European Finals

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Champions Cup Final

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Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Grand Stade de Lyon
Light rain, 18 Degrees, 12mph Winds

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Jack McGrath 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Sam Cane 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

SPECIFICS/KEY POINTS
- Strong carriers picked through the side to take advantage of the ground given away on the Quins drift defence and get us on the front foot
- Trust our handling in light rain and look for offloads from Retalick, Pickles and the midfield particularly with Quins emphasis on low tackling this season
- Possession is our aim. Make Quins work their socks off on defence. We come in fresher having been able to rotate with home play offs and 1st place secured weeks ago
- Strong impact from the bench with international quality scrummagers to come in and the likes of Cane, De Klerk, Foley & Eastmond changing the dynamics of the game

Attack: We will be playing a high intensity game looking to keep the ball moving and work the opposition over. Look to get the big carriers throughout our side running off Care & Sexton, carrying hard and getting over the gain line. Once on the front foot, Sexton on the wrap around and runners out of the back door will look to isolate defenders as well as move us into the wider channels. Zebo & Ngatai to be used as secondary playmakers to allow us to change the point of attack and continue to build phases. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs and take advantage of any early drifts from Quins.

Although Sexton, Ngatai & Zebo offer us a strong kicking game we are primarily looking to keep the ball in hand, starving Quins of possession and making them work hard on defence. When they do kick, it will be to look for net gains in territory similar to the Highlanders set up. They will look to kick deep and rely on an aggressive kick chase to put the Quins returners under pressure and force rushed clearances.

Defence: We will be playing a straight line blitz led by Fekitoa at 13. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed and no dog legs are crucial. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Abendanon & Zebo have been instructed to defend deep and cover the backfield. Both will look to primarily run the ball back.

At the breakdown when the initial contact is won and the ball carrier driven back we will commit numbers and get over the ball, turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. With ball winners throughout the side with the likes of Slimani, Retalick, Itoje, Kvesic, the midfield and Roko we will look to take advantage of any isolated runners particularly in wider areas. Otherwise we will strengthen the defensive line

Set Piece: 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. Look to specifically target Healys side of the scrum on their put ins with Slimani looking to break his link with the hooker and isolate him.

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 disrupt Creevys throwing and make the ball back as messy as possible for Pienaar.

---

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
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. Elton Jantjies 23. James O'Connor

Tactics

Forwards Work - Half Backs Control - Outside Backs Create

Game Plan 

In slippery conditions we've made sure we have chosen half backs who can put us in the right area of the pitch. We don't want to be playing from our own half unless it is countering a poor kick or turnover ball. In Pienaar and Myler we have picked to players who will facilitate the play and control the direction of our side and use their experience of these conditions and pin point boots control field position in the game. Our back line has an array of strong kickers who can pin Sale back throughout the game. We'll use the up and under and the remarkable skill of Henshaw and McKenzie under the high ball to retain possession or force the error with Abendonon and Roko being targetted. 

Pienaar and Myler will not be the men charged with breaking down the Sale defence. They will assess the position of the game and look to bring our big carriers and electric runners onto the ball at the right time. They will feed the ball to our forwards to make yards and get us going forward before McKenzie, Cordero, Joseph, Henshaw and Nowell step up to attack the Sale defence. We want to give them the ball after our forwards have got us over the gain line so we have quick ball or when we have won a turnover. We want them to be running at an disorganised or scrambling defence.  We will look to use our back three as out the back options to give them time on the ball to assess where the Sale defence is weak or isolate a forward and use the exquisite running lines of Henshaw and JJ to pick holes in the Sale midfield. 

The key to our attack is to get quick ball into the hands of our outside backs.

Set Piece


We feel one of the biggest weapons in our arsenal is our defensive line out. In Kruis and PSDT (and Chouly off the bench) we have world class operators at the line out and against a line out without a recognised leader, we feel we can really disrupt the quality of Sale's line out ball especially with the relative inexperience of the Sale hookers. We'll look to put relentless pressure onto the Sale line out and pressure who ever is calling the line. At the scrum we will look for Creevy to use all his experience to make Taylor's life hard. If Taylor is struggling then it will knock Ayerza and Slimani off their stride allowing Healy and Brookes to cause damage. 

On our own line out we will look to vary between short and full lines so we can use Gorgodze and Hooper as carriers straight off 9 to run hard at Sexton and get us over the gain line. 

Defence


Our default defence will be the drift defence to make the most of the pace in our side. We'll look to force Sale wide in slippy conditions and use the chop tackle to bring them straight to ground so we can use the pace of Clifford and Hooper to get the breakdown first. We'll keep two players back for the kick at all times and use Pienaar to sweep. We have a strong set piece presence and will look to make Care's life difficult. 

Key Points


Pace throughout our side - We are a quick side from 1 to 15. We will look to use this around the park to stretch Sale across the pitch for our electric runners to exploit the gaps. 

Go Forward - We have a pack full of strong carriers who can keep the legs pumping after contact to get us over the gain line. This is vital for us to get the quick ball we want to get our outside backs running.

Half backs - Whilst we are under no illusions that our half backs will set the game alight, they are both excellent decision makers and game managers. They have a 'final temperament' and will simply do the basics well and use their pin point kicking games to pin Sale back and build pressure. McKenzie and Cordero will have the option to come in as first receivers when we are on the front foot.  

Outside Backs - We feel that if we can get our outside backs the ball on the front foot then they will score tries. We have pace in abundance and will look to create mismatches and switch play.

Sexton - Look to get Gorgodze and Brookes running at Sexton. He is the main man for Sale and if we can get him working hard in defence we take a step towards winning the game. Hooper and Clifford will hunt him all game.

Bench - Use Jantjies and JOC off the bench to bring a fresh X-factor in the last quarter. Something else for the tired Sale defence to worry about.

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Challenge Cup Final

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Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester
Grand Stade de Lyon
Light rain, 18 Degrees, 12mph Winds

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. David Strettle
05. Ed Slater	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. David Ewers	13. Scott Williams
07. Francois Louw	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Flip Van Der Merwe 20. Chris Henry 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Gareth Anscombe  23. Rob Miller

Key points - We think Glos lack a lineout leader despite their jumping options, and we fancy our chances of beating them physically at the breakdown.

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, and challenge their half back combo we think they can be targeted with Cipriani particularly in for a lot of tackling. Target the positional sense of their back 3, with Walker in particularly the target for our high ball game. Challenge at every lineout

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. Really target the ageing Mas If no weakness, use as restart. Slater to call lineout like all Leicester second rows do, 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 - Louw, Read, Ewers and George to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Louw is charged with keeping Savea off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated. Look to play with pure physicality at the breakdown, see if their back row has what it takes to compete

Kicking - Smith and Piutau to offer options outside Farrell with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge Li's positioning, and put the high ball up on Walker/ at all opportunities. Piutau free to drop back for the counter off their kicks with Smith stepping in

Attack - Webb to run our attack and set the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get Jackson quick ball.. Challenge Cipriani defensively with Mccloskey running hard lines at their channels with Piutau/Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Cips all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how he handles it. Piutau /Smith all options to switch around and keep them guessing. Target both wings defensively with the back 3 and Piutau interchangeable

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the drift defence to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one out wide. Farrell to  lead our defensive intensity

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

---

Gloucester

Manager – Mat
1 Beast
2. LCD
3 Antonio
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavani
6 Croft
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 Robson
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Dagg
16 Rob Evans
17 Joe Gray
18 Ousthuizen
19 Stooke
20 Matera
21 TJ Perenara
22 Carter
23 Folau

Can I use
This side please and I will add tactics


 in our half in the conditions, look for big carries from go to men in pack and backs
- Target scrum, if weakness seen, look to exploit
- Target Line out, numerous jumpers to mark front/middle/back, kick for corners from our half if weakness seen in opposition with numerous kicking options
- Big runners through the Falcons midfield
- Look to get at Farrell and put him off his game with Savea/Croft
- Look to pin Falcons back in own half to exploit lack of kicking options in backline
- Big options from bench in Carter, Tj etc to see out the game

No away side so teams in by Wednesday midnight and tactics Thursday.

Y
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. David Strettle
05. Ed Slater	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. David Ewers	13. Scott Williams
07. Francois Louw	14. Charles Piutau
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Dane Coles 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Flip Van Der Merwe 20. Chris Henry 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Gareth Anscombe  23. Rob Miller

Key points - We think Glos lack a lineout leader despite their jumping options, and we fancy our chances of beating them physically at the breakdown.

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, and challenge their half back combo we think they can be targeted with Cipriani particularly in for a lot of tackling. Target the positional sense of their back 3, with Walker in particularly the target for our high ball game. Challenge at every lineout

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. Really target the ageing Mas If no weakness, use as restart. Slater to call lineout like all Leicester second rows do, 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 - Louw, Read, Ewers and George to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. Read able to split staying close to the ruck, or turning the ball over in wider areas like for NZ. On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Louw is charged with keeping Savea off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated. Look to play with pure physicality at the breakdown, see if their back row has what it takes to compete

Kicking - Smith and Piutau to offer options outside Farrell with their accurate boots. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge Li's positioning, and put the high ball up on Walker/ at all opportunities. Piutau free to drop back for the counter off their kicks with Smith stepping in

Attack - Webb to run our attack and set the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get Jackson quick ball.. Challenge Cipriani defensively with Mccloskey running hard lines at their channels with Piutau/Smith coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at Cips all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how he handles it. Piutau /Smith all options to switch around and keep them guessing. Target both wings defensively with the back 3 and Piutau interchangeable

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the drift defence to maintain the line and challenge them to beat us one on one out wide. Farrell to lead our defensive intensity

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

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Simon Zebo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Jack McGrath 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Sam Cane 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Kyle Eastmond

SPECIFICS/KEY POINTS
- Strong carriers picked through the side to take advantage of the ground given away on the Quins drift defence and get us on the front foot
- Trust our handling in light rain and look for offloads from Retalick, Pickles and the midfield particularly with Quins emphasis on low tackling this season
- Possession is our aim. Make Quins work their socks off on defence. We come in fresher having been able to rotate with home play offs and 1st place secured weeks ago
- Strong impact from the bench with international quality scrummagers to come in and the likes of Cane, De Klerk, Foley & Eastmond changing the dynamics of the game

Attack: We will be playing a high intensity game looking to keep the ball moving and work the opposition over. Look to get the big carriers throughout our side running off Care & Sexton, carrying hard and getting over the gain line. Once on the front foot, Sexton on the wrap around and runners out of the back door will look to isolate defenders as well as move us into the wider channels. Zebo & Ngatai to be used as secondary playmakers to allow us to change the point of attack and continue to build phases. Care to keep the fringe defence honest with his snipping runs and take advantage of any early drifts from Quins.

Although Sexton, Ngatai & Zebo offer us a strong kicking game we are primarily looking to keep the ball in hand, starving Quins of possession and making them work hard on defence. When they do kick, it will be to look for net gains in territory similar to the Highlanders set up. They will look to kick deep and rely on an aggressive kick chase to put the Quins returners under pressure and force rushed clearances.

Defence: We will be playing a straight line blitz led by Fekitoa at 13. Focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed and no dog legs are crucial. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Abendanon & Zebo have been instructed to defend deep and cover the backfield. Both will look to primarily run the ball back.

At the breakdown when the initial contact is won and the ball carrier driven back we will commit numbers and get over the ball, turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. With ball winners throughout the side with the likes of Slimani, Retalick, Itoje, Kvesic, the midfield and Roko we will look to take advantage of any isolated runners particularly in wider areas. Otherwise we will strengthen the defensive line

Set Piece: 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. Look to specifically target Healys side of the scrum on their put ins with Slimani looking to break his link with the hooker and isolate him.

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 disrupt Creevys throwing and make the ball back as messy as possible for Pienaar.

Completely forgot as yesterday was my birthday and then my mate was rushed into hospital. Any point me putting a side in now with 3 points off?

Sorry to hear Steve, happy birthday anyway.

Stick it in, I'm sure Johnny may envoke the exceptional circumstances rule due to it being a final etc.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Steven Myler (k)
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. Elton Jantjies 23. James O'Connor

Tactics

Forwards Work - Half Backs Control - Outside Backs Create

Game Plan 

In slippery conditions we've made sure we have chosen half backs who can put us in the right area of the pitch. We don't want to be playing from our own half unless it is countering a poor kick or turnover ball. In Pienaar and Myler we have picked to players who will facilitate the play and control the direction of our side and use their experience of these conditions and pin point boots control field position in the game. Our back line has an array of strong kickers who can pin Sale back throughout the game. We'll use the up and under and the remarkable skill of Henshaw and McKenzie under the high ball to retain possession or force the error with Abendonon and Roko being targetted. 

Pienaar and Myler will not be the men charged with breaking down the Sale defence. They will assess the position of the game and look to bring our big carriers and electric runners onto the ball at the right time. They will feed the ball to our forwards to make yards and get us going forward before McKenzie, Cordero, Joseph, Henshaw and Nowell step up to attack the Sale defence. We want to give them the ball after our forwards have got us over the gain line so we have quick ball or when we have won a turnover. We want them to be running at an disorganised or scrambling defence.  We will look to use our back three as out the back options to give them time on the ball to assess where the Sale defence is weak or isolate a forward and use the exquisite running lines of Henshaw and JJ to pick holes in the Sale midfield. 

The key to our attack is to get quick ball into the hands of our outside backs.

Set Piece


We feel one of the biggest weapons in our arsenal is our defensive line out. In Kruis and PSDT (and Chouly off the bench) we have world class operators at the line out and against a line out without a recognised leader, we feel we can really disrupt the quality of Sale's line out ball especially with the relative inexperience of the Sale hookers. We'll look to put relentless pressure onto the Sale line out and pressure who ever is calling the line. At the scrum we will look for Creevy to use all his experience to make Taylor's life hard. If Taylor is struggling then it will knock Ayerza and Slimani off their stride allowing Healy and Brookes to cause damage. 

On our own line out we will look to vary between short and full lines so we can use Gorgodze and Hooper as carriers straight off 9 to run hard at Sexton and get us over the gain line. 

Defence


Our default defence will be the drift defence to make the most of the pace in our side. We'll look to force Sale wide in slippy conditions and use the chop tackle to bring them straight to ground so we can use the pace of Clifford and Hooper to get the breakdown first. We'll keep two players back for the kick at all times and use Pienaar to sweep. We have a strong set piece presence and will look to make Care's life difficult. 

Key Points


Pace throughout our side - We are a quick side from 1 to 15. We will look to use this around the park to stretch Sale across the pitch for our electric runners to exploit the gaps. 

Go Forward - We have a pack full of strong carriers who can keep the legs pumping after contact to get us over the gain line. This is vital for us to get the quick ball we want to get our outside backs running.

Half backs - Whilst we are under no illusions that our half backs will set the game alight, they are both excellent decision makers and game managers. They have a 'final temperament' and will simply do the basics well and use their pin point kicking games to pin Sale back and build pressure. McKenzie and Cordero will have the option to come in as first receivers when we are on the front foot.  

Outside Backs - We feel that if we can get our outside backs the ball on the front foot then they will score tries. We have pace in abundance and will look to create mismatches and switch play.

Sexton - Look to get Gorgodze and Brookes running at Sexton. He is the main man for Sale and if we can get him working hard in defence we take a step towards winning the game. Hooper and Clifford will hunt him all game.

Bench - Use Jantjies and JOC off the bench to bring a fresh X-factor in the last quarter. Something else for the tired Sale defence to worry about.

No worries Steve for a fair final I'm happy to let the 3 points go

As am I whenever Matt gets his side in

Cheers. I'll get my tactics in asap so you can do yours after seeing mine.

BamBam wrote:As am I whenever Matt gets his side in

If Matt hasn't got it up by around 13/1400, I'll stick a team and tactics up Bam

Gloucester

Manager – Mat

01. Rob Evans	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Nicholas Mas
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. Richie Gray	12. Matt Toomua
06. Tom Croft	13. Tevita Kuridrani
07. Ardea Savea	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

:-
16. Nick Wood  17. Adriaan Strauss 18. Juan Figallo 19. George Robson 20. Willem Alberts 21. TJ Perenara 22. Dan Carter 23. Israel Folau[/quote]

Tactics:

- Structured game in our half in the conditions, look for big carries from go to men in pack and backs
- Target scrum, if weakness seen, look to exploit
- Target Line out, numerous jumpers to mark front/middle/back, kick for corners from our half if weakness seen in opposition with numerous kicking options
- Big runners through the Falcons midfield
- Look to get at Farrell and put him off his game with Savea/Croft
- Look to pin Falcons back in own half to exploit lack of kicking options in backline
- Big options from bench in Carter, Alberts to see out the game

Go off this for now Bam.

If Matt gets his team in, I'm sure Johnny won't mind you changing your tactics

I've put tactics in based on the team Pooly added, if it changes I'm unlikely to be able to make any updates

Am away over the weekend so may possibly struggle to predict

Predictions open

PM's to Johnny

I posted a team Wednesday and it has disappeared. This site has some weird stuff happening


My side to the best of my memory was

1 Beast
2. LCD
3 Antonio
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavani
6 Croft
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 Robson
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Kurindrani
14 Walker
15 Dagg
16 Rob Evans
17 Joe Gray
18 Ousthuizen
19 Stooke
20 Matera
21 TJ Perenara
22 Carter
23 Folau

Can I use
This side please and I will add tactics


in our half in the conditions, look for big carries from go to men in pack and backs
- Target scrum, if weakness seen, look to exploit
- Target Line out, numerous jumpers to mark front/middle/back, kick for corners from our half if weakness seen in opposition with numerous kicking options
- Big runners through the Falcons midfield
- Look to get at Farrell and put him off his game with Savea/Croft
- Look to pin Falcons back in own half to exploit lack of kicking options in backline
- Big options from bench in Carter, Tj etc to see out the game

RESULTS:

Sale Sharks 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Harlequins 27 (T:3 C:3 P:2)

Newcastle Falcons 29 (T:3 C:1 P:4)
Gloucester Rugby 23 (T:2 C:2 P:3)

BONUS:

Score: Steve
Full: Fluxy, Prop, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly & CJ

Sale Sharks 27 - 28 Harlequins

Two of the best sides in the league end up in the Champions cup final. Both front fives, combine power, dynamism and good handling skills to really help carry the game. There's not really one guy on either side who can't pass badly. Line out is good contest, and one where both will pinch a few of each other with the guys on show. Breakdown again is interesting but can see both having their moments throughout the game but no one side for me gets the upper hand. Backs, Quins will play the territory well and have a good combo to help get their backs in positions they want to be in. Sharks more of a threat from the inside channels, but also a similar threat outside. Sharks do have size on their side whilst not being dramatically slower. There will be a few extra yards made of this. In terms of mixing the game up if needed, the Sale bench has a touch more impact for me. Although Quins are no slouches. This will come down to a penalty with neither sides really making any blunders, and I can see that Quins will nick this one, just with a touch more flair needed to be on the right place to earn a penalty and get the victory. 

Sale Sharks 23 - 26 Harlequins
Difficult game to predict on, but when you at some of the key battles you see that there is a good opportunity for Quins to win, particularly in the no2, no7 shirts and targeting the Sale lineout is a shrewd move, where Sale do lack a lineout leader. On paper the 8, 9, 10 combination for Sale is very strong, but for me all have had poor seasons in terms of form compared to the high levels of performance we've seen in previous seasons and Gorgodze could run riot in the backrow. Yet, Quins suffer with Myler at no10 who has struggled for Saints in real life, so a bit hit and miss in the halfbacks. 

Backline's are both brilliant, but Quins have a cleverer kicking game in the 9/10 shirt (targeting Roko and Abendanon again good move) and can see Sale being overly reliant on Sexton. Back threes go to Quins with the form of Nowell and McKenzie particularly impressive, yet Roko is in great try scoring form for Sale. 

As benches come on the momentum will shift back to Sale in terms of the setpiece, but only in the scrum, and before then I can see Quins getting a big advantage and are right to target Taylor with the more experienced Creevy, again another good tactic from Quins. But Sale do have two standout forwards in Itoje and CJ Stander. 

Sale 29 - 26 Harlequins

With the light rain allowing for caution and enterprise in equal measure, I am enjoying the contrast in approach between these two sides and think neither gets an inherent advantage- both sets of halfbacks particularly suit their chosen approach, which isn't always the case. I think a drift is good to give less of a gap for Care to attack and means offloads and loops off 10 are less devastating when they come off but Sale can pick apart a drift with well timed passing and good runners targeting the gaps. Equally using powerful carriers to take on a blitz and then wait until it inevitably runs out of men or tires to strike is the way forward for Quins too. Very different approaches to the breakdown too, suiting Sale's lack of Hooper's pace but strong teamwork. There will be turnovers a plenty, with Quins getting to a lot of ball first with their flankers and stealing it but Itoje and Kvesic adept at turning ball over if it comes near them. The scrum, I think, goes to Sale and they have a great bench unit to keep that going, and both sides are looking to, and likely will, steal some opposition lineout ball. All in all this is a game where we will see a lot of first phase turnover ball, especially with Sale picking Zebo as a 14.5 and running kicks back, which Care and Sexton are highly suited at using, but will also give opportunities to Joseph, Clifford, McKenzie etc. Both packs have some serious carriers that will get in the backline too- Quins have more pace there and in broken spells they will be very dangerous. And the centre battle will be key. I think there is a lot of promise and power for Sale there which will punish the drift, but I really like Henshaw-Joseph's balance. Lots of game winning attack on both benches. It's very close, but given the likelihood of turnovers and steals and the edge in the scrum, I think Care and Sexton will shape enough extra scoring opportunities for Sale.

Sale 27-24 Harlequins

Good upfront battle but Healy's drastic loss of form over the last 6 month really holds Quins back. Great 2nd row contest on show with Sale having the better of the contest but not by a great deal. Even backrow contest on paper but again it's real life form of the Quins flankers against a flowing Sale unit which just gives Sale the edge. Halfbacks to Sale by a distance with one a piece in the centres although I prefer the Quins unit as a combo. Really like the Quins back 3 and they just have the edge. Plenty of impact from both benches, Sale perhaps with more impact. Great final from 2 great teams. Quins form in the pack is the telling area and the halfback quality on show. Well done to both for reaching the final.

Sharks 28-26 Quins
Quite even in the front row with neither team gaining an advantage, second row could see Sale getting slightly on top. A cracking back row battle on show with 2 evenly balanced back rows on show. Hooper could slow down Sale ball but Sharks could do likewise here with Kev. Stander brings a tiny bit more than Clifford but not much in it. Half backs is where Sharks will gain control and an advantage, 2 cracking centre pairings but feel that Sharks will get the better ball. Close out wide with form for Quins but Roko unstoppable at the moment! Nothing between the benches. Sale set up well to disrupt Quins' game and think that their idea of ball in hand will work today with the power in the centres. Quins going for territory and to put pressure on Sale's lineout but overall I think that Sale will take the win and the trophy.

Sale 29 - 28 Harlequins

2 best sides in the league for me, and this is one hell of a final. Very little to split these sides at scrum time, think Healy's slight lack of form and the extra quality in the props coming off Sale's bench probably just gives them the edge. Lineout goes the other way for me, Itoje will nick a couple, but the varied options that Quins have in PDST, Kruis and the back row gives them the opportunity to launch attacks off the top very effectively, and think they can also steal a couple of Sale lineouts. Round the park, I think the back 5 of Sale's pack offers a bit more carrying, but Quins front row is excellent here and will help make up the difference. I do think the one weakness of Quins side is the lack of a physical threat in the backline, and against excellent defenders that Sale have this could make an impact. Quins are stronger at the breakdown for me, but there's really not much in it, with Itoje prominent again.

Backline dynamics are very interesting .. Quins have the control, but Sale just have a bit more magic. Steve is right to use Mckenzie at first receiver to help add a bit of fireworks, but as a whole I think Sale have the advantage at halfback. Further out, Sale have the more physical runners, but Quins have some scary attacking quality from 11-15, I just wonder whether they lack someone to fix the defence, and give the likes of Cordero a bit more room.Can't split the benches, international quality all over the place, and both sides are very well set up tactically. Based on the slight carrying advantage throughout the sides in the conditions, and a little bit of extra magic from the halfbacks, I'll go with the narrowest of Sale wins

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 23 Gloucester

Falcons a touch tighter and slicker at the set piece to give Read and Ewers the platform to get good yards. Saveas power helps slow them down, and Glos better in the line out than the scrum for me this time. Rangy ball carriers from Glos means if anyone breaks the defence they really push Falcons defence back. Both sets of halfbacks in good form as of late. There a touch more form to the Falcons back line in my eyes, although Dagg has been phenomenal Recently. The Glos bench are going to turn the tide and really put pressure on Newcasltw. However keeping fax on and bringing on the likes of Coles and Laidlaw will help calm the nerves and steer them to a priceless victory

Newcastle Falcons 21 - 19 Gloucester 
Bit more detail in the tactics from Falcons makes a big difference on the scoreboard, but if Gloucester had a way of getting Carter on from the start it could have won them the game, as Cipriani's kicking has either been 100% or not...in comparison to Farrell, who could win the final with his kicking alone. If Carter had started then Gloucester would win

Much prefer the Gloucester front five in the pack and they'll really be able to cause some issues and get a lot of strong ball carriers - in each shirt I prefer the Gloucester option there. But the Falcons backrow is so perfectly balanced and Ewers getting into form has really been a big boost for the final and combined with Read it will give Gloucester more go forward ball. 

In terms of backlines - Gloucester win the midfield battle by a canter, would have liked to have seen Foloa start at no13, but when you go further outfield there is a change in quality that wouldn't be there if May hadn't been injured. Can just see Falcons being able to capitalise that little bit more when the ball goes wide, with Smith and Piutua especially. Difficult game to predict on, as teams have different areas of strengths - but Falcons just, just win it.

Newcastle 30 -26 Gloucester

Newcastle targeting some very clever areas, I expect Gloucester's back 3 to not enjoy this game fielding kicks and trying to defend (none of them being great defenders) Piutau and Smith especially. Gloucester's tactics a lot more vague. They can probably pressurise the fiery Farrell though. I'm not sure Slater is a scrummaging lock?! But Newcastle can just about edge the scrum but with Antonio able to exert his power I think Gloucester will still win a few penalties, actually I'm calling it even, close in the lineout too with LCD an issue but Croft a big strength- can see Gloucester losing a few but stealing a few here, making it a bit of a lottery. Neither side able to rely on their set piece then, and Newcastle winning the breakdown quite easily where Savea is expected to do a lot alone and Falcons' workrate is impressive. Webb and Farrell run the game well together, both much better players in recent seasons, but Wasps' pairing next year of Robson and Cipriani should work very well and kick in the right areas and set up lethal attacks with an experimented, gelled and powerful Australian international duo outside them (who are a class above the solid Newcastle centres). The Gloucester midfield is their greatest strength today and it will be dangerous, and Toomua will ease the defensive pressure on Cipriani. As noted above, I think the Newcastle back 3 will really make life horrible for their opposite numbers though. Gloucester have a great bench but with good targeting, quick ball and a good chance of scoring every time the ball goes wide, I think Newcastle will leave Carter etc too much to do to come back.





Falcons 27-24 Glos
Actually think that Falcons could cause issues in the Glos front row but Glos a step up in the second row today. A cracking back row battle and, currently with Croft and Salvi quiet at the moment, Falcons could get on top. 2 solid half back pairings but again Falcons got a slight step up on their opposite numbers. Glos could cause some issues in the centres but back 3 a step up for Falcons again. Glos looking for strong carriers and to put Farrell off his game which I don't think they will get the opportunity to, impact bench will help them. Falcons with a solid breakdown defence and heads up attacking controlled by Webb sees them take the win.

Newcastle 25 - 24 Gloucester

Newcastle Falcons 28-24 Gloucester
Can see the Falcons causing some issues at the scrum but the Gloucester 2nd row offer more quality around the park. More for Falcons through the back row man for man and Gloucester lacking someone to make the hard tight yards somewhat. Glaws more then capable of turning ball over in the wider channels but can see Falcons consistently slowing their ball down. Strong form for the Gloucester halfbacks but the Falcons pair proven at a higher level. Both midfields work well together but more overall to the Gloucester pair. Dagg in decent nick but Smith and Piutau offer more of a threat. Big impact in the backs for Gloucester but a lot of physicality to come in in the front 5 for Falcons. Not an awful lot to go on from the Glaws tactics. Farrell can be wound up but can't see this lack of a kicking game and no real details on their attacking structures or defence. Falcons targeting the scrum a good ploy and the breakdown tactics work well with a strong work rate. Feel Falcons see the better ball here and getting Smith and Piutau into the play as much as possible causes Gloucesters defence a lot of problems.

Congrats lads

Commiserations Steve. Delighted with my first European silverware
Congratulations to Bam as well

Good win SJE. Close contest. 

Might see you again in two weeks time.

Cheers guys, congrats SJE!

Congrats both

Congrats chaps.
Can SJE pull of the impossible double ?

I missed out twice on it.
Once after about 5 rounds of extra time with Pete.