Summer Tournament - Semi Finals

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Newcastle Falcons vs Harlequins
Wembley Stadium
Light Cloud, 23 Degrees, 10mph North Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. David Strettle
05. Matt Symons	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jordi Murphy	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Rob Miller
08. David Ewers	15. Gareth Anscombe

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Luke Jones 20. Will Evans 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Vince Aso

Attributes
Attack - Counter attack, phase attack
Defence - Slow up ball, blitz defence

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[b][b]Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks
[/b]
[/b]

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ben Youngs
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Ihaia West
03. Tadhg Furlong
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Jack Clifford	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

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16. Rob Webber 17. Ethan Waller 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. James O'Connor

Team Attributes

Attack - Counter Attack and Phase Attack

Defence - Breakdown - Turnover/Penalty and Chop Tackle

Can I get views on my RC side.

Also how is Furlong rated as a starter. He is in the Ireland 23 now on a regular basis so wondering can I now start to use him without penalty.

Also who out of Waller/Barrington is my stronger EQ loosehead.

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Northampton Saints vs Saracens
Wembley Stadium
Light Cloud, 23 Degrees, 10mph North Westerly Winds

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01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford(k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Matt Banahan
05. Jonny Gray	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Elliot Daly
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Rieko Ioane
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Jack Lamb 21. Joe Simpson 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

TEAM ATTRIBUTES:
Defence: Blitz Defence and Breakdown - turnover possession.
Attack: First Phase Attack/Strike Moves and Breakdown clearing.

- gone with RC team
- would it be better to have Frank Halai in back three?
- does Hartley's throwing make up for not having a Parling type player?
- who offers more impact from bench Tuilagi or Daly?
- Mallinder good enough for bench, or Flood/Hook better option?

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Aled Davies
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Telusa Veainu
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Dave Denton 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Delon Armitage

Tactics:

Do these attributes work for my side?

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Thinking I have plenty of options in Cole, Guirado, Whitelock, Haskell, Hardie and Hughes so this will suit?

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

Excellent kicking halfbacks and Hogg to step in as 2nd receiver? Look to use the offloads when on with good options in Hughes, RS Whitelock, SBW, Hogg etc?

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Wasps vs Sale Sharks
Murrayfield
Light Cloud, 17 Degrees, 16mph Westerly Winds

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Wasps

01. Joe Marler	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. Henry Slade
06. Tom Wood	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Marland Yarde
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Rob Kearney

_
16.Harry Thacker 17. Ben Moon 18.Davey Wilson 19. James Broadhurst 20.Dom Barrow 21. Mitchell Drummond 22.Henry Pygros 23.Tim Nani Williams.

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Ruan Combrinck
08. CJ Stander	15. Simon Zebo

16. Tommy Taylor 17. Scott Sio 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

Attack
Phase Attack & Breakdown Clearing

Defence 
Blitz & Choke Tackle 

Could I have feedback please on: 
- using the choke tackle 
- Back 3 balance and Zebo in particular at 15 
- All EQ 2nd row

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Chiefs vs Hurricanes
Murrayfield
Light Cloud, 17 Degrees, 16mph Westerly Winds

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Chiefs

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

/
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Lachlan Boshier, 20 Michael Leitch , 21 Brad Weber, 22 Toni Pulu, 23 Shaun Stevenson

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Hurricanes

01. Loni Uhila	09. TJ Perenara (c)
02. Dane Coles	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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Bath Rugby vs Racing 92
Principality Stadium
Light Cloud, 20 Degrees, 11mph Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damien De Allende
06. Rhys Ruddock	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Liam Williams
08. Liam Squire	15. Alex Goode

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Subs: 16. Rory Best, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. James Gaskell, 20. Josh Beaumont, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Finn Russell, 23. Christian Wade

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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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Worcester Warriors vs Bristol Rugby
Principality Stadium
Light Cloud, 20 Degrees, 11mph Westerly Winds

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01. Joe Moody	09. Gareth Davies
02. Codie Taylor	10. Dan Biggar
03. WP Nel
04. Yohann Maestri	11. NMS
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Anton Liniert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Ken Owens 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Devin Toner 20. Matt Todd 21. Sam Harrison 22. Owen Williams 23. Brice Dulin

Feedback please on:
Back row, centre pairing, Payne's best position, NMS' best position, bench.

Attributes
Attacking
1. Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
2. Breakdown - Turnovers: Instead of gaining the penalty at the breakdown from a poach, the player will look to get the ball and present the opportunity to attack.

Defensive
1. Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
2. Choke Tackle: Your defence will take the opportunity to hold the ball up to gain the scrum.

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Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Julián Montoya	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Luke Charteris	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Rene Ranger
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Rhys Patchell

:-
16. James Slipper 17. Rob Buchanan  18. Mike Ross 19. Donnacha Ryan 20 John Barclay, 21. Ben Spencer 22. Chris Pennell, 23. Duncan Taylor

Feedback:  How is Ranger as the power centre?
Does the kicking approach here work?
Patchell as a back up fullback?
Which area is weakest now that Myall isn't starting?
Does the back row balance work ok?

Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - clearing
2) Territorial kicking
Defending:
1) Breakdown - slowing up ball
2) Maul defence

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[b][b]Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

[/b]
[/b]

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ben Youngs
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Ihaia West
03. Tadhg Furlong
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Jack Clifford	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Ethan Waller 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. James O'Connor

Team Attributes

Attack - Counter Attack and Phase Attack

Defence - Breakdown - Turnover/Penalty and Chop Tackle

Can I get views on my RC side.

Also how is Furlong rated as a starter. He is in the Ireland 23 now on a regular basis so wondering can I now start to use him without penalty.

Also who out of Waller/Barrington is my stronger EQ loosehead.

[/b][/b]
[/b]

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford(k)
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Matt Banahan
05. Jonny Gray	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Elliot Daly
07. David Pocock(c)	14. Rieko Ioane
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

16. Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Jack Lamb 21. Joe Simpson 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

TEAM ATTRIBUTES:
Defence: Blitz Defence and Breakdown - turnover possession.
Attack: First Phase Attack/Strike Moves and Breakdown clearing.

- gone with RC team
- would it be better to have Frank Halai in back three?
- does Hartley's throwing make up for not having a Parling type player?
- who offers more impact from bench Tuilagi or Daly?
- Mallinder good enough for bench, or Flood/Hook better option?

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Julián Montoya	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Luke Charteris	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Rene Ranger
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Rhys Patchell

:-
16. James Slipper 17. Rob Buchanan  18. Mike Ross 19. Donnacha Ryan 20 John Barclay, 21. Ben Spencer 22. Chris Pennell, 23. Duncan Taylor



Feedback:  How is Ranger as the power centre?
Does the kicking approach here work?
Patchell as a back up fullback?
Which area is weakest now that Myall isn't starting?
Does the back row balance work ok?

Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - clearing
2) Territorial kicking
Defending:
1) Breakdown - slowing up ball
2) Maul defence

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Aled Davies
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. Telusa Veainu
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. George North
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Dave Denton 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Delon Armitage

Tactics:

Do these attributes work for my side?

Defensive:

Blitz Defence - Get in the face of the opposition and allow them very little time on the ball.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty

Thinking I have plenty of options in Cole, Guirado, Whitelock, Haskell, Hardie and Hughes so this will suit?

Attacking:

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch

Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid

Excellent kicking halfbacks and Hogg to step in as 2nd receiver? Look to use the offloads when on with good options in Hughes, RS Whitelock, SBW, Hogg etc?

Y
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. David Strettle
05. Matt Symons	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jordi Murphy	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Rob Miller
08. David Ewers	15. Gareth Anscombe

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Luke Jones 20. Will Evans 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Vince Aso

Attributes
Attack - Counter attack, phase attack
Defence - Slow up ball, blitz defence

Just need a side from SJE. You can predict on all of the other games if needed to get on

Sorry Flux!

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. Sean McMahon	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Ruan Combrinck
08. CJ Stander	15. Simon Zebo

16. Tommy Taylor 17. Scott Sio 18. Rabah Slimani 19. Iain Henderson 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

Attack
Phase Attack & Breakdown Clearing

Defence 
Blitz & Choke Tackle 

Could I have feedback please on: 
- using the choke tackle 
- Back 3 balance and Zebo in particular at 15 
- All EQ 2nd row

No worries mate, will get in it now!

Newcastle 23-24 Harlequins

A stronger front 5 for Falcons will give a better platform but Quins have more in the backrow. Halfbacks to Falcons but Quins have the better backline to get back into this one. Very tight game which I'd normally call a draw but Quins have a touch more impact from the bench. Steve, I don't think either LH are quite up to starting for you but I'd prob go with Waller if you had to choose 1. Furlong ok from the bench, prob wouldn't start him in full strength games. Good RC side in all.

Wasps 29-27 Sale

Good back contest, very little in it with perhaps more of a bruising side from Wasps. SOB is pretty much devoid of rating with him being out so long I'm afraid. Perhaps a touch more in the Wasps backline but again, it's very close. SJE, Zebo decent from FB and Attwood perhaps needs a bit more form to start although all relative, I'm just judging against top combo's.

Chiefs 28-32 Hurricanes

Bath 25-21 Racing

Good Bath side, missing a bit of from in some positions but they have enough for a good win.

Worcester 28-27 Bristol

Another very tight game, very little between the sides with Bristol much improved. Prop, backrow better if Morgan improves. Potential in the centres, could be handy, Payne best at 13 imo, NMS better on the wing but obviously lacking from. CJ, think you may need better than RR in the centres tbh. Kicking works, Patchell decent option, centre your weakest area imo.

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 25 Harlequins
The contest between the front fives is quite close, with both sets very dynamic around the park. The Quins back row tops the forward effort off for them, with pace and power in abundance. Steve, Furlong is very good for me and is building a reputation, so should develop nicely for you. Falcons half backs just edge the Quins unit, for offering both control, but the ability to attack as well and keep the defence guessing. Falcons solid out wide, but don't provide quite the same threat as Quins do from open field. Tight battle, however Quins will just edge out the Falcons. 

Northampton Saints 24 - 25 Saracens
Two of the top sides from the league last season, and both look strong despite it only being pre-season. Can't see either side suffering at the set piece, Chris - Gray will be more than fine leading the line out. Very similar back rows, and second rows here, but just a touch more quality from Saints, for me. The Saints back line is strong, but out wide lacks a solid kicking game for me. Manu offers more from the bench, with regards to an impact. I would see Hook above Flood, and can cover more at the minute. Mallinder however does sneak both as a promising talent. Perhaps Hook top of the three to provide experience to see a game out. Saints full of a threat in the back line, although the Sarries are playing a near on full strength side and can offer more of a threat. 

Wasps 23 - 26 Sale Sharks
Wasps are packed full of carriers, but lack some of the physical dynamism that Sharks are renowned for. SJE I think Choke tackle would work well, especially against some side with big carriers that will go on their own, or smaller backs like some of the Wasps back line. 
Also the EQ works well, but would be tempted to get Henderson in at 6, over McMahon. Zebo at 15 works well, my only comment, is that I would feel that your back three isn't the best with regards to positioning, but it isn't a major issue for me. 

Chiefs 26 - 28 Hurricanes
Two of the best sides in the world right now, and a class game to watch. But the current Super Rugby Champions will secure victory.

Bath Rugby 20 - 25 Racing 92
Bath have some talented lads on the field, but struggle against the organised power of the Racing pack to get a foothold in the game. Barrett can't quite stop the flow with a stuttering supply of possession. 

Worcester Warriors 23 - 21 Bristol Rugby
Another close game between these two sides. CJ your front five has improved dramatically since the last time I have done a prediction. Both front fives as a unit are very strong. The contest between both back rows is intriguing, CJ I think your back row has a very nice balance to it and can challenge most units. Prop, Morgan and Warburton need to pick up a little bit as both have been quite of late, but as a unit I like it. 
The Warriors halfbacks have a little more about them, CJ shame with Lealifiano, and hope he comes back well, as he has been a big player for you. Patchell is a decent back up option, but against sides with pace may struggle a touch defensively. Prop, that is arguably our strongest back line at the minute, only changes could be Roberts and Dulin which would bring up a seriously talented back line.

Falcons 24 - 26 Quins

Quins just have a bit more in the backs but Falcons can attack the pack in the tight. Steve, it's a very good side, the 4-8 good in the loose, backrow works reasonably well together despite Steff falling off, front row is ok but will struggle against the best scrums. Backs great except West a bit green but with McKenzie helping him it works ok. Great centres. Furlong is fine but won't dominate players. I prefer Waller right now.

Saints 30 -30 Saracens.

Really tight battle at the set piece and breakdown, struggling to call those battles. Very close in the backs too and the attributes fit the sides well, so I'm going for a draw. Sorry.

Saints a very strong RC side, the pack is pretty immense and backs not far behind, i think the wingers work, whether you swap in Halai depends on whether you have EQ elsewhere- would swap him on for Banahan if anyone as like for like and Rieko adds a different element. Gray is good enough on the line out to work well with Hartley a good thrower. Manu better off the bench, hasn't played enough to start but we know what he can do and he'll be rated as a game changer against tired legs. Mallinder fine on bench but wouldn't have him covering 10. Flood safer in tight games.

Saracens attributes work well, blitz and target turnover always a good combo in defence especially with your backrow and pack.

Wasps 28 - 32 Sale

Wasps have put out a very good side, Sale ahead as they are strong everywhere but also have picked attributes!

I would be wary using choke tackles against a front row with scrummaging danger, as a rule Sale will do well with it using big centres to hold people up and a very strong pack but Wasps front row is not the best to get scrummaging too much. In general it works though. Lots of workload for Wasps, interested to see what their approach would be. Zero at 15 fine for me, and that's a tasty back 3 covering all bases, Combrink helping a bit in backfield defence, with pace, mazy running and power. Henderson is better for you than Attwood but he's solid and the second row with Itoje is good enough.

Chiefs 24 - 28 Hurricanes

Bath 26 - 26 racing

Just about do enough to draw with a tough side, with Barrett's form and a strong backline too, but would really like to know how you would use your players

Newcastle Falcons 29 - 32 Quins
Steve, agree with CJ's comments. Very strong side, haven't seen enough of West and not sure how he would do against Farrell. Armitage may suffer now that he has moved from Toulon as people won't see him as much. Falcons very strong front five, like the halfbacks but Quins a little more threat outwide and some real power in the centres.

Wasps 27 - 30 Sale
Not sure about Zebo at fullback, he does a decent job but can see people probably saying they would target him positionally there, much prefer NA starting as he has been excellent for Clermont. Attwood and Itoje good combination, can see Bath having a strong pack next year so that will help with Attwood too.

Bath 24 - 20 Racing
Really good team you've put together, like the backline and only thing would be seeing how you make the most of Liam Williams as his best position is fb to attack from. Only one area is that you could probably look to get on top of your backrow a little bit, but only against top class opponents.

Worcester Warriors 35 - 32 Bristol
Really like that Warriors backline, got so much attacking quality across and will get plenty of chances to strike, great balance.The Bristol pack is unrecognisable this year, some fantastic signings and looking so much stronger and will get a good platform for your backs, if you could bring in a wc back three player then it will make an enormous difference - just need that one player who can swing a result.

Northampton 28 - 30 Saracens

Halai in ahead of both wings for me. Lineout ok but against a quality operator may struggle. Have to see how Mallinder starts the season for Saints (If he gets a game and in what position) before seeing how he can be rated on here. 

I've seen very little of Davies at 9 and heard even less so don't know how to rate him or whether he suits kicking game. Rest of the side looks solid. Centres lack a bit of kicking game if pressure on Sanchez. 

Wasps 23 - 34 Sale

Zebo tough to rate at 15 until he plays more rugby there (unless I've missed it he hasn't played there for an extended period) but having Combrinck there helps him. Choke tackle could work but maybe need a few more guys who do this for Ireland/Munster on a regular basis would see it work better. (Stander, Mahony (when fit and firing again), Henderson starting. Attwood rating could do with a form boost but not too bad a combination.

Chiefs 28 - 29 Canes

Bath 23 - 24 Racing

Worcester 27 - 25 Bristol

Back row ok. Wray not the top level but he is an underrated player in my view and should be pushing Saxons at very least. Like the centre combo. I like Payne at 13 but does a job at FB. NMS best on the wing. 

Kicking approach ok with LLF, Francis and Patchell. Ranger seems to be hit and miss form wise at the minute so hard to rate at a centre. I think I prefer him as a wing. I'd have Taylor at 13 ahead of him every time.

Saints 27 - 24 Saracens

Saints - RC side looks good, I'd start Halai over Banahan. Gray fine as a line out caller, but think you need an athletic jumper in there somewhere or is very front of lineout heavy. Manu the obvious starter once up to form, Daly a good bench player. Mallinder the better option now, and definitely going forwards

Saracens - not convinced on the blitz defence option, don't think Smith has ever played that way. Other attributes a good fit for your side

Wasps 22 - 28 Sale

Sale - POM once fit makes a lot of sense for the choke tactic, I'm unconvinced on Zebo as a 15 and think you have better options. Attwood fine for most league games, but against the very top sides you'll want Retallick in. Great fit for the attributes

Chiefs 24 - 29 Canes

Wuss 30 - 26 Brizzle

Wuss - Wray and Morgan not the best for me atm and would definitely be starting Whiteley. Centres decent, I think Payne is best at 15 personally but if you're lacking at 13 he does ok. NMS on the wing for me, 15 not much worse. Don't think Toner/Todd are great bench forwards, but not bad

Bristol - Ranger is ok, better on the wing for me and agree that Taylor a far better option. Plenty of kickers in the side so kicking works fine. Patchell ok at FB, but would expect him to come through as a 10 option this season. Centres probably weakest, but adding Taylor at either position makes it much better. Back row balance is good

Last predictions by 10 please!

Results

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 29 Harlequins
Northampton Saints 28 - 29 Saracens

Wasps 26 - 30 Sale Sharks
Chiefs 28 - 32 Hurricanes

Bath Rugby 25 - 24 Racing 92
Worcester Warriors 29 - 25 Bristol Rugby

Full: Fluxy, Steve, Bam, Pooly, CJ
Half: Chris

Finals this weekend:

Harlequins vs Saracens

Sale Sharks vs Hurricanes

Bath Rugby vs Worcester Warriors

The new Fluxy is harsh lol, didnt know we had to predict on games like Chiefs and Hurricanes as none of us were involved. Can I have 4/5ths budget please

Have the full mate, I just realised I let Bam off as well. For some reason I thought you had missed two games, hence why I was going to deduct a little!

And just realised I;ve gotten the Bath/Racing result the wrong way around!

Oh yeah I missed the Bath game, oops

How much is the full bonus?

3m