Aviva Premiership Final

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Leicester Tigers v London Wasos
Location - Twickenham
Sunny Intervals, 18 Degrees, 8 Mph NE 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. Nathan Hines	11. Ugo Monye
05. Pascal Pape	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Francois Louw	13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
07. Jacques Burger	14. Sitivenu Sivavatu
08. Ryan Jones	15. Mike Brown

16. Tom Youngs 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Dan Cole 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Micky Young 22. Pat Lambie 23. Kurtley Beale

Tactics:

Key Points:

Winning Breeds Winning
Newly crowned Heineken Cup Champions, holding Aviva Premiership champions. We are a side that knows how to win, in great form and looking for a historic double.

Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll
Our captain and fly-half play their last ever games in rugby. The chance to do the double in their final swansong. Players that leave everything on the pitch, and both have the brains to see our team through this game.

Squad Well Managed
Wasps may have had a week off, but we'd have rather won the Heineken Cup than been sat on the training ground. None of our pack have started more than 60% of our last 10 games - we've been gearing up for this run of games and all have been rested at the right time.

Wilko vs Farrell
The old dog proved in Cardiff last week he's still the main man - running the show and showing Farrell all he needs to become. One last chance for Wilko to show the world why he'll be a legend.

Game Changers on Bench
In Kurtley Beale alone we have someone, unlike Wasps, we have someone who can change the game completely. Micky Young has been in great form for Bath, Youngs can add dynamic carrying, Cole his breakdown work and Lambie can control things from 10 or 15.

General Tactics:

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cencus to look to really get into James and with our huge front row backed up by Pape and Hines - an area we will look to target if winning.

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

- Put serious pressure on BdP's throws with Hines at the front on all Wasps' 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 Wasps 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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London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Paul James	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Jim Hamilton (c)	11. Bryan Habana
05. Johann Muller	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Luke Wallace	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Martin Castrogiovanni 19. Matt Symons 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Nick Phipps 22. Pat McCabe 23. Anthony Watson

Basic Game Plan
In dry conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack.  We will play sensibly in our own half though, and will use the boots of Farrell, Lealiifano and Armitage if it is not on to run the ball.  When using the boot we will kick deep to make the Tigers pack have to work very hard covering from one ond of the pitch to the other

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

Specifics

• Lineout.  On our ball we will mix things up, utilising all of our back 5 forwards.  We will at times go with a shortened line and use Steffon Armitage either on the crash ball off first phase or as a decoy in midfield.  In good conditions we will primarily go off the top and quickly into open play.  On their ball Muller will look to read it and get up where we think the ball is going.
  
• Scrum.  We will look to target Sheridan on the Tigers loosehead side.  Wilson to stay low and and drive straight at Sheridans right shoulder looking to force him up and sever the link with him and Moore.  Hamilton will pack down on the tighthead side to add grunt, and in attacking situations, Vermeulen will pack down behind Wilson as well, with Armitage at 8, to really drive us through.
  
• 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, or if the carrier is isolated 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.  We want to move the Tigers pack around.  They are a big side and we want to test their mobility.  We will look to offload to a support runner once the tackler is committed and will do everything at pace.
  
• Defensive play.  We want to get off the line quickly, and as a team.  We want to where possible double up in the tackle, first man going low and stopping momentum before they hit the gainline, and second man in high to stop the offload before getting over the ball once the carrier is on the ground (obviously having released first so as to not get pinged).
  

Key Points

• Freshness/Fatigue We have played 3 games in 5 weeks, and had last week off.  Tigers have played 5 games in 5 weeks and have had 2 semi finals and a final in that time, which takes it's toll metally and physically.  Both props have played all 5 games, with Sheridan starting the last 4 and Johnston starting the last 3.  Moore has also started the last 4 on the trot and their bodies must be in bits.  In the backs, Wilkinson has started 3 and come off the bench in 1, and O'Driscoll has started 4 of the last 5 including the last 3 on the trot.  He never plays week in week out and will be in running on empty.
  
• Real life injuries/Form All of the Wasps team are fit and playing in real life, and have plenty of form.  For Tigers Sheridan hasn't played since November, Johnston has had a terrible time for Toulouse as has Pape for Stade.  Saints are noticably better when Dickson plays over Fotuali'i and Monye has been average at best.  We have the world's best hooker, in form props, the European player of the year, an in form, electric 9 , solid midfield and potent back three.
  
• Flankers  We are playing left/right flankers, who are extremely mobile, and effective at the breakdown.  They are charged with leading the defence, and effecting turnovers.   Having BdP in there as well will be liek having a third openside.
  
• Pack Weights  Tigers 943kgs Wasps 907kgs.  This is a difference of 36 kgs which equates 4.5 kgs per man, but 27kgs of it are accounted for with the props, meaning across the rest of the pack, it's under 2kgs.   That's not a big difference, meaning we are big enough to compete, but are aslo that bit lighter and more mobile so don't have as much bulk to haul around the pitch, which means we won't tire as quickly.
  
• World Class Spine In the important 2, 8, 9 and 10 jerseys we have players who would be considered to be world class.  Bismarck is best in the world by a distance at hooker, and the three are all in the top 5 in the world in their positions.  Winning knockout games is about making the right decisions at the right times, and these guys will do that.
  

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Decent conditions.  Good stuff.

Here we are Pete. Been a great season for us both. May the best man and all that.

Absolutely mate.  Well done on topping the table and best of luck.  

2 best teams/managers in the league, well done lads.

Good luck guys

London Wasps make 1 change to the starting line up that won their semi final against Sale Sharks two weeks ago, with Luke Wallace stepping up from the bench to replace Siya Kolisi on the flank.  There are also call ups for Martin Castrogiovanni, Nick Phipps and Anthony Watson, who come in for Ben Alexander, Nathan Fowles and Tim Nanai-Williams on the bench.  Director of rugby Ozzy3213 had this to say;-

"It's always tough picking a side to contest a final, as you have to leave players out who've worked hard for you all through the year.  We've gone with the 23 guys that we feel at present are in the best form and can get the job done for us.  It's going to be a massive occasion, and we've had a good weeks rest and recuperation, and have gotten the boys physically right for it.  This week is about putting the finishing touches to the preparation, and then firing them up for a final 80 minutes on the field."

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Paul James	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Owen Farrell
03. David Wilson
04. Jim Hamilton (c)	11. Bryan Habana
05. Johann Muller	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Luke Wallace	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Delon Armitage

16. Rob Hawkins 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Martin Castrogiovanni 19. Matt Symons 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Nick Phipps 22. Pat McCabe 23. Anthony Watson

Basic Game Plan
In dry conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack.  We will play sensibly in our own half though, and will use the boots of Farrell, Lealiifano and Armitage if it is not on to run the ball.  When using the boot we will kick deep to make the Tigers pack have to work very hard covering from one ond of the pitch to the other

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

Specifics

• Lineout.  On our ball we will mix things up, utilising all of our back 5 forwards.  We will at times go with a shortened line and use Steffon Armitage either on the crash ball off first phase or as a decoy in midfield.  In good conditions we will primarily go off the top and quickly into open play.  On their ball Muller will look to read it and get up where we think the ball is going.
  
• Scrum.  We will look to target Sheridan on the Tigers loosehead side.  Wilson to stay low and and drive straight at Sheridans right shoulder looking to force him up and sever the link with him and Moore.  Hamilton will pack down on the tighthead side to add grunt, and in attacking situations, Vermeulen will pack down behind Wilson as well, with Armitage at 8, to really drive us through.
  
• 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, or if the carrier is isolated 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.  We want to move the Tigers pack around.  They are a big side and we want to test their mobility.  We will look to offload to a support runner once the tackler is committed and will do everything at pace.
  
• Defensive play.  We want to get off the line quickly, and as a team.  We want to where possible double up in the tackle, first man going low and stopping momentum before they hit the gainline, and second man in high to stop the offload before getting over the ball once the carrier is on the ground (obviously having released first so as to not get pinged).
  

Key Points

• Freshness/Fatigue We have played 3 games in 5 weeks, and had last week off.  Tigers have played 5 games in 5 weeks and have had 2 semi finals and a final in that time, which takes it's toll metally and physically.  Both props have played all 5 games, with Sheridan starting the last 4 and Johnston starting the last 3.  Moore has also started the last 4 on the trot and their bodies must be in bits.  In the backs, Wilkinson has started 3 and come off the bench in 1, and O'Driscoll has started 4 of the last 5 including the last 3 on the trot.  He never plays week in week out and will be in running on empty.
  
• Real life injuries/Form All of the Wasps team are fit and playing in real life, and have plenty of form.  For Tigers Sheridan hasn't played since November, Johnston has had a terrible time for Toulouse as has Pape for Stade.  Saints are noticably better when Dickson plays over Fotuali'i and Monye has been average at best.  We have the world's best hooker, in form props, the European player of the year, an in form, electric 9 , solid midfield and potent back three.
  
• Flankers  We are playing left/right flankers, who are extremely mobile, and effective at the breakdown.  They are charged with leading the defence, and effecting turnovers.   Having BdP in there as well will be liek having a third openside.
  
• Pack Weights  Tigers 943kgs Wasps 907kgs.  This is a difference of 36 kgs which equates 4.5 kgs per man, but 27kgs of it are accounted for with the props, meaning across the rest of the pack, it's under 2kgs.   That's not a big difference, meaning we are big enough to compete, but are aslo that bit lighter and more mobile so don't have as much bulk to haul around the pitch, which means we won't tire as quickly.
  
• World Class Spine In the important 2, 8, 9 and 10 jerseys we have players who would be considered to be world class.  Bismarck is best in the world by a distance at hooker, and the three are all in the top 5 in the world in their positions.  Winning knockout games is about making the right decisions at the right times, and these guys will do that.
  

Leicester Tigers have named their side to play London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership Final.

Tigers are aiming for an historic double after their victory in the Heineken Cup Final last week over Northampton Saints.

Ths game sees the farewell for stalwarts Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll - LukeLovesLuka said "Jonny and Brian are legends of the sport who are aiming to go out on the ultimate high. We're here for the double - we want to make history and have both titles. We're here to give our all, leave our bodies on the field and let the legacy last forever."


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

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

16. Tom Youngs 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Dan Cole 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Micky Young 22. Pat Lambie 23. Kurtley Beale

Tactics:

Key Points:

Winning Breeds Winning
Newly crowned Heineken Cup Champions, holding Aviva Premiership champions. We are a side that knows how to win, in great form and looking for a historic double.

Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll
Our captain and fly-half play their last ever games in rugby. The chance to do the double in their final swansong. Players that leave everything on the pitch, and both have the brains to see our team through this game.

Squad Well Managed
Wasps may have had a week off, but we'd have rather won the Heineken Cup than been sat on the training ground. None of our pack have started more than 60% of our last 10 games - we've been gearing up for this run of games and all have been rested at the right time.

Wilko vs Farrell
The old dog proved in Cardiff last week he's still the main man - running the show and showing Farrell all he needs to become. One last chance for Wilko to show the world why he'll be a legend.

Game Changers on Bench
In Kurtley Beale alone we have someone, unlike Wasps, we have someone who can change the game completely. Micky Young has been in great form for Bath, Youngs can add dynamic carrying, Cole his breakdown work and Lambie can control things from 10 or 15.

General Tactics:

- Attack at all scrums with our huge pack - Cencus to look to really get into James and with our huge front row backed up by Pape and Hines - an area we will look to target if winning.

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

- Put serious pressure on BdP's throws with Hines at the front on all Wasps' 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 Wasps 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.

Two big old packs going head to head, I can feel the collisions already!!!

Both teams and tactics in, let's get it on!!!

Will hold back on any bashing Pete   

Would be a great game to watch.

Leicester Tigers 22-20 London Wasps

FR- Can't see many scrums but Wasps will have a slight edge. Both units give plenty around the park, not much in it.
SR- Tigers with more quality and will have some serious grunt.nothing in line outs.
BR- Tigers a big step up at 6 and Wasps better at 8. Nothing in the 7's. Two top units.
HB- Similar styles, Wilko the master in these games. Pretty close contest with both solid and not giving away much.
CE- Prefer both Tigers players and combo.Just not too much go forward off the Wasps pair.
B3- So close, 2 real quality trio's. Brown a real game changer these days but Wasps trio very good.
Overall- Both tactically sound and play to their strengths. I think the Tigers pack have a bit more muscle and this could give their Wilko a bit more to play off. I think Tigers have rotated well and will be really up for the double. Plenty of creativity in the Tigers backline but Wasps will be a nightmare to break down. Two cracking teams with Tigers just having the edge and bit more spark off the bench to sneak a narrow win with Wasps pushing them right till the end.

Leicester 24 - 26 London Wasps

Scrum goes to Wasps for me. I think they will a bit of joy across the front row. Leicester have the size their but the scrum is much more technical and the Wasps props benefit from this. I don't see much at all in the lineout with two strong throwers and a variety of lifters.

Back row is a fascinating battle. First up Ryan Jones stands out as a big weakness for me and costs Leicester. I can't give him any form rating when he is playing in the Championship so its a big one up at 8 for London Wasps. One the flanks its decent contests with Louw ahead of an inform Wallace and Armitage ahead of Burger. Across the back row I give the advantage to Wasps.

Half backs are level. Smith is a stronger option than Kahn for me, especially in a final. However at 10 they have Wilko. As good as Farrell is and might become their is only one fly half you'd have on your side here. Both will hit their goals and make their tackles. No weaknesses here.

Centres are fascinating and man for man it is one a piece with Lealiafano and BOD the stronger options. Wasps find more control from their 12 but the lack of a real physical go forward man in either combo surprises me and would have made a big difference in this game.

Back threes provide different threats. Their is a much more physical edge to the Leicester wings where as their is more pace about the Wasps wings. Full backs go to Leicester but Armitage hardly a weakness.

Benches both strong with a preference for Leicester's options off the bench but only slight. Tactics both spot on as usual. Essentially this comes down to the advantages I feel Wasps get up front and have the players behind the scrum to make this advantage count. Superb from both sides and Luke has managed his side brilliantly and that is what makes this so close. Had he not rotated then last week's battle against a hugely physical Saints side would have killed them.

Tigers 28 - 30 London Wasps
Two really evenly matched teams and will be a great game to watch, both have their tactics spot on as per usual and will be incredibly tight. Both teams have cracking players in the 2, 8, 9, 10 and 12 shirts too.

Ultimately for me Luke has been unlucky with injuries to key players, like Sheridan, Cole and form issues of Johnson and Pape, while Pete's team have all been picking up form as the season reaches its climax, just have to look at Armitages performance last weekend.

Wasps for me have more players who can score tries outwide, but Tigers have a stronger bench that will really keep things close going into the final twenty minutes. The extra week off will see Wasps stay strong and cling on for a win.
Could be a

Leicester Tigers 29 London Wasps 30

Wasps sneak through this game with a bit more real world form , both sides set out well but real life takes its tole on Tigers.

Tigers 25-23 Wasps
Front row advantage goes to Tigers although BDP can be a huge factor in the game. Neither lock combo is incredible but do prefer thenTigers combo. Prefer the Wasps back row feel they have better balance and quality. Both half back combos are solid but you want Wilkinson on your side! Tigers have the slight edge in the quality in the outside backs. Bench goes to Wasps but overall Tigers still have enough.

Just Mat, Fluxy, CJ and Prop to predict.  Could go to the wire!

Leicester 26-30 Wasps

Leicester are a top side but I feel they are limping towards the finishing line and are unlucky that they have lots of players bang out of form. However Leicester are a team of winners and have some key players that dig in and make it close.

Wasps take every position in front 5 and can see them dominating the set piece.

Leicester have wonderful flanks and they will cause carnage and really hurry up the wasps backs.
I feel they could get at smith with Wallace well out of his depth for me. 8 is Leicesters Achilles heel in the game and surely where Luke will look to strengthen.

Half backs to wasps and tactics for both teams great.

Backs are pretty even but think Beale at 12 would have really helped Leicester.

Good game but feel Leicester don't have enough to win and the Heino will have taken it out of them.

Well done pete a remarkable job

Tigers 27-30 Wasps
SP: Bit more for Wasps at scrum, Tigers will do well at lineout but Wasps no shirkers here.
BK: Wasps take 8, Tigers good on the flanks but Armitage in great form.
HB: 9 to Wasps, 10's are close with Farrell doing well but Wilko is the master of tight situations.
AT: Can see Wasps getting a bit more dangerous outwide with strike runners.
DE: No really gaps on show.
BE: Wasps could bring good forwards impact, Beale could be a big influence for Tigers.
TA: Tigers bring the big game experience and the runners, Wasps do have a good spine and the conditions for the offloads in their tactics are right.

What a game to end the season!


Leicester Tigers 23 - 22 London Wasps

Both sides are very solid up front, and are just about evens in the set pieces with a number of clever and technical operators in each facet. This makes the open play even more key and the breakdown a bigger area to influence. Tigers have an edge here with a number of backs like BOD who can help the likes of Louw and Burger get over the ball. The speed and delivery of the possession from Smith allows Faz to put his pack in great territorial positions, as Fotuali can be a little hit and miss but Wilko can put pressure back on Wasps with some clever kicking of his own. Tigers just edge the centres with the control they can bring into the game, but the back three's have their own impacts with Brown and Sivi being lively on the counter, but Yarde and Habana are just devastating getting the ball in midfield and providing the extra number. In the end the experience in the key positions of being in a final tells and Tigers will pinch the finest of margins to win.

Just CJ to predict want the full house if possible please  

Any sign of CJ?

He's been AWOL for a bit. Won't affect the result I dont think. 

Well done Pete. Back at the top after a bit off. Cream always rises to the top ;-)

Cheers mate.  I think I got a bot lucky this year if I'm honest.  A couple of players have just come into form at the right time and made a difference.   Tough to do the double in this game.  The year I made the play off and Heino finals I lost them both!

Luke you were so unlucky that so many players have been crocked. Sheridan will retire in the next few weeks

How long we leaving it for CJ?

RESULT:

Leicester Tigers 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
London Wasps 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

BONUS:
Fined: CJ
Full: Everyone else

Think that answers your question Pete! Congratulations   

2 best teams by a bit. Well done chaps

Congrats lads, unlucky Luke! Roll on foreigns and next season!

Well done Pete, cracking game.

Absolutely made up with that. Genuinely didn't expect to be even close to winning the league when the season started.

anonmattyt wrote:Luke you were so unlucky that so many players have been crocked. Sheridan will retire in the next few weeks

I've had a mare losing Sheridan, Cole and SOB to injuries. Really impacted EQ selections. 

Top work Pete. I'll be hunting for that trophy again come September ;-)

Cheers mate.  It's testament to the squad you've built that you still finished top, even with real life injuries to key players impacting on you.