Heineken Cup Final

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Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Location - Millennium Stadium
Roof Closed, 15 Degrees, No Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Pascal Pape	11. Ugo Monye
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Jacques Burger	14. Sitivenu Sivavatu
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Tom Youngs 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Dan Cole 19. Nathan Hines 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Micky Young 22. Pat Lambie 23. Kurtley Beale

Tactics:

Key Points:

Big Emphasis on Breakdown
Saints' side has not one player who is strong at the breakdown and we feel we can really win this crucial part of the game. At 7 they have du Plessis - who looks a prospect for the future but has lees than 15 Super Rugby apps - vs Francois Louw. 
Louw and Burger, with BOD too, to aim to dominate the ruck area.

Been There Done It
Jonny WIlkinson, Brian O'Driscoll, Andrew Sheridan, Pascal Pape, Ernst Joubert, Franois Louw, Sitivenu Sivavatu etc. We have huge amounts of experience of the biggest games. Look to rile Saints' youngsters - primarily players in key positions like Mako Vunipola, Courtney Lawes, Jacques du Plessis, Billy Vunipola and George Ford.

Get After Simpson From The First Whistle
Jacques Burger and Francois Louw to target Joe Simpson from the off. Any issues with Simpson, Saints are relying on Nikola Matawulu as their replacement scrum half.

Saints Big Carriers
The Saints pack, particularly their back row, is all about carrying big and not a lot else. In our side we have huge tacklers, who love physical contact. Led by the imperious Jacques Burger - if we defend big and hard, we prevent Saints doing much else.

Controlling, Experienced HB's
Really look to Wilkinson and Fotuali'i to school Simpson and Ford in this crucial battle in a final. Control the game, dictate how and where it's played using their rugby brains.


General Tactics:

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

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

- Put serious pressure on Hartley's throws with Joubert at the front on all Saints' throws.

- Target the breakdown - huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Louw and Burger, 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 Saints defence. 

- 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 Wilko and 36. 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.

- Wilko to kick all penalties.

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Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley(c)	10. George Ford
03. Carl Hayman
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Nikola Matawulu
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Matt Giteau
06. Samu Manoa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Jacques du Plessis	14. Julian Savea
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Henry Thomas 19. Steven Luatua 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Elliot Daly 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Ben Foden

Tactics:

Key points:

Mobility of the Forwards:
We have picked a team that is capable of playing at a high tempo and hitting rucks in numbers to tackle the threat of Burger and Louw - we see a real advantage in having Lawes and Launchbury and their ability to operate as additional flankers. Both Vunipolas, Manoa, Hartley and du Plessis will be used to clear out the breakdown area - we will get more numbers to rucks and put more men in to secure quick ball and attack with.

Physicality/Tackling
With our pack and a backline that has Savea, Tuilagi and Giteau involved we can play an incredibly physical and aggressive game in both our ball carrying and defensive line. We are aware of Burger's prowess in the tackle area, but he can't be at every tackle situation and with the ball carrying game of our forwards we can send big runner after big runner at Tigers. When we have a prop in Mako Vunipola who puts in as many tackles during a game as most flankers...we will look to smash Tigers back in the tackle area at every opportunity and stop them building any momentum and force them into kicking.

Creativity in midfield
We believe there is a lack of pace for Tigers at 10, 12 and 13, which we can exploit in both defence and attack. Ford standing flat at 10 to bring in Giteau, Tuilagi and Savea who have the power to break the Tigers defence. In defence we can commit more into rucks because there is no one in the Tigers midfield who can score from distance and just need to ensure we make our one on one tackles.

Believe we can wrap the Tigers up in midfield and stem their attack.

Game Changers
We've picked a team that has players capable of changing the game or getting that moment of magic to win a final, which could be all the difference - rampaging runs from the Vunipolas, big hits from Lawes and Manoa and try scoring threat from Ford, Tuilagi, Savea, Matawulu and Simpson.

Target Kahn Fotuali'i and Tigers lineout
He has blown hot and cold this season and we will target him, particularly at the base of the scrum with Joubert controlling at the base. We will look to pressurise the Tigers lineout with Lawes competing for every ball with Myall, want to win this battle to create a great attacking platform.

Sole focus on Heineken Cup
We have specifically targeted retaining the HC and have rested players specifically over the last 4-6 weeks so they can put their all into this one game. We have won 17 out of 17 European games and are full of confidence.

Halfpenny's Boot
Kicking on his home turf -when you've got a team with Wilko you need another top class kicker to match him kick for kick.

Tactics:

Roof closed = Attack:
We aren't going to let this game turn into an arm wrestle and kicking duel. We are going to put pace onto the game and get our match winners involved as much as possible. Having the roof closed favours our attacking game, in heavy rain it would be a slugfest, but we can get our big runners involved early on and start an offloading game where Tigers will have to make tackle after tackle.

We will look to absolutely batter the gainline. Ford will play flat, attack the gainline and bring in our strike runners on lines that will really test the Tigers defence. Will then spread the ball wide for any overlaps and keep moving Tigers all over the pitch stretching their defence, so Simpson, Matawulu, Tuilagi and Savea can exploit any gaps.

Control 10/12
We've selected Giteau at 12 to play a supportive role to Ford.

Setpiece:
We will target Sheridan at scrumtime and look to get the shove on with a very powerful pack. Believe we can target Myall and Joubert in terms of physciality here too. The area that we are going to specifically target will be the lineout and see whether we can assert some dominace here to create a great attacking platform - We've got four jumpers to pick from and can strengthen this with Luatua and Parisse. We will apply a lot of pressure on Myall with Lawes competing for every ball and disrupt the service to the Tigers no9.

Breakdown:
We will be making the breakdown a really physical battle, we have a faster and more mobile forward unit and will put more numbers into the breakdown and clear out Louw and Burger. We will turn every breakdown into a contest and give Tigers messy ball. We will also seek to

Defence:
Aggressive blitz defence, with fast line speed and will aim to smash Tigers back in the tackle area. Will have Simpson sweeping in behind the defensive line.

Subsitutes:
Bench all selected for their impact and backs specifically picked for their try scoring/creativity.

Isn't the roof meant to be closed this weekend, would that effect the weather on here too?

Could be good news for my team a bit of rain...

mark

Sure the roof is being closed

Roof closed I think.

Conditions adjusted  

Wouldn't want the HC Final spoiled by a bit of rain...sorry Luke! Team will be pretty much what I put up in press release, but probably du Plessis instead of Cane at openside. Will put it up first thing tomorrow morning.

Roofs being closed. 

Also Matawala is a 9 not a wing you know Chris?

Have a look at his shirt number here Driver...

http://www.rugbydump.com/2014/05/3717/niko-matawalu-beats-stuart-hogg-in-footrace-to-deny-him-a-hat-trick?cant_find=%2F2008%2F07&page=all

He's played a lot at wing for Glasgow this year.

He's mainly a 9 though isn't he? I know they signed him as a 9 and he generally comes off the bench for Cusiter when I've caught Glasgow (only a few times mind)

Started off as scrum half this season, then got in a bit of trouble for biting someone but didnt get banned and then got moved out to the wing due to his pace and attack - think he's got something like 18/20 tries in 45 games now for them now.

Glasgow have looked really good this year, some good backrowers!

Matawala definitely a better winger then scrumhalf! Electric runner can create something from absolutely nothing but scrum half basics are pish poor. Can get wound up as well so better to keep him away from the ruck area! Predominately plays wing for the wedgies these days.

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Matawala definitely a better winger then scrumhalf! Electric runner can create something from absolutely nothing but scrum half basics are pish poor. Can get wound up as well so better to keep him away from the ruck area! Predominately plays wing for the wedgies these days.  

Sounds a bit like Joe Simpson

You saw his try at the weekend too then Pooly! Great wasn't it!

Yea, he's a great runner.....

Matawalu been great this year in the highlights i have seen. Made the rabo team of the year although if you look at the rabo team of the year it would not scare anyone

Leicester Tigers have named their side to play in the Heineken Cup final this week. 

Manager LukeLovesLuka has rejected the chance to make wholesale changes to his pack ahead of the Aviva Premiership final next week. The only changes see lock Kearnan Myall replace Nathan Hines, and Ugo Monye replace Drew Mitchell - both enforced due to European regulations involving English players in mathday squads. 

He said "we've talked it through over the last two months and got the players ready for a huge fortnight where we want both trophies. International players play top level, high intensity internationals week after week, and the boys are in great condition mentally and physically. 

All of them are spurred on by Jonny (Wilkinson) and Brian (O'Driscoll). Two greats of the game who both want to go out of the game on the ultimate high of winning the double. All the squad is doing it for them as much as anything else. "




Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore	10. Jonny Wilkinson (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Pascal Pape	11. Ugo Monye
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Jacques Burger	14. Sitivenu Sivavatu
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Tom Youngs 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Dan Cole 19. Nathan Hines 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Micky Young 22. Pat Lambie 23. Kurtley Beale

Tactics:

Key Points:

Big Emphasis on Breakdown
Saints' side has not one player who is strong at the breakdown and we feel we can really win this crucial part of the game. At 7 they have du Plessis - who looks a prospect for the future but has lees than 15 Super Rugby apps - vs Francois Louw.
Louw and Burger, with BOD too, to aim to dominate the ruck area.

Been There Done It
Jonny WIlkinson, Brian O'Driscoll, Andrew Sheridan, Pascal Pape, Ernst Joubert, Franois Louw, Sitivenu Sivavatu etc. We have huge amounts of experience of the biggest games. Look to rile Saints' youngsters - primarily players in key positions like Mako Vunipola, Courtney Lawes, Jacques du Plessis, Billy Vunipola and George Ford.

Get After Simpson From The First Whistle
Jacques Burger and Francois Louw to target Joe Simpson from the off. Any issues with Simpson, Saints are relying on Nikola Matawulu as their replacement scrum half.

Saints Big Carriers
The Saints pack, particularly their back row, is all about carrying big and not a lot else. In our side we have huge tacklers, who love physical contact. Led by the imperious Jacques Burger - if we defend big and hard, we prevent Saints doing much else.

Controlling, Experienced HB's
Really look to Wilkinson and Fotuali'i to school Simpson and Ford in this crucial battle in a final. Control the game, dictate how and where it's played using their rugby brains.


General Tactics:

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

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

- Put serious pressure on Hartley's throws with Joubert at the front on all Saints' throws.

- Target the breakdown - huge emphasis on our work at the breakdown today and we will always look to turnover possession. With Louw and Burger, 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 Saints defence.

- 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 Wilko and 36. 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.

- Wilko to kick all penalties.

Heineken Cup Final 2013/2014
Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley(c)	10. George Ford
03. Carl Hayman
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Nikola Matawulu
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Matt Giteau
06. Samu Manoa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Jacques du Plessis	14. Julian Savea
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Henry Thomas 19. Steven Luatua 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Elliot Daly 22. Weslie Fofana 23. Ben Foden

Tactics:

Key points:

Mobility of the Forwards:
We have picked a team that is capable of playing at a high tempo and hitting rucks in numbers to tackle the threat of Burger and Louw - we see a real advantage in having Lawes and Launchbury and their ability to operate as additional flankers. Both Vunipolas, Manoa, Hartley and du Plessis will be used to clear out the breakdown area - we will get more numbers to rucks and put more men in to secure quick ball and attack with.

Physicality/Tackling
With our pack and a backline that has Savea, Tuilagi and Giteau involved we can play an incredibly physical and aggressive game in both our ball carrying and defensive line. We are aware of Burger's prowess in the tackle area, but he can't be at every tackle situation and with the ball carrying game of our forwards we can send big runner after big runner at Tigers. When we have a prop in Mako Vunipola who puts in as many tackles during a game as most flankers...we will look to smash Tigers back in the tackle area at every opportunity and stop them building any momentum and force them into kicking.

Creativity in midfield
We believe there is a lack of pace for Tigers at 10, 12 and 13, which we can exploit in both defence and attack. Ford standing flat at 10 to bring in Giteau, Tuilagi and Savea who have the power to break the Tigers defence. In defence we can commit more into rucks because there is no one in the Tigers midfield who can score from distance and just need to ensure we make our one on one tackles.

Believe we can wrap the Tigers up in midfield and stem their attack.

Game Changers
We've picked a team that has players capable of changing the game or getting that moment of magic to win a final, which could be all the difference - rampaging runs from the Vunipolas, big hits from Lawes and Manoa and try scoring threat from Ford, Tuilagi, Savea, Matawulu and Simpson.

Target Kahn Fotuali'i and Tigers lineout
He has blown hot and cold this season and we will target him, particularly at the base of the scrum with Joubert controlling at the base. We will look to pressurise the Tigers lineout with Lawes competing for every ball with Myall, want to win this battle to create a great attacking platform.

Sole focus on Heineken Cup
We have specifically targeted retaining the HC and have rested players specifically over the last 4-6 weeks so they can put their all into this one game. We have won 17 out of 17 European games and are full of confidence.

Halfpenny's Boot
Kicking on his home turf -when you've got a team with Wilko you need another top class kicker to match him kick for kick.

Tactics:

Roof closed = Attack:
We aren't going to let this game turn into an arm wrestle and kicking duel. We are going to put pace onto the game and get our match winners involved as much as possible. Having the roof closed favours our attacking game, in heavy rain it would be a slugfest, but we can get our big runners involved early on and start an offloading game where Tigers will have to make tackle after tackle.

We will look to absolutely batter the gainline. Ford will play flat, attack the gainline and bring in our strike runners on lines that will really test the Tigers defence. Will then spread the ball wide for any overlaps and keep moving Tigers all over the pitch stretching their defence, so Simpson, Matawulu, Tuilagi and Savea can exploit any gaps.

Control 10/12
We've selected Giteau at 12 to play a supportive role to Ford.

Setpiece:
We will target Sheridan at scrumtime and look to get the shove on with a very powerful pack. Believe we can target Myall and Joubert in terms of physciality here too. The area that we are going to specifically target will be the lineout and see whether we can assert some dominace here to create a great attacking platform - We've got four jumpers to pick from and can strengthen this with Luatua and Parisse. We will apply a lot of pressure on Myall with Lawes competing for every ball and disrupt the service to the Tigers no9.

Breakdown:
We will be making the breakdown a really physical battle, we have a faster and more mobile forward unit and will put more numbers into the breakdown and clear out Louw and Burger. We will turn every breakdown into a contest and give Tigers messy ball. We will also seek to

Defence:
Aggressive blitz defence, with fast line speed and will aim to smash Tigers back in the tackle area. Will have Simpson sweeping in behind the defensive line.

Subsitutes:
Bench all selected for their impact and backs specifically picked for their try scoring/creativity.

anonmattyt wrote:Matawalu been great this year in the highlights i have seen. Made the rabo team of the year although if you look at the rabo team of the year it would not scare anyone

Wouldn't give any of us on here much of a scare but fancy it would give most club sides a good game! Matawalu didn't make it though. http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/rabo-direct-pro-12/2014/0505/615361-pro12-team/

Just waiting on tictacs from Chris

Sorry SJE it was this one I saw http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3825_9310801,00.html

Sorry guys - had a bit of a disaster with work, someone's hacked into the emails and changed the settings so no emails go out. Been a nightmare with clients, will get tactics in shortly!

Tigers 32-31 Saints
SP: Good scrummaging pack from Saints and their 2nd row partnership could cause damage to Tigers' lineout.
BK: Advantage Tigers who can slow down Saint's ball.
HB: Wilkinson is used to these situations and Ford may have a mental challenge on his hands but think he will rise above it. Not overly sold on either 9 at the moment so calling that evens.
AT: Evens here, tough to split.
DE: Not many gaps on show here today.
BE: 2 scarily strong impact benches on show today!
TA: Saints rightly targetting the lineout and feel they have the correct tactics for their defence. Tigers have the appropriate breakdown tactics and the experience.

Genuinely a tough tough game to predict and normally it would go to home advantage which isn't applicable here. Saints will get joy at the set piece but I think Tigers have enough to slow down their ball just to nick it at the death. Very high scoring game!

Leicester 27-24 Northampton

FR- Not a whole lot in it here, both have some issues but evens out.
SR- A little more grunt for Tigers, more athletism for Saints. I think Tigers will get on top a bit in the line out.
BR- Saints going all power can be got at a bit with Tigers very savvy at the breakdown, can see them slowing a lot of ball.
HB- Contrasting styles. Tigers control will have a bit too much with the Saints pairing playing off slower ball. I think Saints need a control type 9 to counter Ford.
CE- 2 great units, nothing in it. Tigers going to miss BOD.
B3- Matawulu can be got at a bit but 2 good units.
Overall Tigers slowing of ball and control of halfbacks are perfect for a final. Saints will be a threat throughout but just come up short.

Leicester 31 - 33 Saints

will fill in explanation when I have more time. Basically down to sheer physicality.

Will predict later on- Marker

Leicester 30-35 saints


Great game which will be decided by the one score.

Pack

Will not be many scrums but if measuring it Sheridan marked down quite a bit.

Front 5 comfortably to saints with myall out of his depth at this level.

Backrow to Leicester with their top drawer flankers disrupting ball galore. Leicester need a better 8 with Joubert looking a faded force this year before injury.

Du plessis is a fine talent but not a 7 and will get schooled by burger who is one of the best. Line out
Pretty even with both hookers having fine seasons.

Saints tactics of physicality will get results. I think they have so
Much more carrying options and this is crucial to get front foot ball.

Simpson is not having a great season and is lucky foutuali has had a mixed season but halfbacks go comfortably to Leicester


Saints have better firepower and I prefer saints centre pairing. Can see saints having more ball and using it better but wilko bossing things keeping it close.

Where this game is won is probably when the benches empty.
Luke is unlucky to have so many players on the bench with very little form.
It happened to Chris a few years ago where most of
His players were crocked long term in real life.

Can see the likes of parisse and fofana closing out the game and leading saints to a famous victory

Leicester Tigers 39 Northampton 29

Really good final this , absolute quality on show from 1 to 23 in both teams. 

Front row: It's a 2 way split towards Tigers with Hayman on the way out. Moore 2nd best hooker in world for me.
Locks: This isn't a Kearnan Myall fixture but Hines coming from the bench helps tigers against the best lock combo in international rugby. Saints here.
Back Row: Can't get my head around Samu Manoa in the back row , much prefare him at 4. Two players over the ball will be key for tigers in this and they'll win the points for Wilko.
Lineout: Both should function well with them capable of banking there ball.
Half backs: Joe Simpson stints Saints back line for me , don't rate him at all. Him being targeted in the tactics could really get to him , George Ford will be a bit anxious with Knee surgury on the horizon. Kahn and Wilko win this at a canter.
Centres: It's a draw for me , can see a Brian O'Driscoll wonder performance keeping it tight.
Back three: It's a 2 out 3 for Tigers with Brown and Sivivatu 


Better tactics and more ball with some quality finishers see tigers run riot late on 

Leicester Tigers 32 - 29 Northampton Saints

Cracking close game and two good sides that fight it out for the Cup. Up front its a real physical affair, with both packs making dents each others defensive line. Saints front five making up for the slight lack of breakdown skills in their back row. And Tigers using their back row to really control the pace at the rucks. 
Set pieces are close with line-outs both being secure on their own ball, but the scrum is a bit of a mess. Mako against Cencus, both use their size usually and can this being the cause of a few penalties in both sides favour. 

The secure possession from the line-out allows both sides to play with the ball. Wilko will control the game for Tigers and get his pack playing where he needs them, with 36 and BOD providing clever kicking back up. Giteau and Ford will do the same, but will be put on the back foot with the Tigers controlling the breakdown. The attacking threat from both back three's with ball in hand is magical, but they don't get many chances to make an impact with the ball being stuck in rucks. 

In the end the experience of the Tigers side holds them in good stead and secures the Heineken Cup, Saints will be a force in the next few seasons however. Well done lads  

Tigers 29-27 Saints
Front five has to go to Saints. The second two combination is devastating and Tigers unit will be outclassed. Both have a player looking a bit out of place in the back row but edge just goes to Tigers as feel they can do better work at the breakdown. I feel the Tigers half backs offer more control and experience in a big game scenario. Feel the edge goes to Saints in the outside backs but there isn't a huge amount in it. Both benches are so strong that they can change the game. I think the big game experience and control in key positions gives Tigers a close win.

Leicester Tigers 19 Northampton Saints 25

Form issues at 1, 3 and 8 in the Tigers pack, which is pretty key.  More physicality for Saints up front will see them on the front foot, and Simpson and Ford will thrive on the front foot ball.

Tigers 22 - 21 Saints

Going to be close this one

RESULT:

Leicester Tigers 32 (T:4 C:3 P:2)
Northampton Saints 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)

Well done luke. First leg of the double under your belt.

Congrats Luke, you've had a cracking season

Cheers boys. Good game Chris

Well done Luke!

I imagine it'll be a bit harder next season with the number of retirements you will have!

Wilko is pretty irreplaceable

Congrats Luke!

Congrats Luke.

Hope your boys aren't too bashed up before next weeks game!  

I cannot see how Toulon can beat castre next week after the physicality of the final on Saturday.

Surely they would rotate.

Can't see Bakkies smith roussouw etc being in any fit state. To be fair Toulon probably have great medical care

I'd be surprised if any Toulon forward touched a ruck pad or scrum machine this week until Thursday. Just be run through after run through most training sessions i would think.