Aviva Premiership Round 12

First topic message reminder :

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Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs
AJ Bell Stadium
Cloudy, 6 Degrees, 13mph Winds

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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. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Francois Steyn
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Calum Braley 22. JJ Hanrahan 23. Kyle Eastmond

Physicality: Look to win the battles in contact with a very mobile and physical side, particularly in the backs. Want to keep Exeter on the back foot when on the ball with an aggressive blitz similar to Wales with our wingers in the line shutting down space in the wider channels. Look to target isolated carriers in the wider channels with both wings putting in big tackles and POM looking to do what he does best and get over the ball in the wider areas.   

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: Similar set up to the Welsh with Foley and Abendanon defending deep to cover the backfield. Both wingers will step into the defensive line, to be part of the straight line blitz led by Fekitoa, to shut down space in the wider channels. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. 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.

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. 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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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Dimitri Szarzewski	10. Nick Evans (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. James Horwill	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. Rob Webber 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. We would like to throw the ball around in the decent conditions and force Sharks to make difficult decisions. However we need to be playing in the right areas of the pitch to attack first.

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Sharks territory and forcing the Sharks back three to turn and chase the ball. 
  
  
• Intensity - we want to try and take the game to Sharks, but in the right areas. When in their half we want to get the ball wide after building phases and getting over the try line. We are playing away from home and with some attacking intent need to Sharks out of their comfort zone to create situations they won't be used to at the AJ Bell. 
  
  

• Lineout - Using Lood, Wood & Horwill to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Sharks 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 Sharks ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Sale 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 Sharks 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. We want to get the ball in the hands of our backs and wide men and attack the wider channels where defensively the Sharks will struggle, 
  
  
• Bench - We have gone for a 6/2 to split on the bench to maintain the pressure up front, and not let the intensity drop in the forwards. We will go through the middle of Sharks pack and force them to have to get back onside and around the gate properly.  
  
  
• Build a Score - Evans to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their 22 to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Otherwise we want to be playing Sharks territory and forcing them to go the length of the field and taking the game to them
  

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Gloucester v Harlequins
Kingsholm
Cloudy, 6 Degrees, 14mph Winds

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1 Wood
2 Strauss
3 Mas
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Matera
7 Salvi
8 Dickinson
9 Perenara
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Naiyararo
15 Cipriani
16 Beast
17 LCD
18 Ousthuizen
19 Croft
20 Dupreez
21 Robson
22 Talebula
23 Walker

Game Plan - When in the harlequins  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 and exploit Chiefs lack of game management.As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With Cips  toomua, kurindrani, may we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.genia Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using out the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.

We will also look
To isolate players against naiyararo to
Let him have a go in his destructive style

As the game progresses we will look to really open it up in decent conditions. The point being you earn the right to play wide


Kicking Game- Look to play the game in the Quins   half using the boot of genia Carter toomua to keep Quins deep and gain a foot hold . We will vary between kicking for territory and the odd dink over the top to keep them Honest before starting to open up the game.

Defence - Look to blitz and put pressure on Quins. Myler is in a poor trot and not playing at saints and is against carter.By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  Quins l throwing in
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 Quins  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 Myler all game and look to kill there game
number of Quins players been out for a long time in real life

Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers
Play game in right areas

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1. Cian Healy
2. Agustin Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Luke Romano 
5. Pieter Steph Du Toit
6. Mamuka Gorgodze
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Nick Easter
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Steven Myler (k)
11. Santiago Cordero
12. Juan Martin Hernandez
13. Luther Burrell
14. Yoann Huget
15. James O'Connor

16. Christopher Tolofua 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Jim Hamilton 20. Jamie Gibson 21. Karl Dickson 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Alex Lewington

Tactics

With ball - quick intensity. Half backs to control and direct our pack around the field and then feed our half backs. We have a number of options as first receivers so we will look to vary that using JMH and JOC when we're on the front foot. Look to tie in Gloucester using the strong carriers in our pack running hard off 9, 10 and 12 and then go wide looking to use JMH or JOC out the back with Burrell running a hard line to keep Kurindrani guessing in defence and get Huget and Cordero in space. In our own half use the kicking game of our 9, 10, 12 and 15 to kick behind the Gloucester wings to gain territory and look to use Huget under the high ball on the cross field kick.

Without ball - aggressive defence looking to chop Gloucester and get a man over the ball. Give them no time to make decisions and put loads of pressure on their 9 to provide good service. Look to use a Blitz defence lead by Burrell and force Gloucester to throw risky passes if they want to go wide early.

Set Piece - Look to really get a shove on at scrum time with two strong props and a powerful second row behind it. At the lineout look to give Gloucester the front but put huge pressure on the middle and back of the lineout. 

Key Points

Pienaar and Myler are not expected to run the show for us in attack. They are simply there to facilitate. We are aware of their limits but they are here to control the territory and direct the pack. They will facilitate our more creative players in our backs when we get quick ball.

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Northampton Saints v London Irish
Franklin Gardens
Cloudy, 5 Degrees, 13mph Winds

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

Replacements
16. Dave Ward 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Adam Jones 19. Jaques du Plessis 20. Faconda Isa 21. Cobus Reinarch 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 Irish at pace, mixing up our options with Giteau and Tuilagi, whilst bringing in AAC and Savea to cause defensive issues. Conditions will allow us to attack, will target the Irish 10-12 channel throughout due to lack of game time. Aim to 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 Irish 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.

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 Irish defence going backwards, or suck in tacklers on the Manoa, Burger, Mulipola to create space for our backs in later phases. Will bring on Faconda early in 2nd half to bring on another strong carrier and look to use Savea, Tuilagi and AAC in the backline as strike runners of 10/12 channel.

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 Irish to secure quality ball.

Attack
We will look to work through the phases with our pack, suck in Irish 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 Irish and tire down their defence and make the most of our mobile pack and dangerous back three. We will attack the 10-12 channel.

Kicking
Selecting a strong kicking 9, 10, 12 combination and will mix up our kicking game, but will look to put the ball behind Yarde's wing and utilise strong kick chase game of AAC and Savea's.

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 Irish and will look to place real pressure on Cruden and Slade.

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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

In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Saintsdefence around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Cruden and Slade to take us up the field.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence.  Our focus will be on the gainline collisions and driving back in the tackle.  Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us.  Smith will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

Lineout.  In decent conditions we will mix it up on our ball, utilising Symons, Botha and Vermeulen as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our back row forwards as crash ball options off first phase.  Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Sale as scrappy as we can.

Scrum.  Hit channel one ball and get it out the back and into open play quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down.  On there ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball.  Sio to stay tight and straight.  Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Wilson straight.

Breakdown.  When we carry into contact, if we are taken to ground, we will flood the breakdown.  In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not overcommit, but will maintain a strong defensive line.  If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to turn it over.  Key for us is being selective.

Attacking Play.  We will be looking to play a Super Rugby type offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed.  We want to keep the ball alive as much as possible.  We will look to  use Armitage, Habana and Yarde in particular trying to isolate front 5 forwards in the defensive line and use their pace, power and footwork to go past them and get us on the front foot.  We will also If the ball is slow and Saints are blitzing we will also utilise the pick and go, with the aim of keeping the blitz honest and forcing them slowly onto the back foot before going wider out.  Smith to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

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Saracens v Wasps
Allianz Park
Cloudy, 7 Degrees, 11mph Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Lee Dickson
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Jannie Du Plessis
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Hosea Gear
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. Thierry Dusatoir	13. Conrad Smith
07. Will Fraser	14. Miles Benjamin
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Pat Lambie

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16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Geoff Parling 20. Temani Harrison 21. Morgan Parra 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

ATTACK THE SCRUM - Look to target the opposition scrum, particularly Kilcoyne and subs with full International front row bench,  

FAST PACE, HIGH TEMPO, OFFLOADS - Look to keep the tempo up at home and keep the ball alive. SBW the main driver behind this, we'll look to feed runners off him.

TARGET LINEOUT - Whitelock to read and take apart opposition line out as he does so well at Int level.

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 Dusatoir, Fraser, Whitelock, Hughes. Look to get n edge with no genuine option in the opposition line up.

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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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. George Moala
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rene Ranger
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Jordan Williams
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Patricio Fernandez

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16. Nathan Catt 17. Scott Spurling , 18. Tom West 19. Sam Twomey  , 20 Sekou Macalau , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Chris Pennell

Tactics:

Saracens can put out a better breakdown focussed backrow than our call ups leave us available. Therefore our aim today will be to focus on keeping the ball alive in good conditions, creating opportunities through kicks that allow for a challenge at the bounce or in the air, not the floor, flooding the breakdown with numbers and powerful clearouts rather than poachers and focussing more on a set defence with few committed to defensive breakdowns and 2 man/man and ball/choke tackles.

Attack: We have picked powerful backs to stay up in the tackle and take a hit to allow recycling as well as a backrow comfortable linking between backs and forwards, to keep the ball alive.

We will be looking to do a lot of carrying in groups of 3 with players therefore in an immediate position to set up a ruck on impact and keep the ball, as well as mauling in the forwards.

In the backs, our backrow will integrate predominantly be looking to provide linking in the line, and to be present as carriers for the offload or pop in support, whilst we use our big centres to take the ball on at first, able to stay up in the hit and pop the ball off or hand it back maul-style to the backrow, halfbacks, back 3 and carriers like Kepu, using inside balls for the offload and switches behind the centres to break open gaps in an overkeen blitz defence, after which our playmakers in 8, 9, 10 and 15 will receive the ball in broken field and put our attack into space. Jordan Williams has been picked specifically to be a menace off this broken field ball.

Hodgson and Spencer and our kicking 15 will also look for space behind the blitz for grubbers and other kicks, looking to create a difficult bounce that we will contest with a lethal kick chase. In the opposition 22, we will look for the crossfield kick to the wings.

Kicking:

We are going to kick into space, looking for the favourable bounce, and chase it hard, and look to run back and use attacking chip kicks on the return where possible. When exiting our own 22, we have excellent options at 9, 10 and 15 for the escape routes.

Defence:

SBW's offloading and partnership with Smith makes a blitz defence very vulnerable, so we will drift instead, with our backrowers in particular tracking the ball and looking for the intercept off the offload, and target man and ball and use 2 man and choke tackles to turn the ball over before it gets anywhere near the ground. Dickson is a big weakness, out of form and not getting a good rhythm for his pack or attack, so we will use our quicker forwards to make his life a living hell, knowing he rarely attacks the fringes himself, and thus cut off even the lifeblood of quick ball at this vital position.

Scrum:

Look to get our attacking ball out quickly to use the extra space from the set piece to get some momentum for our switch plays to work. On opposition ball, Kepu to use all his experience to target Waller, and drive him inwards like he did to Marler at the world cup, with the whole scrum planning to wheel around this point to contend for penalties, create the illusion of Saracens cheating and disrupt the cleanliness of their ball at the base

Lineout:

Mix our options up to make it hard to mark out of the game with Vito and Lapandry good 3rd and 4th options. Let the opposition take their ball in the air and prepare to defend the maul/pressurise 9

Subs:

Try to use our front row subs as little as possible - our front row starting are all internationals and should last a standard premiership match. As the game continues to break up later on, keep the same ball-retaining tactics and bring on the handling and pace in the pack of Twomey and Macalau, with gamebreaking ability from Cooper, Fotua'li and Pennell

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Worcester Warriors v Bath
Sixways Arena
Cloudy, 6 Degrees, 14mph Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

01. Joe Moody	09. Sam Harrison
02. Ross Batty	10. Owen Williams (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Dean Mumm	12. Huw Jones
06. Mike Williams	13. Venriki Goneva
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan

:-
16. Codie Taylor 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Will Collier 19. Tom Savage 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Alpati Leuia 23. Mathew Tait

Tactics
We are 1 point off of the play offs and are looking to take advantage of weakened teams during the six nations.

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, we have filled  our pack with carriers most who are used to the conditions this weekend. We have brought in Williams for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Bath 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. Smith is used to playing Louw at his own game and we will look to put pressure on Barrett to stop quick ball.

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 and will use their differences to target any gaps in the Bath defence. Goneva will make the breaks 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 tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear. We have gone for 3 different styles of play in the back 3 to ensure that  we can keep Bath guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Taufua there as a carrying option. Tait will look to exploit the tired defences using tactical kicking. Leuia 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.
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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. Hallan 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. Sam Hill 23. Cheslin Koble

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Worcester under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries and offloading at a high pace looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant.

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Ben T will look to cause Moody 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 Kolisi, Louw, Skelton 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. We think we can dominate here against a poor set of jumpers. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front.

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 to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles  will set the tempoand 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. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders. LLF/Barrett/De Allende will look to switch positions. Imhoff and Amos 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. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Worcester which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Barrett, LLF, Wiggles and Patchell all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need be. Target touch where our line out can dominate or Naholo.

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo.

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Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers
Kingston Park
Misty, 4 Degrees, 10mph Winds

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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. Stuart McCloskey
06. David Ewers	13. Luke Marshall
07. Callum Clark	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Dave Lewis 22. Scott Williams  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 really put Lahiff under maximum pressure with Kubs/Faumuina, and even more so once his young replacement comes on. 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 - Clark, 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 Banahan with kicking game, specifically kicks in behind with our back 3 chasing hard

Attack - Webb to get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and use the familiarity with the midfieldknows how to get McCloskey/Marshall through gaps. Challenge FTD and Beale defensively with McCloskey running hard lines at their channel with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at FTD 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 throughout and talented, pacy backs to see us home

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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. George Skivington	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Drew Mitchell

.
16. Schalk Brits 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. Pascal Pape 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics:

We will look to play high tempo, high intensity rugby. We have, throughout our XV, big line breakers to make the hard yards and tie up defenders creating space in wider channels for Du Preez and Trinh-Duc to exploit.

- Big focus to attack at all scrums - Big powerful props to look to really get the shove on, and if gaining an advantage look to target.

- Attack at all lineouts. Use Skiv or Lobbe at the front and Matfield off the top as our three key options.
Six man lineouts with Waldrom in midfield as crash or decoy option.

- Gigantic XV made up of massive line-breakers, used in the tight to tire down the opposition defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Smith, Basteraud and Moore plus Skiv, Banahan and Lobbe to be used to get us over the gainline.

- Look to win battle at the breakdown - Smith and Lobbe, supported by the likes fo Moore and Bast, to really look to get into the breakdown and give the opposition problems.

- Du Preez to look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.

- In attacking play, we will play with the option of 2 first receivers in FTD and Beale.
We want to control the game, mixing up the point of our attack consistently.

- 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.

Can people also take note that my team and tactics are on the page and not put in the match up for when you do your predictions please

Sorry Prop, I presume they're not there if not attached to the initial team.

Cheers fella, just formatted my team as was rushed Tues so just put down names

Pooly did you get my predos?

I wrote detailed ones and they just disappeared with error 230 written all across this site.

Then just sent scores.

In my sent it has messages to you yesterday for predos but when trying to post on here it just kept showing that red error 230 message

I got scores only Matt.

I said similar issues yesterday when I tried to send mine to myself, I had to post them straight in, nearly lost them.

RESULTS:

Sale 31-23 Exeter
(T:4 C:4 P:1) (T:2 C:2 P:3)

Gloucester 25-27 Harlequins
(T:2 P:5) (T:3 P:4)

Northampton 27-25 Irish
(T:3 P:4) (T:2 P:5)

Saracens 30-22 Wasps
(T:4 C:2 P:2) (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Worcester 27-25 Bath
(T:3 P:4) (T:2 P:5)

Newcastle 25-23 Leicester
(T:2 P:5) (T:2 C:2 P:3)


Full:

CJB, Steve, Prop, Bam, Chris, Pooly

Scores:

Matt, Luke CJ

None:

Driver, SJE, Fluxy

Sale 24 - 20 Exeter

Think Sale have the best of it in the pack, both the front 5 and the back row just looks to have a touch more than their opposing numbers. Pretty even at halfback as a whole, but Foley the standout. One a piece at centre, but Sale have a stronger back 3, and will finish off the chances they get. Benches even enough, but Henderson and Eastmond likely to make the biggest impact. Sale win this at home

Sale 28 - 24 Exeter

Sale looking really strong with injuries hitting a few of their 6N players which gives them a real depth. They look strong up front and with pace and physicality in the backs. Very tough side to beat. Exeter just don't have enough to cause and upset.

Sale 29-20 Exeter
Sale have a stronger front Five here although LDJ can cause problems. Back row goes to Sale. Both Sale half backs are better and I think their outside backs can do damage if they get a good amount of the ball.

Sharks 21-20 Chiefs
Pretty close battle up front and like the look of both team's balance in the back row. Not alot between this, going to be a good battle in the set piece. Same at half back with Evans controlling well in these conditions but Foley a class act. Good boot for Sharks with Steyn and think they edge the centre battle. Back 3 to Sharks and feel they can get the ball out there quicker. Sharks using their carriers well but would have been keen to hear how Steyn will be used. Chiefs using grunt and playing the conditions well. Tough game to call but feel, home advantage and just more out wide edges it for Sharks.




Sale 26-23 Exeter

Slight form issues in both front rows but Sale with the much better quality can get on top in the scrum. Good engine rooms, slight edge to Exeter but not too much in it of late. Sale lucky with injuries get a good advantage in the backrow. Sale slightly better in the backs bar Steyn who's a little hard to rate, good match ups though and a good game.



Sale 26 - 22 Exeter Chiefs
Good conditions for the home side, can see Eastmond having a big impact when he comes on as with a bit of flair the home sides backs can cause some damage. Pretty even pack battle, but Sale have a few more powerful carriers in their team and a backline that can exploit that.

Gloucester 26 - 24 Harlequins

Don't quite think Glos have the scrum to attack Quins as they are trying to, but can see it being pretty even. Lineout favours Quins, while back row battle is very close, but think Glos may just have the physicality with Matera at the breakdown to get on top of Hooper. Pienaar and Carter the stronger at halfback, while I prefer the Glos centres. Don't like Cips at 15, he's barely played there and can be targeted. Its a tough one to call, but think Glos can just hold on at home

Gloucester 23-27 Quins

Overall I prefer the Quins front five. Think they also have an edge in the back row. The Gloucester half backs are better but they could struggle to influence the game of the Quins forwards are dominant. Centres to Gloucester, back three to Quins.

Glos 23-25 Quins

Stronger front row for Quins here, 2nd row for Glos brings it a bit closer but the Quins back row is a step up. Half back battle is 1 a piece and the centres pretty even with both looking for front foot ball, think Quins will put a bit of pressure on Glos' ball slowing it down. 2 very dangerous back 3's on show feel they will even each other out. Glos looking for a good kicking game to put them in the territory. Quins spreading the ball and using their carriers well and think the back row will win it for them.


Gloucester 19-21 Harlequins

Both looseheads short of form but Quins have the edge at hooker and TH. Etzebeth the standout in the locks but the Quins pairing a touch stronger, good contest though. Gloucester lack quality in the backrow compared to Quins especially at 7/8, not sure about Dickinsin in such a key position. I'd have both Gloucester halfbacks a level up, great pairing. I like both centre pairings but Quins stronger in the back 3.


Gloucester 33 - 31 Harlequins

Both teams have great backlines on display and can see a pretty open contest with a lot of tries. Can see Quins edging the front five battle, but like the Matera and Salvi combination, which gets Gloucester a lot of turnover ball. Overall win goes down to Mat's 10-12 combination.

Saints 28 - 23 London Irish

Game of the round. Really tough to split the packs, think they are very evenly matched throughout, with Wilson's lack of form possibly giving Saints a scrum edge. Don't see either side getting massively on top at the breakdown, although I do fancy Pocock to nick one or two, the collective ability of Irish's SA internationals will cancel it out. Agree that the Irish 10-12 can be targeted, Cruden hasn't played in a long time while Slade rarely plays 12! Saints will have success attacking that channel, and think it lays the groundwork for a well fought win.

Northampton 25 - 21 London Irish

Saints looking strong with a physical pack and a good solid back line though they have plenty searching for form. London Irish are strong in places but I don't think they are as strong from 1 - 23 and will struggle to cause an upset away from home. Cruden really needs to play some top level rugby soon and get in some good nick.

Saints 22-28 Irish
Irish have a slight edge up front. Sam Jones is the weak link in the back row battle. Irish have the half backs although Cruden is losing rating. Outside of that Saints can get the edge but they just do not see enough ball.

Saints 26-24 Irish
Pretty close front 5 battle with neither team getting an edge on each other here to be honest. Back row sees strong carriers for Irish but think the Saints back row can cause more disruption and do like their balance. Half back battle is going to be great, making it even due to injuries and some players not playing recently. Outside backs battle will be a good one to watch but think Saints will get the better ball. Don't think Irish will get the quick offloading game they want with Saints looking to be physical at the breakdown and using their bench well.

Northampton 20-20 Irish

Very little in the front 5 battle, Irish could have snuck it if Wilson was in better form. The Irish backrow unit is much stronger though, not sure about Jones at this level. Irish much stronger at 9 but 10 evened up with Cruden lacking form. Manu's form evens the centres up and very little in the back 3. Really tight game, hard to split.

Saracens 29 - 23 Wasps

Wasps hit hard by internationals, and will find this tough. Outside of the scrum, Sarries look to have a bit more all over the park, and I especially think the 9-13s will be the key to the game here. At home, Sarries win this comfortably enough, but the Wasps pack has enough dog to make it difficult and prevent them getting the bonus
Saracens 26 - 22 Wasps

Another game where the home side look stronger across the pitch with plenty of international class despite 6N. Benjamin isn't a good option at all for me at this level but otherwise they are strong across the park. Wasps lack a little quality in some key areas and it will be a real battle to stay competitive throughout.

Sarries 25-15 Wasps
Sarries will get on top in the front five. They also look to have an advantage in the back row, especially at the breakdown. The combo of Spencer - Hodgson is going to struggle in this league and does here. Outside of that Wasps are dangerous but struggle to see the ball

Sarries 27-23 Wasps
Step up for Sarries in the pack battle here, Wasps set out well for the weather and a dogged back row but Sarries balanced well and can get some dominance here. Good for Wasps to have Hodgson pulling the strings but think that Sarries have a good front foot half back pairing for the ball they will be getting.Centres to Sarries and the back 3's are pretty even. Wasps looking for quick clean ball which I think they will struggle to get and Sarries will dictate the tempo here.

Saracens 27 - 23 Wasps
Lot of power in the Sarries pack to deal with and can see them causing Wasps a few issues with that, especially with Hughes' ball carrying. Not sure if they have the wc cutting edge out in the back three to really punish teams, but everywhere else is very strong. Wasps will always challenge as strong set piece, but hard place to go and win.

Worcester 22 - 22 Bath

Wuss look to have the better of the front row, while Kitchener will probably rule the line out with Beaumont and Louw offering options. Think Smith's form and the front 5 mobility will help Wuss take the breakdown battle. Bath stronger at half back and centre, but Wuss have a better back 3, and think Patchell is out of his depth against a back 3 with the quality and form of Wuss. Tough to call, Wuss by 2.

Worcester 27 - 28 Bath

A good battle which I think will go right down to the wire. Bath look very handy across the board and I think they have a stronger side on paper. They have a good balance to their pack and they have the extra physicality in there 8 which serves them well across the game. They also have a step up in class at half back and I expect Bath to take a great away win.

Worcester 19-22 Bath

Bath with a slight edge the front 5, good contest though. Just prefer the Bath backrow despite Smith's good form. Bath really step it up in the centres and good enough in the back 3 to sneak a narrow win.

Worcester Warriors 30 - 27 Bath
In good conditions that Warriors backline is a real threat to any team and with the 6Ns the pack really comes into its own and having a lot of consistency. Short was a great signing for Prop. Even game upfront, just like the back three of the home side and can see that making the difference.

Newcastle 23 - 23 Leicester

A really tight game to call. I don't think there is much between the sides at all. I expect a tough battle upfront but see Leicester having a bit more at 9,10,12 in control but lots ot threat on the front foot for Falcons in the backs lead by the impressive McCloskey. I can't call the game and will sit on the fence.

Newcastle 22-21 Leicester


Falcons 24-22 Tigers

Close in the front row but a bit more for Tigers in the 2nd row. Class back row battle and 1 a piece at half back. Like the Ulster link here for Falcons and this will help them here, Tigers strong but the real life combination helps to release a good back 3. Carriers for Tigers will help get them over the gain line and actually think that Falcons could get the edge at the breakdown, just and will enjoy the quick ball.

Newcastle 24-25 Leicester

Lahiff not the greatest evens things up in the front row and I prefer the Falcons engine room. Prefer the Tigers backrow as unit and a touch stronger at halfback also. Good back 3 contest but Tiger a better balance in the centres.

Newcastle 23 - 24 Leicester Tigers

Purely comes down to Tigers getting more joy at the breakdown and advantage in the backrow due to the injuries to Ewers and Clark in real life. Tigers have a strong set piece and some big ball carriers which are what you need for an away win - home side just a bit unlucky with real life injuries.

Two wins each for me and Falcons and one draw - yet I lose by two points??

I didn't add the score only results to the write ups.