Aviva Premiership Round 19

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Exeter Chiefs v Worcester Warriors
Sandy Park
Light rain, 12 Degrees, 15mph Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Conor Murray
02. Rob Webber	10. Nick Evans
03. Vincent Koch
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. Steffon Armitage	15. Maxime Medard

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16. Jack Yeandle 17. Nic Auterac 18. Mike Ross 19. James Horwill 20. Fritz Lee 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowksi 23. Teddy Thomas


Game Plan
In the greasy conditions we will be looking to play a territory based game, using the boots of White and Evans to play in the Warriors 22. When we have possession in and around their 22, we will use big carriers and carry close to the ruck, utilise the pick and go as well to suck defenders into defending the breakdown and the fringes. When there are clear gaps we will go wide to put men away over the try line.

In defence, as always we will smother the Warriors with our up & out drift. Our focus will be on the gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key factors. Murray will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any kicks or breaks. Back three will sit a little deeper anticipating a kicking game from the opposition in the conditions. Medard to take risk when Warriors are kicking into the wind. 

Specifics

• Territory - When we kick we will aim to find touch as deep as possible in Warriors territory and force them to throw into the line out close to their own line in poor conditions. This will be difficult with the wind favouring one side, one half, therefore into the wind we will carry to create room for our kickers, who can then look to angle low grubber kicks into Worcester territory. 
  
• Lineout - Hit banker ball at the front and use the middle and look to play atypical driving maul from there. De Jager to contest every line out, but Ball specifically to target the back lifter of the Warriors line out.
  
• Scrum - Get low and underneath their props and drive straight.  Really test their props technical abilities rather than get in to a battle of strength.
  
• Breakdown - When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it for the next phase. Biggest impetus would be to ensure clean ball with the Smith and Warburton on the prowl. In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not over commit, 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 over the ball for the jackal. 
  
• Attacking Play - We will also utilise the pick and go, keeping their defensive line on the back foot. We will then look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps. Murray to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  

Key Points

• Home Advantage - Sandy Park is one of the hardest places to come and play. With the imposing atmosphere and lack of experience in the conditions, we will exploit the Warriors naivety. 
  
• Physicality & Dynamism – Look to dominate Warriors physically. Worcester have players that don't play their best rugby when they are forced to play one on one slow nasty rugby. 
  
• Breakdown – The back row have been selected to cover the breakdown as well as for their dynamic carrying.
  
• Build a Score - Evans to build a score and take opportunities given to us within their ten metre. 
  

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Worcester Warriors
Manager – prop_lyd

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Stuart Hooper	11. Waisake Naholo
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Sam Warburton	13. Mark Bennett
07. George Smith (c)	14. James Short
08. Ben Morgan	15. Nehe Milner-Skudder

:-
16. Ken Owens 17. Codie Taylor 18. Henry Thomas 19. Devin Toner 20. Mike Williams 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mathew Tait

Tactics
Key Points- We have all of our 6 nations players back in the game and looking to get our season back on track, we will use a solid front row platform with strong carriers and focus on Biggar releasing our dangerous backline.. We feel we have 2 opensides to get good ball and Smith and Warburton 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 will look to reduce the numbers if required to negate the Irish's ariel challenge. The ball will look to go in and out pretty quickly to prevent any major mistakes/slips in the conditons. And Warburton/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 and Warburton to target this area and make sure that we can slow their ball and give us the quick ball we need for our carriers. Nakawara has been brought in for his carrying game adding to Hooper 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. We will rush on 10 as we appreciate they are dangerous out wide.

Half-Backs-If conditions are good we will look to spin it and release players off of Biggar and Roberts' shoulders. Biggar will use his potent kick chase to put pressure on the opposition. Davies will exploit any gaps at the fringes of the ruck.

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 defence. Bennett will make the breaks at 13 releasing the back three. Our back 3 will initially look to keep the ball in hand and Davies/Biggar will be one of the covering players from tactical kicking therefore offering the clearance needed if no gaps appear. We have gone for players in the back 3 who are comfortable in running back the high ball.

Bench-One of the strongest benches we have fielded, class all over with strong front row options, with Toner looking to dominate the late lineout and Plisson controlling and seeing out the game.

Defence-Controlled defence here and we won't look to rush up, backrow to put pressure on 10 initially with Davies 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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Harlequins v Newcastle Falcons
The Stoop
Light clouds, 14 Degrees, 10mph Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar (k)
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jack Clifford	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Ethan Waller 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Luke Romano 20. Damien Chouly 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Steven Myler 23. Yoann Huget

Tactics

Game Plan - In dry conditions we are going to look to move Newcastle around the pitch and have picked a mobile pack so we are able to do this. We are going to use Hernandez, McKenzie and Cordero to alternate as first receiver so we have variety to our attack and they are going to be looking to identify weaknesses in the Newcastle defence and mismatches with our attackers. In order to play this way we have chosen flankers and locks who cover every blade of grass and ensured we have strong carriers in the front row and at 8 who can get us over the gain line. 

We have chosen half backs with very strong kicking game in order to get us in the right areas of the pitch especially looking for the touch line where we can use Kruis and Du Toit to spoil the Falcons line out who are both prolific in terms of stealing line out ball. We will also look to use up and unders and cross field kicks to retain possession with Henshaw, Cordero, Nowell and McKenzie prolific in this area.  

Forwards -  We have picked a mobile pack with a very high work rate in order to play the way we want to. We will look for Gorgodze, Healy and the rest of our pack to carry really hard looking to attack spaces in the Newcastle defence to get us over the gain line. Each of our forwards, both starting and on the bench, add something with ball in hand and we have chosen them so they can get us across the gain line so we can play at a quick tempo.

Backs - We have chosen a back line which offers attacking threat in every position. We have chosen two half backs who have bags of experience and can control the game for us. We simply want them to enable others to attack and to create space. In Hernandez we have a magician with ball in hand who is able to put our outside backs into space and through gaps. In the outside backs we have pace in abundance and a real nose for tries (Joseph 6N Top try scorer and McKenzie Super rugby top try scorer). We will be looking to attack spaces and look for mismatches against tired Newcastle forwards. 

Set Piece -  We will look to use our strong line out to launch our attacks and steal possession for Newcastle. We have Kruis and Du Toit as our principle line out forwards as well as Clifford and Gorgodze offering themselves. We will look to vary our set up and use Short lineouts so that we can use Gorgodze or Hooper straight off 9 to get us straight across the gain line. We will look to get an upper hand at the scrum using Brookes to get the right hand of the scrum up.

Defence - We will look to employ a really fast line speed especially in the midfield and look to put huge pressure on the Newcastle decision makers. We have the pace to allow us to drift if required when we are short of numbers or we can look to blitz when we feel we are set up in a solid position and pile on the pressure. Joseph and Clifford will make these decisions. We will use chop tackles as the default and then look to get the first man over the ball. We have Clifford, Hooper, Creevy and Gorgodze looking to make the steals.

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Vincent Debaty	09. Greig Laidlaw (k)
02. Dane Coles (c)	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Dom Barrow	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Luke Jones	12. Scott Williams
06. Callum Clark	13. Luke Marshall
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Rob Miller

:-
16.George McGuigan 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Jacques Potgeiter 20. Jack O'Donaghue 21. Will Chudley 22. Gareth Anscombe  23. Jean De Villiers

Game plan - Use the big pack to really put their front 5 under pressure, particularly targeting Healy who has been in poor form. Compete hard for the ball at the ruck to get on top, and challenge 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, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. Jones to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up

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

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

Attack - get the ball out quickly to the in form Jackson, and get Williams /Marshall through gaps. Challenge them defensively with Williams and Marshall running hard lines at their channels with the back 3 cutting angles coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Hernandez all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how he handles it

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 v Gloucester
Welford Road
Light rain, 12 Degrees, 14mph Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – LukeLovesLuka

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Nick Phipps
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Steve Mafi	11. Matt Banahan
05. Victor Matfield	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Juan Smith	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. JMF Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. George Skivington 20. Wycliffe Palu 21. Micky Young 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Sitiveni Sivivatu



Tactics

In wet conditions we will play sensibly, looking to play a structured game built around our big carriers getting us over the gainline consistently.

- Attack the scrum as a weapon - and call when we can, if we are getting an advantage. Franks to look to target Evans and to look to really get the shove on.

- Use the rolling maul - Moore to lead from the back guided by Phipps, 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 Mafu, Smith and Lobbe as alternative jumpers - we will rotate the target.
With the boots of Phipps, Burns and Beale, we will look to get the ball deep in Gloucs 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 Gloucs defence.
The likes of Waldrom, Bastareaud, Mafi, Smith, Banahan and Moore used consistently to get us over the gainline.

- We want to control of the tempo of the game as much as we can through our 9/10/12/15.

- 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. Phipps to sweep behind with an eye on short kicks.

- Burns to kick all penalties.

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1. Rob Evans
2 Adriaan Strauss
3 Nicola Mas
4 Eben Etzbeth
5 Thomas Lavanini
6 Tom Croft
7 Ardie Savea
8 Jaimie Heaslip
9 Dan Robson
10 Dan Carter
11 Johnny May
12 Matt Toomua
13 Tevita Kurindrani
14 Charlie Walker
15 Israel Folau
16 Nick Wood
17 Coenie Ousthuizen
18 LCD
19 Richie Grey
20 Sam Dickinson
21 TJ Perenara
22 Danny 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 slightly wet conditions and exploit Leicester with our superiority up front creating the ideal platform to attack off. We
See the power of our engine room
as a huge advantage.

We have a strong front 5 with world class players in form and  we are using that to put us on the front foot. We aim to put the Leicester pack on the back foot.


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 tigers  10 and pressure burns kicking game.


We will 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 Leicester  half using the boot of robson Carter toomua to keep Leicestrr  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 Leicester  and their lack of kicking options . By targeting then we cut there possession at source. Likewise we will target  the wuss  throw and their lack of
Lineout jumpers.

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 tigers  and gain penalties and look to control the game. We have a huge mobile front 5.

Key points

Key units with Glos  particularly at locks and half backs
Lineout - Glos packed with world class options to disrupt their ball and take ours comfortably
Pressure
Bench - ability to take the game away.
Form- most of our players in great form with likes
Of Evans, savea, etzbeth,
Kurindrani etc
Etc.
It's taken a while but most glos players in a rich vein of
Form

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London Irish v Sale Sharks
Mad Stad
Light clouds, 14 Degrees, 12mph Winds

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London Irish Team....

15.Tim Nani Williams
14.Anthony Watson
13.Jesse Kriel
12.Henry Slade
11.Henry Spieght
10.Aaron Cruden
9.Aaron Smith

8.Duane Vermaulen (C)
7.Fulgence Quedraogo
6.Jerome Kaino
5.Sebastian Vaahaminia
4.Alun Wyn Jones
3.Dave Wilson
2.Bismark Du Plessie
1.Joe Marler

16.Tatafu Polatu Nau 17.Ben Moon 18.Frans Melherbe 19.Matt Symons 20.Sean O'Brian 21.Ben Youngs 22.Brad Barritt 23.Delon Armitage.

TACTICS

OVERALL GAMEPLAN

We welcome Sale Sharks too MadStad knowing that a win will push some daylight into the race for the play offs. As per the norm at Irish we will play a high tempo game based around moving the ball with Smith keeping the tempo of the game high with quick service and marshalling of the forwards. We'll look too keep possesion in the Sharks half and put them under pressure through a driving game with AWJ , Marler , BDP , Wilson , Vaa , Kaino and Vermaulen all looking too get us on the front foot and drive Sale back. Our backs will look to be clinical using the hands of Cruden/Slade too put Kriel , Watson , Spieght and TNW in space with time on the ball too cause havoc.

Defence Patterns

Blitz when we are short and look to tie Sale into the ruck area.
Drift with the ball when we have numbers.
Smith too sweep behind.
FQ too hound Sexton and really get inside his head and rattle him.

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Sam Carter	12. Charle Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Seta Taminavula
07. Sam Cane	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Francois Steyn 23. Nick Abendanon

Target the 10-13 channel: Irish have gone with a fairly small 10-12 channel and we will take advantage of it with big carries down that channel looking to get on the front foot with fast ball. Look to then go wider and test Kriels defensive decision making while on the back foot. 

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

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.  Care 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 Itoje 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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Wasps v Northampton Saints
Ricoh Areana
Light rain, 14 Degrees, 12mph Winds

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London Wasps
Manager: CJ

01. James Slipper	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Scott Spurling	10. Finn Russell
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Kearnan Myall	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Michelle Campagnaro
07. John Barclay	14.  Nick Cummins
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Nathan Catt 17. Corey Flynn, 18. Tom West 19. Luke Charteris, 20 Carl Fearns, 21. Ben Spencer , 22. Duncan Taylor 23.  Tommy Bowe

Tactics:

Breakdown:

as usual minimal commitment to most rucks, only piling in numbers when the turnover is on in either direction. Our approach is very situation dependent which will make it very hard for the opposition to adapt but will need 100% focus and calling, led by Barclay and then Robshaw.

In defence, where the ball is going to be quick anyway or there aren't many carriers ready around the fringes to punish this, we will emulate the Chiefs this season, and not commit ANYONE to the ruck, meaning we can attack the halfback and move the offside line and disrupt their attack from the off. If they catch on and use pick and drives (or the situation is too dangerous to allow quick ball), we will adjust and commit a man to slow and a normal defence, and if the ball is there for the picking we will send in Slipper/Robshaw/Barclay.

In attack, one of the flankers chasing the ball at any time to be ready to take an offload or be first to the ruck and ensure quick ball - mainly Barclay's role though.

Attack:

Build up slow ball with mauls and pick and goes and pops off 9, also looking for space behind the defensive line to use attacking kicks from Russell and Lealiifano.

If gaps appear around the edges, Cubelli is looking to snipe, but otherwise spin to Russell who will attack the line and play short passes onto our powerful centres, Cummins, our props and Vito to draw in the defenders, particularly looking to directly attack their centres who will give up yards on the tackle and give us go-forward. Then recycle using our multiple playmakers and attack the space (using inside balls to Gilroy/Pennell and the back row joining the line if these gaps appear in the midfield or spreading to the wingers outside if the space is there). Support from our flankers especially to keep the ball alive or recycle quickly off the floor where one of our 9-10-12 axis can look to switch the direction of attack and keep the defence in constant flux and the play broken to continue this targeting of the gaps.

Kicking:

Take any points on offer, with Lealiifano a back up for Finn. When kicking, look to get height on the balls Gilroy chases but kicker lower and at space for Cummins to power onto with momentum - this could catch them unaware as Foden's defence hasn't been solid recently. Generally look to run back kicks when we can.

Defence:

The non-ruck early charge to be occasionally used as an option as above, but the back line will play a blitz led by Lealiifano, particularly looking to catch 10-12-13 early as they have excellent footwork and hands but can be knocked back and then isolated. Hold off a little on the wings, as Daly loves the wide pass to the winger and we need to have a bit of space to cover this and also potentially look for the interception. Cubelli sweeping and one flanker acting as a ready cover-tackler, with the other making Simpson's life a living hell, especially when we don't form rucks, to negate his speed. Ryan leading the fringe defence which is vital with this attacking Saints back line.

Scrum:

Johnson is a new-ish hooker and Jones can be attacked these days, so look to break the bind between the two, with Kepu holding Crockett - I think we can really disrupt their ball. On our ball, look to push legally, get some go-forward then run off Vito.

Lineout:

Myall to call, with Ryan, Robshaw and Vito all good options, so we will mix up the targets and play quickly off the topic and look to get direct running at their 10-12 early and play off that. In their 22, we will use more of the rolling maul, with Barclay an excellent finisher off this and Cubelli used to bossing these. Look to really pressurise Johnson's deeper throws in the air, forcing him to throw to the front, which we can defend on the ground and minimise attacking ball.

Subs:

Saints have a lot of direct impact running on the bench, so when these come on I want to press at the fringes and look to get forwards joining the blitz to minimise their momentum, and to really target the unconfident Ford with big hits and big runners. We have Charteris to come on and counter Hartley's impact at the lineout, Fearns as another power-player, and attacking strike ability and form in the backs.

Overall:
Very fluid approach to the breakdown, emphasis on chasing and recycling in attack and staying out in defence

Move focus of attack, looking to create caps by targeting physicality of their backs

Target TH-hooker in the scrum

Blitz with press at 10-13 and space to cover wings

Using the breakdown above, pin down Simpson and make his life hell

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Adam Jones
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Jaques du Plessis
7. Schalk Burger
8. Samu Manoa
9. Joe Simpson
10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
11. Frank Halai
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Adam Ashley Cooper
15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Paul Jedrasiak 20. Billy Vunipola 21. Cobus Reinarch 22. George Ford 23. Manu Tuilagi

Tactics
We thought we'd try going with 23 players in this game...looking to play with our usual aggressive, physical style in the forwards with big runners getting us over the gainline and putting Wasps on the backfoot and not giving them any time on the ball. We will look for Burger and du Plessis to make the breakdown a really physical battle. Our aim is to give our halfbacks good front foot ball to attack Wasps and use our strike runners in the backline to test the home teams defence. We have selected a 9,10,12 combination to ensure we can win the tactical kicking battle. Win the game with the power of our bench in final quarter.

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 selected a team that has a strong lineout presence and allow us to mix up our attack, which is why we've added du Plessis and Manoa into the backrow. It is a very fresh pack.

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 suck in Wasps backline to stop our pack going forward and create space outwide for our backline. We have some very strong runners in the pack and do not see Wasps having the strike runners in their backline to get decent ground over the gainline, while we will get Fofana, Halai and AAC on the ball and putting us on the front foot.

Breakdown
We want to really focus on winning the breakdown battle, we've brought in two fresh backrowers and will look to dominate this area in terms of experience and outplay their opposite number. We want turnovers to attack off of, quick ball for Simpson to exploit. Our aim is to make this area a real mess on Wasps ball and make it difficult for them to get quick ball for their halfbacks without putting in numbers.

Attack
We will look to get our forwards on the ball and running off Sopoaga to make inroads into Wasps defensive line and providing space for our strike runners in the backline to exploit and get Fofana, Daly and Halai on the ball as often as possible. The light rain won't stop us wanting to play a quick high-tempo game and go through the phases. Seem to be quite a few new combinations in the Wasps team so will play at a high tempo and really test them out.

Kicking
With Simpson, Sopoaga and Daly we feel we have a strong kicking game and will look to ensure we dominate the territory battle, which will help us away from home.

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. Lot of big hitters in the pack, with Manoa asked to go fly half hunting. Simpson to sweep behind the defensive line

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Bath v Saracens
The Rec
Light rain, 14 Degrees, 12mph Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Damian De Allende
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Liam Williams
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulua 19. James Gaskell 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Jonathan Davies 23. Christian Wade

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Sarries 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 and finish strongly off the bench

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. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets. Lee to relentlessly target Waller.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Falateu, 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. Tipuric 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.  Williams and Imhoff 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 EBA, Skelton and Falateu 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 Sarries 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, Wigglesworth, Williams and Goode all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need.

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo with all our internationals off the bench.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Sam Whitelock	11. George North
05. Geoff Parling	12. Sonny Bill Williams
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Paul Hill 19. Brad Davies 20. Temani Harrison 21. Lee Dickson 22. Henry Trinder 23. Pat Lambie

Tactics:

TARGET LINEOUT - In the slippy conditions, look to kick for corners put pressure on the Bath line out. Look for Parling to man mark Kitchener and Whitelock to pick off the scraps. Look to get Whitelock jumping at the front, Parling on Kitchener and Haskell lifted at the back to make a 3 pronged attack. With only Kitchener as a real option we feel we can put some serious pressure on here and make Bath concede possession and quality ball.

BIG RUNNERS DOWN THE 10/12 CHANNEL - Look to get big runners Hughes, SBW, Gear etc running down the 10/12 channel and target Barrett's defence. Look to get runners off this and cause problems in midfield.

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Numerous options in Haskell, Hardie, Whitelock, Hughes, Cole. Attack with pace off turnover ball. Few options for the opposition so we feel we can get on top here.  Look to target Tuparic and prevent him having any impact on the game.

BIG CARRIERS IN SLIPPY CONDITIONS - Look to limit the offloading and use our superior big runners. SBW, Hughes, Guirado, Haskell, North all offering themselves against limited options past Skelton for the opposition.

TARGET SKELTON'S CARRYING - CUT OFF EARLY - Look to use our flanks to target Skelton and limit the carrying options Bath have.


General - We'll be playing a structured physical game in the slippy conditions 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. Limit the offloading in the slippy weather and use the big running options.

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.

Well this a sham! The game has went down hill hugely over the years!

Only messing, sounds good

I have no problem with the 10 point margin on my game, I rested a number of players with an eye on Irish and Sarries being the next two league games and wanting full first team available, knowing I was highly unlikely to beat Quins at home anyway!

Was hoping to sneak the LBP but thems the breaks!

Agree on the minimum description limit for full scores

BamBam wrote:I have no problem with the 10 point margin on my game, I rested a number of players with an eye on Irish and Sarries being the next two league games and wanting full first team available, knowing I was highly unlikely to beat Quins at home anyway!

Was hoping to sneak the LBP but thems the breaks!

Agree on the minimum description limit for full scores

My point was that some saw
It as a 2 pt game others 10 ie everyone sees it differently.

I also agree with minimum description limit

Eh.

Not surprised by the loss, I know there's a big step down in my players against most other sides, and Saints are one of the best in the league, and I have no issue with the result or any individual score, especially as I thought Saints tactics were strong.

However, in more general terms:
Given that I'm hampered by EQ, I really don't know how to address that: nobody is going to trade across top quality EQ, and in order to improve my all over squad quality, I basically have to sell off any world class players I pick up because that's what people tend to want in trades, though very kindly some people clearly give me a skewed (in my favour) deal in trades because they see this and feel sorry for me. Realistically, unless every gamble pay off, which to date they have not, I cannot possibly catch up on the player gap, so the only way I can really make up for this is in writing quite thought out tactics, which I always do to the best of my ability and which takes up a not inconsiderable amount of time. If tactics cannot counter difference in player quality, so be it, though I would argue that is demonstrably not the case in real life. It does make me regret bothering to focus tactics though

Can' quite work out how I lost by 2 points given the predos?

I certainly don't think we can change the scoring system mid-season though

LukeLovesLuka wrote:Can' quite work out how I lost by 2 points given the predos?

Doesn't include the score only predictions, I guess?

They weren't any this week.

My calculations has me down to win 24-23.

I imagine they'll be changes next season CJ. Possibly a lower EQ requirement in match day squads.

CJ, having had a good number of seasons rooted to the bottom I really feel your pain with eq and it's an issue I am still having as I am aware.of not having enough and only the luck of the wales 9-12 playing well together has helped me.

Really not sure how it would work now unless we thought up a draft of eq players still available and looked at bulking out some teams although not sure how helpful that would be?

Team sheet was late Luke so an extra 3 points to Gloucester

I was in Sri Lanka!?! Come on...

Fixing the EQ problem is a real conundrum. Over time it should get better with the academy bids now limited and all academies open ground but that may take a few years which isn't much solace for you now CJ. It can't be scrapped at this stage as most squads are built around EQ players and the league is built around that idea. Reduced limits just for you could be something to look at in the short term. There will definitely be a draft in the summer and with your recent dealings your squad has massively improved overall. 

On tactics thought it was a cracking effort this week and I personally gave you the win for it. Some place a lot of importance on tactics while others more so for line ups. I think as the league has got tighter tactics are becoming more and more important

prop_lyd wrote:CJ, having had a good number of seasons rooted to the bottom I really feel your pain with eq and it's an issue I am still having as I am aware.of not having enough and only the luck of the wales 9-12 playing well together has helped me.

Really not sure how it would work now unless we thought up a draft of eq players still available and looked at bulking out some teams although not sure how helpful that would be?

EQ a difficult one, I've done a few deals recently to try and spread out some of the EQ I've had so lost Lawes and Deveto but try and find some good EQ, picked up Brendon O'Connor in foreigns as he's EQ, may or may not come off but it is similar with gambles on guys like the Vunipolas, Daly and Tuilagi who I got before they become good.

Your academy is producing a lot of v good EQ players prop who should come through next year or two, Worcester have loads in the u18-u20 set up - stopping bigger clubs raiding academies could be a good way of helping out, or not counting it as a domestic transfer calling up an academy player and make it easy to sign EQ. There are a lot out there, just need that bit of luck in the signings.

LukeLovesLuka wrote:I was in Sri Lanka!?! Come on...

Rules are rules Luke. Think it was harsh but I was only being moaned at the other week for no consistency an I've put the three points in for other who were late so had to be applied. If Matt is happy to waive the three points as a once off I will adjust tables etc otherwise result stands

EQ a difficult one, I've done a few deals recently to try and spread out some of the EQ I've had so lost Lawes and Deveto but try and find some good EQ, picked up Brendon O'Connor in foreigns as he's EQ, may or may not come off but it is similar with gambles on guys like the Vunipolas, Daly and Tuilagi who I got before they become good.

You make it sound like you got nothing back in these deals! lol.....you do ok

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:

LukeLovesLuka wrote:I was in Sri Lanka!?! Come on...

Rules are rules Luke. Think it was harsh but I was only being moaned at the other week for no consistency an I've put the three points in for other who were late so had to be applied. If Matt is happy to waive the three points as a once off I will adjust tables etc otherwise result stands

LukeLovesLuka wrote:

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:

LukeLovesLuka wrote:I was in Sri Lanka!?! Come on...

Rules are rules Luke. Think it was harsh but I was only being moaned at the other week for no consistency an I've put the three points in for other who were late so had to be applied. If Matt is happy to waive the three points as a once off I will adjust tables etc otherwise result stands

I think you can take the silence as a no Luke.....