Summer Tournament Round One - Pools C & D

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Pool C

Bulls vs. Waratahs
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Sunny, 20 degrees, 5 mph winds.

Bulls
Manager – Frans Ludeke

01. Morne Mellett	09. Rudy Paige
02. Adrian Strauss	10. Handre Pollard
03. Marcel van der Merwe
04. Flip van der Merwe	11. Travis Ismaiel
05. Grant Hattingh	12. Burger Odendaal
06. Arno Botha	13. JJ Engelbrecht
07. Jacques du Plessis	14. Francois Hougaard
08. Pierre Spies	15. Jesse Kriel

Subs:
16 Callie Visagie 17 Trevor Nyakane 18 Werner Kruger 19 Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg 20 Roelof Smit 21 Bjorn Basson 22 Tiaan Schoeman 23 Jacques-Louis Potgeiter

Waratahs
Manager – Michael Cheika

01. Benn Robinson	09. Nick Phipps
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Bernard Foley
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Will Skelton	11. Rob Horne
05. Dave Dennis	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Jacques Potgieter	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Michael Hooper	14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
08. Wycliff Palu	15. Israel Folau

Subs:
16 Silatolu Latu 17 Jeremy Tilse 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Sam Lousi 20 Mitch Chapman 21 Stephen Hoiles 22 Brendan McKibbin 23 Matt Carraro

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Bath Rugby vs. Chiefs
The Rec, Bath
Light rain, 26 degrees, 9 mph winds.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Richard Barrington	09. Maxime Machinaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Rhys Patchell
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Hallan Amos
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Jack Debrenczeni

16. Jack Innard 17. Ellis Genge 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Squire 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Lolagi Visnia


Chiefs
Manager – Dave Rennie

01. Mitchell Graham	09. Augustine Pulu
02. Hika Elliot	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Matt Symons	11. James Lowe
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Liam Messam	13. Charlie Ngatai
07. Sam Cane	14. Tim Nanai-Williams
08. Michael Leitch	15. Damien McKenzie

Subs:
16 Quentin MacDonald 17 Pauliasi Manu 18 Jamie Mackintosh 19 Michael Fitzgerald 20 Sean Polwart  21 Brad Weber 22 Andrew Horrell 23 Bryce Heem

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Wasps vs. Northampton Saints
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Sunny Intervals, 25 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. Ben Arous	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Matthew Rees	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. James Johnson
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Luke Charteris	12. George Moala
06. Sekou Macalau	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Frank Halai
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt, 17. Scott Spurling, 18. Sekope Kepu,  19. George Skivington, 20. Carl Fearns, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Finn Russell, 23. Mogg


Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Sam Hildago-Clyne
02. Dave Ward	10. Matt Giteau
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Sam Burgess	13. Elliot Daly
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Nick Cummins
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Subs:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Adam Jones 19. Samu Manoa 20. Michael Paterson 21. Joe Simpson 22. James Hook 23. Tommy Bowe.

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Pool D

Worcester Warriors vs. Leicester Tigers
Sixways, Worcester
Sunny intervals, 26 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Worcester Warriors

1. Joe Moody
2. Ross Batty
3. Davit Kubriashvilli
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Devin Toner
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Sam Warburton
8. Ben Morgan
9. Lee Dickson
10. Dan Biggar
11. Naholo
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Mark Bennett
14. Venriki Goneva
15. Nehe Millner Skudder

16. Ken Owens 17. Ryan Grant 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jackson Wray 21. For Kockott 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mathew Tait


Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Rene Ranger
05. Andries Bekker	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Cheslin Kolbe

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16. Agustin Creevy 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. JMF Lobbe 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 23. Mike Brown

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Sharks vs. Hurricanes
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Sunny, 23 degrees, 8 mph winds.

Sharks
Manager – Gary Gold

01. Tendai Mtawarira	09. Cobus Reinach
02. Bismarck du Plessis	10. Patrick Lambie
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. Lwazi Mvovo
05. Stephan Lewies	12. Francois Steyn
06. Marcell Coetzee	13.Waylon Murray
07. Willem Alberts	14. JP Pietersen
08. Ryan Kankowski	15. SP Marais

Subs:
16 Kyle Cooper 17 Thomas du Toit 18 Lourens Adriaanse 19 Marco Wentzel 20 Renaldo Bothma 21 Michael Claassens 22 Fred Zeilinga 23 Odwa Ndungane

Hurricanes
Manager – Chris Boyd

01. Reggie Goodes	09. TJ Perenara
02. Dane Coles	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Franks
04. Jeremy Thrush	11. Julian Savea
05. James Broadhurst	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Brad Shields	13. Conrad Smith
07. Ardie Savea	14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
08. Victor Vito	15. James Marshall

Subs:
16 Brayden Mitchell 17 Chris Eves 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen 19 Mark Abbott 20 Blade Thomson  21 Chris Smylie 22 Ray Lee-Lo 23 Matt Proctor

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Brumbies vs. Harlequins
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Sunny intervals, 7 degrees, 3 mph winds.

Brumbies
Manager – Stephen Larkham

01. Scott Sio	09. Nic White
02. Stephen Moore	10. Christian Lealiifano
03. Ben Alexander
04. Sam Carter	11. Henry Speight
05. Rory Arnold	12. Matt Toomua
06. Scott Fardy	13. Tevita Kuridrani
07. David Pocock	14. Joe Tomane
08. Ita Vaea	15. Jesse Mogg

Subs:
16 Josh Mann-Rea 17 Allan Alaalatoa 18 Ruan Smith 19 Blake Enever 20 Jarrad Butler 21 Michael Dowsett 22  Nigel Ah Wong 23 Robbie Coleman


Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Benn Robinson	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Deon Fourie	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Luke Romano	11. Teddy Thomas
05. George Kruis	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Damien McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadgh Furlong 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jack Clifford 21. Luke McGrath 22. Steven Myler 23. Luther Burrell
Tactics

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Benn Robinson	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Deon Fourie	10. Quade Cooper
03. John Afoa
04. Luke Romano	11. Teddy Thomas
05. George Kruis	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Damien McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadgh Furlong 19. Pieter Steph Du Toit 20. Jack Clifford 21. Luke McGrath 22. Steven Myler 23. Luther Burrell
Tactics

Northampton Saints
Manager Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Sam Hildago-Clyne
02. Dave Ward	10. Matt Giteau
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Sam Burgess	13. Elliot Daly
07. David Pocock (c)	14. Nick Cummins
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Subs:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Adam Jones 19. Samu Manoa 20. Michael Paterson 21. Joe Simpson 22. James Hook 23. Tommy Bowe.

Mark

 London Welsh
Manager – CJ

01. Ben Arous	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Matthew Rees	10. Charlie Hodgson
03. James Johnson
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Luke Charteris	12. George Moala
06. Sekou Macalau	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Chris Robshaw	14. Frank Halai
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

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16. Nathan Catt, 17. Scott Spurling, 18. Sekope Kepu,  19. George Skivington, 20. Carl Fearns, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Finn Russell, 23. Mogg

Not on laptop sorry

1. Joe Moody
2. Ross Batty
3. Davit Kubriashvilli
4. Stuart Hooper
5. Devin Toner
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Sam Warburton
8. Ben Morgan
9. Lee Dickson
10. Dan Biggar
11. Naholo
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Mark Bennett
14. Venriki Goneva
15. Nehe Millner Skudder

16. Ken Owens 17. Ryan Grant 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jackson Wray 21. For Kockott 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mathew Tait

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Rene Ranger
05. Andries Bekker	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Cheslin Kolbe

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16. Agustin Creevy 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. JMF Lobbe 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 23. Mike Brown

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Richard Barrington	09. Maxime Machinaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Rhys Patchell
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Hallan Amos
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Francis Saili
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Jack Debrenczeni

16. Jack Innard 17. Ellis Genge 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Squire 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Lolagi Visnia

Predictions open

Are we using the same rules as for Euro games, and players can't be playing for both sides in a game?

Do we predict the other games that do not involve a Prem team

No mate.

Bath 27 - 30 Chiefs
Not sure if Tameifuna can play for both sides! I'm assuming not, and think overall Chiefs have the edge in the front 5. Messam and Cane are an excellent flanker pair, and think they will win plenty of ball for their side at the breakdown. Chiefs stronger at half back and centre, but Bath edge the back 3 and have a better bench. Close one, but I think Chiefs take it

Wasps 23 - 28 Saints
Wasps have improved a lot, but still a tough ask for them against this Saints side. Pocock vs Robshaw will be an excellent battle, but Saints just have too much in the pack for me, both at the breakdown and carrying wise. In the backs its a similar story, with SHC being an excellent addition at scrum half that may pay off later in the season.

Worcester 27 - 25 Tigers
Looking at the Worcester side, its surprising to see just how strong they look given the former Irish side went down last season. Moody and Kubs have solidified their scrum, while the additions of Naholo and Milner Skudder give them the two form attacking players in S15. Tigers look just as strong as last season, and think the pack battle will be very even, but the form of the Worcester backs gives them this one for me

Brumbies 26 - 30 Quins
Very close between the front rows, but Quins look better at lock. Pocock edges Hooper for me, but as a whole the Quins back row is stronger. Plenty of fireworks from both backlines, really like the look of Quins centres this year. The Quins bench will make the difference and see them home.

Brumbies 32 - 29 Quins.
Prefer the Brumbies players in their key positions, 2,8,9 and 10. It will be an even pack battle between the teams but combinations and home advantage work in Brumbies favour. Not sure if the Quins hb combination works as one is a great tactician with kicking game, while QC very attacking so not 100% what best way for Quins to play is.

Worcester 29 - 26 Leicester Tigers
Worcester's backline signings have got them two of the most exciting backs in world rugby and against any team they are going to get tries if they see enough ball. Tigers very much about the power of the pack and midfield. Conditions favour the home side and will see running rugby win the day, but Tigers will see more ball. Worcester could get unstuck in bad conditions, while Tigers just need that creative spark in the backline to get more tries on the board.

Bath 23 - 18 Chiefs
Bath have got some cracking youngsters coming through, Beaumont looks excellent and dangerous back three. Haven't been that impressed with Chiefs this year, so the home side take the win here.

Bath 21-22 Chiefs

Steady if not spectacular front 5 for Bath and I can see Chiefs egtting on top in the scrum, line out and around the park. Good backrow contest but Chiefs just shade it with a slightly better unit. Chiefs a bit stronger at halfback but centres pretty close and a good battle, similar story in the back 3's with Chiefs perhaps just shading it. Chiefs a bit stronger throughout and will sneak this one away.

Bath + Nice centre combo and flanks competitive
- Front 5 not the best and would struggle against AP sides

Wasps 21-23 Northampton
Both TH's and hookers not at their best but LH's on show good, not much change between the two. I like the Welsh engine room but Wasps have a bit more quality and will get a edge. Saints backrow a bit better at 7/8, not sure of Burgess yet at the better level but unsure who Macalau is. Welsh shade the halfbacks with both 9's ok but Hodgson a touch better than Giteau at 10 (Gits much better at 12 imo). Not a big fan of Daly at 13 but he's a step up on Tomkins, gain not too sure who the Wasps 12 is. Saints shade the back 3. Close game but Saints get on top in most combo's bar halfback and take the win.

Wasps + Pack looking much stronger than last season
- A few players I'm unsure on, Tompkins not at this level

Worcester 26-23 Leicester
Good Wuss front row but Tigers with a touch more. Have to give Wuss the engine room with Bekker hard to rate with 2 years in Japan but could be good combo. 2 good backrows on show and very little in the contest. Wuss prob just shade the halfbacks but centre battle very close. Lovely back 3 from Wuss and they just shade things here despite Prop not attempting to spell Waisake! Wuss with a solid team out just take the win.

Wuss + Strong from 6 backwards, like the back 3 but could struggle to get them into games if pack on back foot
- Lock lacking a bit of quality

Tigers + Front row better than most, backrow looking good
- Bekker the obvious weakness and halfback could be improved against the better teams

Brumbies 24-23 Harlequins
Hasn't Fourie been released?? Anyway....Little in the front row and engine rooms with both teams having decent outfits. Brumbies a touch stronger on the flanks but prefer Chouly at 8. Not much in the 9's but Brumbies just sneak 10 on current form. Cracking centre battle with Serfontein much better at 12, Quins just shade it with Joseph's form. Cracking back 3 battle with very little in it. Overall a cracking game with home advantage being the game changer as very little in the sides.

Quins + Centre combo strong and like the wings
- Line out could struggle a bit

Worcester 27-23 Leicester
Leicester just about take front 5 but impossible to rate Bekker in anyway. Worcester have a far superior backrow and half backs.
Worcester have really increased their firepower and Goneva naholo and Skudder is tasty. Skudder a much better winger than fb.

Brumbies 22-21 Quins
Hard to call but can see brumbies front row getting on top which does not happen often. Quins have some great players but have a few form issues with cooper etc. brumbies are a good outfit with a great backline unit
And can see pocock influencing breakdown

Bath 14-19 Chiefs
Bath struggle to get front foot ball and lack carrying in backrow. Chiefs backs
In great form and have more game winners


Wasps 22-29 Saints
God battle up front. Arous improves wasps greatly. Burgess a bit lacking at this level for me. Saints have more firepower in the backs and can score at will with likes of Savea and Daly efc.

It's so easy to see who's written these lol

Bath 24- 27 Chiefs.
Tough one for Bath, and Chiefs take the pack battles against a more inexperienced Bath sides to be honest. I do rate the Bath backrow though, and there's some serouss attacking talent on show. Like the Bath centre partnership but Chiefs steal this one

Worcester 34 vs 31 Tigers
Kubs can take on Corbs but Tigers edge the scrum with a young Worcester loose head. Evens at second row then I think Wuss have better balance in their backrow and a more reliable, if less potentially dangerous, 9-10. Form and predictability in attack an issue for Tiggers centres and Worcester outbacks have a lovely balance of pace and power and win them the game

Brumbies 30 - 31 Quins
Close in the scrums, Romano gives Quins an edge of class in the engine room. Then a really good backrow battle that I can't separate, very different approaches. Think Quade gets enough ball to be dangerous though not sure he works best with a Pienarr type player at 9. Great centres (as in really lethal and balanced in attack) and mercurial danger on the wings (though here Brumbies are equal with 2 class players) plus a top bench and Quins JUST win

Bath 24-28 Chiefs
Bath will struggle to get front foot ball, Chiefs very strong and Bath centres may have some small joy.

Wasps 23-30 Saints
Saints have gone all out full strength for this match and made small but effective team changes. Wasps looking good here but a heads up that Rees has left the Blues so is without a club atm.

Brumbies 28-30 Quins
Great back row battle. Quins could just get edge on centres and the bench will get the win.

Wasps 26 - 32 Saints
Wasps Positives: Noticeably stronger in the front five
Wasps Negatives: Hodgson and Rhodri perhaps not good enough, Russell or FTD better fly halfs
Centre combo is inexperienced and will look out of place against better teams
Saints positives: The form of Pocock makes your back row scary
Huge backs will be tough to stop
Saints negatives: The half back combination is still not great. A really good combo puts you right up there

Warriors 23-26 Tigers
Warriors positives: Props look stronger
Outside backs will be dangerous if they get enough ball
Warriors negatives: Hooker and Locks are still a weakness
Bench options do not add much
Leicester positives: Backs will be dangerous with ball in hand
Great strength in depth, bench will impact games
Leicester negatives: Lock combination is not the best. Pape 34 and Bekker in Japan hard to rate.
Half backs could be improved

Brumbies 27-30 Quins
Quins positives: 4-8 looks great
Back three is a huge threat
Impact bench impressive
Quins negatives: Front row a bit old and may struggle. Not a huge Fourie/Robinson fan

Bath 17-22 Chiefs
Not much difference between the packs at the set piece but Chiefs have a touch of class to the back 5 of the pack and cause a lot of problems at the breakdown. Cruden, SBW, Ngatai on a higher level then their opposition and off good ball will do well. For Bath I'd switch Patchell/Debrezeni around. Saili a stronger 12 then 13.


London Wasps 26-30 Northampton Saints
Can't see either side getting a set piece edge but Saints have a breakdown edge with Pocock, Launch, Parisse showing up well. Launch with some form issues now though to be aware of. Neither 6 overly proven but Burgess at a higher level and should be ok for world cup period. Need to see Macalau at Top 14 level. Halfbacks fairly even but Saints back line with genuine world class players and will do well attacking off Pococks turn overs.


Worcester Warriors 28-22 Leicester Tigers
Tigers can get a decent edge at the scrum but else where its tight and both packs are competitive. Great battle between the 10s with good form at end of the season but Biggar capable at a higher level edges it. Good balance in both midfields but Worcesters back three has more about it. Big fan of both their draft signings. Kolbe looks a dangerous runner though based on this years Super 15. Feel Worc break the line more and have the players to finsih off when they get on the front foot.


Brumbies 27-25 Harlequins
Brumbies a decent scrummaging unit and may get a slight edge but its not major. Pocock can turn the ball over but huge work rate from the Quins back row mostly nullifies him. Quins halfbacks with an edge but nothing between the back threes. Midfield battle tight as well. Quins lacking big carriers struggle to make the gain line at times but so dangerous if given space in wider channels. Brumbies one of the better sides defensively this year until the travel caught up with them in the play offs and should just about cope and have a few more gain line breakers to rely upon for the win.