanting here and Metro are solid
Bench- advantage to Tigers in players, but 4-4 split is risky.
Overall- Metro scrum and attack enough to snatch an away victory

Sharks 28 - 27 Toulon

Scrum- 2 big units, think the front row just goes to Sharks under new laws, Botha helps close the gap a bit but defs advantage Sharks
Lineout- Great combo in Lawes and Launchbury but Williams, Botha and Bonnaire have an edge here and both sides could steal some ball.
Breakdown- Armitage strong but with tactics clear Nd several good players and great clearers in the second row, advantage Sharks
Pack carrying- some better individual carriers for Toulon, except Alberts of course, but great work rate and still ten abuts to make the gainline means Sharks will get front foot ball but Toulon will be able to do damage in the maul
HBs- good tactics, good combos (Toulon steadier and better at game management, Sharks putting team on front foot) and help at 12. Evens
Attack- Toulon very good and will threaten Sharks, but Sharks have a wonderfully balanced backline unit. Still not sure about Fran steyn's form though.
Defence- both very very secure
Bench- advantage Toulon
Overall- pretty even but at home for Sharks and they have an edge in attack and the breakdown and just about win.

Stormers 21 - 20 Crusaders

Scrum- With Corbs still injured in real life he loses a bit but he has always come back strong so still gets marked ok. However, Crusaders stronger here
Lineout- Flynn new in the team but will have trained with his locks before as he was previously at the club. Both lineouts strong with excellent callers and locks, Wood adds a dimension for Stormers who can bank on ball but Robshaw and Read underrated here and will be good options too
Breakdown- evens, good packs here, and Robshaw-Read vs Wood-SOB is a great battle
Pack carrying- great options here too, Etzebeth and Gorgodze immense, and Read and SOB excel in different ways, can't separate.
HBs- both 10s reliant on own boot (no real help at 12-15) but both good there. Farrell much improved in attack but Carter a better match manager and will have an edge leading his backs.
Attack- both good plans and lineups, but experience gives a tiny advantage to Stormers.
Defence- a few of the Crusaders backs open to mistakes
Bench- Edge to Crusaders
Overall- edge to Crusaders in scrum and halfbacks, but backline slightly to Stormers. Would be even but home advantage sees Stormers get the slightest of wins.

Tigers 20-28 Metro
Toulouse 23-26 Clermont
Stormers 22-21 Crusaders

Will struggle to get explainations in by 4pm due to work.

Leicester Tigers 20 - 35 Racing Metro

Some good players on show for Tigers but some odd selections hurt them too much. Stankovich is barely a decent LH for this level and would get turned inside out here. Racing with a decent advantage at the scrum and with a general physical as some of the Tigers pack are a little lightweight. Decent line out from Tigers which can yield some turnovers, but nout else. 

Decent halfbacks from both, and they can get some real attacking games going here. I feel that Tigers leaving Dagg and Ashton on the bench is just silly as you want to start your best players. Some good things from both. Although Racings forward dominance sees them get a solid win. 

Toulouse 21 - 29 Clermont Auvergne

Not sure about Afoa at loosie, much prefer him to stick to the tight, but not too much of advantage to be got here. Clermont have some physcality but Toulouse can put themselves about too. 
Much prefer the ASM halfbacks who will control the game much better and supply a better attcking platform to the likes of Nonu and Le Roux. A big factor however is Toulouse's back three who have the ability to score from nothing and keep them in the game. I just see that with a bit more structure in their game play that Clermont will secure victory. 

Natal Sharks 31 - 25 Toulon

Cracking battle up front, but can see Sharks maintaining the pressure throughout the game. Sharks will get a slight nudge in the scrum and this will set them up well to launch attacks through Parisse and Alberts. A bit more in the Toulon backs to control the pace of the game, but they will falter later on as their forwards tire. Steyn's form issue makes a little more in Toulons favour, but the Sharks back three are electric. Tough place to go and Toulon can survive to get a BP.

Toulouse 18 Clermont 16
Hard to seperate front rows, but have to mark down Afoa on the LH. Two solid sets, but no obvious world class to seperate them. Two hefty back rows, with Clermont having Bekker at lineout time being a big advantage, especially with Youngs' throwing. Great balance in both back rows, but prefer Toulouse and there's more form there. Not much in the half backs, maybe an edge to the home side with the poor weather affecting James and Tolouse having a back up 10 in lealifano at 12 to share responsibility. Nonu the stand out back but the back three from Toulouse is better.

Sharks 22 Toulon 19
Hibbard the stand out, with Sheridan and Hayman severly on the wane, its hard to rate them, whilst JDP has had a great 12m, as has Moore. Like the Sharks pairing alot and their athleticism and age will count for a lot against Toulon, with PSDT a great sub as well. A bit more star quality for the back row as well. Toulon win big in the half backs, but they've struggled for ball as their pack has been second to the breakdown. Big win for Toulon centres as well, 2 of my favourite players, a known combo and Steyn been in terrible form for a while. Sharks win the back three. In general Sharks have more mobility and impact up front.

Stormers 23 Crusaders 22
Crusaders are going to crucify that front row and really cause some problems and penalties. Can't see subs changing that either. However, Stormers have a brilliant lock pairing that ticks all the boxes and Flynn can be got at lineout. Really hard to separate back rows, probably 2 of the best on here. Nice pairing in the centres from Stormers and some known combos throughout hte backs helps. A lot of change in Crusaders, they will come good, but might be disjointed this week. I think Crusaders are probably the better side on paper in terms of individuals, but think at home, with strong tactics, Stormers can sneak it.

Leicester Tigers 13 Racing Metro 20

Set Piece: Why oh why the persistence with playing Stankovich at tighthead? He's a loosehead and would get munched at tighthead by this Metro front row. Tigers scrumwill go backwards until Castro comes on and by then the damage is done. Decent lineout from Tigers and they need to play to it.
Gainline collisions/physicality: More carrying and physicality from Metro. I can see them dominating the gainline.
Breakdown: Louw the standout, and with Retallick and van der Merwe clearing I can see him dominating this area.
Key Jerseys (2,8,9,10): Metro a step up in each of these jerseys.
Bench: Tigers bench is all wrong. two tightheads and no back row cover. Dagg can provide some spark but it will be too little too late.
Tactics: Tigers don't have the pack to secure quick ball, so trying to get Laidlaw and Flood to play quick in to the backs just isn't going to work. For Metro I wouldn't have played for territory first half, as Tigers have decent kickers to engage in a kicking battle and the lineout to secure their own ball in their 22.
Overall: First half with Metro appearing to want to play for territory I don't see there being many points in the game, as they may pin Tigers back, but Tigers can kck long themselves and secure their own lineouts in defence. Second half I see Metro getting some scores by keeping the ball more. Struggling to see where Tigers are going to score points other than an individual moment from one of their backs, as they are not going to get any real platform here.


Stade Touloussain 20 ASM Clermont Auvergne 23

Set Piece: Toulouse front row all wrong for scrummaging for me. Short hooker, very big tighthead, and a tighthead playing loosehead just doesn't work. Their one saving grave is some serious shoving power from the second row, but even then I still give ASM the scrum edge. Lineout also to ASM.
Gainline collisions/physicality: Lots of physicality from both sides, so neither will dominate the collisions.
Breakdown: Fascinating battle here. Dusautoir and Hooper as pair can effect turnovers, but the whole ASM back row are great over the ball. Both teams have players who clear out well also.
Key Jerseys (2,8,9,10): No major advantage in these jerseys to either team, except for at 9, where parra for me is second only to Genia in the world scrum half pecking order.
Bench: Good impact available for both teams here.
Tactics: It's a shame there are no tactics from Toulouse, as this is a close game. ASM have a solid gameplan and the players to effect it.
Overall: Not a great deal between the sides really, but with no gameplan from Toulouse I can't see how they are going to play the game, and as a result and extra marks for a good gameplan go to ASM and are enough to give them the away win.


Stormers 22 Crusaders 23

Set Piece: This is a juicy old scrum battle, with two good units who are pretty evenly matched. Very slight edge to Crusaders for me. Likewise both lineouts are good, with ability to steal on opposition ball.
Gainline collisions/physicality: Some pick old collisions here for sure. Gorgodze vs. O'Brien will be off the richter-scale. No clear winner though, with the ball carriers on either side getting the slight edge when carrying in.
Breakdown: I think a slight edge to Stormers, but only very marginal. Both teams will slow opposition ball and make things difficult here.
Key Jerseys (2,8,9,10): Evens across the board. Read and Carter are world class, but I rate Vermeulen and Farrell very highly and for me the difference here minimal.
Bench: Neither bench will make a huge impact, although Kolisi can come on and is a tackle machine so will aid the Stormers defensively.
Tactics: Decent tactics from both, although not sure about using Williams to target JDJ in defence, as JDJ is a very strong defender despite not being massive.
Overall: I have most of the areas I've covered as pretty even, and I have to give the Stormers a bit for home advantage. I also have to look at the conditions and how they might affect the game. I think in the damp conditions Carter hanging the ball up on the Stormers back 3 and letting Folau and Piutau chase is cracking. Whilst the Stormers back 3 are no mugs under the high ball, there will be spillages and therefore scrums, where I have the Crusaders having a bit of an edge. Struggling to call this one a little bit, and it is a fiercely contested game. I am tempted to score it a draw, but I don't like doing that. I just have a feeling that with the quality at 14 and 15 behind a very solid pack the Crusaders have enough to nick it late on.

Leicester 14 - 24 Racing

Set piece - its men against boys in the scrum, Figallo and Strauss are excellent, but I find it hard to rate the Racing loosehead having not seen a lot (probably my own lack of knowledge). Tigers props need some serious work, by far the weakest in the league. Both lineouts are good, Croft gives the Tigers a slight edge.

Breakdown - Louw and Faletau will do damage on the floor, Strauss and Retallick excellent at clearing out. Tigers ok, but Crane isn't in the same league as the other backrowers. Hawkins and Croft aren't the most physical, and think Racing take the breakdown.

Carrying/Collisions - By far Racing have bigger carriers as a collective, and Lydiate naturally is able to negate some of Tigers ball carrying. Croft could have some joy further out, and Manu and Roberts will be an interesting battle

Attack - Racing probably kicking more than they need to, and Leicester do have the lineout advantage. Ball in hand both sets of backs are good on paper, although for Leicester a back 3 of Dagg, Jane and Huget is far better than the one they have fielded. With the advantage in the pack, I just can't see Leicester getting enough ball to give the backs a chance

Overall a strong Racing side too good for Leicester, if they had gone more attacking tactically I would have given them a bonus point win

Toulouse 21 - 23 Clermont

Set piece - Not a fan of Afoa at LH, the bind between Youngs and Johnston can be targeted. Will improve with time, but this week the edge goes to Clermont's unit. Youngs has thrown well in the lineout recently, pretty even with good jumpers on both sides.

Breakdown - Good battle here, Dusatoir and Hooper are a decent combo but won't get as much help from Pickles as Cane and Burger will from Lobbe. I like the targeting of Hooper by Clermont, and coupled with the breakdown tactics as a whole I have to give Clermont the advantage

Carrying/collisions - Pickles is the best carrier on show, but Lobbe is no mug. Rest of the packs are fairly even, Nonu/King are both strong carriers in the backs. Even here

Attack - Both half back pairings are used to playing with each other, I call it even as I think Parra can control the game and take pressure off James, even though Tales is the stronger flyhalf. I prefer the Toulouse back 3 and Clermont centres on paper, but with tactics the Clermont backs are stronger.

With no tactics from Toulouse up against a very good Clermont team I find it hard to give them a win. Edge at the breakdown and scrum, along with good attacking tactics means a Clermont away win for me

Sharks 20-19 Toulon

Set piece - Evens in the scrum, even with the new hooker for the Sharks. Both strong units but I think Sharks have better props, but Botha and Hibbard help to close the gap there. Both lineouts strong, I'm surprised Toulon haven't tried to put more pressure on the new hooker with their tactics, I would have looked to mark the locks and force him to throw to the back row guys.

Breakdown - Both strong packs, Sharks have a bit more athleticism and star power, but Toulon do have plenty of grunt and clearing out power in the front 5. Armitage vs Warbs is an interesting battle. Sharks with the advantage

Carrying/collisions - Got to go with the Sharks here. Healy, Launchbury, Alberts and Parisse all stand out, Toulon good here but don't think they have enough.

Attack - Toulon have a stronger half back pairing, Smith's pass will give Jonny time. Slight edge to Toulon in the centres, with their established pairing and Steyn's lack of form. Prefer Sharks back 3. Tactically not a great amount from either side, so on paper I give Toulon the edge in the backs.

I found this one very tough to call, but given the edge in the breakdown and carrying + home advantage I give Sharks a very narrow win.

Still awaiting predos from Driver and CF. 15 minutes until cut off.

Tut tut

Love sacks, sorry lads!

I'll try and write up player stat charts in a bit unless OZy wants to start the page?

Damn, thought I had enough for an away win. Well played Fluxy

League Table
 

POS	World Super League	PLAYED	WON	DREW	LOST	P F	P A	P D	T F	T A	TBP	LBP	POINTS
1	Sharks	4	4	0	0	115	88	+27	13	8	1	0	17
2	Stormers	4	3	0	1	103	89	+14	11	8	0	1	13
3	ASM Clermont Auvergne	4	3	0	1	101	98	+3	11	10	1	0	13
4	RC Toulon	4	2	0	2	109	97	+12	13	10	2	2	12
5	Crusaders	4	2	0	2	96	94	+2	9	10	0	2	10
6	Stade Touloussain	4	1	0	3	103	105	-2	11	10	1	2	7
7	Racing Metro 92	4	1	0	3	100	104	-4	11	11	1	2	7
8	Leicester Tigers	4	0	0	4	77	129	-52	4	16	0	0	0

And the Metro are off and running, boom!

Chuffed to win against a strong Toulon side.

ChequeredJersey wrote:I'll try and write up player stat charts in a bit unless OZy wants to start the page?

Fill your boots mate.

wooden spoon goes to me lol.

You need to work on your props, and start playing your best players from the start of the game! Definitely a tough game for anyone when you are at home if you do that

Your pack needs work mate, and you need to play your best players.

Schuster - Ghiraldhini - Castro
POC - Slater
Croft - Leguizamon - Matera

Is not a bad pack, you need to start Castro and stop playing TH and LH wrong way round!

Laidlaw - Flood
Hook - Manu
Ashton - JMH - Jane

Is an ok backline as well

I think this is your first 15 and i'd rate it much higher than the one above. I know you've got injuries though

Good win ozzy. Mad how one loss drops me right down!!

Small league means one win or loss can shoot you right up or down the table.

Full Scores - Ozzy, Bam, Fluxy, CJ, bathite 

Just Scores - Prop

No Scores - CF, Driver