European Champions Cup Round 1

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Gloucester Rugby v Castres
Location - Kingsholm
Light Rain Shower, 17 Degrees, 12mph SW winds

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 Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Beast	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Gray	10. Danny Cipriani (k)
03. Nicola Mas
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Hosea Gear
05. George Robson (c)	12. Matt toomua
06. Tom Croft	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Qera	14. Charlie Walker
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Andreas Masi

:-
16. Nick Wood 17. Adriaan Strauss 18. Juan Figallo 19. Willem Alberts 20. Jamie Heaslip 21. T J Perenara 22. Dan Carter 23. Johnny May

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Castres

01. Mihaita Lazar	09. Cedric Garcia
02. Brice Mach	10. Remi Tales
03. Paea Fa'anunu
04. Richie Gray	11. Romain Martial,
05. Christophe Samson	12. Thomas Combezou
06. Jannie Bornman	13. Romain Cabannes
07. Ibrahim Diarra	14. Max Evans
08. Johnnie Beattie	15. Geoffrey Palis

:-
16 Marc-Antoine Rallier, 17 Saimone Taumoepeau, 18 Yohan Montes, 19 Piula Fa'aselele, 20 William Whetton, 21 Yannick Caballero, 22 Julien Dumora, 23 Remy Grosso

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Northampton Saints v Munster
Location - Franklins Garden
White Cloud, 17 Degrees, 11mph SW winds

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 Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber (c)	10. George Ford
03. Adam Jones
04. Jonny Gray	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Matt Giteau (k)
06. Schalk Burger	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. David Pocock	14. Jordan Williams
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Trevor Nyakane 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Lood de Jager 20. Samu Manoa 21. Mike Phillips 22. Oliver Deveto 23. Elliot Daly

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Munster Rugby

01. Dave Kilcoyne	09. Conor Murray
02. Kevin O'Byrne	10. JJ Hanrahan
03. BJ Botha
04. Dave Foley	11. Simon Zebo
05. Billy Holland	12. Ivan Dineen
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Andrew Smith
07. Tommy O'Donnell	14. Gerhard van den Heeven
08. CJ Strander	15. Johne Murphy

:-
16 Eusebio Guinazu 17 James Cronin 18 Stephen Archer 19 Donncha O'Callaghan 20 Robin Copeland 21 Duncan Williams 22 Ian Keatley 23 Ronan O'Mahony

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Glasgow Warriors v Harlequins
Location - Scotstoun Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 15 Degrees, 9mph S winds

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Glasgow Warriors

01. Gordon Reid	09. Henry Pyrgos
02. Fraser Brown	10. Finn Russell
03. Euan Murray
04. Tim Swinson	11. Sean Lamont
05. Leone Nakarawa	12. Pete Horne
06. Rob Harley	13. Mark Bennett
07. Chris Fusaro	14. Tommy Seymour
08. Josh Strauss	15. Sean Maitland

:-
16 Dougie Hall 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa 18 Zander Fagerson 19 Jonny Gray 20 Adam Ashe 21 Nikola Matawalu 22 James Downey 23 DTH van der Merwe

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Karl Dickson
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler(k)
03. Martin Castrogiovani
04. George Kruis	11. Jack Nowell
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Schalk Brits 17. Gjorji Jgenti 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Eric Escande 22. Stuart Olding 23. Ollie Lindsey-Hague

Tactics

Use our pack to get quick ball which we can attack with inside the Glasgow half.

Dickson and Myler to dictate the tempo and our field position. Serfontein and Rougerie to look to cut lines off Myler when he is standing flat after we have quick ball.

Look to carry in numbers and vary between offloading before or after contact. Keep legs pumping after contact and aim to win the collision.

Look for Braid to attack the breakdown in defence. Quick line speed from out to in with Rougerie leading the line speed. Look to win the collision or chop tackle.

Take all points and build pressure. Key to winning away.

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Leicester Tigers v Clermont Auvergne
Location - Welford Road
White Cloud, 17 Degrees, 11mph SW winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Tusi Pisi (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Kearnan Myall	11. Ugo Monye
05. Victor Matfield (c)	12. Tamati Ellison
06. Tom Johnson	13. Rene Ranger
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Sean Maitland

.
16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Tom Price 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Micky Young 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Matt Banahan

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Clermont Auvergne

01. Raphael Chaume	09. Morgan Parra
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Camille Lopez
03. Clement Ric
04. Julien Pierre	11. Noa Nakaitaci
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Jonathan Davies
06. Viktor Kolelishvili	13. Aurélien Rougerie
07. Julien Bardy	14. Zac Guildford
08. Damien Chouly	15. Jean-Marcellin Buttin

:-
16 John Ulugia, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Jamie Cudmore, 19 Alexandre Lapandry, 20 Thierry Lacrampe, 21 Brock James, 22 Benson Stanley, 23 Davit Zirakashvili

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Racing Metro v London Wasps
Location - Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir
Sunny Intervals, 20 Degrees, 9mph WSW winds

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Racing Metro

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Virgile Lacombe	10. Johan Goosen
03. Brian Mujati
04. Juandre Kruger	11. Marc Andreu
05. Francois van der Merwe	12. Alexandre Dumoulin
06. Wenceslas Lauret	13. Henry Chavancy
07. Bernard Le Roux	14. Teddy Thomas
08. Antonie Claassen	15. Brice Dulin

:-
16 Jeremy Maurouard, 17 Julien Brugnaut, 18 Fabrice Metz, 19 Camille Gerondeau, 20 Mike Phillips, 21 Benjamin Dambielle, 22 Yoann Audrin, 23 Luc Ducalcon

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 Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213     
              

01. Joe Marler	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismarck du Plesiss	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Dave Wilson
04. Paul Willemse	11. Anthony Watson
05. Ruan Botha	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Henry Slade
07. Fulgence Ouedraogo	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

  
16. Tom Youngs 17. Paul James 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Samu Kerevi

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Sale Sharks v Ulster Rugby
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Sunny Intervals, 16 Degrees, 9mph SSW winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Vasil Kakovin	09. Kieran Marmion
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Christian Day	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Matt Garvey	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Keith Earls
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Ross Harrison 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Samson Lee 19. Maro Itoje 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Francois Steyn 23. Willie Le Roux

We will play an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to create space and break the defensive line. Mobility, physicality and handling is key to our approach.

- 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.

- Commit the defence. Sexton will play flat on the gain line to pull in defenders before releasing runners while Marmion will look for opportunities to snipe around the base always committing defenders.

- Attack Humps channel. Off first phase ball will look to get the likes of Attwood, Garvey, Pickles running directly down the Ulster 10 channel. Once on the front foot we will look to attack a backtracking Ulster defence in the wider channels.

- Change the point of attack. Numerous playmakers across the backline comfortable at coming in at first receiver allow us to change the point of attack and leave the opposition guessing.

- Back three always involved. Wingers to track the ball off their wings looking for the inside ball or offload. Abendanon to join the line from fullback looking for mismatches and to create overlaps.

- Attack from the scrum. Strong technical front row backed up by a powerful second row will look to build a platform for Pickles, Marmion & Sexton. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Mix it up at the lineout. Five genuine jumpers gives us a strong attacking platform. Look to use both the rolling maul and ball off the top to keep the defence guessing.

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

- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with Todd fetching for the ball, supported by the rest of the pack when needed. We will always look to turn the ball over.

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Ulster Rugby

01. Andrew Warwick	09. Paul Marshall
02. Rory Best	10. Ian Humphreys
03. Wiehahn Herbst
04. Alan O'Connor	11. Tommy Bowe
05. Franco van der Merwe	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Robbie Diack	13. Jared Payne
07. Chris Henry	14. Andrew Trimble
08. Nick Williams	15. Louis Ludik

:-
16 Rob Herring 17 Callum Black 18 Bronson Ross 19 Lewis Stevenson 20 Roger Wilson 21 Michael Heaney 22 Stuart Olding 23 Craig Gilroy

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Ospreys v Benetton Treviso
Location - Liberty Stadium

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Toulouse v Montpellier
Location - Stade Ernest-Wallon

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Toulon v Scarlets
Location - Stade Mayol

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Leinster Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Location - RDS
White Cloud, 16 Degrees, 16mph S winds

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Leinster Rugby

01. Jack McGrath	09. Isaac Boss
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Ian Madigan
03. Marty Moore
04. Mike McCarthy	11. Darragh Fanning
05. Kane Douglas	12. Noel Reid
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Gordon D'Arcy
07. Josh Van der Flier	14. Zane Kirchner
08. Jack Conan	15. Rob Kearney

:-
16 Bryan Byrne 17 Edward Byrne 18 Michael Bent 19 Devin Toner 20 Jamie Heaslip 21 Luke McGrath 22 Jimmy Gopperth 23 Mick McGrath

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Driver

01. Matt Mullen	09. Dave Lewis
02. George McGuigan	10. Andy Goode
03. Scott Wilson
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Juan Kruger	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Brad Barritt
07. Chris Henry	14. Max Evans
08. Dave Ewers	15. Ben Smith

:-
16. Best 17. Tonga 18. Hayman 19. Thorn 20. Fraser 21. Laidlaw 22. Farrell 23. Kirbrige

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Mark

Mark. Great I finally get an easy game. Castres been dire this year

They're saying the same about Gloucester!

Opposition added.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Vasil Kakovin	09. Kieran Marmion
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Christian Day	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Matt Garvey	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Todd	14. Keith Earls
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Ross Harrison 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Samson Lee 19. Maro Itoje 20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Francois Steyn 23. Willie Le Roux

We will play an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to create space and break the defensive line. Mobility, physicality and handling is key to our approach.

- 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.

- Commit the defence. Sexton will play flat on the gain line to pull in defenders before releasing runners while Marmion will look for opportunities to snipe around the base always committing defenders.

- Attack Humps channel. Off first phase ball will look to get the likes of Attwood, Garvey, Pickles running directly down the Ulster 10 channel. Once on the front foot we will look to attack a backtracking Ulster defence in the wider channels.

- Change the point of attack. Numerous playmakers across the backline comfortable at coming in at first receiver allow us to change the point of attack and leave the opposition guessing.

- Back three always involved. Wingers to track the ball off their wings looking for the inside ball or offload. Abendanon to join the line from fullback looking for mismatches and to create overlaps.

- Attack from the scrum. Strong technical front row backed up by a powerful second row will look to build a platform for Pickles, Marmion & Sexton. An area we will look to target if winning.

- Mix it up at the lineout. Five genuine jumpers gives us a strong attacking platform. Look to use both the rolling maul and ball off the top to keep the defence guessing.

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

- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with 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
Manager – Driver

01. Matt Mullen	09. Dave Lewis
02. George McGuigan	10. Andy Goode
03. Scott Wilson
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Juan Kruger	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Brad Barritt
07. Chris Henry	14. Max Evans
08. Dave Ewers	15. Ben Smith

:-
16. Best 17. Tonga 18. Hayman 19. Thorn 20. Fraser 21. Laidlaw 22. Farrell 23. Kirbrige

Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Rob Webber (c)	10. George Ford
03. Adam Jones
04. Jonny Gray	11. Vereniki Goneva
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Matt Giteau (k)
06. Schalk Burger	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. David Pocock	14. Jordan Williams
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Trevor Nyakane 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Lood de Jager 20. Samu Manoa 21. Mike Phillips 22. Oliver Deveto 23. Elliot Daly

Ben Smith not in AB squad??

Been rested from the squad for the Aussie game.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Tusi Pisi (k)
03. Cencus Johnston
04. Kearnan Myall	11. Ugo Monye
05. Victor Matfield (c)	12. Tamati Ellison
06. Tom Johnson	13. Rene Ranger
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Sean Maitland

.
16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Tom Price 20. Ernst Joubert 21. Micky Young 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Matt Banahan

 Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Beast	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Gray	10. Danny Cipriani (k)
03. Nicola Mas
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Hosea Gear
05. George Robson (c)	12. Matt toomua
06. Tom Croft	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Qera	14. Charlie Walker
08. Wycliffe Palu	15. Andreas Masi

:-
16. Nick Wood 17. Adriaan Strauss 18. Juan Figallo 19. Willem Alberts 20. Jamie Heaslip 21. T J Perenara 22. Dan Carter 23. Johnny May

How
Many English have to start in
The euro? May change a few if it's only 5

6 starters 8 in the squad total

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Karl Dickson
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler(k)
03. Martin Castrogiovani
04. George Kruis	11. Jack Nowell
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Aurelien Rougerie
07. Luke Braid	14. Frank Halai
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Juan Martin Hernandez

16. Schalk Brits 17. Gjorji Jgenti 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Eric Escande 22. Stuart Olding 23. Ollie Lindsey-Hague

Tactics

Use our pack to get quick ball which we can attack with inside the Glasgow half.

Dickson and Myler to dictate the tempo and our field position. Serfontein and Rougerie to look to cut lines off Myler when he is standing flat after we have quick ball.

Look to carry in numbers and vary between offloading before or after contact. Keep legs pumping after contact and aim to win the collision.

Look for Braid to attack the breakdown in defence. Quick line speed from out to in with Rougerie leading the line speed. Look to win the collision or chop tackle.

Take all points and build pressure. Key to winning away.

Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213     
              

01. Joe Marler	09. Ben Youngs
02. Bismarck du Plesiss	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Dave Wilson
04. Paul Willemse	11. Anthony Watson
05. Ruan Botha	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Henry Slade
07. Fulgence Ouedraogo	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

  
16. Tom Youngs 17. Paul James 18. Fraser Balmain 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Samu Kerevi

PREDICTIONS OPEN

Have updated the page so feel free to predict away. If anyone else adds any tactics will add them in the morning at some stage.

Gloucester Rugby 30-18 Castres
Don't see Castres travelling too well with their current issues in Top 14. Gloucester with a good set piece advantage although the breakdown is a bit closer should give their backs some room to play in.


Northampton Saints 24-17 Munster 
Saints pack with more in the carrying stakes but can see the breakdown being a bit of a mess for them with the Munster back row really strong here. Midfield is light years ahead. Murray/Zebo aside Saints better man for man in the backs but won't always see great ball.


Glasgow 16-23 Harlequins
Glasgow in good form and can make a game of the set piece but Quins back row can get on top and cause problems. The young Scottish half backs haven't the control of Quins and can see Quins really dominating the territory in this one. 


Leicester Tigers 26-23 Clermont Auvergne
Tigers can make all sorts of issues for the French side at the lineout but form issues sees them struggle at the scrum somewhat. Louw gives them slight edge at breakdown but won't dominate after a poor RC. Backs are tight little more control to Clermont but not a lot between them. Jackson brings a real steadying affect late on.


Racing Metro 19-25 London Wasps
Wasps can cause issues at the scrum and should slow Metro ball down with good form in the back row. Back three tight but Cruden & Nonu levels above opposite numbers and off better ball pick up an important win in France on the opening weekend.


Leinster 19-18 Newcastle Falcons
Leinster with the better of the front 5 battle but Ruddock aside Falcons really get at the back row. Falcons stronger overall 11-15 but Leinster have players who can cause a bit of damage. Leinster halfbacks much better at getting the backs going though. Impact off both benches late on but Falcons should edge scrum. Messy game and feel Falcons needed more at half back to win away in Dublin.

Gloucester 34 - 20 Castres

More all over for Gloucester here against Castres who are in rotting form in real life. Comfortable home win for Glos who are usually there or thereabouts in this comp. Joe Gray struggles for rating.

Northampton 28 - 21 Munster

At there best the Saints flankers might be the best in the world but I suspect we aren't going to see them at their best again. Saints needed to go pretty strong for this one and they have done enough. Chris's squad is looking good for this season. I don;t think Saints quite get the TBP in this one.

Leicester 26 - 23 Clermont

Luke another who had to go strong here and has done enough to get the win. Enough upfront to gain the momentum which I feel the Tigers half backs need to control the game.

Racing Metro 23 - 25 Wasps

Closest of this weeks games. Wasps do have enough but they are made to work for it by a strong Metro 23. Good win for Pete where Coetzee and Vermauleun's return is welcomed.

Sale 25 - 20 Ulster

Ulster not at their strongest and if they were this Sale side would be in a spot of bother, even at home. Sale have enough on the day with the 10, 12,13 combo winning it for Sale with the centres in supreme form.

Glos 31-16 Castres
Backrow, centre partnership and the bench will see Glos get a good win against a weak Castres side.

Saints 28-20 Munster
Hard to rate Pocock at the moment. Saints a step up in the front 5 so take set piece advantage and their centre partnership will create the gaps in the Munster backline.

Glasgow 22-26 Quins
Glasgow are no pushovers at the moment and with good ball they could be dangerous, feel that Quins have too much in their backrow and will make a lot of breaks with their strong carriers in the pack.

Tigers 24-21 Clermont
Strong Tigers squad coming up against a good Clermont outfit. I think that Tigers will just get enough at the breakdown to give better ball to their outside backs. Will be tough at Clermont.

Metro 20-24 Wasps
Centres and front row will give Wasps the nudge, their backrow is looking very strong today with their South African's back.

Sale 26-21 Ulster
Going to be tough up front for both teams here. Think Sale have enough in their link up in the outside backs from 10 to outside centre and enough fire power outwide to win this.

Leinster 22-21 Falcons
Tough first game for Falcons, initially they may struggle up front but their outside backs will keep them in the game. A good bench for Falcons to come on but I think Leinster will just cause enough damage to edge this.

Glos 35 - 20 Castres
Big home win for Gloucester, too strong across the park and Castres seem to favour the top14 as opposed to Europe.

Glasgow 18 - 28 Quins
Glasgow seem excellent in the Rabo, but come a bit unstuck when the quality improves in Europe and Quins have that quality and some good form players.

Tigers 22 - 14 Clermont
Clermont really misfiring at the moment, look beatable at home and travelling to Tigers and facing that pack will be a nightmare for them. Tigers too powerful.

Metro 23 - 28 Wasps
Again Metro haven't really been at their best just yet and the Boks contingent get Wasps through here.

Sale 21 - 15 Ulster
Ulster have a lot of quality, like the look of their centres, but Sale have more quality throughout, but Ulster very dogged in defence.

Leinster 23 - 21 Falcons
Hard game for Falcons first up, need more experience in the front row to win away in Ireland, but their backrow and backline is better and will keep them close.

Northampton 25-23 Munster

Major issues with Adam Jones & Pocock who are extremely hard to rate for differing reasons. Saying that Saints otherwise are strong and I think they just have enough through the team. I wouldn't play that HB in the AP though Chris.

Glasgow 18 - 38 Quins
Quins have quality and the Rabo is weak. Scottish rugby is weak so routine 
Tigers 26-24Clermont

Clermont one of the only French teams with euro pedigree. Tigers power and home advantage takes this 

Metro 17 - 25Wasps
Out of form metro who make dreadful selection decisions. Consistent wasps with players of character = away win 

Sale 18 - 13Ulster
Ulster have a lot of quality, sale have power dynamism and a winner mentality. Ulster defence is dogged though 

Leinster 23 - 22 Falcons
Hard game for Falcons first up, need more experience in the front row to win away in Ireland, but their backrow and backline is better and will keep them close. Can't disagree with Chris on this

Glasgow 26-27 Harlequins

Another team in some good form in the Rabo and this won't be an easy ride for Quins. Both TH's well off the pace but Quins set out well and have quality in each combo. Good game that will go to the wire.

Leicester 29-26 Clemont

Clemont looking good this season but a tough trip to Welford rd will knock them Tigers a long way from full strength and would stuggle away but have enough to win this one.

Racing 23-25 Wasps

I've liked the look of Racing when I've seen them this season but they look far from full strength here. Wasps look a different outfit this week and will sneak a highly impressive win away to start their campaign.

Sale 30-25 Ulster

Another Rabo side who have looked strong this year although not as impressive as previous years. Sale pack is pretty strong and enough in the backline to win this one. Not sure about that centre combo against stronger outfits.

Leinster 22-20 Newcastle

Agree with most that Falcons just a bit too inexperienced and lack a bit of quality to win in Ireland. A few changes and it would have been very close but Leinster although not in great nick usually step up in the EC.

Gloucester 32-18 Castres
Saints 31-20 Munster
Glasgow 22-28 Quins
Tigers 27-23 Clermont
Metro 19-25 Wasps
Sale 28-15 Ulster
Leinster 23-22 Newcastle

Will try to give reasons later, sorry!

Gloucester 38- 17 Castres

Castres tried hard vs Quins but they are just blunt. A few good players but Gloucester a step up across the board. Good team that, but Croft needs to get back playing for a couple of matches for him to get any rating from me

Saints 37 - 27 Munster

Saints pack is brutal and brilliant and love te backs, think that might be your best balance. Far too good for Munster who are still handy.

Glasgow 22 - 29 Quins

Closer as it's away for Quins. Glasgow handy from 11-15 and Quins lack some true pace in the backs but have a big edge in their dynamic and effective pack and better HBs

Tigers 26 - 20 ASM

On teams alone this should be close but Clermont are struggling this season. Tigers better form in the pack and set piece, though Corbs hard to rate. Nifty HBs with raw power outside, enough to win safely at home

Metro 21 - 27 Wasps

Metro a good side at home, but Wasps have a small edge on every area. Really like the backrow and really like the playmaking of Slade at 13 completing that backline. Decent away win

Sale 26 - 15 Ulster

Ulster a very tough side to play agaisnt, not as good as Sale in quality of individuals but work better as a unit than the sum of their parts. But Sale parts also work well together and at home with tactics they are too strong.

Leinster 24 - 28 Falcons

Leinster not in good form. Falcons have Smith etc back and some players in great form starting and on the bench like Barritt. Close as it's Leinster, away and Falcons still missing players but an away win

CJB wrote:Gloucester 45 -12 Castres
Saints 27-15 Munster
Glasgow 30 36 Quins
Tigers 19 11 Clermont
Metro 20 28 Wasps
Sale 28-20 Ulster

Sorry for no explenations , groups urine easy when playing euro opp

Gloucester 34 - 20 Castres

Routinevwin for Glaws. Castres really struggling at the moment and they cannot cope with Glos at Kingsholm. Enough quality from the Cherry and Whites to get the bonus point too. 

Northampton Saints 29 - 25 Munster

A tough little encounter, but much like Gloucester, Saints have too much firepower for the men in red. Not quite enough for bonus, but a strong win, Munster to pinch the LP late on. 

Glasgow Warriors 27 - 31 Harlequins

Tough game for Quins away. Glasgow like to play a quick paced game, which will catch quins off guard in their structured play. However when the game opens up and Quins attack a bit more through their subs, they will pick up good away win. 

Leicester Tigers 34 - 30 Clermont Auvergne 

One of the toughest games of the round. Clermont look very tasty at the minute, but away from home, against a very strong Tigers outfit will see them just come up short. 
 
Racing Metro 92 22 - 28 Wasps

Metro have looked good in the league but Wasps shade them in every facet to steal a big away win. 

Sale Sharks 29 - 25 Ulster

Tough one up front and Ulster for me are one of the few teams in Europe who can challenge sides away from home. But the pace of the Sharks attack, coupled with back line quality means they shade a tough game at home.

Leinster 26 - 21 Newcastle Falcons

Falcons away from home struggle against a Leinster side who aren't doing too badly at the minute either. An inexperienced side at this level hurts the Falcons and Leinster will take full advantage to win

Gloucester 30 Castres Olympique 13
Northampton Saints 27 Munster 25
Glasgow Warriors 25 Harlequins 27
Leicester Tigers 26 ASM Clermont Auvergne 23
Sale Sharks 30 Ulster 22
Leinster 26 Newcastle Falcons 23

RESULTS:

Gloucester 39 (T:5 C:4 P:2)
Castres 17 (T:1 P:4)

Northampton Saints 33 (T:4 C:2 P:3)
Munster 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Glasgow 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)
Harlequins 34 (T:4 C:4 P:2)

Leicester Tigers 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Clermont Auvergne 22 (T:3 C:2 P:1)

Racing Metro 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)
London Wasps 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)

Sale Sharks 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Ulster 19 (T:1 C:1 P:4)

Leinster 27 (T:3 C:3 P:2)
Newcastle Falcons 22 (T:3 C:2 P:1)