AP Round 11

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Wasps v Newcastle Falcons
Ricoh Arena
Light rain, 8 Degrees, 16mph Winds

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London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Charlie Hodgson (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Frank Halai
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Tyler Morgan
07. Sekou Macalau	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt (if called up, Tom West) 17. Scott Spurling , 18. James Johnston 19. Sam Twomey  , 20 Alexandre Lapandry , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Jordan Williams

Tactics:

Breakdown - approach as a unit, looking to commit a few men to slow and snaffle ball in defence but flooding the breakdown in attack with every run supported to protect possession

Scrum:

Look to get the ball out cleanly and quickly, hooking more than pushing and looking to be stable rather than aggressive. The same on their feeds, looking to stabilise then hook for the steal. If the pressure on 8/9 is ok, Vito looking to run it with the flankers and Spencer in support to keep it alive

Lineout:

With Gilchrist, Vito and Myall and bot flankers as back ups we have lots of options. Look t mix up the jumper and mix up playing off the top and mauling. Our main aim in the first 60 is to tire out and move about their team so that gaps open up later, and mauling and keeping them guessing with the need to be ready to tackle will help do that. Take some risks. Compete on every one of their throws

Defence:

Blitz led by Morgan and Spencer sweeping. Hit them hard and early to stop them getting momentum, and Vito and Kepu get up in Jackson's face to see how he handles physical pressure

Attack:

We have a team selected to mix up 2 different possible approaches. We want to keep the opposition moving to tire them, and we will do with with lots of zigzagging with our forward unit of three pick and carries, mauling and changing the direction of attack with our extra playmaker at 12 and good handling in the backs, looking to bring our forwards (especially the likes of Vito and Macalau, who are very athletic) and back 3 into the line off inside angles to move the defence around and challenge the tacklers physically, Hodgson playing flat

If the weather makes this hard work, and handling errors are made, our strong lineout, carriers like Kepu and Fearns, kicking options at 9, 10, 12, 15 and wing and Hodgson's experience and control will allow us to slip into a kick chase, lineout based game, looking to mix up high pressurised kicks and low deep ones for territory, all chased hard, with simple pops to rumbling forwards off 9, still using the maul of course.

Kicking:

Look to run back where space, and chase all kicks. Mix up kicks and happy to go for drop goals and any easy points

Discipline:

As usual, go hard in their 22 but conservative and avoid penalties in our half

Subs:

When the game breaks up later on, our back subs are perfect for running tired legs ragged, with sparks in Williams, Cooper and Fotu'aii.

Overall - p[lan A to move them about and tire them with quick hands and changes of direction and forward grunt work. Plan B tight, playing territory and grunt work. Bring on the pace later on

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Scott Williams
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. Callum Clark 21. Dave Lewis 22. Tom Stephenson  23. Charlie Sharples

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, compete hard for the ball at the ruck and challenge them as we think they lack a breakdown presence, then get the ball into the backs hands to finish chances

Set piece - First choice front row is out, look to pressure the hooker's bind on Kepu, with Mullan using his technique on Kepu's outside shoulder. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws where Read is waiting. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

Breakdown - Henry, Read and Coles to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Coles and Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like they do for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success

Kicking - Webb and Jackson as primary kickers, Smith and Marshall to offer options outside with their accurate boots. Challenge Halai with kicking game, specifically kicks in behind with Piutau chasing hard

Attack - Webb to run the attack like a French 9, but Jackson in excellent form and knows how to get Marshall through gaps. Challenge the positioning of the young centre combo, with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Hodgson to put them on the back foot off first phase

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use a blitz in their territory, in ours use the drift to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one

Bench - Big carrying forwards and talented, pacy backs to see us home

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Exeter Chiefs v Saracens
Sandy Park
Heavy rain, 9 Degrees, 25mph Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager	12. Maa Nonu
06. Tom Wood	13. Sam James
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pietersen
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Vincent Koch 19. Kane Douglas 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Brad Shields 22. Chris Cook 23. Toby Flood

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to match them man for man and beat Saracens playing our way and the Chiefs way at Sandy Park. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Saracens territory and forcing SBW, Benjamin and Gear to turn and chase the ball. We applaud Sarries for wanting to pin us back, but they haven't done their homework. Nonu, James and Pietersen all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Sarries back line, and also strong carriers. Furthermore, Saracens haven't realised with the strong winds and wind and rain warnings and the layout of Sandy Park, that in one half they will being kicking into strong winds, and either getting no gain, or the ball going nowhere. We know our home ground, and playing into the wind, will work the phases through the middle to pick holes, much like the modern day Chiefs. 
  
  
• Lineout - Using POC, Wood & Lood to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Sarries forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Fritz Lee stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul. 
  
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Saracens ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Sarries carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Sarries 22 to frustrate and pick up yards. 
  
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Taylor & SBW's channels,forcing him to defend in a channel he rarely plays in. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Hibbard, Hughes & JdP.
  
  
• Bench - We have gone for a 6/2 to split on the bench to maintain the pressure up front, and not let up the intensity through the forwards. We will go through the middle of Sarries pack and force them to have to get back onside through strong sensible drives. 
  
  
• Build a Score - Evans to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out and apply pressure.
  
  
• Home Advantage - We have only lost one game at home this season and managed draws to the top any of the current top four sides apart from Sale. This week is no different and we will look to put Saracens to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Hosea Gear
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Tom Taylor
06. Sam Underhill	13. Sonny Bill Williams
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Geoff Parling 20. Temani Harrison 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Morne Steyn

Tactics:

KEEP THINGS SIMPLE - PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Look to keep offloads and attacking play to minimum and play the conditions. Look to use SBW as a direct runner/dummy runner more than offloading at every opportunity. Look to use strong kicking options at 9/10/12/15 to keep us right areas of the pitch and big runners in Hughes, Tuipultou, Gear, SBW etc to get us over the gain line. Will look to bring alternate Lambie and Taylor to keep the opposition guessing.

NUMEROUS KICKING OPTIONS, ESSENTIAL IN CONDITIONS, TARGET OPPOSITION LACK OF KICKERS - Int class kicking options in Parra, Sanchez, Taylor, Lambie. Look to exploit the opposition by keeping the ball away from their halfback pairing and forcing Nonu, James, JP to kick.

TARGET SCRUM, LOOK TO GET AT OPP PROPS AND HOOKER - Look to get at Auterac in the scrum and put him under pressure from the off. Fully International bench with numerous caps.

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN CONDITIONS - Team packed full of "go to men" in the conditions to get us over the gain line.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Underhill, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with only Armitage a genuine option in the opposition line up. Look to keep Armitage out of the game by focusing him and clearing him out early.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

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Harlequins v Northampton Saints
The Stoop
Light rain, 9 Degrees, 20mph Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ethan Waller	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Luke Romano	11. Alex Lewington
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Luther Burrell
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Santiago Cordero

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Nick Easter 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Colin Slade 23. James O'Connor

In slippery conditions we will look to play percentage rugby and at times play tighter game than usual and not look to get the ball wide as quickly. We will look to use the boots of Pienaar, Myler and Hernandez to get us into the right [positions and kick to touch to test the throwing ability of Johnson. Up front we have chosen a physical pack to match Saints in this area and we will really look to get our bigger carriers onto the front foot. It is key that we carry with support to negate the breakdown options for Saints. We really feel we have the stronger carrying options up front and want to exploit this advantage and get Pocock et all tackling rather than waiting for the breakdowns to present themselves.

Get ourselves into the Saints half and get Savea on the turn and attempt to exploit Foden's kicking game to gain us a territorial advantage. When we can get the ball into touch and really pressure AJ's throw using Gorgodze, Gibson, PSDT and Romano to mark Patterson and Manoa out the game to force Saints to throw to less able jumpers. 

At the scrum we want to get the inform Waller and Afoa to work with the powerful Creevy to get stuck into the front row. We have two heavy locks in to aid them in getting right underneath the Saints scrum especially Crockett and AJ. 

We will use the metronomic Myler to keep the scoreboard ticking over and to heap pressure on Saints.

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Michael Paterson
5. Samo Manoa
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Sam Jones
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
11. Julian Savea
12. Matt Giteau
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

16. Dave Ward 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Adam Jones 19. Faconda Isa 20. Jacques du Plessis/Courtney Lawes 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Elliot Daly

Tactics
We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting the away team on the back foot. We will look for Burger and Pocock to dominate the breakdown and seek turnovers to launch attacks. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Quins at pace, mixing up our options with Giteau and Tuilagi, whilst bringing in AAC and Savea to cause defensive issues. Conditions still allow us to attack, but will mix up our play with a strong kicking game from 9, 10 and 12.

Set Piece
We've been rotating our pack over the last few weeks to ensure that they are fresh and getting players game time. We've gone for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit and will look to assert some pressure on Quins here. Have picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and aim to generate some quick ball for our backline to attack. Will alternate our backrow during the game, with Burger moving to no8 for our own scrums.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to build forward momentum and get the Quins defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the Manoa, Burger, Crockett to create space for our backs in later phases.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Pocock and Burger we can dominate this area in terms of generating turnovers for Simpson to attack or securing penalties. We've got a mobile pack who can support our flankers, espc the second row and will look to make this a really difficult area for Quins to secure quality ball.

Attack
We will look to work through the phases with our pack, suck in Quins defenders with our big ball carriers and start to create space outwide for the likes of Giteau and Tuilagi to exploit. We want to send big runners at Quins and tire down their defence and make the most of our mobile pack and dangerous back three.

Kicking
Selecting a strong kicking 9, 10, 12 combination and will mix up our kicking game and make sure we can put the ball up in the air and test their fullback who isn't the biggest and chase down with AAC and Savea's kick chase game. We want to ensure we can put pressure on Quins at every opportunity, and capitalise on mistakes.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes. No9 sweeping in behind to cover any kicks. All about physicality and aggression to put pressure on Quins.
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Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks
Welford Road
Light rain, 8 Degrees, 18mph Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Cencus Johnston 19. George Skivington 20. Liam Messam 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 23. Sitiveni Sivivatu



Tactics

In wet and windy conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and FTD moving us into the right areas.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- Consistently test Sale's back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from FTD/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air. We will really test Nadolo and Roko in behind with these kicks, and look to the likes of Mitchell to be on them as quickly as possible.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Lobbe, Smith, Bastareaud and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- At the lineout use Matfield as our banker ball and Skivington, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, FTD and 36, we will look to get the ball deep in Sale territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers right throughout the side, that will look to tire down Sale defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Skivington, Smith, 36, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- FTD to kick all penalties.

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Iain Henderson	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Steven Luatua	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. David Paice 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Dave Attwood 20. Sean McMahon 21. Calum Braley 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Mobility: Light rain doesn't prevent us playing with the ball and we will look to take Tigers on in the wider channels and take their big older pack out of their comfort zone to make tackles and hit rucks. Target Basterauds channel using our rugby league shape to make him bite in on defence and allow our back door runners get in behind him.

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. De Klerk to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence led by Fekitoa. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Foley will defend deep with Le Roux to cover the backfield and win any kicking duels while Nadolo comes into the defensive line. De Klerk will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline especially for Fekitoa and Nadolo.

Lineout: Four mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space particularly Fekitoa and Nadolo. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Bath v Gloucester
The Rec
Heavy rain, 9 Degrees, 19mph Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Will Skelton	11. Hallam Amos
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damian De Allende
07. Francois Louw	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Richard Barrington 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Gill 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Harold Vorster 23.

LIAM WILLIAMS IS IN WALES SQUAD, AMOS PROMOTED, BENCH SHORT ONE

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play a mix of territorial rugby and aggressive carrying rugby with the ball. Use our big boots in the back line to position our team and look to get turnovers at the breakdown and line out. When we have the ball in the Gloucester half look to relentlessly carry the ball creating space and breaking the defence.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Kitchoff will look to cause Mas trouble and we will hope to get a shove on. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Beaumont will look to attack off the quick ball he gets

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Beaumont, Kolisi, Skelton, Louw and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front. We expect to dominate here.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Louw  is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wigglesworth and Goode to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempo and play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Lealifano and Goode can also make plays as first receiver and look to exploit this.

Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders. Imhoff and Williams are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Kitchoff, Skelton and Kolisi in order to break the line and make yards. Look to play with a high tempo and tire Gloucester out. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Gloucester which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. Barrett, LLF, Williams, Wiggles and Goode all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially and will use this option when in our own half. Look to get these balls either high giving us a chance of a good kick chase or deep in touch.

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo

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1.Beast
2.Strauss
3.Mas
4.Etzbeth
5.Robson
6.Alberts
7.Salvi
8.Dickinson
9.Genia
10.carter
11May
12.toomua  
13.Kurindrani
14.Walker
15.Folau

16.Ousthuizen 17.LCD 18.Figallo 19.Croft 20.Matera 21.Robson 22.Cipriani 23.dagg


Forwards Work - Half Backs Control -

In heavy  rain and light winds we will look to impose ourselves up front   play wet weather rugby but  attack in the right areas if we have numbers

Game Plan - When in the Bath  half we will play a patient game using our pack to carry hard and get us across the gain line carrying off 9 and 10. With Genia Carter and toomua we can control the game in the wet conditions and exploit Bath  lack of game management at 10. Barrel is a fine player but not known for controlling or leading a territory lead game.

Our front 5 is Packed with international experience  and buily
For the conditions and they will look to boss. We have form in front 5 and world class players in key positions.

Backrow we have players for the conditions with a genuine 7 in Salvi and Dickinson and Alberts  offer the tough carrying and grunt around the park.

As our play builds we'll look to use Kurindrani and Folau to
Hit it up and challenge the line. If we see numbers on then  With Folau, toomua, kurindrani, may we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity. Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to play territory and won the territory battle. How when necessary and appropriate they will create space out wide by using our  back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.

Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the Bath   half using the boot of genia Carter toomua to keep Them deep. We will vary between kicking for territory and using up and unders to gain territory using Folau and co who are experts under the high ball and will bring us possession. We see patchell as
A key person to target

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on Bath  . By targeting them we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  Haywood   lthrowing in with Robson  etzbeth and co going up.

Genia will sweep and we will look be aggressive and send numbers in to the breakdown to try and affect turnovers

Set Piece - Use our scrum as a weapon to attack Big Ben and gain penalties and look to control the game.

KEY POINTS

Take the points - Carter is the best in the world and will kick  goals.

Look for the half back to set tone

Pressure barret who  is not known  Player for playing a controlled game

Exploit their lack of kicking past 10 by pressurising 9 and 10

Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers. Past Kitchener they lack options

Play game in right areas utilise our huge front 5.

Pepper patchell at 15 he is out of position.

Our bench can change the game and have form Robson Cips matera croft etc

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London Irish v Worcester Warriors
Madejski Stadium
Light rain, 9 Degrees, 20mph Winds

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London Irish team

15.Delon Armitage
14.Marlande Yarde
13.Jesse Kriel
12.Henry Slade
11.Bryan Habana
10.Aaron Cruden
09.Aaron Smith

1.Scott Sio
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Dave Wilson
4.Matt Symons (C)
5.Ruan Botha
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Marcell Coatzee
8.Duane Vermaulen

16.TPN 17.Moon 18.Marbella 18.Broadhurst 19.Elstadt 20.Homer 21.Gereghty 22.Nanai Williams

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Huw Jones
06. Mike Williams	13. Venriki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Sam Olver 23. James Short

Tactics
Confidence is huge with us having been unbeaten for 5 games turning over some big sides in that time.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's and we have brought in Williams for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Irish ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Williams/Smith will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-In these conditions good ball is crucial and we have gone for Smith to look to put pressure on their ball but also be a nuisance tackling at the fringes when needed, Smith will be given the freedom to pick which rucks to contest when he feels a turnover is available. Williams has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper, Mumm and Morgan if we get into a battle up front. We will be looking to get the ball away fairly quick so are happy to pick and go to suck them in before spinning the quick ball out. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Harrison and Williams are familiar with each other IRL and will look to control the tempo.. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Jones' shoulders for the pop ball. Goneva is another strong carrying option and in this weather it is crucial to play for territory when the wind is with us.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two different styles of play with our wingers suand will use their differences to target any gaps in the Irish defence. Bennett will pull the strings at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Tait/Harrison/Williams will be one of the covering players from Irishs' tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench and Savage and Taufua there as a carrying option. Payne will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking. Short is on fire in real life and will relish the chance against tired defences.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Harrison sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

In uni this weekend so unlikely to be able to predict. Have an essay due Thursday but should get my team in tomorrow hopefully!

No bother mate, good luck

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Ethan Waller	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. John Afoa
04. Luke Romano	11. Alex Lewington
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jamie Gibson	13. Luther Burrell
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Santiago Cordero

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Nick Easter 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Colin Slade 23. James O'Connor

In slippery conditions we will look to play percentage rugby and at times play tighter game than usual and not look to get the ball wide as quickly. We will look to use the boots of Pienaar, Myler and Hernandez to get us into the right [positions and kick to touch to test the throwing ability of Johnson. Up front we have chosen a physical pack to match Saints in this area and we will really look to get our bigger carriers onto the front foot. It is key that we carry with support to negate the breakdown options for Saints. We really feel we have the stronger carrying options up front and want to exploit this advantage and get Pocock et all tackling rather than waiting for the breakdowns to present themselves.

Get ourselves into the Saints half and get Savea on the turn and attempt to exploit Foden's kicking game to gain us a territorial advantage. When we can get the ball into touch and really pressure AJ's throw using Gorgodze, Gibson, PSDT and Romano to mark Patterson and Manoa out the game to force Saints to throw to less able jumpers. 

At the scrum we want to get the inform Waller and Afoa to work with the powerful Creevy to get stuck into the front row. We have two heavy locks in to aid them in getting right underneath the Saints scrum especially Crockett and AJ. 

We will use the metronomic Myler to keep the scoreboard ticking over and to heap pressure on Saints.

Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Luc Ducalcon
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Huw Jones
06. Mike Williams	13. Venriki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Sam Olver 23. James Short

Tactics
Confidence is huge with us having been unbeaten for 5 games turning over some big sides in that time.

Set Piece-We have gone for bulk and hard workers here who will all look to control our set piece and put pressure on the opposition's and we have brought in Williams for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Irish ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Williams/Smith will look to fly off the back of the line to put pressure on 10.

Breakdown-In these conditions good ball is crucial and we have gone for Smith to look to put pressure on their ball but also be a nuisance tackling at the fringes when needed, Smith will be given the freedom to pick which rucks to contest when he feels a turnover is available. Williams has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper, Mumm and Morgan if we get into a battle up front. We will be looking to get the ball away fairly quick so are happy to pick and go to suck them in before spinning the quick ball out. We want clean ball and will look to attack any gaps on the fringes if they are obvious.

Half-Backs-A controlled game today mainly looking for position, Harrison and Williams are familiar with each other IRL and will look to control the tempo.. They will have options of the blindside winger or a forward running off their's and Jones' shoulders for the pop ball. Goneva is another strong carrying option and in this weather it is crucial to play for territory when the wind is with us.

Outside Backs-When it's on we will look to go wide, we have two different styles of play with our wingers suand will use their differences to target any gaps in the Irish defence. Bennett will pull the strings at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Tait/Harrison/Williams will be one of the covering players from Irishs' tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench and Savage and Taufua there as a carrying option. Payne will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking. Short is on fire in real life and will relish the chance against tired defences.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Harrison sweeping behind. Main impeotus is on no gaps and defending inside-out today.

Overall-Looking for a fairly tight game with quick breakdown ball, going for position and put pressure on the opposition's set piece.

How does it work with players named in 6N sides? For instance, I don't think the sides are named for Ireland-Wales until Thursday, but not sure how many of my guys could be picked, and I need to get a teamsheet in tomorrow?

You have to take a punt mate.

You can kind of gauge who is going to make a 23 and you often get picked up for players being away all week anyway.

Safe option is not to include players in training squads.

You can name players now but will have to remove them before Thursday night if called up. Swaps must be 1 for 1.

Your at risk if any of the international sides name teams late past Thursday as you won't be able to make changes and will start the game a man down on the bench

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben Tameifuma
04. Will Skelton	11. Liam Williams
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Christian Lealifano
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Damian De Allende
07. Francois Louw	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Rhys Patchell

16. Richard Barrington 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Liam Gill 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Harold Vorster 23. Hallan Amos

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play a mix of territorial rugby and aggressive carrying rugby with the ball. Use our big boots in the back line to position our team and look to get turnovers at the breakdown and line out. When we have the ball in the Gloucester half look to relentlessly carry the ball creating space and breaking the defence.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Kitchoff will look to cause Mas trouble and we will hope to get a shove on. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Beaumont will look to attack off the quick ball he gets

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Beaumont, Kolisi, Skelton, Louw and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front. We expect to dominate here.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Louw is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wigglesworth and Goode to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempo and play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Lealifano and Goode can also make plays as first receiver and look to exploit this.

Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders. Imhoff and Williams are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Kitchoff, Skelton and Kolisi in order to break the line and make yards. Look to play with a high tempo and tire Gloucester out. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Gloucester which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. Barrett, LLF, Williams, Wiggles and Goode all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially and will use this option when in our own half. Look to get these balls either high giving us a chance of a good kick chase or deep in touch.

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Charlie Hodgson (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Frank Halai
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Tyler Morgan
07. Sekou Macalau	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt (if called up, Tom West) 17. Scott Spurling , 18. James Johnston 19. Sam Twomey  , 20 Alexandre Lapandry , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Jordan Williams

Tactics:

Breakdown - approach as a unit, looking to commit a few men to slow and snaffle ball in defence but flooding the breakdown in attack with every run supported to protect possession

Scrum:

Look to get the ball out cleanly and quickly, hooking more than pushing and looking to be stable rather than aggressive. The same on their feeds, looking to stabilise then hook for the steal. If the pressure on 8/9 is ok, Vito looking to run it with the flankers and Spencer in support to keep it alive

Lineout:

With Gilchrist, Vito and Myall and bot flankers as back ups we have lots of options. Look t mix up the jumper and mix up playing off the top and mauling. Our main aim in the first 60 is to tire out and move about their team so that gaps open up later, and mauling and keeping them guessing with the need to be ready to tackle will help do that. Take some risks. Compete on every one of their throws

Defence:

Blitz led by Morgan and Spencer sweeping. Hit them hard and early to stop them getting momentum, and Vito and Kepu get up in Jackson's face to see how he handles physical pressure

Attack:

We have a team selected to mix up 2 different possible approaches. We want to keep the opposition moving to tire them, and we will do with with lots of zigzagging with our forward unit of three pick and carries, mauling and changing the direction of attack with our extra playmaker at 12 and good handling in the backs, looking to bring our forwards (especially the likes of Vito and Macalau, who are very athletic) and back 3 into the line off inside angles to move the defence around and challenge the tacklers physically, Hodgson playing flat

If the weather makes this hard work, and handling errors are made, our strong lineout, carriers like Kepu and Fearns, kicking options at 9, 10, 12, 15 and wing and Hodgson's experience and control will allow us to slip into a kick chase, lineout based game, looking to mix up high pressurised kicks and low deep ones for territory, all chased hard, with simple pops to rumbling forwards off 9, still using the maul of course.

Kicking:

Look to run back where space, and chase all kicks. Mix up kicks and happy to go for drop goals and any easy points

Discipline:

As usual, go hard in their 22 but conservative and avoid penalties in our half

Subs:

When the game breaks up later on, our back subs are perfect for running tired legs ragged, with sparks in Williams, Cooper and Fotu'aii.

Overall - p[lan A to move them about and tire them with quick hands and changes of direction and forward grunt work. Plan B tight, playing territory and grunt work. Bring on the pace later on

London Irish team

15.Delon Armitage
14.Marlande Yarde
13.Jesse Kriel
12.Henry Slade
11.Bryan Habana
10.Aaron Cruden
09.Aaron Smith

1.Scott Sio
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Dave Wilson
4.Matt Symons (C)
5.Ruan Botha
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Marcell Coatzee
8.Duane Vermaulen

16.TPN 17.Moon 18.Marbella 18.Broadhurst 19.Elstadt 20.Homer 21.Gereghty 22.Nanai Williams

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager	12. Maa Nonu
06. Tom Wood	13. Sam James
07. Steffon Armitage	14. JP Pietersen
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Haley

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Vincent Koch 19. Kane Douglas 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Brad Shields 22. Chris Cook 23. Toby Flood

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to match them man for man and beat Saracens playing our way and the Chiefs way at Sandy Park. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Saracens territory and forcing SBW, Benjamin and Gear to turn and chase the ball. We applaud Sarries for wanting to pin us back, but they haven't done their homework. Nonu, James and Pietersen all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Sarries back line, and also strong carriers. Furthermore, Saracens haven't realised with the strong winds and wind and rain warnings and the layout of Sandy Park, that in one half they will being kicking into strong winds, and either getting no gain, or the ball going nowhere. We know our home ground, and playing into the wind, will work the phases through the middle to pick holes, much like the modern day Chiefs. 
  
  
• Lineout - Using POC, Wood & Lood to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Sarries forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Fritz Lee stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul. 
  
  
• Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Saracens ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Sarries carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Sarries 22 to frustrate and pick up yards. 
  
  
• Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Taylor & SBW's channels,forcing him to defend in a channel he rarely plays in. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Hibbard, Hughes & JdP.
  
  
• Bench - We have gone for a 6/2 to split on the bench to maintain the pressure up front, and not let up the intensity through the forwards. We will go through the middle of Sarries pack and force them to have to get back onside through strong sensible drives. 
  
  
• Build a Score - Evans to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out and apply pressure.
  
  
• Home Advantage - We have only lost one game at home this season and managed draws to the top any of the current top four sides apart from Sale. This week is no different and we will look to put Saracens to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Hosea Gear
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Tom Taylor
06. Sam Underhill	13. Sonny Bill Williams
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Geoff Parling 20. Temani Harrison 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Morne Steyn

Tactics:

KEEP THINGS SIMPLE - PLAY THE CONDITIONS - Look to keep offloads and attacking play to minimum and play the conditions. Look to use SBW as a direct runner/dummy runner more than offloading at every opportunity. Look to use strong kicking options at 9/10/12/15 to keep us right areas of the pitch and big runners in Hughes, Tuipultou, Gear, SBW etc to get us over the gain line. Will look to bring alternate Lambie and Taylor to keep the opposition guessing.

NUMEROUS KICKING OPTIONS, ESSENTIAL IN CONDITIONS, TARGET OPPOSITION LACK OF KICKERS - Int class kicking options in Parra, Sanchez, Taylor, Lambie. Look to exploit the opposition by keeping the ball away from their halfback pairing and forcing Nonu, James, JP to kick.

TARGET SCRUM, LOOK TO GET AT OPP PROPS AND HOOKER - Look to get at Auterac in the scrum and put him under pressure from the off. Fully International bench with numerous caps.

NUMEROUS CARRYING OPTIONS IN CONDITIONS - Team packed full of "go to men" in the conditions to get us over the gain line.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Underhill, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with only Armitage a genuine option in the opposition line up. Look to keep Armitage out of the game by focusing him and clearing him out early.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Sorry thought I was away

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Pascal Pape	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Cencus Johnston 19. George Skivington 20. Liam Messam 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 23. Sitiveni Sivivatu



Tactics

In wet and windy conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and FTD moving us into the right areas.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Du Preez, and use a regular weapon off lineouts won by Matfield.

- Consistently test Sale's back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from FTD/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air. We will really test Nadolo and Roko in behind with these kicks, and look to the likes of Mitchell to be on them as quickly as possible.

- No overly ambitious passing - In wet conditions we will either look to kick to gain territory or look to keep ball in hand and take it through the middle.

- Lobbe, Smith, Bastareaud and Moore are the men charged with reaching the breakdown first and look to turnover possession. We will always look to attack quickly off any turnover ball.

- At the lineout use Matfield as our banker ball and Skivington, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, FTD and 36, we will look to get the ball deep in Sale territory and then contest all lineouts. We will relentlessly target the opposition's throws.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers right throughout the side, that will look to tire down Sale defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Skivington, Smith, 36, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- In general attacking play, we will play off 9 with Du preez our general pulling the strings. We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/

- We will look to employ a blitz defence, focusing on a quick line speed to hit the ball carrier before he gets to the gainline, and look to win the collisions in defence. Du Preez to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- FTD to kick all penalties.

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Ramiro Herrera
4. Michael Paterson
5. Samo Manoa
6. Schalk Burger
7. David Pocock (c)
8. Sam Jones
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
11. Julian Savea
12. Matt Giteau
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

16. Dave Ward 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Adam Jones 19. Faconda Isa 20. Jacques du Plessis 21. Niko Matawulu 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Howard Packman

Tactics
We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting the away team on the back foot. We will look for Burger and Pocock to dominate the breakdown and seek turnovers to launch attacks. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Quins at pace, mixing up our options with Giteau and Tuilagi, whilst bringing in AAC and Savea to cause defensive issues. Conditions still allow us to attack, but will mix up our play with a strong kicking game from 9, 10 and 12.

Set Piece
We've been rotating our pack over the last few weeks to ensure that they are fresh and getting players game time. We've gone for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit and will look to assert some pressure on Quins here. Have picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and aim to generate some quick ball for our backline to attack. Will alternate our backrow during the game, with Burger moving to no8 for our own scrums.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We want to put real emphasis on the gainline battle, so have picked powerful ball carriers throughout our pack and strike runners in our backline. We want to build forward momentum and get the Quins defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the Manoa, Burger, Crockett to create space for our backs in later phases.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Pocock and Burger we can dominate this area in terms of generating turnovers for Simpson to attack or securing penalties. We've got a mobile pack who can support our flankers, espc the second row and will look to make this a really difficult area for Quins to secure quality ball.

Attack
We will look to work through the phases with our pack, suck in Quins defenders with our big ball carriers and start to create space outwide for the likes of Giteau and Tuilagi to exploit. We want to send big runners at Quins and tire down their defence and make the most of our mobile pack and dangerous back three.

Kicking
Selecting a strong kicking 9, 10, 12 combination and will mix up our kicking game and make sure we can put the ball up in the air and test their fullback who isn't the biggest and chase down with AAC and Savea's kick chase game. We want to ensure we can put pressure on Quins at every opportunity, and capitalise on mistakes.

Defence
Similar style defence to that which Saracens play in real life, putting a lot of pressure on the attacking team and force them into mistakes. No9 sweeping in behind to cover any kicks. All about physicality and aggression to put pressure on Quins.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Ed Slater	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Luke Marshall
06. David Ewers	13. Scott Williams
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. Callum Clark 21. Dave Lewis 22. Tom Stephenson  23. Charlie Sharples

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, compete hard for the ball at the ruck and challenge them as we think they lack a breakdown presence, then get the ball into the backs hands to finish chances

Set piece - First choice front row is out, look to pressure the hooker's bind on Kepu, with Mullan using his technique on Kepu's outside shoulder. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws where Read is waiting. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

Breakdown - Henry, Read and Coles to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Coles and Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like they do for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success

Kicking - Webb and Jackson as primary kickers, Smith and Marshall to offer options outside with their accurate boots. Challenge Halai with kicking game, specifically kicks in behind with Piutau chasing hard

Attack - Webb to run the attack like a French 9, but Jackson in excellent form and knows how to get Marshall through gaps. Challenge the positioning of the young centre combo, with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Hodgson to put them on the back foot off first phase

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use a blitz in their territory, in ours use the drift to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one

Bench - Big carrying forwards and talented, pacy backs to see us home

1.Beast
2.Strauss
3.Mas
4.Etzbeth
5.Robson
6.Alberts
7.Salvi
8.Dickinson
9.Genia
10.carter
11May
12.toomua  
13.Kurindrani
14.Walker
15.Folau

16.Ousthuizen 17.LCD 18.Figallo 19.Croft 20.Matera 21.Robson 22.Cipriani 23.dagg


Forwards Work - Half Backs Control -

In heavy  rain and light winds we will look to impose ourselves up front   play wet weather rugby but  attack in the right areas if we have numbers

Game Plan - When in the Bath  half we will play a patient game using our pack to carry hard and get us across the gain line carrying off 9 and 10. With Genia Carter and toomua we can control the game in the wet conditions and exploit Bath  lack of game management at 10. Barrel is a fine player but not known for controlling or leading a territory lead game.

Our front 5 is Packed with international experience  and buily
For the conditions and they will look to boss. We have form in front 5 and world class players in key positions.

Backrow we have players for the conditions with a genuine 7 in Salvi and Dickinson and Alberts  offer the tough carrying and grunt around the park.

As our play builds we'll look to use Kurindrani and Folau to
Hit it up and challenge the line. If we see numbers on then  With Folau, toomua, kurindrani, may we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity. Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to play territory and won the territory battle. How when necessary and appropriate they will create space out wide by using our  back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.

Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the Bath   half using the boot of genia Carter toomua to keep Them deep. We will vary between kicking for territory and using up and unders to gain territory using Folau and co who are experts under the high ball and will bring us possession. We see patchell as
A key person to target

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on Bath  . By targeting them we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  Haywood   lthrowing in with Robson  etzbeth and co going up.

Genia will sweep and we will look be aggressive and send numbers in to the breakdown to try and affect turnovers

Set Piece - Use our scrum as a weapon to attack Big Ben and gain penalties and look to control the game.

KEY POINTS

Take the points - Carter is the best in the world and will kick  goals.

Look for the half back to set tone

Pressure barret who  is not known  Player for playing a controlled game

Exploit their lack of kicking past 10 by pressurising 9 and 10

Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers. Past Kitchener they lack options

Play game in right areas utilise our huge front 5.

Pepper patchell at 15 he is out of position.

Our bench can change the game and have form Robson Cips matera croft etc

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Iain Henderson	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Steven Luatua	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. David Paice 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Dave Attwood 20. Sean McMahon 21. Calum Braley 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Mobility: Light rain doesn't prevent us playing with the ball and we will look to take Tigers on in the wider channels and take their big older pack out of their comfort zone to make tackles and hit rucks. Target Basterauds channel using our rugby league shape to make him bite in on defence and allow our back door runners get in behind him.

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. De Klerk to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs.

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence led by Fekitoa. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Foley will defend deep with Le Roux to cover the backfield and win any kicking duels while Nadolo comes into the defensive line. De Klerk will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline especially for Fekitoa and Nadolo.

Lineout: Four mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space particularly Fekitoa and Nadolo. Defensively POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

Swapped out Cian Healy who I thought was injured Chris

Already on homepage but thought I'd post here too, unlikely to be able to predict unless the page is up first thing tomorrow

I'll have it done early mate, not out drinking tonight.

Will have to do tactics tomorrow, just left the office! Hope that is ok Steve.

PREDICTIONS OPEN

For those who needed the page up early. There's a few left without tactics, me or Johnny will update the page later today.

Predictions to me

Tactics in! Sorry bit late, was work day from hell yesterday!

Predo's closed.

Pooly I've sent my predos to SJE on. What should I do? ? Send them to you or too late?

I sent them on yesterday when I saw them in my inbox

Thanks SJE. I was sure it was you who posted the predos to me comment

Scores:

Wasps 22-24 Newcastle Falcons (T:1 C:1 P:5) (T:2 C:1 P:4)
Exeter Chiefs 26-23 Saracens (T:2 C:2 P:4) (T:1 P:6)
Harlequins 23-24 Northampton Saints (T:1 P:6) (T:2 C:1 P:4)
Leicester Tigers 22-23 Sale Sharks (T:1 C:1 P:5) (T:1 P:6)
Bath 22-19 Gloucester (T:1 C:1 P:5) (T:1 C:1 P:4)
London Irish 25-23 Worcester Warriors (T:2 P:5) (T:1 P:6)


Full predo:
Flux, Bambam, Chris, Pooly, SJE, CJ

Scores:
CJB, Steve

No predo:
Matt, Luke, Prop, Driver

Wasps 19-25 Falcons
Would expect Falcons to have the better of the lineout but hard to separate the front 5s otherwise. Better balance to the Falcons back row but won't have it their own way at the breakdown with Henry not in the strongest of form. Falcons offer more on attack in the halfbacks and there is more quality to their back three.

Wasps 19-21 Newcastle

Good pack battle but I think Newcastle just get an edge in the set piece and breakdown. I prefer the Wasps halfbacks with Webb seriously lacking form but Falcons get an advantage in the centres which are a weakness for Wasps. Falcons with the stronger back 3 and enough for a good away win.

Wasps 23 - 27 Newcastle Falcons

A good little contest up front, however there is just a touch more class to the Falcons forwards, with the likes of Read and Coles getting their hands on the ball in spots to do damage. I really like both halfback combinations, however the form of Jackson helps Falcons here, and will benefit his back line and getting them over the gain line. Spencer is a threat for Wasps and will create good opportunities with his back three, although on the other hand the Falcons back three is electric and equally as dangerous. Despite the conditions both sides will play quite open, and not impede a flowing game, but in the end Falcons will just edge out the away win.

Wasps 23 - 22 Newcastle Falcons
CJ always sets out some great tactics and this game will be very close, Falcons seem to be a little unlucky with injuries to players who are either out or just coming back. Wasps will be harder to beat during 6Ns and like the way they are set out and will get a narrow home win.

Exeter 22 - 21 Saracens

Think Waller can put Ross under pressure and JDP's experience is a bit much for young Auterac. 2 good lineouts but Paul O'Connell loses points for not playing for ages, though Wood helps them out. Good scrap at the breakdown, edged by Saracens. Nothing between 2 good, well set up halfback pairings, and Taylor adds to the kicking ability to give Saracens an edge there. I do like both centre pairings, probably more proven ability in Saracens, but just prefer Chiefs back 3. Overall, Saracens put a lot of pressure on Chiefs but at home Chiefs hold on

Exeter 24-21 Saracens

Neither side massively affected by 6N and its a tight game. Think Exeter have the better of it as a pack whole,although Sarries locks will do well. Halfbacks to Sarries, but prefer the Chiefs outside backs. Benches even, home advantage swings it


Exeter Chiefs 22-18 Saracens
Exeter with a bit more to offer at the lineout but elsewhere its a very even battle in the front 5s. Bit more quality to the Chiefs backrow on the flanks and can see them getting on top against a young Sarries unit. Sarries stronger at halfback but nothing between the back lines. Unsure on the Sarries approach not sure the kick chase from the back three is strong enough to put Chiefs under consistent pressure.

Exeter Chiefs 25 - 23 Saracens

Home advantage is the decisive factor here for me, there is very little to separate the sides and each have some good strike runners in the backline. Good backrow battle, Underhill looks like a bit of a find for Pooly, bit more experience for Chiefs. Like both sides.

Harlequins 20 - 23 Northampton

I think a tiny edge in the scrum to Saints, but Harlequins edge the lineout. Good carrying power, roughly balances out, but prefer Saints at the breakdown. In light rain, either half back pairing works, with gaps for Saints to attack around the fringes and Quins able to play territory better. Like both centres but more class to Saints and Saints I think also edge the attacking in the back 3. Overall, Saints Nick an away win

Quins 20-22 Saints

Quins look a bit weaker than usual with the call ups, Saints still have plenty of big hitters out there. Evens in front 5, think Saints flankers and backs have a bit more than their opposite numbers, and wil be just enough for an away win

Quins 21-23 Saints
Saints looking stronger at the scrum and the breakdown in this one but not sure on Jones. More control for Quins from halfbacks. Unsure on Cordero covering fullback and the Saints midfield has a bit more quality for me.

Harlequin 24-20 Northampton

Waller not a great option at this level but I think he'll be fine with Crockett not the best for Saints. Quins engine room much stronger but Saints flanks are very strong. Jones is a long way from this kind of game though and he hinders Saints in such a key position. Big step up for Quins at 9 and little in the FH's. Very little in a good backs contest with both teams set out well, good game.

Harlequins 18 - 17 Northampton Saints

The game of the round despite the difficult conditions at the Stoop. Quin's have a strong front five, but the Saints forward five are just as equal and the forwards would both secure their own possession with no fuss. The Pooper battle would be amazing to watch, but Quins would just snatch and slow up a little more possession with the support from the rest of the Quins pack. These conditions are custom made for the Quins 9,10,12 and they will work their magic in the conditions with a solid supply of ball. Saints have some adept dictators of the game and have the great outlets to get them go forward in midfield. Both sides will have the chance to attack, but will find it difficult with two well set up sides. This one will come down to the consistent kicking of penalties and Quins will just sneak home.

Leicester 17 - 18 Sale

Sale have a ridiculously strong 6N pack, winning the scrum and edging the second row and lineout. 2 very good backrows, Sale take the breakdown but I think more physicality in Leicester backrow. Think you get more control in the light rain from Tigers' halfbacks. Sale have a probably better balanced centre pairing, with Fekitoa covering for Eastmond's size. With a tad more power in the back 3, Sale win there and steal a tough away win.
Leicester 17-22 Sale

Sale's pack just looks to have the edge at every position other than 8 and 3, and can really see them putting pressure on Leicester. Tigers backs are probably more suited to the wet, but just cant see how the pack will win enough ball to prevent an away win

Leicester 21-24 Sale

One way traffic in the scrum with Sale having the better of the front 5 but Tigers more than matching in the backrow. Tigers just lack that option at the breakdown to really get at Sale. One a piece in the centres, FTD not the best of late and Sale just take a good centre contest. Sale back 3 with Banahan a weakness.

Leicester Tigers 20 - 18 Sale Sharks

With probably the bat conditions of the weekend, but still not great, both sides are relatively strong up front. Both sides are solid on their set piece with masses of experience in the Tigers pack, helping dictate their way around the field. The dynamic Sharks back four are dangerous in carrying though and will help build momentum for their backs. Tigers have the control at halfback to help their pack and really exploit their set piece. The carrying from their midfield and the solidity in their back line helps them maintain their momentum. Sharks lack a little kicking nous in their back line which hinders them when caught in a kicking duel. They have the flair to dig them out of some holes, however the constant pressure from the Tigers pack and the boot of Trinh-Duc, they edge out the Sharks at Welford Road.

Leicester Tigers 20 - 17 Sale
Tough place to go during 6Ns, big difference in quality for Sale at 8, 9 and 10 from their usual selection, while Tigers are actually very strong there and could start to climb the league over the next few weeks. Good tactic to test the Sale wingers with kicks. Good win for the home side.

Bath 15 - 15 Gloucester

A match of experience vs young power and talent in the scrum, can't call how it ends up, both sides getting power from the men before too, equally adept line outs too, and nice mobility and carrying power in the packs too. I also can't separate te backrows at the breakdown. Carter gives an edge in horrible weather, and I think Toomua and LLF both very good picks at 12 in the deluge. Unsure about either back 3 in the conditions. Overall, Carter enough to give a draw for Gloucester away.
Bath 23-20 Gloucester

Tough game to call. Gloucester have the advantage in the front 5 but think Bath stronger in the back row. Pretty even in the backs as a wgole, and both sides well set up for conditions. Home advantage seals it

Bath 19-19 Gloucester
Not a lot between the set pieces but the Bath front 5 offer more carrying. Bath stronger at 7 & 8 in the backrow. Glaws with a bit more in both halfbacks. Not a whole lot between the two back lines. Glaws with more off the bench late on. Again not sure on the Glaws focus on lack of kickers like last week. Can see Patchell and Lealifano making good ground if left in room to kick.

Bath 25-22 Gloucester

Pretty much solid scrum options for both teams, very little in it, good options. Bath better in the engine room with Robson not at this level, little confused with the comment that Bath lack jumpers and Gloucester targeting Kitchener. Bath a little stronger in the backrow, Dickinson holding Gloucester back a bit an otherwise strong 8-9-10. Very little in a good halfback contest and similar story in the centres. Bath a step up in the back 3. Good game but Gloucester held back by poor EQ in the midst of some fantastic talent.

Bath Rugby 22 - 18 Gloucester

Bath have got a nice blend of heavy duty carriers and dynamic runners. I can't understand Glos tactics when, the Bath pack clearly has more jumping options that just Kitchener. Bath will get the upper hand at the scrum, allowing Beaumont time off the back to get into his stride. Line out is a little more even, but the options Bath has gets them going as much as the Glos maul. The breakdown is a bit of a mess, but Bath would just edge it with Kolisi's dynamism allowing him to get to the breakdown quicker than Alberts and Dickinson. The Glos half back combo are good in most conditions and won't over complicate the play. Bath half backs have great control despite the beliefs of the Glos director of rugby. Both midfield have a good mixture of carrying and kicking. The Glos tactic attempting to exploit the lack of kicking comes back to haunt them, as the whole bath back line have decent kicking games, and will exploit the lack of accurate kicking execution in their own back three, when in pressure. Bath really have the best set up here to claim victory, despite the consistent boot of Carter keeping Bath honest.

Bath 12 - 13 Gloucester
Difference for me is Bath having one guy short on the bench, otherwise would have given them a win but have always given a few extra points for not having a full bench. Both teams set up well for the conditions, do like the Gloucester team and control and experience they have but Dickinson is a weakness at no8. Bath do have a v strong 6Ns team.

London Irish 25 - 20 Worcester

Think with more all around power, Irish edge the scrum, then even battle in the lineout. With Smith, Worcester edge the breakdown, but Vermeulen gives a good advantage in carrying. Top top 9/10 for London Irish, though Williams will be a good player for the future, Worcester backline looks frail in defence, and I think Irish can damage them here with slick centres and finishers outside. London Irish win
London Irish 24-19 Worcester

Wuss been on a great run, but think this is one step too far. Irish pack looks a bit too powerful and has the form to really put the pressure on. Closer in the backs, but think Irish have enough to win this pretty confortably in the end

Irish 19-19 Worcester
Irish backrow can get on top although Smith will give a good battle. The dual kicking option from the 10/12 channel will work well but Cruden struggling for a rating now and lack of tactics hurt. Worc strong in the back three but halfbacks a weakness as is Williams somewhat

Irish 20-24 Worcester

Wuss with the scrum edge with Wilson woefully out of form. Little in the engine room, not a fan of Symons. Good 7 contest but Irish better at 6/8. Unable to rate Cruden with a year out which is a shame as Irish backline is strong. Lack of tactics and no hooker on bench really cost Irish, basic stuff really.

London Irish 25 - 25 Worcester Warriors

An interesting contest in the set piece with both lacking some of their star players due to the Six Nations. Warriors have some big units to help carry in the conditions, but Irish are no slouches themselves. There is perhaps a little more agility in the Warriors pack however, which will help them at the breakdown where Smith will be a menace and get a a good advantage over Irish. Irish have a great spine in their back line, which will help dictate and also attack the defensively weak Warriors centre partnership. The warriors back three are a dangerous unit, and will cause Irish problems all day. Warriors will push Irish to the limit, however the class in the Irish back line helps them pull it back late on and salvage a draw.

London Irish 23 - 27 Worcester
Always give +5 points to the team who has tactics when the other doesn't. Do really like the Irish team and they would have won this game if they went with tactics. If Worcester can get a few more reinforcements in their front five then that backline will get a lot more joy. Again two strong teams during 6Ns.

Well played Pooly  

#fortressSandyPark