Aviva Premiership Round Fifteen

Aviva Premiership Round Fifteen

Newcastle Falcons v Worcester Warriors
Light Rain, 4 Degrees 16mph 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. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. Charles Piutau
05. Jacques Potgeiter	12. Jean De Villiers
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. Ed Slater 20. Chris Henry 21. Dave Lewis 22. Jean De Villiers  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 to get on top of Smith, and challenge their 10/12 combo. Look to put their number 8 and scrum half combo under pressure at every set piece and ruck, we think they can be targeted

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with Mullan and Kubs, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. 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, Ewers 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. Clark and Read to work as a pair in countering their back row

Kicking - Webb and Jackson as primary kickers, Smith and Marshall to offer options outside with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man

Attack - Webb to get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and get Williams/Marshall through gaps. Challenge Williams/Allen defensively with JDV and Marshall running hard lines at their channel with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Williams 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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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. Cory Allen
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Jarrad Payne
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Mike Williams 21. Rory Kockett 22. Alpati Leuia  23. Matthew Tait

Tactics
Key Points- We will be looking to dominate the breakdown today with Clark not playing since the start of the season and Ewers only just starting to come back. We feel we have a good balance to get good ball and Smith and Taufua will look for turnovers when appropriate. We will look to disrupt their ball using our feet to kick the ball through the ruck and make them turn to their own try line. With quick ball we will look to use our strong carriers and back 3 to get over the gainline and keep the scoreboard ticking.

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 Taufua for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Falcons' 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-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. Taufua 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 willl look to control our ball and push pressure on theirs. Taufua will rush on 10 as we appreciate they are dangerous out wide.

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 Allen's shoulders for the pop ball. Payne will look to be another kicking option to pin Wasps back but also play in our back 3.

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 Falcons defence. Payne will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and 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 Sale guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Williams 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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Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Light Cloud, 5 Degrees 15mph 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. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Steven Luatua 21. Danny Care 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

KEY POINTS

- Foley and Le Roux to cover the backfield on defence and win the kicking dual. Wingers part of the defensive line similar to Wales to keep space to a minimum

- Cane to defend on Eastmonds shoulder to be first on the scene at the breakdown

- Our halfbacks are far better at playing a quick tempo game and can take advantage of the space available

- Challenge Burrell's decision making at 13 with our usual set up with pacy runners on the gain line and out the back door. 

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 Le Roux 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. Cane will defend on Eastmonds shoulder to be the first on the scene at the breakdown. 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: Five 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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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Santiago Cordero
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jack Clifford	13. Luther Burrell
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ethan Waller 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Nick Easter 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Karl Dickson 22. Colin Slade 23. Joe Tomane

Tactics

Forwards work - Half Backs control - Outside Backs create


Game Plan 


We are basing our game plan around constantly targeting the 10/12 channel of Sale in order to exploit the defensive frailty we feel exists. In order to do this we have chosen 3 out and out first receivers at 10, 12 and 15. We want to get our strong carriers in our pack charging down the channel occupied by Foley and Eastmond. We will need to get quick ball from our own rucks which will allow Myler, JMH and McKenzie to stand flat and bring in our pack on the front foot. Everyone of our 8 offers a threat with ball and hand so we can continually look to use this tactic. Should Sale use others to fill these gaps then we have three guys who are able to identify the gaps they have left and we can use our dangerous wingers to attack these gaps. 

In the outside backs we will have Cordero and Huget to come off their wing looking for work and gaps to exploit as they are lethal ball in hand runners. 

In our own territory we will use the strong kicking game from 9, 10, 12 and 15 to control the territorial battle and play the rugby in the Sale half. We will look to kick behind Rokoduguni and try to gain a territorial advantage there. We will look to use a mixture of kicks to keep the Sale back three guessing and try to exploit the lack of mobility from Nadolo on the turn. 

Defence

Look to play with a quick rush defence lead by Burrell at 13 and make it tough for Sale to go wide so they have to go through us. We want to force Foley to play deep where he is less comfortable and Hooper and Clifford will be all over him and give him no time to think. We will look to chop tackle and look to get the man over the ball and get the penalty/turnover and limit Sale's chances to get across the gain line.

Set Piece


We are going to look to use the line out to launch our attacks. We will use a 6 man line with Hooper in the midfield and Hooper and Burrell will offer two options as we will use the 9 to 12 ball off the top of the line out to get us onto the front foot and allow us to get our attack going quickly. We will give Sale the front ball at the line out and put huge pressure on the middle and back ball. We will look to use the scrum to get quick ball and keep the ball in and milk penalties if we gain an advantage.

Key Points  

Target the Sale 10/12 axis. 


Our Half backs and 12 are far better suited to controlling a tight game.


Play at a quick tempo using our pack to get us across the gain line.


Quick rush defence lead by Burrell to stop Sale going wide early.

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Gloucester v Wasps
Light Rain, 5 Degrees 14mph Winds

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Gloucester
Manager - Matt

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Ousthuizen
4 Etzbeth
5 taofufina
6 Croft
7 Salvi
8 Du Preez
9 Robson
10 Carter 
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau 
16 Wood 
17 LCD
18 Mas
19 Stooke
20 Alberts 
21 Perenara 
22 Cipriani
23 Talebula

Game Plan - When in the Our  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 Robson Carter and toomua we can control the tempo in the Greasy conditions and exploit Wasps with our superiority in the kicking gsme.
As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With may folau   toomua, kurindrani, wslker we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.Robson is in great form and raises the tempo of any game. Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest. 

We will also look
To isolate wasps 9,10 l
and let our runners like Kurindrani 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 wasps half using the boot of robson Carter toomua to keep Wasps 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 wasps and their lack of kicking options . By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  the wasps throw.
Robson 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 Wasps and gain penalties and look to control the game. We have a huge mobile front 5.

KEY POINTS

Huge mobile pack to play at pace
Take the points - Carter is the best in the world and will kick  goals.
Look for the half back to set tone 
Pressure 9,10,12 link up as we see a difference in class.
Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers 
Play game in right areas
Impact bench to take game away

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London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Patricio Fernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rene Ranger
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Jesse Mogg
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Scott Spurling , 18. Tom West 19. Luke Charteris (if unavailable, George Merrick) , 20 Tom Guest , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Charlie Hodgson 23.  Rieko Ioane

Tactics:


A very tough battle away in the rain, the gameplan this week revolves around trying to shatter the link between 9 and 10, keeping it simple and using a creative kicking game with a vicious chase whilst scrapping at the breakdown to kill any speed off the opposition ball

Breakdown:

Gloucester are very reliant on Salvi at the breakdown, especially with Croft lightweight here, so we will target this, looking to run at him when he's in defence and target that ruck for quick ball, and target a possible turnover or at least very pressurised ball when Salvi carries in attack, Vito calling the decisions here. Otherwise we will approach the breakdown as a pack, with everyone chipping in (and Lapandry/Fearns/Vito chasing the ball to try to provide a support option to get to the ruck first to keep it quick but also an offload option if it is on) and a change in defence, where we will pile bodies in and look to counterruck aggressively to really slow and disrupt the opposition ball, knowing that numbers in defence have more leeway in the wet. In Ben Arous we have essentially an extra flanker here to help out.

Attack:

Keep it simple, playing safe in our half and kicking for territory, with a chase from our 3 fullbacks in the back 3. Slow ball in their territory will be built up with pick and drives (in supported and structured groups of 3), pops to carries like Kepu and Vito, and mauling. 

With kickers at 9, 10, both wings, 12 and 15, we will constantly be looking for space behind or out wide to use a number of kicks from any number, as well as high balls chased by Vito and the back 3 especially, putting huge pressure on the receiver. It is hard to beat Carter in a kicking duel, but across our backline we have the option everywhere and so will have more time and flexibility whereas Carter relies on Toomua. Try to pick out Walker under the high ball, and avoid Folau unless we know there will be at least 2 men to tackle him ad isolate for the penalty.

When we do get into attacking positions and keep it in hand, I want to make Carter and Robson tackle all day, bringing the forwards running in the 10-12 channel and attacking the fringes to tire them as well as Ranger switching in to them off 12. Fernandez and Ranger looking to be the main running threats initially, with Godwin, Spencer and Pennell as facilitating playmakers using momentum off their attacks to put the wingers into space.

Defence: 

Blitz led by Ranger, with Spencer sweeping and the backrow on Robson and Carter like a rash. In fact, Fearns looking to put big hits on Carter and have the rush up fast on Toomua to cut the outside option and really stop the ball getting to any danger men outwide.

Scrum:

Try to keep our starters on as long as possible. Ben Arous looking to attack Ousthuizen legally and with two class props we will shove on our own ball and use it to get go forward to run off Vito or draw the defence narrow for kicks. 

Lineout:

THe full Gloucester lineout will be very tough, so look to keep it simple, throw safe  and maul, just looking to keep possession and sap their forwards. Let them take their ball in the air and then set the maul defence and prepare to rush the half-backs on the ground instead.

Other:

If the lineout is suffering, Charteris and Guest to come on to steady it. Fotu'ali and Ioane add pace if the game breaks up and Hodgson control. Take all points on at all, happy to go for drop goals. Push for penalties (and risk them ourselves) in their 22 but play safe in that regard in our half. 


Overall:

Get Carter, make the game physical for him in defence and attack
Look for space and use our multiple kickers and great back 3 in the aerial battle.
Direct running off 10 and 13 with Godwin as the second play playmaker
Simple in attack   
Really attack their ball at the breakdown, slow it to nothing

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Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs
Sleet, 4 Degrees 15mph Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (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. Hika Elliot 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. Pascal Pape 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Brock James 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics

In wet conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns 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.

- 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 Skiv, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target. 
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Chiefs 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 Chiefs defence. 
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Skiv, Smith, 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 9/10/12/15.

- Consistently test Chiefs back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air.

- 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.

- Burns to kick all penalties.

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Rob Webber	10. Otere Black (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Jake Ball	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Sam James
07. Luke Wallace	14. JP Pietersen
08. Brad Shields	15. Cory Jane

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Taniela Tupou 19. James Horwill 20. Tom Wood 21. Chris Cook 22. Nick Evans 23. Teddy Thomas

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 beat them man for man and beat Bath playing our way and the Chiefs way at Sandy Park. 

• Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Bath territory and forcing Amos, Patchell and Imhoff to turn and chase the ball. Lopez, White Nonu and Pietersen all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Bath back line. With the location of Sandy Park, one half will be playing into strong winds, and either getting no gain, and the other with the wind at our backs. 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 Douglas, Wood & Lood to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Bath 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 Bath ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Bath 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 Bath 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 De Allende's channel, who is more accustomed to defending at 12. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Kitshoff, Tamiefuna & Skelton.
  
  
• 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 Bath pack and force them to have to get back onside through strong sensible drives. 
  
  
• Build a Score - Lopez returns 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 Bath to the sword with the sixteenth man  #Chiefsfortress
  

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Saracens v Northampton Saints
Light Rain Shower, 4 Degrees 14mph Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

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

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Temani Harrison 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

ATTACK LINEOUT ALL GAME, PUT PRESSURE ON HOOKERS THROW WITH NO JUMPERS FOR SAINTS - Lineout will be an issue for Saints and have some of the best readers in world rugby. No leader for Saints, no real good options and suspect throwing in Johnson and Ward. Look to have Whitelock and Parling marking the front and middle of the lineout (can they go to the back???) and look to compete every time.

CONSTANT KICKING FOR CORNERS WITH WORLD CLASS OPTIONS AND ATTACK LINEOUT - Parra and Sanchez to kick for the corners and attack lineout. Lambie to come in on the blindside to offer another option and vary the angles.

VERY FEW KICKING OPTIONS FOR OPPOSITION - 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.


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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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Logi Mulipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Matt Giteau (k)
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Samu Manoa	12. Weslie Fofana*
06. Facunda Isa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Schalk Burger	15. Ben Foden

Replacements:

16. Dave Ward 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Michael Paterson 20. Sam Jones 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. Lima Sopoaga 23. Elliot Daly

Tactics
We are in a great run of form and go into the game confident of building on that. We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Saracens on the backfoot and not giving them any time on the ball. We will look for Burger, Isa 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 Saracens at pace and make the most of the try scoring threat in our back three and power of Tuilagi. Conditions will allow us to attack and will look to get advantage going into final 20mins with impact from the bench.

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 recall two fresh props and will be looking for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit. We've picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and aim to generate some quick ball for our backline to attack and are bolstered by the presence of Launchbury packing down. We'll look to place Hibbard's darts under pressure.

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 Saracens defence going backwards, suck in tacklers on Manoa, Burger, Launchbury, Isa to create space for our backs in later phases. We've got some extremely powerful runners in the backline and this is an area we want to get an advantage over the away team.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Isa, Pocock and Burger we will look to dominate this area in terms of generating turnovers for Simpson to attack, slow down Saracens ball or secure penalties. We have a very mobile pack and have Johnson, Launch and Manoa all able to help and really make every ruck a physical battle that Saracens have to commit numbers into.

Attack
We'll look to go through the phases in our pack, tiring down Saracens defensively and creating space out wide for our strike runners. We will send runners down Sanchez's channel all game as we see this as a way of getting over the gainline, and creating space outside to exploit with dummy runners when SBW has to step in to support Sanchez. We want to involve our back three as feel we have an advantage in terms of try scorers, particularly in the back three, where we will look to get Savea 1-1 with Benjamin as often as possible. We want to attack at pace and spread the Saracens defence.

Kicking
We are going to massively target Miles Benjamin with our kicking game, Simpson's box kicks and Giteau hitting the ball high. Emphasis on a strong kick chase and pressurising the Saracens back three there. Giteau to take all points on offer.

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. Specifically getting Burger to do a man marking job on Hughes for the 80minutes as we are aware that if we stop him, we stop Saracens main means of getting over the gain line.

---

Bath v London Irish
Light Cloud, 5 Degrees 14mph 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. 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. Lolagi Visnia

16. James Slipper 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Rhys Patchell

---

London Irish
Manager - Driver

01. Scott Sio	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden(k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Matt Symons (c)	11. Tim Nanai Williams
05. Romain Millo-Chulski	12. Brad Barritt
06. Marcel Coetzee	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Marland Yarde
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Delon Armitage

16.Tom Youngs 17.Ben Moon 18.Ben Alexander 19.Ruan Botha 20. - 21.Will Homer 22.Henry Slade 23.Bryan Habana

---

Mark

Ok to put team in when weather is up Johnny? I've seen conflicting reports!

What's the ruling on players in a squad like Charteris? Didn't play last week, no game this week but in Wales training squad?

Your risk CJ.

He may be marked down for being away with Wales and he may be picked. Personally, I wouldn't pick him.

Conditions up

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. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Steven Luatua 21. Danny Care 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

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

:-
16. Motu Mat'u 17. Xavier Chocci 18. Ben Franks 19. Patricio Albacete 20. Temani Harrison 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Nathan Earle

Tactics:

ATTACK LINEOUT ALL GAME, PUT PRESSURE ON HOOKERS THROW WITH NO JUMPERS FOR SAINTS - Lineout will be an issue for Saints and have some of the best readers in world rugby. No leader for Saints, no real good options and suspect throwing in Johnson and Ward. Look to have Whitelock and Parling marking the front and middle of the lineout (can they go to the back???) and look to compete every time.

CONSTANT KICKING FOR CORNERS WITH WORLD CLASS OPTIONS AND ATTACK LINEOUT - Parra and Sanchez to kick for the corners and attack lineout. Lambie to come in on the blindside to offer another option and vary the angles.

VERY FEW KICKING OPTIONS FOR OPPOSITION - 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.


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.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Santiago Cordero
05. Pieter Steph Du Toit	12. Juan Martin Hernandez
06. Jack Clifford	13. Luther Burrell
07. Michael Hooper	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Buchanan 17. Ethan Waller 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Nick Easter 20. Jaco Kriel 21. Karl Dickson 22. Colin Slade 23. Joe Tomane

Tactics

Forwards work - Half Backs control - Outside Backs create


Game Plan 


We are basing our game plan around constantly targeting the 10/12 channel of Sale in order to exploit the defensive frailty we feel exists. In order to do this we have chosen 3 out and out first receivers at 10, 12 and 15. We want to get our strong carriers in our pack charging down the channel occupied by Foley and Eastmond. We will need to get quick ball from our own rucks which will allow Myler, JMH and McKenzie to stand flat and bring in our pack on the front foot. Everyone of our 8 offers a threat with ball and hand so we can continually look to use this tactic. Should Sale use others to fill these gaps then we have three guys who are able to identify the gaps they have left and we can use our dangerous wingers to attack these gaps. 

In the outside backs we will have Cordero and Huget to come off their wing looking for work and gaps to exploit as they are lethal ball in hand runners. 

In our own territory we will use the strong kicking game from 9, 10, 12 and 15 to control the territorial battle and play the rugby in the Sale half. We will look to kick behind Rokoduguni and try to gain a territorial advantage there. We will look to use a mixture of kicks to keep the Sale back three guessing and try to exploit the lack of mobility from Nadolo on the turn. 

Defence

Look to play with a quick rush defence lead by Burrell at 13 and make it tough for Sale to go wide so they have to go through us. We want to force Foley to play deep where he is less comfortable and Hooper and Clifford will be all over him and give him no time to think. We will look to chop tackle and look to get the man over the ball and get the penalty/turnover and limit Sale's chances to get across the gain line.

Set Piece


We are going to look to use the line out to launch our attacks. We will use a 6 man line with Hooper in the midfield and Hooper and Burrell will offer two options as we will use the 9 to 12 ball off the top of the line out to get us onto the front foot and allow us to get our attack going quickly. We will give Sale the front ball at the line out and put huge pressure on the middle and back ball. We will look to use the scrum to get quick ball and keep the ball in and milk penalties if we gain an advantage.

Key Points  

Target the Sale 10/12 axis. 


Our Half backs and 12 are far better suited to controlling a tight game.


Play at a quick tempo using our pack to get us across the gain line.


Quick rush defence lead by Burrell to stop Sale going wide early.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Max Lahiff	09. Fourie Du Preez
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (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. Hika Elliot 17. Riccardo Brugnara 18. Brian Mujati 19. Pascal Pape 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Brock James 23. Billy Twelvetrees

Tactics

In wet conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around Du Preez and Burns 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.

- 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 Skiv, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Du Preez, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Chiefs 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 Chiefs defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Skiv, Smith, 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 9/10/12/15.

- Consistently test Chiefs back three with kicks in wet conditions. Box kicks from Du Preez and up and unders from Burns/Beale to give the opposition problems in the air.

- 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.

- Burns to kick all penalties.

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Dane Coles	10. Paddy Jackson (k)
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. Charles Piutau
05. Jacques Potgeiter	12. Jean De Villiers
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. Ed Slater 20. Chris Henry 21. Dave Lewis 22. Jean De Villiers  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 to get on top of Smith, and challenge their 10/12 combo. Look to put their number 8 and scrum half combo under pressure at every set piece and ruck, we think they can be targeted

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with Mullan and Kubs, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. 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, Ewers 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. Clark and Read to work as a pair in countering their back row

Kicking - Webb and Jackson as primary kickers, Smith and Marshall to offer options outside with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man

Attack - Webb to get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and get Williams/Marshall through gaps. Challenge Williams/Allen defensively with JDV and Marshall running hard lines at their channel with Piutau and Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Williams 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

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Logi Mulipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Matt Giteau (k)
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Samu Manoa	12. Weslie Fofana*
06. Facunda Isa	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Schalk Burger	15. Ben Foden

Replacements:

16. Dave Ward 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Michael Paterson 20. Sam Jones 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. Lima Sopoaga 23. Elliot Daly

Tactics
We are in a great run of form and go into the game confident of building on that. We are looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Saracens on the backfoot and not giving them any time on the ball. We will look for Burger, Isa 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 Saracens at pace and make the most of the try scoring threat in our back three and power of Tuilagi. Conditions will allow us to attack and will look to get advantage going into final 20mins with impact from the bench.

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 recall two fresh props and will be looking for a strong set piece and powerful scrummaging unit. We've picked five jumping options in the lineout to mix up our options and aim to generate some quick ball for our backline to attack and are bolstered by the presence of Launchbury packing down. We'll look to place Hibbard's darts under pressure.

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 Saracens defence going backwards, suck in tacklers on Manoa, Burger, Launchbury, Isa to create space for our backs in later phases. We've got some extremely powerful runners in the backline and this is an area we want to get an advantage over the away team.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, with Isa, Pocock and Burger we will look to dominate this area in terms of generating turnovers for Simpson to attack, slow down Saracens ball or secure penalties. We have a very mobile pack and have Johnson, Launch and Manoa all able to help and really make every ruck a physical battle that Saracens have to commit numbers into.

Attack
We'll look to go through the phases in our pack, tiring down Saracens defensively and creating space out wide for our strike runners. We will send runners down Sanchez's channel all game as we see this as a way of getting over the gainline, and creating space outside to exploit with dummy runners when SBW has to step in to support Sanchez. We want to involve our back three as feel we have an advantage in terms of try scorers, particularly in the back three, where we will look to get Savea 1-1 with Benjamin as often as possible. We want to attack at pace and spread the Saracens defence.

Kicking
We are going to massively target Miles Benjamin with our kicking game, Simpson's box kicks and Giteau hitting the ball high. Emphasis on a strong kick chase and pressurising the Saracens back three there. Giteau to take all points on offer.

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. Specifically getting Burger to do a man marking job on Hughes for the 80minutes as we are aware that if we stop him, we stop Saracens main means of getting over the gain line.

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. Lolagi Visnia

16. James Slipper 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Rhys Patchell

1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Ousthuizen
4 Etzbeth
5 taofufina
6 Croft
7 Salvi
8 Du Preez
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 LCD
18 Mas
19 Stooke
20 Alberts
21 Perenara
22 Cipriani
23 Talebula

London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Ben Spencer
02. Corey Flynn	10. Patricio Fernandez (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Grant Gilchrist	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Rene Ranger
07. Alexandre Lapandry	14. Jesse Mogg
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Scott Spurling , 18. Tom West 19. Luke Charteris (if unavailable, George Merrick) , 20 Tom Guest , 21. Kahn Fotu'ali , 22. Charlie Hodgson 23.  Rieko Ioane

Tactics:


A very tough battle away in the rain, the gameplan this week revolves around trying to shatter the link between 9 and 10, keeping it simple and using a creative kicking game with a vicious chase whilst scrapping at the breakdown to kill any speed off the opposition ball

Breakdown:

Gloucester are very reliant on Salvi at the breakdown, especially with Croft lightweight here, so we will target this, looking to run at him when he's in defence and target that ruck for quick ball, and target a possible turnover or at least very pressurised ball when Salvi carries in attack, Vito calling the decisions here. Otherwise we will approach the breakdown as a pack, with everyone chipping in (and Lapandry/Fearns/Vito chasing the ball to try to provide a support option to get to the ruck first to keep it quick but also an offload option if it is on) and a change in defence, where we will pile bodies in and look to counterruck aggressively to really slow and disrupt the opposition ball, knowing that numbers in defence have more leeway in the wet. In Ben Arous we have essentially an extra flanker here to help out.

Attack:

Keep it simple, playing safe in our half and kicking for territory, with a chase from our 3 fullbacks in the back 3. Slow ball in their territory will be built up with pick and drives (in supported and structured groups of 3), pops to carries like Kepu and Vito, and mauling.

With kickers at 9, 10, both wings, 12 and 15, we will constantly be looking for space behind or out wide to use a number of kicks from any number, as well as high balls chased by Vito and the back 3 especially, putting huge pressure on the receiver. It is hard to beat Carter in a kicking duel, but across our backline we have the option everywhere and so will have more time and flexibility whereas Carter relies on Toomua. Try to pick out Walker under the high ball, and avoid Folau unless we know there will be at least 2 men to tackle him ad isolate for the penalty.

When we do get into attacking positions and keep it in hand, I want to make Carter and Robson tackle all day, bringing the forwards running in the 10-12 channel and attacking the fringes to tire them as well as Ranger switching in to them off 12. Fernandez and Ranger looking to be the main running threats initially, with Godwin, Spencer and Pennell as facilitating playmakers using momentum off their attacks to put the wingers into space.

Defence:

Blitz led by Ranger, with Spencer sweeping and the backrow on Robson and Carter like a rash. In fact, Fearns looking to put big hits on Carter and have the rush up fast on Toomua to cut the outside option and really stop the ball getting to any danger men outwide.

Scrum:

Try to keep our starters on as long as possible. Ben Arous looking to attack Ousthuizen legally and with two class props we will shove on our own ball and use it to get go forward to run off Vito or draw the defence narrow for kicks.

Lineout:

THe full Gloucester lineout will be very tough, so look to keep it simple, throw safe and maul, just looking to keep possession and sap their forwards. Let them take their ball in the air and then set the maul defence and prepare to rush the half-backs on the ground instead.

Other:

If the lineout is suffering, Charteris and Guest to come on to steady it. Fotu'ali and Ioane add pace if the game breaks up and Hodgson control. Take all points on at all, happy to go for drop goals. Push for penalties (and risk them ourselves) in their 22 but play safe in that regard in our half.


Overall:

Get Carter, make the game physical for him in defence and attack
Look for space and use our multiple kickers and great back 3 in the aerial battle.
Direct running off 10 and 13 with Godwin as the second play playmaker
Simple in attack
Really attack their ball at the breakdown, slow it to nothing

Struggling for time in work. Will be same team as last week and will get tactics and format up tomorrow.

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. Cory Allen
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Jarrad Payne
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. Henry Thomas 19. Tom Savage 20. Mike Williams 21. Rory Kockett 22. Alpati Leuia 23. Matthew Tait

Tactics
Key Points- We will be looking to dominate the breakdown today with Clark not playing since the start of the season and Ewers only just starting to come back. We feel we have a good balance to get good ball and Smith and Taufua will look for turnovers when appropriate. We will look to disrupt their ball using our feet to kick the ball through the ruck and make them turn to their own try line. With quick ball we will look to use our strong carriers and back 3 to get over the gainline and keep the scoreboard ticking.

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 Taufua for further lineout options. We will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Falcons' 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-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. Taufua 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 willl look to control our ball and push pressure on theirs. Taufua will rush on 10 as we appreciate they are dangerous out wide.

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 Allen's shoulders for the pop ball. Payne will look to be another kicking option to pin Wasps back but also play in our back 3.

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 Falcons defence. Payne will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and 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 Sale guessing and are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-A strong scrummaging bench to make impact and Savage and Williams 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.

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Nic Auterac	09. Nic White
02. Rob Webber	10. Otere Black (k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Jake Ball	11. James Lowe
05. Lood de Jager	12. Ma'a Nonu (c)
06. Yannick Nyanga	13. Sam James
07. Luke Wallace	14. JP Pietersen
08. Brad Shields	15. Cory Jane

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Taniela Tupou 19. James Horwill 20. Tom Wood 21. Chris Cook 22. Nick Evans 23. Teddy Thomas

Team and tactics submitted above, as mentioned yesterday the team is the same as last week. I'm in uni this weekend so unlikely to be able to predict.

Off work tomorrow but should have internet at home if the engineer shows up in the morning. Thread will be updated around lunch time tomorrow if so. Predictions will be going to me this week

Will get
Tactics in for morning.
Just back from work and knackered

anonmattyt wrote:1 Beast
2 Strauss
3 Ousthuizen
4 Etzbeth
5 taofufina
6 Croft
7 Salvi
8 Du Preez
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Folau
16 Wood
17 LCD
18 Mas
19 Stooke
20 Alberts
21 Perenara
22 Cipriani
23 Talebula

Game Plan - When in the Our 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 Robson Carter and toomua we can control the tempo in the Greasy conditions and exploit Wasps with our superiority in the kicking gsme.
As our play builds we'll look to use our strike runners and open it up. With may folau toomua, kurindrani, wslker we have plenty of people to step in to second receiver and keep continuity.Robson is in great form and raises the tempo of any game. Carter and toomua are their to control the game Look to create space out wide by using the back options with lead runners running wide out to in lines to keep defence honest.

We will also look
To isolate wasps 9,10 l
and let our runners like Kurindrani 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 wasps half using the boot of robson Carter toomua to keep Wasps 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 wasps and their lack of kicking options . By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target the wasps throw.
Robson 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 Wasps and gain penalties and look to control the game. We have a huge mobile front 5.

KEY POINTS

Huge mobile pack to play at pace
Take the points - Carter is the best in the world and will kick goals.
Look for the half back to set tone
Pressure 9,10,12 link up as we see a difference in class.
Pressurise lineout on their throw with our multiple jumpers
Play game in right areas
Impact bench to take game away

Could my tactics be the same from last if possible?

PREDICTIONS OPEN

PMs to SJE this week please

b]Bath Rugby[/b]
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. Lolagi Visnia

16. James Slipper 17. Jack Innard 18. Scott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Sam Hill 23. Rhys Patchell

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Irish 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. 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 Irish 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

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo.

Just a note as my tactics weren't added - I have got them just added them in a comment at the bottom ^

RESULTS:

Newcastle Falcons 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
Worcester Warriors 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

Sale Sharks 31 (T:4 C:4 P:1)
Harlequins 26 (T:3 C:1 P:3)

Gloucester 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
London Wasps 21 (P:7)

Leicester Tigers 27 (T:2 C:1 P:5)
Exeter Chiefs 21 (P:7)

Saracens 25 (T:2 P:5)
Northampton Saints 24 (T:2 C:1 P:4)

Bath 28 (T:3 C:2 P:3)
London Irish 22 (T:1 C:1 P:5)

BONUS:

Full: CJB, Fluxy, Matt, Steve, Luke, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly
Score: CJ
Excused: Prop
Missed: Driver

Newcastle Falcons 20-20 Worcester Warriors
Slight scrum edge to Falcons with a lot of grunt in the back five of the pack. Good form in the flanks for Worc though and can see their backrow really getting on top at the breakdown. Prefer the Falcons halfbacks but not an awful lot between the rest of the backs. No flyhalf cover for either side could be an issue. With the game plans on show can see this being a real messy scrappy affair and neither side will get prolonged periods of dominance.

Newcastle 26 - 23 Worcester

Think there is edge to Newcastle up front and in the conditions this makes a bigger difference in slippery conditions. The two back rows have a good battle with two really physical back 5s. Neither side at their strongest at half back but there is a bit more quality for Newcastle again. Both sides biggest strength is in the outside backs with both sides offering a real danger with ball in hand. Newcastle at home have a stronger side and get the win.

Newcastle 27-22 Warriors
Newcastle have the stronger front five. Think the back row can get on top as well. Prefer the Newcastle half backs but Warriors outside backs always dangerous

Newcastle 23 - 22 Worcester

Newcastle Falcons 20-20 Worcester Warriors
De Villiers named twice, assuming that this means Falcons a man down on the bench? I'd have given the home team a win by 2 points otherwise. Worcester have one of the most dangerous backlines around, Harrison impacts them a bit at no9, but with Ewers just recovering from injury and Clark being out it helps the away team, espc with form of Smith. Close game, Falcons would have won if not for de Villiers (sorry!).

Falcons 28 - 25 Worcester

Advantage to the hoe side up front, but much more even in the 2nd row. Really tight back row battle, overall Falcons shade the pack. Bit more about Falcons at HB, and in the centres, with quite even back threes. At home Falcons have enough.

Newcastle 25-24 Worcester

Big front 5 from Newcastle and a little bit more quality see them get a small advantage. Warriors stronger on the flanks but Falcons at 8. One a piece in the halfbacks and little in the centres. Fantastic back 3 contest, very close game with home advantage just taking it.

Newcastle Falcons v Worcester Warriors 21-20.
So so even this game. In the end the home advantage wins it. Like Worcester tactics and think their back row could get on top. Newcastle have some dangerous fire power out wide but hampered by the midfield. Webb coming back will help them and Jackson in decent form. Tight game

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 25 Worcester Warriors

A good little battle up front, with both sides pretty even in terms of quality, but there is a bit more form for the Wuss lads of late in the league. The threat and ability of control from the Falcons halfbacks, to then also unleash their dangerous back line levels things up, although Wuss are a little more pragmatic in set up, but have a few lads that will turn on the style to create chances. Wuss just miss a back up ten to help maybe change the game up for them late on, and narrowly lose a good contest. 

Sale 32 - 30 Harlequins

What a game this looks to be. Healy's poor form gives Sale the platform to build off in the front 5. Clifford has been away with England, but equally POM hasn't played since the RWC so equals out, back rows even. In a game like this, the extra control from Quins 12 and 15 will make a big difference, and fancy them to have better territory. Sale have the more explosive outside backs and the benches pretty even. The front 5 platform and try scoring ability of Sale's backs is what wins this one, but Quins push very hard. Great game

Sale 27-26 Quins
Slight edge to the Quins front five. Nothing in the back rows for me. Sale have the stronger half back combination. Outside of this both sets of backs can take advantage of defensive mistakes. At home Sale get the win

Sale 27 - 26 Quins

Sale 24 - 23 Harlequins
Putting Eastmond in at no12 gives Sale that extra spark in the backline that they miss when Steyn plays there. Two incredibly even sides, the pack battle is next to impossible to split. Injuries to Attwood and POM reduce the Sale pack a little, but prefer their bench options. If Myler had a little more form then Quins could have taken this, as Steve has one of the best teams in the league.

Sale 29 - 27 Harlequins

Tight up front with no clear winner, with the 2nd rows one apiece and fairly even. Tough to split the back rows, and the pack in general very even. Prefer Quins HBs as a duo, whilst the centres are close to call, Sale a tad stronger back three. Think Sale take this at home.

Sale 27-23 Harlequins

Some awful form from Healy over the last year or so gives Sale an advantage in the scrum contest and Sale also stronger at lock in a closer contest. Quins a bit lightweight on the flanks give Sale an overall pack edge. Sale just have a little in the backline although back 3 contest is worth the admission alone.

Sale Sharks v Harlequins. 22-21.
Another really tight game. Great match ups All over the place. Quins back row will get on top of sale with POM hard to rate and. A few sale players in pack not having best of seasons but still a tough unit. Faf de Klerk in electric form and will get the backs moving and I think this is where sale snatch it. Against better centre pairings eastmond a weakness but with the quick ball from De Klerk it will be his kind of game.

Sale Sharks 33 - 33 Harlequins

The contest in the front fives of this one is very even. Neither side really getting any advantage and cancelling each other out. Similar with the line out both teams very capable, but not really affecting each others source of possession. The back row contest is a hotly contested and one I would love to watch. Cane vs Hooper would be great, but chuck in Clifford and POM and it makes things even more intriguing. Quins get a little more from their half backs, and this puts JMH and more importantly gives Burrell time to into the wide channels where he has been a big of threat as of late. I love the Eastmond - Fekitoa combo, which again is a threat from almost every angle. Both back three's are continually a threat with ball in hand, and this would be a great match to go watch. The impact off both benches is quite even, and in the end this game will end up as a tie, with both sides very much cancelling each other out. 

Gloucester 30-23 London Wasps
Can't see much give at the set piece but the Gloucester 2nd row offers more around the park. Neither set of flankers the strongest but Vito the stronger 8. Nothing between the 9s really but worlds apart at 10. Kurindrani bang in form gives a great platform for the Gloucester backs. Folau looking tidy as well. On the game plans I'd back the Wasps back three to out kick their counterparts and they have enough options to prevent Gloucester getting on top in the territory stakes but alot of emphasis has been placed on Salvi in their breakdown work and Etzbeth and Ousthuizen are strong here. Feel with the extra quality of Gloucesters backs they win fairly comfortably here.

Gloucester 29 - 22 Wasps

Wasps push hard in this one, but Glos probably one of the least affected teams in the 6N, and their power and presence really comes through. Would expect the front 5 to be even with Wasps having good props, but the Glos back row will win enough ball to get their dangerous backs some ball. Wasps game as ever and well set up, but need a talent injection in the forwards to match the packs of the top sides

Gloucester 25 - 23 Wasps 

A good battle up front with the only huge difference being the quality of Etzebeth ahead of the other 3 starting locks. Maybe a bit more at the breakdown for Gloucester but I think Wasps will get the advantage at scrum time. The backs see an advantage for Gloucester across the 7 but Wasps will have their chances with ball in hand and don't look weak defensively so will be able to cope with a lot that Gloucester can throw at them.  

Gloucester 15-12 Wasps
Not much in front fives nor the back row. The half backs and outside backs of Gloucester have more quality about them. Wasps are trying to make this scrappy and it nearly nets them a big upset.

Gloucester 33 - 28 Wasps
Gloucester have a ridiculous number of strike runners that can cause Wasps a lot of problems. Really like the Wasps halfbacks and that they will go after Gloucester at the breakdown, but just too many wc options in the pack and backline to deal with.

Gloucester 25 - 18 Wasps

Tight in the scrum battle, but much more for Gloucs in the 2nd row. Slight advantage to Gloucs in the back row and they take the pack battle. Prefer Gloucs at HB, and beyond there they look better in attack too. Overall Gloucs too strong here.

Gloucester 20-18 Wasps

Can see Wasps getting on top in the set piece with Gloucester struggling at TH and 5 although more around the park for the home team. Wasps stronger in the backrow, Gloucester extremely lightweight in the conditions which is very unlike them. Prefer Spencer at 9 but Gloucester have the 10-13 quality to gain some control. Struggling to rate May but Folau evens things up for the home side.

Gloucester 21 - 20 Wasps

Wasps front five really take the challenge to the Glos front five at the set piece, and cause the Cherry & Whites some real issues. The physical front five of Glos much better around the park, but in the conditions really hinders much flowing play. The change from the regular 8 for Glos will help Wasps to begin with as there would be some rust in the comms between the two players in a game situation. Ball in hand the Gloucester back line is a threat, but looking to play the game in the Wasps half means they get little time with ball in hand to attack. This game will go down to the wire, but Gloucester will just cling on for the victory.

Leicester Tigers 23-22 Exeter Chiefs
Tigers a bit stronger at the set piece and have a strong carrying backrow but Exeter should be able to cause problems at the breakdown. Slight edge to the Tigers halfbacks but wouldn't consider Black a weakness up against Burns. The Exeter back three much stronger in the air for me. Chiefs tactics not updated hurts them a little. Tigers with the usual power game edge this but the aerial approach doesn't really pay off and keeps Chiefs in this right up to the end.

Leicester 23 - 20 Exeter

Lahiff stands out as being a bit out of place in 2 very good packs. Wallace has been in good form, and could have a good impact at the breakdown with his pace, but equally can be got at physically. Tough one to start Black in, and with FDP/Beale helping Burns I'd expect Tigers to get the control in the sleet. Chiefs stronger out wide,but think Tigers have the the presence up front and the control to get the win at home in poor conditions

Leicester 24 - 20 Exeter

I think I prefer the Leicester pack in poor conditions with a bit more experience and international quality. They also have a significant step up at half back in terms of both quality and experience with the outside backs much closer. Think Leicester will have a bit more that Exeter at the set piece with Exeter having a better time of the breakdown. Leicester take an important win. 

Tigers 24-20 Exeter
Front fives are fairly even. Front row to Tigers, second to Exeter. Tigers have more about the back row although can see Exeter doing well at the breakdown. Prefer the experienced Tigers back row for the game plans this week.

Leicester 24 - 24 Exeter

Leicester 20 - 17 Exeter Chiefs
Both teams play the conditions well, there's just a bit too much power in the home team, although I think Chiefs will get at their second row pairing as it is quite lightweight. The Tigers backrow will be the difference and they have some powerful runners in the backline that will help them get over that gainline - do like Sam James for Chiefs.

Leicester 27-22 Exeter

Lahiff not really at this level but Exeter really struggling for form in the front row gives Tigers some control. Exeter just shade the engine room but Tigers a level up in the backrow with Exeter struggling to get a foothold in the game. Pretty much all Tigers in the backs bar Banahan, routine win for Tigers here.

Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs. 25-20
Exeter tactics don't match the game as say they are home and target bath players so treated as if no Tactics. Leicester heavy units get on top and take a routine win.

Saracens 20-18 Northampton Saints
Sarries should cause all sorts of problems at the lineout but Saints with more of a carrying game through the forwards. Breakdown battle will be ferocious. Halfbacks a good edge for Sarries with Sanchez in great nick at 10. Sarries edge the midfield battle currently but Saints wingers offer more. Question marks over the distribution of the Saints midfield though. Saints will do well ball in hand but feel Saracens have set up perfectly and will get some great platforms attacking the lineout.

Saracens 26 - 24 Saints

Scrum very even, but Sarries right to target the lineout and I would expect a lot of success with Parling/Whitelock. Back row battle will be interesting, Saints have the breakdown ability of Burger and Pocock, but Burger has a specific job and I wonder if Dusatoir and Fraser between them can counter Pocock. Lambie definitely helps the half backs in the conditions, and think Sarries have the edge there. Tuilagi back is a help, but not quite at full form yet, Saints still have the strength out wide. Its very tough to call, Sarries take it based on their tactical kicking and lineout at home

Saracens 22 - 22 Saints

Game of the Week. Think Saints will get the edge at the scrum but Saracens could easily make a mess of the Saints line out with Parling and Whitelock. Quite the step up in the Saints back row and they will dominate the breakdown. Neither side boasts an abundance of carriers in the pack. Not much between the half backs or the centres with Saints wingers looking really really strong. In the wet it's a really tough game to call.

Sarries 27-26 Saints
Front five to Sarries. Interesting, even back row battle although can see Saints getting more turnover ball. Slight edge to Sarries at half back. Outside backs and subs to Saints

Saracens 21 - 20 Saints

Saracens 26 - 26 Saints

Not much in the battle up front overall, and the 2nd rows are a great contest. Really good back row scrap as well, and this is really tough to call in the pack. Slight advantage to Sarries at HB, and the center battle a great one. More in the Saints back three. So tough to call here, can't split them.

Saracens v Northampton Saints. 23-25
a big game with some top names on display. Front 5 fairly even but backrow one sided to saints. Pocock is maybe the worlds best player currently and Fraser out of his depth. Hughes in great form but burger world class. In the backs it's again a great battle with some of the worlds greats. Centres a great battle although finding it hard to rate SBW anything more than neutral. It's out wide where saints win this.Benjamin really holds Saracens back.

Saracens 22 - 25 Northampton Saints

An interesting set piece contest in this fixture. Saracens don't really trouble the Saints scrum, however the line out they do make things difficult for Johnson. Without a real line out operator as well, things may get a little hard for Saints set piece in this area. A good game to watch at the breakdown as well here, with both side actually clear out quite well, but with so much focus on it, the breakdown does become a little messy. The control of the Sarries half back combo can push the side around to use the line out, but a steady scrum for Saints does allow Simpson to challenge the Sarries defence, especially from 30-40 metres out. With Fofana and Tuilagi both coming into form as of late, they ill be hard to stop and help add to Saints momentum. For all of the effort from the Saracens forwards, the backs are a little out of sorts and Saints can claim a big away win here. 

Bath 25-20 London Irish
Great battle between the front 5s at the set piece and around the park. Hard to separate the two sides at the breakdown but more of a carrying game to the Irish back row. Irish halfbacks with an edge with Cruden looking in good nick but Bath with the stronger midfield and wingers. Not too sure on Visinia though. No tactics a killer for Irish as with a decent game plan they would have taken this one.

Bath 23 - 26 London Irish

Pretty even up front, think Bath just edge the lineout. Irish take the back row, and now Cruden is back, that half back partnership will be tough to top. Pretty close in the outside backs with some great players on both sides. Irish take it based on the back row dominance and half back

Bath 30 - 15 London Irish

No tactics for Irish as there season seems to slip away from underneath them. Bath have a strong look about them across the board and enough to win most of the battles across the park. Comfortable home win with Irish a man down on the bench.

Bath 20 - 20 London Irish

Bath 28 - 22 London Irish
Give the game to Bath on home advantage and tactics there

Bath 24 - 25 Irish

Edge to Irish come scrum time, not much in the 2nd rows though. Just edge to Irish in the back row but its a great battle, and packs edge to the away side. Give the HBs to Irish, centres o Bath and back three not much in it. Think Irish could just nick this.

Bath 25-23 Irish

Good front row battle but Bath a big step up in the engine room. Irish stronger in the backrow bit Bath have the edge in the backline. Irish rudderless again with no tactics, not sure what is going on with Driver?? Do we need another manager coming in???

Bath v London Irish. 25-22 a tough encounter and if on
Paper would have it a draw but no Irish tactics sees a 3 point win for Bath

Bath 23 - 20 London Irish

Relatively even up front, with both teams in decent nick as of late. The Irish half back combo is firing well and will bring in back to good effect and cause the Bath defence some problems. Bath, are also looking quite sharp and with Imhoff and Visinia looking to get their hands on the ball in opens spaces, they will get some good go forward for Bath. Tough one to split in play, however the boot of Lealifiano will see Bath home a solid victory.

I'll take that result!!!!

Tight one Chris

How did I miss that I had named JDV twice!

Lucky it didn't cost me, good game prop

Congrats Bam. Always nice to be hammered by a team without a full bench........