Summer Tournament - Round 3

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Bath Rugby vs Sale Sharks
Sixways Stadium
Light Cloud, 21 Degrees, 7mph North Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Ellis Genge	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Josh Beaumont	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

.
16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. James Gaskell 20. Josh Van Der Flier 21. Dan Lydiate 22. Tawera Kerr Barlow 23. Liam Williams

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Tevita Li
05. Iain Henderson	12. Jonathan Danty
06. Sean McMahon	13. Seta Tamanivalu
07. Sam Cane	14. Simon Zebo
08. Steven Luatua	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Scott Sio 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Martin Moore 19. Brodie Retalick 20. CJ Stander 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Johnny Sexton 23. Malakai Fekitoa

Could I have feedback on the following please:
- 2nd row combo
- McMahon/Luatua at 6 & 8
- Midfield as a combo and individuals
- Tevita Li

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Newcastle Falcons vs Racing 92
Elland Road
Light Cloud, 20 Degrees, 8mph North Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Camille Chat	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. David Strettle
05. Lood De Jager	12. Vince Aso
06. Francois Louw	13. Scott Williams
07. Will Evans	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Matt Symons 20. Pablo Matera 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Rob Miller

Thoughts on the youngsters in the side, and which are ready to feature more this season in a full team? (Chat, Petti, Aso)

Other than those 3 and Evans, would you replace any of the starters with anyone off the bench at full strength?

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Racing 92

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Dimitri Szarzewski (c)	10. Dan Carter
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Bernard Le Roux	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Manuel Carriza	12. Henry Chavancy
06. Wenceslas Lauret	13. Johan Goosen
07. Yannick Nyanga	14. Joe Rokocoko
08. Chris Masoe	15. Brice Dulin

_
Replacements: 16. Camille Chat, 17. Khatchik Vartanov, 18. Juandré Kruger, 19. Antoine Claassen, 20. Xavier Chauveau, 21. Marc Andreu, 22. Albert Vulivuli, 23. Luc Ducalcon

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Harlequins vs Leicester Tigers
Wembley
Light Cloud, 23 Degrees, 8mph Northely Winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Stephen Myler (k)
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Joe Tomane
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. James Chisholm	15. Damian McKenzie

,
16. Rob Webber 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Mitchell Karpik 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Stuart Olding 23. Alex Lewington

General feedback on weaknesses or areas of strength please. 
Chisholm ready?
Is Aki ok for top level games?

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Nick Phipps
02. Stephen Moore (c)	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Owen Franks
04. Dominic Bird	11. Sean Maitland
05. Stan South	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Liam Messam	13. Gael Fickou
07. Don Armand	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
Subs: 16. Schalk Brits 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Brian Mujati 19. Pascal Pape 20. JMF Lobbe 21. Micky Young 22. Freddie Burns 23. Henry Purdy

Thoughts on a Exeter/England style back row - quick aggressive players to clear the breakdown for clean possession, and to slow up the opposition possession. 
Opinions on new midfield? 
Where best to improve, considering those who are also not in the squad?

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Wasps vs RC Toulon
Old Trafford
Light Cloud, 19 Degrees, 8mph Northerly Winds

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Wasps

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Aaron Smith
02. Bismarck Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Alun Wyn Jones	11. Anthony Watson
05. Sebastian Vahaamahina	12. Samu Kerevi
06. Tom Wood	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Jerome Kaino	14. Bryan Habana
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Rob Kearney

_
16.Christopher Tolafua 17.Joe Marler 18.Davey Wilson 19. James Broadhurst 20.Dom Barrow 21. Mitchell Drummond 22.Henry Pygros 23.Tim Nani Williams.

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Toulon

01. Xavier Chocci	09. Jonathan Pélissié
02. Guilhem Guirado (c)	10. Matt Giteau
03. Levan Chilachava
04. Samu Manoa	11. Bryan Habana
05. Konstantin Mikautadze	12. Maxime Mermoz
06. Mamuka Gorgodze	13. Mathieu Bastareaud
07. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe	14. Josua Tuisova
08. Steffon Armitage	15. Leigh Halfpenny

.
Replacements: 16. Jean Charles Orioli, 17. Florian Fresia, 18. Romain Taofiféuna, 19. Virgile Bruni, 20. Théo Belan, 21. Delon Armitage, 22. Frédéric Michalak, 23. Manusa Saulo

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Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints
The Rec
Light Cloud & Sunny Intervals, 21Degrees, 8mph Northely Winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Colin Slade (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Sam Skinner	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Rob Buchanan 17. Jefferson Poirot 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Toby Flood 23. Andrew Trimble

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Northampton Saints

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
03. Jake Cooper Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Manuel Montero
05. Jacques Du Plessis	12. Harry Mallinder
06. Luke Wallace	13. Elliot Daly
07. David Pocock	14. Frank Halai
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny

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16. Ashley Johnson 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Samu Manoa 20. Facundo Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. Patricio Fernandez 23. Tyler Morgan

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Hurricanes vs Worcester Warriors
Westpac Stadium
Light Cloud & Sunny Intervals, 13 Degrees, 21mph North Westerly Winds

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Hurricanes

01. Loni Uhila	09. TJ Perenara
02. Dane Coles (c)	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Ben May
04. Vaea Fifita	11. Jason Woodward
05. Michael Fatialofa	12. Willis Halaholo
06. Brad Shields	13. Matt Proctor
07. Ardie Savea	14. Cory Jane
08. Victor Vito	15. James Marshall

.
Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Mike Kainga , 19. Mark Abbott, 20. Callum Gibbins, 21. Jamison Gibson-Park, 22. Vince Aso, 23. Julian Savea

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Worcester Warriors

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Jack Walker	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Yohann Maestri	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Huw Jones
06. Jackson Wray	13. Mark Bennett
07. Sam Warburton	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Warren Whitely	15. NMS

_
16. Ken Owens 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. WP Nel 19. Devin Toner 20. George Smith 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Jonah Placid

Feedback please on:
Front row
Centre pairing
Impact from the bench

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Bristol Rugby vs Saracens
Principality Stadium
Light Cloud & Sunny Intervals, 20 Degrees, 8mph North Westerly Winds

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Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Julián Montoya	10. Callum Sheedy
03. Tom West
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Nick Cummins
05. Luke Charteris	12. Christian Lealiifano (c.)
06. Carl Fearns	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Chris Robshaw	14.  Rene Ranger
08. Victor Vito	15. Jesse Mogg

:-
16. James Slipper 17. Richardt Strauss  18. Sekope Kepu 19. Sam Twomey 20 John Barclay, 21. Rhoddri Williams, 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Michelle Campagnaro

Feedback: lots, sorry

How do you rate Kilcoyne as a back up LH and West for potential and as a back up TH?
Are Slipper and Kepu better options to start or come on for impact in the loose?
He's too young to feature much yet, but how do you rate Sheedy at 10?
Do my centres work? Do they work better with Campagnaro or Taylor at 13?
How are Mogg and Cummins rated as backups?
Is Ranger rated on the wing?
Is Fearns good enough for AIs etc? Is Robshaw still rated at 7 or now purely a 6 and who is better rated now between him and Barclay to start?
Balance of my starting second rows?
Are William and Cooper ok as impact subs?
Is Twomey an option in AIs etc?​

There's a lot of requests so please pick a few if it's too much!

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Underhill	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Dan Cole 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Delon Armitage

Tactics:

Engine room?
Backline balance?

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Gloucester Rugby vs Chiefs
Madjeski Stadium
Light Cloud & Sunny Intervals, 22 Degrees, 7mph Northerly Winds

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Gloucester 

Manager – Mat

01. Rob Evans	09. Will Genia
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. Will Safe	12. Matt Toomua
06. Tom Croft	13. Israel Folau
07. Ardea Savea	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Dagg

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16. Tendai Mtawarira 17. Joe Gray 18. Juan Figallo 19. Elliot Stooke 20. Willem Alberts 21. TJ Perenara 22. Handre Pollard 23. Israel Folau

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Chiefs

01. Kane Hames	09. Brad Weber
02. Nathan Harris	10. Aaron Cruden (cc)
03. Atu Moli
04. Dominic Bird	11. James Lowe
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Stephen Donald
06. Taleni Seu	13. Anton Lienert-Brown
07. Sam Cane	14. Sam McNicol
08. Tom Sanders	15. Damian McKenzie

/
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Tevita Koloamatangi, 20 Lachlan Boshier, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Toni Pulu, 23 Shaun Stevenson

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Is this U20 EQ in the squad or starting?

Think that's starting

1. Cian Healy
2. Agustin Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Pieter Steph Du Toit
5. George Kruis
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. James Chisholm
9. Ben Youngs
10. Steven Myler (k)
11. Joe Tomane
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Yoann Huget
15. Damian McKenzie

16. Rob Webber 17. Gurthro Steenkamp 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Mitchell Karpik 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Stuart Olding 23. Alex Lewington

General feedback on weaknesses or areas of strength please. 
Chisholm ready?
Is Aki ok for top level games?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Is this U20 EQ in the squad or starting?

Starting

I meant academy EQ not U20....U20 would be pretty tough.

That makes it easier. I was going to say.......

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Jack Walker	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Henry Thomas
04. Yohann Maestri	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Huw Jones
06. Jackson Wray	13. Mark Bennett
07. Sam Warburton	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Warren Whitely	15. NMS

_
16. Ken Owens 17. Lucas Noguera Paz 18. WP Nel 19. Devin Toner 20. George Smith 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Jonah Placid

Feedback please on:
Front row
Centre pairing
Impact from the bench

Northampton Saints

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Jake Cooper Wooley
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jaques du Plessis
6. Luke Wallace
7. David Pocock
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Conor Murray
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Manuel Montero
12. Harry Mallinder
13. Elliot Daly
14. Frank Halai
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Ashley Johnson 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Samu Manoa 20. Facundo Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. Patricio Fernandez 23. Tyler Morgan

It's 4 eq minimum right?

3 EQ starting(1 is academy) 1 on bench.

4 in total mate.

Cool cheers, just thought I would check!!

Think Steve needs an academy EQ

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Alex Waller	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. Sam Underhill	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Ben Franks 18. Dan Cole 19. Geoff Parling 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Delon Armitage

Tactics:

Engine room?
Backline balance?

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. David Kilcoyne	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Julián Montoya	10. Callum Sheedy
03. Tom West
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Nick Cummins
05. Luke Charteris	12. Christian Lealiifano (c.)
06. Carl Fearns	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Chris Robshaw	14.  Rene Ranger
08. Victor Vito	15. Jesse Mogg

:-
16. James Slipper 17. Richardt Strauss  18. Sekope Kepu 19. Sam Twomey 20 John Barclay, 21. Rhoddri Williams, 22. Quade Cooper 23.  Michelle Campagnaro

Feedback: lots, sorry

How do you rate Kilcoyne as a back up LH and West for potential and as a back up TH?
Are Slipper and Kepu better options to start or come on for impact in the loose?
He's too young to feature much yet, but how do you rate Sheedy at 10?
Do my centres work? Do they work better with Campagnaro or Taylor at 13?
How are Mogg and Cummins rated as backups?
Is Ranger rated on the wing?
Is Fearns good enough for AIs etc? Is Robshaw still rated at 7 or now purely a 6 and who is better rated now between him and Barclay to start?
Balance of my starting second rows?
Are William and Cooper ok as impact subs?
Is Twomey an option in AIs etc?​

There's a lot of requests so please pick a few if it's too much!

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Tevita Li
05. Iain Henderson	12. Jonathan Danty
06. Sean McMahon	13. Seta Tamanivalu
07. Sam Cane	14. Simon Zebo
08. Steven Luatua	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Scott Sio 17. Tommy Taylor 18. Martin Moore 19. Brodie Retalick 20. CJ Stander 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Johnny Sexton 23. Malakai Fekitoa

Could I have feedback on the following please:
- 2nd row combo
- McMahon/Luatua at 6 & 8
- Midfield as a combo and individuals
- Tevita Li

Y
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Camille Chat	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Guido Petti	11. David Strettle
05. Lood De Jager	12. Vince Aso
06. Francois Louw	13. Scott Williams
07. Will Evans	14. Ben Smith
08. Kieran Read	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Jamie George 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Matt Symons 20. Pablo Matera 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Rob Miller

Thoughts on the youngsters in the side, and which are ready to feature more this season in a full team? (Chat, Petti, Aso)

Other than those 3 and Evans, would you replace any of the starters with anyone off the bench at full strength?

Pooly, can I swap Montoya in for Flynn as I'm releasing him?

Of course mate.

Thanks

Ayerza
Bismark Du Pleasie
Malherbbe
AWJ
Vaahamania
Wood
Kaino
Pickermoles

Smith
Cruden
Watson
Keravi
Kriel
Habana
Kearney

Are predos open? I've a busy weekend and may struggle to fit them in otherwise

Don't see why not, just the page needs an update

I've been a bit busy. Will attempt to do it in the next two hours.

I've take the lines of Racing and Toulon at full strength when predicting results.

Fluxy if you submit a side/s I'll try to predict on them over weekend. Same for CJB and others who've missed teamsheets.

Bath 0 - 30 Sale

Sale - Being overly critical with the locks and I'd say they are a little lightweight but that really is being harsh as it's a good combo. I don't like Luatua as an 8 but big fan of McMahon as a 6. Danty and Tamanivalu both steady but no more than that at this point for me but both have excellent potential. Li hasn't come on as expected really. See him as a weakness in top level game. 

Newcastle 25 - 23 Racing

No problem at all with Petti or Chat in a full strength side. Both excellent options in my view (in Petti's case a first choice) Aso and Evans still a little raw but Evans should be ready soon as I think he will be a star. I wouldn't swap anyone off the bench for starters except maybe Laidlaw for Webb in certain conditions/games.

Wasps 24 - 24 Toulon

Not a lot breakdown wise for Wasps aside from an ageing Du Plessis. Backs are excellent. Midfield maybe lacks experience and game intelligence. Back row looks a bit unbalanced. 

Exeter 0 - 30 Saints

Saints - Props weak as a pair. Du Plessis and Wallace stand out quality wise against the rest of the pack. Mallinder and Daly lack a bit of quality at top level and Halfpenny short of form.

Hurricanes 24 - 25 Worcester

Walker probably a little raw and Thomas stagnating a bit in recent seasons. Like the centres though lack a bit of experience. Forwards offer good impact off bench but don't think the backs offer much really.

Bristol 23 - 26 Saracens

Bristol - Kilcoyne as back up is fine. West needs AP games to gain rating really. Kepu start for sure. Slipper can start but might be better at bench depending on other LH options.  Not seen much of Sheedy at all really so can't rate. 
I'd seriously consider Taylor and Camps as 12/13 with CLF at 10.  Mogg is ok for me but not hearing much from him in France. Honey-Badger needs to find a side. Like Ranger as a wing. 
Fearns fine for AI's but depends on quality of oppo back row as he hasn't hit early potential. Locks fine I think. 
Twomey a decent AI option. 

Sarries - Slater and Whitelock fine. Slater not international quality but in the next bracket. Backline balance fine. Squadwise I think you're a bit heavy on Big brusing wingers and lack a footballing option (AAC or Cory Jane mould)

Gloucester 0 - 0 Chiefs

Steve & everyone. Thread updated

Bath 25 - 27 Sale

I love the Sale second row combo, think they work fine at both set pieces and add a huge amount in work rate, carrying, the breakdown, the lot. I know there's a temptation to see each player as "not a true lock" but I think they are both excellent and work well together. McMahon a proper "glue" player, makes the team better without being spectacular and in good form, and works pretty well with the more dynamic Luatua, Cane's strength at the breakdown helps there. Loose 5 balance pretty good really. Li a flair player and if the others around him are solid I think he adds more than he risks. Wouldn't start more than one of his type though. Midfield balance works, Danty powerful enough to help Foley. Only kicking a touch variable for the midfield. I rate both centres, Foley a touch flakey right now but gets the attack going.

All in all, I like the young front row and the very high range back row that Bath have, and Barrett's form nearly nicks this, but Sale have too much with overall balance

Falcons 30- 28 Racing

Racing are very strong and challenge everywhere, but at home and with a really good side in all areas and form working for them, Falcons win a really tough one here. The young guys- I like Evans and think he'll be big but he's not ready yet as you know. Petti and Chat can definitely both start, though got EQ balance I'd likely start George with Chat for impact. Don't know a lot about Aso unfortunately but the little I've seen has been good. Otherwise I think that's your best team at full strength

Quins 28 - 25 Tigers

Healy a bit dodgy these days. 10 a bit steady and no more. Quite green back row. Strengths- v dynamic and powerful pack in loose, good centre and lots of danger from the back three.

Fluxy, back row approach with clear tactics would usually be fine but a clever player with twin class 7s could cause you a lot of trouble. In most conditions we have seen that it works very well, and as long as it keeps working for Jones especially it will have credibility.

Chisholm isn't ready yet but may be by the end of this season, he has the ability but needs more experience. I'd rate Aki very highly, he's been by far the best back in the Rabo. In the midfield, I'm a big FTH fan and Teo should run well off him with Fickou a dangerous strike runner. Lacks a bit of playmaking and kicking support for FTH, would make sure you address how to help him there in the tactics. Form of back 3 not the best but I reckon that will change (expect a lot of Maitland at Sarries and Brown will bounce back). Second row not your strongest area.

Good tough game, think the home side win but would expect this one to come down to tactics in the league

Wasps 24 - 24 Toulon

For EQ I'd start Marler (he's been playing well even if he is an idiot) and would not start Kearney right now. Otherwise, team works well together, the halfbacks and centre set up looks tasty

Exeter 25 - 25 Saints

Saints- I think Wallace will be ok, his form was v good last year. Midfield looks very good but a bit light and inexperienced.


Hurricanes 28 - 26 Worcester

Worcester team really good but Canes are immense as a team right now, sorry! Dickinson fine, Walker not ready yet, and Thomas not your best option. Centres are ok, Huw Jones doing well in SA rugby by all accounts and I rate Bennett very highly, potential Lion. Bench improves pack and Smith huge to bring on, but I really like having 9 cover on bench or pitch.

Gloucester 20 - 28 Chiefs

Bath 23-21 Sale

Pretty close packs but Bath have more in the halfbacks and centres.

Johnny - Good engine room, possible lineout leader required against strong options. Midfield a little one dimensional, Li a good option.

Falcons 26-23 Racing

Routine win in the end. Chat and Petti ok Bam but Evans a long way off this level. Matera could start, as could Laidlaw.

Harlequins 32-28 Leicester

Steve - Props struggling for form, esp Healy, hits your scrum hard. Like both locks, great in line out but perhaps miss a bit around the park. 10 your obvious weakness. Bar Myler, a strong backline.

Flux - LH, 5, 7, 9 to be improved. Armand more a 6 imo. I like the midfield, could be v good if Te'o plays well this year.

Wasps 30-25 Toulon

Exeter 27-26 Northampton

A slightly better platform and better backline for Exeter. Very little in it though.

Hurricanes 35-31 Worcester

Prop - Thomas hit with poor from and Walker not ready yet for this level. Like the midfield in theory but again, Bennett had a poor year holding it back. Good impact, esp the forwards.

Gloucester 27-24 Chiefs

Falcons 27-25 Racing
Both Chat and Petti are more then good enough to start although I'd probably go with George at hook for EQ. Aso could do a job during internationals but Evans would be a weakness

Quins 23-21 Tigers
Chisholm a weakness at the top level but Aki good enough for me currently. Healy a form issue but a big fan of the lock combo. Myler a weakness at 10. 

Backrow does a job for Chiefs but think it could be beaten out by some of the faster back rows around. Like the balance of the midfield. Teo looked really good for Leinster last season and his offloading gives you something to build a game plan off. Fickou decent but hasn't lived up to the expectations yet. 


Wasps 28-25 Toulon

Exeter 26-26 Saints
Chiefs slightly stronger in the backs and Saints in the pack. 

Canes 28-24 Worc
Walker a weakness at the top level currently and Thomas didn't have the strongest of seasons. Bennett not off the strongest of seasons but is a real talent. Jones is a tidy prospect. Good balance to the midfield. 

Bristol 24-26 Saracens
West will be a weakness coming off the bench most weeks but Kilcoyne should be fine. I'd be starting Slipper & Kepu to be honest. Both solid starting props. Not seen much of Sheedy. Camp the better 13. LLF 10 Taylor 12 Camp 13 a good option as well. Think both Mogg & Cummins are fine as backups and Ranger a tidy wing starter. Fearns is alright for the AIs but didn't have a strong season. 

Decent combo at lock. Slater not quite England quality but very handy set piece lock available all year. Both wings could be caught with an intelligent kicking game esp Thomas. With Hogg at 15 theres a very strong kicking game though. 

Gloucester 20-22 Exeter

Bath 27 - 28 Sale
Agree with Steve's comments re Sale. Bath's backline has probably become one of the most dangerous in dry conditions in the league, Barritt best no10 for me atm - just not sure that their pack is the quickest in drier conditions, espc when looking at options of Sale's pack.

Newcastle 24 - 20 Racing
Chat's throwing a little off at times, but looks v good and the Argentinian could easily start for you. Will Evans will become excellent, but would struggle against estab. internationals. Haven't seen Aso. Looking v good for next season, certainly top4 team.

Harlequins 25 - 22 Leicester Tigers
Agree with SJE's comments about your team Steve. I'm not the biggest fan of your wingers, as if you got a top, top class wing like a Nadalo or Nahalo type, then you'd be scoring tries for fun. The SA wing and the French guy beginning with a V would be perfect for you.

Fluxy like the look of the backline - Teo'o will get you great ratings, Fickou needs to kick on really though - but a bit more power upfront is needed to get the ball they need. Not sure I'd play Armand as a no7, he's played his best stuff as a no6 or no8.

Wasps 20 - 15 Toulon
Strong Wasps team, can't really find a fault.

Hurricanes 29 - 22 Worcester
Walker the only issue there Prop, sure he will improve at Bath but very young to be going up against guys like Coles etc. Otherwise very strong team, liking the centre partnership a lot. A different hooker and would have been close.

Bristol 23 - 26 Saracens
Agree with SJE's comments on Bristol - Fearns is at Lyon (I think) so a little difficult to know how he plays as rarely see him play.

Engine room good Pooly, be interesting to see how Underhill goes as still hard to judge how good he is, see Slater as a little underpowered but good player. If Hughes plays better this year than previous you've got that guy who will smash over the gain line for you too.

Gloucester 29 - 27 Chiefs

Newcastle 27-24 Racing
Strong Newcastle team apart from Aso here and they can get better of Metro.

Quins 28-22 Tigers
Quins are just so good. Tigers could really do with an infusion of talent but do like the midfield.

Wasps 26-23 Toulon
Need to improve on back row and bench.

Exeter 23-26 saints
Exeter do have quite a good all round side but lack stars.

Canes 21-27 Watrjors
Warriors have a strong line up in general but a few players will struggle in the league

Bristol 19-27 Sarries
Think the back line is impressive Pooly. I like Slipper, Kepu, Campagnaro to start. Fearns good enough for me, Robshaw I think depends on partner.

Gloucester 26-25 Chiefs
Gloucester seem to me to have more big names than players playing well and improving.

Damn it, looks like /i should have kept Camps :/

Bath 23 - 27 Sale

Bath need another carrier in the forwards, and Genge is very green

Sale
Like the lock combo, might come undone at the lineout against a true technician, but there's not many of those about - round the park its excellent
Not the biggest fan of Luatua at 8, but McMahon at 6 is ideal, great back row options
I like Temanivalu, meh on Danty
Li is great going forwards, but awful defensively

Quins 28 - 22 Tigers

Healy is a weakness at the moment and Brookes needs to get back to his early season form.
4-7 looks good, Myler needs improving on and you've got better wingers rested
Aki needs to prove it in Europe before I'll rate him too highly, think you've got a problem that your two best centres are both 13s!

Tigers
Think that backrow work well in wet weather, but in good conditions they lack any kind of pace
10-13 is probably the strongest area of the side
You need locks badly

Wasps 27-24 Toulon

Exeter 20 - 27 Saints

Hurricanes 28 - 24 Wuss

No reflection on Wuss, Canes are just very strong

Walker needs to prove it in the Prem before up to this level, Dickinson a good scrummager and Thomas solid enough but Nel is definitely better
Thought Jones was a 13, but Bennett lacking a bit of form at the moment and away with 7s so might not be the best to start with him
Great front row impact from the bench, rest not so much

Bristol 23 - 26 Sarries

Bristol

I'd start Slipper and bench Kilcoyne, but both pretty similar tbh - definitely start Kepu, West a way off
Don't know very much about Sheedy to comment
Centres work fine, Taylor a good 13
Mogg and Cummins difficult to rate as don't see much of them, Ranger a good option as a power wing with licence to come inside
Fearns tough to rate too because in D2
Robshaw fine at 6 or 7, I like Barclay at 7 too though so start them both
Second row strong, if we go with attributes I'd use maul defence with Charteris in there
Cooper yes, Williams is not good enough other than for Challenge Cup
Twomey probably bench at best, not ideal to start him

Saracens
Locks work well, Slater could still push on if he gets fit
Much prefer this backline to last week

Glos 23 - 26 Chiefs

Bath 24-26 Sale
Sale-2nd row combo excellent for me. Prefer McMahon at 6 at present. Centres ok don't know a lot about the 13 sorry. Li maybe needs a bit more time before exposure in the league.

Falcons 25-22 Racing
Chat and Petti should be ok to hold their own now. Maybe look at Symons over Petti to begin with and George over Chat, would help the eq.

Quins 24-27 Tigers
Healy a weakness at the moment and not sure about Chisholm starting just yet to be honest. Aki fine for top level games, setting it alight in Galway.
Tigers-back row would work well on hard ground, maybe a bit more grunt at 6 in wet weather. New centres fine. 2nd row and wings to improve for me.

Wasps-27-25 Toulon

Chiefs 22-26 Saints

Bristol 22-25 Sarries
Bristol-All ok as back ups, need to start Kepu I'd say. I like Sheedy but needs a run in Prem first. Centres work fine, Taylor steady. Mogg and Cummins ok but not setting world alight at present. Ranger an ok option, Fearns hard to rate at the moment. 2nd rows look good, happy with Robshaw at 6 or 7 but play to the weather. Cooper fine to play, Williams lost form now. I wouldn't start Twomey yet.
Sarries-Engine room works pretty well, Slater needs a consistent run of form. Like the backline balance this week.

Glos 23-26 Chiefs

Round 3 results

Bath Rugby 28 - 29 Sale Sharks
Newcastle Falcons 30 - 24 Racing 92
Harlequins 30 - 24 Leicester Tigers
Wasps 29 - 23 RC Toulon
Exeter Chiefs 21 - 29 Northampton Saints
Hurricanes 30 - 27 Worcester Warriors
Bristol Rugby 22 - 29 Saracens
Gloucester 23 - 24 Rugby Chiefs

Prediction Bonus: CJB, Steve, Prop, Bam, Chris, SJE, Pooly, CJ