Summer Tournament Round Four - Pools A & B

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Pool A


Saracens vs. Reds
Allianz Park, Barnet

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Morgan Parra
02. Rory Best	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Bradley Davies	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. Maxine Mermoz
06. Brad Shields	13. Conrad Smith
07. Thierry Dusatoir	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Jack Walker 17. Nick Auterac 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. James Horwill 20. Will Fraser 21. Sam Harrison 22. Morne Steyn 23. James Lowe

Tactics:

- Huge pack to dominate collisions and big carrying options to get over gainline
- Breakdown options in Best, Cole, Dusatoir and Hughes (most turnovers in AP)
- Kicking and running options in backs, look to use forwards to set platform and get opp defence on back foot then unleash running threats

Queensland Reds
Manager – Richard Graham

01. James Slipper	09. Will Genia
02. James Hansen	10. Quade Cooper
03. Greg Holmes
04. Rob Simmons	11. Lachie Turner
05. James Horwill	12. Samu Kerivi
06. Adam Thomson	13. Karmeichel Hunt
07. Liam Gill	14. Chris Kuridrani
08. Jake Schatz	15. James O'Connor

Subs:
16 Saia Fainga'a 17 Pettowa Paraka 18 Sam Talakai 19 Eddie O'Donoghue 20 Hendrik Tui 21 Beau Robinson 22 Nick Frisby 23 Ben Tapuai

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London Irish vs. Crusaders
Madejski Stadium, Reading

London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                 

01. Joe Marler	09. Aaron Smith
02. Tom Youngs	10. Aaron Cruden
03. David Wilson
04. Matt Symons (c)	11. Anthony Watson
05. James Broadhurst	12. Samu Kerevi
06. Marcell Coetzee	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Marland Yarde
08. Jerome Kaino	15. Delon Armitage

16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Thomas du Toit 18. Frans Malherbe 19. RG Snyman 20. Duane Vermeulen 21. Ben Youngs 22. Henry Slade 23. Tim Nanai-Williams

- Standard high intensity offloading game in attack.
- Blitz defence with 9 sweeping.

Crusaders
Manager – Todd Blackadder

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Andrew Ellis
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Carter
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Robbie Fruean
07. Richie McCaw	14. Johnny McNicholl
08. Kieran Read	15. Israel Dagg

Subs:
16 Ben Funnell 17 Joe Moody 18 Nepo Laulala 19 Dominic Bird 20 Matt Todd  21 Mitchell Drummond 22 Colin Slade 23 Nafi Tuitavake

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Stormers vs. Newcastle Falcons
Newlands, Cape Town

Stormers
Manager – Allister Coetzee

01. Steven Kitshoff	09. Nic Groom
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Demetri Catrakilis
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Seabelo Senatla
05. Manuel Carizza	12. Damien de Allende
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Juan de Jongh
07. Schalk Burger	14. Cheslin Kolbe
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

Subs:
16 Bongi Mbonambi 17 Oli Kebble 18 Vincent Koch 19 Ruan Botha 20 Nizaam Carr 21 Louis Schreuder 22 Kurt Coleman 23 Kobus van Wyk

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Nick Phipps
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Yohan Maestri 20. Callum Clark 21.Rhys Webb 22. Gareth Anscombe 23.Scott Williams

Tactics

Grind them down with the big pack, carrying tight and challenging them to make tackles. Once we are on top and going forwards, spin out to the backs, with Smith helping Farrell by offering an alternate option at first receiver. Phipps to snipe whenever it looks on

Use the kicking game as an option for territory, but primarily look to keep ball in hand and get some continuity going

Please could I have feedback on back row balance, especially given its up against a quality back row?

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Pool B


Highlanders vs. Lions
Forsyth barr Stadium, Dunedin

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Exeter Chiefs vs. Gloucester
Sandy Park, Exeter

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Vincent Koch
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Jamie Elliott
05. Lood De Jager	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. Luke Wallace	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

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16. Jack Yeandle 17. Ben Franks 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Kane Douglas 20. Sam Skinner 21. Chris Cook 22. Otere Black 23. James O'Connor

Feedback on a Six Nations starting side would be great please guys.

Gloucester

1. Beast
2. LCD
3 Antonio
4 Taofufina
5 Etzbeth
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 TJ Perenara
10 Dan Carter
11 Johny May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 Strauss
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Will Genia
22 Cips
23 Dagg

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Sale Sharks vs. Rebels
Salford City Stadium, Salford

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Bernard Foley
03. Martin Moore
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Sam Carter	12. Gael Fickou
06. Maro Itoje	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Marcos Ayerza 17. Julien Marchand 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Todd 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nemani Nadolo

Melbourne Rebels
Manager – Tony McGahan

01. Toby Smith	09. Nic Stirzaker
02. Pat Leafa	10. Jack Debreczeni
03. Paul Alo-Emile
04. Luke Jones	11. Cam Crawford
05. Lopeti Timani	12. Micth Inman
06. Sean McMahon	13. Tamati Ellison
07. Scott Fuglistaller	14. Sefanaia Naivalu
08. Scott Higginbottom	15. Mike Harris

Subs:
16 Tom Sexton 17 Cruze Ah-Nau 18 Tim Metcher 19 Sam Jeffries 20 Colby Fainga'a 21 Jordy Reid 22 Ben Meehan 23 Jonah Placid

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Bernard Foley
03. Martin Moore
04. Dave Attwood	11. Simon Zebo
05. Sam Carter	12. Gael Fickou
06. Maro Itoje	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Marcos Ayerza 17. Julien Marchand 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Todd 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nemani Nadolo

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Vincent Koch
04. Patrick Tuipulotu	11. Jamie Elliott
05. Lood De Jager	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. Luke Wallace	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Cory Jane
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

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16. Jack Yeandle 17. Ben Franks 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Kane Douglas 20. Sam Skinner 21. Chris Cook 22. Otere Black 23. James O'Connor

Feedback on a Six Nations starting side would be great please guys.

Mark

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Morgan Parra
02. Rory Best	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Bradley Davies	11. Miles Benjamin
05. Geoff Parling	12. Maxine Mermoz
06. Brad Shields	13. Conrad Smith
07. Thierry Dusatoir	14. Chris Ashton
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Jack Walker 17. Nick Auterac 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. James Horwill 20. Will Fraser 21. Sam Harrison 22. Morne Steyn 23. James Lowe

Tactics:

- Huge pack to dominate collisions and big carrying options to get over gainline
- Breakdown options in Best, Cole, Dusatoir and Hughes (most turnovers in AP)
- Kicking and running options in backs, look to use forwards to set platform and get opp defence on back foot then unleash running threats

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Nick Phipps
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. David Ewers	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Vincent Debaty 18.Charlie Faumuina 19. Yohan Maestri 20. Callum Clark 21.Rhys Webb 22. Gareth Anscombe 23.Scott Williams

Tactics

Grind them down with the big pack, carrying tight and challenging them to make tackles. Once we are on top and going forwards, spin out to the backs, with Smith helping Farrell by offering an alternate option at first receiver. Phipps to snipe whenever it looks on

Use the kicking game as an option for territory, but primarily look to keep ball in hand and get some continuity going

Please could I have feedback on back row balance, especially given its up against a quality back row?

1. Beast
2. LCD
3 Antonio
4 Taofufina
5 Etzbeth
6 Alberts
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 TJ Perenara
10 Dan Carter
11 Johny May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 Strauss
18 Mas
19 Robson
20 Croft
21 Will Genia
22 Cips
23 Dagg

Predictions OPEN

Saracens vs Reds

Saracens 24 - 23 Reds

Saracens 31 - 23 Reds

Sarries 28-25 Reds
Feel that Sarries will get on top in the front row but could see the back row being slightly closer on the ground but Hughes the stronger carrier around. A closer 9-10 battle, feel Parra could control it well but the Reds combo is unpredictable and not easy to read so could cause issues. Feel Sarries have a bit more out wide and in the centres with a good pairing. Bench, especially Steyn’s boot will see them home.

Saracens 35 - 17 Reds
Sarries will dismantle the Reds pack which will prevent them from a building a foundation for the talent out wide. The ability of Lambie, Conrad, Ashton & Hogg will continue to worry the Reds defence and secure the victory for them.

Saracens 29-22 Reds
Have the edge for the Sarries front five. Prefer their back row. Also have the half back edge. Benjamin a big weakness for me but still better outside backs

Saracens 26 - 21 Reds
Very powerful pack from Sarries, Hughes as a running option in good conditions can cause a lot of problems. Halfbacks provide a lot of control but not a great deal of flair compared to other teams. They will control the setpiece but having a big ball carrying back would make a huge difference and help them get over the gainline out wide. Expect Sarries to be contenders for top6 next year.

Sarries 28 - 23 Reds
Reds front row in form but will struggle agaisnt likes of Cole. Close lineout, Sarries focus on breakdown and win it easily. Hard to rate Benjamin but elsewhere Sarries backs are good and good enough to win at home

Saracens 33 - 23 Reds
Fancy Reds to have a bit of success at the scrum, Holmes has been great attacking from tighthead and Chiocci not the strongest scrummager. Rest of the pack battle favours Sarries though, like the look of the back row which has plenty of carrying and breakdown ability. Quite even at halfback, but the Sarries outside backs are a fair bit stronger IMO, mainly because of the centre combo. Bench will only hammer home the advantage

Saracens 26 - 23 Reds
SLight edge to Sarries up front with a decent looking unit, whikst the second rows are fairly even. Not a great deal in the back rows, maybe slight edge to Sarries, and overall they sneak the pack. QUality on show at HB, no clear winner, but Sarries stronger at centre. Not much in the back thress. Overall Sarries edge it.

London Irish vs Crusaders


Irish 25-24 Crusaders

Irish 28 - 25 Crusaders
 
Irish 24-23 Crusaders
Just about give the edge to the Crusaders front five. Irish have more carrying in back row but Saders get better ball. Prefer the Irish backs but they have less ball. Subs edge it for Irish
 
London Irish 32 - 25 Crusaders
A real tight affair up front with Irish only really getting an upper hand due to their hard carrying ability throughout the pack. That allows the A squared combo to dictate territory and tempo and continue to keep Saders under pressure in defence. The electric ability Irish have out wide and continuous play of their halfbacks allows them to edge this one.
 
Irish 25-24 Crusaders
Feel that the Crusaders will take the front row and the 2nd row but the lineout will be close with the Irish pairing strong in that aspect of the game. Back row is very good for Crusaders, Irish will be able to hold their own for a while but think Crusaders will just pull away slightly. Step up at half backs for Irish and I prefer their centres. Out wide it’s a bit closer and would depend on who gets the better ball away. Good Irish backrow impact off bench and with BDP. Slade vs Slade would be interesting. Think Irish could just nick a win here with their half backs and bench.
 
Irish 34 - 31 Crusaders
Looks a real tough one on paper. I reckon the England props will be stronger at the coalface, but won't be much in it. Close at lineout time, but Whitelock is the outstanding lineout forward. Back row battle looks very tasty, big fan of the Coetzee-SOB flank combo, and think they'll just have enough with Kaino in support at the breakdown. Prefer Kaino at 6 though. Usual class halfback combo for Irish, while the centres are close. Wouldn't fancy seeing Nadolo vs Yarde from an England point of view! But think Irish will just have enough with the quality off the bench and home advantage
 
Irish 25-21 Crusaders
Really even pack battle cannot split. Half back pairing of Irish better unit due to smith being so good. Close in backs and expect Nadolo to give Irish a torrid time but home advantage and smith win it
 
London Irish 28 - 25 Crusaders
More WC players in the Crusaders starting lineup but the combinations that Irish put out work very well, especially the attacking options in their backline and some very good bench options. Lot will depend for Irish on how their second rows go during next season and whether Symons settles in the AP and Broadhurst in international rugby. Not quite sure on the balance of the backrow, but Coetzee could be one of the best players next season.
 
Irish 28- 27 Crusaders
Irish win scrum with top unit but lose lineout. Broadhurst good but crusaders pairing excellent and experienced. Close battle in breakdown and backrow, think Crusaders have better balance. Irish have best 9-10 in rugby though, power at 12 and good all Engkish back 3 and win mostly due to halfbacks
 
Irish 25 - 25 Crusaders

Not much in it up front, maybe slight edge to Irish, but Crusaders take the second row. They also take the back row and edge the packs for me. As a duo i'm siding with Irish's air at HB, whilst centres are pretty even, prefer Crusadrers at back three. Good game, overall really tough to split.

Stormers vs Falcons

Stormers 23-22 Falcons

Stormers 20 - 20 Newcastle

Stormers 26 – 22 Newcastle Falcons

Stormers 26-20 Falcons
Prefer the Stormers front five. Think their back row combo has a bit more about it as well. Newcastle have the better half backs but the rest of the backs go to Stormers

Stormers 30 - 33 Newcastle Falcons
Tough one up front here, where Stormers will keep Falcons under pressure in the tight and in the loose. Falcons have the ability to control Stormers from halfback and keep pegging them back. In the midfield Stormers have some real go forward but just lack the cutting quality that Falcons have out wide. The two seperating factors here are the Falcons bench and Faz's metronomic boot to squeeze the result.

Stormers 27-29 Falcons
Stormers take the front row and it’s 1 a piece in the second row. I feel that the back row could be an interesting battle but Stormers will slightly edge it. Bam, your back row is good and would be grezt for the wet weather too! Half backs to Falcons but the centres are a bit closer and I can see Del Allende causing problems. Falcons stronger in the back 3 and their front row replacements will cause the Stormers problems and help them to nick the win here.

Stormers 23 - 20 Newcastle Falcons
Really difficult place to go and the physicality that the Stormers bring, especially in their backrow could be a bit too much for Falcons to get the away win. Falcons backline is better but just can't see them getting enough quality ball around the breakdown area, which has an impact in the games outcome. Strong bench, would start Clark in games where added physicality is required.

Stormers 27 - 25 Newcastle
Decent scrum contest here, and it's one apiece in the second row, Etzebeth the standout. As a unit I think I edge the Stormers back row unit, and overall think they have more quality in the packs. Newcastle take the HBs, and edge them the centres too, tight back threes. Stormers can nick this I think.

Stormers 22-21 Newcastle
Stormers better pack with some great form. Newcastle better backs. Stormers at home sees them snatch it

Stormers 26 - 26 Falcons
Young but good Stormers props match Falcons. Then evens locks and very close at backrow- better players for Stormers but better balance for Falcons whose unit I think will work well. falcons take HBs, Stormers centres and then Falcons edge back 3. Close battle, falcons can't quite nick it

Exeter Chiefs vs Gloucester

Exeter 23 - 23 Gloucester

Exeter Chiefs 26 – 28 Gloucester

Chiefs 24-26 Gloucester
Prefer the Exeter front five. The back row for Glaws has more carrying but not much overall. Half back advantage to Gloucester. Two great centre combos, with Gloucester more dangerous in the backs with ball in hand.

Exeter 26- 31 Gloucester
Tough one to call this. The packs are very evenly matched at the set piece, its around the park that I think Exeter may struggle a bit physically. Not a fan of Wallace as a 6, and think with Armitage there too, may lack a bit of a presence and will struggle against the Glos side. Glos stronger at halfback, and their outside backs are as strong as ever. Home advantage and the bench makes this close, but Glos to take it
Flux - not a bad side for 6N, but I wouldn't play Wallace/Armitage as a flank combo.

Chiefs 26-30 Glos
Close up front but I think Glos take the 2nd rows today. Backrow closer but the international quality of Glos again edges it their way. TJ playing into good form helps Glos but Chiefs will be able to control what ball they do get well. Feel Chiefs could pull this game back in the centres with a strong defensive pairing who could make good breaks. Out wide Folau is the stand out here. Solid benches from both. Fluxy, I think it is a solid 6nations side but it does rest a bit on Haley/Elliot hitting top form too.

Chiefs 29-29 Gloucester
Gloucester have bigger names in front row but think Exeter on better form. Gloucester take second row. Exeter stronger at the BD but Gloucester back row power plus Etzebeth can bully Exeter pack in contact. Like the ex HB combo and the way they match up but Perenara form is good and gives Glaws an edge here. Both centre partnerships work well and world class, maybe Exeter edge overall. Exeter have understated back 3 but Gloucester will edge them for pace and just draw away

Good 6 nation side, Fluxy, but could do with more weapons outwide and better form at 9-10

Chiefs 26 - 24 Gloucester
Sliht edge to Gloucs up front, fairly even second row contest, slightly prefer Chiefs. As a unit Gloucs back row looks the stronger, and overall they slightly edge the pack. Gloucs take the HBs, but Chiefs edge the centre battle. Slight edge to Gloucs at back three, and overall in terms of quality they take this.

Sale Sharks vs Rebels

Sale 35-34 Rebels

Sale 30 - 23 Rebels

Sale Sharks 36 – 20 Rebels

Sale 28-22 Rebels
Better front row for Sale but prefer the Rebels second row. The back row of Sale has more about it. A bit more in the Sale half backs. Sale are far more dangerous in the outside backs

Sharks 34-26 Rebels
Quite an easy game up front for the Sharks with a good front 5. McMahon could cause some problems but feel Cane will be dominant at the breakdown giving better ball for Picamoles. Right across the back line I see the Sharks being stronger and I like the balance of their centre pairing today which will bring a lot of unpredictability in what they are going to do and will make the gaps. A good bench which will be a useful bench for wet weather/close games as the players on it could close out the games well. Pretty convincing win.

Sale Sharks 37 - 28 Rebels
The Rebels work man like ability make this hard work for the Sharks until the 50/60th minute. The sharks back line and bench take the result away from the Rebels.

Sale 40-18 Rebels
Sale backup scrum still beats Rebel one. Jones good but Sale edge 5-8 too. With forward dominance, Care-Foley is lethal and feeds an exciting backline with no weaknesses- easy home win

Sale 33-20 Rebels
Sale win this comfortably with better units in most combinationS. Back row battle a good one. Expect fickou to really Kick on and this could become a dangerous pairing

Sale 37 - 12 Rebels
Looks a real mismatch. Sale have put out a very good pack, and with the exception of a couple of positions its difficult to see the Rebels even coming close to competing. Doesn't get much closer behind the scrum, with real quality throughout the backline. This is a punishing victory, and its tough to see the Rebels even scoring a try

Sale 29 - 12 Rebels
Sale look the stronger from 1-15 here and its fairly straight forward.