Summer Tournament Round Four - Pools C & D

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Pool C

Wasps vs. Bulls
Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. Ben Arous	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Corey Flynn	10.  Finn Russell
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Frank Halai
05. Luke Charteris	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Moala
07. John Barclay	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne, 17. Richardt Strauss, 18. James Johnston,  19.  George Merrick, 20. Carl Fearns, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Charlie Hodgson, 23. Rob Horne

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

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Bath Rugby vs. Northampton Saints
The Rec, Bath

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Richard Barrington	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Scott Wilson
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Christian Wade
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Sam Hill
06. James Gaskell	13. Javiah Pohe
07. Max Northcote Green	14. Jack Arnott
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Jack Innard 17. Ellis Genge 18. Samson Lee 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Liam Messam 21. Josh Whiteley 22. Kurtley Beale 23. George North

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Logi Mulipola
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Matt Giteau
06. Sam Burgess	13. Weslie Fofana
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Nick Cummins
08. Samu Manoa	15. Ben Foden

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Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Michael Paterson 20. Elliot Daly 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Ollie Deveto 23. Schalk Burger

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Waratahs vs. Chiefs
SCG, Sydney

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Pool D

Brumbies vs. Worcester Warriors
Canberra Stadium, Canberra

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

Worcester Warriors

01. Joe Moody	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. Davit Kubriashvilli
04. Dean Mumm	11. Horatio Agulla
05. Devin Toner	12. Alapati Leuia
06. Jackson Wray	13. Mark Bennett
07. Sam Warburton(c)	14. Nehe Millner Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jarrad Payne

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16. Codie Taylor 17. Luca Noguero Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Gareth Davies 22. Owen Williams 23. Mathew Tait

Can I get added feedback on:
*bench
*back row
*centre partnership

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Sharks vs. Harlequins
Kings Park Stadium, Durban

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

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Colin Slade
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Joe Tomane
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Benn Robinson 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Jack Clifford 21. Luke McGrath 22. Steven Myler 23. Jack Nowell
Tactics

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Leicester Tigers vs. Hurricanes
Welford Road, Leicester

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (K)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Matt Banahan
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Cheslin Kolbe

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16. Hika Elliot 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Dan Bowden 23. Mike Brown

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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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Tony Woodcock	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Schalk Brits	10. Colin Slade
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Joe Tomane
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Tom Wood	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly	15. Rob Kearney

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Benn Robinson 18. John Afoa 19. Nick Easter 20. Jack Clifford 21. Luke McGrath 22. Steven Myler 23. Jack Nowell
Tactics

Wasps
Manager – CJ

01. Ben Arous	09. Rhodri Williams
02. Corey Flynn	10.  Finn Russell
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Frank Halai
05. Luke Charteris	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Chris Robshaw	13. George Moala
07. John Barclay	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne, 17. Richardt Strauss, 18. James Johnston,  19.  George Merrick, 20. Carl Fearns, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Charlie Hodgson, 23. Rob Horne

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (K)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Francois Louw	14. Matt Banahan
08. JMF Lobbe	15. Cheslin Kolbe

.
16. Hika Elliot 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Cencus Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. Dan Bowden 23. Mike Brown

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Logi Mulipola
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Matt Giteau
06. Sam Burgess	13. Weslie Fofana
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Nick Cummins
08. Samu Manoa	15. Ben Foden

.
Replacements:
16. Dave Ward 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Michael Paterson 20. Elliot Daly 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Ollie Deveto 23. Schalk Burger

01. Joe Moody	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. Davit Kubriashvilli
04. Dean Mumm	11. Horatio Agulla
05. Devin Toner	12. Alapati Leuia
06. Jackson Wray	13. Mark Bennett
07. Sam Warburton(c)	14. Nehe Millner Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jarrad Payne

.
16. Codie Taylor 17. Luca Noguero Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Stuart Hooper 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Gareth Davies 22. Owen Williams 23. Mathew Tait

Can I get added feedback on:
*bench
*back row
*centre partnership

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Richard Barrington	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Scott Wilson
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Christian Wade
05. Charlie Matthews	12. Sam Hill
06. James Gaskell	13. Javiah Pohe
07. Max Northcote Green	14. Jack Arnott
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Jack Innard 17. Ellis Genge 18. Samson Lee 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Liam Messam 21. Josh Whiteley 22. Kurtley Beale 23. George North

Predictions OPEN

Will predict later on this evening when I get back from work

Results and feedback will be up in the morning.

Wasps vs Bulls

Wasps 23-22 Bulls

Wasps 27 – 22 Bulls

Wasps 26-23 Bulls
Wasps have the slight edge in the front row. Bulls have the second row stand out. Back row is an interesting competition - slight edge to Wasps. Wasps have an edge on half backs but outside backs go to the Bulls

Wasps 28 - 25 Bulls
A very gritty and work man like Wasps pack will chop down the Bulls forwards and build a real go forward for the forward pack to build a platform for their backs. Which allows Russell to put Gilroy, Moala and Halai into space to cause damage. Kriel, JJ Engelbrecht and Hougaard will cause some troubles for Wasps, but they will hold on to secure a confidence building win.

Wasps 18-17 Bulls.
Tough game with packs just about even with Bulls in real life in poor from. Half backs to Bulls but rest of backs to wasps. Off equal ball and at home they win

Wasps 25-24 Bulls
Wasps should be able to get an advantage in the front row and the lineout will be a good battle here. Backrow, can see Wasps working well on a wet pitch but Bulls are well set out here. Half backs I'd give a small advantage to Bulls at 10 but Russell good at controlling the game. Centres I prefer Wasps here and out wide I think it'll be pretty close. Couple of good benches and a tough game to predict. Think the Bulls will get the better ball from the back row but Wasps well set out defensively here and bringing on Hodgson will help.

Wasps 22 - 24 Bulls
Bulls look stronger in the front five whilst the back rows are fairly even. Think Bulls edge the pack. Not much in the hbs but Bulls look more dangerous in attack. Think they take this overall.

Wasps 24 - 23 Bulls
I'd be looking for another option at 7 as Barclay stands out a bit. Godwin needs to make further progress as no longer just a kid. Lock still needs some work or current options to really step up.

Wasps 26 - 24 Bulls
Wasps have improved a lot over the summer, and look to have a real hard edge to their pack now, which will be needed up against a big Bulls pack. Front 5s are relatively well matched, but the key battle is the back row. Bulls have some real power and physicality on their flanks, while Wasps have gone for more breakdown expertise. Assuming Wasps play a fast game, this will play into their hands and think they could have some success running the ball. Backs are pretty even, but think Wasps just have enough

Wasps 25 - 15 Bulls
Best team Wasps have put out this season, good combinations and like the midfield combinations and bench options. Bulls relatively poor season and Wasps will win comfortably, but could do with a few more carriers in their pack against the better teams if they want to win away.

Bath Rugby vs Northampton Saints

Bath 26-27 Northampton

Bath Rugby 23 – 31 Northampton Saints

Bath 24 - 27 Saints
Young bath. Not all that many could start AP yet. Saints solid. Burgess still a weakness and scrum could struggle. Have to see how Sopoaga goes at the top level.

Bath 17-30 saints
Bath not at full strength and saints pretty much are. Saints dominate up front and have firepower to storm it in backs

Bath 25-30 Saints
Can see saints taking control over the front 5, especially looking at 2nd row. A good backrow for Bath on hard ground but the international quality of Saints will help. Half backs to Saints as well and the centres are strong here. Bath looking good out wide and Saints looking strong here too. A very strong bench for Bath will pull it back but won't be enough really.

Bath 23 - 30 Northampton Saints
The dynamic Bath side will cause Saints issues with their speed in to contact as well as in the wider channels. They will struggle in the tighter exchanges where Manoa and Burgess will put pressure on the Bath defence. The Simpson/Soapoaga combo is exciting and with Giteau providing some guidance in attack they lead in Savea and Fofana into space. Wade and Goode will cause Saints some issues, but despite the quality on the Bath bench Saints will secure the victory here.

Bath Rugby 22 - 27 Northampton Saints
Bit more about saints up front and they take 2nd row too. More quality in saints back row and they have the better pack. They also have more quality in the back line and take this comfortably.

Bath 23 - 36 Saints
Wilson is not up to the required level as a prop for me just yet, and will put the Bath pack on the back foot. Round the park, the Bath pack looks a bit lightweight with the likes of Gaskell and Beaumont, and Chris has gone with some real big hitters up front. It makes it a bit of a mismatch really, one side playing a team to cover the RWC while the other looks not far off full strength. Plenty of EQ talent for Bath though, if even half of it comes good they'll be a great side in a year or two. This one is an easy win for Saints.

Bath 20- 32 Saints
Saints a touch out of form in front row but have enough class to edge Bath. Saints top class locks and back row vs youngsters who all have talent but need to be helped by more experienced players alongside them, and saints win the pack battle easily. Burgess at 6 still a gamble but would make a nice foil to Poccock- against an older side that backrow is a touch naive though. Close at 9-10 though v different styles. 11-15 great in attack for Bath but will struggle for ball and injured Foden aside, Saints ludicrously strong in the backs. Comfortable away win

Brumbies vs Worcester Warriors

Brumbies 27-28 Worcester

Brumbies 30 – 27 Worcester Warriors

Brumbies 32-22 Warriors
Front five goes to Brumbies. Just about edging the Brumbies in the back row. The Brumbies are better in the backs.

Brumbies 21-21 Worcester
Even pack battle with pocock vs warbs a good watch. Worcester take half backs but the outside backs of brumbies are better. Worcester bench better and takes draw. Prop centre pairing could work really well, backrow decent balance of power carrying and break down. Bench excellent impact

Brumbies 24 - 26 Worcester
Worcester's front 5 looks to have a bit more of an edge about it, and will likely match the Brumbies round the park. The back row battle is excellent, Warbs vs Pocock will result in plenty of turnovers. Worcester are stronger at halfback for me as not a fan of Lealifano at 10, although the Brumbies centre combo is proven international quality. NMS has added a big threat to the Worcester back 3, and fancy them to do damage off attacking ball with Payne a quality FB. Wouldn't have expected it, but actually think Worcester have enough here.

Brumbies 24 - 27 Worcester Warriors
The wuss pack have enough about them to stop the Brumbies gameplan at the line out and maul which leaves them short of ideas. The Wuss pack have a better tight carrying game which allows them to build phases and put Brumbies under pressure. This allows Biggar to bring in the likes of Bennett and Milner-Skudder into space with time and really challenge the Brumbies wings. The boot of Biggar will manage to see of the Brumbies side.

Brumbies 27 - 26 Worcester Warriors
Brumbies take the scrum but worcs the second row. Fairly even back rows and packs overall close. Not much in the hbs but Brumbies back line more dangerous and think they edge this.

Brumbies 24 - 24 Worcester
Worcester backs look good with 12 a possible weakness. Like the back row and the bench. Like the back 3 but not sure on Batty.

Brumbies 28 - 26 Worcester Warriors
Last season and Brumbies would have walked this game, but Prop has made some excellent signings and only reason they don't get an away win is difference in quality between the hookers, which gives Brumbies a bit more in the set piece and the loose. I'd start Henry Thomas in games in terms of good EQ. Backline is up there as one of the most exciting in the league and if Leuia avoids injury then he will make a huge difference.

Brumbies 31 - 29 Warriors
Brumbies scrum can match Worcestrr in tough fight. Very close between sets of non-flashy but effective locks too. Poccock edges breakdown but Morgan a dangerous weapon that gives Wuss an edge. More natural HB Combo for Wuss. Brumbies have better centres but back 3 battle close, both attack orientated. Wuss not quite enough to win away

Sharks vs Harlequins

Sharks 24-23 Harlequins

Sharks 25 – 28 Harlequins

Sharks 24-28 Quins
Prefer the Sharks front row but Quins second row. Sharks have more go forward, Quins more in breakdown in the back row! One apiece in the halfbacks and Quins have more in the outside backs.

Sharks 26-28 Quins
Bit more in the front row and 1 a piece when we look at the 2nd rows too. Feel Quins are set out well at back row and will carry well here, Sharks also have quality. Feel Quins have slight advantage at half back especially at the 9. Centres better for Quins as well which should get them an advantage out wide for a better back 3 vs the Sharks. Better bench for Quins as well and I think they have enough out wide and will just get enough ball to sneak a win.

Sharks 24-30 Quins
Very even pack battle. Outside backs and bench heavily to Quins. Sharks awful form in real life counts against them also

Sharks 23 - 30 Harlequins
Good hard contest up front with Quins utilising their dynamism to exploit the Sharks pack and their speed to the breakdown, allowing them time to get turnovers and punish the Sharks defence, with the likes of Henshaw and JJ getting quick ball in straight into their hands. Slade & Pienaar will push back the Sharks who will struggle with the territory game from the Quins.

Sharks 23 - 26 Harlequins
Very close game to call and first where I've gone to the impact of the benches to really pick the winner, as the teams are very even in terms of starting lineups. Sharks again not been in best of form and Jannie du Plessis has had a poor season (aside from last week for SA) by his standards. Like the looks of the Quins bench and think that is going to be a big factor in deciding games next season as a lot of the teams are so similar in terms of starting lineups.

Sharks 24 - 30 Quins
Both front 5s are huge, will have enough to win their own ball on set pieces. Further back, I think the Wood/Hooper combo might lack a bit of power up against Coetzee and Alberts, and may struggle a touch, although i'd expect them to win a few turnovers just by virtue of their speed. Halfback combos are well matched, more control for Quins but possibly more fireworks from Sharks. Quins centre combo wins this for them, two of the best around at the moment and will do damage down the 13 channel especially.

Sharks 26 - 27 Quins
Quins can actually nearly match Sharks upfront with tough front row. They can steal the lineout at which they have excellent jumpers, and a very mobile pack that can run around bigger sharks. Not much in HBs but great centre partnership and balance for Quins wins that battle and feeds two complimenting wingers well. Enough for away win

Sharks 23 - 23 Harlequins
Sharks take the front row for me whilst second rows quite even. Not much in the back rows slight edge to Quins. One apiece on the hbs but in attack Quins look stronger. Can't split this one.

Leicester Tigers vs Hurricanes

Leicester Tigers 24 – 26 Hurricanes

Leicester 26 - 25 Hurricanes
Solid Leicester pack as usual. Like the back row though it lacks a real hard carrier. Half backs are hit and miss for me but a good balance to the outside backs.

Tigers 15-17 Canes
Tigers have more in the front five. Love the Tigers back row and they have an advantage here. Canes are so deadly in the backs though. It is just whether they can get enough ball.

Leicester 29-30 hurricanes
Really even up front with some smart units. Backs and form with hurricanes and they are so dangerous ball in hand. In these conditions they will score and their is a mismatch at half backs which sees hurricanes win

Tigers 27 - 34 Hurricanes
Great battle, Tigers with tactics would probably use the big pack and starve the Hurricanes of enough ball and win this. With no tactics, i'll assume both sides get a decent amount of ball, which favours the Canes electric attacking play. Plenty of solidity behind the Tigers scrum, but the flair of Canes back 3 backed up by that centre combo gives them this one on the road, great game to watch.

Leicester Tigers 22 - 20 Hurricanes
The Tigers pack is so strong and would cause any s15 pack problems and can see them winning this battle up front and overpowering the NZ team. Prefer the Hurricanes backline but defensively the Tigers midfield can do a very good job and stop the impact of the Canes 12-13. Banahan very underated player and could be a big player for Tigers next season, espc during WC.

Tigers 25 - 27 Canes
Better form and cohesiveness sees Canes edge scrum. More nous for tigers in second row but athletically Canes better. Tigers just outthink Canes backrow but Canes edge pack battle. Similar style HB pairs but Canes more dangerous. Tigers have solid attacking backs but will have to do too much defending against lethal back 3 and best real life centre partnership in rugby and Canes win away

Leicester Tigers 32 - 35 Hurricanes
Tigers really put the squeeze on the Canes but the Canes have the ability out wide to worry the Tigers midfield defence and cause some real issues. Tigers can cause some issues of their own to the Canes defence, but the Hurricanes just have too much ability in the wider channels from their forwards as well as their backs.

Tigers 31-32 Canes
A massive battle here up front. Think Canes slightly have Tigers in the front row but back row and 2nd row Tigers can get a bit more ball. Half back match up is good but feel Canes have slightly more with Barrett vs Burns. Centres a step up for Canes. Outwide Canes are dangerous and with better ball from their centres they will be very dangerous. Tough to call this one and I don't want to sit on the fence here. going to give it to Canes for a world class centre pairing which will just be enough.

Good work Pete