Champions Cup Round One

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Northampton Saints v Stade Francais
Franklins Garden
Light Rain Shower, 8 Degrees, 18mph WSW Winds

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 Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammit_Chris

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dave Ward
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Facundo Isa
7. Schalk Burger
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford (k)
11. Nick Cummins
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Julian Savea
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dylan Hartley 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Samu Manoa 20. David Pocock 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Matt Giteau 23. Oliver Deveto

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Stade Francais

15 Djibril Camara, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu, 13 Paul Williams, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Jeremy Sinzelle, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Julien Dupuy, 1 Heinke van der Merwe, 2 Laurent Sempere, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Alexandre Flanquart, 5 Pascal Pape, 6 Jono Ross, 7 Sylvain Nicolas, 8 Sergio Parisse, 

Replacements
16 Remy Bonfils, 17 Zak Taulafo, 18 Paul Gabrillagues, 19 Mathieu De Giovanni, 20 Clement Daguin, 21 Morne Steyn, 22 Hugo Bonneval, 23 Adrien Oleon, 

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Harlequins v Toulouse
Twickenham Stoop
Sunny, 10 Degrees, 16 WSW Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

GURTHRO STEENKAMP IS A TOULOUSE PLAYER. THEREFORE UNAVAILABLE

1. Ben Robinson
2. Schalk Brits
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Luke Romano
5. George Kruis
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Tom Wood (c)
8. Nick Easter
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Colin Slade (k)
11. Teddy Thomas
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Jack Nowell
15. Damien McKenzie

16. Scott Baldwin 17. 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Pieter Steph Du. Toit 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Robbie Henshaw

Tactics

Look to play in the right areas of the pitch. Use the boots of 0ur 9, 10 , 12 and 15 to get us in thr right areas and then attack from there playing patient rugby where we are looking to get over the gainline and break the Toulouse defence where we can get quick ball back and play at a greater pace getting our outside backs playing on the front foot.

Looking to chop to Toulouse attackers and get men over the ball at the breakdown to slow down or turnover the ball. Still maintaining aggression in the chop tackles so Toulouse don't break the gain line.

Look to consolidate a win and then push on to get  a TBP if we are in the situation.

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Toulouse

15 Maxime Médard, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Yann David, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Timoci Matanavou, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sébastien Bézy, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Iosefa Tekori, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Christopher Tolofua, 1 Vasil Kakovin.

Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Gert Muller, 18 Edwin Maka, 19 Romain Millo-Chluski, 20 Yacouba Camara, 21 Jean-Marc Doussain, 22 Clément Poitrenaud, 23 Nemiah Tialata.

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London Irish v Scarlets
Madejski Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 9 Degrees, 18mph Winds

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London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                 

01. Joe Marler	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Henry Slade
03. David Wilson
04. James Broadhurst	11. Marland Yarde
05. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Jerome Kaino 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Delon Armitage

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Bath defence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Slade and Barritt 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.  Youngs will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout.  In decent conditions we will mix it up on our ball, utilising Broadhurst, AWJ and Vermeulen as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our back row forwards as crash ball options off first phase.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Scarlets as scrappy as we can.
  
  
• Scrum.  Hit channel one ball and get it out the back and into open play quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down.  On there ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Wilson to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Wilson straight.
  
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
  
• Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We will look to get big carriers in wide areas where Wade is defending and use Watson and Yarde in particular trying to isolate front 5 forwards in the defensive line and use their pace, power and footwork to go past them and get us on the front foot.  We will also If the ball is slow and Scarlets 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.  Youngs to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
  

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Scarlets

15 Aled Thomas, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Michael Tagicakibau, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 John Barclay (c), 7 James Davies, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Peter Edwards, 2 Emyr Phillips, 1 Rob Evans.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Will Taylor, 19 Tom Price, 20 Maselino Paulino, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Michael Collins, 23 Harry Robinson.

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Leinster v Bath
RDS
Light Rain Shower, 9 Degrees, 17mph WSW Winds

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Leinster

15 Rob Kearney, 14 Zane Kirchner, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Cian Kelleher, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Dominic Ryan, 5 Tom Denton, 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 James Tracy, 1 Cian Healy.

Replacements: 16 Bryan Byrne, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Dan Leavy, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Johnny Sexton, 23 Ben Te'o.

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Maxine Machenaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Christian Lealifano
03. Scott Wilson
04. Charlie Matthews	11. Hallan Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Harold Vorster
07. Liam Gill	14. Lolagi Visnia
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Jack Innard 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. Samson Lee 19. James Gaskell 20. Justin Tipuric 21.  Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Jack Debrenczeni 23. Liam Williams

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Toulon v Sale Sharks
Stade Mayol
Sunny Intervals, 18 Degrees, 9mph WSW Winds

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RCT Toulon

15 Delon Armitage, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Lachlan Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Jonathan Pélissié, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Juan Smith, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Matthew Stevens, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Xavier Chiocci.

Replacements: 16 Anthony Etrillard, 17 Florian Fresia, 18 Konstantin Mikautadze, 19 Mamuka Gorgodze, 20 Théo Belan, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Sébastien Tillous-Borde, 23 Levan Chilachava.

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Jack McGrath 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Matt Garvey 20. CJ Stander 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

Stade Mayol: Toulon haven't started the season as well as previous years and have already suffered defeat at home this year. They are not yet the unbeatable juggernaut we see in the latter rounds of Europe with a number of first choice players not yet welcomed back into the fold. We will look to gain at least parity with their pack around the park and allow Sexton to dictate the game and expose their flaws.

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to keep the ball moving. Look to use a rugby league shape with runners on the gain line and out the back door to force the opposition into making defensive decisions. Numerous playmakers across the back line allows us to constantly change the point of attack. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Isolate Bast: As seen through the world cup and last years 6 nations Bastareaud can be isolated and pulled out of the line. We want to draw him out with our usual rugby league shape as well as tempt him out with Sexton on the wrap around.

Tactical Kicking: Take advantage of the space behind both Toulon wingers from time to time with kicks in behind. We specifically want to isolate Tuisova aerially were he struggles and have Zebo get up and challenge him under the high ball.

Scrum: World class scrummagers selected at prop to really get at their opposite numbers. This is an area we can really get on top off and would certainly look to use for penalties.

Bench: We have genuine impact players throughout the bench. We will continue to target the scrum late on and with the likes of Stander, Foley & Eastmond we will look to keep the tempo high and run Toulon off their feet.

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Ospreys v Leicester Tigers
Liberty Stadium
Sunny Intervals, 10 Degrees, 20mph W Winds

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Ospreys

15 Dan Evans, 14 Dafydd Howells, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Dan Baker, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 James King, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Lloyd Ashley, 3 Aaron Jarvis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18  Cai Griffiths, 19 Olly Cracknell, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Tom Habberfield, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Ben John.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Kearnan Myall	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield (c)	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Owen Franks 19. Pascal Pape 20. Jacques Burger 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Drew Mitchell

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Saracens v Clermont Auvergne
Allianz Park
Sunny Intervals, 8 Degrees, 18mph WSW Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Brad Weber
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Patrick Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Geoff Parling(c)	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Marcel Bosch
07. Will Fraser	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Theirry Dusatoir 21. Sam Harrison  22. Nicolas Sanchez  23. Henry Trinder

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Clermont Auvergne

15 Scott Spedding, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Adrien Plante, 10 Brock James, 9 Ludovic Radosavljevic, 1 Raphael Chaume, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Clement Ric, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 6 Camille Gerondeau, 7 Julien Bardy, 8 Damien Chouly,

Replacements
16 Pellow van der Westhuizen, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 19 Vito Kolelishvili, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 Camille Lopez, 22 David Strettle, 23 Dan Kotze

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Couldn't see Stade/Clermont sides up on planetrugby so will throw them up at some stage tomorrow with conditions

15 Djibril Camara, FB
14 Waisea Nayacalevu Vuidravuwalu, W
13 Paul Williams, C
12 Jonathan Danty, C
11 Jeremy Sinzelle, W
10 Jules Plisson, FH
9 Julien Dupuy, SH
1 Heinke van der Merwe, P
2 Laurent Sempere, H
3 Rabah Slimani, P
4 Alexandre Flanquart, L
5 Pascal Pape, L
6 Jono Ross, F
7 Sylvain Nicolas, F
8 Sergio Parisse, N8
Replacements
16 Remy Bonfils, R
17 Zak Taulafo, R
18 Paul Gabrillagues, R
19 Mathieu De Giovanni, R
20 Clement Daguin, R
21 Morne Steyn, R
22 Hugo Bonneval, R
23 Adrien Oleon, R


15 Scott Spedding, FB
14 Noa Nakaitaci, W
13 Albert Vulivuli, C
12 Wesley Fofana, C
11 Adrien Plante, W
10 Brock James, FH
9 Ludovic Radosavljevic, SH
1 Raphael Chaume, P
2 Benjamin Kayser, H
3 Clement Ric, P
4 Paul Jedrasiak, L
5 Flip van der Merwe, L
6 Camille Gerondeau, F
7 Julien Bardy, F
8 Damien Chouly, N8
Replacements
16 Pellow van der Westhuizen, R
17 Thomas Domingo, R
18 Sebastien Vahaamahina, R
19 Vito Kolelishvili, R
20 Morgan Parra, R
21 Camille Lopez, R
22 David Strettle, R
23 Dan Kotze, R

Cheers Luke

Quins

1. Gurthro Steenkamp
2. Schalk Brits
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Luke Romano
5. George Kruis
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Tom Wood (c)
8. Nick Easter
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Colin Slade (k)
11. Teddy Thomas
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Jack Nowell
15. Damien McKenzie

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ben Robinson 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Pieter Steph Du. Toit 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Karl Dickson 22. Quade Cooper 23. Robbie Henshaw

Tactics

Look to play in the right areas of the pitch. Use the boots of 0ur 9, 10 , 12 and 15 to get us in thr right areas and then attack from there playing patient rugby where we are looking to get over the gainline and break the Toulouse defence where we can get quick ball back and play at a greater pace getting our outside backs playing on the front foot. 

Looking to chop to Toulouse attackers and get men over the ball at the breakdown to slow down or turnover the ball. Still maintaining aggression in the chop tackles so Toulouse don't break the gain line. 

Look to consolidate a win and then push on to get  a TBP if we are in the situation.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. James Slipper	09. Maxine Machenaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Christian Lealifano
03. Scott Wilson
04. Charlie Matthews	11. Hallan Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Harold Vorster
07. Liam Gill	14. Lolagi Visnia
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Jack Innard 17. Steven Kitchoff 18. Samson Lee 19. James Gaskell 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Jack Debrenczeni 23. Liam Williams

I'm in the big boys cup!

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Brad Weber
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Patrick Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Geoff Parling(c)	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Marcel Bosch
07. Will Fraser	14. Chris Ashton
08. Dave Denton	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Jannie Du Plessis 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Theirry Dusatoir 21. Sam Harrison  22. Nicolas Sanchez  23. Henry Trinder

Tactics:

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Kearnan Myall	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield (c)	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Liam Messam	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Ernst Joubert	15. Mike Brown

.
16. Stephen Moore 17. Alex Corbisiero 18. Owen Franks 19. Pascal Pape 20. Jacques Burger 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Drew Mitchell

Northampton Saints

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dave Ward
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Facundo Isa
7. Schalk Burger
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford (k)
11. Nick Cummins
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Julian Savea
15. Ben Foden

Replacements:
16. Dylan Hartley 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Samu Manoa 20. David Pocock 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Matt Giteau 23. Oliver Deveto

London Irish
Manager: Ozzy3213  
                  

01. Joe Marler	09. Ben Youngs
02. Tatafu Polota-Nau	10. Henry Slade
03. David Wilson
04. James Broadhurst	11. Marland Yarde
05. Alun-Wyn Jones (c)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Sean O'Brien	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Anthony Watson
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

16. Tom Youngs 17. Scott Sio 18. Frans Malherbe 19. Sebastien Vahaamahina 20. Jerome Kaino 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde 22. Aaron Cruden 23. Delon Armitage

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Bath defence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Slade and Barritt 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.  Youngs will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout.  In decent conditions we will mix it up on our ball, utilising Broadhurst, AWJ and Vermeulen as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our back row forwards as crash ball options off first phase.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Scarlets as scrappy as we can.
  
  
• Scrum.  Hit channel one ball and get it out the back and into open play quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down.  On there ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Wilson to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Wilson straight.
  
  
• Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.
  
  
• Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We will look to get big carriers in wide areas where Wade is defending and use Watson and Yarde in particular trying to isolate front 5 forwards in the defensive line and use their pace, power and footwork to go past them and get us on the front foot.  We will also If the ball is slow and Scarlets 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.  Youngs to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
  

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Jack McGrath 17. Benjamin Kayser 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Matt Garvey 20. CJ Stander 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

Stade Mayol: Toulon haven't started the season as well as previous years and have already suffered defeat at home this year. They are not yet the unbeatable juggernaut we see in the latter rounds of Europe with a number of first choice players not yet welcomed back into the fold. We will look to gain parity with their pack around the park and allow Sexton to dictate the game and expose their flaws.

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity offloading game looking to keep the ball moving. Look to use a rugby league shape with runners on the gain line and out the back door to force the opposition into making defensive decisions. Numerous playmakers across the back line allows us to constantly change the point of attack. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Isolate Bast: As seen through the world cup and last years 6 nations Bastareaud can be isolated and pulled out of the line. We want to draw him out with our usual rugby league shape as well as tempt him out with Sexton on the wrap around.

Tactical Kicking: Take advantage of the space behind both Toulon wingers from time to time with kicks in behind. We specifically want to isolate Tuisova aerially were he struggles and have Zebo get up and challenge him under the high ball.

Scrum: World class scrummagers selected at prop to really get at their opposite numbers. This is an area we can really get on top off and would certainly look to use for penalties.

Bench: We have genuine impact players throughout the bench. We will continue to target the scrum late on and with the likes of Stander, Foley & Eastmond we will look to keep the tempo high and run Toulon off their feet.

I thought they had to be in the starting team otherwise you could play them? I thought I'd seen plenty on players play against there own team on Europe in recent seasons

Sorry for lack of predos this week, work has got stupid.

Driver can you do my team this week for me please?

RESULTS:

Northampton Saints 34 (T:4 C:4 P:2)
Stade Francais 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Harlequins 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)
Toulouse 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

London Irish 36 (T:5 C:4 P:1)
Scarlets 19 (T:1 C:1 P:4)

Leinster 27 (T:2 C:1 P:5)
Bath 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Toulon 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Sale Sharks 27 (T:2 C:1 P:5)

Ospreys 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)
Leicester Tigers 30 (T:4 C:2 P:2)

Saracens 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Clermont 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

BONUS:

Excused: Matt & Prop
Missed: Chris
Full: Everyone else

Saints 24-13 Stade
Stade come into this off a good win v Clermont last week and will cause some problems at the scrum but Saints will cause issues at the breakdown. More control from the Stade halfbacks but more attacking threat from Saints and their bench gives great impact and should see them pull away late on.

Saints 26 - 19 Stade

Saints are lucky to have Herrera at tighthead, as I'd expect Slimani and co to give Ward and Mako a real going over. Ward is also a poor lineout thrower, and can see a few lost balls. Round the park, the Saints pack is great, Launchbury and Ward are excellent at the breakdown and will really help them get on top. Stade not the strongest in the backline, and even off the back foot from set piece, can see Saints dominating once they start going through the phases, and win this relatively comfortably.

Northampton Saints 33-30 Stade Francais
Both sides set up to attack.  Lots of flair in the Stade side but some defensive frailties means that Saints will outscore them in an open game where both end up with try bonus points.

Northampton 32-18 Stade

A few form issues in the Saints pack in Mako & Lawes but overall it's very strong and will be too much for Stade who won't have too much past a dominant scrum. Saints backs look good with Simpson & Daly the 2 that could be got at. Off front foot ball they should be good though and I can't see past a easy Saints win.

Saints 30 - 29 Stade

Saints 34-23 Stade
Saints have enough quality on show to come away with a bonus point win

Northampton 25 - 20 Stade

Good set piece battle with two of the worlds premier tightheads in the scrum battle. Up front I think Saints have a little more around the park and will get go forward for their backs.

Northampton Saints 32 - 23 Stade Francais

Stade have been struggling as of late and traveling away from home to probably the toughest place to go and play at the moment won't help them. The Simpson Ford combination thriving of the quick clean ball that there forwards are providing. At home Saints are a mighty prospect to overcome. 

Saints 28 - 21 Stade

Slight advantage to Saints up front, with two decent second rows on show. Slight preference to Saints in th back row and thin they take the pack. Decent HB contest, but Saints stronger at cenrte, and better back three. Comfortable in the end.

Quins 27-18 Toulouse
Quins lose Steenkamp who is a Toulouse player but can't see any scrum issues anyway. Pack battle is fairly even overall but Quins halfbacks and midfield give a bit more and should see them take this.

Harlequins 29 - 23 Toulouse

Quins have a big old pack, and the weight will help despite a slightly suspect front row. Round the field it will be pretty even, with Wood not an out and out 7 and a typical Toulouse pack will grind away. This is won behind the scrum, Quins backline all in great form and have the ability to carve through a slightly old looking Toulouse back line, probably just miss the 4th try but a very good win.

Harlequins 23-21 Toulouse
Tight game to call, but at home Quins pack has enough to ensure that they have a little bit better ball than their opponents, which will be enough to see them get the win.

Harlequins 20-20 Toulouse

Quins scrum could take a bit of a battering and this will continue throughout the game with no LH cover on the bench. Toulouse backrow could see some joy with not much breakdown threat for the home side and this could see them get a front foot advantage. I thought Bezy had moved clubs, may be wrong, but I prefer the Quins halfback pairing anyway. Good centre battle with plenty of scoring threats out wide for both sides.

Quins 28 - 27 Toulouse

Quins 32-26 Toulouse
Similarly Quins look strong at home. Toulouse get some penalties late on against Robinson

Harlequins 27 - 25 Toulouse

Good little battle between both packs, and can see the dynamic Quins forwards just edging the Toulouse pack. Then their backs will get a slightly better attacking ball and hurt the toulouse defence to steal the win with Pienaar's boot. 

Harlequins 26 - 22 Toulouse

Edge to Quins up front, whilst second rows quite close. Good back ro battle that is fairly even. Quins edge the pack for me. Not much in the HBs, slight advantage to Quins at centre and fairly even back threes. Good game but Quins have enough.

Irish 26-12 Scarlets
Irish pack should get on top throughout and see a comfortable win but Barritt at 12 and conditions v the game plan prevent the tbp.

London Irish 33 - 19 Scarlets

Irish are the best side in our league over the past couple of years, and it tells with the quality they can put out up front. Scarlets are in decent form, but that pack will simply be blown away, and there's a great deal of attacking quality and pace in the Irish side to finish them off. In truth this could be a bigger margin, but the form of Scarlets keeps it to this kind of margin

London Irish 29-15 Scarlets

Not much form for Wilson in the Irish front row but they'll still get on top against a poor Scarlets outfit. Irish line out could suffer but plenty of physicality and I like the make up of the Irish backrow. Not too much in the halfback battle but Irish stronger in the backs and they'll cruise home.

Irish 30 - 29 Scarlets

Irish 44-16 Scarlets
Irish putting out a strong team are dominant here.

London Irish 30 - 20 Scarlets

It's the pack where Irish get on top here and it makes the rest of the game much easier for them. A pretty young back line has the ball on the front foot and should get some points on the board despite slippery conditions.

London Irish 28 - 20 Scarlets

Irish have too much up front, in comparison to the Scarlets pack. This allows them to dominate the possession and get their exciting back line into the game and hurt the Scarlets in defence. Scarlets when they get ball will alos attack the Irish back line well. However Irish have enough to secure victory. 

Irish 38 - 18 Scarlets

Irish have gone really srong and think this is a bit of a walk-over to be honest.

Leinster 20-17 Bath
Leinster have the better of the pack battle here and can see them edging the scrum and breakdown. De Allende can cause Reid a lot of problems but away from home not sure its enough with the benches fairly even overall.

Leinster 24 - 20 Bath

Leinster have some great players in their pack, and Wilson just isn't up to scrumming against Healy yet even though the Irishman lacks form. I expect the Bath scrum to get a bit of a beasting, and their pack lacks carriers to get over the gainline outside of Kitchener. Madigan not the strongest 10, but Lilo is probably a similar standard. De Allende the best outside back on show, but plenty of young talent on both sides. It'll be close when the benches empty with the depth of Bath, but Sexton and McGrath will help Leinster close this out at home.

Leinster 22-21 Bath Rugby
To give an away win, especially in Europe, I need to see a clear dominance in the pack, and Bath do not have it here.  They have enough to compete and are well in the game, and at home I might be tempted to give them the win, but away in the RDS it's not quite enough to beat this Leinster side.

Leinster 27-23 Bath

Wilson and Matthews perhaps not the strongest for Bath and could suffer against a good Leinster outfit. Similar story in the backrow although plenty of potential in the Bath ranks. Plenty of attacking threat for Bath but Leinster is a tough place to win and I don't think they've got enough in the pack.

Leinster 26 - 26 Bath

Leinster 25 - 22 Bath

To beat Leinster and home you need to go strong and I don't think Bath have enough about them here to win in Dublin. They make the game close but only take a LBP home with them.

Leinster 24 - 20 Bath

Bath have rotated a lot in this one and can see it hurting their momentum. Leinster are struggling currently and just have enough to edge out this exciting but slightly young and maybe naive Bath side. 

Leinster 25 - 25 Bath

Not much in the front rows, and similar story in the second rows too. Slight advantage to Leinster in the back row and think they can edge the pack. Edge to Bath at HB, and think they take the centres too, whilst back threes are even. Really tight game, calling a draw.

Toulon 23 - 25 Sale

Sale have the props to put Toulon on the backfoot, and the power game around the park to match them. Quade can be flaky as we know, and I'm not a big fan of Pelissie. Sale stronger in the backs, and more off the bench, think the tactics are right to pull this out on the road

Toulon 23-23 Sale Sharks
Tough winning away in Europe, but Sale have picked a pack to try to get the job done.  They will get scrum dominance, and be very competitive in all areas.  Toulon have not started the season well, but have quality throughout.  What stops them getting beaten here is the quality of their back row.  They'll win and slow enough ball at the breakdown to stop Sale getting the absolute pack dominance that you need to win away, although Sale have enough not to get beat, so calling this one a draw.

Toulon 20-19 Sale

Tough ask at Toulon but the Sale pack make a real battle of it. They have good balance and some good form from their EQ youngsters, I just fancy Toulon to turn the screw a little. Again it's a good contest in the backs with Toulon perhaps just getting the upper-hand with Steyn a touch out of form for Sale. really tight contest.

Toulon 27 - 28 Sale

Toulon 28-30 Sale
Titanic battle up front with Sale getting a slight advantage. They have a strong set of backs to get on top. Both benches add a lot to the sides but Bernard Foley can keep his composure to get Sale the win.

Toulon 28 - 26 Sale

Sale get a nudge on at the scrum but the rest of the pack goes to Toulon. A strong set of forwards on show for Toulon enables them to get more go forward around the park and especially at the breakdown where they have no answer to the Toulon back row. Half backs one a piece but on the front foot Cooper can do damage with the players he has around him picking lines. Sale get close but don't have enough to steal the win from Toulon in France.

Toulon 33 - 30 Sale Sharks

Sharks have the ability to stop Toulon's possession and control, but their running and power game is very strong. With Quade pulling the strings as well, it is a very big prospect to over come. Sharks have the tools to do some damage, but will come up just short. 

Toulon 25 - 24 Sale

Sale just edge the front row, whilst second rows quite even. Really tight back rows, and overall the packs are close and full of class. Not much in the HBs, and again close in the centres, Sale maybe edge back three. Very close game, home advantage takes it.

Ospreys 19-25 Tigers
Breakdown and set piece pretty even but more carrying from the Tigers pack. Halfbacks one a piece but theres more about the Tigers backs and their bench is a different class and should take a good away win.

Ospreys 24 - 30 Leicester

Tigers big pack is ideal for Euro competition, and the Welsh side just can't cope with the weight and set piece quality. Beale and Messam are very good additions, and Beale in particular makes the Tigers side look a lot more dangerous in the backs. Once the benches empty, Tigers depth will tell and this will be a decent win on the road

Ospreys 22-23 Leicester Tigers
The Ospreys pack is just not strong enough here.  whilst Tigers have rotated, they have enough power and experience up front to get the job done against what is not top class opposition.  Very narrow away win.

Ospreys 22-24 Leicester

Good pack battle with Joubert, Myall and Lahiff holding Tigers back a little They'll be little in the scrum but can see Tigers dominating the lineout and their flank combo is full of experience. Perhaps a little early to starting the new guys for Tigers and this will disrupt their attacking focus, Banahan needs improving if they're to make a dent in the competition but they'll sneak through this contest.

Ospreys 25 - 26 Tigers

Ospreys 23-24 Tigers
Tigers pick a lot of new players and see a disjointed performance. They have the better team but away from home the only just edge the win.

Ospreys 21 - 26 Leicester

A good battle upfront which Leicester just about edge at set piece and around the park. FDP offers the control Leicester have so desperately needed since Wilkinson's retirement and along with Beale's inclusion at 12 Leicester's backs look so much better. They have enough to run away from the Ospreys here despite a strong Ospreys side.

Ospreys 28 - 29 Leicester Tigers

O's are good side and can take the game to the Tigers at the Liberty. The Tigers pack will struggle at points against the O's pack. However out wide Tigers are much more dangerous and will really scare the O's defence. Tigers will just sneak the away win. 

Sarries 28-20 Clermont
Not an awful lot between the set pieces but more about Sarries around the park. They have more quality about the half backs and should dictate the territory in this one.

Saracens 31 - 29 Clermont

French sides don't travel well, even so this is a big test for Sarries. Think Sarries have the power in the front 5 to take on Clermont, and on current form are stronger in the back row. Evens at half back with Lambie the standout. The Sarries backs will win this though, North, SBW and Hogg are massive threats, and the centres ideally suited to combating Fofana. Sarries just about hold on at home

Saracens 23-21 Clermont
Good Clermont side on paper, but Saracens have some real quality out, and whilst this will be tight, the Saracens bench, with the likes of Whitelock, Dusautoir and Sanchez will see them over the line.

Saracens 26 - 25 ASM

Saracens 30-22 Clermont
Sarries have picked a strong team and against a weaker Clermont unit can get the win.

Saracens 25 - 22 Clermont

Really good test of the Saracens side against Clermont. Can't call the set piece and there is very little between the packs around the park. I like the Saracens half backs but would question them in the rain. Saracens outside backs look really good on paper and will run in somee points here and will ultimately prove the difference between the two sides.

Saracens 28 - 25 ASM Clermont Auvergne

Tough game between two very good sides, Sarries have the physicality to get amongst the ASM pack and really disrupt them away from home. This would hurt the Clermont back line and their momentum, but not stop them from scoring points.

Saracens 26 - 24 Clermont

Sarries take the scrum, and edge the second row for me. Think they take the back row too and their pack looks stronger. Not much in the HBs, with decent centre battle too. Two good back threes both look dangerous. Good game but Sarries edge it at home.