Aviva Premiership Round Ten

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Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud, 7 Degrees, 15mph WSW Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	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. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. David Paice 18. Samson Lee 19. Will Skelton 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

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

- Take advantage of the Exeter banana. Sexton assisted by his midfield, both good kickers in their own right, will look to use intelligent kicks and exploit the space out wide from time to time. Sexton will use the wrap around off the midfield as well to get around the outside of the banana.

- 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. Bendy 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, Care & 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. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

- Target the breakdown. Committed to the breakdown with POM & Cane 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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Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Connor Murray
02. Sean Cronin	10. Camille Lopez
03. Jamie Johnston
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Tom Varndell
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Luther Burrell
06. Carl Fearns	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Justin Tipuric	14. David Strettle
08. Toby Faletau	15. James O'Connor

16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Richard Barrington 18. Mike Ross 19. Michael Paterson 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Alex Dunbar

General Game plan

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. We will play a high paced counter punch style of rugby away from home.
When we gain possession our plan is to control attack with quick clean ball be it from set piece or turnover. After that look to control the pace of the game and go through the phases. Lopez will look to play flat and look to get our back line into the game whenever possible and keep the high tempo going throughout.
Big point is to match them man for man, in our style of play. Looking to control the ball for periods will result in frustrating the Sale side giving away penalties for us to capitalise on. 

Set piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan and create point of attacks. POC to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers. At the scrum Crockett & Cronin will look to get the squeeze on and target Zirakishvilli, who is prone to the odd collapse of the scrum and look to keep the opposition back row tied into the scrum giving Murray and Lopez more time and space to work in. 

Pack & Breakdown - Look for strong carries from our pack, tying in the opposition defence to create overlaps for our backs. We’ll be looking to keep the ball alive and look for the offload when on. Our back-row will target the breakdown and look to blow through the ruck and past the ball. Clean ball will be generated either by blowing through the ruck and past the ball and a long presentation of the ball to keep it away from opposition defenders. Murray will look to sweep up any turnover ball getting us on the front foot. We’ll look to win the collision with big our physical pack and dominate the opposition pack in the contact.

Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow our back-row to dominate affairs. Using the defensive banana drift defence to push the attackers towards our inside defence, with Murray sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind. If an oppo player gets held or brought down this allows the second man to get over the ball quickly to at least compete and slow opposition possession. Tipuric will look to target the opposition fly half early on and pressure his kicking. 

Backs - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs and the back three especially, as they have the pace and finishing ability to worry any defence. Utilise the pace and size of Burrell\AAC to crash through the line, using our 'league/slider move' developed from last season to break the line. AAC/Burrell/Strettle are big quick guys and will be able to mix and match the opposition defence, either catching Steyn's weaker inside shoulder on a a run against the grain, or exploiting the concentration of Pisi in defence. Or even generate a two on one with JOC joining the back line and providing the extra man to either put a winger away or go himself. 

Key Points

Pressure on the 8-9-10 axis - with Care not having his best season at the moment, look to isolate him from his backs and also force him to take up scrappy possession, where we can isolate and turnover possession as well as kill the Sharks momentum.  
Scrum & Line-out – Target throughout, if weakness seen heap pressure and generate penalties. Crockett to exploit Zirakishvilli and pile in on him with Cronin. Cronin & POC had a strong period together over the AI's and proved that his darts are more than capable at this level
Quick Rucks - with their big pack we will look to set rucks quickly and keep their pack on the move to tire them out. As well as to keep moving the point if attack with ball in hand with clever offloads and pops to keep Sharks guessing. 
Physicality & Dynamism – Win the collision and target rucks to drive through opposition. We have a big physical, but also mobile pack. Supported by some high energy forwards off the bench.
Targets in Defence - Steyn, not being the most agile, Lopez will try to angle runners off his weaker shoulder to break the line, similarly Pisi is not the best defending 13, and so AAC and Burrell will angle run down both of their weaker, inside shoulder. 
Breakdown – The back five to be a nuisance in in the breakdown and either get over the ball or get past the ball and make the opposition cleaners a nightmare by having to make them drive our forwards even further off their ball, or steal if the are limited numbers competing. 
Backs – Classy running options and two of the most prolific finishers in the AP in Strettle & Varndell, so they we will get the ball in their hands and they will take any opportunity. Especially targetting Roko and Le Roux on the wings, where their defence aren't really their strong points.
Build a Score - Lopez and JOC to share kicking at goal responsibilities with JOC taking the longer ones. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out

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Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby
Location - Kingsholm
Light Cloud, 8 Degrees, 14mph WSW Winds

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Gloucester
Manager- Matt

01. Nick Wood	09. Tj perenara
02. Adriaan Strauss	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Nicola Mas
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Johnnie May
05. george Robson	12. Matt toomua
06. willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Julian Salvi	14. hosea gear
08. jamie Heaslip	15. israel Folau

Subs:
16. Beast 17. Luke Cowan Dickie 18. Juan Figallo 19. Richie Grey 20. Tom Croft 21. Dan Robson 22. Dan Carter 23. charlie Walker


TARGET BREAKDOWN– We have a big mobile physically strong bunch and will hit rucks with venom. We will Send numbers in and try and effect turnovers or Disrupt ball.we believe the likes of  Heaslip Etzbeth Alberts Salvi and Shas physicality and the power to swamp their backrow.Backed by our  front 5 and this is an area we will flood.

TARGET 9 10 channel- Get our big runners in to the channel and look to get in behind. 

Half backs- perenara will look to threaten around the ruck but his job is to give it to cips who will dictate. Cips Will challenge line and kick When necessary. We want to play high tempo and Off front foot vl. We will do this by using runners off ten to smash holes and look to flood.

General- We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We Have a lot more carriers in the pack and will use this to dominate and get front foot ball. We believe this  will give is the upper hand. We will use this to sap Bath energy. We see them struggling with our power. When its on we will play an offloading game. When in behind We will Flood through with our quick Backs targeting mismatches 

Line out– We have options galore in Etzbeth robson  Alberts heaslip etc and will use this to disrupt. On our ball we will mix It but as game progresses go Off The top more To Get in to there backline 

Kicking options - with Cips and toomua we have great options to dominate kicking game when needed and also have fantastic options for exiting when under pressure. 

Defence- Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Bench- Game changing bench with More ball carriers and attacking backs. Our intention is to use it as required

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Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Charlie Faumaunia
04. Luke Romano	11. Jamie Elliot
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damien De Allende
07. Luke Wallace	14. George North
08. Liam Messam	15. Alex Goode

16. Mikey Haywood 17. James Slipper 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Michele Campagnaro 23. Kurtley Beale

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Glos in the loose. We will play a high tempo and really look to get some big carries in. We feel we have a real advantage in the set piece so look to real attack of this.

Scrum: Look for our unit to set a strong platform. Our props have been well rotated so will be fresh. We will try to set a base, controlled by Messam which he can attack off.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Romano, Messam, Kolisi and Whitelock options in the lineout. Whitelock will run the lineout with Romano offering an easy banker ball. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Look to compete on the opposition throw as we have a great number of options. Try and starve them of quality ball from the lineout.

Breakdown: The breakdown is an area we really see ourselves as able to dominate. We will look to get men to the breakdown quickly and clear out so Siya Kolisi and Luke Wallace can try and disrupt opposition ball.

Defence: Blitz Defence looking to really put pressure on the Quins decision makers. Try to stop the ball from getting to the centres. Focus on gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. FDP to sweep in behind.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. FDP and Hodgson can play what they see and put the rest of the back line in strong positions. Lealifano can act as an extra playmaker from the 12. We have strong runners who can get over the gainline throughout the side with a very dynamic pack and a big back line. Look to get the big carriers involved as much as possible. The likes of Faumaunia, Healy, Kolisi, Hibbard and Messam will try and wear down defences by looking for gaps. The likes of Wade, North and De Allende will be looking for gaps created that they can exploit. Look to counter attack kicks if possible. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Look for chances to offload.

Kicking: Hodgson will be our chosen place kicker. Any kicks will not be aimed towards their back three. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. LLF, Goode and Hodgson all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need be.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo.

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Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons
Location - Twickenham Stoop
Thick Cloud, 8 Degrees, 12mph WSW Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Joe Tomane
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. John Afoa 19. George Kruis 20. Mamuka Gorgodze 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jack Nowell

Tactics

Game Plan

In the opposition half we base our play around ball retention and playing with a quick tempo so that we can create spaces out wide for a our danger men. In order to do this we will use look for our forwards to get us across the gain line and get us that all important quick ball with carries off of 9 and 10. When we get across the gain line and have tied in Newcastle defenders we will look to introduce our outside backs in space. We will look for our forwards to carry in numbers to ensure quick ball is recycled and in order to provide the offload option to keep our attacks flowing. A key aspect of our attacking play is to get across the gain line and to do this we will run at spaces and use footwork before contact to make it as difficult as possible for the opposition to defend. Also look to use the offload just before contact.  

In our own half we will look to play the percentages, We have the players within our side to play from our own half but will only look to do so when we have a numerical advantage. Otherwise we will look to kick for territory or use an attacking kick such as a cross field to Huget or Tomane or an up and under. Key to our kicking game is to mix it up. Use different kickers and different methods in order to keep the Newcastle back 3 guessing.

Set piece

Look to use the scrum and lineouts  as weapons from which to attack. Our big front 5 will look to take control at the scrum and we will primarily look to get quick ball off the top but will mix it up with a drive when it's suited. Look to really pressure the Newcastle throw with Hamilton marking Parling and Chouly and Wood watching the back.

Defence

Key focus of our defence is to give Owen Farrell and JDV no time on the ball. They need time on the ball to get their attack going properly so we will look to give them none with Hooper and Wood really pressing this home. Our default defence structure will be to defend out to in with Joseph controlling the line speed to cut off Newcastle's options out wide. We will look to contain them and make their attack easier to defend.

At the breakdown we will look to really attack the rucks in the wider channels with Hooper and Wood's mobility being key here. We will look to set up our defensive structure first when Newcastle are in central areas but should they get out wide then we will look to pounce and the whole side knows this.

Key Points

Retain possession and get over the gain line with ball in hand.

When we have quick ball we will look to get it wide.

Use the set piece as an attacking weapon.

Clear our rucks. We have to work hard to clear our rucks playing against two 7s. hit the rucks hard and ensure we don't have isolated carriers.  


Stop Newcastle from going wide by pressuring Farrell and JDV. JJ leads out to in defence.

Target breakdowns out wide with Hooper and Wood. Get defence set first when Newcastle attacking in central channels.

Mix up kicking game. Use different kickers and different kicks. (Box, crossfield, up and under etc). Look to focus on Sharples.

Form. We haven't lost at home for a long time. We come into the game with only two losses this season. Winning is a habit.

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Nick Phipps
02. Dane Coles	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Yohan Maestri	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Geoff Parling	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Richie McCaw	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Rory Best 17.Soane Tonga'huia 18.Matt Stevens 19.Ed Slater 20. David Ewers 21.Greig Laidlaw 22.Gareth Anscombe 23. Cory Jane

We will play a game based on getting into the right areas of the field and using our powerful carriers to break through.

Set piece - We have picked a strong set of scrummagers up front, backed up by a strong second row. Haymans will have spent lots of time scrummaging against Woodcock in the past, and we want him to put real pressure on the bind between Woodcock and Brits, we think we can have some joy targeting Brits in the scrum and forcing him apart from his loosehead. If we don't win the pen fairly quickly, we will look to get the ball out with Read's skill at the back being important here. In the lineout, we think they lack a true lineout caller, and Parling is in the side to help expose this and read their throws. On our ball, we have Maestri and Read as options in addition to Parling, plenty of ball to Parling in the middle which can be used off the top to our midfield carriers.

Breakdown - we have selected two 7s to help combat Hooper, first man in to clear him out and the second in to secure the ball. Read is also very strong in this area, but we want him to be more selective in picking rucks to get involved in, and primarily look to go for turnovers. We are focused on maintaining our defensive line outside of the back row.

Kicking game - We will primarily look to target Tomane with kicks, both high balls and grubber kicks in behind to make him turn. If he does gather, our strong kick chasers in the back 3 will look to cut off his easy pass to Kearney or Myler and make him clear himself. In defence, we have both half backs, JD2, Smith and Piutau all as kicking options

Attack - Use the big carrying from the centres to target Myler, with JDV running at him to try and suck in Serfontein, then use the back 3 and JD2 to isolate Joseph. Up front, the front 5 to carry around the fringes to tie in their defence, with Phipps sniping early and often to keep their back row honest and pressure off Farrell. Once we are in their 22, Smith to come in as first receiver at times to try and throw off their defence, and give us more options in attack.

Bench - Big carriers off the bench, Laidlaw to control the game late on if required or Anscombe/Jane to add some firepower if needed

Key points

Blow Hooper off the ball at every opportunity, he is the main focus of our back row.

Use ball off the top to give JDV a run at Myler

Be physical up front, look to get under Hamilton/Botha's skin, we know they are susceptible to a yellow

Kick to Tomane and challenge him to make ground with his clearances

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Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Location - Franklins Garden
Sunny Intervals, 6 Degrees, 15mph WSW Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Gareth Davies'i
02. Rob Webber	10. George Ford
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Samu Manoa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

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Subs: 16. Thomas Domingo 17. Dylan Hartley 18. Logi Muipola 19. Jonny Gray 20. Schalk Burger 21. Joe Simpson 22. Matt Giteau 23. Ben Foden

Tactics:
We are looking to make it 3 wins in a row against Tigers and have the psychological advantage going into the game. We have called up Lawes, Mako Vunipola and Chris Robshawinto the starting XV and have rotated our bench to ensure we have a fresh pack after two tough games in a row. We will play a game based around a solid set piece, strong ball carriers and getting over the gain line, playing a game with high intensity and getting the ball into the hands of our gainline breakers and constantly making Tigers tackle. We aim to attack Tigers and put their defence under pressure from the outset, particularly targeting their no10 who hasn't played a great deal for Tigers this season and we'll aim to disrupt their attacking game.

Pack/Setpiece:
We've freshened up the pack and will be looking to use the set piece to launch attacks and pressurise the Tigers. With the conditions we are really going to focus on securing quick lineout ball to attack from, so we've selected Launch, Lawes, Manoa, Robshaw and Parisse to give us five options and will aim to get the ball out and attack. Lawes comes in to mark Matfield defensively and limit the quick ball that Tigers can generate.

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 Goneva and Savea on the wings as we want to utilise Ford's cross field kick and also operate a fantastic kick chase to test the Tigers backthree. 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 and defend.

Breakdown:
We've picked a mobile pack to play the speed at speed at get numbers to the breakdown, whether securing our own ball or looking for turnovers. We think we can isolate Louw by getting numbers to the breakdown and clearing him out before Tigers get to challenge for the ball. 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 - as the game goes on we can strengthen this area by bringing on Hartley, Mulipola, Gray and Burger.

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 Pisi and force him into errors. We've picked a big, physical backline from 11-14 who will look to stop Tigers backs getting over the gainline and will happily look for the choke tackle to win scrums and turnovers - especially so with Fofana and Tuiagi in the midfield. Davies to sweep in behind the defensive line.

Key Points:
* Momentum of beating Tigers twice in the last two games.
* Good conditions that will allow us to attack, particularly off the back of lineouts.
* Ford to control the game, mixing up passing and kicking game.
* Halfpenny's boot to punish Tigers whenever they infringe.
* Home advantage and strong impact bench.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Tusi Pisi (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Nathan Hines	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Rene Ranger
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Agustin Creevy 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jacques Burger 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 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 Pisi 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, Moore and Jenkins to look to really get the shove on, particularly targeting the Saints Vunipola/Webber channel.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Hines 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 Moore, plus the likes of Louw, Franks, Lobbe and Banahan to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Creevy, Burger and Cuthbert off the bench.

- Fotuali'i to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

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

- 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. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Pisi to kick all penalties.

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Saracens v London Welsh
Location - Allianz Park
Light Cloud, 7 Degrees, 14mph WSW Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Keven Mealamu	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Bradley Davies	11. Zak Guildford
05. James Horwill	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Ben Mowen(c)	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Callum Clark	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Xavier Chiocci 18. Tom Francis 19. Louis Deacon 20. Thierry Dusatoir 21. Henry Taylor 22. Malakai Fekitoa 23. Tom Taylor

Tactics:

TARGET BREAKDOWN – With Mealamu/Clark/Cole/Mowen/Dus strong in this area we’ll look to target turnover ball and slowing opposition attacks.

SCRUM ADVANTAGE- Look to target the opposition scrum from the off and keep the ball in if weakness seen. We'll look for the big push when the ball is put in and catch their 2 whilst attempting to hook, driving over the ball. We have a extremely strong starting and bench scrummaging outfit with Davies/Deacon renowned scrummaging locks.

TARGET BEHIND & IN AIR NADOLO – We've seen he struggles with the high ball and ball in behind. We'll look to neutralise his threat by putting in the box kicks and sending a strong kick chase to target/pressure him. We feel we can get plenty of joy threw this route and knock on's to give a scrum platform.

TARGET KICKING GAME– Look to dominate the kicking game and put pressure on opposition line out with strong kicking 9/10/13

PARRA/LAMBIE COMBO - Perfect combo to dictate play and keep us playing in right area. Lambie/Bosch/Parra give us a deadly place kicking option and we will take all points on offer to kill off the game.


General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to move the opposition pack around and then use big carrying options to punch holes through the opposition defence.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for quick ball off the top with the world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing Clark/Cole/Mowen etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressue on SH's basics and force him into errors, Mowen the expert here. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and SBW on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. SBW/Bosch to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Ashton will look to track the midfield combo and get the end of SBW's little offloads in contact. Guildford to keep things honest and come looking for work.

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 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
02. Dave Ward	10. Francois Trinh-Duc(k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. George Skivington	11. Napoliono Nadolo
05. Sitaleki Timani	12. Kyle Godwin
06. James Haskell c.	13. Casey Lualala
07. John Barclay	14. Rob Horne
08. Ashley Johnson	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Richardt Strauss 17. Yannick Forestier 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk   19. Mouritz Botha    20. Remi Tales  21. Ben Spencer  22. Mark Cueto 23. Alexandre Lapandry


Tactics


As usual we will focus on winning the breakdown, with Ward and Barclay acting in tandem, supported by the rest of the pack where necessary, only committing the numbers we need to allow the rest to be options in attack or defence until an opportunity to turn over comes along. Sarries have good players at the breakdown but we have 2 excellent workers in Ward and Barclay aided by Haskell and Skivington with good clearers like AJ and Timani for balance.

In attack, we will build slow ball with driving mauls and carries in groups from our pack, crash balls off 10 and a high, chased kicking game.

Faster ball will be spun wide with FTH attacking the line and standing flat and Godwin and Pennell as second distributors. Laulala and the inside ball to our carriers in the pack and the blindside winger will be used as a primary phase 1 run, then using our fetchers we will recycle the ball for our wave 2 runners of the backrow, Godwin and the open wing. Lots of work coming into the line by the back 3. If they try to blitz us, we have kickers at 9, 10, 12 and 15 to chip and grubber through and the two wave approach is ideal for countering the blitz.

Look to send AJ, Haskell and Timani at their wingers with the ball down the blind side of rucks to really test their physical and mental mettle and look to break the tackle and offload into support. Support is vital and part of Ward and Barclay's role We will also look to engineer one on ones for our wingers, who are powerful runners who also have an outside step, against theirs to really test their weak defence.

We will chase all kicks, run them back where possible and take on all points on offer. Kicks will be high and for possession which we will aim to use quickly. I'd like to see us taking quick lineouts and where possible getting the likes of AJ or Vito when he comes on in a position to help run it back.

Our lineout will see us attack Mealamu by competing for every ball and denying them the front, testing his longer range. We will keep to simple ball off the top with Skivs calling.

Scrum- use as a restart for attacking ball off the base. If we are struggling, we can shore it up with our sub props.

Defence- blitz led by Laulala, with TKB sweeping and the pack ready to scramble. Fringes kept tight, and have Ward and Barclay alert for the SBW offload and the Ashton inside line. Parra can be pedantic so if he gets slow ball, swamp him.


Subs- with a 6-2 split, I want our pack going at 100% intensity early on, knowing we can bring on 2 backrowers should they tire with our gameplan that is reliant on them. Strauss to shore up lineout.

Targets- lacking carrying power in Sarries pack, let's take them on in the maul where possible and sap away at them, making them less effective in the set piece. Target wingers' defence. As Hughes is main carrying option, anticipate him coming through, let him make some space then honey trap him with two tacklers, high and low, supported by our fetchers to force the turnover or penalty

Overall- sap their pack with mauls
Clever committal to the breakdown
Run it back and attack in 2 phases
Run the ball at their wingers
Chip over the blitz

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London Wasps v London Irish
Location - Adams Park
Light Cloud, 7 Degrees, 9mph WSW Winds

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 Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213    

01. Paul James	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Dave Wilson
04. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)	11. Bryan Habana
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Robbie Freuan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Anthony Watson

Subs:
16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Matt Symons 20. Fulgence Ouedraogo 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams


Basic Game Plan
In dry conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack.  We will play sensibly in our own half though, and will use the boots of Cruden and Watson if it is not on to run the ball.  When using the boot we will kicking for touch and looking to contest the lineout.  We will not kick to their back three.

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

Specifics 

• Lineout.  Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure their ball.  On Irish ball put pressure on through AWJ and Vahaamahina, who are athletic lineout jumpers.
  
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
  
• Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We will constantly look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps.  Smith to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
  

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London Irish
Manager - Prop

01. Tom Court	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Dean Mumm	11. JP Pieterson
05. Jacques Poitgeiter	12. Jaime Roberts
06. Kelly Brown	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Bjorn Basson
08. Ben Morgan	15. Rob Cook

Subs:
16. Tom Lindsay 17. Ben Franks 18. Will Collier 19. Tom Savage 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Rory Kockott 22. Owen Williams 23. Adam Thompstone

Tactics

Set piece: We have picked a strong scrummaging front 5 who all bring carrying bulk to the game. From kick offs we will look to go 2 passes in before hitting our direct runners. We will look to scrummage low (which all of our props are known for doing) and scrum straight to prevent the wheel. Our lineouts will be simple and we will look to bring the ball down before feeding 9.

Backrow: We feel we have a well balanced back row with a tackler, a carrier and a jackler and all 3 will be used for their main attributes. We have confidence in them all to do their jobs with Brown looking to get in their 10’s face.

Breakdown: We will look to be controlled here with the tackler and 1 more player committing initially to the breakdown. Warburton will play the McCaw role and sweep behind the breakdowns picking and choosing when he will attack for a penalty or a turnover. We will use the call “fire ball” which will be when Wasps under commit to their ruck and we will look to blitz past the ball for the turnover. We will adopt the hold and roll technique to take them off their feet at the breakdown and ‘tactically’ hold them down to slow them getting to the next ruck.

Half Backs: Biggar will stand flat initially to give Roberts and our pack runners the chance to get over the gainline. Dickson has shown how well he can control a game and he will use these skills to control the tempo and slow the ball down if needed.

Outside Backs: We look at Biggar and Smith to pull the strings and find the gaps for our strong runners, if it is not on and the wind is blowing in our advantage then we will look for deep kicks to go off  the field and put pressure on their lineouts.. If it is on we will look to ship it wide to our speedsters. We will look to have a lot of movement off the ball to prevent us being easily read. There will be runners off of 12 and 13 when available and the ball will be shipped to the wings quickly to allow them to get the advantage in the race to the line. We have international experience in the back 3 and will look to exploit this with angled running and confusing the oppositions defence.

Bench: Impact in all areas especially being able to bring on Higginbotham and Franks who will all make an impact against tired defences and with Kockott and Williams be able to pull the strings to make the gaps available.

Defence: Smith, Warburton, Brown, Morgan, Biggar and Roberts have all shown recently how strong they are in defence and making the intiial big impact hit. We also know how good the Wasps centres are so will look to prevent tem offloading the ball by double tackling them. We will look to blitz with Brown in their 10’s allowing Biggar the opportunity to drop back and cover with Cook for any kicks ahead. We will defend inside-out and spread the line. Bell is a strong defender and we will use this to our advantage to prevent anything going out wide.

Overall: This will be a controlled performance. We will look to hit the ball up twice and suck in defenders by going the same way till we run out of space, we will then flash across and look for quick hands against their pack who will be stuck defending the centre channels. Our carriers will come round the corner in 3’s to prevent the opposition knowing where the ball is going. We have a strong team on show and backs who are able to control a game well and defend strongly without allowing any gaps to appear. There won't be much of a home advantage for Wasps as it is their first game so this is basically on neutral ground. We have good form coming in after a good draw against a strong Bath team and then back to back high scores against Cardiff Blues who have shown they are no push overs.

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First proper game! Looking forward to this

Mark

We've moved to the Ricoh Arena this week SJE.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Joe Tomane
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. John Afoa 19. George Kruis 20. Mamuka Gorgodze 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jack Nowell

Tactics

Game Plan

In the opposition half we base our play around ball retention and playing with a quick tempo so that we can create spaces out wide for a our danger men. In order to do this we will use look for our forwards to get us across the gain line and get us that all important quick ball with carries off of 9 and 10. When we get across the gain line and have tied in Newcastle defenders we will look to introduce our outside backs in space. We will look for our forwards to carry in numbers to ensure quick ball is recycled and in order to provide the offload option to keep our attacks flowing. A key aspect of our attacking play is to get across the gain line and to do this we will run at spaces and use footwork before contact to make it as difficult as possible for the opposition to defend. Also look to use the offload just before contact.  

In our own half we will look to play the percentages, We have the players within our side to play from our own half but will only look to do so when we have a numerical advantage. Otherwise we will look to kick for territory or use an attacking kick such as a cross field to Huget or Tomane or an up and under. Key to our kicking game is to mix it up. Use different kickers and different methods in order to keep the Newcastle back 3 guessing.

Set piece

Look to use the scrum and lineouts  as weapons from which to attack. Our big front 5 will look to take control at the scrum and we will primarily look to get quick ball off the top but will mix it up with a drive when it's suited. Look to really pressure the Newcastle throw with Hamilton marking Parling and Chouly and Wood watching the back.

Defence

Key focus of our defence is to give Owen Farrell and JDV no time on the ball. They need time on the ball to get their attack going properly so we will look to give them none with Hooper and Wood really pressing this home. Our default defence structure will be to defend out to in with Joseph controlling the line speed to cut off Newcastle's options out wide. We will look to contain them and make their attack easier to defend.

At the breakdown we will look to really attack the rucks in the wider channels with Hooper and Wood's mobility being key here. We will look to set up our defensive structure first when Newcastle are in central areas but should they get out wide then we will look to pounce and the whole side knows this.

Key Points

Retain possession and get over the gain line with ball in hand.

When we have quick ball we will look to get it wide.

Use the set piece as an attacking weapon.

Clear our rucks. We have to work hard to clear our rucks playing against two 7s. hit the rucks hard and ensure we don't have isolated carriers.


Stop Newcastle from going wide by pressuring Farrell and JDV. JJ leads out to in defence.

Target breakdowns out wide with Hooper and Wood. Get defence set first when Newcastle attacking in central channels.

Mix up kicking game. Use different kickers and different kicks. (Box, crossfield, up and under etc). Look to focus on Sharples.

Form. We haven't lost at home for a long time. We come into the game with only two losses this season. Winning is a habit.

Team subject to change


 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
02. Dave Ward	10. Francois Trinh-Duc(k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. George Skivington	11. Napoliono Nadolo
05. Sitaleki Timani	12. Kyle Godwin
06. James Haskell c.	13. Casey Lualala
07. John Barclay	14. Rob Horne
08. Ashley Johnson	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Richardt Strauss 17. Yannick Forestier 18. Oliver Tomaszczyk   19. Mouritz Botha    20. Remi Tales  21. Ben Spencer  22. Mark Cueto 23. Alexandre Lapandry


Tactics


As usual we will focus on winning the breakdown, with Ward and Barclay acting in tandem, supported by the rest of the pack where necessary, only committing the numbers we need to allow the rest to be options in attack or defence until an opportunity to turn over comes along. Sarries have good players at the breakdown but we have 2 excellent workers in Ward and Barclay aided by Haskell and Skivington with good clearers like AJ and Timani for balance.

In attack, we will build slow ball with driving mauls and carries in groups from our pack, crash balls off 10 and a high, chased kicking game.

Faster ball will be spun wide with FTH attacking the line and standing flat and Godwin and Pennell as second distributors. Laulala and the inside ball to our carriers in the pack and the blindside winger will be used as a primary phase 1 run, then using our fetchers we will recycle the ball for our wave 2 runners of the backrow, Godwin and the open wing. Lots of work coming into the line by the back 3. If they try to blitz us, we have kickers at 9, 10, 12 and 15 to chip and grubber through and the two wave approach is ideal for countering the blitz.

Look to send AJ, Haskell and Timani at their wingers with the ball down the blind side of rucks to really test their physical and mental mettle and look to break the tackle and offload into support. Support is vital and part of Ward and Barclay's role We will also look to engineer one on ones for our wingers, who are powerful runners who also have an outside step, against theirs to really test their weak defence.

We will chase all kicks, run them back where possible and take on all points on offer. Kicks will be high and for possession which we will aim to use quickly. I'd like to see us taking quick lineouts and where possible getting the likes of AJ or Vito when he comes on in a position to help run it back.

Our lineout will see us attack Mealamu by competing for every ball and denying them the front, testing his longer range. We will keep to simple ball off the top with Skivs calling.

Scrum- use as a restart for attacking ball off the base. If we are struggling, we can shore it up with our sub props.

Defence- blitz led by Laulala, with TKB sweeping and the pack ready to scramble. Fringes kept tight, and have Ward and Barclay alert for the SBW offload and the Ashton inside line. Parra can be pedantic so if he gets slow ball, swamp him.


Subs- with a 6-2 split, I want our pack going at 100% intensity early on, knowing we can bring on 2 backrowers should they tire with our gameplan that is reliant on them. Strauss to shore up lineout.

Targets- lacking carrying power in Sarries pack, let's take them on in the maul where possible and sap away at them, making them less effective in the set piece. Target wingers' defence. As Hughes is main carrying option, anticipate him coming through, let him make some space then honey trap him with two tacklers, high and low, supported by our fetchers to force the turnover or penalty

Overall- sap their pack with mauls
Clever committal to the breakdown
Run it back and attack in 2 phases
Run the ball at their wingers
Chip over the blitz

Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213    

01. Paul James	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Dave Wilson
04. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)	11. Bryan Habana
05. Sebastien Vahaamahina	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Robbie Freuan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Anthony Watson

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Matt Symons 20. Fulgence Ouedraogo 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams


Basic Game Plan
In dry conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack.  We will play sensibly in our own half though, and will use the boots of Cruden and Watson if it is not on to run the ball.  When using the boot we will kicking for touch and looking to contest the lineout.  We will not kick to their back three.

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

Specifics 

• Lineout.  Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure their ball.  On Irish ball put pressure on through AWJ and Vahaamahina, who are athletic lineout jumpers.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We will constantly look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps.  Smith to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  

First time we have a full squad to pick from. All the momentum can shift here. Away wins now absolute gold

01. Tom Court	09. AarLee Dickson
02. Ken Owens	10. Dan Biggar
03. Henry Thomas
04. Dean Mumm	11. JP Pieterson
05. Jacques Poitgeiter	12. Jaime Roberts
06. Kelly Brown	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Bjorn Basson
08. Ben Morgan	15. Rob Cook

16. Tom Lindsay 17. Ben Franks 18. Will Collier 19. Tom Savage 20. Scott Higginbotham 21. Rory Kockott 22. Owen Williams 23. Adam Thompstone

Tactics

Set piece: We have picked a strong scrummaging front 5 who all bring carrying bulk to the game. From kick offs we will look to go 2 passes in before hitting our direct runners. We will look to scrummage low (which all of our props are known for doing) and scrum straight to prevent the wheel. Our lineouts will be simple and we will look to bring the ball down before feeding 9.

Backrow: We feel we have a well balanced back row with a tackler, a carrier and a jackler and all 3 will be used for their main attributes. We have confidence in them all to do their jobs with Brown looking to get in their 10’s face.

Breakdown: We will look to be controlled here with the tackler and 1 more player committing initially to the breakdown. Warburton will play the McCaw role and sweep behind the breakdowns picking and choosing when he will attack for a penalty or a turnover. We will use the call “fire ball” which will be when Wasps under commit to their ruck and we will look to blitz past the ball for the turnover. We will adopt the hold and roll technique to take them off their feet at the breakdown and ‘tactically’ hold them down to slow them getting to the next ruck.

Half Backs: Biggar will stand flat initially to give Roberts and our pack runners the chance to get over the gainline. Dickson has shown how well he can control a game and he will use these skills to control the tempo and slow the ball down if needed.

Outside Backs: We look at Biggar and Smith to pull the strings and find the gaps for our strong runners, if it is not on and the wind is blowing in our advantage then we will look for deep kicks to go off  the field and put pressure on their lineouts.. If it is on we will look to ship it wide to our speedsters. We will look to have a lot of movement off the ball to prevent us being easily read. There will be runners off of 12 and 13 when available and the ball will be shipped to the wings quickly to allow them to get the advantage in the race to the line. We have international experience in the back 3 and will look to exploit this with angled running and confusing the oppositions defence.

Bench: Impact in all areas especially being able to bring on Higginbotham and Franks who will all make an impact against tired defences and with Kockott and Williams be able to pull the strings to make the gaps available.

Defence: Smith, Warburton, Brown, Morgan, Biggar and Roberts have all shown recently how strong they are in defence and making the intiial big impact hit. We also know how good the Wasps centres are so will look to prevent tem offloading the ball by double tackling them. We will look to blitz with Brown in their 10’s allowing Biggar the opportunity to drop back and cover with Cook for any kicks ahead. We will defend inside-out and spread the line. Bell is a strong defender and we will use this to our advantage to prevent anything going out wide.

Overall: This will be a controlled performance. We will look to hit the ball up twice and suck in defenders by going the same way till we run out of space, we will then flash across and look for quick hands against their pack who will be stuck defending the centre channels. Our carriers will come round the corner in 3’s to prevent the opposition knowing where the ball is going. We have a strong team on show and backs who are able to control a game well and defend strongly without allowing any gaps to appear. There won't be much of a home advantage for Wasps as it is their first game so this is basically on neutral ground. We have good form coming in after a good draw against a strong Bath team and then back to back high scores against Cardiff Blues who have shown they are no push overs.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Nick Phipps
02. Dane Coles	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Yohan Maestri	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Geoff Parling	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Richie McCaw	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Will Fraser	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Rory Best 17.Soane Tonga'huia 18.Matt Stevens 19.Ed Slater 20. David Ewers 21.Greig Laidlaw 22.Gareth Anscombe 23. Cory Jane

We will play a game based on getting into the right areas of the field and using our powerful carriers to break through.

Set piece - We have picked a strong set of scrummagers up front, backed up by a strong second row. Haymans will have spent lots of time scrummaging against Woodcock in the past, and we want him to put real pressure on the bind between Woodcock and Brits, we think we can have some joy targeting Brits in the scrum and forcing him apart from his loosehead. If we don't win the pen fairly quickly, we will look to get the ball out with Read's skill at the back being important here. In the lineout, we think they lack a true lineout caller, and Parling is in the side to help expose this and read their throws. On our ball, we have Maestri and Read as options in addition to Parling, plenty of ball to Parling in the middle which can be used off the top to our midfield carriers.

Breakdown - we have selected two 7s to help combat Hooper, first man in to clear him out and the second in to secure the ball. Read is also very strong in this area, but we want him to be more selective in picking rucks to get involved in, and primarily look to go for turnovers. We are focused on maintaining our defensive line outside of the back row.

Kicking game - We will primarily look to target Tomane with kicks, both high balls and grubber kicks in behind to make him turn. If he does gather, our strong kick chasers in the back 3 will look to cut off his easy pass to Kearney or Myler and make him clear himself. In defence, we have both half backs, JD2, Smith and Piutau all as kicking options

Attack - Use the big carrying from the centres to target Myler, with JDV running at him to try and suck in Serfontein, then use the back 3 and JD2 to isolate Joseph. Up front, the front 5 to carry around the fringes to tie in their defence, with Phipps sniping early and often to keep their back row honest and pressure off Farrell. Once we are in their 22, Smith to come in as first receiver at times to try and throw off their defence, and give us more options in attack.

Bench - Big carriers off the bench, Laidlaw to control the game late on if required or Anscombe/Jane to add some firepower if needed

Key points

Blow Hooper off the ball at every opportunity, he is the main focus of our back row.

Use ball off the top to give JDV a run at Myler

Be physical up front, look to get under Hamilton/Botha's skin, we know they are susceptible to a yellow

Kick to Tomane and challenge him to make ground with his clearances

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	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. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Ross Harrison 17. David Paice 18. Samson Lee 19. Will Skelton 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Kyle Eastmond

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

- Take advantage of the Exeter banana. Sexton assisted by his midfield, both good kickers in their own right, will look to use intelligent kicks and exploit the space out wide from time to time. Sexton will use the wrap around off the midfield as well to get around the outside of the banana.

- 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. Bendy 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, Care & 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. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

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

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Keven Mealamu	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Bradley Davies	11. Zak Guildford
05. James Horwill	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Ben Mowen(c)	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Callum Clark	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Matt Tait

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Xavier Chiocci 18. Tom Francis 19. Louis Deacon 20. Thierry Dusatoir 21. Henry Taylor 22. Malakai Fekitoa 23. Tom Taylor

Tactics:

TARGET BREAKDOWN – With Mealamu/Clark/Cole/Mowen/Dus strong in this area we’ll look to target turnover ball and slowing opposition attacks.

SCRUM ADVANTAGE- Look to target the opposition scrum from the off and keep the ball in if weakness seen. We'll look for the big push when the ball is put in and catch their 2 whilst attempting to hook, driving over the ball. We have a extremely strong starting and bench scrummaging outfit with Davies/Deacon renowned scrummaging locks.

TARGET BEHIND & IN AIR NADOLO – We've seen he struggles with the high ball and ball in behind. We'll look to neutralise his threat by putting in the box kicks and sending a strong kick chase to target/pressure him. We feel we can get plenty of joy threw this route and knock on's to give a scrum platform.

TARGET KICKING GAME– Look to dominate the kicking game and put pressure on opposition line out with strong kicking 9/10/13

PARRA/LAMBIE COMBO - Perfect combo to dictate play and keep us playing in right area. Lambie/Bosch/Parra give us a deadly place kicking option and we will take all points on offer to kill off the game.


General - We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to smash the opposition back and get into the rucks/maul's and drive through. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to move the opposition pack around and then use big carrying options to punch holes through the opposition defence.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for quick ball off the top with the world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing Clark/Cole/Mowen etc a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressue on SH's basics and force him into errors, Mowen the expert here. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and SBW on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. SBW/Bosch to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Ashton will look to track the midfield combo and get the end of SBW's little offloads in contact. Guildford to keep things honest and come looking for work.[/b]

glos

01. Nick Wood	09. Tj perenara
02. Adriaan Strauss	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Nicola Mas
04. Eben Etzbeth	11. Johnnie May
05. george Robson	12. Matt toomua
06. willem Alberts	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Julian Salvi	14. hosea gear
08. jamie Heaslip	15. israel Folau

Subs:
16. Beast 17. Luke Cowan Dickie 18. Juan Figallo 19. Richie Grey 20. Tom Croft 21. Dan Robson 22. Dan Carter 23. charlie Walker [/quote]
[size=32]TARGET BREAKDOWN[/size][size=32]– We have a big mobile physically strong bunch and will hit rucks with venom. We will Send numbers in and try and effect turnovers or Disrupt ball.we believe the likes of  Heaslip Etzbeth Alberts Salvi and Shas physicality and the power to swamp their backrow.Backed by our  front 5 and this is an area we will flood.[/size]

[size=32]TARGET 9 10 channel[/size][size=32]- Get our big runners in to the channel and look to get in behind. [/size]

[size=32]Half backs[/size][size=32]- perenara will look to threaten around the ruck but his job is to give it to cips who will dictate. [/size]
[size=32]Cips Will challenge line and kick When necessary. We want to play high tempo and Off front foot vl. We will do this by using runners off ten to smash holes and look to flood.[/size]

[size=32]General[/size][size=32]- We've selected a team packed with power and physicality. We Have a lot more carriers in the pack and will use this to dominate and get front foot ball. We believe this  will give is the upper hand. We will use this to sap Bath energy. We see them struggling with our power. When its on we will play an offloading game. When in behind We will Flood through with our quick Backs targeting mismatches [/size]

[size=32]Line out[/size][size=32]– We have options galore in Etzbeth robson  Alberts heaslip etc and will use this to disrupt. On our ball we will mix It but as game progresses go Off The top more To Get in to there backline [/size]

[size=32]Kicking options[/size][size=32] - with Cips and toomua we have great options to dominate kicking game when needed and also have fantastic options for exiting when under pressure. [/size]

[size=32]Defence[/size][size=32]- Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.[/size]

[size=32]Bench[/size][size=32]- Game changing bench with More ball carriers and attacking backs. Our intention is to use it as required[/size]

Sje what's the deal with changing sides after their put in? I thought we couldn't do it? Or can we change up until the deadline? I've noticed its coming back in.

Mine only says that as I took the original template from the AI games where I didn't know if a couple of players would be free. I have no intention of changing my team

Pretty sure once you named your team that was final, it was only the Int games which changes were allowed.

It was getting a bit crazy with the TBC etc.

I'm mentioning it as it got very messy a while back regarding people targetting players in tactics only for those players to be replaced before predictions.

It caused havoc as I remember

Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Gareth Davies'i
02. Rob Webber	10. George Ford
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Samu Manoa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Vereniki Goneva
08. Sergio Parisse(c)	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

.
Subs: 16. Thomas Domingo 17. Dylan Hartley 18. Logi Muipola 19. Jonny Gray 20. Schalk Burger 21. Joe Simpson 22. Matt Giteau 23. Ben Foden

Tactics:
We are looking to make it 3 wins in a row against Tigers and have the psychological advantage going into the game. We have called up Lawes, Mako Vunipola and Chris Robshawinto the starting XV and have rotated our bench to ensure we have a fresh pack after two tough games in a row. We will play a game based around a solid set piece, strong ball carriers and getting over the gain line, playing a game with high intensity and getting the ball into the hands of our gainline breakers and constantly making Tigers tackle. We aim to attack Tigers and put their defence under pressure from the outset, particularly targeting their no10 who hasn't played a great deal for Tigers this season and we'll aim to disrupt their attacking game.

Pack/Setpiece:
We've freshened up the pack and will be looking to use the set piece to launch attacks and pressurise the Tigers. With the conditions we are really going to focus on securing quick lineout ball to attack from, so we've selected Launch, Lawes, Manoa, Robshaw and Parisse to give us five options and will aim to get the ball out and attack. Lawes comes in to mark Matfield defensively and limit the quick ball that Tigers can generate.

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 Goneva and Savea on the wings as we want to utilise Ford's cross field kick and also operate a fantastic kick chase to test the Tigers backthree. 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 and defend.

Breakdown:
We've picked a mobile pack to play the speed at speed at get numbers to the breakdown, whether securing our own ball or looking for turnovers. We think we can isolate Louw by getting numbers to the breakdown and clearing him out before Tigers get to challenge for the ball. 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 - as the game goes on we can strengthen this area by bringing on Hartley, Mulipola, Gray and Burger.

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 Pisi and force him into errors. We've picked a big, physical backline from 11-14 who will look to stop Tigers backs getting over the gainline and will happily look for the choke tackle to win scrums and turnovers - especially so with Fofana and Tuiagi in the midfield. Davies to sweep in behind the defensive line.

Key Points:
* Momentum of beating Tigers twice in the last two games.
* Good conditions that will allow us to attack, particularly off the back of lineouts.
* Ford to control the game, mixing up passing and kicking game.
* Halfpenny's boot to punish Tigers whenever they infringe.
* Home advantage and strong impact bench.

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Connor Murray
02. Sean Cronin	10. Camille Lopez
03. Jamie Johnston
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Tom Varndell
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Luther Burrell
06. Carl Fearns	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Justin Tipuric	14. David Strettle
08. Toby Faletau	15. James O'Connor

16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Richard Barrington 18. Mike Ross 19. Michael Paterson 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Alex Dunbar

General Game plan

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. We will play a high paced counter punch style of rugby away from home.
When we gain possession our plan is to control attack with quick clean ball be it from set piece or turnover. After that look to control the pace of the game and go through the phases. Lopez will look to play flat and look to get our back line into the game whenever possible and keep the high tempo going throughout.
Big point is to match them man for man, in our style of play. Looking to control the ball for periods will result in frustrating the Sale side giving away penalties for us to capitalise on. 

Set piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan and create point of attacks. POC to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers. At the scrum Crockett & Cronin will look to get the squeeze on and target Zirakishvilli, who is prone to the odd collapse of the scrum and look to keep the opposition back row tied into the scrum giving Murray and Lopez more time and space to work in. 

Pack & Breakdown - Look for strong carries from our pack, tying in the opposition defence to create overlaps for our backs. We’ll be looking to keep the ball alive and look for the offload when on. Our back-row will target the breakdown and look to blow through the ruck and past the ball. Clean ball will be generated either by blowing through the ruck and past the ball and a long presentation of the ball to keep it away from opposition defenders. Murray will look to sweep up any turnover ball getting us on the front foot. We’ll look to win the collision with big our physical pack and dominate the opposition pack in the contact.

Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and allow our back-row to dominate affairs. Using the defensive banana drift defence to push the attackers towards our inside defence, with Murray sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind. If an oppo player gets held or brought down this allows the second man to get over the ball quickly to at least compete and slow opposition possession. Tipuric will look to target the opposition fly half early on and pressure his kicking. 

Backs - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs and the back three especially, as they have the pace and finishing ability to worry any defence. Utilise the pace and size of Burrell\AAC to crash through the line, using our 'league/slider move' developed from last season to break the line. AAC/Burrell/Strettle are big quick guys and will be able to mix and match the opposition defence, either catching Steyn's weaker inside shoulder on a a run against the grain, or exploiting the concentration of Pisi in defence. Or even generate a two on one with JOC joining the back line and providing the extra man to either put a winger away or go himself. 

Key Points

Pressure on the 8-9-10 axis - with Care not having his best season at the moment, look to isolate him from his backs and also force him to take up scrappy possession, where we can isolate and turnover possession as well as kill the Sharks momentum.  
Scrum & Line-out – Target throughout, if weakness seen heap pressure and generate penalties. Crockett to exploit Zirakishvilli and pile in on him with Cronin. Cronin & POC had a strong period together over the AI's and proved that his darts are more than capable at this level
Quick Rucks - with their big pack we will look to set rucks quickly and keep their pack on the move to tire them out. As well as to keep moving the point if attack with ball in hand with clever offloads and pops to keep Sharks guessing. 
Physicality & Dynamism – Win the collision and target rucks to drive through opposition. We have a big physical, but also mobile pack. Supported by some high energy forwards off the bench.
Targets in Defence - Steyn, not being the most agile, Lopez will try to angle runners off his weaker shoulder to break the line, similarly Pisi is not the best defending 13, and so AAC and Burrell will angle run down both of their weaker, inside shoulder. 
Breakdown – The back five to be a nuisance in in the breakdown and either get over the ball or get past the ball and make the opposition cleaners a nightmare by having to make them drive our forwards even further off their ball, or steal if the are limited numbers competing. 
Backs – Classy running options and two of the most prolific finishers in the AP in Strettle & Varndell, so they we will get the ball in their hands and they will take any opportunity. Especially targetting Roko and Le Roux on the wings, where their defence aren't really their strong points.
Build a Score - Lopez and JOC to share kicking at goal responsibilities with JOC taking the longer ones. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out

Once a sides named it can only be changed for international call ups. Pre-emptive changes when international sides haven't been named is allowed as well. 

Shouldn't be making any changes to your side this time of year 

Except for the call ups to the South pole vs the north pole, Christmas game...

Does that mean I can't change the team I've named? I only put the placeholder in so it's easier to change it on my phone, next time I'll just wait until the deadline

You're alright mate you have until tonight for your side to be in, there are different deadlines for home and away sides

Ok, just wanted to check as Steve has done his tactics based on the side I posted yesterday

Just mark the page Bam and get side in before the deadline, can't go wrong.

unless you're CF...

Bath Rugby
Manager – inthefastlane

01. Cian Healy	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. Charlie Faumaunia
04. Luke Romano	11. Jamie Elliot
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damien De Allende
07. Luke Wallace	14. George North
08. Liam Messam	15. Alex Goode

16. Mikey Haywood 17. James Slipper 18. Jake Cooper Wooley 19. Graham Kitchener 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Michele Campagnaro 23. Kurtley Beale

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Glos in the loose. We will play a high tempo and really look to get some big carries in. We feel we have a real advantage in the set piece so look to real attack of this.

Scrum: Look for our unit to set a strong platform. Our props have been well rotated so will be fresh. We will try to set a base, controlled by Messam which he can attack off.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Romano, Messam, Kolisi and Whitelock options in the lineout. Whitelock will run the lineout with Romano offering an easy banker ball. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Look to compete on the opposition throw as we have a great number of options. Try and starve them of quality ball from the lineout.

Breakdown: The breakdown is an area we really see ourselves as able to dominate. We will look to get men to the breakdown quickly and clear out so Siya Kolisi and Luke Wallace can try and disrupt opposition ball.

Defence: Blitz Defence looking to really put pressure on the Quins decision makers. Try to stop the ball from getting to the centres. Focus on gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. FDP to sweep in behind.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. FDP and Hodgson can play what they see and put the rest of the back line in strong positions. Lealifano can act as an extra playmaker from the 12. We have strong runners who can get over the gainline throughout the side with a very dynamic pack and a big back line. Look to get the big carriers involved as much as possible. The likes of Faumaunia, Healy, Kolisi, Hibbard and Messam will try and wear down defences by looking for gaps. The likes of Wade, North and De Allende will be looking for gaps created that they can exploit. Look to counter attack kicks if possible. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Look for chances to offload.

Kicking: Hodgson will be our chosen place kicker. Any kicks will not be aimed towards their back three. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. LLF, Goode and Hodgson all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need be.

Substitutes: Our subs will look to keep a high tempo.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Tusi Pisi (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Nathan Hines	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Rene Ranger
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Agustin Creevy 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jacques Burger 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 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 Pisi 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, Moore and Jenkins to look to really get the shove on, particularly targeting the Saints Vunipola/Webber channel.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Hines 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 Moore, plus the likes of Louw, Franks, Lobbe and Banahan to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Creevy, Burger and Cuthbert off the bench.

- Fotuali'i to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

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

- 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. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Pisi to kick all penalties.

So does that mean I can't change my team or I've got till midnight tonight?

If it's till midnight then thompstone for Basson and Dulin for cook

Once a team is named its final Prop. Only changes can be for call ups.

ok cheers for the clarification.

As Delon has been banned after I named my side, am I allowed to change him?

People have before Pete - 3 month ban, what did he say/do?

Yeah thats fine Pete 

Edit: tactics edited taking into account team changes

Can I get tactics in first thing in the morning, struggling tonight.

Only if you give me a 10 point head start!!!! 

Yeah thats fine Pete only getting my done now 

Have done mine, it's a pretty standard game plan from me.

Unless I find some time Sunday evening unlikely to get predictions in this week. Sisters 21st and expected in work as well.

Leave them open to monday SJE I am sure many will struggle this weekend.

I
Have work xmas do tonight glos bath tomorrow and devon Sunday so
May struggle also

I'm away for the weekend back Monday afternoon.

Doing long days, probs not home before midnight on Christmas Eve and Day. May struggle to get tactics in next week

Best to leave then i think

Harsh to kick me out for that!

Think Steve means leave it until Monday CJ.


Watch out for pooly saying "CJ Finished" lol.


This site almost impossible on an iPhone. Trying to predo and scroll and page keeps re loading and crashing.

Glad delon banned but what a waste of a
Fantastic player. Still england quality. Personally prefer him to brown. Would certainly be better Back up
Than Goode ???

He is However the most awful human being in rugby

I was indeed referring to predictions haha