Aviva Premiership Round Twenty

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Bath Rugby v London Irish
Location - Recreational Grounds
Light Cloud, 13 Degrees, 10mph SW Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Graham Kitchener	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Damien De Allende
06. Liam Messam	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Richard Barrington 18. Scott Wilson 19. Luke Romano 20. Liam Gill 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Luther Burrell 23. Christian Lealifano

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Irish in the loose with big carries. High tempo offloading game looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece. With our win over the same opponent last week we have momentum and will try get on top early to damage their confidence.

Scrum: Look to dominate the set piece and use it to restart our game plan if going well. Our props have been well rotated so will be fresh. We will try to set a base, controlled by Falateu which he can attack off.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Kitch, Falateu, Messam and Whitelock options in the lineout. Whitelock will run the lineout with Kitch offering an easy banker ball. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Falateu, Messam and Tipuric are adept at the breakdown. Only send numbers in if confident we can get the ball, otherwise look to set the defence and dare Irish to beat us.

Defence: Blitz Defence looking to really put pressure on the Irish decision makers. Try to stop the ball from getting to the centres. Win the collision and drive through rucks. Wiggles to sweep in behind.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles knows how to control a tempo and will play what he sees. Sanchez will look to play flat and involve the back line whenever possible. Look to get the ball in the hands of our dangerous backs. We have natural finishers all over. Goode/De Allende/Sanchez can all play first receiver and will rotate in order to keep tempo up and look to play expansively. Look for strong carries from the pack - which has big line breakers - tying in defenders to create overlaps for the backs. Get Big Ben, Slipper, Tipuric, Kitchener and Messam all with their hands on the ball. Wade, De Allende and Campagnaro look to exploit gaps left. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line.

Kicking: Sanchez will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Sanchez and Goode 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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 London Irish
Manager – Prop

01. Rhodri Jones	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Ben Franks
04. Stuart Hooper (c)	11. Horatio Agulla
05. Devin Toner	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Warburton	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

16. Ken Owens 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Will Welch 21. Rory Kockett 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mark Bennett

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. Scrummage low and straight. We will look to target their props but if no parity then use for quick restart. With Toner and Hooper we have 2 great options to challenge their lineout.

Breakdown: We will look to slow down their ball by committing players, if they have quick ball we will leave it but will look for turnovers and we  have balance in Taufua (tackles), Warburton (jackles) and Morgan (carries). We know they are good on the floor so will look to prevent Bath from getting to the breakdown quickly and look to ship the ball. Taufua comes into the game in great form for the Crusaders

Half Backs: Biggar will stand flat initially to give Roberts and our runners the chance to get over the gainline. Dickson will control the tempo and slow the ball down if needed. We have all seen Biggar under the high ball so will use this weapon today. Smith willl marshall and play heads up rugby.

Attack: Go direct and look to draw two players to commit the tackle before getting quick ball, we have a mobile pack who will look to run off   the backs and round the corner keeping them guessing. Use the centre pairing to pull the strings with players who know each other well and international quality out wide. Looking to play an offloading game and get the ball to the wings.

Bench: International impact in all areas with Owens and Thomas bringing scrum impact, Wray and Savage will relish running at tired defences.  Quality in the backs with Kockott and Plisson looking to switch the play and up the tempo towards the end and Bennett to have a run out targetting  weak and scattered defence.

Defence: Strong defenders across the park will look at making the intiial big impact hit. We will target the centres are so will look to prevent them offloading the ball by double tackling them. We will look to blitz with Taufua in their 10’s face. Inside-out defence. We will look to stop the ball getting to their back 3 but have confidence in our defensive back 3 to stop them.

Overall: 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 target their pack out wide. We will look to negate their carrying options and put pressure on their half back combination not letting them get the upper hand. We want quick ball so will look to play an offloading game. We will run Roberts and Morgan down Sanchez's channel and look to play a maximum of 3 phases before seeking territory.

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Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Location - Kingsholm
Light Rain Shower, 14 Degrees, 12mph SW Winds

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Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt


1 Wood
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 Etzbeth
5 Robson
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 Perenara
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Talebula
15 Folau
16 Beast
17 LCD
18 Ousthuizen
19 Richie Gray
20 Moriarty
21 Robson
22 Dagg
23 Walker

Glos have a home game to really build on foundations for next year

TARGET BREAKDOWN– We have a big mobile physically strong bunch and will hit rucks with impact.
We will Send numbers in and try and effect turnovers or Disrupt ball.we believe the likes of etzbethStrauss Alberrts Have the physicality and the power to swamp their backrow.

TARGET 9 10 channel- Get our big runners in to the channel and look to get in behind. We also want pressure here in defence with farrell short on game time  Not having much form this season. We will look to flood this channel

Scrum- we will be looking to
Scrimmage hard with Wood and Mas for 50 minutes until bringing on the bench.

Lineout - with 5 jumpers we will look to threaten their ball on every throw.
With our own we will vary where we throw it to and look to mix the drive and off the top. We have purposely gone with etzbeth  and Robson to really challenge here.

General - our forwards will be looking to get on front foot throughout with our abrasive ball carriers.
When on we will look to offload to try and get in behind. We
Have picked a backrow of Alberts Heaslip and Savea to bring carrying to the game and to profit off our dynamic front 5 who will carry heavily and put
Us in front foot.

Backs- overall with the expected platform we have our backs
Are there to exploit it. We have pace and power all over and in Toomua and cips we have 2 play makers to interchange as well as 2 kicking options. We will look to vary our play probe for Gaps. When needed we have hard runners to bosh it.
We have numerous players able to step in to first Receiver with toomua, Cips  Folau  May.This means we can be lethal from turnover ball and is something we will be looking for throughout

First of all backs need to put us in right positions so kicking is important. We have 3 kicking options in Perenara Cips Toomua and and see this is a huge plus point in comparison

As the game breaks up we will be running back more ball And looking to up the tempo and use quick throw ins etc.
In defenxe we will blitz hard with 9 sweeping.

Bench- in close games benches are the difference and glos have a bench that can chase a game or close one out.

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Nick Phipps
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Yohan Maestri	12. Ian Madigan
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Richie McCaw	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21.Rhys Webb 22. Andy Goode 23. David Strettle

Set piece - We've got Hayman back today, and have picked a big pack to help him put the pressure on Wood, where we think we can get an advantage in the scrum. Best to try and put the pressure on Strauss so he can't help Wood too much against Hayman, we've got a big second row and Ewers will primarily pack down on that side to add his weight. In the lineout, Maestri to call with Slater and Read offering options. On their throw we will look to mark Etzebeth and Robson and challenge them to throw long, if they throw short then defend the maul.

Breakdown - We're looking to McCaw to school the youngster Savea at the breakdown here, he might get there first but will look to blow him off the ball with our physicality, then the likes of Best and Read to back up McCaw and help us win turnovers. Look to counter ruck when its on, but the rest of the forwards to focus on maintaining the defensive line against their strong carriers. We've got Fraser on the bench to bring on if the game opens up late on to help us maintain any breakdown advantage.

Kicking - Big part of the game is territory today given the conditions. We've got options throughout the backline supporting our half backs, with Madigan and Davies both used as kickers internationally, and all our back 3 are international calibre full backs. Look to pin back their back 3, we'll be kicking into space to force Folau and the wings to go pick up a greasy ball and then have our chasers putting the pressure on to test their handling. Look to keep the ball infield if we kick from within their half, and test the quality of their back 3's kicking. Grubbers in behind the wings whenever nothing else is on to keep them pinned back.

Attack - Based around our big pack carrying hard and keeping their forward tied in around the ruck, with the likes of Slater, Maestri and Ewers leading us here. Use pods to secure our own ball, when their forwards are tied in we'll look to get the ball wide with Farrell and Madigan offering a 2 sided attack, but with Hogg and Smith able to step into first receiver to offer an additional option and challenge the line. Look to send big runners down Cipriani's channel, tying in Toomua. We'll then look to isolate Kuridrani and challenge his positioning with the back 3 coming off JD2's shoulder and offering the inside ball.

Defence - No weak links in the back line, our back 3 are all excellent cover tacklers if there are any line breaks.

Bench - Powerful carriers in the front row, Parling to add experience and lineout while Fraser can help us at the breakdown. Webb to come on and look to snipe, but paired with Goode also gives us control through the kicking game. Strettle adds out and out finishing ability

Key points

Target Wood in the scrum
Quality breakdown operators to help us win the turnover battle
Use the kicking game to pressure the kicking and handling of their back three in the rain
In good form, only one defeat in the last 5 games and our team is well rested with the breaks during Anglo Welsh cup and ERCC semi finals
Experience throughout the side to help us win away, we've been on an upward curve since I took over and are looking to beat one of our main rivals for a ERCC spot next year

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Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Location - AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud, 14 Degrees, 8mph SSW 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. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Jared Payne
07. Sam Cane	14. Willie Le Roux
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

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16. Jack McGrath 17. David Paice 18. Martin Moore 19. Will Skelton 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Calum Braley 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

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 selected 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.

- Attack the Quins dog legs. Quins have played an out to in blitz all season with JJ jumping up in the wider channels. We will look to attack the gaps left in behind with offloads and clever running lines from our back three.

- 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. 

- Target Brookes at the scrum. Brookes has come under pressure in recent times irl. Ayerza will look to work him over at every opportunity. 

- 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.

- Cover the midfield. Cane has been instructed to defend the 12 channel with Eastmond, specifically looking to stop offloads and get over the ball at the breakdown preventing any Quins momentum.  

- 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.

- Cover the backfield. Zebo & Le Roux instructed to sit deep on defence and cover the field with Bendy. We will not be giving any space away for Quins to kick into. We will be looking to run the ball back particularly down Thomas's side as he is slow to chase.

- Up the tempo. Genuine impact players on the bench in McGrath, Moore, Skelton, & Kvesic. Will look to up the tempo both carrying and breakdown wise with strong performances from all irl recently. Barrett brings a new running threat late on and is the definition of a super sub in recent years.

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks


1. Tony Woodcock
2. Schalk Brits
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Bakkies Botha
5. George Kruis
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Damien Chouly
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Steven Myler (k)
11. Teddy Thomas
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Yoann Huget
15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Tom Wood 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jack Nowell

Game Plan

Look to play in the right areas of the pitch with Pienaar and Myler putting us into the right area of the pitch as is their speciality. Look to find the gaps in behind and put in a strong chase. Play the game in the right areas. Our half backs are much more suited to winning the territorial battle and getting us into the Sale half.

With the ball in hand we are targetting the Sale midfield. We want to get Hooper, Chouly and Gorgodze picking lines where they are targeting the defence of Eastmond and Payne. They will look to cut lines back towards the play targeting the gaps around the Sale centres. We will then look to use JJ, Thomas and Huget out the back once the aforementioned players have drawn in the Sale defence. Our front 5 will offer go forward around the ruck when required with carriers who can get across the gain line. We will look to offload out of the contact when we get the opportunity and this requires strong support running and intelligent players in the back line which I feel we have.

Up front we are going to look to get into Sale. Really look to be aggressive in the ruck area and in the tackle. Look to use our physicality of Botha, Gorgodze, Woodcock et al to disrupt Sale's rhythm. We will look for Hooper and Brits to attack the breakdown as the first men and this is made easier by winning the collisions so we have a target to hit.

KEY POINTS

Get at Care Disrupt his rhythm and we can stop Sexton having the impact he'd like. Disrupt their breakdown and protect the fringes and he can be made ineffectual.

Attack through the Sale midfield Use the back row to run the inward line with JJ and the back three offering options out the back ion the outside arc to use their pace after the Sale defence has been fixed.

Aerial battle Look to use the strength we have under the high balls in Henshaw, Huget and Kearney. Look to use this to gain territory through Pienaar and Myler's accurate boots.

Bench - Use the bench as an attacking weapon and add our impact players as the game goes on. The likes of Kitchoff, Easter, Cooper and Nowell can really add to our game.

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Leicester Tigers v London Welsh
Location - Welford Road
Light Rain, 15 Degrees, 12mph SW Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Nathan Hines	11. Rene Ranger
05. Victor Matfield	12. Dan Bowden
06. Steve Mafi	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Agustin Creevy 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jacques Burger 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Ugo Monye

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.

- Big focus to attack at all lineouts. Use Hines or Lobbe at the front and Matfield or Mafi off the top as our four key options. Shortened lineouts with Waldrom in midfield as crash or decoy option.
Matfield to look to steal and really give opposition problems.

- Attack all scrums if an advantage - Front row of Franks, Moore and Corbs to look to really get the shove on. Target if we start to get upper hand.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the opposition defence. The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Hines, Mafi, Moore and Lobbe to be used to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Creevy, Lahiff and Burger off the bench.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Lobbe and Mafi, supported by the likes of Bastearaud, to really look to get into the breakdown and give the opposition problems.

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

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Burns and Bowden.
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. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Burns to kick all penalties.

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 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. Kilcoyne	09. Spencer
02. Ward	10. Trinh Duc
03. Botha
04. Gilchrist	11. Nadolo
05. Temani	12. Godwin
06. Johnson	13. David
07. Fearns	14. Horne
08. Vito	15. Pennell

:-
16. Catt, 17. Rees, 18. Tomaszczyk,  19. Skivington, 20. Barclay, 21. Kerr Barlow, 22. Lowe, 23. Mogg

Breakdown: use Ward and Fearns in tandem chasing the ball, using our powerful other forwards to clear out aggressively to ensure quick ball. On defensive ball, Ward to look to disrupt but unless turnover is on, keep numbers out for defence.

Attack: move the ball around with our hard carrying pack, driving in units and looking to tire their pack. Use pop passes from 9 and 10 to our back row to crash ball, supported closely to create fast ball.

When ball is quick, FTH to attack the line with runners coming in at different angles from deep, looking to make space and pop into it for our tracking back 3 and our powerful back row when they have a more broken field to devastate.

We have good kick chasers in the back 3 so look to kick through the defence if it charges up, with grubbers, cross fields and chips, as we can contest there.

Defence- blitz led by David, sweeping by 9, the back row looking to rough up their playmakers with big hits. Really aggressive and physical defence.  Look to run back kicks with our running back 3

Kicking- kick high for possession not territory. Look to use the crossfield in their 22. Take all points on offer

Scrum- look to press their front row especially late in the match where our tactics will aim to tire them

Lineout, keep it simple and maul it up, looking to commit their pack tacklers for moves ie off the inside of 10 

Subs- use as needed

In brief- aggressive rucking, aggressive tackling blitz, kick for possession, move about their pack and sap them, move the ball to our danger men in gaps

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Northampton Saints v Saracens
Location - Franklin Gardens
Heavy Rain Shower, 14 Degrees, 12mph SW Winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Mike Phillips
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Samu Manoa	11. Leigh Halfpenny (k)
05. Jonny Gray	12. Matt Giteau
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Weslie Fofana
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Billy Vunipola	15. James Hook

Replacements:
16. Mako Vunipola 17. Rob Webber 18. Adam Jones 19. Courtney Lawes  20. Schalk Burger 21. Joe Simpson 22. Manu Tuilagi 23. Jacques du Plessis

Tactics:
* Heavy rain means that the game will be won on territory, set piece and kicking game. These are the areas that we are focussing upon and have selected the team to win each area and get the home win.
* We have recalled Domingo and Herrera to the starting lineup due to the conditions and importance of the scrum with a wet ball, Jonny Gray and Chris Robshaw also start to freshen up the pack.
* We have gone for a 6-2 split on the bench with forwards and backs as the game will be won upfront and the team who provides cleaner ball for the backs. This will give us an advantage in terms of physicality and back row has been selected for the ability to make the hard yards, whereas Hughes is a more dynamic player suited to better conditions.
* Our backline is picked entirely for the conditions with kicking options throughout (with exception of Fofana). There is a lack of kicking game in Sarries 12-13 shirts and we are going to target Ashton's wing with an aerial bombardment to put him under pressure.
* Leigh Halfpenny's boot, the conditions mean that the game will be tight with very few tries so having Halfpenny will be decisive.

Pack/Setpiece: We've picked a strong pack that will look to target the setpiece and provide our backline with a solid platform to put boot to ball. We see the scrum as an area we can get some joy by recalling Domingo and Herrera. Lineout will be kept simple, looking to start driving mauls and getting Vunipola on the ball. On Sarries throws  we will focus on getting our defensive line in place to bring down any driving mauls at the outset. 6-2 split on the bench and will target the pack battle to gain the upper hand.

Kicking/Territory: This is an area where we feel we have the advantage - we have selected a backline that offers a lot of kicking options from 9-15 (exception Fofana), this will allow us to push Sarries back into their own half where we can apply pressure and look for penalties. Target Ashton's wing defensively. Importantly the kicking options give us a lot of different exit strategies from kick offs, we won't be playing any rugby in our own half.

Attack: Very much based around a better kicking game controlled by Ford and Giteau, which has a strong kick chase game with Fofana, Halfpenny and Bowe putting pressure on Saracens players by competing for the ball in the air. Complete no nonsense rugby. (Nb Fofana has played 13 for France and Clermont). Heavy rain means we want to play in Sarries half and are happy for them to have the ball and go through phases as makes it more likely there will be mistakes and Halfpenny's boot is worth its weight in gold - happy to take 3 points all afternoon.

Breakdown: Is a big battle at the breakdown, turnover ball won't matter too much given the conditions, so will focus on ensuring a strong defence around the fringes, but also on setting up pods to pick up and drive the ball forward - we have selected a back row that are known for making the hard yards. If Saracens decide to run the ball more and not put boot to ball we will look for Pocock and Robshaw to force mistakes, force penalties and turnovers).

Defence: Really physical defence, aiming to put pressure on the Sarries halfbacks, we've picked Phillips because the conditions are suited to his game and for getting at Parra, while we will target the no10 because of the lack of kicking game from the Sarries midfield. Very little chance for long runs due to the conditions, so will keep our back three back to collect kicks and get the ball out of the Saints half. Hook selected due to kicking game and ability under the high ball.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Bernard Foley
03. Dan Cole
04. Brad Davies	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Flip van der Merwe	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Callum Clark	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Thierry Dusatoir(c)	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Nick Auterac 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Sam Carter 20. Dave Denton 21. Henry Taylor 22. Morne Steyn 23. Miles Benjamin

TACTICS:

TARGET SCRUM - The Saints front row is having a poor season as individuals in the set piece. Look to target and if weakness seen use the scrum as a weapon with strong bench to dominate.

PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Big carrying options and world class kicking options from hand. Look to get Lambie in as second receiver and keep Saints guessing. Look to dominate territory with plenty of options in Foley/Lambie/Parra. Parra to hoist up the high ball and strong kick chase pressue on Hook.

PUT PRESSURE ON 13/15 CHANNEL - Target Fofana in defence playing out of position and Hook in defence also with big runners.

General - 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 safe ball  with 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 a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors, Shields 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 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

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London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Location - Ricoh Arena
Light Cloud, 13 Degrees, 11mph SW Winds

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Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                   

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons	11. Bryan Habana
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Paul Jordaan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Tim Nanai-Williams
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Delon Armitage

Reps: 16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Marcell Coetzee 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Anthony Watson

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Chiefs defence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Cruden, and Armitage to take us up the field.

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 our ball.  We will also mix it up, shortening the lineout and using our back row as crash ball options off the top.  Defensively, we will compete where it's on, look to disrupt Cronin's throw with AWJ jumping at the front, but in the main will be looking to take the reciever, man and ball as he lands and avoid him being able to set a maul. 
  
• Scrum.  Get low.  Wilson and Marler to keep low and both flankers to stay bound and pushing and look to really get below the Chiefs props and force an advantage.  If we get going forward, mix up between forcing the penalty and getting the ball out quickly and into play against a retreating defensive line.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  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 want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We know they are defensively strong in the midfield so will look to shift the point of attack and try to attack the wide areas off earlier phases and draw their stronger defenders into those channels before going back inside and exploiting the gaps created.  If they don't come out to cover the wide men, we will look to really target their defensive abilities out wide.  If the ball is slow and Chiefs are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Smith to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
• Tactical Kicking.  If we kick, we will look to kick for the corners and contest the opposition lineout.
  

Key Points

• Form/Momentum  We are in great form within the game as we come to the business end of the season.  In real life, guys in this team are also in top form, such as Nonu (outstanding all year), TNW (sensational for the Chiefs last them and in all teams of the week) and Steffon Armitage (absolutely turned the game in Toulons favour v Leinster with his turnovers after coming off the bench). 
  
• Our Game  Exeter appear to want to take us on at our own game.  We are top of the table for a reason, that being we are very good at playing our game.  Trying to match us at it in our own back yard is risky strategy.
  
• Home Advantage  We are now into the run in, and in big games, away wins are as rare as hens teeth.
  
• World Class Spine  In those key jerseys, 2,8,9,10 we have world class players who are all arguably the best in their position in the world.  In big games, when things get tight, those guys can be the difference between winning and losing.
  
• Bench  Impact players who can make real difference in the final quarter of the game to come on, with every player bar Henry Slade a full international.
  

---

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Cian Healy	09. Connor Murray
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Camille Lopez
03. Mike Ross
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Tom Varndell
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. James Haskell	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. James O'Conoor

_
16. Sean Cronin 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Tomás Lavanini 20. Luke Wallace 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Andrew Trimble

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. Our aim is to control possession 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 focus is to match and beat Wasps man for man, in our style of play. 

Set piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan and create point of attacks in midfield. POC to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers. At the scrum we’ll look to get set and get the ball into the hands of back row to get us over the gain line.

Pack & Breakdown - Look for strong carries from our back five, 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. We’ll look to win the collision with big our physical pack and dominate the opposition pack in the contact. Back five to hang around in pods outside Lopez's/Barritt's shoulder to attack the defence in the 13 channel. 

Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and halt the Wasps forwards before the gain line to prevent them building momentum. We will use the blitz in defence with Murray sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind. The back row will look to stop the Wasps back early before building up speed, and also applying pressure to Smith at the base of scrums and rucks whose service can wobble under pressure. 

Backs - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs and the back three especially. Utilise the pace and size of Barritt\AAC to crash through the line, using our 'league/slider move' developed from last season to break the line. Jane/JOC/Varndell are elusively quick guys and will be able to find forwards in the line and exploit any holes in the defence, either catching Nonu's weaker inside shoulder on a a run against the grain, or exploiting the concentration of Jordaan in defence. Attempt to generate a two on one with JOC joining the back line as the slider moves under the crash/dummy line.

Key Points

Keep hold of possession - We won't want to kick the ball away, and Wasps can't score any points without the ball. 
Control the tempo - with their big pack we will look to dictate the pace of the game, with Murray instructing the forwards to either go through quick phases and set rucks quickly to keep their pack on the move to tire them out. Or to take some slow pods and catch the defence unawares and give away needless penalties. 
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 - Nonu, not being the most agile, Lopez will try to angle runners off his weaker shoulder to break the line, similarly Jordaan is not the best defending 13, and so JOC and AAC will angle runs down both of their weaker/inside shoulders.
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 some of the most prolific finishers in Jane, AAC, Varndell & JOC, therefore we will get the ball in their hands when space and overlaps are created by the forward play.
Build a Score - JOC to kick at goal, and look to kick any penalty from within 45 metes. To keep scoreboard ticking over. Any further out kick to corner and set a maul and restart our phase game.

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB
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01. James Slipper	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Graham Kitchener	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Damien De Allende
06. Liam Messam	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Mikey Haywood 17. Richard Barrington 18. Scott Wilson 19. Luke Romano 20. Liam Gill 21. Fourie Du Preez 22. Luther Burrell 23. Christian Lealifano

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Irish in the loose with big carries. High tempo offloading game looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece. With our win over the same opponent last week we have momentum and will try get on top early to damage their confidence.

Scrum: Look to dominate the set piece and use it to restart our game plan if going well. Our props have been well rotated so will be fresh. We will try to set a base, controlled by Falateu which he can attack off.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Kitch, Falateu, Messam and Whitelock options in the lineout. Whitelock will run the lineout with Kitch offering an easy banker ball. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Falateu, Messam and Tipuric are adept at the breakdown. Only send numbers in if confident we can get the ball, otherwise look to set the defence and dare Irish to beat us.

Defence: Blitz Defence looking to really put pressure on the Irish decision makers. Try to stop the ball from getting to the centres. Win the collision and drive through rucks. Wiggles to sweep in behind.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles knows how to control a tempo and will play what he sees. Sanchez will look to play flat and involve the back line whenever possible. Look to get the ball in the hands of our dangerous backs. We have natural finishers all over. Goode/De Allende/Sanchez can all play first receiver and will rotate in order to keep tempo up and look to play expansively. Look for strong carries from the pack - which has big line breakers - tying in defenders to create overlaps for the backs. Get Big Ben, Slipper, Tipuric, Kitchener and Messam all with their hands on the ball. Wade, De Allende and Campagnaro look to exploit gaps left. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line.

Kicking: Sanchez will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Sanchez and Goode 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.

Wasps make 4 changes to the starting XV which won their Champions Cup semi final, for this weeks visit of Exeter Chiefs to the Ricoh Arena.

In the pack, Bismarck du Plessis and Jerome Kaino return from suspension and injury to replace Tom Youngs and Marcell Coetzee who both drop to the bench.  In the backs Paul Jordaan comes into the 13 jersey with Henry Slade dropping to bench, with Tim Nanai-Williams starting on the right wing in place of Noa Nakaitaci who drops out of the matchday 23.  Anthony Watson comes onto bench in the only other change to matchday squad.

Wasps
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                   

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons	11. Bryan Habana
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Paul Jordaan
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Tim Nanai-Williams
08. Duane Vermeulen ©	15. Delon Armitage

Reps: 16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Marcell Coetzee 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Anthony Watson

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Chiefs defence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Cruden, and Armitage to take us up the field.

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 our ball.  We will also mix it up, shortening the lineout and using our back row as crash ball options off the top.  Defensively, we will compete where it's on, look to disrupt Cronin's throw with AWJ jumping at the front, but in the main will be looking to take the reciever, man and ball as he lands and avoid him being able to set a maul.
  
• Scrum.  Get low.  Wilson and Marler to keep low and both flankers to stay bound and pushing and look to really get below the Chiefs props and force an advantage.  If we get going forward, mix up between forcing the penalty and getting the ball out quickly and into play against a retreating defensive line.
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  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 want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We know they are defensively strong in the midfield so will look to shift the point of attack and try to attack the wide areas off earlier phases and draw their stronger defenders into those channels before going back inside and exploiting the gaps created. If they don't come out to cover the wide men, we will look to really target their defensive abilities out wide. If the ball is slow and Chiefs are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Smith to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
• Tactical Kicking.  If we kick, we will look to kick for the corners and contest the opposition lineout.
  

Key Points

• Form/Momentum  We are in great form within the game as we come to the business end of the season. In real life, guys in this team are also in top form, such as Nonu (outstanding all year), TNW (sensational for the Chiefs last them and in all teams of the week) and Steffon Armitage (absolutely turned the game in Toulons favour v Leinster with his turnovers after coming off the bench). 
  
• Our Game  Exeter appear to want to take us on at our own game. We are top of the table for a reason, that being we are very good at playing our game. Trying to match us at it in our own back yard is risky strategy.
  
• Home Advantage  We are now into the run in, and in big games, away wins are as rare as hens teeth.
  
• World Class Spine  In those key jerseys, 2,8,9,10 we have world class players who are all arguably the best in their position in the world. In big games, when things get tight, those guys can be the difference between winning and losing.
  
• Bench Impact players who can make real difference in the final quarter of the game to come on, with every player bar Henry Slade a full international.
  

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Jared Payne
07. Sam Cane	14. Willie Le Roux
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

:-
16. Jack McGrath 17. David Paice 18. Martin Moore 19. Will Skelton 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Calum Braley 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

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 selected 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.

- Attack the Quins dog legs. Quins have played an out to in blitz all season with JJ jumping up in the wider channels. We will look to attack the gaps left in behind with offloads and clever running lines from our back three.

- 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. 

- Target Brookes at the scrum. Brookes has come under pressure in recent times irl. Ayerza will look to work him over at every opportunity. 

- 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.

- Cover the midfield. Cane has been instructed to defend the 12 channel with Eastmond, specifically looking to stop offloads and get over the ball at the breakdown preventing any Quins momentum.  

- 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.

- Cover the backfield. Zebo & Le Roux instructed to sit deep on defence and cover the field with Bendy. We will not be giving any space away for Quins to kick into. We will be looking to run the ball back particularly down Thomas's side as he is slow to chase.

- Up the tempo. Genuine impact players on the bench in McGrath, Moore, Skelton, & Kvesic. Will look to up the tempo both carrying and breakdown wise with strong performances from all irl recently. Barrett brings a new running threat late on and is the definition of a super sub in recent years.

Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Mike Phillips
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Samu Manoa	11. Leigh Halfpenny (k)
05. Jonny Gray	12. Matt Giteau
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Weslie Fofana
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Billy Vunipola	15. James Hook

Replacements:
16. Mako Vunipola 17. Rob Webber 18. Adam Jones 19. Courtney Lawes  20. Schalk Burger 21. Joe Simpson 22. Manu Tuilagi 23. Jacques du Plessis

Tactics:
* Heavy rain means that the game will be won on territory, set piece and kicking game. These are the areas that we are focussing upon and have selected the team to win each area and get the home win.
* We have recalled Domingo and Herrera to the starting lineup due to the conditions and importance of the scrum with a wet ball, Jonny Gray and Chris Robshaw also start to freshen up the pack.
* We have gone for a 6-2 split on the bench with forwards and backs as the game will be won upfront and the team who provides cleaner ball for the backs. This will give us an advantage in terms of physicality and back row has been selected for the ability to make the hard yards, whereas Hughes is a more dynamic player suited to better conditions.
* Our backline is picked entirely for the conditions with kicking options throughout (with exception of Fofana). There is a lack of kicking game in Sarries 12-13 shirts and we are going to target Ashton's wing with an aerial bombardment to put him under pressure.
* Leigh Halfpenny's boot, the conditions mean that the game will be tight with very few tries so having Halfpenny will be decisive.

Pack/Setpiece: We've picked a strong pack that will look to target the setpiece and provide our backline with a solid platform to put boot to ball. We see the scrum as an area we can get some joy by recalling Domingo and Herrera. Lineout will be kept simple, looking to start driving mauls and getting Vunipola on the ball. On Sarries throws  we will focus on getting our defensive line in place to bring down any driving mauls at the outset. 6-2 split on the bench and will target the pack battle to gain the upper hand.

Kicking/Territory: This is an area where we feel we have the advantage - we have selected a backline that offers a lot of kicking options from 9-15 (exception Fofana), this will allow us to push Sarries back into their own half where we can apply pressure and look for penalties. Target Ashton's wing defensively. Importantly the kicking options give us a lot of different exit strategies from kick offs, we won't be playing any rugby in our own half.

Attack: Very much based around a better kicking game controlled by Ford and Giteau, which has a strong kick chase game with Fofana, Halfpenny and Bowe putting pressure on Saracens players by competing for the ball in the air. Complete no nonsense rugby. (Nb Fofana has played 13 for France and Clermont). Heavy rain means we want to play in Sarries half and are happy for them to have the ball and go through phases as makes it more likely there will be mistakes and Halfpenny's boot is worth its weight in gold - happy to take 3 points all afternoon.

Breakdown: Is a big battle at the breakdown, turnover ball won't matter too much given the conditions, so will focus on ensuring a strong defence around the fringes, but also on setting up pods to pick up and drive the ball forward - we have selected a back row that are known for making the hard yards. If Saracens decide to run the ball more and not put boot to ball we will look for Pocock and Robshaw to force mistakes, force penalties and turnovers).

Defence: Really physical defence, aiming to put pressure on the Sarries halfbacks, we've picked Phillips because the conditions are suited to his game and for getting at Parra, while we will target the no10 because of the lack of kicking game from the Sarries midfield. Very little chance for long runs due to the conditions, so will keep our back three back to collect kicks and get the ball out of the Saints half. Hook selected due to kicking game and ability under the high ball.

1 Wood
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 Etzbeth
5 Robson
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 Perenara
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Talebula
15 Folau
16 Beast
17 LCD
18 Ousthuizen
19 Richie Gray
20 Moriarty
21 Robson
22 Dagg
23 Walker


1


Glos have a home game to really build on foundations for next year

TARGET BREAKDOWN– We have a big mobile physically strong bunch and will hit rucks with impact.
We will Send numbers in and try and effect turnovers or Disrupt ball.we believe the likes of etzbethStrauss Alberrts Have the physicality and the power to swamp their backrow.

TARGET 9 10 channel- Get our big runners in to the channel and look to get in behind. We also want pressure here in defence with farrell short on game time  Not having much form this season. We will look to flood this channel

Scrum- we will be looking to
Scrimmage hard with Wood and Mas for 50 minutes until bringing on the bench.

Lineout - with 5 jumpers we will look to threaten their ball on every throw.
With our own we will vary where we throw it to and look to mix the drive and off the top. We have purposely gone with etzbeth  and Robson to really challenge here.

General - our forwards will be looking to get on front foot throughout with our abrasive ball carriers.
When on we will look to offload to try and get in behind. We
Have picked a backrow of Alberts Heaslip and Savea to bring carrying to the game and to profit off our dynamic front 5 who will carry heavily and put
Us in front foot.

Backs- overall with the expected platform we have our backs
Are there to exploit it. We have pace and power all over and in Toomua and cips we have 2 play makers to interchange as well as 2 kicking options. We will look to vary our play probe for Gaps. When needed we have hard runners to bosh it.
We have numerous players able to step in to first Receiver with toomua, Cips  Folau May.This means we can be lethal from turnover ball and is something we will be looking for throughout

First of all backs need to put us in right positions so kicking is important. We have 3 kicking options in Perenara Cips Toomua and and see this is a huge plus point in comparison

As the game breaks up we will be running back more ball And looking to up the tempo and use quick throw ins etc.
In defenxe we will blitz hard with 9 sweeping.

Bench- in close games benches are the difference and glos have a bench that can chase a game or close one out.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Nathan Hines	11. Rene Ranger
05. Victor Matfield	12. Dan Bowden
06. Steve Mafi	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Agustin Creevy 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Jacques Burger 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Ugo Monye

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.

- Big focus to attack at all lineouts. Use Hines or Lobbe at the front and Matfield or Mafi off the top as our four key options. Shortened lineouts with Waldrom in midfield as crash or decoy option.
Matfield to look to steal and really give opposition problems.

- Attack all scrums if an advantage - Front row of Franks, Moore and Corbs to look to really get the shove on. Target if we start to get upper hand.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the opposition defence. The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Hines, Mafi, Moore and Lobbe to be used to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Creevy, Lahiff and Burger off the bench.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Lobbe and Mafi, supported by the likes of Bastearaud, to really look to get into the breakdown and give the opposition problems.

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

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in Burns and Bowden.
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. Fotuali'i to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

Burns to kick all penalties.

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Schalk Brits
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Bakkies Botha
5. George Kruis
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Damien Chouly
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Steven Myler (k)
11. Teddy Thomas
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Yoann Huget
15. Rob Kearney

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Tom Wood 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Jack Nowell

Game Plan

Look to play in the right areas of the pitch with Pienaar and Myler putting us into the right area of the pitch as is their speciality. Look to find the gaps in behind and put in a strong chase. Play the game in the right areas. Our half backs are much more suited to winning the territorial battle and getting us into the Sale half.

With the ball in hand we are targetting the Sale midfield. We want to get Hooper, Chouly and Gorgodze picking lines where they are targeting the defence of Eastmond and Payne. They will look to cut lines back towards the play targeting the gaps around the Sale centres. We will then look to use JJ, Thomas and Huget out the back once the aforementioned players have drawn in the Sale defence. Our front 5 will offer go forward around the ruck when required with carriers who can get across the gain line. We will look to offload out of the contact when we get the opportunity and this requires strong support running and intelligent players in the back line which I feel we have.

Up front we are going to look to get into Sale. Really look to be aggressive in the ruck area and in the tackle. Look to use our physicality of Botha, Gorgodze, Woodcock et al to disrupt Sale's rhythm. We will look for Hooper and Brits to attack the breakdown as the first men and this is made easier by winning the collisions so we have a target to hit.

KEY POINTS

Get at Care Disrupt his rhythm and we can stop Sexton having the impact he'd like. Disrupt their breakdown and protect the fringes and he can be made ineffectual.

Attack through the Sale midfield Use the back row to run the inward line with JJ and the back three offering options out the back ion the outside arc to use their pace after the Sale defence has been fixed.

Aerial battle Look to use the strength we have under the high balls in Henshaw, Huget and Kearney. Look to use this to gain territory through Pienaar and Myler's accurate boots.

Bench - Use the bench as an attacking weapon and add our impact players as the game goes on. The likes of Kitchoff, Easter, Cooper and Nowell can really add to our game.

Mark

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Bernard Foley
03. Dan Cole
04. Brad Davies	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Flip van der Merwe	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Callum Clark	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Thierry Dusatoir(c)	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Nick Auterac 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Sam Carter 20. Dave Denton 21. Henry Taylor 22. Morne Steyn 23. Miles Benjamin

TACTICS:

TARGET SCRUM - The Saints front row is having a poor season as individuals in the set piece. Look to target and if weakness seen use the scrum as a weapon with strong bench to dominate.

PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Big carrying options and world class kicking options from hand. Look to get Lambie in as second receiver and keep Saints guessing. Look to dominate territory with plenty of options in Foley/Lambie/Parra. Parra to hoist up the high ball and strong kick chase pressue on Hook.

PUT PRESSURE ON 13/15 CHANNEL - Target Fofana in defence playing out of position and Hook in defence also with big runners.

General - 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 safe ball  with 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 a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors, Shields 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 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying backrow to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Cian Healy	09. Connor Murray
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Camille Lopez
03. Mike Ross
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Tom Varndell
05. Paul O'Connell (c)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. James Haskell	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. James O'Conoor

_
16. Sean Cronin 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Tomás Lavanini 20. Luke Wallace 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Andrew Trimble

Fast paced game based around high intensity in defence, offloading, and dynamic carrying and rucking. Our aim is to control possession 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 focus is to match and beat Wasps man for man, in our style of play. 

Set piece - Control the set piece and use it to restart our game plan and create point of attacks in midfield. POC to marshal the line-out and get quick ball from our dynamic jumpers. At the scrum we’ll look to get set and get the ball into the hands of back row to get us over the gain line.

Pack & Breakdown - Look for strong carries from our back five, 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. We’ll look to win the collision with big our physical pack and dominate the opposition pack in the contact. Back five to hang around in pods outside Lopez's/Barritt's shoulder to attack the defence in the 13 channel. 

Defence - Look to neutralise the opposition early on and halt the Wasps forwards before the gain line to prevent them building momentum. We will use the blitz in defence with Murray sweeping in behind to guide defenders to plug holes and covers any kicks in behind. The back row will look to stop the Wasps back early before building up speed, and also applying pressure to Smith at the base of scrums and rucks whose service can wobble under pressure. 

Backs - Look to get the ball in hands of the backs and the back three especially. Utilise the pace and size of Barritt\AAC to crash through the line, using our 'league/slider move' developed from last season to break the line. Jane/JOC/Varndell are elusively quick guys and will be able to find forwards in the line and exploit any holes in the defence, either catching Nonu's weaker inside shoulder on a a run against the grain, or exploiting the concentration of Jordaan in defence. Attempt to generate a two on one with JOC joining the back line as the slider moves under the crash/dummy line.

Key Points

Keep hold of possession - We won't want to kick the ball away, and Wasps can't score any points without the ball. 
Control the tempo - with their big pack we will look to dictate the pace of the game, with Murray instructing the forwards to either go through quick phases and set rucks quickly to keep their pack on the move to tire them out. Or to take some slow pods and catch the defence unawares and give away needless penalties. 
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 - Nonu, not being the most agile, Lopez will try to angle runners off his weaker shoulder to break the line, similarly Jordaan is not the best defending 13, and so JOC and AAC will angle runs down both of their weaker/inside shoulders.
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 some of the most prolific finishers in Jane, AAC, Varndell & JOC, therefore we will get the ball in their hands when space and overlaps are created by the forward play.
Build a Score - JOC to kick at goal, and look to kick any penalty from within 45 metes. To keep scoreboard ticking over. Any further out kick to corner and set a maul and restart our phase game.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Nick Phipps
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Yohan Maestri	12. Ian Madigan
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Richie McCaw	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21.Rhys Webb 22. Andy Goode 23. David Strettle

Set piece - We've got Hayman back today, and have picked a big pack to help him put the pressure on Wood, where we think we can get an advantage in the scrum. Best to try and put the pressure on Strauss so he can't help Wood too much against Hayman, we've got a big second row and Ewers will primarily pack down on that side to add his weight. In the lineout, Maestri to call with Slater and Read offering options. On their throw we will look to mark Etzebeth and Robson and challenge them to throw long, if they throw short then defend the maul.

Breakdown - We're looking to McCaw to school the youngster Savea at the breakdown here, he might get there first but will look to blow him off the ball with our physicality, then the likes of Best and Read to back up McCaw and help us win turnovers. Look to counter ruck when its on, but the rest of the forwards to focus on maintaining the defensive line against their strong carriers. We've got Fraser on the bench to bring on if the game opens up late on to help us maintain any breakdown advantage.

Kicking - Big part of the game is territory today given the conditions. We've got options throughout the backline supporting our half backs, with Madigan and Davies both used as kickers internationally, and all our back 3 are international calibre full backs. Look to pin back their back 3, we'll be kicking into space to force Folau and the wings to go pick up a greasy ball and then have our chasers putting the pressure on to test their handling. Look to keep the ball infield if we kick from within their half, and test the quality of their back 3's kicking. Grubbers in behind the wings whenever nothing else is on to keep them pinned back.

Attack - Based around our big pack carrying hard and keeping their forward tied in around the ruck, with the likes of Slater, Maestri and Ewers leading us here. Use pods to secure our own ball, when their forwards are tied in we'll look to get the ball wide with Farrell and Madigan offering a 2 sided attack, but with Hogg and Smith able to step into first receiver to offer an additional option and challenge the line. Look to send big runners down Cipriani's channel, tying in Toomua. We'll then look to isolate Kuridrani and challenge his positioning with the back 3 coming off JD2's shoulder and offering the inside ball.

Defence - No weak links in the back line, our back 3 are all excellent cover tacklers if there are any line breaks.

Bench - Powerful carriers in the front row, Parling to add experience and lineout while Fraser can help us at the breakdown. Webb to come on and look to snipe, but paired with Goode also gives us control through the kicking game. Strettle adds out and out finishing ability

Key points

Target Wood in the scrum
Quality breakdown operators to help us win the turnover battle
Use the kicking game to pressure the kicking and handling of their back three in the rain
In good form, only one defeat in the last 5 games and our team is well rested with the breaks during Anglo Welsh cup and ERCC semi finals
Experience throughout the side to help us win away, we've been on an upward curve since I took over and are looking to beat one of our main rivals for a ERCC spot next year

 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. Kilcoyne	09. Spencer
02. Ward	10. Trinh Duc
03. Botha
04. Gilchrist	11. Nadolo
05. Temani	12. Godwin
06. Johnson	13. David
07. Fearns	14. Horne
08. Vito	15. Pennell

:-
16. Catt, 17. Rees, 18. Tomaszczyk,  19. Skivington, 20. Barclay, 21. Kerr Barlow, 22. Lowe, 23. Mogg

 London Irish
Manager – Prop

01. Rhodri Jones	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Ben Franks
04. Stuart Hooper (c)	11. Horatio Agulla
05. Devin Toner	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Warburton	14. Nick Cummins
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

16. Ken Owens 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Will Welch 21. Rory Kockett 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mark Bennett

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. Scrummage low and straight. We will look to target their props but if no parity then use for quick restart. With Toner and Hooper we have 2 great options to challenge their lineout.

Breakdown: We will look to slow down their ball by committing players, if they have quick ball we will leave it but will look for turnovers and we  have balance in Taufua (tackles), Warburton (jackles) and Morgan (carries). We know they are good on the floor so will look to prevent Bath from getting to the breakdown quickly and look to ship the ball. Taufua comes into the game in great form for the Crusaders

Half Backs: Biggar will stand flat initially to give Roberts and our runners the chance to get over the gainline. Dickson will control the tempo and slow the ball down if needed. We have all seen Biggar under the high ball so will use this weapon today. Smith willl marshall and play heads up rugby.

Attack: Go direct and look to draw two players to commit the tackle before getting quick ball, we have a mobile pack who will look to run off   the backs and round the corner keeping them guessing. Use the centre pairing to pull the strings with players who know each other well and international quality out wide. Looking to play an offloading game and get the ball to the wings.

Bench: International impact in all areas with Owens and Thomas bringing scrum impact, Wray and Savage will relish running at tired defences.  Quality in the backs with Kockott and Plisson looking to switch the play and up the tempo towards the end and Bennett to have a run out targetting  weak and scattered defence.

Defence: Strong defenders across the park will look at making the intiial big impact hit. We will target the centres are so will look to prevent them offloading the ball by double tackling them. We will look to blitz with Taufua in their 10’s face. Inside-out defence. We will look to stop the ball getting to their back 3 but have confidence in our defensive back 3 to stop them.

Overall: 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 target their pack out wide. We will look to negate their carrying options and put pressure on their half back combination not letting them get the upper hand. We want quick ball so will look to play an offloading game. We will run Roberts and Morgan down Sanchez's channel and look to play a maximum of 3 phases before seeking territory.

Tactics added.

Best of luck Fluxy, this is two pretty big packs going head to head!

Breakdown: use Ward and Fearns in tandem chasing the ball, using our powerful other forwards to clear out aggressively to ensure quick ball. On defensive ball, Ward to look to disrupt but unless turnover is on, keep numbers out for defence.

Attack: move the ball around with our hard carrying pack, driving in units and looking to tire their pack. Use pop passes from 9 and 10 to our back row to crash ball, supported closely to create fast ball.

When ball is quick, FTH to attack the line with runners coming in at different angles from deep, looking to make space and pop into it for our tracking back 3 and our powerful back row when they have a more broken field to devastate.

We have good kick chasers in the back 3 so look to kick through the defence if it charges up, with grubbers, cross fields and chips, as we can contest there.

Defence- blitz led by David, sweeping by 9, the back row looking to rough up their playmakers with big hits. Really aggressive and physical defence.  Look to run back kicks with our running back 3

Kicking- kick high for possession not territory. Look to use the crossfield in their 22. Take all points on offer

Scrum- look to press their front row especially late in the match where our tactics will aim to tire them

Lineout, keep it simple and maul it up, looking to commit their pack tacklers for moves ie off the inside of 10 

Subs- use as needed

In brief- aggressive rucking, aggressive tackling blitz, kick for possession, move about their pack and sap them, move the ball to our danger men in gaps

Right, let's get this ball rolling....

Bath Rugby 25 London Irish 23
Not an easy call, but for me the Bath pack just have the edge here.  Man for man I prefer the Irish back line, but I'm not sure they get enough decent ball from their pack.  At home maybe, but a slight pack edge and home advantage for Bath gives them a narrow win.

Gloucester 27 Newcastle Falcons 23
Not masses in this one.  Home advantage counts for a bit, but the main deciding factor for me is the form, or lack of, of McCaw and read so far this season in real life.  For Falcons to trouble Gloucester they will need quick ball, and I just don't see them getting it.  With slower ball, away from home, I can't see them putting enough points on a Gloucester side which although has it's weaknesses, will score points.

Sale Sharks 25 Harlequins 24
Both teams off the back of Euro semi final defeats last week.  Both teams with a game plan to suit their players.  Sale fresher having rested loads last week, Quins players with a point to prove having some so close last time out.  Really tough to call this one.  Sale are at home which is an advantage, and the two key battles for me in this one are in the 7 and 10 jerseys.  At 10, Sexton is a fair way ahead of Myler for me, and that gives Sale and advantage.  Given decent ball, he will use it better.  Cane v Hooper is fascinating.  Different styles, with Hooper linking the play better but Cane stronger on the deck.  That's the decider for me.  I've already said about the 10's and what sort of ball they will get, and I see Sale, with their pack, and Cane over the ball, getting better ball,and at home that's enough to take them to the win.

Leicester Tigers 26 London Welsh 24
In the rain there will be scrums, and front row is the one area where I see Tigers having a significant advantage, and that's the killer for welsh as they are good elsewhere across the their team.  In the dry, this may have been different, but with added scrums at Welford Road, it's a home win.

Northampton Saints 16 Saracens 16
I can see this one being messy. Both packs set up to spoil each other in heavy rain, and Saints going with a 9th forward in Mike Phillips. Whilst SBW's offloading game would be ineffective in these conditions, the Saracens backline has some power that the Saints one misses. 1 try each in this one and the rest off the tee. Had it been at Saracens they might just have nicked it.

Nobody else predicting this week?!

Will do, on call though so not until 9pm tomorrow

Bath Rugby 32 - 30 London Irish
Agree with Pete on this one, the Bath pack is that bit stronger than the away side and Morgan being injured in real life doesn't help. But would say this is going to be extremely high scoring when you look at the two lineups and backlines. Wade in great form in real life, both teams get 4x tries, but bit more in the home pack.

Gloucester 26 - 23 Newcastle Falcons
Again agree with Pete here, issue with McCaw is that he seems to get rested a fair bit in real life, while plays most games in this league. Add in Slater's form and Farrell just coming back it is a little unlucky for the away side. Can't see them slowing Gloucester down enough, Alberts, Savea and Heaslip is a dangerous back row with attacking ball and some v good form in the backs will see home side win.

Sale Sharks 23 - 23 Harlequins
Hardest game to predict on this week, seem to be giving Steve quite a few draws recently! Very even pack battle and benches again keep this tight until the end. Care and Eastmond have not had the best form in recent weeks - issue for me is that Sale have an amazing attacking backline but I'd just like to see them with a guy who can get them over the gainline and take pressure off Sexton by giving him a simple carrying option, like how Quins can use Henshaw. Like the Quins backline, but they get the draw after Myler's great performance for Saints this afternoon.

Leicester Tigers 24 - 21 London Welsh
Never an easy place to go as the Tigers pack is one of the strongest in the leagues on the physicality front and you either have to match them with that or move them around a lot to beat them. Can't see that happening in this game. Welsh do have some players in good form, but the light rain will play into the home teams favour.

Wasps 23 - 22 Exeter Chiefs
That Chiefs pack is getting more and more physical and is going to take some stopping, especially the back row. Both teams very solid with their own set piece, du Plessis and Yeandle is one big advantage, but balances itself out with Wilson's real life form. Bit that makes difference for me here is Armitage's form at the breakdown and that's decisive. Backlines really get nullified with Chiefs midfield, but would much rather see Watson play at no15 than Armitage, would give a lot more attacking threat. Close game, Pete a bit unlucky with Cruden picking up an injury but should be ok for rest of season.

Good luck Pooly, shame the weather hasn't been the best in Northampton - could be a lot of kicking!!!

Just spent the last hour writing up predictions (reading some of the essays put up for tactics!) and got a maintenance page error when hitting send 

Bath Rugby 25-24 London Irish
More about the Bath front 5 but the back row battle is fairly even. Irish midfield stronger but elsewhere in the backs is fairly tight. Similar game plans from both and not sure either will dominate the collisions enough for a more comfortable win. At home following last weeks win Bath should see this one out but it will be tight.

Gloucester Rugby 27-26 Newcastle Falcons
Can't see either front 5 getting on top. Decent form in the back row gives Glaws an edge with all mobile carriers. Nothing between the 9s but better form for Glaws at 10. Falcons back three extremly dangerous but Toomua a step up on Madigan at 12. Falcons have the stronger kicking game across the back lines though. Falcons territorial game makes this a real dog fight but form issues stops them from seeing enough quick ball to punish Glaws whos high tempo carrying game works well.

Leicester Tigers 18-13 London Welsh
Tigers front row can get at the scrum here but outside of that can't see either pack getting on top else where. Spencer might struggle under pressure from the Tigers back row with a lack of game time irl while the Tigers backs have more about them. Creevey & Jenkins give Tigers a big impact at the breakdown. Tigers have targetted the scrum today and want to keep the score board ticking over and I see them doing so at home in these conditions.

Northampton Saints 12-12 Saracens
Not an awful lot between the sides at the set piece. Saints back row more adept at turning ball over yet aren't looking to compete. Sarries front 5 offers more when it comes to hard yards. More kicking options in the Saints backs but Sarries halfbacks and Lambie are the strongest tactical kickers on show for me. Phillips doesn't provide the best of service for his backs either with Sarries targeting him and he himself more then willing to get into a wrestle. Can't see any tries coming in this one reading both sides set up. Saints at home but Sarries ability to make the hard yards better when they need to to set up the kicking opportunities negates that.

Chrome kept some of them 

Wasps 28-25 Exeter Chiefs
Not redoing the full prediction again! Similar set up, pack battle even, nice variations in tactics but Cruden v Lopez and bench impact were deciders.

I've just done mine at work and not pressed send

Glos 26-23 Newcastle
Sale 25-24 Quins
Tigers 27-23 Welsh
Saints 29-25 Sarries
Wasps 28-24 Exeter

Bath 24-23 Irish
Sale 28-27 Quins
Leicester 25-24 Welsh
Wasps 26-25 Exeter

As I haven't had the chance to read the tactics (due to some unexpected news) I've gone for a maximum 2 points difference and my explanations are simply about the line ups.

Glos 26-24 Falcons
Not much difference in set piece but Glos back row can make a good impact. Bit closer at half back bit cips bringing more than Farrell at present. Think Glos will have too much and give their outside backs better ball.

Sale 25-24 Quins
Feel Sale could get an upper hand in the pack especially with Cane's current form at the moment, although Hooper won't give any ground. Sexton a step up from Myler but Myler good at pinning teams back when needed. Pretty close outside that but feel Sale have better form coming into this game.

Tigers 24-22 Welsh
Think the conditions will help Tigers although Welsh field a dogged pack who won't give an inch but think Tigers will just have enough to get the better ball. Outside that I think Tigers could command and control the game for the win.

Saints 21-21 Sarries
Not alot between these two teams. Feel both will cancel each other out up front and looking at the backs each team has their advantages but overall they will cancel each other out. Sitting on the fence here.

Wasps 24-22 Chiefs
A massive pack battle on show today, fairly even but think BDP will get the advantage over Yeandle. Half backs a step up for Wasps which'll lead to their outside backs getting better front foot ball.

Bath 25 - 24 Irish
Gloucester 20 - 19 Newcastle
Leicester 23 - 22 London Welsh
Northampton 26 - 25 Saracens
Wasps 28 - 27 Chiefs

Hope all is ok Prop 

Hope it's good news Prop

cheers guys

Bath 24 - 25 Irish

Irish have the edge at the scrum, while Bath are stronger at lineout time. Round the park, the excellent form of Taufua added to the quality of Warbs and Morgan gives Irish the slightest of edges as I think they will be stronger physically than Bath. Half backs very even, while I prefer the Bath back 3 and Irish centres. With the advantage at scrum and breakdown, I think Irish can take this.

Leicester 26 - 23 London Welsh

Leicester front 5 will dominate this one for me, and the platform will be set for their dangerous backs. Burns coming into a bit of form will make a big difference for Tigers down the stretch, as the rest of their side is very solid. Welsh are improving, but on the road against such a big pack I think its too big an ask.

Northampton 28 - 26 Saracens

Really tight pack battle here, with Sarries competing well and having the players to trouble Saints. Fancy scrum to be very even, while Flip swings the lineout to Sarries. Pocock and Robshaw will just edge the breakdown to Saints. Not sure on Fofana at 13, and given the Sarries centre combo that's a risky move, but at home with the quality off the bench I think Saints will have enough.

Wasps 26 - 24 Chiefs

Huge pack battle here, both sides just massively physical, and this one purely comes down to the quality of the Wasps 8, 9, 10, 12 combo, as I think they'll just control the game against their Chiefs equivalents. I reckon this will be very close until the benches unload, at which point the extra class off the Wasps bench will tell.

Sale 25-24 Quins

Another hugely physical game, and I think the front 5s will more or less cancel each other out. The backrow is the key to this game imo, and the POM/Cane combo will just edge the breakdown over Hooper and co, and with home advantage that's probably enough for Sale to get the win. Both backlines are pure quality, and think Sale's tactic of having Cane cover Eastmond probably does shut down a fair bit of the Quins attack. Great game

Will do explanations if I can

Just noticed the time and just on my last predo!

I'm pretty sure SJE has been allowing them after 10 mate.

Bath 24-24 Irish
Gloucester 22-21 Newcastle
Sale 25-24 Quins
Northampton 26-25 Saracens
Wasps 26-25 Chiefs

Bath Rugby 34 - 31 London Irish

Bath packs is big and mobile which gives them great go forward around the park. Irish back row is immense, and their pack is a little more stronger in the set piece which allows them to build a foothold in the game.
With the backs on show this will be a high scoring game, with Irish playing an offload game out wide they have some dangerous options. Bath on the other hand have some real pace and agility in their side and will to cut up the Irish defence with good momentum. In the end the home side will just have enough to see off a valiant Irish side who will pick up to bonus points, but just miss out on the win.

Gloucester 28 - 25 Newcastle Falcons

This match is a penalty fest from the start. Both front rows will struggle to gain any sort of dominance which will lead to quite a few penalties being given away to both. With Robson leading the line out for Glaws will secure a cleaner source of possession for Gloucester, with Eztebeth and Heaslip proficient in the set piece as well. This allows the strong Gloucester runners to create good momentum for their backs. This allows TJ and cips time to dictate the pace of the game and bring in their backs. Falcons on the other hand struggle with a stuttering supply of possession.

Sale Sharks 25 - 23 Harlequins

Biggest game of the round with the race for the play offs getting tighter and tighter. Sale's massive front five will get a slight upper hand in the set piece, but the Quins pack make up for it around the park and at the breakdown, and hence both sets of forwards are about evens, allowing the back lines some free reign to attack. With both halfbacks looking to control the pace of the game, its down to the back line talent and combinations to settle this affair. Sharks with Eastmond at 12 allows a little more creativity than Henshaw and a decent kicking option, but perhaps not the size of the Quins partnership. Both sides have some electric threats out wide and are hard to split. Both benches have some great impact players, but in the end someone like Skelton and Barrett will change the game and edge Sale home in a big result.

Leicester Tigers 23 - 17 London Welsh

Welford Road has become a fortress again recently since Tigers struggling in the early part of the season, and in Welsh's run in this is perhaps the wrong time to come up to Leicester. Both gritty forward packs will set a solid platform, but the Tigers quality in key positions allows them to gain a stronger foothold. Both tens will but their backs into space with Trinh Duc perhaps creating a bit more magic to keep Welsh in LBP territory, but Tigers will see out the game to secure the win.

Northampton Saints 28 - 24 Saracens

Good contest up front. Saints have a massive pack with some good work rate, but Sarries are set up to combat and nullify Saints around the park. Sarries have some real firepower outwide, but with them trying to nullify and worry about the Saints they forget about trying to exploit every opportunity. In the end the separating factors are Saints impressive bench and the relentless boot of Halfpenny.

Sorry guys. Worked 43 hours in the last 3 days and in at 7 again tomorrow. Shattered will have to take the fine

Do the scores mate quickly don't think anyone will mind

SJE has been taking prefix right up to when he does the results in the morning mate, so if you can get them in do it and avoid the fine.

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Bath 25-24 Irish
Gloucester 27-26 Newcastle
Sale 27-26 Quins 
Northampton 23-22 Saracens
Wasps 29-28 Chiefs
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Posts: 5583
Join date: 2011-04-20
Age: 31
Location: London

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RESULTS:

Bath Rugby 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
London Irish 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)

Gloucester Rugby 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Newcastle Falcons 24 (T;2 C:1 P:4)

Sale Sharks 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Harlequins 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Leicester Tigers 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
London Welsh 21 (T:2 C:1 P:3)

Northampton Saints 27 (T:2 C:1 P:5)
Saracens 23 (T:1 P:6)

London Wasps 31 (T:4 C:1 P:3)
Exeter Chiefs 25 (T:2 P:5) 


BONUS:

Full: Fluxy, Prop, Pete, Chris & SJE
Score: CJB, Steve, Luke, Bam, Pooly & CJ
Excused: Matt

Ah, just got explanations in too late, never mind

I thought our game was a bit closer than that Pete!

Congrats Chris, pretty happy to stay within touching distance.

Well done Matt, thought that would be closer !

I think it was Flux, I don't think anyone gave me more than a 1 point win, but all the 0.5's for a winning predo stretches the result a bit.

Conditions spoiled it Pooly, I was lucky as stopped your midfield being as threatening. Great combination there. Thought it'd be v close with your backrow.