Summer Tournament Round Three

Round 3

(teams to be named by midnight on Thursday 10th July, predictions by 1800 hours on Sunday 13th July)

Harlequins v Sale Sharks  (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Karl Dickson
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Dan Bowden
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Luke Morahan

16. Brian Byrne 17. Gjorgi Jgenti 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jack Clifford 21. Eric Escande 22. Ihaia West 23. Jonathan Joseph

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf De Klerk
02. David Paice	10. Francois Steyn
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Matt Garvey	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Christian Day	12. Anthony Allen
06. Sean McMahon	13. Sibusiso Sithole
07. Matt Todd	14. Keith Earls
08. Luke Whitelock	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Vasil Kakovin 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Dayan Van Der Westhuizen 19. Mario Itoje 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Kieran Marmion 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Kyle Eastmond

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Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons (GIO Stadium, Canberra)

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Christopher Tolofua	10. Brock James
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Rene Ranger
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Chiliboy Ralapelle 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Dan Cole 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Tom Johnson 21. Kahn Fotauli'i 22. Pat Lambie 23. Matthieu Basteraud

Newcastle Falcons

15.Ben Smith
14.Charles Pitatau
13.Marcelo Bosch
12.Jean De Villers
11.Cory Jane
10.Owen Farrell
9.Nick Phipps

1.Matt Mullen
2.Dane Coles
3.Owen Franks
4.Ed Slater
5.Geoff Parling
6.Dan Lydiate
7.Richie McCaw
8.Immanol Harinordiquy

---

Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby  (AAMI Park, Melbourne)

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Nic White
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Marnitz Boshoff
03. James Johnston
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Tom Varndell
05. Michael Paterson	12. Eamonn Sheridan
06. Calum Clark	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Jacob Rowan	14. David Strettle
08. Carl Fearns	15. James O'Connor (k)

16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Richard Barrington 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Kane Douglas 20. Gus Jones 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Lolagi Visnia

Tactics:

• Use of heavy carriers, and mobile support runners in the pack to create forward momentum. 
  
• Phase play with half backs dictating play. Look for territory when need to gain field position.
  
• Counter attack whenever possible.
  

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. James Slipper	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Luke Romano	11. Christian Wade
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Liam Messam	13. Damien De Allende
07. Liam Gill	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. James Haskell	15. Alex Goode

|
16. Mikey Haywood 17. Charlie Faumaunia 18. Jake Cooper Wollsey 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22.  Rob Horne 23. Kurtley Beale

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London Irish v London Welsh  (ANZ Stadium, Sydney)

01. Tom Court	09. Rory Kockott
02. Marc Jones	10. Nick Evans
03. Rhodri Jones
04. Dean Mumm	11. Bjorn Basson
05. Stuart Hooper	12. Luke McAlister
06. Tom  Savage	13. Henry Trinder
07.George Smith	14. Luke Fitzgerald
08. Laurence Pearce	15. Rob Cook

:-
16. Gerard  Ellis 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Will Collier 19. Jackson Wray 20. David Sisi 21. Neil De Kock 22. Owen  Willliams 23. Harry Robinson

This is my Autumn Internationals squad. Can I have feedback on combo's, weaknesses and the impact off  the bench please.

London Welsh

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Ben Spencer
02. Dave Ward	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. George Skivington	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Alun Wynn Jones (c)	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Victor Vito	13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. John Barclay	14. Sean Maitland
08.  Tom Guest	15. Jesse Mogg (k)

16. Koree Britton 17. Brett Sturgess 18. BJ Botha 19. Alexandre Flanquart 20. Alexandre Lapandry  21.  Michael Claasens 22. Casey Laulala 23. Clement Poitrenaud

---

Saracens v London Wasps  (Allianz Stadium, Sydney)

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Jamie George	10. Freddie Burns
03. Matius Diaz
04. Bradley Davies	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Patrico Albacete	12. Scott Williams
06. Dave Denton	13. Malaki Fekitioa
07. Heirich Brussow	14. Nathan Earle
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Max Lahiff 18. JdP 19. Louis Deacon 20. Brad Shields 21. Henry Taylor 22. Bernard Foley 23. George Lowe

- Just feeback on combo's pls lads
- Is Diaz up to AP standard? He has 10 or so caps for Argentina and played a lot of 4N.
- Is Earle good enough to start/bench?

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Scott Sio	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Alexander
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. Bryan Habana
05. Matt Symons	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jerome Kaino	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen(c)	15. Delon Armitage

16. Deon Fourie 17. Ben Moon 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Romain Millo-Chluski 20. Luke Wallace 21. Sebastien Tillouse-Borde 22. Henry Slade 23. Paul Jordaan

Tactics

• Standard tactics of a possession based game and looking to through the phases with pace and intesity.
  
• Offloading in or just before the tackle to keep the ball alive and move the opposition defence around.
  
• Blitz defence with scrum half sweeping to cover.
  

Predictions
Would like to know where people see the biggest weaknesses being please.

---

Northampton Saints v Gloucester  (NIB Stadium, Perth)

Saints

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Rob Webber (c)
3. Carl Hayman
4. Jonny Gray
5. Courtey Lawes
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Sam Jones
8. Samu Manoa

9. Joe Simpson
10. Matt Giteau (k)
11. Jordan Williams
12. Matt Toomoua
13. Veneki Goneva
14. Julian Savea
15. Liam Williams

Subs:

16. Rhys Marshall 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Danny Hobbs-Awoyomi 19. Jaques du Plessis 20. Lood de Jager 21. Nikola Matawulu 22. George Ford 23. Elliot Daly

Glos

01. Beast	09. TJ Pernara
02. Joe Grey	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Elliot Stooke	11. Charlie Walker
05. Eben Etzbeth  (c)	12. Juan de Jongh
06. Willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Ardie Savea	14. Israel Folau
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Israel Dagg

16. LCD17. Guthro Steenkamp 18. Coenie Outshuizen19. George Robson 20. Galan 21. Dan Robson 22. Danny Cipriani23. Hosea Gear

---

---

Just going to mix some combos up Pete

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf De Klerk
02. David Paice	10. Francois Steyn
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Matt Garvey	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Christian Day	12. Anthony Allen
06. Sean McMahon	13. Sibusiso Sithole
07. Matt Todd	14. Keith Earls
08. Luke Whitelock	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Vasil Kakovin 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Dayan Van Der Westhuizen 19. Mario Itoje 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Kieran Marmion 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Kyle Eastmond

No worries Pooly mate, I will probably be going with the side I will put out in the 6 Nations.

London Wasps
Manager  Ozzy3213

01. Scott Sio	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Alexander
04. Sitaleki Timani	11. Bryan Habana
05. Matt Symons	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jerome Kaino	13. JJ Englebrecht
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen(c)	15. Delon Armitage

16. Deon Fourie 17. Ben Moon 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Romain Millo-Chluski 20. Luke Wallace 21. Sebastien Tillouse-Borde 22. Henry Slade 23. Paul Jordaan

Tactics

• Standard tactics of a possession based game and looking to through the phases with pace and intesity.
  
• Offloading in or just before the tackle to keep the ball alive and move the opposition defence around.
  
• Blitz defence with scrum half sweeping to cover.
  

Predictions
Would like to know where people see the biggest weaknesses being please.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dwayne Peel
02. Christopher Tolofua	10. Brock James
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Nathan Hines	11. Alex Cuthbert
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Billy Twelvetrees (k)
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Rene Ranger
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

16. Chiliboy Ralapelle 17. Andrew Sheridan 18. Dan Cole 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Tom Johnson 21. Kahn Fotauli'i 22. Pat Lambie 23. Matthieu Basteraud

EDITED: PUT IN 4N RATHER THAN AI'S SIDE

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Karl Dickson
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. John Afoa
04. George Kruis	11. Topsy Ojo
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Dan Bowden
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Luke Morahan

16. Brian Byrne 17. Gjorgi Jgenti 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jack Clifford 21. Eric Escande 22. Ihaia West 23. Jonathan Joseph

Tactics

---

Glos

01. Beast	09. TJ Pernara
02. Joe Grey	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Elliot Stooke	11. Charlie Walker
05. Eben Etzbeth  (c)	12. Juan de Jongh
06. Willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Ardie Savea	14. Israel Folau
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Israel Dagg

16. LCD17. Guthro Steenkamp 18. Coenie Outshuizen19. George Robson20.
Galan 21. Dan Robson 22. Danny Cipriani23. Hosea Gear [/quote]

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. James Slipper	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Luke Romano	11. Christian Wade
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Liam Messam	13. Damien De Allende
07. Liam Gill	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. James Haskell	15. Alex Goode

|
16. Mikey Haywood 17. Charlie Faumaunia 18. Jake Cooper Wollsey 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22.  Rob Horne 23. Kurtley Beale

Are you using Joubert as your 4th eq Luke?

There's no EQ rule Driver

Yes mate.

Cool beans.


I'm doing my team now. Will be up in 5 mins.

Newcastle Falcons to play Leicester Tigers

15.Ben Smith
14.Charles Pitatau
13.Marcelo Bosch
12.Jean De Villers
11.Cory Jane
10.Owen Farrell
9.Nick Phipps

1.Matt Mullen
2.Dane Coles
3.Owen Franks
4.Ed Slater
5.Geoff Parling
6.Dan Lydiate
7.Richie McCaw
8.Immanol Harinordiquy

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Nic White
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Marnitz Boshoff
03. James Johnston
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Tom Varndell
05. Michael Paterson	12. Eamonn Sheridan
06. Calum Clark	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Jacob Rowan	14. David Strettle
08. Carl Fearns	15. James O'Connor (k)

16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Richard Barrington 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Kane Douglas 20. Gus Jones 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Lolagi Visnia

Tactics:

• Use of heavy carriers, and mobile support runners in the pack to create forward momentum. 
  
• Phase play with half backs dictating play. Look for territory when need to gain field position.
  
• Counter attack whenever possible.
  

Cj I'll be looking at either my eq side, full strength or A.I's team!

Bit snowed under at work atm -

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Rob Webber (c)
3. Carl Hayman
4. Jonny Gray
5. Courtey Lawes
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Sam Jones
8. Samu Manoa

9. Joe Simpson
10. Matt Giteau (k)
11. Jordan Williams
12. Matt Toomoua
13. Veneki Goneva
14. Julian Savea
15. Liam Williams

Subs:

16. Rhys Marshall 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Danny Hobbs-Awoyomi 19. Jaques du Plessis 20. Lood de Jager 21. Nikola Matawulu 22. George Ford 23. Elliot Daly

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Jamie George	10. Freddie Burns
03. Matius Diaz
04. Bradley Davies	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Patrico Albacete	12. Scott Williams
06. Dave Denton	13. Malaki Fekitioa
07. Heirich Brussow	14. Nathan Earle
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Max Lahiff 18. JdP 19. Louis Deacon 20. Brad Shields 21. Henry Taylor 22. Bernard Foley 23. George Lowe

- Just feeback on combo's pls lads
- Is Diaz up to AP standard? He has 10 or so caps for Argentina and played a lot of 4N.
- Is Earle good enough to start/bench?

01. Tom Court	09. Rory Kockott
02. Marc Jones	10. Nick Evans
03. Rhodri Jones
04. Dean Mumm	11. Bjorn Basson
05. Stuart Hooper	12. Luke McAlister
06. Tom Savage	13. Henry Trinder
07.George Smith	14. Luke Fitzgerald
08. Laurence Pearce	15. Rob Cook

:-
16. Gerard Ellis 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Will Collier 19. Jackson Wray 20. David Sisi 21. Neil De Kock 22. Owen Willliams 23. Harry Robinson

This is my Autumn Internationals squad. Can I have feedback on combo's, weaknesses and the impact off the bench please.

Match thread updated. Predictions OPEN

Harlequins 29-22 Sale

A little bit more for Quins in the front row, engine room and backrow. Quins halfbacks shade it, put Steyn & Myler at a similar kind of level, not seen much of the Sale 9. Little bit more again in the backline for Quins. Quins just went in to this one a little bit stronger throughout the whole side. Sale will be competitive but won't be able to match Quins for the 80.

Leicester 22-26 Newcastle

Tigers with the better scrum but Falcons will get on top in the line out with Tolofua's throwing and Parling/hari able to nab a few. Engine rooms close but both lack a big carrying option in the backrow, not much in it really, not sure of Joubert at this level, I would move Lobbe to 8. Falcons shade the half backs and backline with some exciting runners. Tigers not too far behind but it's the Falcons backline that wins this one.

Exeter 19-23 Bath

A little more in the scrum for Bath but line outs will be tight. Bit more in the loose for the Bath front 5 too. Bath a step up in each position in the backrow, but very tight in the halfbacks. Centres pretty close but Bath shade the back 3 (Good units). Bath more quality on show, especially in the pack.

Pete,

3, lock and 13 are the biggest weaknesses.

I love your backrow, halfbacks and back 3. Backrow maybe the best in the game currently.

Chris,

I like your lock combo and centres. Toomoua has been great this season. Flanks and halfbacks are your biggest issue.

Prop,

Backline is much stronger than pack. Pack just misses a bit of carrying, impact off bench good.

Quins 20-22 Sale
Pretty evens, maybe Afoa can do some damage on Harrison but that’s about it up front. McMahon looks like a good prospect too SJE. Allen vs Bowden will be interesting to watch but feel that Sale have a bit more out wide to cause damage. Good benches from both with quite a bit of young impact ready to breakthrough this season.

Tigers 20-20 Falcons
Not a lot of difference here up front with both teams looking pretty steady. Both Coles and Tolofua need a few stand out games. Peel may struggle for ratings at Bristol and Phipps has been playing well. Farrell more exciting but Brock steady. Fantastic outside backs battle with not much give. No bench named hurts Falcons here and lets Tigers claw it back for a draw.

Chiefs 24-29 Bath
Feel Bath bring more to the 2nd row and especially in the backrow where I do like the Chiefs’ balance here but Bath have the international quality. It’s the same out wide with Bath looking stronger. On the bench both teams have good impact subs available. Feel Bath will be too strong today.

Sarries 24-26 Wasps
Diaz vs Sio will be a great battle here, 2nd rows are fairly even with backrow to Wasps. Personally prefer the Smith-Cruden axis. Really like the look of Sarries’ centre partnership but Wasps are slightly stronger out wide. Pooly, I’d say that with half a season of full A.P under his belt then Earle should be good to go around Christmas. Ozzy, if I’m being overly picky then I’d look at the 2nd rows as this weeks weakness but not a huge one.

Saints 21-23 Glos
Very close match here and I feel that Saints back-row are slightly less effective than the Glos set up but only slightly. Outside that another close call with two great looking backlines although not sure about Giteau at 10 now, prefer him at 12. Two very strong impact benches too.

Leicester 25-22 Newcastle

Slight edge scrum time to Tigers but Falcons can cause problems at the line out. Backrow edges to Tigers with Lydiate not on great form and Harri on his last legs. HBs step up to Falcons. More attacking flair from the Tigers midfield but bit more in the back three for Falcons. Pack battle edges to Tigers for the win.



Exeter 26-32 Bath

Bath can cuase problems at the set piece and they are better man for man in the back row. Halfbacks tight on current form but midfield edges to Bath. Not a lot between the back three and benches.



London Irish

Pearce is an unknown for me. Cook looks the weak link in the back line but very solid otherwise for the AIs.



Saracens 20-26 London Wasps

Slight edge in the scrum to Sarries but not game changing. Lineout is fairly even. Wasps stronger man for man in the backrow particularly 6 & 8. Same in the halfbacks and back three. Midfield battle tighter. For Pooly: Diaz capable for bench and international periods for AP. Earle in the same boat as Itoje for me and shouldn't be seen outside of international periods. Like the midfield balance more graft needed in the backrow though beside Brussow. For Pete: Backrow is fantastic but lock is you weakest position. The All Black 9-10-12 combo will work wonders in predictions.



Northampton 21-24 Gloucester

Set piece battle relatively even but Glaws winning the backrow battle. Halfbacks give Glaws an edge. Both midfields work well but Glaws with more quality overall in the back three. Bit more of an impact nature from the Glaws bench.

Chaps on holiday in Devon until Tuesday.
Will have wifi at my cottage Sunday to predo but not until I get there which will be about 9pm. Can we keep them open until Monday ?

Yes, Monday at 1800 hours for predictions, I am snowed under this weekend packing up to move, and all three daughters in 2 different theatre shows 60 miles apart!

Sorry guys little wifi in Portugal. Will try and predict tonight or tomorrow

I did send Pete a team to put up though

It was this one:

Thanks chap:

London Welsh

01. David Kilcoyne
09. Ben Spencer
02. Dave Ward
10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati

04. George Skivington
11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Alun Wynn Jones (c)
12. Kyle Godwin
06. Victor Vito
13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. John Barclay
14. Sean Maitland
08. Tom Guest
15. Jesse Mogg (k)


16. Koree Britton 17. Brett Sturgess 18. BJ Botha 19. Alexandre Flanquart 20. Alexandre Lapandry 21. Michael Claasens 22. Casey Laulala 23. Clement Poitrenaud

Never mind though

Looks like one of Matts formats that CJ

Ah shoite. Sorry CJ, had so much on this week I forgot you sent me a team.

No worries mate

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Looks like one of Matts formats that CJ

It is that good!! I would be proud of that

Quins 26-23 Sale
Quins are so strong in their front five. Looks really strong and I prefer that over Sale. Both back rows are pretty close but probably anther edge to Quins. Prefer the Quins half backs, not too sure of Steyn at FH. Think the outside backs for Sale are marginally better.

Tigers 21-27 Falcons
If Corbs is playing regularly, his rating shifts so much for me. I'd give it to the Falcons front row. Do like both second rows but edge to Tigers. Strong back rows but prefer the Tigers unit. Like the control of the Falcons half back unit. Outside backs to Falcons as well, just a bit more about them. Decent set of subs from Tigers as well.

Irish 25-28 Welsh
Prefer the Irish front row here. The Welsh second row is stronger, think it's an area of weakness for Irish. Prefer the back row of Welsh here. Irish have the edge in the half backs with the better scrum half and not much in the 10s. Outside backs for me go to Welsh who I think have a very strong unit.

Sarries 22-26 Wasps
I like Diaz. Was a target for me. But slight edge for Wasps. Second row to Wasps, not a huge fan of the Wasps combo. Personally the best back row in the league comes from Wasps. Both half backs combo are good but Wasps have the advantage. Prefer the Wasps outside backs but Sarries centre combo has huge bags of potential.

Saints 22-27 Gloucester
Close in the front rows, will give it to the Saints. An on form Figallo gives it to Gloucester. Gloucester have the second row edge. Also have the back row advantage. I prefer the Gloucester, not too sure of Gits at 10. Outside backs also close but edge to Gloucester

Quins 25 - 22 Sale
Really powerful pack from Steve's team, good combinations, some real youthful impact off the bench too. Issues could be playing Dickson at no9 and Ojo on the wing, haven't seen much from Ojo in last few seasons. Do like Sale's team, but as I don't watch much s15 rugby I haven't seen 3-4 of the players, so makes it v difficult to rate. Paice could be an issue in the big games at hooker, otherwise very good team with a nice balance.

Tigers 18 -22 Falcons
The difference for Tigers for next year will all be about whether they can keep their English front row fit and pick up form in real life. If they do that then will be hard to beat them in the front five. Like the backline Driver has there, hard midfield and some real try scorers outwide - one issue is that they could do with a few more gainline breakers in the pack, so the backs get the all important front foot ball.

Chiefs 23 - 26 Bath
Really do like the Bath pack it is really formidable and they have some great ball carrying options and some great tacklers too. Still think they could use a no8 as opposed to guys who can play there but are playing at no6 for their clubs. Exeter have a really solid team there but the Bath backrow will have too much physicality and not sure how to rate Sheridan at no12, could be a bit of a weakness.

London Irish
Prop I'd echo same comments as SJE about the team.


Sarries 29 - 33 Wasps
From what I've seen of Diaz he's a very good player and has a lot of potential but doesn't always start at s15 level. Earle isn't ready for AP starting, not sure how many games he's had for Sarries in real life? Very good contest, just see the WAsps combinations working a bit better, could see Tait/Earle being got at defensively - good call to start Hughes though, can see him being a wrecking ball for Pooly this year.

Quins 25 - 24 Sale

Front row to Quins, locks equal but different (lineout to Quins but Sale's heft very useful). Backrow- to Quins with a perfect balance where Sale lack a little top end quality. Whitelock is one for the future though. Quins HBs very safe but Sale's offer more potentially. Quins have solid centres and quick back 3 but Sake top quality in all 5 outbacks, excellent there. Edge to Quins based on the back row I think but close

Tigers 28 vs 28 Falcons

Both THs on top. Like both Hookers and front rows, overall balance to Falcons with real life partnership. 2 top back rows but with the better carrying to Tigers. tigers on top at HB as Phipps only ok. Falcons on top at centre with Ranger a bit susceptible in defence. Equal back 3s but Falcons have the 3 FB advantage, overall a draw

Chiefs 29 - 31 Bath

Bath take the pack, lethal looking and like all 3 rows as combos. Chiefs promising players, and like the second row. Back row needs Rowan to be seen at Prem level first, if he goes well and Fearns stays fit then it's a good one. Hard to separate HBs, White's form variable but like Chiefs and Bath v good but getting on. Not 100% convinced by Sheridan but like 11, 12-15 for Chiefs, nice mix of players and Flux is good at picking backlines that look like they will gel. Like Bath centres and back 3 lethal in attack with lots of different qualities making all types of play possible but flaws in defence at top level. Bath take it with closer to their best side.

Sarries 27 - 28 Wasps

Both THs on top but good scrums. Like Diaz. Bissie might give edge to Wasps. Better balance in Sarries locks, but star quality gives back row to Wasps. Denton and Hughes a tad similar. Love both HB combos on form but Cruden > Burns (Smith and Parra closer). Both very good combos working together. Centres close but really like Fekitoa's look. Earle nit quite ready, Watson looks great. Overall to Wasps just

Saints 27 - 29 Glaws

Front row to Glaws just. 2 even great second rows on form. Backrow for Saints v promising but the experience edges for Glaws. Both work well. HBs Glaws as I don't hugely rate Simpson, but Giteau can run the show at 10. 2 very attacking backlines, can't split and rate all yej players. Jordan Williams and Matthews both ready this season I think. Glaws just nick it

Quins 24-23 Sale


Quins pack much better and have great carrying and dynamism. However many of the Quins backs lack form morahan,Halai, Ojo, Dickson etc. Rougerie looked finished last year and is apparently being nursed through the week to make it on to the pitch on a Saturday. Can't see Quins converting the front foot ball they get.

Sale far more dangerous in the backs and keep it close. Lack carrying and physicality in the pack though so
Live off scraps

Leicester 33-36 falcons

Pretty even in the pack but falcons will rule the lineout.
Tolofua looked poor whenever I saw him last year and could not hit
His jumpers half the time.

Leicester locks better on paper but Horwill had
A shocker of a season in a poor reds pack. Needs to come back.

Hard to rate Hari until he starts playing at Toulouse. Seen reports he may play lock for them also.

Falcons backs so much more dangerous and their 9/10 so much better
As a combo. Like peel but not sure where he will be playing next year

Exeter 23-26 Bath

Not a fan of
Either teams looseheads and expect both TH to dominate.
Locks one a piece. Romano had lost his place to bird before injury and is likely to struggle to get a place elsewhere whilst tuipolutu looks a monster.
Whitelock a step up on Paterson.

Back row to Bath and most of the backs also. Feel Hodgson is a weak link but gas and threat to bath backline. Flux think you need your back 3 to be playing well in real life to get ratings for them

Irish 37-37 welsh


Hard to split the packs and I agree with Steve Tactics could win or lose this one when season starts.

Welsh backs slightly more dangerous but maybe more of a defensive issue so level again. For me a draw

How does the results work with people predicting before the welsh team non submission was picked up on?

I'll just be counting the actual predos on the games prop.  if people missed it then it will be a no predo.

I would have thought the people who predicted before the team was In saw it as a 30-0 win?

I didn't know there was a team in, must have missed it.

The team not being posted up was my error so not going to penalise CJ with 30-0 losses.