Challenge Cup Round Two

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Cardiff Blues v Newcastle Falcons
Arms Park
Sunny, 9 Degrees, 16mph WNW Winds

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Cardiff Blues

15 Dan Fish, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Tom James, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Josh Turnbull, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 5 James Down, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c)

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Tom Davies, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tavis Knoyle, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Blaine Scully

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Jamie George	10. Ian Madigan (k)
03. Charlie Faumuina
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Luke Jones	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Robbie Freaun
07. Callum Clark	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. David Ewers 21. Nick Phipps 22. Owen Farrell 23. Ben Smith

Use the big pack to overwhelm the Blues up front, heavy carrying throughout the front 5 to get us on the front foot, and plenty of skill in the back row.

Laidlaw in to manage the game with his experience, then let Madigan try things, similar to how he plays with Russell for Scotland. JDV also adds experience in the backline.

Pace galore at 13 and the back 3 to finish off our chances, and a big bench to get us the bonus point with the skills of Coles and Smith

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Gloucester v Pau
Kingsholm
Sunny, 8 Degrees, 12mph W Winds

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 Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Nick Wood	09. TJ Perenara
02. Joe Grey	10. Johan Goosen
03. Uini Antonio
04. Elliot Stooke	11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
05. Romain Taofifenua	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Tom Croft	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Julien Salvi	14. Charlie Walker
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Metuisela Talebula

Subs:
16. Sebastian Adreniran Olule 17. Adrian Strauss 18. Juan Figallo 19. Will Safe 20. Arno Botha 21. Dan Robson 22. Billy Burns 23. Grant Hermanus

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Pau


15 Charly Malie, 14 Sereli Bobo, 13 Julien Fumat (c), 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Elijah Niko, 10 Damien Traille, 9 Thibault Daubagna, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Josefa Ulago Domolailai, 6 Loic Bernad, 5 Daniel Ramsay, 4 Claude Dry, 3 Giorgi Natsarashvili, 2 Quentin Lespiaucq Brettes, 1 Chris King

Replacements: 16 Thomas Bianchin, 17 Jérémy Hurou, 18 Sylvain Charlet, 19 Brice Monzeglio, 20 Cameron Pierce, 21 Samuel Marques, 22 Watisoni Votu, 23 Marika Vunibaka

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Zebre v Worcester Warriors
Parma
Light Cloud, 13 Degrees, 5mph NE Winds

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Zebre

15 Guglielmo Palazzani, 14 Dion Berryman, 13 Giulio Bisegni, 12 Matteo Pratichetti, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Edoardo Padovani, 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Filippo Ferrarini, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Jacopo Sarto, 5 Marco Bortolami (c), 4 Valerio Bernabo, 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Tommaso D'Apice, 1 Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani, 17 Andrea de Marchi, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 George Biagi, 20 Emiliano Caffini, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Giiulio Toniolatti, 23 Carlo Canna

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ross Batty	10. Jules Plisson (k)
03. Luc Dulcalcon
04. Tom Savage (c)	11. Horatio Agulla
05. Yohann Maestri	12. Cory Allen
06. Mike Williams	13. Huw Jones
07. George Smith	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Brice Dulin

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Lucas Noguera Paz 19. Dean Mumm 20. Jackson Wray 21. Rory Kockett 22. Owen Williams 23. Anton Leniert Brown

Not sure if Williams is classed as EQ? If he isn't then change to: 5. Stuart Hooper 19. Yohann Maestri

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Grenoble v Exeter Chiefs
Stade des Alpes
Light Cloud, 15 Degrees, 14mph SSW Winds

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Grenoble

15 Clement Gelin, 14 Tino Nemani, 13 Chris Farrell, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Daniel Kilioni, 10 Gilles Bosch, 9 James Hart (c), 8 Dylan Hayes, 7 Fabien Alexandre, 6 Mahamadou Diaby, 5 Mathias Marie, 4 James Percival, 3 Kevin Goze, 2 Loick Jammes, 1 Fabien Barcella.

Replacements: 16 Arnaud Heguy, 17 Sona Taumalolo, 18 Walter Desmaison, 19 Ben Hand, 20 Steven Setephano, 21 Christophe Loustalot, 22 Xavier Mignot, 23 Lucas Dupont

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Exeter Chiefs 
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Alex Losowski (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. Andrew Trimble
05. Jake Ball	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Kane Douglas	13. George Pisi
07. Luke Wallace	14. James Lowe
08. Brad Shields	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Rob Webber 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Mike Ross 19. Fritz Lee 20. Tom Wood 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Teddy Thomas

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Wasps v Enisei
Ricoh Arena
Light Cloud, 7 Degrees, 14mph W Winds

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London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Nathan Catt	09. Thierry Lacrampe
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Charlie Hodgson (c, k)
03. Tom West
04. George Merrick	11. Frank Halai
05. Grant Gilchrist	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Josh Buggea	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Sekou Makalou	14. Rob Horne
08. Tom Guest	15. Jesse Mogg

:-
16. Eddy Ben Arous 17. Scott Spurling, 18. Sekope Kepu,  19. Donnacha Ryan  , 20 Victor Vito , 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Finn Russell, 23. Tomas Ramos

Brief tactics:

Play a very attacking game, moving focus of attacking using Godwin as second playmaker, after drawing in forwards with some simple carries
Flood attacking breakdown for quick ball and keep players out in defence
Blitz and give them no space to attack with, with 9 sweeping and looking to push loose chips with Mogg
If scrum struggles against big Russian forwards, look to bring on 2 of the props of the world cup in Kepu and EBA
Use set pieces as ways of getting quick attacking ball with fewer defenders out wide
Go all out in attack

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Enisei

15 Iurii Kushnarev, 14 Mikhail Babaev, 13 David Kacharava, 12 Dmitrii Gerasimov, 11 Denis Simplikevich, 10 Ramil Gaisin, 9 Jurijs Baranovs (c), 8 Dmitrii Krotov, 7 Andrey Temnov, 6 Vitalii Orlov, 5 Viacheslav Krasylnyk, 4 Uldis Saulite, 3 Innokentiy Zykov, 2 Stanislav Selskii, 1 Aleksandr Bezverkhov

Replacements: 16 Nazir Gasanov, 17 Andrei Polivalov, 18 Evgenii Pronenko, 19 Evgeny Elgin, 20 Sergey Kuzmenko, 21 Alexey Shcherban, 22 Dmitriy Simonov, 23 Anton Rudoi

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mark

You're in the big boy cup Pooly

Yea man! Just so I remember scores mate

Ah gotcha!

Exeter Chiefs 

Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Jack Yeandle	10. Alex Losowski (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. Andrew Trimble
05. Jake Ball	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Kane Douglas	13. George Pisi
07. Luke Wallace	14. James Lowe
08. Brad Shields	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Rob Webber 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Mike Ross 19. Fritz Lee 20. Tom Wood 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Teddy Thomas

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Nathan Catt	09. Thierry Lacrampe
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Charlie Hodgson (c, k)
03. Tom West
04. George Merrick	11. Frank Halai
05. Grant Gilchrist	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Josh Buggea	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Sekou Makalou	14. Rob Horne
08. Tom Guest	15. Jesse Mogg

:-
16. Eddy Ben Arous 17. Scott Spurling, 18. Sekope Kepu,  19. Donnacha Ryan  , 20 Victor Vito , 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Finn Russell, 23. Tomas Ramos

Brief tactics:

Play a very attacking game, moving focus of attacking using Godwin as second playmaker, after drawing in forwards with some simple carries
Flood attacking breakdown for quick ball and keep players out in defence
Blitz and give them no space to attack with, with 9 sweeping and looking to push loose chips with Mogg
If scrum struggles against big Russian forwards, look to bring on 2 of the props of the world cup in Kepu and EBA
Use set pieces as ways of getting quick attacking ball with fewer defenders out wide
Go all out in attack

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Jamie George	10. Ian Madigan (k)
03. Charlie Faumuina
04. Ed Slater	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Luke Jones	12. Jean De Villiers
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Robbie Freaun
07. Callum Clark	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. David Ewers 21. Nick Phipps 22. Owen Farrell 23. Ben Smith

Use the big pack to overwhelm the Blues up front, heavy carrying throughout the front 5 to get us on the front foot, and plenty of skill in the back row.

Laidlaw in to manage the game with his experience, then let Madigan try things, similar to how he plays with Russell for Scotland. JDV also adds experience in the backline.

Pace galore at 13 and the back 3 to finish off our chances, and a big bench to get us the bonus point with the skills of Coles and Smith

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Lee Dickson
02. Ross Batty	10. Jules Plisson (k)
03. Luc Dulcalcon
04. Tom Savage (c)	11. Horatio Agulla
05. Yohann Maestri	12. Cory Allen
06. Mike Williams	13. Huw Jones
07. George Smith	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Warren Whiteley	15. Brice Dulin

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Tom Smallbone 18. Lucas Noguera Paz 19. Dean Mumm 20. Jackson Wray 21. Rory Kockett 22. Owen Williams 23. Anton Leniert Brown

Not sure if Williams is classed as EQ? If he isn't then change to: 5. Stuart Hooper 19. Yohann Maestri

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12040/9708301/leicester-tigers-sign-opeti-fonua-mike-williams-and-brendon-oconnor

Apparently EQ

wasn't sure whether he turned eq later this season or not so thought I'd cover bases!!

 Gloucester
Manager – anonmattyt

01. Nick Wood	09. TJ Perenara
02. Joe Grey	10. Johan Goosen
03. Uini Antonio
04. Elliot Stooke	11. Taqele Naiyaravoro
05. Romain Taofifenua	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Tom Croft	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Julien Salvi	14. Charlie Walker
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Metuisela Talebula

Subs:
16. Sebastian Adreniran Olule 17. Adrian Strauss 18. Juan Figallo 19. Will Safe 20. Arno Botha 21. Dan Robson 22. Billy Burns 23. Grant Hermanus

RESULTS:

Cardiff 18 (P:6)
Newcastle Falcons 33 (T:5 C:4)

Gloucester 42 (T:6 C:6)
Pau 14 (T:2 C:2)

Zebre 15 (P:5)
Worcester Warriors 38 (T:5 C:5 P:1)

Grenoble 15 (P:5)
Exeter Chiefs 36 (T:5 C:4 P:1)

Wasps 54 (T:8 C:7)
Enisei 8 (T:1 P:1)

Cardiff 23 - 32 Newcastle

Cardiff a handy outfit but there's too much class in the Newcastle line up not to take a win here. In the end they have enough to grab a late TBP.

Blues 10 - 30 Newcastle

Falcons will smash Blues at the scrum and lineout, and edge them at breakdown. Out carry them too and then with ruthless backs outside 10 to make use, easy away win

Cardiff 18-27 Newcastle

Cardiff looking a better side this season but Newcastle have a good line-up out and will get on top early. Falcons quite strong everywhere and can't see them losing this one.

Blues 10-27 Falcons
Blues have been pretty poor this season so far, feel Falcons are better at half back and will get much better ball.

Cardiff 15-30 Falcons


Cardiff 24 - 29 Newcastle

Cardiff 18 - 30 Falcons
Strong away side will have too much and get the BP - strong options from the bench too.

Cardiff 22-27 Newcastle
Cardiff have enough to run Newcastle close here.

Gloucester 35 - 17 Pau

Pau have a sprinking of quality but it isn't spread widely enough to cause Gloucester any real problems. Good conditions to run in some tries for the home side.

Gloucester 34 - 17 Pau

Pau have a few decent players, but Glos gone with a very strong side and will really put the pressure on. Can't see anything other than a comprehensive Glos win.

Gloucester 49 - 13 Pau

Interesting to see Bobo for Pau! Other than that, easy win as Gloucester at home and superior everywhere. Gray's form v poor though, Matt

Glos 34-15 Pau
Pau not the best, Glos backline will cause them all sorts of problems.May be different when Pau's big name signings come in.

Gloucester 31 - 15 Pau

Gloucester 35 - 18 Pau
Easy win for the home side in this one, too much power in the pack and options out wide to score.

Gloucester 52-6 Pau
Easy for Gloucestwe here

Zebre 24 - 31 Worcester

Again its not a walkover but Worcester do enough to take home a TBP. Worcester squad looks in very strong shape for the season to compete domestically and in Europe.

Zebre 10 - 39 Worcester

Zebre are a million miles away from competing with the sides in our league, and Worcester have gone with a good pack which will get the youngsters in the backs plenty of ball to run in a few tries

Zebre 18 - 40 Worcester

Zebre had some good matches and wins this year. Worcester too good though, particularly in back row (nobody super fashionable but I like all 3 players and think they work well together) and back 3. Easy win

Zebre 6-34 Worcester

A pretty routine game away for Worcester here and they've went out strong. A couple of new faces but a good time to bed them in and their pack will get on top early. A routine win for Worcester.

Zebre 18-32 Worcester

Zebre 9 - 22 Worcester

Zebre 21 - 38 Worcester
Despite Worcester's loss in real life to Zebra there's not a chance of this happening with the team Prop has put out. And Prop I am pretty sure Williams is Zimbabwean mate.

Zebre 10-36 Worcester
Similarly dominant

Grenoble 12 - 42 Chiefs

Chiefs bench showing a few of the new signings but apart from I don't like Kane Douglas as a 6 they have plenty on show to get a good convincing win. Control from start to finish.

Grenoble 19 - 33 Exeter

Grenoble not a bad side, but Chiefs have plenty in hand with the likes of POC, Ball and Nonu to make sure that this is a fairly comfortable away win.

Grenoble 12 - 30 Exeter

Young Exeter front row will be tested at times by Barcella etc. Otherwise Exeter pack get on top, then the Hbs take control, with more class and the centres will just smash through at will

Grenoble 10-30 Exeter

Another pretty routine win for a good looking Exeter side. I can't see Exeter getting in too much trouble with only their 10 not looking of a real decent quality. Bonus point win.

Grenoble 14-28 Chiefs
Chiefs strong here, Grenoble will be tough at home but Chiefs lock pairing and centres will make a huge different and with their impact bench on show.

Grenoble 20-32 Chiefs

Grenoble 20 - 33 Exeter

Grenoble 15 - 25 Chiefs
Hard place to go but Chiefs too strong.

Grenoble 17-26 Exeter
Exeter have too much even away

Wasps 59 - 6 Enisei

It's a hell of a trip for the Russians and a depleted Wasps put them away with ease.

Wasps 38 - 9 Enisei

Based on my comprehensive knowledge of the Russian side, I think Wasps will walk it.

Wasps 55-3 Enisei

Easiest game of the round with the away team well short of the quality of the rest of the games. Wasps have went with some youngsters and it'll take a bit of time to get fully into it, very easy by the 2nd half when they'll romp away.

Wasps 44-5 Einsei
Wasps will run all over this team, think it will be tougher away from home as Connacht found initially before pulling away.

Wasps 40-12 Enisei

Wasps 53 - 18 Enisei

Wasps 48 - 6 Enisea
Lot of chopping and changing for Wasps which might effect the flow of scoring but still a comprehensive, easy win.

Wasps 64-3 Einsei