Aviva Premiership Round Twenty Two

---

Harlequins v Bath Rugby
Location - Twickenham Stoop
Light Rain Shower, 14 Degrees, 17 mph W winds

---

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Joe Marler	09. Ruan Pienaar (k)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Joe Tomane
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Tony Woodcock 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Nick Easter 20. Luke Braid 21. Karl Dickson 22. Steven Myler 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

In our own half use the boot of Pienaar, Cooper and Kearney to get us into the opposition half. Look to kick for the touch lines or to exploit players out of position. If there are no gaps to kick for then we will take advantage of the gaps which will therefore have appeared in the defensive line and exploit this space. In our own 22 we will kick straight to touch.

In the opposition half we will remain patient and use our pack and midfield to get us across the gain line and get us quick ball to attack with. We will look to carry in numbers and aim to win the collisions and keep the legs pumping after contact. In attack we will remain patient until we get quick ball Cooper will stand flatter and bring others into play on the gain line and we will really look to step up a gear with Pienaar and Cooper controlling the tempo. As we get quicker ball and tie in more defenders we will look to spread the ball wider and get our elusive back three into spaces.

At the set piece we will look to exert big pressure on Ben T and look to get underneath him, especially as he tires. At the line out we will look to shorten between the 22m lines and use Gorgodze and Hooper as carriers in the midfield. We will really look to put big pressure on the Bath lineout with Borthwick, Kruis and Wood marking their key jumpers.

In defence we will play with a very aggressive line speed and look to double up in the tackle when we have the numbers and look to win the collisions and target the ball and the turnover. At the breakdown we will look for Hooper and Wood to dominate and win the turnovers or legally slow the ball down.

Win comes first, but we have 4 tries in mind. 

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Maa Nonu
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Matt Hopper
07. Chris Robshaw	14. George North
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

|
16. Mikey Haywood 17. Carl Rimmer 18. Jake Cooper Wollsey 19. Luke Romano 20. James Haskell 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Mathieu Basteraund 23. Rob Miller

---

---

Leicester Tigers v Saracens
Location - Welford Road
Light Rain Shower, 16 Degrees, 13 mph W winds

---

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore	10. Pat Lambie (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Ugo Monye
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Dom Waldouck
06. Ryan Jones	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Tom Youngs 17. Benn Robinson 18. Dan Cole 19. James Horwill 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Mike Brown

Tactics:

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

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Moore to look to really get into Batty, with two huge props backed up by Myall and Hines. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Jones or Hines at the front and Myall off the top as our three key options.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Put serious pressure on Batty's throws with Hines at the front on all Sarries' throws.

- Target the breakdown - huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Louw, and the likes of BOD too, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Sarries defence.

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

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Lambie and Beale. We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline. We have aggressive forwards to carry out this instruction. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Lambie to kick all penalties.

---

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Max Lahiff	09. Henry Taylor
02. Ross Batty	10. Gareth Steenson
03. Clement Ric
04. Rob Simmons	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Dom Barrow	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Carl Fearns	13. George Lowe
07. Sam Underhill	14. Nathan Earle
08. Dave Denton	15. Luke Fitzgerald

:-
16. Keven Mealamu 17. Alex Waller 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Tim Swinson 20. Carl Fearns 21. Chris Cook 22. Tom Taylor 23. Jon Davies

Tactics:

General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality and will look to dominate the contact and get over the gain line. We'll be playing a high tempo physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in the their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our LH and Hooker will look to target TH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow TH to work on LH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out - Target all game. Look to mix it up on own throw and use the rolling maul to good effect. Our big pack should have a lot of joy here and will tie in the opposition defence. We'll look to contest on opp throw especially when sub get on the pitch as we feel we can really pressure him. Locks will look mastermind taking the opposition throw apart throughout the game.

Defence - High intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player. Huge physical pack that can look to dominate the collision and breakdown allowing Henry/Mealamu etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Blitz defence putting pressure on the opposition back line with the scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to inject pace from the breakdown and have 13 on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform.

---

---

London Irish v Sale Sharks
Location - Madejeski Stadium
Heavy Rain Shower, 13 Degrees, 18 mph W winds

---

London Irish
Manager - Prop

01. Ben Franks	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ken Owens	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Nick  Cummins
05. Matt Garvey	12. Luke McAlister
06. Jackson Wray	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Warburton	14. JP Pieterson
08. Ben Morgan	15. Rob Cook

16. Tom Lindsay 17.  Will Collier 18. Wyatt Crockett 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Rory Kockott 22. Owen  Williams 23.  Henry Trinder

Tactics

Set Piece
We will play a simple  set piece game and control the scrum and lineouts keeping them steady, on their ball we will look to turn and give our openside clear runs at the backs, the lineout we will put 2 up unless it's in our 22 where we will either stand off  their maul for the penalty or sack it straight away.

Back Row
Power and breakdown players here, Wray is playing into good form and Morgan will make yards in the tough conditions. We willlook to slow down Sale's ball but  not commit if t's lost, our breakdowns we will look to secure with 3 or 4 men and have  options tight to 9 to make the hard yards.

Half Backs
We have selected half backs who can control the pace of the game and keep a steady flow for us. Evans, McAlister and Cook will look to kick deep and  off the park to put pressure on their lineouts.

Attack
Power coming from Smith, Cummins and JP to run angles off the centres and look to run either for gaps or back into our forwards. Our carriers in the pack will give the extra optios for a tight carrying game and it will only go wide if it is on. Kicking is an option to pin them back.

Defence
Smith will lead this and we will look to be hard hitting and go for the legs, the conditions will allow for mistakes so we will keep 2 hands on the ball and look to hit low and make Sale knock on. We know they are dangerous at  half backs so Warburton and Garvey will look to fly at their halfbacks and keep them out of the game. We will look to blitz with the last man running to stop any long passes. Dickson will sweep and look to secure our ball. We will look for turnover ball only if it is on.

Bench
Impact carriers on the bench and Kennedy will look to steal late ball, Tipuric will love being over the ball in these conditions. With Kockott we have someone who can win big matches, Williams is in good form and will look to turn tired  legs running backwards, Trinder can add another carrying  option.

Conditions
Wet weather so a simple carrying game looking to make hard yards and put ourselves deep in opposition territory.

Opposition Specific
We know the Care-Sexton axis is rated which is why we have Wray and Tipuric to slow down the ball and Garvey as well, they will look to snag Care and be aware of his snipes. We will target Sale come scrum time with the power we have in the front 5. We also are aware of how dangerous they are out wide so will look to stop  the ball going out wide and keep them in a tight game. We will  take any point available with both Evans and Cook kicking and Kockott to come on.

---

 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Jared Payne

16. Jack McGrath 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Phil Swainston 19. Christian Day 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Ben Spencer 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

We will adopt a territory first approach and play the game in the opposition half forcing them to play from deep. 

- Mentality is key. We are one win away from our first ever playoffs appearance. Irish have nothing to play for with their season already over. In clutch situations we will give 110%!  
 
- Win the kicking dual. Strong and intelligent kickers selected throughout the backline to ensure we dominate the territorial battle. We will constantly put the ball into the corners taking advantage of the Irish wide man rush.
 
- Tight carrying game. When in opposition territory we will look to carry close to the ruck and suck defenders in, only going wide when it is absolutely on to do so.
 
- Fast ball is crucial. Mobile pack and physical midfield to clear out rucks and ensure quick ball. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to make it easier to do so.

- Attack from the scrum. Strong technical front row backed up by a powerful second row will look to build a platform for Pickles, Care & Sexton. An area we will look to target if winning.
 
- Make ground from the lineout. Look to throw to the front or middle of the line, get the maul rolling and suck in defenders to create space. If uncontested look to shorten the line and have Picamoles run down the 10/12 channel.

- Straight line blitz defence. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

- Counter the opposition kicking game. Our back three have been instructed to sit deep on defence to cover kicks. All are comfortable under the high ball. 
 
- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with POM & Todd fetching for the ball, supported by the rest of the pack when needed. We will always look to turn the ball over.

---

---

Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs
Location - Kingston Park
Heavy Rain Shower, 13 Degrees, 11 mph W winds

---

Newcastle Falcons
Manager - Driver

1.Soana Tonga'uhia
2.Dane Coles
3.Owen Franks
4.Ed Slater (C)
5.Geoff Parling
6.Liam Messem 
7.Richie McCaw
8.Kieron Read

9.Ben Youngs
10.Aaron Cruden (K)
11.Cory Jane
12.Francis Sailli
13.Marcelo Bosch (LGK)
14.Charles Pitatau
15.Alex Goode

16.George McGuigan 17.Matt Mullen 18.Matt Stevens 19.Yoaan Maestri 20.Will Fraser 21.Dave Ewers 22.Dave Lewis 23.Joel Hodgson

Falcons tacics,

Percentages game , 9/10/15 to use boots to pin us in Cheifs 22

Attack the Exeter set piece.

Bosch to kill all goals from our own 10 metre.

drill ball into corners and use big pack to drive over.

Blitz defence with 9 sweeping.

---

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira	09. Hadyn Thomas
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. James Johnstone
04. Brad Thorn	11. Matt Tait
05. Patricio Albacete	12. Scott Williams
06. Kelly Brown (c)	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Calum Clarke	14. David Strettle
08. Johnnie Beattie	15. James O'Connor

16. Sean Cronin 17. Richard Barrington 18. Logovii Mulipola 19. Bradley Davies 20. Gus Jones 21. Freddie Michalak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Tom Varndell

In the conditions look to use the boots of Flood, JOC and Tait to contest for possession and terrioty at the line out. Once we gain possession within their ten metre the use of simple forward patterns off the ten, and around the corner to earn the right to simply put the ball through the hands when the space and opportunity arrives from our forward work. Look to tire out a fatigued Falcons side in their with nothing to play for, whilst we would like to secure our status in the League for next season.

Key Points

• Target the Scrum - Use the power in the props to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Look to set and get the ball hooked cleanly to the back of the scrum. We have more scrummaging power but we don't want to mess around with resets. Use the power of JJ to target the Tonga'uhia who has been in decline at the scrum for a while now. Have all eight push when their hookers foot comes up, to gain get them going backwards.
  
• Quick Line outs – lineout leader in Brown along with top operators like Beattie and Thorn to mix the movement up. Look to turn the screw in the line out and put pressure on the Coles throw.
  
• Target the defensive frailty in the 10 and channels -Look to target the shoulders of Cruden with angled runs down his weaker shoulder and look to test pods of forwards down that channel as they won't cope with the sheer numbers coming around the corner. Similar with Saili forcing them to turn and move with runners down their weak shoulders, they will miss tackles.
  
• Look to use blitz defence to cut down the options of Cruden and Youngs, forcing them back inside to our forwards. Thomas to sweep and marshal the line.
  
• Flood the Breakdown – With the physicality in our backrow, front five and centres we will look to just blow out any ruck to create quick ball. Even in defence in we will target one or two rucks where there are no men and clean through past the ball they won't cope. Similar with the first man in the ruck to drive through and clear any on coming opposition players to create clean quick ball.
  
• The above team ethic will prevent McCaw and Read getting over the ball and slowing the ball down for our backs. 
  
• Defence at the Rucks - if we can't win the ruck or flood it, we will 'ice'the ruck and fan numbers into our defence. This will force Falcons to put less and less numbers into rucks and once they look frail or have put in low numbers we will blow the ruck out; clean, low, and hard - creating turnover ball which will instantly go wide.
  
• Carrying options - Loads of big carrying options to get us over the gain line and allow the backs to get into the game. Look to get options outside the ten mostly or outside 12 to target the defensive line outside their guards where the line is weakest.
  
• Bench - Use the bench to bring on more big ball carriers and also to up the pace of the game with the back replacements. Also to pick up the pace if need be or control the game later on.
  
• Flood to kick all penalties to help build up points and keep the score ticking over
  

---

---

Northampton Saints v London Wasps
Location - Franklin's Gardens
Heavy Rain Shower, 13 Degrees, 17 mph W winds

---

Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Rob Webber
3. Carl Hayman
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Sergio Parisse (c)
9. Mike Phillips
10. Matt Toomua
11. Jordan Williams
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Julian Savea
15. Ben Foden

Subs: 16. Dylan Hartley 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Ben Afeaki 19. Samu Manoa 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Nikola Matwulu 22. George Ford 23. Elliot Daly

Tactics: Weather conditions dictate a big pack, strong set piece, a midfield that can hit it up the middle and a back three that is confident under the highball. We will look to make the hard yards, play a very physical and aggressive game plan and force Wasps into errors and mistakes. With the Franklins Gardens support behind us we will look to beat the league leaders and build more momentum for the HC Final.

Setpiece: Strong scrummaging unit, which will look to get at their Wasps counterparts and force penalties whenever possible. In the conditions we will look for safe ball at the lineout, but have four excellent options in Launch, Lawes, Lautua and Parisse. We will use Lawes to target all Wasps' ball and put the catcher under pressure and force errors.

Gainline Battering: A lot of big ball carriers and we will be looking to send big ball carrier after big ball carrier into the Wasps defence and make them work hard for the ball and going backwards. This will include getting runners off Toomua of Fofana, Tuilagi and Savea. Bench of forwards are all big ball carriers and will look to finish the game strong.

Attack: Big ball carriers, tiring out the Wasps defence and making the hard yards. Will use Toomua to drop the bomb in front of the Wasps back three, to make them run onto the ball and get our kick chase competing with them and looking to force errors.

Breakdown: We will be making the breakdown a really physical battle, make Wasps fight for every ball and get scrappy ball for their halfbacks. Phillips to really go at his opposite number and put pressure on them at every single opportunity.

Defence: Aggressive blitz defence, with fast line speed. Toomua, Fofana and Tuilagi all aggressive defenders and will look to knock Wasps back in the tackle to give our forwards the chance to attack the breakdown. Really want to make the game very physical and confrontational. When Wasps have the ball we will get Williams to drop back to act as a second fullback and return any kicks with Foden.

Key points:

Well rested team, wanting to make a big impression to ensure that they get a HC Final place and knowing we have some time off before that game.
Really physical team, look to take the game to the opposition and smash them off the park. Conditions perfect and will play to our strengths.
Bench of internationals, all big ball cariers and will allow us to finish the game strongly.

---

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Paul James	09. Sebastien Tillous-Borde
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Tim Nanai-Williams
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Rynhardt Elstadt	13. Jaco Taute
07. Luke Wallace	14. Jack Nowell
08. Steffon Armitage	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Ben Alexander 19. Matt Symons 20. Marcell Coetzee 21.Aaron Smith 22. Pat McCabe 23. Anthony Watson

Basic Game Plan
In wet and windy conditions we will be looking to play a territory based game, using the boots of all of our backline to ensure that we play the game in the Saints half of the pitch.  Once in the right areas we will keep the ball tight, running it close to the rucks and recycling quickly rather than looking for the offload.  When using the boot we will mix up our kicking, sometimes looking for touch, sometimes looking to put it in behind the wingers, and ensuring that our kick chase is good and isolates their 11 and 14, and sometimes hitting huge up and unders to test them under the high ball.  We will look to maul from lineouts and generally play a tight, no frills, no risk game.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Tillouse-Borde will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout.  On our ball we will throw safe to the front or middle.  In our half we will box kick to gain territory.  In Saints half we will look to maul to gain ground.  On their throw we will contest if we are sure where it is going, otherwise we will hit the catcher as soon as he lands and stop them setting up the maul.
  
• Scrum.  We will target the imbalance in the Saints front row.  Hayman 6’4”, Webber 6’, Domingo 5’8”.  We will drive straight at the put in, knowing that Domingo’s hips will be further forward than Hayman’s and Wilson will be able to destabilize on that side and get Domingo turning in as a result.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play.  Tight, no frills, no risks game.  Kicking game to put us in the Saints half and from there our forwards will carry straight and hard and we will look to win the breakdown and go again with pick and drives.
  

Key Points

• Conditions.  We have picked a team specifically for the conditions.  Big scrummaging front 5 with two huge locks to give us ballast.  Mobile back row to get to the breakdown quickly and win that battle.  Elstadt in there as an extra lineout option.  All backs have played either at 10 or 15 in their career and have kicking games ranging from good to excellent, which will be key to playing in the right areas.
  
• Back Three.  We expect Saints to test our back three under the high ball in the wet conditions, and so have picked three players all of whom are natural full backs and comfortable under the high ball.  Our bench outside backs also play full back and can maintain that standard through the 80 minutes.
  
• Bench.  5 full internationals, including both props to bring on and close the game out in the final quarter.
  

---

---

Worcester Warriors v Gloucester Rugby
Location - Sixways
Heavy Rain Shower, 13 Degrees, 16 mph W winds

---

Worcester Warriors
Manager-CJ

01.  Nathan Catt	09. Dimitri Yachvilli (k)
02.  Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. BJ Botha
04. George Skivington	11. Sam Smith
05. Alun Wynn-Jones (c)	12. Anthony Allen
06.  Tom Guest	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. John Barclay	14. Mark Cueto
08. Ashley Johnson	15. Willie Le Roux

16.  Samson Lee 17. Dave Ward 18.  Brett Sturgess 19. Alexandre Flanquart 20.  Tom Guest 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow  22. Kyle Godwin 23. Chris Pennell

Tactics

Breakdown- Barclay to act as an out and out fetcher chasing and spoiling the ball, helped by the rest of the pack when necessary. Look to clear out in groups moving with intensity to speed our ball up and to mostly slow rather than steal ball, and don't overcommit unless the ball can be turned over as setting the defence is vital.

Attack- Move slow ball around in groups of 3 forwards to tire the opposition, mixing in the maul, the crash ball off 12/inside pop to a forward off 10 and the kicking of our halfbacks. Mix our kicks, looking to kick long if space at the back is unguarded with 2 international FBs in our back 3 for the territory game, or high with a hard chase (chase all kicks obviously) if any of their back 3 are isolated. Don't fear to chip over a blitzing defence too. Jump into every high ball given the current environment on catching and to force knock-ons in the rain

Keep quicker ball in hand but don't force it- Think about flooding the blindside as another option, but predominantly have FTH attack the line and use Allen or  Campagnaro (via a cut out if needed) to make a break or ground then get the ball back quickly at the breakdown and use any nearby forwards or the wing to attack the space made. Blind wing and FB can join line but focus on positioning for kicks etc given the weather.

We have to press for tries so go all out in their 22 and kick for touch if we have any sort of lead and functioning lineout.

Defence-

Really aggressive blitz led by Allen, Yachvilli sweeping and really press for the chargedown with the backrow.

Scrum- 

GEt the ball out quickly and either use a set play through Guest or kick as above.

Lineout-

AWJ to call, keep it simple and use the maul off our 3 main jumpers

Subs-

Ward to be used if we need more in loose or breakdown. Throw everything at the game to chase the 4 tries. Pennell to come on early if the territory game needs tightening up

Targets-

Flood the blindside when May is lacking support to test his defence. Also switch to drift with him if starts lateral running. Look to isolate Gray and Banahan

Overall-

Mix up the kicks depend what is on

Keep it simple in the backs using the centres to make ground

Barclay to chase ball at the breakdown

Chase 4 tries and kick for the sides

Use the two phase attack in the backs with quick ball

---

Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01.  Guthro Steenkamp	09. Connor Murray
02.  Jamie George	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Richie Grey	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Matt Scott
06.  Willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kuridani
07. Julian Salvi	14. Matt Banahan
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

16. Nick Wood  17. Luke Cowan dickie 18.  Coenie Ousthuizen 19. Eben Etzbeth 20.  Sam Dickinson 21. Dan Robson 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Charlie Walker

In dreadful conditions Gloucester have gone for a wet weather side full of sIze and carrying to control the ball and Win the territory battle.

Pack

Glos have gone for huge carrying options as we are intent on keeping the ball and wearing wuss down.

We will look to get gray Alberts steenkamp etc on front foot providing quick ball for Murray and carter

Scrums

Gone for a huge technical front 5 to enable us to anchor our own ball and allow us to attack there ball with figallo leading the hit. Murray will be putting serious heat on their 9 with the aim of spoiling and disrupting .


Line out

We have 5 options and will be attacking via rolling mauls before popping off the back to runners. We will challenge their ball every line out as we want to build pressure.

General

We have bought in an out and out 7 in salvi to target the breakdown amd will be sending numbers in with the mission to ruin their ball and force turnovers. When In possession keeping the ball and carrying it to them to give good ball to the halfbacks is the mission


Backs

We have an 8,9,10 that are full of int quality and they will dictate the game . We will play wet weather rugby and carter and Murray will look to win territory with their kicking games.


We have a big set of backs and will be using them to crash up and recycle.

When we believe it is on we will look to move it particularly in the red zone.

We have folau and banahan on the wings so will use cross kick and the up and under .

8,9,10 win the games in these conditions and we have a strong outfit.

We will blitz in defence with Murray sweeping


We will use the bench as these conditions are tough and we have an international class bench

---

What wonderful conditions to throw the ball around in!!!

Fantastic news on the weather front !!

Don't I need a BP win to stand a chance of staying up? Bugger

Worcester Warriors
Manager-CJ

01.  Nathan Catt	09. Dimitri Yachvilli (k)
02.  Matthew Rees	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. BJ Botha
04. George Skivington	11. Sam Smith
05. Alun Wynn-Jones (c)	12. Anthony Allen
06.  Tom Guest	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. John Barclay	14. Mark Cueto
08. Ashley Johnson	15. Willie Le Roux

16.  Samson Lee 17. Dave Ward 18.  Brett Sturgess 19. Alexandre Flanquart 20.  Tom Guest 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow  22. Kyle Godwin 23. Chris Pennell

Tactics

Breakdown- Barclay to act as an out and out fetcher chasing and spoiling the ball, helped by the rest of the pack when necessary. Look to clear out in groups moving with intensity to speed our ball up and to mostly slow rather than steal ball, and don't overcommit unless the ball can be turned over as setting the defence is vital.

Attack- Move slow ball around in groups of 3 forwards to tire the opposition, mixing in the maul, the crash ball off 12/inside pop to a forward off 10 and the kicking of our halfbacks. Mix our kicks, looking to kick long if space at the back is unguarded with 2 international FBs in our back 3 for the territory game, or high with a hard chase (chase all kicks obviously) if any of their back 3 are isolated. Don't fear to chip over a blitzing defence too. Jump into every high ball given the current environment on catching and to force knock-ons in the rain

Keep quicker ball in hand but don't force it- Think about flooding the blindside as another option, but predominantly have FTH attack the line and use Allen or Campagnaro (via a cut out if needed) to make a break or ground then get the ball back quickly at the breakdown and use any nearby forwards or the wing to attack the space made. Blind wing and FB can join line but focus on positioning for kicks etc given the weather.

We have to press for tries so go all out in their 22 and kick for touch if we have any sort of lead and functioning lineout.

Defence-

Really aggressive blitz led by Allen, Yachvilli sweeping and really press for the chargedown with the backrow.

Scrum-

GEt the ball out quickly and either use a set play through Guest or kick as above.

Lineout-

AWJ to call, keep it simple and use the maul off our 3 main jumpers

Subs-

Ward to be used if we need more in loose or breakdown. Throw everything at the game to chase the 4 tries. Pennell to come on early if the territory game needs tightening up

Targets-

Flood the blindside when May is lacking support to test his defence. Also switch to drift with him if starts lateral running. Look to isolate Gray and Banahan

Overall-

Mix up the kicks depend what is on

Keep it simple in the backs using the centres to make ground

Barclay to chase ball at the breakdown

Chase 4 tries and kick for the sides

Use the two phase attack in the backs with quick ball

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

In Quins biggest game of the season Steven_sharks has picked a side equipped to get a full 5 point win he feels they will require to at least have a chance of getting into the semi finals. Harlequins can recall one of the finest players in the world in Michael Hooper who slots back into his familiar 7 shirt. Steve Borthwick captains the side in what could be his last appearance as a professional rugby player alongside heir apparent George Kruis.

01. Joe Marler	09. Ruan Pienaar (k)
02. Schalk Brits	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Joe Tomane
05. Steve Borthwick (c)	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Tom Wood	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Tony Woodcock 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Nick Easter 20. Luke Braid 21. Karl Dickson 22. Steven Myler 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

In our own half use the boot of Pienaar, Cooper and Kearney to get us into the opposition half. Look to kick for the touch lines or to exploit players out of position. If there are no gaps to kick for then we will take advantage of the gaps which will therefore have appeared in the defensive line and exploit this space. In our own 22 we will kick straight to touch.

In the opposition half we will remain patient and use our pack and midfield to get us across the gain line and get us quick ball to attack with. We will look to carry in numbers and aim to win the collisions and keep the legs pumping after contact. In attack we will remain patient until we get quick ball Cooper will stand flatter and bring others into play on the gain line and we will really look to step up a gear with Pienaar and Cooper controlling the tempo. As we get quicker ball and tie in more defenders we will look to spread the ball wider and get our elusive back three into spaces.

At the set piece we will look to exert big pressure on Ben T and look to get underneath him, especially as he tires. At the line out we will look to shorten between the 22m lines and use Gorgodze and Hooper as carriers in the midfield. We will really look to put big pressure on the Bath lineout with Borthwick, Kruis and Wood marking their key jumpers.

In defence we will play with a very aggressive line speed and look to double up in the tackle when we have the numbers and look to win the collisions and target the ball and the turnover. At the breakdown we will look for Hooper and Wood to dominate and win the turnovers or legally slow the ball down.

Win comes first, but we have 4 tries in mind.

I'm on tour from 3am Saturday so will struggle with predos but will try to do them Thursday Eve/Friday as scores.

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Maa Nonu
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Matt Hopper
07. Chris Robshaw	14. George North
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Stuart Hogg

|
16. Mikey Haywood 17. Carl Rimmer 18. Jake Cooper Wollsey 19. Luke Romano 20. James Haskell 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Mathieu Basteraund 23. Rob Miller

Newcastle Falcons confirm team for Exeter Chiefs battle.

1.Soana Tonga'uhia
2.Dane Coles
3.Owen Franks
4.Ed Slater (C)
5.Geoff Parling
6.Liam Messem 
7.Richie McCaw
8.Kieron Read

9.Ben Youngs
10.Aaron Cruden (K)
11.Cory Jane
12.Francis Sailli
13.Marcelo Bosch (LGK)
14.Charles Pitatau
15.Alex Goode

16.George McGuigan 17.Matt Mullen 18.Matt Stevens 19.Yoaan Maestri 20.Will Fraser 21.Dave Ewers 22.Dave Lewis 23.Joel Hodgson

Mark

01. Ben Franks	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ken Owens	10. Nick Evans
03. Adam Jones
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Nick  Cummins
05. Matt Garvey	12. Luke McAlister
06. Jackson Wray	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Warburton	14. JP Pieterson
08. Ben Morgan	15. Rob Cook

16. Tom Lindsay 17.  Will Collier 18. Wyatt Crockett 19. Nick Kennedy 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Rory Kockott 22. Owen  Williams 23.  Henry Trinder

Tactics

Set Piece
We will play a simple  set piece game and control the scrum and lineouts keeping them steady, on their ball we will look to turn and give our openside clear runs at the backs, the lineout we will put 2 up unless it's in our 22 where we will either stand off  their maul for the penalty or sack it straight away.

Back Row
Power and breakdown players here, Wray is playing into good form and Morgan will make yards in the tough conditions. We willlook to slow down Sale's ball but  not commit if t's lost, our breakdowns we will look to secure with 3 or 4 men and have  options tight to 9 to make the hard yards.

Half Backs
We have selected half backs who can control the pace of the game and keep a steady flow for us. Evans, McAlister and Cook will look to kick deep and  off the park to put pressure on their lineouts.

Attack
Power coming from Smith, Cummins and JP to run angles off the centres and look to run either for gaps or back into our forwards. Our carriers in the pack will give the extra optios for a tight carrying game and it will only go wide if it is on. Kicking is an option to pin them back.

Defence
Smith will lead this and we will look to be hard hitting and go for the legs, the conditions will allow for mistakes so we will keep 2 hands on the ball and look to hit low and make Sale knock on. We know they are dangerous at  half backs so Warburton and Garvey will look to fly at their halfbacks and keep them out of the game. We will look to blitz with the last man running to stop any long passes. Dickson will sweep and look to secure our ball. We will look for turnover ball only if it is on.

Bench
Impact carriers on the bench and Kennedy will look to steal late ball, Tipuric will love being over the ball in these conditions. With Kockott we have someone who can win big matches, Williams is in good form and will look to turn tired  legs running backwards, Trinder can add another carrying  option.

Conditions
Wet weather so a simple carrying game looking to make hard yards and put ourselves deep in opposition territory.

Opposition Specific
We know the Care-Sexton axis is rated which is why we have Wray and Tipuric to slow down the ball and Garvey as well, they will look to snag Care and be aware of his snipes. We will target Sale come scrum time with the power we have in the front 5. We also are aware of how dangerous they are out wide so will look to stop the ball going out wide and keep them in a tight game. We will take any point available with both Evans and Cook kicking and Kockott to come on.

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira	09. Hadyn Thomas
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Toby Flood (k)
03. James Johnstone
04. Brad Thorn	11. Matt Tait
05. Patricio Albacete	12. Scott Williams
06. Kelly Brown (c)	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Calum Clarke	14. David Strettle
08. Johnnie Beattie	15. James O'Connor

16. Sean Cronin 17. Richard Barrington 18. Logovii Mulipola 19. Bradley Davies 20. Gus Jones 21. Freddie Michalak 22. Freddie Burns 23. Tom Varndell

In the conditions look to use the boots of Flood, JOC and Tait to contest for possession and terrioty at the line out. Once we gain possession within their ten metre the use of simple forward patterns off the ten, and around the corner to earn the right to simply put the ball through the hands when the space and opportunity arrives from our forward work. Look to tire out a fatigued Falcons side in their with nothing to play for, whilst we would like to secure our status in the League for next season.

Key Points

• Target the Scrum - Use the power in the props to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Look to set and get the ball hooked cleanly to the back of the scrum. We have more scrummaging power but we don't want to mess around with resets. Use the power of JJ to target the Tonga'uhia who has been in decline at the scrum for a while now. Have all eight push when their hookers foot comes up, to gain get them going backwards.
  
• Quick Line outs – lineout leader in Brown along with top operators like Beattie and Thorn to mix the movement up. Look to turn the screw in the line out and put pressure on the Coles throw.
  
• Target the defensive frailty in the 10 and channels -Look to target the shoulders of Cruden with angled runs down his weaker shoulder and look to test pods of forwards down that channel as they won't cope with the sheer numbers coming around the corner. Similar with Saili forcing them to turn and move with runners down their weak shoulders, they will miss tackles.
  
• Look to use blitz defence to cut down the options of Cruden and Youngs, forcing them back inside to our forwards. Thomas to sweep and marshal the line.
  
• Flood the Breakdown – With the physicality in our backrow, front five and centres we will look to just blow out any ruck to create quick ball. Even in defence in we will target one or two rucks where there are no men and clean through past the ball they won't cope. Similar with the first man in the ruck to drive through and clear any on coming opposition players to create clean quick ball.
  
• The above team ethic will prevent McCaw and Read getting over the ball and slowing the ball down for our backs. 
  
• Defence at the Rucks - if we can't win the ruck or flood it, we will 'ice'the ruck and fan numbers into our defence. This will force Falcons to put less and less numbers into rucks and once they look frail or have put in low numbers we will blow the ruck out; clean, low, and hard - creating turnover ball which will instantly go wide.
  
• Carrying options - Loads of big carrying options to get us over the gain line and allow the backs to get into the game. Look to get options outside the ten mostly or outside 12 to target the defensive line outside their guards where the line is weakest.
  
• Bench - Use the bench to bring on more big ball carriers and also to up the pace of the game with the back replacements. Also to pick up the pace if need be or control the game later on.
  
• Flood to kick all penalties to help build up points and keep the score ticking over.
  

Glos

01.  Guthro Steenkamp	09. Connor Murray
02.  Jamie George	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Richie Grey	11. Johnny May
05. George Robson	12. Matt Scott
06.  Willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kuridani
07. Julian Salvi	14. Matt Banahan
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

16. Nick Wood  17. Luke Cowan dickie 18.  Coenie Ousthuizen 19. Eben Etzbeth 20.  Sam Dickinson 21. Dan Robson 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Charlie Walker[/quote]

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore	10. Pat Lambie (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Ugo Monye
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Dom Waldouck
06. Ryan Jones	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Joe van Niekerk	15. Kurtley Beale

16. Tom Youngs 17. Benn Robinson 18. Dan Cole 19. James Horwill 20. James Scaysbrook 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Mike Brown

Tactics:

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

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Moore to look to really get into Batty, with two huge props backed up by Myall and Hines. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Jones or Hines at the front and Myall off the top as our three key options.
Shortened lineouts with Louw in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Put serious pressure on Batty's throws with Hines at the front on all Sarries' throws.

- Target the breakdown - huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Louw, and the likes of BOD too, we feel our breakdown play could be crucial today.

- Gigantic pack made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Sarries defence.

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

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Lambie and Beale. We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack.

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline. We have aggressive forwards to carry out this instruction. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Lambie to kick all penalties.

I don't see a Saints team, does that mean I get a walkover?   

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Max Lahiff	09. Henry Taylor
02. Ross Batty	10. Gareth Steenson
03. Clement Ric
04. Rob Simmons	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Dom Barrow	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Carl Fearns	13. George Lowe
07. Sam Underhill	14. Nathan Earle
08. Dave Denton	15. Luke Fitzgerald

:-
16. Keven Mealamu 17. Alex Waller 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Tim Swinson 20. Carl Fearns 21. Chris Cook 22. Tom Taylor 23. Jon Davies

Tactics:

General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality and will look to dominate the contact and get over the gain line. We'll be playing a high tempo physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in the their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our LH and Hooker will look to target TH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow TH to work on LH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out - Target all game. Look to mix it up on own throw and use the rolling maul to good effect. Our big pack should have a lot of joy here and will tie in the opposition defence. We'll look to contest on opp throw especially when sub get on the pitch as we feel we can really pressure him. Locks will look mastermind taking the opposition throw apart throughout the game.

Defence - High intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player. Huge physical pack that can look to dominate the collision and breakdown allowing Henry/Mealamu etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Blitz defence putting pressure on the opposition back line with the scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to inject pace from the breakdown and have 13 on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform.

Missed the thread! Sorry Pete.

Northampton Saints Team:

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Rob Webber
3. Carl Hayman
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Sergio Parisse (c)
9. Mike Phillips
10. Matt Toomua
11. Jordan Williams
12. Wesley Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Julian Savea
15. Ben Foden

Subs: 16. Dylan Hartley 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Ben Afeaki 19. Samu Manoa 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Nikola Matwulu 22. George Ford 23. Elliot Daly

Tactics: Weather conditions dictate a big pack, strong set piece, a midfield that can hit it up the middle and a back three that is confident under the highball. We will look to make the hard yards, play a very physical and aggressive game plan and force Wasps into errors and mistakes. With the Franklins Gardens support behind us we will look to beat the league leaders and build more momentum for the HC Final.

Setpiece: Strong scrummaging unit, which will look to get at their Wasps counterparts and force penalties whenever possible. In the conditions we will look for safe ball at the lineout, but have four excellent options in Launch, Lawes, Lautua and Parisse. We will use Lawes to target all Wasps' ball and put the catcher under pressure and force errors.

Gainline Battering: A lot of big ball carriers and we will be looking to send big ball carrier after big ball carrier into the Wasps defence and make them work hard for the ball and going backwards. This will include getting runners off Toomua of Fofana, Tuilagi and Savea. Bench of forwards are all big ball carriers and will look to finish the game strong.

Attack: Big ball carriers, tiring out the Wasps defence and making the hard yards. Will use Toomua to drop the bomb in front of the Wasps back three, to make them run onto the ball and get our kick chase competing with them and looking to force errors.

Breakdown: We will be making the breakdown a really physical battle, make Wasps fight for every ball and get scrappy ball for their halfbacks. Phillips to really go at his opposite number and put pressure on them at every single opportunity.

Defence: Aggressive blitz defence, with fast line speed. Toomua, Fofana and Tuilagi all aggressive defenders and will look to knock Wasps back in the tackle to give our forwards the chance to attack the breakdown. Really want to make the game very physical and confrontational. When Wasps have the ball we will get Williams to drop back to act as a second fullback and return any kicks with Foden.

Key points:

Well rested team, wanting to make a big impression to ensure that they get a HC Final place and knowing we have some time off before that game.
Really physical team, look to take the game to the opposition and smash them off the park. Conditions perfect and will play to our strengths.
Bench of internationals, all big ball cariers and will allow us to finish the game strongly.

This weather should mean some lowish scoring games this week. All to play for.

London Wasps make 7 changes to the starting line up for this weekends trip to Franklins Gardens.  With a home semi final already secure Wasps face Saints with no pressure on them to win, but determined to keep focus in the race for the title.

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Paul James	09. Sebastien Tillous-Borde
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Tim Nanai-Williams
05. Jim Hamilton ©	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Rynhardt Elstadt	13. Jaco Taute
07. Luke Wallace	14. Jack Nowell
08. Steffon Armitage	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Ben Alexander 19. Matt Symons 20. Marcell Coetzee 21.Aaron Smith 22. Pat McCabe 23. Anthony Watson

Basic Game Plan
In wet and windy conditions we will be looking to play a territory based game, using the boots of all of our backline to ensure that we play the game in the Saints half of the pitch.  Once in the right areas we will keep the ball tight, running it close to the rucks and recycling quickly rather than looking for the offload.  When using the boot we will mix up our kicking, sometimes looking for touch, sometimes looking to put it in behind the wingers, and ensuring that our kick chase is good and isolates their 11 and 14, and sometimes hitting huge up and unders to test them under the high ball.  We will look to maul from lineouts and generally play a tight, no frills, no risk game.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Tillouse-Borde will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout.  On our ball we will throw safe to the front or middle.  In our half we will box kick to gain territory.  In Saints half we will look to maul to gain ground.  On their throw we will contest if we are sure where it is going, otherwise we will hit the catcher as soon as he lands and stop them setting up the maul.
  
• Scrum.  We will target the imbalance in the Saints front row.  Hayman 6’4”, Webber 6’, Domingo 5’8”.  We will drive straight at the put in, knowing that Domingo’s hips will be further forward than Hayman’s and Wilson will be able to destabilize on that side and get Domingo turning in as a result.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play.  Tight, no frills, no risks game.  Kicking game to put us in the Saints half and from there our forwards will carry straight and hard and we will look to win the breakdown and go again with pick and drives.
  

Key Points

• Conditions.  We have picked a team specifically for the conditions.  Big scrummaging front 5 with two huge locks to give us ballast.  Mobile back row to get to the breakdown quickly and win that battle.  Elstadt in there as an extra lineout option.  All backs have played either at 10 or 15 in their career and have kicking games ranging from good to excellent, which will be key to playing in the right areas.
  
• Back Three.  We expect Saints to test our back three under the high ball in the wet conditions, and so have picked three players all of whom are natural full backs and comfortable under the high ball.  Our bench outside backs also play full back and can maintain that standard through the 80 minutes.
  
• Bench.  5 full internationals, including both props to bring on and close the game out in the final quarter.
  

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Jared Payne

16. Jack McGrath 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Phil Swainston 19. Christian Day 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Ben Spencer 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

We will adopt a territory first approach and play the game in the opposition half forcing them to play from deep.

- Mentality is key. We are one win away from our first ever playoffs appearance. Irish have nothing to play for with their season already over. In clutch situations we will give 110%!  
 
- Win the kicking dual. Strong and intelligent kickers selected throughout the backline to ensure we dominate the territorial battle. We will constantly put the ball into the corners taking advantage of the Irish wide man rush.
 
- Tight carrying game. When in opposition territory we will look to carry close to the ruck and suck defenders in, only going wide when it is absolutely on to do so.
 
- Fast ball is crucial. Mobile pack and physical midfield to clear out rucks and ensure quick ball. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to make it easier to do so.

- Attack from the scrum. Strong technical front row backed up by a powerful second row will look to build a platform for Pickles, Care & Sexton. An area we will look to target if winning.
 
- Make ground from the lineout. Look to throw to the front or middle of the line, get the maul rolling and suck in defenders to create space. If uncontested look to shorten the line and have Picamoles run down the 10/12 channel.

- Straight line blitz defence. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

- Counter the opposition kicking game. Our back three have been instructed to sit deep on defence to cover kicks. All are comfortable under the high ball.
 
- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with POM & Todd fetching for the ball, supported by the rest of the pack when needed. We will always look to turn the ball over.

Predictions Open.

I'll add missing tactics as they come in.

Harlequins 36-33 Bath

See Quins getting on top in the pack and allowing Cooper to pull the strings. I can see them chasing the game a little in the 2nd and things opening up with them looking for the 4 tries. It'll be close but both teams have plenty of tries in them.

Irish 29-33 Sale

Funny game this one with Irish little to play for and Sale fighting for their top 4 place. Sale are in great form, they seem to be picking up wins every week and have a good forwards platform to set the tone here. I just think they'll really go for it and be too strong for Irish.

Glos tactics


In dreadful conditions Gloucester have gone for a wet weather side full of sIze and carrying to control the ball and Win the territory battle.

Pack

Glos have gone for huge carrying options as we are intent on keeping the ball and wearing wuss down.

We will look to get gray Alberts steenkamp etc on front foot providing quick ball for Murray and carter

Scrums

Gone for a huge technical front 5 to enable us to anchor our own ball and allow us to attack there ball with figallo leading the hit. Murray will be putting serious heat on their 9 with the aim of spoiling and disrupting .


Line out

We have 5 options and will be attacking via rolling mauls before popping off the back to runners. We will challenge their ball every line out as we want to build pressure.

General

We have bought in an out and out 7 in salvi to target the breakdown amd will be sending numbers in with the mission to ruin their ball and force turnovers. When In possession keeping the ball and carrying it to them to give good ball to the halfbacks is the mission


Backs

We have an 8,9,10 that are full of int quality and they will dictate the game . We will play wet weather rugby and carter and Murray will look to win territory with their kicking games.


We have a big set of backs and will be using them to crash up and recycle.

When we believe it is on we will look to move it particularly in the red zone.

We have folau and banahan on the wings so will use cross kick and the up and under .

8,9,10 win the games in these conditions and we have a strong outfit.

We will blitz in defence with Murray sweeping


We will use the bench as these conditions are tough and we have an international class bench

Newcastle 27-27 Exeter

Both sides with little to play for but imagine them going for the win. Falcons lack of tactics hinders them a little and some new faces for both sides. Falcons shade the line up but Exeter with a the game plan evens it out. Plenty of mistakes but a tough fought out draw.

Falcons tacics,

Percentages game , 9/10/15 to use boots to pin us in Cheifs 22

Attack the Exeter set piece.

Bosch to kill all goals from our own 10 metre.

drill ball into corners and use big pack to drive over.

Blitz defence with 9 sweeping.

Northampton 21-19 London Wasps

Front 5's pretty even and similar in the backrow. Saints could do with a better half back pairing to take control but I think they're a little stronger in the backs. Not a whol lot in it and I can't see too much on the scoreboard but Saints will edge.

Harlequins 38-28 bath

End of season nothing in it for bath. Better conditions than other
Matches so quins get the try bp win easily.
As they have to play open they will concede a few also. Routine

Quins 34-25 Bath
Quins plying the conditions a lot better and no tactics really don't help Bath here. There's not a lot to split man for man but with more to play for then Quins will bring more and have the motivation to get the bonus point.

Tigers 28-24 Sarries
Tigers pack bringing more to the game here and feel their 9 can gain the control in these conditions. Not a lot to play for for either team really but Tigers tactics playing the conditions a little bit better using their pack to control it.

Falcons 15-17 Chiefs
Falcons not overly settled whereas Chiefs are here. No tactics don't help Falcons and Chiefs have safety to play for. Horrible conditions and with the heavier front 5 I'm edging it to Chiefs.

Saints 22-22 Wasps
Not a lot in this game to be honest, both teams playing well with the tactics of the conditions. Both teams bringing advantages, Wasps up front and Saints in centre. Giving this a draw.

Warriors 23-26 Glos
Warriors set out well here but the backrow and half-backs that Glos have on show will get them over the gainline and to a good win.

Harlequins 34 - 29 Bath Rugby
Agree with others with this game, think Quins will be looking for the BP win and throwing the ball around, lucky with conditions not being heavy rain. Bath will capitalise and be a lot of tries for both sides, but Bath havent anything to play for.

Leicester Tigers 27 - 23 Saracens
Tigers have the chance to finish top of the table, Sarries again trying out some youngsters and Welford Road not the ideal place. Can see Sarries getting some joy through the Waldouck, who hasnt had much gametime.

London Irish 11 - 15 Sale Sharks
Conditions have a big bearing here - horrible weather, not ideal for Irish but will suit Sale and their players and the fact that they need to win to be in with a shout of the playoffs.

Newcastle Falcons 15 - 15 Exeter Chiefs
Mark Falcons down for not having as detailed tactics, but their team is more suited for the conditions, would have given Exeter the win otherwise. Draw due to combination of conditions and better tactics from Chiefs.

Worcester Warriors 12 - 16 Gloucester
Conditions play into Mat's hands and can see his pack winning the battle here.

Falcons 16-16 chiefs 2 disjointed teams with nowt to play for. Home advantage saves draw.

Fluffy done a great job this year. Good bunch at the moment

Irish 9-16 sale

Sale in form and with Irish on the beach this is easy. Weather dictates this on a decent day sale by 30. Always see teams with little to play for capitulating at this time of year.


Prop nowt wrong with your team as per your question. A few form issues and also a league position where you have nothing to play for is why you have losses

ok cheers for the feedback matt

Apparently my name is now fluffy...

Bloody predictive text flux.


My friend Amal regularly gets called anal so you are lucky!!!

fluffy anal?

Saints 23-21 wasps

Wasps have a top front 3 and weighty front 5 and suit conditions but saints have enough to hang until subs come on and take it away.

Wasps win halfback battle but will lose to a spark from saints terrifying back line.

Saints backrow easily better than wasps which helps.
8 is a specialist position and Armitage not an 8. Behind a pack like Toulouse yes but on here a no. Luatua massively out of
Form but much better than elstadt.

Farrell suits wasps they are fantastic. Sense pete will play differently next year.

Like me wasps Leicester have rested players as bigger games ahead

Prop that's how they do it up north

well remind me not to go up north then!

Prop rugby up there so poor apart from a few clubs. Worst is when they send their refs on exchange,

We need the north to play and love rugby but is very much a minority sport compared to football there .

Sale otley west Hartlepool tynedale wharfdale bradford and bingley caldy orrell fylde etc produced so many players yet rfu does not prioritise investment there and give money to rich clubs in Home Counties who need no financial support

It's a big shame the county game has died. Used to be massive watching Gloucestershire in Lydney about 10 years ago

Our schools always do well and produce bags of talent.

The top teams in the country at U16 level are northern clubs I think, last time I checked anyway (Woodhouse & Sedbergh). Sedbergh produce a stack of players for Falcons, Will Greenwood went there and Durham Uni.

Rugby is still pretty big in the NE, most towns have at least one team. It's not that different from the SE.

Sedburgh awesome. It's the lack of depth in the northern game. The odd good team but the rest absolute rot. Likewise football teams from
West Country play a pub team in North east and get hammered.

Where prop and I are from everyone plays rugby and the standard is immense compared to rest of country.

All junior finals at twickenham last week were
From glos longlevens and newent.
They are clubs with little pedigree and catchment area which shows how nuts the area is.

Prop I played for glos at regentsholme about. 3
Times. Preferred playing at Dockham road though.

I lost in a semi final at Redruth against Cornwall and there were 6/7000 people. County scene dead now

To be fair i live in a town where they're 6 senior clubs with 2 or more sides and 2 with just one senior side.

Rugby is a massive sport in Hartlepool ,produced loads of good players over the years. Micky Young the latest example. Simon Webster is another. 

Josh Bragman in Sharks acedemy who i know quite well , born in south africa but lived in Hartlepool from 4-18 , Now he's been signed by Natal Sharks.

Graham Rowntree is a hartlepool lad , Geoff Parling is a stockton product , flood morpeth , Lee Dickson Barnard Castle.

Will carling was Barnard castle. North has produced some great players but it will always be a second choice sport up north as it also is in lots of the south.

South west and East Midlands the real rugby heartlands of the country. Get towards Hampshire and Wiltshire and the standard is awful

Harlequins 24 - 22 Bath

Fairly tight up front, think both TH's get on top. Whitelock the standout means Bath take the second row, whilst Quins just take the back row but great contest. Tight packs. SLight edge to Quins at HB, whilst centres are tight, and Bath take the back threes. Bath such a good side, but QUins at home have enough to edge it.


Irish 18 - 19 Sale

Decent front row battle, not much in it. SLight edge to Sale in the second row, with really good back row contest. Overall packs fairly even. HB's to Sale, whilst its one apiece in the centres. Fairly even back threes. Really close game - only diff for me is Sale have something to play for and see them nicking it.


Newcastle 25 - 21 Exeter


Saints 22 - 18 Wasps


Worcester 19 - 20 Gloucester