Aviva Premiership Round Twenty Two

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Bath Rugby vs. Gloucester
Sunny Intervals, 16 degrees, 8mph winds.

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. Dan Lydiate	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Justin Tipuric/td]	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

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


Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Glaws in the loose with big carries. High tempo offloading game looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece. Try to get on top early and use the momentum.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our attack. Ben Tameifuma will look to dominate Wood and interrupt the Glos scrum. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Kitch, Falateu 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, Lydiate 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 Glos to beat us.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Dan Lydiate will be tasked with getting after Matt Toomua and limiting his effect. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempo and play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Sanchez will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. De Allende is in great form and will similarly look to make plays. Outside of him we have Campagnaro  and North as big bruisers who can run through anything whilst Wade and Goode can bring creative running. We will look to target the defence of May and Talebula especially by occasionally getting the ball out wide quickly and isolating them. Goode/De Allende/Sanchez can all play first receiver and will rotate in order to keep tempo up and look to play expansively. Wade and Goode will look to attack when the high ball is aimed at them. Both will love a chance to run in an open field.

The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Slipper, Big Ben and Faletau in order to break the line and make yards. 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. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Glos which can help nullify their offensive threats.

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: Keep a high tempo. Target Moriaty, LCD and Walker. Look to give Toomua and Kuidriani a tough time as they cannot be replaced.

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

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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Exeter Chiefs vs. Sale Sharks
Light Cloud, 15 degrees, 9mph winds.

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. James Haskell	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Sean O'Brien Haskell	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. James O'Connor

_
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. We want to hit the ground running and hit the opposition hard and fast from the off. 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 point is to match them man for man, in our style of play. We won't play their game plan, and at Sandy Park, Sharks will play at our pace, which will be a struggle for most of their slow lumbering forwards. 

In defence, as always we will be running a banana defence. Focus will be on the gain-line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components. Minimal numbers committed to opposition breakdown. Murray will sweep in behind the defensive line to sweep up any kicks through the line. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Sharks territory. This week we are looking to kick long or use Murray's box to force the the Sharks back three to turn and retrieve the ball, with pressure from our kick chase game. We want to keep the ball in field, to tire out a drained Sharks side and to trust our imposing defence to frustrate Sharks, and generate penalties. 
  
• Lineout - Using POC, Tui & Lee to mix up our options and look for possession off the top and into midfeld. Look to cut line out numbers and have a forward pod in midfield to exploit the defense or Eastmond and Payne.
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Sale ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Sharks carriers and support. 
  
• Scrum - Look to get the ball in and out quickly, using the pace and power of our back row unit to make ground and get on the front foot. 
  
• 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, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate.
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Sexton & Eastmond channels, with our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Attwood, Picamoles & Ziraksvilli.
  
• Build a Score - Lopez to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. 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 and apply pressure.
  
• Home Advantage - We have only lost one game at home this season and managed draws to the top any of the current top four sides apart from Sale. This week is no different and we will look to put Sale to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

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 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.

- 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.

- 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 Chiefs 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.


Specifics;

- Target Lopez at 10. Blitz defence will look to get in the Chiefs 10 face and put him under pressure constantly. He has only played 3 games in real life since the 6 nations.

- Late impact. Genuine impact players in the likes of McGrath, Moore, Skelton, Kvesic & Barrett who all offer something different and can really help to up the tempo late on. If there is a sniff of a tbp we will go for it.

- Breakdown work. Genuine ground hog in Cane assisted by POM, Retalick and Zirka. Likes of Kvesic, Moore & McGrath to come in all known for their breakdown work. We will contest at the breakdown and really look to put pressure on the Chiefs halfbacks with scrappy ball.

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Leicester Tigers vs. Northampton Saints
Light Cloud, 14 degrees, 8mph winds.

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. Ugo Monye
05. Victor Matfield	12. Dan Bowden
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	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. Rene Ranger



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 off the top as our three 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, Moore plus Hines, Louw, and Lobbe to be used to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Creevy, Johnston and Burger off the bench.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Lobbe and Louw, 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.

Northampton Saints

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Rob Webber
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Jonny Gray
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Chris Robshaw
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Mike Phillips
10. George Ford
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Vereniki Goneva
15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Samu Manoa 21. Joe Simpson 22. Matt Giteau 23. Sam Burgess

Overall Gameplan: Playing Leicester away means that we have to try and get parity with their pack, we;ve opted for a 6-2 split on the bench so we can finish very strongly, but the conditions allow us to move the ball around and look to play a fast expansive game where we aim to move the home pack around and take the game away from being contested in the tight. Conditions allow us to play at a high tempo, with an emphasis on making the most of our mobile, physical pack with strong strike runners in the backline to win the gainline battle and provide George Ford with a platform to attack.

Key Points:
* Aim to play a lot of high tempo rugby and play away from Tigers strength in the tight with their pack, look to create space for our backline to exploit where we feel we are more dangerous.
* Aware that Tigers could get more ball so have selected a strong defensive pack with a number of turnover specialists to try and get quick ball to counter.
* Six forwards on the bench, we want to have the stronger pack in the final quarter to really test the home team. Really up tempo in final 20-30 minutes.
* Run of good form, a lot of confidence from European Cup win and importantly still playing for a top two spot, while Tigers have already got their top6 spot confirmed.

Pack: We've selected a mobile pack that has a high work rate and strong defensively, particularly our second row pairing. We want to play at a high tempo and move the Tigers pack around as they are better in the tight so want to move away from their strengths. Six forwards on the bench as want to finish stronger than the home side in that area.

Setpiece: We will look to use the scrum as a platform for Vunipola to launch attacks at Burns, while we use the lineout to generate quick ball for our back line to attack with Lawes, Gray, Robshaw and Pocock all good options. Defensively we will attack the home teams lineout with Lawes, but in our own half set up defensively to prevent any driving mauls, where we feel Tigers are particularly dangerous, ideally looking to bring the maul down before it starts.

Attack: Ford will control the tempo of the game, we really want to go at Tigers with an expansive game - similar to how Wasps played Toulon in the second half. We want our strike runners on the ball and will look to get Daly attacking Basteraud's outside shoulder to set up good attacking ball for our wingers to exploit. Any loose kicks from Tigers and we will aim to counter and keep the ball alive.

Kicking/Territory: A lot of our tactical kicking will be asking Ford to put the ball into space and in play as much as possible, we want an open game and will try and get Leicester to play in a similar style. However, due to the strengths of Tigers in the tight we will clear the ball when we get the chance from 30metres away from our own line.

Breakdown: We have a mobile pack that can allow us to get numbers to the breakdown, with our ball carriers we can get forward momentum that can help us secure our own ball. In defence we will not overcommit, but will look at opportunities to generate quick turnovers with Pocock and Robshaw. We have selected Phillips to add some aggression around the fringes as this is an area where Tigers can be strong and having an additional 'flanker' will help here.

Defence: Will play a physical rush defence, aiming to put pressure on Burns with Lawes targeting big hits. Will play our usual aggressive blitz defence and will aim to give Tigers key decision makers very little time on the ball. Phillips to sweep in behind the defensive line.

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London Irish vs. Wasps
Light Cloud, 14 degrees, 8mph winds.

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. Jackson Wray	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

Key Point: This is a massive game for ys looking for survival, we've made it to the Anglo welsh and European challenge cup semi finals and don't want to go down today. We've stuck with a strong squad with influential 10-12-13 to look ti gain those vital points for survival.

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 Talfua (tackles), Warburton (jackles) and Morgan(carries). We know they are good on the floor so will look to prevent Sale 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, Welch 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.

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 down 10's channel and look to play a maximum of 3 phases before seeking territory

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. Samu Kerevi
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Noa Nakaitaci
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Anthony Watson

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Irish 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 boot of Cruden 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 Batty'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 Irish 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.   If the ball is slow and Irish 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

• 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.  Whilst Irish have top players in those positions as well, man for man we are stronger in every jersey.
  
• Kerevi vs. Smith  Playing for a woeful Reds team two weeks ago vs. the Canes, Kerevi completely dominated his opposite number Conrad Smith, scoring 2 tries in the process.
  
• Impact Bench  All 8 players on our bench provide huge impact.  6 full internationals plus Slade and Nanai-Williams.  We will look to ensure that they all get at least the final quarter of the game to stamp their mark on.
  

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London Welsh vs. Saracens
Light Cloud, 14 degrees, 9mph winds.

 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. Kilcoyne	09. Kerr-Barlow
02. Ward	10. Trinh Duc
03. Kepu
04. Cudmore	11. Nadolo
05. Ryan	12. Godwin
06. Johnson	13. Lowe
07. Fearns	14. Horne
08. Vito	15. Pennell

:-
16. Catt, 17. Rees, 18. Tomaszczyk,  19. Skivington, 20. Barclay, 21. Spencer , 22. Laulala, 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 Lowe, 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

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Keven Mealamu	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. Scott Spedding

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Nick Auterac 18. Tom Francis 19. Sam Carter 20. Dave Denton 21. Francois Hougaard 22. Pat Lambie 23. Matt Tait

TACTICS:

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 tie in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through thei 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, Dusatoir 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 pack 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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Newcastle Falcons vs. Harlequins
Light Cloud, 13 degrees, 9mph winds.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Ed Slater	11. David Strettle
05. Yohan Maestri	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Chris Henry	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Geoff Parling 20. Richie McCaw 21.Nick Phipps 22. Andy Goode 23. Charlie Sharples

Harlequins

1. Steven Kitchoff
2. Schalk Brits
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Jim Hamilton
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Luke Braid
8. Nick Easter (c)
9. Karl Dickson
10. Colin Slade (k)
11. Jack Nowell
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Jan Serfontein
14. Yohan Huget
15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan
17. Gurthro Steenkamp
18. Martin Castrogiovani
19. George Kruis
20. Jack Clifford
21. Eric Escande
22. Aurelien Rougerie
23. Joe Tomane

Play at pace. Three options at first receiver in Slade, JMH and McKenzie to allow this. Pack to look to get stuck in and be physical with Falcons. Look to hurt them at set piece and in the tight with mauls and carries at pace.

Look to create spaces out wide. Use JMH and Serfontein to crash before putting back 3 into space. Dickson to fizz and look to snipe to keep D honest.

---

---

1. Steven Kitchoff
2. Schalk Brits
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Jim Hamilton
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Luke Braid
8. Nick Easter (c)
9. Karl Dickson
10. Colin Slade (k)
11. Jack Nowell
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Jan Serfontein
14. Yohan Huget
15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan
17. Gurthro Steenkamp
18. Martin Castrogiovani
19. George Kruis
20. Jack Clifford
21. Eric Escande
22. Aurelien Rougerie
23. Joe Tomane

Play at pace. Three options at first receiver in Slade, JMH and McKenzie to allow this. Pack to look to get stuck in and be physical with Falcons. Look to hurt them at set piece and in the tight with mauls and carries at pace.

Look to create spaces out wide. Use JMH and Serfontein to crash before putting back 3 into space. Dickson to fizz and look to snipe to keep D honest.

3 away games for the top 3, could be interesting.

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. Dan Lydiate	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Justin Tipuric/td]	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

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


Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby. Look to overwhelm Glaws in the loose with big carries. High tempo offloading game looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece. Try to get on top early and use the momentum.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our attack. Ben Tameifuma will look to dominate Wood and interrupt the Glos scrum. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Kitch, Falateu 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, Lydiate 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 Glos to beat us.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Dan Lydiate will be tasked with getting after Matt Toomua and limiting his effect. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempo and play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Sanchez will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. De Allende is in great form and will similarly look to make plays. Outside of him we have Cmapganro and North as big bruisers who can run through anything whilst Wade and Goode can bring creative running. We will look to target the defence of May and Talebula especially by occasionally getting the ball out wide quickly and isolating them. Goode/De Allende/Sanchez can all play first receiver and will rotate in order to keep tempo up and look to play expansively. Wade and Goode will look to attack when the high ball is aimed at them. Both will love a chance to run in an open field.

The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Slipper, Big Ben and Falateu in order to break the line and make yards. 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. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Glos which can help nullify their offensive threats.

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: Keep a high tempo. Target Moriaty, LCD and Walker. Look to give Toomua and Kuidriani a tough time as they cannot be replaced.

 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. Kilcoyne	09. Kerr-Barlow
02. Ward	10. Trinh Duc
03. Kepu
04. Cudmore	11. Nadolo
05. Ryan	12. Godwin
06. Johnson	13. Lowe
07. Fearns	14. Horne
08. Vito	15. Pennell

:-
16. Catt, 17. Rees, 18. Tomaszczyk,  19. Skivington, 20. Barclay, 21. Spencer , 22. Laulala, 23. Mogg

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. Ugo Monye
05. Victor Matfield	12. Dan Bowden
06. JMF Lobbe	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	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. Rene Ranger



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 off the top as our three 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, Moore plus Hines, Louw, and Lobbe to be used to get us over the gainline. Add to that the likes of Creevy, Johnston and Burger off the bench.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Lobbe and Louw, 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.

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. Jackson Wray	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

Key Point: This is a massive game for ys looking for survival, we've made it to the Anglo welsh and European challenge cup semi finals and don't want to go down today. We've stuck with a strong squad with influential 10-12-13 to look ti gain those vital points for survival.

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 Talfua (tackles), Warburton (jackles) and Morgan(carries). We know they are good on the floor so will look to prevent Sale 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, Welch 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.

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 down 10's channel and look to play a maximum of 3 phases before seeking territory

Will edit tactics tomorrow or Thursday

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. James Haskell	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Sean O'Brien 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. We want to hit the ground running and hit the opposition hard and fast from the off. 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 point is to match them man for man, in our style of play. We won't play their game plan, and at Sandy Park, Sharks will play at our pace, which will be a struggle for most of their slow lumbering forwards. 

In defence, as always we will be running a banana defence. Focus will be on the gain-line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components. Minimal numbers committed to opposition breakdown. Murray will sweep in behind the defensive line to sweep up any kicks through the line. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Sharks territory. This week we are looking to kick long or use Murray's box to force the the Sharks back three to turn and retrieve the ball, with pressure from our kick chase game. We want to keep the ball in field, to tire out a drained Sharks side and to trust our imposing defence to frustrate Sharks, and generate penalties. 
  
• Lineout - Using POC, Tui & Lee to mix up our options and look for possession off the top and into midfeld. Look to cut line out numbers and have a forward pod in midfield to exploit the defense or Eastmond and Payne.
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Sale ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Sharks carriers and support. 
  
• Scrum - Look to get the ball in and out quickly, using the pace and power of our back row unit to make ground and get on the front foot. 
  
• 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, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate.
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Sexton & Eastmond channels, with our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Attwood, Picamoles & Ziraksvilli.
  
• Build a Score - Lopez to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. 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 and apply pressure.
  
• Home Advantage - We have only lost one game at home this season and managed draws to the top any of the current top four sides apart from Sale. This week is no different and we will look to put Sale to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

Sean O'Brien Haskell must be some player Flux

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Rory Best	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Ed Slater	11. David Strettle
05. Yohan Maestri	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Chris Henry	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Geoff Parling 20. Richie McCaw 21.Nick Phipps 22. Andy Goode 23. Charlie Sharples

Do you want to go without tactics CJ?

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 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.

- 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.

- 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 Chiefs 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.


Specifics;

- Target Lopez at 10. Blitz defence will look to get in the Chiefs 10 face and put him under pressure constantly. He has only played 3 games in real life since the 6 nations.

- Late impact. Genuine impact players in the likes of McGrath, Moore, Skelton, Kvesic & Barrett who all offer something different and can really help to up the tempo late on. If there is a sniff of a tbp we will go for it.

- Breakdown work. Genuine ground hog in Cane assisted by POM, Retalick and Zirka. Likes of Kvesic, Moore & McGrath to come in all known for their breakdown work. We will contest at the breakdown and really look to put pressure on the Chiefs halfbacks with scrappy ball.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Keven Mealamu	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. Scott Spedding

:-
16. Jamie George 17. Nick Auterac 18. Tom Francis 19. Sam Carter 20. Dave Denton 21. Francois Hougaard 22. Pat Lambie 23. Matt Tait

TACTICS:

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 tie in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through thei 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, Dusatoir 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 pack 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.

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

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.

1. Thomas Domingo
2. Rob Webber
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Jonny Gray
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Chris Robshaw
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Mike Phillips
10. George Ford
11. Julian Savea
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Vereniki Goneva
15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Samu Manoa 21. Joe Simpson 22. Matt Giteau 23. Sam Burgess

Overall Gameplan: Playing Leicester away means that we have to try and get parity with their pack, we;ve opted for a 6-2 split on the bench so we can finish very strongly, but the conditions allow us to move the ball around and look to play a fast expansive game where we aim to move the home pack around and take the game away from being contested in the tight. Conditions allow us to play at a high tempo, with an emphasis on making the most of our mobile, physical pack with strong strike runners in the backline to win the gainline battle and provide George Ford with a platform to attack.

Key Points:
* Aim to play a lot of high tempo rugby and play away from Tigers strength in the tight with their pack, look to create space for our backline to exploit where we feel we are more dangerous.
* Aware that Tigers could get more ball so have selected a strong defensive pack with a number of turnover specialists to try and get quick ball to counter.
* Six forwards on the bench, we want to have the stronger pack in the final quarter to really test the home team. Really up tempo in final 20-30 minutes.
* Run of good form, a lot of confidence from European Cup win and importantly still playing for a top two spot, while Tigers have already got their top6 spot confirmed.

Pack: We've selected a mobile pack that has a high work rate and strong defensively, particularly our second row pairing. We want to play at a high tempo and move the Tigers pack around as they are better in the tight so want to move away from their strengths. Six forwards on the bench as want to finish stronger than the home side in that area.

Setpiece: We will look to use the scrum as a platform for Vunipola to launch attacks at Burns, while we use the lineout to generate quick ball for our back line to attack with Lawes, Gray, Robshaw and Pocock all good options. Defensively we will attack the home teams lineout with Lawes, but in our own half set up defensively to prevent any driving mauls, where we feel Tigers are particularly dangerous, ideally looking to bring the maul down before it starts.

Attack: Ford will control the tempo of the game, we really want to go at Tigers with an expansive game - similar to how Wasps played Toulon in the second half. We want our strike runners on the ball and will look to get Daly attacking Basteraud's outside shoulder to set up good attacking ball for our wingers to exploit. Any loose kicks from Tigers and we will aim to counter and keep the ball alive.

Kicking/Territory: A lot of our tactical kicking will be asking Ford to put the ball into space and in play as much as possible, we want an open game and will try and get Leicester to play in a similar style. However, due to the strengths of Tigers in the tight we will clear the ball when we get the chance from 30metres away from our own line.

Breakdown: We have a mobile pack that can allow us to get numbers to the breakdown, with our ball carriers we can get forward momentum that can help us secure our own ball. In defence we will not overcommit, but will look at opportunities to generate quick turnovers with Pocock and Robshaw. We have selected Phillips to add some aggression around the fringes as this is an area where Tigers can be strong and having an additional 'flanker' will help here.

Defence: Will play a physical rush defence, aiming to put pressure on Burns with Lawes targeting big hits. Will play our usual aggressive blitz defence and will aim to give Tigers key decision makers very little time on the ball. Phillips to sweep in behind the defensive line.

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. Samu Kerevi
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Noa Nakaitaci
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Anthony Watson

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Ben Alexander 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Irish 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 boot of Cruden 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 Batty'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 Irish 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.   If the ball is slow and Irish 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

• 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.  Whilst Irish have top players in those positions as well, man for man we are stronger in every jersey.
  
• Kerevi vs. Smith  Playing for a woeful Reds team two weeks ago vs. the Canes, Kerevi completely dominated his opposite number Conrad Smith, scoring 2 tries in the process.
  
• Impact Bench  All 8 players on our bench provide huge impact.  6 full internationals plus Slade and Nanai-Williams.  We will look to ensure that they all get at least the final quarter of the game to stamp their mark on.
  

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 Lowe, 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

Can I remove the bit from my tactics that says I am at home

anonmattyt wrote:Can I remove the bit from my tactics that says I am at home

Yep

Sorry for the delay in updating, been out all day.

Predictions are OPEN

Bath Rugby 25 - 27 Gloucester

bath edge the front five with a better combination of strength and speed, whereas Eztebeth and Strauss are shining lights in their dynamism but slightly lack against the the five as a unit. The set piece battle here is relatively even allowing both back rows into the game as well as the back lines. Glaws perhaps a more powerful unit here, but against a tested unit who do all the jobs and will pinch a couple of turnovers with Tipuric prominent. The Cherry & whites back line is oozing attacking threat and will cause the Bath midfield trouble all day. Describing Campagnaro as a 'big bruiser' is a bit odd when he carries roughly two stone less than North! I do like the lads in the Bath midfield, as they have the ability to keep the Gloucester defence honest as most of them can step off the other foot and burst through an inside gap. Tough game in the end, but one I think that Gloucester just squeak over the line with their big forwards coming on later in the game and so magic in the backs they have on show.

Bath 35 - 35 Gloucester
Can see this being one of the high scoring last day of the season game, real attacking quality from both sets of backs, easily both getting 4 tries.

Exeter 28 - 29 Sale Sharks
Just a little bit more quality from Sale, especially as they are looking to push for a top two spot. It is also the quality of the Sale bench, as very evenly matched in starting lineups but like SJE's options, plus form of Eastmond has really now picked up and allows them to play the style that wins games in good conditions.

London Irish 25 - 25 Wasps
With Irish playing for their premiership survival I can see them getting the necessary points here to grab a draw. I don think that they have quite enough to get the win against a strong Wasps team but some real danger men for the home side.

London Welsh 31-32 Saracens
The away side can get a good platform against Welsh with a pack that has got some players coming into good form. Ashton running off the Sarries midfield could get some real joy, but the homeside have got some very good attacking options, just a bit more quality in key positions for the away team here.

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 23 Harlequins
Again another close game, just prefer the Falcons lineup in this game, seems as though Steve has rested a few players that would normally start for the playoffs. Strongest Falcons team and Bam has been unlucky that Slater, Parling and Farrell have only now just come back and playing well - would have made a huge difference throughout the season.

Leicester Tigers 30 - 29 Northampton Saints

Really tight affair up front, the Tigers pack shades the battle with a little bit more in the set piece department but the Saints players are all workhorses and full of energy. Saints have a bit more in the backs with more of a threat out wide and in midfield. Saints are a little less cohesive in attack without the tempo of Simpson at 9, with Phillips at moments being too interested in conflict with the Tigers back row. Tigers platform really gives them a the ability to put some scores Saints, but the boot Halfpenny keeps Northampton in the game, but just not enough away from home.

London Irish 28 - 28 Wasps

Wasps will exploit the Irish props come scrum time, but I can see Irish gaining more parity in the line out with Hooper leading the way. This allows Taufau and Roberts into the game to carry into the Wasps and create momentum. Wasps back five is physical and this game is a real fight in the loose. I like the spine of the Irish midfield and Biggar combining with his centres his an interesting combination to watch. Wasps midfield will garner some quicker possession with Smith's service and this will allow Cruden to put Nonu and Kerevi into space and get their dangerous back three into space. Wasps attempting to play the territory game falls into Irish's hands, however they will do a manful effort to stop the Wasps offloading game, but they will do enough to put Wasps under pressure and achieve a draw.

London Welsh 24 - 25 Saracens

Tough old game up front with Welsh throwing everything at the Saracens side. Sarries get on top in the scrums but Welsh will make a helluva of a contest out of the game up front. The usual spark of magic from Trinh-Duc will keep life in the Welsh midfield, but the Saracens midfield is supreme with ball in hand despite being a little suspect in defence. The Saracens forward bench will help maintain their pressure game and will help them garner an away result which will be heartbreaking for the Welsh fans in the end.

Newcastle Falcons 23 - 20 Harlequins

Falcons probably have the strongest pack out and despite Quins rotating they still look very strong especially around the park. FAlcons will go through the guts of the Quins side with the heavy carrying of Maestri and Ewers at the fore. The Quins midfield have a nice combination creativity and straight running to create space for the runners out wide. Falcons half backs will dictate their game and get Davies and Hogg into some space as well. The Falcons home advantage and power bench will help them keep out the away side for the victory.

Exeter 33-34 Sale

Cracking game with both teams really going for it and bringing a real high scoring game. Sale have that little bit more in the pack and especially the front and backrow. Possibly a bit more to Sale in the halfbacks and a touch more form in the backline although it's really close. I just think Sale's hunger will win it for them.

Leicester 21-20 Northampton

Saints have by far the hardest game of the top 4 this week and Luke hasn't went easy. Tigers with a bit more quality in the front row, lineout and flanks in the pack but Saints have a tidy unit out. I can see both teams really getting stuck in and most of the game being played in the middle of the park.

Phillips playing a high tempo doesn't quite work and as much as I don't like Simpson he would have probably suited the game plan better, this gives Tigers the half back edge. Basteraud would have a field day against Daly in the backs but Saints bar Goneva are strong in the back 3. Another tight one but Tigers at home are one tough side.

Irish 23-24 Wasps

Wasps just edge the front row despite Wilson's lack of form for Pete. I can see Irish getting at the lineout but Wasps back 5 unit is a touch above around the park.

One of the best halfback combo's in the game for Wasps and then Youngs off the bench is really tough for Irish but I do like their combo. Irish centre combo better by a fair bit with Wasps needing a quality 13, Wasps step it back up in the back 3. Another tight affair but Wasps aren't top for nothing and they'll just sneak this one home.

Newcastle 27-25 Harlequins

Falcons shading the front 5 and the pack in general with Quins resting a few players. A little bit more at 9 for the home team and centres close but Falcons enough in the back 3 to seal a good game and see Quins easing into the playoffs.

Bath 32-28 Gloucester
Not a lot between the packs set piece wise. More of a carrying game to the Glaws back row but Bath stronger at the breakdown. Both sets of halfbacks capable of the open game both sides aiming for. Midfield is just a slight edge to Glaws due to the form of De Allende but both back threes dangerous. Hard to separate but Bath at home of slightly cleaner ball win in a high scoring affair

Leicester Tigers 25-23 Northampton Saints
More about the Tigers pack at the set piece although conditions mean its not the only decider. Good old battle at the breakdown. Saints pack more mobile though and link the attack better. Halfbacks one a piece but can't see Phillips being able to play the Saints game plan. More about the Saints back three but can see Bast having some joy. Feel Saints really struggle to get their tempo here with the Phillips selection.

London Irish 24-26 Wasps
Bit more about the Wasps scrum but Irish stronger at the line out. Wasps backrow gives that bit more physicality. More about the Wasps halfbacks but Biggar is capable. Massive gap at 13 but not much else between the back lines. Massive game for both sides but feel Wasps have enough to get over the line.

London Welsh 26-29 Saracens
Bit more about the Sarries scrum but line out is a great battle. More form to the Sarries backrow and there's a good work rate there. Bit more about the Sarries halfbacks and their midfield is a step up and Ashton will link up well of them. Sarries have that bit more quality in key areas and pick up a decent win

Bath 30 - 29 Gloucester

Exeter 26 - 27 Sale Sharks

London Irish 25 - 26 Wasps

London Welsh 24 - 25 Saracens

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 23 Harlequins

Newcastle Falcons 34-30 Harlequins
Not an awful lot between the sides at the set piece but Falcons with a little more at the breakdown. Halfbacks one a piece with some good form for Webb/Slade but Falcons have a bit more about the back line. Can see the Falcons backs really putting on a show off decent ball.

Exeter 26 - 27 Sale Sharks

London Irish 25 - 25 Wasps

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 23 Harlequins

Leicester 28-27 saints

Bath 30 - 30 Gloucester
Exeter 26 - 25 Sale
Leicester 24 - 25 Saints
Irish 27 - 28 Wasps
London Welsh 25 - 25 Saracens

Exeter 26-27 •Sale
Sale have a slight edge in the front five. Exeter have more go forward in the back row but Sale have an edge at the breakdown. Sale have an incredible half back combo which can control the game. Exeter can shut down the midfield of Sale. Sale have a better back three and subs and just scrape a win. Also the hashtag of Chiefs fortress looks like Chiefs for trees.

Leicester 29-29 Northampton
The forward battle is hard fought. Tigers have the scrum and line out advantage but Saints have the edge at the breakdown. I prefer the Saints half back but not much in it. The Saints outside backs have more about them. Saints have a lot of talent coming off the bench but Leicester have home advantage. I can't call it.

Irish 22-26 Wasps
The Wasps have a front five advantage. Think Warburton can help Irish get an advantage at the breakdown but Vermuelen and Kaino give Wasps an advantage. Wasps have an advantage in the half backs, centres will go to Irish with an incredible unit. Wasps back three and subs have the advantage. Irish have more to play for which pushes them on but they don't do enough for the win.

Welsh 24-26 Sarries
Prefer the Sarries front five. I think Sarries have the slight advantage in the back row. One each at the half backs with Sarries outside backs having the advantage

Newcastle 29-26 Quins
Newcastle have a small edge in the forwards with Quins resting players. Little big more about Newcastle backs as well

Bath 27 - 26 Gloucester 
Exeter 28 - 28 Sale
Leicester 27 - 27 Saints
Irish 25 - 26 Wasps
Newcastle 26 - 25 Quins

Working on results now

RESULTS:

Bath 34 (T:4 C:4 P:2)
Gloucester 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Exeter Chiefs 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Sale Sharks 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)

Leicester Tigers 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Northampton Saints 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)

London Irish 25 (T:1 C:1 P:6)
London Wasps 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)

London Welsh 26 (T:2 C:2 P:4)
Saracens 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Newcastle Falcons 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Harlequins 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

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

CJB wrote:Exeter 26-27 •Sale
Sale have a slight edge in the front five. Exeter have more go forward in the back row but Sale have an edge at the breakdown. Sale have an incredible half back combo which can control the game. Exeter can shut down the midfield of Sale. Sale have a better back three and subs and just scrape a win. Also the hashtag of Chiefs fortress looks like Chiefs for trees.

Leicester 29-29 Northampton
The forward battle is hard fought. Tigers have the scrum and line out advantage but Saints have the edge at the breakdown. I prefer the Saints half back but not much in it. The Saints outside backs have more about them. Saints have a lot of talent coming off the bench but Leicester have home advantage. I can't call it.

Irish 22-26 Wasps
The Wasps have a front five advantage. Think Warburton can help Irish get an advantage at the breakdown but Vermuelen and Kaino give Wasps an advantage. Wasps have an advantage in the half backs, centres will go to Irish with an incredible unit. Wasps back three and subs have the advantage. Irish have more to play for which pushes them on but they don't do enough for the win.

Welsh 24-26 Sarries
Prefer the Sarries front five. I think Sarries have the slight advantage in the back row. One each at the half backs with Sarries outside backs having the advantage

Newcastle 29-26 Quins
Newcastle have a small edge in the forwards with Quins resting players. Little big more about Newcastle backs as well

There are some very good trees around Sandy Park..