European Champions Cup Round 3

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Benetton Treviso v London Wasps
Location - Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Light Rain Shower, 12 Degrees, 3mph ENE Winds

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Benetton Treviso

15 Jayden Hayward 14 Simone Ragusi 13 Michele Campagnaro 12 Luca Morisi 11 Ludovico Nitoglia 10 Sam Christie 9 Edoardo Gori 1 Matteo Zanusso 2 Davide Giazzon 3 Rupert Harden 4 Marco Fuser 5 Tomas Vallejos Cinalli 6 Simone Favaro 7 Meyer Swanepoel 8 Alessandro Zanni

Replacements: 16 Amar Kudin 17 Albert Anae 18 Romulo Acosta 19 Leo Auva'a 20 Matthew Luamanu 21 Marco Barbini 22 Enrico Bacchin 23 James Ambrosini

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 Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213    
             

01. Ben Moon	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tom Youngs	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Fraser Balmain
04. Romain Millo-Chluski	11. Bryan Habana
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Shane Geraghty
06. Rynhardt Elstadt	13. Robbie Freuan
07. Fulgence Ouedraogo	14. Tim Nanai-Williams
08. Steffon Armitage	15. Delon Armitage

16. Harry Thacker 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Matt Symons 20. Jerome Kaino 21. Aaron Smith 22. Paul Jordaan 23. JJ Engelbrecht


Tactics

Standard gameplan of forwards carrying hard, to draw in defenders before going wide.  No risks in our half in the damp conditions.  Blitz defence with 9 sweeping behind.  Selective rucking, flood it on our ball to free it up quickly, and on theirs if turnover is on, otherwise maintian a strong defensive line.

Key Point

Treviso I believe are bottom of the Pro12 and haven't won a game in any competition this season.

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Castres v Newcastle Falcons
Location - Stade Pierre-Antoine
Light Rain Shower, 6 Degrees, 11mph WNW Winds

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Castres

15 Geoffrey Palis, 14 Max Evans, 13 Christopher Tuatara-Morrison, 12 Thomas Combezou, 11 Rémy Grosso, 10 Rémi Talès (c), 9 Cédric Garcia, 8 Piula Faasalele, 7 Yannick Caballero, 6 Mathieu Babillot, 5 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Brice Mach, 1 Saimone Taumoepeau

Replacements: 16 Mathieu Bonello 17 Mihai Lazar 18 Yohan Montes 19 Christophe Samson 20 Ibrahim Diarra 21 Romain Martial 22 Julien Dumora 23 Antoine Dupont

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Soana Tongahuia	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell
03. Matt Stevens
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Geoff Parling	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Matt Mullan 18.Carl Hayman 19.Yoaan Maestri 20.Richie McCaw 21.Nick Phipps 22.Gareth Anscombe 23. Rob Miller

Look to play a territory based game in their half, use the boots of the likes of Laidlaw, Farrell, JD and Smith to keep them guessing and pinned back. Look to compete at the line out with Parling and Slater an established 2nd row combo.

Fraser to go looking for turnovers, they lack a real 7 qnd he can exploit this. Rest of pack to pick and choose their moments to pile in or maintain the defensive line, but we think Read and Best could also have a real impact on the deck.

In attack, use high balls to pressure their back 3, with all of our back 3 being excellent kick chasers. Play the ball through the hands when we get into their 22, no rushed grubber kicks etc.

Use the big carriers, Tonga, Slater and Ewers to take responsibility for driving us forwards, always have men on their shoulder to clear out for quick ball.

Impact bench with strong scrummagers and players like Coles, Mccaw and Phipps to help us close out the game Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Soana Tongahuia	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell
03. Matt Stevens
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Geoff Parling	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Matt Mullan 18.Carl Hayman 19.Yoaan Maestri 20.Richie McCaw 21.Nick Phipps 22.Gareth Anscombe 23. Rob Miller

Look to play a territory based game in their half, use the boots of the likes of Laidlaw, Farrell, JD and Smith to keep them guessing and pinned back. Look to compete at the line out with Parling and Slater an established 2nd row combo.

Fraser to go looking for turnovers, they lack a real 7 qnd he can exploit this. Rest of pack to pick and choose their moments to pile in or maintain the defensive line, but we think Read and Best could also have a real impact on the deck.

In attack, use high balls to pressure their back 3, with all of our back 3 being excellent kick chasers. Play the ball through the hands when we get into their 22, no rushed grubber kicks etc.

Use the big carriers, Tonga, Slater and Ewers to take responsibility for driving us forwards, always have men on their shoulder to clear out for quick ball.

Impact bench with strong scrummagers and players like Coles, Mccaw and Phipps to help us close out the game

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Montpellier v Harlequins
Location - Altrad Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 10 Degrees, 7mph NNW Winds

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Montpellier

15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Samisoni Viriviri, 10 Enzo Selponi, 9 Benoit Paillaugue, 8 Alex Tulou, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Kelian Galletier, 5 Tom Donnolly 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Chris King,  2 Mickaël Ivaldi, 1 Yvan Watremez

Replacements: 16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Mikheil Nariashvili, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Thibault Privat, 20 Alexandre Bias, 21 Teddy Iribarent, 22 Wynard Oliver, 23 Pierre Berard

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Joe Tomane
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Luke Braid	14. Jack Nowell
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Colin Slade

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Gjorji Jgenti 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Stuart Olding 23. Alex Lewington

Tactics

Typical away European tactics. Control territory using our half backs and squeeze the life out of Montpellier up front by keeping the ball from them and putting on huge pressure in defence.

Look for forwards to make the hard yards before we look to take advantage of the wider channels with Myler choosing when we move out into space.

In our own half look to kick behind Nagusa for territory. Play the game in the opposition half and trust our defence, discipline and line out to keep us in the right areas.

Aggresive defence and employ the sue of the choke tackle for players running into contact upright. Otherwide choose whether to win the collision or chop tackle and look to get the first man over the ball.

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Gloucester Rugby v Leinster
Location - Kingsholm
Sunny, 6 Degrees, 9mph WNW Winds

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Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

1 Wood
2 LCD
3 Figallo
4 Gray
5 Taofufina
6 Alberts
7 Salvi
8 Palu
9 Robson
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Dagg
16 Beast
17 Strauss
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Tj Perenara
22 Pollard
23 Folau

Glos tactics 

Get on top with heavier pack. Utilise our big carriers to create quick ball so that our backline can play. Aiming for the bonus point and will be looking to stretch the leinster backs. Cipriani and Toomua to act as playmakers and pull the strings.


Aiming to play very high intensity and utilise the bench to really pull away.

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Leinster

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Darragh Fanning, 13 Gordon D'Arcy, 12 Ian Madigan, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Issac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Jack McGrath

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Mike McCarthy, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Noel Reid, 23 Mick McGrath

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Sale Sharks v Toulon
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 5 Degrees, 9mph WNW Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Willie Le Roux
05. Dave Attwood	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Marcos Ayerza 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Samson Lee 19. Will Skelton 20. Matt Garvey 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

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

- Get this big Toulon pack moving around. More mobile pack selected with the likes of McGrath, Zirka, Retalick, POM & Kvesic and Sexton, Le Roux & Steyn all capable at first receiver. We want to move Toulon around and play the game in the wider channels sapping those big forwards. 

- 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 Care will look for opportunities to snipe around the base always committing defenders.

- 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.

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

- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with POM & Kvesic 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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Toulon

15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Delon Armitage, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Michael Classens, 8 Chris Masoe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Juán Martín Fernández Lobbe, 5 Jocelino Suta, 4 Romain Taofifenua, 3 Carl Hayman (c), 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Alexandre Menini

Replacements:16 Craig Burden 17 Fabien Barcella 18 Levan Chilachava 19 Bakkies Botha 20 James O'Connor 21 Ali Williams 22 Sebastien Tillous-Borde 23 Juan Smith

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Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Location - Franklins Garden
Light Cloud, 5 Degrees, 9mph NW Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Rob Webber
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Lood de Jager
5. Jonny Gray
6. Magnus Lund
7. Schalk Burger
8. Sergio Parisse (c)
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford
11. Liam Williams
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Ben Foden

16. Scott Spurling 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Billy Vunipola 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Gareth Davies 21. Matt Giteau 23. Veriniki Goneva

Tactics:
We will be looking to make the most of home advantage and are boosted by the return of our international players. We will play a game based around a solid set piece, strong ball carriers and getting over the gain line and will play the game with a high intensity, getting the ball into the hands of Gray, de Jager, Burger, Parisse, Tuilagi and Fofana. We aim to attack Tigers and put their defence under pressure from the outset, particularly targeting their 9/10 combination to disrupt their own attacking game.

Pack/Setpiece:
Domingo and Herrera have been selected to start the game and are joined by Webber to bolster our scrum further and give a platform for Parisse to attack from the base. We've picked Lund to the pack due to his form in recent weeks and he gives us an extra lineout option, so we can vary the lineout further with four jumpers. With Webber's throwing we will look for quick off the top ball to attack with. Gray to make a nuisance of himself on Tigers ball.

Attack/Kicking Game:
Our game plan is built on giving Ford a platform to dictate the game, putting our powerful runners in the backline into space and providing attacking opportunities. We've picked a pack that can give Ford that platform and get us over the gain line. We've selected Bowe and Williams on the wings as we want to utilise Ford's cross field kick and also operate a fantastic kick chase where the ball isn't going to be the easiest to hold on to in the conditions. Have lots of different ways to attack, whether it is through powerful runners, spreading the ball wide to attack space or through Ford's kicking game, will make it difficult for Tigers to read.

Breakdown:
We want quick ball this week to get us on the front foot and keeping the Tigers defence under pressure, so we've opted to pick Lund and Burger to give us the advantage in the breakdown area. We have selected a mobile front five who will put bodies into the breakdown to clear out Tigers and turn this area into a real physical confrontation.

Defence:
As always a really aggressive defence with fast line speed and closing down the Tigers halfbacks, we want to limit Tigers attacking options so will really target Young and Burns and force them into errors. With Fofana and Tuilagi in midfield we can stop their counterparts getting over the gainline and will be happy to get the choke tackle working to force scrums and turnovers. Simpson to sweep in behind the defensive line.

Key Points:
* Strong setpiece and pack that will cause TIgers problems, particularly at the breakdown.
* Target the Tigers halfback pairing and put them under pressure throughout the game.
* Ford to control the game, mixing up passing and kicking game.
* Impact bench to up the tempo in final quarter and go looking for tries.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Rene Ranger
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Johnson	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	13. Sean Maitland
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Nathan Hines 20. Francois Louw 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Alex Cuthbert

Tactics:

We will look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. We have, throughout our XV, big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Burns to exploit.

- Play an offloading game. We see the offload as our big weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum.

- Attack all scrums - Front row of Franks, Creevy and Jenkins to look to really get the shove on, particularly targeting the Wasps Domingo/Webber channel.

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

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Saints defence. Primarily using Waldrom, Basteraud and Creevy, plus the likes of Pape, Franks, Lobbe, Twelvetrees and Ranger to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Moore, Louw and Cuthbert off the bench.

- Young to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Lobbe, supported by the likes of Bastareaud and Jenkins, to really look to get into the breakdown and give Saints problems.

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

- 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, and look to win the collisions in defence. Young to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Burns to kick all penalties.

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Mark

Not easy picking a team when I only recognise 6 of the players in the opposition starting XV.

Northampton Saints

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Rob Webber
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Lood de Jager
5. Jonny Gray
6. Magnus Lund
7. Schalk Burger
8. Sergio Parisse (c)
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford
11. Liam Williams
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Ben Foden

16. Scott Spurling 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Billy Vunipola 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Gareth Davies 21. Matt Giteau 23. Veriniki Goneva

Tactics:
We will be looking to make the most of home advantage and are boosted by the return of our international players. We will play a game based around a solid set piece, strong ball carriers and getting over the gain line and will play the game with a high intensity, getting the ball into the hands of Gray, de Jager, Burger, Parisse, Tuilagi and Fofana. We aim to attack Tigers and put their defence under pressure from the outset, particularly targeting their 9/10 combination to disrupt their own attacking game.

Pack/Setpiece:
Domingo and Herrera have been selected to start the game and are joined by Webber to bolster our scrum further and give a platform for Parisse to attack from the base. We've picked Lund to the pack due to his form in recent weeks and he gives us an extra lineout option, so we can vary the lineout further with four jumpers. With Webber's throwing we will look for quick off the top ball to attack with. Gray to make a nuisance of himself on Tigers ball.

Attack/Kicking Game:
Our game plan is built on giving Ford a platform to dictate the game, putting our powerful runners in the backline into space and providing attacking opportunities. We've picked a pack that can give Ford that platform and get us over the gain line. We've selected Bowe and Williams on the wings as we want to utilise Ford's cross field kick and also operate a fantastic kick chase where the ball isn't going to be the easiest to hold on to in the conditions. Have lots of different ways to attack, whether it is through powerful runners, spreading the ball wide to attack space or through Ford's kicking game, will make it difficult for Tigers to read.

Breakdown:
We want quick ball this week to get us on the front foot and keeping the Tigers defence under pressure, so we've opted to pick Lund and Burger to give us the advantage in the breakdown area. We have selected a mobile front five who will put bodies into the breakdown to clear out Tigers and turn this area into a real physical confrontation.

Defence:
As always a really aggressive defence with fast line speed and closing down the Tigers halfbacks, we want to limit Tigers attacking options so will really target Young and Burns and force them into errors. With Fofana and Tuilagi in midfield we can stop their counterparts getting over the gainline and will be happy to get the choke tackle working to force scrums and turnovers. Simpson to sweep in behind the defensive line.

Key Points:
* Strong setpiece and pack that will cause TIgers problems, particularly at the breakdown.
* Target the Tigers halfback pairing and put them under pressure throughout the game.
* Ford to control the game, mixing up passing and kicking game.
* Impact bench to up the tempo in final quarter and go looking for tries.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Joe Tomane
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Luke Braid	14. Jack Nowell
08. Nick Easter (c)	15. Colin Slade

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Gjorji Jgenti 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Stuart Olding 23. Alex Lewington

Tactics

Typical away European tactics. Control territory using our half backs and squeeze the life out of Montpellier up front by keeping the ball from them and putting on huge pressure in defence.

Look for forwards to make the hard yards before we look to take advantage of the wider channels with Myler choosing when we move out into space.

In our own half look to kick behind Nagusa for territory. Play the game in the opposition half and trust our defence, discipline and line out to keep us in the right areas.

Aggresive defence and employ the sue of the choke tackle for players running into contact upright. Otherwide choose whether to win the collision or chop tackle and look to get the first man over the ball.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam


(k) (c)

01. Soana Tongahuia	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell
03. Matt Stevens
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Geoff Parling	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Matt Mullan 18.Carl Hayman 19.Yoaan Maestri 20.Richie McCaw 21.Nick Phipps 22.Gareth Anscombe 23. Rob Miller

Look to play a territory based game in their half, use the boots of the likes of Laidlaw, Farrell, JD and Smith to keep them guessing and pinned back. Look to compete at the line out with Parling and Slater an established 2nd row combo.

Fraser to go looking for turnovers, they lack a real 7 qnd he can exploit this. Rest of pack to pick and choose their moments to pile in or maintain the defensive line, but we think Read and Best could also have a real impact on the deck.

In attack, use high balls to pressure their back 3, with all of our back 3 being excellent kick chasers. Play the ball through the hands when we get into their 22, no rushed grubber kicks etc.

Use the big carriers, Tonga, Slater and Ewers to take responsibility for driving us forwards, always have men on their shoulder to clear out for quick ball.

Impact bench with strong scrummagers and players like Coles, Mccaw and Phipps to help us close out the game

Could someone just check my team meets requirements please?

Fine Bam.

It's always 8 EQ in the squad, 6 starting in Europe and 4 in the AP.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Rene Ranger
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Tom Johnson	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	13. Sean Maitland
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Nathan Hines 20. Francois Louw 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Paddy Jackson 23. Alex Cuthbert

Tactics:

We will look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. We have, throughout our XV, big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Burns to exploit.

- Play an offloading game. We see the offload as our big weapon and our carriers will all be looking to offload in contact, continuing our forward momentum.

- Attack all scrums - Front row of Franks, Creevy and Jenkins to look to really get the shove on, particularly targeting the Wasps Domingo/Webber channel.

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

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the Saints defence. Primarily using Waldrom, Basteraud and Creevy, plus the likes of Pape, Franks, Lobbe, Twelvetrees and Ranger to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Moore, Louw and Cuthbert off the bench.

- Young to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Lobbe, supported by the likes of Bastareaud and Jenkins, to really look to get into the breakdown and give Saints problems.

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

- 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, and look to win the collisions in defence. Young to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Burns to kick all penalties.

1 Wood
2 LCD
3 Figallo
4 Gray
5 Taofufina
6 Alberts
7 Salvi
8 Palu
9 Robson
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Dagg
16 Beast
17 Strauss
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Tj Perenara
22 Pollard
23 Folau

Glos tactics 

Get on top with heavier pack. Utilise our big carriers to create quick ball so that our backline can play. Aiming for the bonus point and will be looking to stretch the leinster backs. Cipriani and Toomua to act as playmakers and pull the strings.


Aiming to play very high intensity and utilise the bench to really pull away.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. David Paice	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Willie Le Roux
05. Dave Attwood	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. George Pisi
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Marcos Ayerza 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Samson Lee 19. Will Skelton 20. Matt Garvey 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

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

- Get this big Toulon pack moving around. More mobile pack selected with the likes of McGrath, Zirka, Retalick, POM & Kvesic and Sexton, Le Roux & Steyn all capable at first receiver. We want to move Toulon around and play the game in the wider channels sapping those big forwards. 

- 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 Care will look for opportunities to snipe around the base always committing defenders.

- 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.

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

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

Treviso 16-30 Wasps
Comfortable win for Wasps and should see the bonus point.

Castres 20-28 Newcastle
Castres have made it known Top 14 survival is the only goal so see a comfortable win for a decent Newcastle side. 

Montpeiller 18-21 Harlequins
Quins have the edge in the back row and halfbacks and should get the win but won't come easy in France.

Gloucester 24-18 Leinster
Pack battle is tight but Glaws with the advantage across the backs.

Saints 23-23 Tigers
Little bit more to the Tigers pack and see them slowing Saints down at the breakdown. Saints edge the half backs but elsewhere very tight. Both benches impressive. Very tough to call.

Treviso 13 - 28 Wasps

Fairly routine win in Italy for Wasps. Treviso usually a trickier proposition than this but Wasps take a comfortable win.

Castres 23 - 25 Newcastle

Castres are pretty strong here but have other things on their mind. Newcastle have a enough to get a close win.

Gloucester 23 - 20 Leinster

Gloucester have too much at home. Tough game coming up in Dublin though!! Gloucester overwhelm in the backs here for me.

Sale 21 - 20 Toulon

Another side with a nightmare trip next week! Sale edge this at home with Sexton steering them home!

Northampton 25 - 23 Leicester

At home Saints have been untouchable this season at its no different here. They have a strong enough pack to allow Ford to unleash his midfield.

Treviso 12-30 Wasps
Easy bonus point win for Wasps here.

Castres 22-26 Falcons
Castres not the force they were for a couple of seasons, Falcons bench makes the difference.

Glos 25-22 Leinster
Glos backline too much for Leinster to get Kingsholm bouncing.

Sale 20-19 Toulon
Sale just have enough to drag Toulon around the park and steal a good win.

Saints 21-20 Tigers
Two incredibly strong sides on show today, very tough game to call but I think Ford just edges out Burns here to do enough to see Saints home. Would be a great game to watch!

Treviso 17- 35 Wasps
Pete's taken a bit of a chance with a weaker front row than normal, but everyone where else it is a bit of a mismatch.

Castres 18 - 25 Falcons
Like the look of the Falcons team, tough place to go and just need Slater and Parling to be back playing again - sure the latter starts today so that will improve his ratings. Welcome aboard Bam with a good away win.

Glos 23 - 19 Leinster
Too much in the Gloucester backline and home advantage.

Sale 22 - 21 Toulon
Narrowest of wins but the form of Sexton is telling.

Montpellier 9 - 24 Quins
Last nights game showed that Montpellier aren't a great team and their discipline will cost them here for a strong Quins team.

Castres Olympique 15 Newcastle Falcons 24
Decent enough Castres side on paper but they've shown they have zero interest in this competition, and Falcons have enough in their side to take a comfortable win.

Montpellier 19 Harlequins 25
That's a strong looking Montpellier side, but given that they didn't show up in real life last night, you'd have to question their desire to win this one. Quins on the other hand have quality and desire and that gives them the away win.

Gloucester 26 Leinster 20
Leinster a bit of an enigma at present. Decent one week and poor the next. Hard on that basis to see them winning away against a strong Gloucester side.

Sale Sharks 22 Toulon 21
Literally nothing between the sides here and have gone with home advantage. Sale will need to pull out all of the stops next week in the away fixture to get the win.

Northampton Saints 25 Leicester Tigers 22
Tough call, as always between the top sides in this league. Main reason for going with Saints other than them having home advantage is that Tigers looking to use Burns and Twelvetrees to control the game for them is questionable at the moment, with Burns out of form and Twelvetrees inconsistent.

Treviso 10 - 32 Wasps

Wasps are better in every single position except close at 13. Basically opposed training. Nothing wrong with that front row for me, Ozzy, would be an ok sub front row

Castres 16 - 21 Falcons

Castres are tough at home and have a few good players but Falcobs are once again better almost everywhere and will never look like losing even with a relatively tight score. Love the backrow balance,Bam, think Laidlaw and Farrell both work best with a more attacking partner.

Montpelier 17 - 22 Quins

Young Quins front row but on last night will dominate the Montpelier one. Last night's result stops it being closer, Quins set up in the backs to dominate possession with kickers and Fullbacks all across gone park and a pack that will beat Montpeiler everywhere. Great approach to an away game in France

Gloucester 30 - 21 Leinster

Like that Gliycester set up, attacking halfbacks, a balanced but powerful backrow, power in the centre and pace to exploit it out wide. Leinster in poor form, easy win

Sale 27 - 26 Toulon

That Toulon side is immense but Sale have brought their best side (bar Ayerza) with good tactics and are at home and get a huge win. Like the impact bench, vital in a match like this.

Saints 26 - 25 Tigers

Tough AP match up, Tigers get an edge across the pack where Saints haven't picked quite their best, but the Saints backs are wetter especially with more poise and form at 10 and 12. Usually this would be slightly in Tigers favour but home venue swings it

Treviso 15-31 Wasps

Can't see a single area where Treviso can match a decent Wasps side. Good power up front in the loose, enough in the set piece and a couple of big hitters on the bench to come on and seal the bonus point.

Montpellier 18-24 Quins

I like the look of Quins pack, good balance of set piece prowess and loose power. Backbone carries a threat too. Montpelier got tanked yesterday and I can't see how they will get the territory needed against the kicking prowess of Quins. Good away win

Gloucester 26-23 Leinster

The Glos front row would struggle at this level usually, but Leinster aren't best equipped themselves to take advantage. I like the back 5 of the Glos pack, and think they will give enough of a platform for the backs to get going, especially in the good conditions. Will be tougher next week!

Sale 24-22 Toulon

Wouldn't mind paying to watch this one play out! Packs are utter quality, but I think the quality on the bench gives Sale the edge over the 80. Sexton is going to be the key, and I think he will get a good amount of turnover ball to do damage with, and Sale get home in the last 10

Saints 23 - 20 Leicester

Like the look of Saints front 5, although I do wonder if they lack a bit of experience outside of Domingo. Both sides about equal at the breakdown, but I fancy Ford to do more with that quality back line than Burns can, and that coupled with home advantage gives them a narrow win

Treviso 12-27 Wasps

Wasps might struggle in the set piece a touch but are better man for man. If Treviso had more behind the scrum/line out they might make a match of it but Wasps are too strong.

Castres 18-24 Newcastle

Scrum the only slight concern but Falcons have enough behind them to get the win, good start for Bam.

Montpellier - Harlequins

Again Quins set up well and will get a good victory. Only concern against better teams is some straight line running/physicallity in midfield.

Sale 21-20 Toulon

Nothing in the teams really. Sale engine room much better than Toulon but they conter with a sttonger midfield. At Toulon this is there's but Sale just have enough.

Northampton 23-22 Leicester

Another really tight game with two good teams. Simpson and Lund the only weaknesses in the Saints team at the minute, Tigers halfbacks not the greatest on the back foot. Home advanatge again key.

Treviso 16-34Wasps
Comfortable win for Wasps and should see the bonus point after an initial battle up front 

Castres 17-28 Newcastle
Castres have little interest in this but it will be tough up front 

Montpeiller 15-30Harlequins
Quins have Edges in back row and half back positions and think Montpelier will drop off towards the end
 
Sale 22-21 Toulon essentially home advantage will win this.
A battle royal with very little to choose between the teams 

Saints 24-23 Tigers
Saints thrive on quick ball and Leicester will slow the ball down. Leicester  half backs can be poor in defence and this game is sneaked due to saints being at home

Treviso 12-33 Wasps
Castres 16-25 Newcastle 
Montpelier 18-27 Quins
Gloucester 26-24 Leinster
Sale 20-19 Toulon 
Saints 24-21 Tigers

Treviso 15 - 36 Wasps

Despite Wasps having rotated for this game they still have more than enough firepower to blow away Treviso.

Castres 17 - 32 Newcastle Falcons 

Quite an easy win for Falcons with Castres in dire form as of late. Falcons have enough firepower to earn the bonus point as well. 

Montpelier 20 - 28 Harlequins


Quins come up against a much changed Montpelier side which makes their awake trip much easier. Still some strong operators for Montpelier, but quins have the ability to pull away late on from Montpelier. 

Gloucester 24 - 22 Leinster


Glaws will struggle at the set piece for me against a solid Leinster unit. Glaws make a better impact around the park and with their back line as they can make breaks against a weak side out wide. Glos take the spoils at home. 

Sale Sharks 22 - 19 Toulon 

Sale's pack build the foundation for the win here. They take the game to toulon which is the best way to negate them. Sharks are a little dull out wide to their usual high standard, as for me Le Roux is wasted on the wing and Steyn has not been to his standard much either. Regardless Sale pull off a big win to shape their group. 

Northampton Saints 25 - 24 Leicester Tigers

Biggest game of the round. Saints and Tigers about same up front, but there disparity in the backs, with Tigers halfbacks lacking form. Saints home crowd capatalise on this to help them edge a tight encounter.

Treviso 32-33 Wasps
Castres 24-25 Newcastle
Montpelier 26-27 Quins
Gloucester 26-25 Leinster
Sale 23-22 Toulon

RESULTS:

Treviso 15 (P:5)
Wasps 37 (T:4 C:4 P:3)

Castres 19 (T:1 C:1 P:4)
Newcastle Falcons 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)

Montpeiller 18 (P:6)
Harlequins 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Gloucester 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Leinster 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Sale Sharks 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Toulon 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Northampton Saints 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Leicester Tigers 22 (T:2 P:4)