AP Round 1

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Gloucester v Leicester Tigers
Kingsholm
Partial sunny - 26', 16mph winds

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Gloucester 
Manager – Matt

01. Rob Evans	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Uini Atonio
04. Richie Gray	11. Jonny May
05. Romain Taofifénua	12. Matt Toomua
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Ryan Crotty
07. Ardie Savea	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Metuisela Talebula

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16. Coenie Oosthuizen, 17. Joe Gray, 18 Juan Figallo, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Tom Croft, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Hallam Amos

Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

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

Choke tackle : Tacklers look where possible to hold the opposition op
And force the turnover

Our game plan will be based around controlling possession when we have the ball outside our own 10m line. We will look to build phases and use the likes of moriarty, Heaslip, taofufina, savea etc to get us across the gain line so we can play with quick ball.

we will look for Robson Carter and Toomua to control the tempo of the game. 

Off static ball we will look to truck
It up or kick for space. 

When we generate quick ball we will look to utilise our extreme gas out wide
And create one on ones.

Having ball players in 9, 10, 12 means we are able
To slot in on any turnover and counter attack
At pace.

We are looking to create space for our outside backs with Scott and our back three looking to exploit the space outwide. We will use Toomua as a first receiver when we need to change things up. 

In our own half when kicking we will use the boots of Robson, Carter and Toomua to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the Tigers line out. 

In defence And with such a physical pack we will be using the choke tackle to slow down and turnover ball. When it gets to deck we will look to attack the breakdown with the first man there looking to win the penalty or the turnover. 

We will look to use the up then out drift defence on the call of the scrum half or full back as in conditions like
This it's harder to use as the ball player has more time on the ball.

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliott	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom (c)	15. Mike Brown

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Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Pascal Pape 20. Sam Jones 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

In decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Trinh-Duc and Brown to take us up the field.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Young will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.


Specifics 

• Line-out: Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure our ball. We will also mix it up, shortening the line-out and using our back row as crash ball options off the top. On Gloucester ball put pressure on through Bird and Armand, who are athletic line-out jumpers. 
  
• Scrum: Get low and underneath their props and drive straight. Really test their props technical abilities rather than get in to a battle of strength.
  
• Breakdown: When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again. In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not over commit, but will maintain a strong defensive line. If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to slow up momentum, or turn over possession. Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play: We will be looking to play a fast offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed. We will also utilise the pick and go, meaning their defensive line cannot blitz efficiently. We will then we will look to exploit the delay in their blitz that results. We will then look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps. Young to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
• Tactical Kicking:  If we kick, we will look to kick in behind their wingers and get them on the turn going back towards their own line, with our wingers on the kick chase to really target them defensively.
  
  

Tigers Attributes
Defensive Traits

• Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
  
• Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
  

Attacking Traits

• Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  

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Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Kingston Park
Cloudy - 21', 8mph 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. Matt Symons	11. David Strettle
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Scott Williams
06. David Ewers	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Luke Morahan
08. Jack O'Donaghue	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Vincent Koch 19.Luke Jones 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Rob Miller

Attributes 
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it


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 Sexton particularly in for a lot of tackling to put him off his game. Target the positional sense of their back 3, with Nadolo in particularly the target for kicks in behind

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with Mullan and Kubs, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up. Neither of their second rows is a true caller, see how they do with Flip pressuring them

Breakdown - Henry, Ewers and George to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. . On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Henry is charged with keeping Kvesic off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Piutau to offer options outside Farrell. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge Nadolo's positioning,  Piutau/Morahan free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Webb to run our attack and set the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get Jackson quick ball.. Challenge Eastmond defensively with Campaganaro cutting in running hard lines at his channels with Piutau coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at 10/12 all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how they handles it.  

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 set the tone in defence

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

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Simon Zebo
05. Iain Henderson	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. CJ Stander	13. Charlie Ngatai
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Steven Luatua 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Nick Abendanon

Attributes:
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.  

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

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Kvesic will look to defend on Eastmond's shoulder specifically looking to stop offloads and get over the ball at the breakdown. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Zebo & Le Roux to cover the background dropping deep to cut off the green grass available to kick into.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline.

Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space. Defensively Retalick to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Saracens v Worcester
Alianz Park
Light rain - 22', 7mph winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. George North
05. Geoff Parling	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

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16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Nicolas Sanchez 23. Lionel Mapoe

Tactics:

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

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

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Look for turnover or slowing down ball with numerous options in Cole, Guirado, Hardie, Haskell and Hughes. Look to target Warburton in this area by clearing him out early and minimizing the effect from Wuss.

HOME ADVANTAGE _ FORTRESS LAST SEASON - Huge game for us and we'll be really up for it, look to start the season how we finished it.

ELECTRIC BACK 3, LOOK TO GET IN GAME IN OPPOSITION HALF - World class options in the back 3 and Conrad Smith the ideal 13 to bring them into the game.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. WP Nel
04. Yohann Maestri	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

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16. Ken Owens 17. Henry Thomas 18. Val Ruskin 19. Devin Toner 20. Jackson Wray 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. Brice Dulin

Tactics:
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle

We will look to play a heads up game for the first game of the season:
-Big carriers up front looking to offload where possible-nakawara has shown how good he is at this and we will have support runners on his shoulders,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Warburton bringing the turnover attribute,
-Look to not commit too much to their breakdown if the ball is lost and use blitz defence led by Roberts allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Sarries playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Roberts and Jones (who is in tremendous form), we will use Tait as a strike runner and know what Naholo can do if we give him the ball in the slightest bit of space,
-When nothing is on Biggar will go for territory and also use  his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-Pack will look to either shift the ball one player further away or to 'leech' and throw the player into the tackle,
-First game of the season and we want to make a big impact, no new signings being introduced yet meaning there is a lot of familiarity in the team.

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Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby
Franklin Gardens
Light rain - 21', 14mph winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager – Dammitchris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley (c)	10. George Ford
03. Jake Cooper Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Frank Halai
05. Jonny Gray	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Elliot Daly
07. Jack Lam	14. Ben Foden
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

Replacements:
16. Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Luke Wallace 21. Joe Simpson 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

Attributes:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.  

Tactics
We will look to play the game at a high intensity and take full advantage of Bath opting to start five players involved in the Rugby Championship at the weekend (Kitchoff, Skelton, Barrett, de Allende, Moala) and will target them from the outset by playing at a quick tempo, send big runners down their channels and look to make the most of them travelling back from Aus/Argentina and not training with the squad for more than a month.

We want to blitz Bath at the start of the game and get some points on the board, as we believe there is a real chance to take advantage of this and then use Halfpenny to keep the scoreboard ticking over and Bath out of reach.

Set Piece
Base our attacking platform on a strong setpiece, with Hartley's darts being key at the lineout and has the option of four jumpers to secure good attacking ball. We will look to put pressure on Kitchener as the main lineout threat for Bath and will send Billy Vunipola at Barrett off the back of the scrum to get us on the front foot. Will use this to launch our strike moves - particularly looking to get Fofana and Halai on the ball.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We've picked a big, abrasive pack, that has a lot of strong ball carriers and we will work through our phases and build pressure on the Bath defence and get over the gainline. We'll just keep threatening the gain line and and sucking in Bath's defence to create space for our strike runners in the backs to take advantage of. We've picked two strong tackling flankers to really get in the faces of Bath and will get them tracking down Barrett and making some big hits if he's not over his jet lag...

Breakdown
See attributes

Attack
We are attacking that midfield all afternoon, Barrett, de Allende and Moala are all involved with the Rugby Championship and we'll send runners across the 10-13 channels looking for any gaps, lack of defensive understanding and tiredness. This is something we want to exploit with our big ball carriers, so we can suck in defenders and then go wide. With Ford's kicking ability we will look to also look at putting the ball up high on Wade's wing in attacking situations to get him going up against Halai who has a huge height advantage.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Murray sweeping behind the defensive line. Again really looking to pressure the Bath 10-12-13 combination, forcing mistakes and errors, really focusing on not giving Barrett any space and tracking him down with Burger and Lam. We'll also look to use Ford, Daly and Halfpenny's boots to get us out of our 22 when needed.

Kicking
Halfpenny and Daly on kicking duties to take advantage of any infringements and will look to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	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. Siya Kolisi	13. George Moala
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

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16. Eddy Ben Arous 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Scott Wilson 19. Charlie Ewers 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Jonathan Davies 23. Liam Williams

Tactics

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Saints under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries and offloading at a high pace looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant and finish strongly off the bench

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Falateu, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. We think we can dominate here against a poor set of jumpers. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Tipuric is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempoand play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders.  Williams and Imhoff are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Kitchoff, Skelton and Falateu in order to break the line and make yards. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Saints which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Barrett, Wigglesworth, Williams and Goode all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need.

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

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Harlequins v Bristol Rugby
The Stoop
Light rain - 22', 12mph winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Ihaia West
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Damien Chouly (c)	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Jack Clifford	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

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16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. Robbie Henshaw

Attributes

Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

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


Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line. 

Tactics

Our game plan will be based around controlling possession when we have the ball outside our own 10m line. We will look to build phases and use the likes of Aki, Gorgodze and Chouly to get us across the gain line so we can play with quick ball and allow Youngs and West to control the tempo of the game. We will look to run lines back in towards the ruck during early phases to draw in defenders and to give us more space when we spread the ball wide. We will look to use footwork and passes before the contact to make yards over the gain line and run and spaces and not defenders. We are looking to create space for our outside backs with JJ and our back three looking to exploit the space outwide. We will use McKenzie as a first receiver when we need to change things up. 

In our own half we will look to use the boots of West and McKenzie to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the Bristol line out. We will also look to use cross kicks and up and unders (using Huget primarily) to regain possession and gain territory. 

In defence we will look to chop tackle to prevent Bristol getting over the gain line and allowing us to attack the breakdown with the first man there looking to win the penalty or the turnover. We will look to use the up then out drift defence on the call of the scrum half or full back.

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Bristol Rugby
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Luke Charteris	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Renee Ranger
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Richardt Strauss 18. James Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20 Lawrence Pearce 21. Ben Spencer 22. Charlie Sharples, 23. Rhys Patchell

Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
2)  Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Defending:
1) Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
2) Breakdown - Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.

Tactics:

In attack we combine our two attributes to create a relentless and high paced attacking game. Using our twin flankers' strength at the breakdown and Ryan as an extra backrower with hands speeding ball up off the floor, our pack will work as a unit to hit rucks hard and clear out to keep hall coming quickly. Then our twin playmakers at 10 and 12 will keep using their vision to roll together phases in quick succession with one always available, and short pops off 9 with the forwards also used to build together phases. We will look to run from 9 if it is on, and use our carriers like Vito, Ranger, Uhila, Buchanan and Der Flier to target shoulders and make the gain line advantage needed to keep facilitating clearing out, whilst Pennell, Gilroy and Taylor target space as strike runners to carve up the defence. The defence will eventually leak and form gaps with relentless quick phase play and big runners hitting shoulders and sucking people in.

In defence, by using our breakdown- adept pack to slow ball, especially the likes of Robshaw, and then having a tight fringe defence, we put pressure on the opposition to force play with slow ball and artificial width, allowing a safe blitz defence to push the backline back, force errors and force the opposition to kick. Particularly with Youngs' distribution and West's lack of experience we hope we can pressurise the halfbacks.

Expecting these kicks, our back 3 will look to run it back, with Gilroy acting as a quasi-fullback, but our strong kickers at 9, 10, 12 and 15 will also look for space to kick into on the counter and in our own attacking play.

To keep our pace up for this style we have picked Cubelli, who has only been benching for the Pumas and will relish starting time and be raring to go and not yet tired, as well as Lealiifano who though unwell in real life, would not be playing now any more than any other non Rugby Championship Super Rugby player and thus, as injuries do not follow real life injuries except in that they prevent players from playing and form being assessed, should not yet be anywhere near reducing his perceived form on the logic of this game.

In the scrum we will target a shaky Quins set piece in defence but in attack try to get the ball out quickly to run off Vito and start our phase attack.
In the line out, we will mix up our options in attack with multiple jumpers, and in defence look to have Charteris combating the driving maul in the middle, allowing them to take the front so they are more likely to throw safe here where we know they will struggle to get outwide in the first phase, playing into the hands of our fringe defence.

In terms of subs, we can bring on a safe finisher in Sharples, a safe forwards game with Pearce and the front row and strong kickers in the halfbacks (or FB) to change the way we play.

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Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Ricoh Arena
Sunny - 20', 7mph winds

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Wasps
Manager - Driver

01. Joe Marler	09. Sebastian Tillous Borde
02. Harry Thacker	10. Rhys Priestland (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. RG Snyman	11. Bryan Habana
05. Alun Wyn Jones (c)	12. Brad Barritt
06. Tom Wood	13. Luther Burrell
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Rob Kearney

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16.Ben Moon 17.Chris Tolofua 18.Frasier Bailmen 19.Sebastian Vahaamahina 20.Nazeem Carr  21.Henry Pygros 22.Henry Slade 23.Tim Nani Williams.

ATTRIBUTES

Kick Chase: Organised kick and chase to attempt to regain possession.
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.
Maul Defence: Legally can slow up a maul or stop them gaining headway.


TACTICS

London Wasps go into the first game of the season looking too be well organised and dangerous with the ball in hand. We've bassed our attributes around the game plan we're looking too play.

Wasps will look too employ a strong kick and chase game and really put the Chiefs back three under pressure. We've got three of the best chasers in the business in Habana , Kearney and Watson. Priestland is renown for his up and unders and time the ball spends in the air whilst we've identified these as major weakness in Ashton and Medard. We know we'll gain success from this.

We'll look too put plenty of pressure on Mo'Unga and force him too KICK INFIELD AND TOO OUR BACK THREE who all excell on the counter and will look to run at some of the softer defenders in the Chiefs back line. Because Chris Ashton loves tackling  

Our forwards have been picked too really have a go and dominate the Exeter pack. We'll look too play with an edge too our game and really turn this into a scuffle with the Exeter pack. We've gone for Thacker at two because of his high work rate and ability over the ball in the loose. We've put two big props besides him with two powerful locks too ensure we're backed up at scrum time.

We'll be reactive with our subs knowing that each of them will make some impact and bringing them on when that impact is need. Henry Slade and TNW will add more impact too the game than any other outside backs on any other bench this weekend.

---

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Richie Mo'unga (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Elliott Dixon	13. Sam James
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Melani Nanai

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to beat them man for man and beat Wasps playing our way and the Chiefs way.

Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Wasps territory and forcing Habana, Watson and Kearney to turn and chase the ball. Mo'unga, Hidalgo-Clyn, McCloskey and Medard all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Wasps back line. 

Lineout - Using Lawes, Horwill & Dixon to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Wasps forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Parisse stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul.

Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Wasps ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Wasps carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Wasps 22 to frustrate and pick up yards.

Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Priestland's channel, who will get fed up and put off his game. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Barritt, Burrell & Wilson.

Bench - Utilise the bench for impact, so we only make changes when we want the game to change in our favour, whether to up the effort up front, or to kick points via Nev

Build a Score - Mo'unga to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out and apply pressure.

---

Who am I playing?

Wait Iv seen will do team tonight

Mark

Weather updtaed

London Wasps team too play Exeter Chiefs.

1.Joe Marler
2.Harry Thacker
3.Dave Wilson
4.RG Synman
5.Alun Wyn Jones (c)
6.Tom Wood
7.Sean O'Brian
8.Louis Pickermoles

9.Sebastian Tillous Borde
10.Rhys Priestland (K)
11.Bryan Habana
12.Brad Barritt
13.Luther Burrell
14.Anthony Watson
15.Rob Kearney

16.Ben Moon 17.Chris Tolofua 18.Frasier Bailmen 19.Sebastian Vahaamahina 20.Nazeem Carr  21.Henry Pygros 22.Henry Slade 23.Tim Nani Williams.

ATTRIBUTES

Kick Chase: Organised kick and chase to attempt to regain possession.
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.

Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.
Maul Defence: Legally can slow up a maul or stop them gaining headway.


TACTICS

London Wasps go into the first game of the season looking too be well organised and dangerous with the ball in hand. We've bassed our attributes around the game plan we're looking too play.

Wasps will look too employ a strong kick and chase game and really put the Chiefs back three under pressure. We've got three of the best chasers in the business in Habana , Kearney and Watson. Priestland is renown for his up and unders and time the ball spends in the air whilst we've identified these as major weakness in Ashton and Medard. We know we'll gain success from this.

We'll look too put plenty of pressure on Mo'Unga and force him too KICK INFIELD AND TOO OUR BACK THREE who all excell on the counter and will look to run at some of the softer defenders in the Chiefs back line. Because Chris Ashton loves tackling

Our forwards have been picked too really have a go and dominate the Exeter pack. We'll look too play with an edge too our game and really turn this into a scuffle with the Exeter pack. We've gone for Thacker at two because of his high work rate and ability over the ball in the loose. We've put two big props besides him with two powerful locks too ensure we're backed up at scrum time.

We'll be reactive with our subs knowing that each of them will make some impact and bringing them on when that impact is need. Henry Slade and TNW will add more impact too the game than any other outside backs on any other bench this weekend.

Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Fluxy has picked his side for his first competitive game in charge. As man expected there would be a few changes from last seasons side, and with the Rugby Championship in full flight, some players that will be away on on international duty. 
Nevertheless Fluxy has named the best side he has at his disposal for the away trip to Kingsholm. 
"We have but in some hard work over the summer, focusing on some particular areas of the game to help benefit us throughout the early part of season. There has been specific work on our breakdown techniques and we hope, that will then feed into other aspects of our game and benefit us."

New signings, Bird, Manoa, Brussow, Teo'o and Fickou all start, whilst; Ward, Tibadze and Dupont on make their debuts from the bench. 

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliott	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Hienrich Brussow	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom (c)	15. Mike Brown

|
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Pascal Pape 20. Sam Jones 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

In decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Trinh-Duc and Brown to take us up the field.

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gain line collisions and driving back in the tackle. Line speed and no dog-legs will be key components for us. Young will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.


Specifics 

• Line-out: Nothing flash. Hit our front and middle jumpers and ensure that we secure our ball. We will also mix it up, shortening the line-out and using our back row as crash ball options off the top. On Gloucester ball put pressure on through Bird and Armand, who are athletic line-out jumpers. 
  
• Scrum: Get low and underneath their props and drive straight. Really test their props technical abilities rather than get in to a battle of strength.
  
• Breakdown: When we carry in, we will flood the breakdown rucking well past the ball to free it up quickly and go again. In defence, if we have made a passive tackle and the carrier has momentum we will not over commit, but will maintain a strong defensive line. If we win the collision and knock the carrier back we will look to get the second man in hard over the ball to slow up momentum, or turn over possession. Key for us is being selective.
  
• Attacking Play: We will be looking to play a fast offloading game, with the ball shifted on to the support runner just prior to the point of the tackle with the defender already committed. We will also utilise the pick and go, meaning their defensive line cannot blitz efficiently. We will then we will look to exploit the delay in their blitz that results. We will then look to shift the direction of play and pull their defenders out of position to create gaps. Young to also look to snipe around the fringes and keep us going forwards all the time.  
  
• Tactical Kicking:  If we kick, we will look to kick in behind their wingers and get them on the turn going back towards their own line, with our wingers on the kick chase to really target them defensively.
  
  

Tigers Attributes
Defensive Traits

• Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
  
• Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set. 
  

Attacking Traits

• Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Richie Mo'unga (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Elliott Dixon	13. Sam James
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Alex Losowski 23. Melani Nanai

We look to go back to the basic Chiefs style of play this week, and the conditions will help with that this weekend. A high intensity game in both defence and attack, with dynamic carrying and rucking at the fore. We want to control possession and go through the phases. Biggest focal point is to beat them man for man and beat Wasps playing our way and the Chiefs way.

Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Wasps territory and forcing Habana, Watson and Kearney to turn and chase the ball. Mo'unga, Hidalgo-Clyn, McCloskey and Medard all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Wasps back line. 

Lineout - Using Lawes, Horwill & Dixon to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Wasps forwards into giving away penalties by bringing our maul down. Look to drop to six man line outs, with Parisse stood at scrum half ready to secure the ball at the back of the maul.

Forwards - Generally in defence with our line we will look to get stuck in early and get the carrier to ground early. This is to then either ensure we have numbers in the defensive line, or to get numbers in at the breakdown to slow up/turnover Wasps ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Wasps carriers and support. Our Pack will target the breakdown, looking to blow through the ruck and past the ball, to create clean ball. Allowing time for the halfbacks to dictate. Look for pick and goes in the Wasps 22 to frustrate and pick up yards.

Attack - In the opposition half take our time and not rush with ball in hand. Have confidence in our carriers to tie in defenders and get across the gain line and in our backs to exploit the gaps when we create them. Carriers to target the defence down Priestland's channel, who will get fed up and put off his game. Our back three looking to isolate their slower lads in the defensive line eg Barritt, Burrell & Wilson.

Bench - Utilise the bench for impact, so we only make changes when we want the game to change in our favour, whether to up the effort up front, or to kick points via Nev

Build a Score - Mo'unga to take on kicking at goal responsibilities. Any penalty within their ten metre to be kicked at goal to keep scoreboard ticking. Unless ten metres from the line then we kick for the line-out and apply pressure.

Northampton Saints
Manager - Dammit Chris

1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley (c)
3. Jake Cooper Wooley
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. Jack Lam
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Conor Murray
10. George Ford
11. Frank Halai
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Elliot Daly
14. Ben Foden
15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Replacements:
16. Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Vaea Fifita 20. Luke Wallace 21. Joe Simpson 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

Attributes:
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Breakdown - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty.

Tactics
We will look to play the game at a high intensity and take full advantage of Bath opting to start five players involved in the Rugby Championship at the weekend (Kitchoff, Skelton, Barrett, de Allende, Moala) and will target them from the outset by playing at a quick tempo, send big runners down their channels and look to make the most of them travelling back from Aus/Argentina and not training with the squad for more than a month.

We want to blitz Bath at the start of the game and get some points on the board, as we believe there is a real chance to take advantage of this and then use Halfpenny to keep the scoreboard ticking over and Bath out of reach.

Set Piece
Base our attacking platform on a strong setpiece, with Hartley's darts being key at the lineout and has the option of four jumpers to secure good attacking ball. We will look to put pressure on Kitchener as the main lineout threat for Bath and will send Billy Vunipola at Barrett off the back of the scrum to get us on the front foot. Will use this to launch our strike moves - particularly looking to get Fofana and Halai on the ball.

Gainline/Physical Battle
We've picked a big, abrasive pack, that has a lot of strong ball carriers and we will work through our phases and build pressure on the Bath defence and get over the gainline. We'll just keep threatening the gain line and and sucking in Bath's defence to create space for our strike runners in the backs to take advantage of. We've picked two strong tackling flankers to really get in the faces of Bath and will get them tracking down Barrett and making some big hits if he's not over his jet lag...

Breakdown
See attributes

Attack
We are attacking that midfield all afternoon, Barrett, de Allende and Moala are all involved with the Rugby Championship and we'll send runners across the 10-13 channels looking for any gaps, lack of defensive understanding and tiredness. This is something we want to exploit with our big ball carriers, so we can suck in defenders and then go wide. With Ford's kicking ability we will look to also look at putting the ball up high on Wade's wing in attacking situations to get him going up against Halai who has a huge height advantage.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Murray sweeping behind the defensive line. Again really looking to pressure the Bath 10-12-13 combination, forcing mistakes and errors, really focusing on not giving Barrett any space and tracking him down with Burger and Lam. We'll also look to use Ford, Daly and Halfpenny's boots to get us out of our 22 when needed.

Kicking
Halfpenny and Daly on kicking duties to take advantage of any infringements and will look to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

[b]
[b]Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

[/b]
[/b]

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Ihaia West
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Luke Romano	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Bundee Aki
06. Damien Chouly (c)	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Jack Clifford	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. Robbie Henshaw

Attributes


Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises. 

Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces. 

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


Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line. 



Tactics

Our game plan will be based around controlling possession when we have the ball outside our own 10m line. We will look to build phases and use the likes of Aki, Gorgodze and Chouly to get us across the gain line so we can play with quick ball and allow Youngs and West to control the tempo of the game. We will look to run lines back in towards the ruck during early phases to draw in defenders and to give us more space when we spread the ball wide. We will look to use footwork and passes before the contact to make yards over the gain line and run and spaces and not defenders. We are looking to create space for our outside backs with JJ and our back three looking to exploit the space outwide. We will use McKenzie as a first receiver when we need to change things up. 

In our own half we will look to use the boots of West and McKenzie to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the Bristol line out. We will also look to use cross kicks and up and unders (using Huget primarily) to regain possession and gain territory. 

In defence we will look to chop tackle to prevent Bristol getting over the gain line and allowing us to attack the breakdown with the first man there looking to win the penalty or the turnover. We will look to use the up then out drift defence on the call of the scrum half or full back.

To confirm: this is a RC round, yes?

It isn't, RC resumes on the 10th

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Ed Slater	11. George North
05. Geoff Parling	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Sam Whitelock 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Nicolas Sanchez 23. Lionel Mapoe

Tactics:

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

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

TARGET BREAKDOWN - Look for turnover or slowing down ball with numerous options in Cole, Guirado, Hardie, Haskell and Hughes. Look to target Warburton in this area by clearing him out early and minimizing the effect from Wuss.

HOME ADVANTAGE _ FORTRESS LAST SEASON - Huge game for us and we'll be really up for it, look to start the season how we finished it.

ELECTRIC BACK 3, LOOK TO GET IN GAME IN OPPOSITION HALF - World class options in the back 3 and Conrad Smith the ideal 13 to bring them into the game.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in and then get at their backline, more so in their half. Look to keep it tight in the forward pack and grind through work. Looking to bring in the opposition pack and then use big carrying options to punch holes through their defence. Look to control the tempo and areas we play with kicking options at halfback.

Scrum - Look to get a platform from the off with a strong scrummaging unit. Strong front 5 with big locks will look for the big push once the ball is in and drive the opposition back. Our TH and Hooker will look to target LH and try to get between him and Hooker to allow LH to work on TH If no weakness seen will use as restart.

Line out – Look for safe ball with world class line out options and experience. Will allow SH good clean ball and have big carriers running off the 9 at angles. Look to target opposition throw and put pressure on the hooker.

Defence - Blitz defence with high intensity and big hits, looking to drive past the ball player if the ball hits the deck. physical pack that can look to get at the collision and breakdown allowing a chance to slow down/steal ball. Put pressure on SH's basics and force him into errors. Scrum half to sweep behind the defensive line.

Attack - Keep things simple in our own half then look to unleash backs in opp 22 territory. Scrum half to dictate play from the breakdown and runners on his shoulder. Huge carrying pack to get us over the gain line after front 5 set a platform. Midfield to run angles off the 9/10, allowing us gain line breakers. Look to keep opposition guessing with clever lines through midfield. Wingers will look to track the midfield combo.

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Rob Buchanan	10. Christian Lealiifano (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Luke Charteris	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Renee Ranger
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Richardt Strauss 18. James Johnston 19. Kearnan Myall 20 Lawrence Pearce 21. Ben Spencer 22. Charlie Sharples, 23. Rhys Patchell

Attributes:
Attacking:
1) Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
2)  Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Defending:
1) Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
2) Breakdown - Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.

Tactics:

In attack we combine our two attributes to create a relentless and high paced attacking game. Using our twin flankers' strength at the breakdown and Ryan as an extra backrower with hands speeding ball up off the floor, our pack will work as a unit to hit rucks hard and clear out to keep hall coming quickly. Then our twin playmakers at 10 and 12 will keep using their vision to roll together phases in quick succession with one always available, and short pops off 9 with the forwards also used to build together phases. We will look to run from 9 if it is on, and use our carriers like Vito, Ranger, Uhila, Buchanan and Der Flier to target shoulders and make the gain line advantage needed to keep facilitating clearing out, whilst Pennell, Gilroy and Taylor target space as strike runners to carve up the defence. The defence will eventually leak and form gaps with relentless quick phase play and big runners hitting shoulders and sucking people in.

In defence, by using our breakdown- adept pack to slow ball, especially the likes of Robshaw, and then having a tight fringe defence, we put pressure on the opposition to force play with slow ball and artificial width, allowing a safe blitz defence to push the backline back, force errors and force the opposition to kick. Particularly with Youngs' distribution and West's lack of experience we hope we can pressurise the halfbacks.

Expecting these kicks, our back 3 will look to run it back, with Gilroy acting as a quasi-fullback, but our strong kickers at 9, 10, 12 and 15 will also look for space to kick into on the counter and in our own attacking play.

To keep our pace up for this style we have picked Cubelli, who has only been benching for the Pumas and will relish starting time and be raring to go and not yet tired, as well as Lealiifano who though unwell in real life, would not be playing now any more than any other non Rugby Championship Super Rugby player and thus, as injuries do not follow real life injuries except in that they prevent players from playing and form being assessed, should not yet be anywhere near reducing his perceived form on the logic of this game.

In the scrum we will target a shaky Quins set piece in defence but in attack try to get the ball out quickly to run off Vito and start our phase attack.
In the line out, we will mix up our options in attack with multiple jumpers, and in defence look to have Charteris combating the driving maul in the middle, allowing them to take the front so they are more likely to throw safe here where we know they will struggle to get outwide in the first phase, playing into the hands of our fringe defence.

In terms of subs, we can bring on a safe finisher in Sharples, a safe forwards game with Pearce and the front row and strong kickers in the halfbacks (or FB) to change the way we play.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Steven Kitchoff	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. Siya Kolisi	13. George Moala
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Eddy Ben Arous 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Scott Wilson 19. Charlie Ewers 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. Jonathan Davies 23. Liam Williams

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. David Strettle
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Scott Williams
06. David Ewers	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Luke Morahan
08. Jack O'Donaghue	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Vincent Koch 19.Luke Jones 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Greig Laidlaw 22. Paddy Jackson  23. Rob Miller

Attributes
Counter Attacking: Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it

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 Sexton particularly in for a lot of tackling to put him off his game. Target the positional sense of their back 3, with Nadolo in particularly the target for kicks in behind

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with Mullan and Kubs, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. Flip to call lineout, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up. Neither of their second rows is a true caller, see how they do with Flip pressuring them

Breakdown - Henry, Ewers and George to lead the way on turnovers. Others focus on strong clear outs and maintaining a strong defensive line. . On our ball, smash them off the ball, use pod system to ensure support if they are having success. Henry is charged with keeping Kvesic off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Piutau to offer options outside Farrell. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge Nadolo's positioning,  Piutau/Morahan free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Webb to run our attack and set the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get Jackson quick ball.. Challenge Eastmond defensively with Campaganaro cutting in running hard lines at his channels with Piutau coming into the line. Big carrying forwards to set a platform, run at 10/12 all day long to put them on the back foot off first phase, see how they handles it.  

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 set the tone in defence and lead the blitz

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

Glos

1 Evans
2 LCD
3 Antonio
4 Gray
5 taofufina
6 Moriarty
7 Savea
8 Heaslip
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Crotty
14 Walker
15 Talebula
16 ousthuizen
17 Gray
18 Figallo
19 Stooke
20 Croft
21 Perenara
22 Cipriani
23 Amos


Phase Attack - Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.

Counter Attack - Receiving the ball down field, your players will look to attack with ball in hand, thriving in the broken field and open spaces.

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


Choke tackle : Tacklers look where possible to hold the opposition op
And force the turnover


Our game plan will be based around controlling possession when we have the ball outside our own 10m line. We will look to build phases and use the likes of moriarty, Heaslip, taofufina, savea etc to get us across the gain line so we can play with quick ball.

we will look for Robson Carter and Toomua to control the tempo of the game.

Off static ball we will look to truck
It up or kick for space.

When we generate quick ball we will look to utilise our extreme gas out wide
And create one on ones.

Having ball players in 9, 10, 12 means we are able
To slot in on any turnover and counter attack
At pace.

We are looking to create space for our outside backs with Scott and our back three looking to exploit the space outwide. We will use Toomua as a first receiver when we need to change things up.

In our own half when kicking we will use the boots of Robson, Carter and Toomua to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the Tigers line out.



In defence And with such a physical pack we will be using the choke tackle to slow down and turnover ball. When it gets to deck we will look to attack the breakdown with the first man there looking to win the penalty or the turnover.

We will look to use the up then out drift defence on the call of the scrum half or full back as in conditions like
This it's harder to use as the ball player has more time on the ball.

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar
03. WP Nel
04. Yohann Maestri	11. James Short
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Ken Owens 17. Henry Thomas 18. Val Ruskin 19. Devin Toner 20. Jackson Wray 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. Brice Dulin

Tactics:
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle

We will look to play a heads up game for the first game of the season:
-Big carriers up front looking to offload where possible-nakawara has shown how good he is at this and we will have support runners on his shoulders,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Warburton bringing the turnover attribute,
-Look to not commit too much to their breakdown if the ball is lost and use blitz defence led by Roberts allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Sarries playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Roberts and Jones (who is in tremendous form), we will use Tait as a strike runner and know what Naholo can do if we give him the ball in the slightest bit of space,
-When nothing is on Biggar will go for territory and also use his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-Pack will look to either shift the ball one player further away or to 'leech' and throw the player into the tackle,
-First game of the season and we want to make a big impact, no new signings being introduced yet meaning there is a lot of familiarity in the team.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Danny Care
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Simon Zebo
05. Iain Henderson	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. CJ Stander	13. Charlie Ngatai
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Dave Attwood 20. Steven Luatua 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Nick Abendanon

Attributes:
Phase Attack: Attacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.
Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown.

Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it.
Breakdown - Slowing up ball: The defenders can get over the ball to slow it up and prevent the attack from building momentum and allowing your defence to set.  

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

Breakdown: Quick ball is the aim on attack. Mobile pack and physical back line to clear out rucks and ensure we get it. We will look to get over the gain line off all carries to give a target to hit. Defensively when the initial contact is won we will look to commit numbers and get over the ball turning it over or at least slowing opposition ball up. Otherwise we will strengthen the line.

Defence: Straight line blitz defence focused on winning the gain line collisions and driving the ball carrier back. Line speed is crucial. Kvesic will look to defend on Eastmond's shoulder specifically looking to stop offloads and get over the ball at the breakdown. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Zebo & Le Roux to cover the background dropping deep to cut off the green grass available to kick into.

Scrum: Strong scrummaging unit in the front row with the support of a powerful 4-8 will look to get the better of the opposition and build a strong attacking platform. We will look to put a slight wheel on where possible to take the opposition backrow out of play and then attack the space available and look for one on ones in the backline.

Lineout: Five mobile, athletic jumpers allows us to genuinely mix it up on attacking ball. Primarily looking to get the backs on the ball in space. Defensively Retalick to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

Page updated.

I may struggle to predict for the next few weeks due to partying in Bali, please forgive me

Just finished work, home in 45 mins, will do tactics then

Need to do something, can I please put in tactics 30 mins late?

Yeah sure mate. I will most likely update the page tomorrow morning.

Page updated - Predictions Open

PM to me by 23:59 Sunday evening. 

Good luck everyone, and here we go for 2016/17!

Forgot to ask, can people let me know thoughts on my tactics, kept them short and sweet to save time for me, just want to make sure it's enough.

Flux, could you add my attributes please

Cjb can't get on

It's not letting me get on 606

Tactics

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Saints under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries and offloading at a high pace looking to create space and break the defense. Attack the set piece where we expect to be dominant and finish strongly off the bench

Scrum: Use the set piece to get quick ball to restart our play. Skelton will add a lot of power to the scrum and we will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Falateu, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Kitchener will run the line out. Look to get up into the air quickly and down for a quick maul. We think we can dominate here against a poor set of jumpers. Skelton will offer quick ball option at the front.

Breakdown: Look to generate quick ball for our backs to take advantage of. Tipuric is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out.

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wigglesworth to drift behind expecting kicks.

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Wiggles will set the tempoand play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende who we would like to get running at defenders. Williams and Imhoff are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of Kitchoff, Skelton and Falateu in order to break the line and make yards. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Saints which can help nullify their offensive threats.

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Barrett, Wigglesworth, Williams and Goode all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need.

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

As I haven't recieved any predictions yet, I shall amend the page. That is the final amends.

It's impossible to get on here with an iPhone if you don't select go to desktop as
An advert goes across the log in part.

Maybe worth letting c j b if that is why he can't get on

Did you not get my predos fluxy? May have been before the uodate

Boys I won't be able to do results until toMorrow afternoon. Therefore I will keep this thread open until 1200 (midday) tomorrow. Will get the initial thread up for the next well though!

anonmattyt wrote:It's impossible to get on here with an iPhone if you don't select go to desktop as
An advert goes across the log in part.

Maybe worth letting c j b if that is why he can't get on

It's really annoying but can be done: you can just press the edge of the username hyperlink and then it puts you into the text box but you can't see what you are typing which is a pain. Just in case anyone were having problems

I'm just doing predictions Fluxy if you can wait 20 minutes please

Currently waiting for a ferry, so you have the time!

Top man!

Guys just sent my predos.

Could not get on at all through mobile.
It's becoming a real issue the advert goes right over the log in box and requesting desktop was not working

Top the Username button on iphone and it puts the courser in the box for you. Same for Password.

Download an app called crystal and it blocks all adverts on iphone

It's the same on android, very annoying

Round One Results

Gloucester Rugby - 28 
(T: L Cowan-Dickie, J May, E Stooke C: Carter [x2] P: Carter [x3])                   
Leicester Tigers - 23
(T: T Waldrom, H Purdy C: Trinh-Duc [x1] Beale [x1] P: Trinh-Duc [x2] Beale [x1]

Newcastle Falcons - 24 
(T: C Henry, S Williams C: O Farrell [x1] P: O Farrell [x4]                 
Sale Sharks - 26  
(T: C Ngatai, CJ Stander, K Marmion C: J Sexton P: J Sexton [x3] 

Saracens - 26
(T: S Hogg, G North, N Hughes C: P Lambie [x1] P: P Lambie [x2] N Sanchez [x1])  
Worcester Warriors - 22    
(T: G Davies C: D Biggar [x1] P: D Biggar [x4] DG: D Biggar [x1]

Northampton Saints - 31 
(T: G Ford, S Burger, J Gray, M Tuilagi C: L Halfpenny [x2] H Mallinder [x1] DG: G Ford [x1])         
Bath Rugby - 23 
(T: W Skelton, L Williams C: B Barrett [x2] P: B Barret [x3])

Harlequins - 32
(T: Y Huget, B Youngs, L Romano, D Mckenzie C: D Mckenzie [x2] S Myler [x1] P: D McKenzie [x2])        
Bristol Rugby - 25               
(T: C Gilroy [x2] B Spencer C: C Lealifiano [x2] P: C Lealifiano [x2]

Wasps - 30 
(T: L Picamoles, J Marler, B Habana, H Pyrgos C: R Priestland [x1] H Slade [x1] P: R Priestland [x2])    
Exeter Chiefs - 24
(T: C Lawes, A Lozowski C: A Lozoskiw P: R Mo'unga [x4]) 

Bonuses:
Full: CJB, Fluxy, Steve, Prop, CJ, Bam, Chris & SJE
Scores: Matt, Driver & Pooly

I'll take a LBP from that game!

Gloucester 26 - 22 Leicester Tigers
Glos have more about them up front and fit their attributes well for the controlled attacking play. Outside this Tigers can get some joy from their back three but I think that Glos will stifle the ball with their choke tackle. Tigers going for damage limitations here using tactical kicking to try to pin Glos back. Blitz defence will help here too.

Gloucester 27 - 24 Leicester Tigers
Prefer the Gloucester front and back row but Leicester take the second row. More dynamism in their carrying options and stronger breakdown options see's the Gloucester pack get on top up front. They also hold the advantage at half backs with Robson and Carter an excellent combination to control the game. Prefer the Leicester centres as despite liking both players for Gloucester I don't think they work at all as a combo. Leicester stronger in the back three. Gloucester will have time to build possession with their attributes and they have the quality to get across the try line though with a stronger set of outside backs they could have had a BP win.

Gloucester 24 - 24 Leicester Tigers

Gloucester 25 - 26 Leicester Tigers
Mark Gloucester down massively for playing Savea, Toomua and Crotty, who have played in Aus and NZ (or been part of the squads), Tigers get the win as a result, but see quite a few combinations needing some time to settle in and need a better no9 than Young, as Robson is now top quality and potential England starter. Once Teo'o settles he'll add some serious offloading skills. Gloucester could have won by 4-5 points. 

Gloucester 24 - 23 Leicester Tigers

Gloucester 26-25 Leicester Tigers

Gloucester 24 - 21 Leicester Tigers
I think Gloucester can get ahead at the scrum but not a lot in it. Antonio will attack Jenkins. They have a shaky lineout though and Leicester are stronger there. Leicester also have a very efficent backrow that will be useful carrying and supporting but also at the breakdown. Moriarity is a much improved player at 6 and Heaslip still ok if fading, but the key for Gloucester is the link and loose play from Savea which gives them an x-factor. The Leicester pack does a lot of damage carrying hard though. 

Gloucester's 9 10 and 12 are fantastic to control pace of the game and Matt has planned well around this. Then Crotty adds control as well and the back 3 are lethal try scorers but I doubt their defence. Leicester have some class players outwide and FTH is a good 10 for their set up but their backs in general need to get some form and Young is a weakness. 

Gloucester's back 3 works very well with the counter attack, and the 9-12 axis allows for effective control with the phase attack. Not sure that the backrow is overall strong enough at the breakdown for focussing on turnovers to be reliable, but Savea will give it a good crack. Leicester do well to focus on the breakdown and the offloading could be lethal once their backs hit form. As it is Gloucester are close enough in the pack for their halfbacks to control the game for them

Gloucester 24 - 18 Leicester Tigers
Glos have the advantage at the scrum, pretty even at lineout. Good battle around the park, think both packs pretty well matched. Glos stronger 9-12, and thats the key to the game for me, they'll get their dangerous backs going. Bench stronger for Glos, and they'll pull away in the last 20 to make this look an easier win than it was

Gloucester 24 - 22 Leicester Tigers
Can't see Savea having much impact having to travel half way across the world for this game. Not a lot between the sides at the set piece but more mobility to the Gloucester pack and can see them playing at a higher tempo ball in hand. Great control from the Glaws 9-10-12 combo and the multi phase approach will work well. Back three will struggle defensively though.  Tigers back three defensively strong but lacking a bit of form attacking wise. Outside of Savea and possibly Heaslip think Glaws are lacking for turnovers this week and can see them giving penalties away at the breakdown. Chiefs can build a bit of momentum with some decent offloaders and carriers in the side but may need a 2nd playmaker against strong blitz sides. Both sides trying to play ball in hand. tigers will make a game of this off the back of breakdown penalties and a rugged forward effort but Glaws have just enough attacking quality to win at home.

Newcastle Falcons 21 - 23 Sale Sharks
Pretty close up front but Sharks have a slight edge in 2nd row and back row. Half backs pretty even but outside this I think Sharks could cause some problems. Think Sharks need to write a bit about a controlled game to suit their attributes rather than up tempo. Falcons right to pin behind Nadolo however, WLR very good at covering and feel he will support Nadolo here.

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 25 Sale Sharks
Sale hold and advantage in the front five with some real quality and strength at the set piece. Back rows are even with Vermaulen lacking form. Half backs to Newcastle by a distance with Webb and Farrell really blending well together. Don't think Ngatai at 13 outside Eastmond works well as a combo and this gives Falcons the advantage in the centres. Back threes even. Conditions don't allow for Sale's front 5 dominance to make a huge difference on the scores. Attributes and tactics very much match up and can't separate the sides.

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 26 Sale Sharks

Newcastle Falcons 27 - 26 Sale Sharks
Another really tough game to call, Falcons missing some big names, but think that Piautua is the best back in Europe at the moment an absolute threat from the back, plus Farrell's boot. When Sale's injured players show some form they will be a very different side. Taylor, Le Roux and Eastmonds move to Wasps will be big for Sale as the season goes on. Not sure the phase attack works for Sale as it doesnt play to their strengths with their strike runners. 

Newcastle Falcons 20 - 21 Sale Sharks

Newcastle Falcons 19 - 18 Sale Sharks

Newcastle Falcons 19 - 18 Sale Sharks
Of all the teams to try and pressurise the pack, as good as Falcons' is, Sale is not the one to focus on that! Both front rows are very strong and can't see either getting on top. Sale's lineout is immense and will pressurise Falcons' good lineout defensively but Taylor could put in some errant throws - I think Itoje will deal with them though. The balance of Sale 4-8 is exceptional in the loose and tight and aided by Taylor there, and they get through so much work and make ground as well as giving strength at the breakdown, much improved actually from recent games by using Kvesic. However in terms of work and carrying Falcons are no slouches and the collisions could be titanic. I just give the pack to Sale though. 

Right now I think Webb and Farrell edge Care- Sexton though we know what the latter can do on a good day. If Sale's backline properly clicks it is lethal but waiting to see how Eastmond and Le ROux go for Wasps after difficult recent seasons. Some danger players there and well used. Like the Falcons centre combo and it will suck in players and Piutau especially can punish that space 

With Piutau, counterattacking is easy for Falcons and they have the pack to slow up ball and work excellently with the blitz, however the tactics say you will drift... do you mean a banana blitz type defence? The Falcons bench is also very strong and shores up their second half. Sale's attacking attribute combo I think works especially well, especially with Care as a playmaker at 9 and Sexton good at working phases. Very powerful forwards bench for Sale. Tactics for both sides, the defensive query above withstanding, mesh very well with attributes and personnel. Sale's pack countered by Falcons' backs and then at home Falcons JUST win.

Newcastle Falcons 27 - 28 Sale Sharks

Newcastle Falcons 20 - 22 Sale Sharks
Up front the Falcons front five are quite a good match for the Sharks. The back row is where there is a real difference with Sharks making the most of their experience in this area. Set piece wise it is about even, with Falcons gettings a little more line out ball. Two contrasting sets of half backs with Falcons pair in top nick. Sale's duo lack a little form but have the class to lead their forwards around the park and unleash the backs. The Sharks centres will be tested, as both are not the biggest. Both back three's are very dangerous ball in hand, although will lack a little shape at points. Falcons test the champions, but they have enough in the tank to see out the win.

Saracens 22 - 21 Worcester

Overall Saracens have the advantage up front though the Worcester back row is stronger. I like the impact the Sarries front row will have in the loose which can't be matched by the Worcester trio. Half backs go to Worcester with a proven combo. Prefer the Worcester centres and feel that the Saracens back three has more about it than their Worcester opponents. Attributes wise both sides don't have anything which see's them able to breakdown a stubborn defence besides good offloading, which can be a risky tactic in the wet. I think Worcester will struggle with the territorial kicking of Saracens (Though Lambie not a great 10 for this in my mind) as their back row lacks a real quality kicker. Tough on to call. 

Saracens 20 - 22 Worcester
Don't play Worcester during the RC - I'm not sure that the Sarries halfbacks fully compliment their backline, which if given quick, attacking ball they will score tries against any team in this league. Worcester's power from the second row shifts this, together with the Davies, Biggar combination, which is up there as the best in the league, together with the form of Jones in the centres. 

Saracens 20 Worcester Warriors 19

Sarries 26-25 Warriors

Saracens 21 - 16 Worcester
Saracens have the pack to focus on winning turnovers, and with Conrad Smith can effect a good blitz though obviously he is ageing now. They also just about have the linkmen and strike runners to make an offloading game pull off and definitely have the HBs for territorial kicking. 

Similarly offloading works well for Worcester but the turnovers leave them a bit reliant on Warbs. I think you also have 3 defensive attributes? Blitz-choke combo works well with that backline, esp Roberts at 12. Think I'd switch turnovers for clearing out looking at the pack, would also then be 2 attacking and 2 defensive attributes. 

Saracens just about edge the scrum, both units good here though. Helped massively by Cole's form. Sarries good at lineout and edge here too, and also win the breakdown battle. Both backrows add a lot in the loose, but Worcester probably have more throughout the pack and defs have more grunt as well and with a lightweight Sarries second row can dominate the maul which secondarily weakens Sarries' lineout. They also need Hughes to get some form ideally. Saracens' 9-10 works well as usual, Lambie slots in well for Sanchez, but the Wuss combo also established and we will see an interesting kicking duel in places - Saracens have the edge here partially as they focus on it. Danger outwide by both sides, like the balance of Worcester centres but Saracens probably have more outwide. Very interesting flow in the backs.

Saracens have more in the bench though, lots of game changing potential.

Worcester's tactics are short and sweet but very clear, using Roberts as I would, using carriers like Nakawara/Morgan/Taufua well too. The overall approach is very clear. Sarries have more detail and I like the detail on the set piece work - I think it would work as well, esp given Cole back in form now. All players running angles off 9-10 very viable and hard to stop. Saracens win the key battles and despite a bruising Worcester side having ability to push them close they won't lose this

Saracens 26 - 22 Worcester
Both sides well matched at the set piece, strong sets of props and lineout well matched. Think the form of Haskell gives Sarries an advantage in the back row, and as a whole I think their pack just gets on top round the park, with the front row a great help. Wuss have a better pair of halfbacks, but the outside backs go to Sarries. With home advantage Sarries take this against a a solid Worcester side

Saracens 26-26 Worcester
Slight scrum advantage to Worc with more support from the 2nd row. Neither side the strongest at the lineout currently. Very interesting backrow battle. Plenty of power for Sarries but like the pace that Taufua offers as well. Half backs edge slightly to Worc as combos but can't see them dominating the tempo in this one. Some big names in both backs but Sarries have more threat throughout the back lines. Can't see how Sarries keep play fluid late on though with a fair amount of jet lag on the bench. Both sides looking for a strong blitz and moving the ball on in the tackle. Choke tackle will work well with a big midfield for Worc but not sure they have the pace outside of Taufua/Naholo currently to really hurt teams off turnovers. Tired legs late on for Sarries costs them all the points this week.

Saracens 24 - 24 Worcester Warriors
Two good forward packs, but both affected by a few call ups over the Rugby Championship. Warriors feel the pinch a little more with their AB front rowers missing and the influential Whiteley. The breakdown is hotly contested, but an area for me the Sarries edge with their personnel and tactics. Davies and Biggar offer more ball in hand whilst keeping Wuss in the right areas, this allows them to bring in Roberts and Naholo to effect and get the offload away nicely. Sarries stutter a little for me, with a lot of emphasis on creating based on Lambie and C Smith. Although once they can get their offload game going it is effective. Hard to split these two, and with a much fresher bench for Warriors to utilise the boot of Biggar can claim a significant draw here.

Saints 30-23 Bath
Saints a step up in the pack with only Tips able to get a slight advantage for Bath here. Barrett will help control Bath and they are dangerous outside of this however, Saints able to use their blitz defence well to limit Barrett's influence. No attributes from Bath and playing 5 RC players doesn't help, easy win for Saints.

Northampton 26 - 26 Bath
Scrum time Bath can get on top and the line out will probably go the way of Saints. Saints lack the usual presence and the breakdown and Kolisi and Tipuric can get on top here. Also a good set of carriers in both packs and it's tough to separate. One a piece at half back but Barrett's form gives Bath the advantage here. Tough to separate the outside backs though I'm not sure about the Saints wing options. Another I can't call.

Northampton 25-24 Bath

Northampton Saints 23 Bath Rugby 23

Saints 26- 19 Bath
Saints' blitz does counter a potential defensive weakness rather than play to a strength: nonetheless it is a sensible call. The pack is very well suited to clearing out and the quick ball will aid the first phase strikes too and they certainly have players in the backrow and backs to utilise that - I'd say almost perfect attacking picks for attributes. Not sure what Bath's attributes are? Would be interesting to see. They do make up for it with some detail in the tactics. Saints sensible to target the RC players, esp the forwards.

Early on Bath edge the scrum by a bit but the tiring of Kitchoff will see that change until stronger props on the bench swing it back in their favour late on. Saints' lineout is immaculate, good tactics from Bath but I still think they'll edge that battle. Lots of pluses and balance to Bath backrow, unlucky with Faletau but for now he is a great 8 and gels the pack together. Saints will be able to push their fetchers off the ball though with the power of Burger/Billy working well for Saracens in real life and Lam impressing too. So hard to defend against that backrow plus Launch and Mako in attack. 

Murray/Ford excellent at working with this quick ball and have strike runners galore outside them. Would swap Halfpenny and Foden tbh. The running of the backs subs and carrying from the forwards subs also fit nicely into the plan. Great plan to try to neutralise Barrett with Billy and use of large pack and high intensity. Bath have some great playmaking (would pick offloading game with Barrett and Goode in tandem) and Barrett and Wade can run wonderful lines in this set up. Both sides will struggle a tad in defence in the backs, but I think should explicitly use their backrowers to take the pressure off their weaker defenders. Blitz defence helps too but falling off any tackles in that set up will lead to tries.

Bath have a v good team out but Saints look REALLY strong and well set out.

Saints 28 - 23 Bath
This would be a really good matchup of two of the best backlines in the league, but Bath starting their RC players really hurts them. Saints look stronger throughout the pack for me, not sure on Lam just yet though. In the backs, Saints will get on top because of the RC players for Bath, and will build up too much of a lead to be overhauled by the strong Bath bench

Northampton 30-22 Bath
A lot of travelling involved for that Bath side and they won't be giving it everything with international matters on their mind. Murray/Ford an interesting halfback combo. Ford likes to play at a quick pace but Murray doesn't always provide that. First phase approach works very well with the runners in midfield and the power of the back row. Turnover emphasis a slight problem this week with Burger the only main option and others in the pack better at hitting rucks and slowing ball rather then getting over it. Can see the odd penalty given away. 

Northampton Saints 27 - 26 Bath Rugby

Northampton Saints 31 - 23 Bath Rugby
Saints are probably the worse team to face during the RC, with such a deep and talented squad it is always going to be a challenge. Up front, Bath can hold the powerful Saints front row, however the Saints back five has a touch more experience and aggression to utilise. Outwide the Murrray Ford combo will keep Saints in the right areas. For me Barrett and De Allende, will both struggle a bit with the pace of the game and limited training time. Otherwise when Bath get ball in hand and out in the wide channels, they look electric. Although the Northampton back line on the front foot and using the strike running of Halai, Manu and Fofana really put Bath's defence under the cosh. The strong Saints bench won't let up and will secure them the TBP.

Quins 28-25 Bristol
Tiny edge for Quins in front row but Healy not rated at the moment. Solid 2nd row options and a great wet weather back row for Bristol against the pace from Quins. Half backs an advantage to Bristol here and centres will be a great battle, evens, Quins too strong in the back 3. Bristol much improved! Don't think Bristol needs 3 breakdown tactics, a choke/blitz defence would have helped today. Bristol tactics set out well targeting right areas. Quins have the runners to suit their attributes well.

Harlequin 27-26 Bristol

Harlequins 28 - 24 Bristol
A very good side during the RC, with some fantastic attackers in the backline to cause defences problems all season. Aki is a great signing who will have a big impact. Bristol will get some joy at the breakdown as their 6/7 will really get some good turnover, but Quins have too much try scoring threat. Bristol do look stronger though this year (a lot better). 

Harlequins 29 Bristol Rugby 28

Quins 27-26 Bristol

Quins 29 - 23 Bristol
Bristol look to be stronger in the front row, Quins have a better pair of locks and the back rows are pretty well matched. Behind the scrum, Halfbacks are pretty well matched but Lealifano will start to lose ratings soon unfortunately. Quins have a better set of outside backs for me, and the depth of their squad will tell late on. Attributes suit both sides well, but at home Quins will win with a bit in hand

Harlequins 23-21 Bristol
Not an awful lot between the scrums but Quins with Kruis/Chouly offer a bit more off the lineout. Bristol edge the breakdown with a strong flank presence and Ryan adept at causing problems at the ruck. Cubelli not at his best after international exploits but Lealifano offers more control then West currently. Some good form for Gilroy & Francis  but theres more quality overall to the Quins line up. Bristol looking very organised on both attack and defence and could get a good tempo going ball in hand. Emphasis on slowing Quins ball works well this week. Attacking options suit Quins to a tee with a few playmakers to control the phases and electric runners but defensively don't see many turnover makers in the side this week and can see them giving penalties away. Decent impact late on seals a home win. Bristol going to be a much more diffcult away trip this season though looking at the side and game plan.

Harlequins 30 - 29 Bristol Rugby

Harlequins 32 - 25 Bristol Rugby
Unfortunately for Bristol, Quins are another side I would not like to face during the RC! The organised Bristol forwards do provide a very stiff test for the Quins big men. Charteris does really add some value at the line out and make it a tough task for Quins to get a good foothold. The breakdown, as well, is a difficult area, with the Bristol back row all quick to get over the ball and make nuisance of themselves. Quins get the most joy however in the wider areas, with their fleet footed backs making the most of their ability to counter attack, especially the back three. And the solid platform their pack provides. Bristol also make the most of their hardworking forwards and make Quins sweat late on with some brilliant tries.

Wasps 25-25 Chiefs
Not much in the pack, Chiefs a step up at half backs with good heads up control here. Centres pretty even and Wasps can cause some issues in the back 3 with good experience on show. No attributes from Chiefs and Wasps use a great attribute stopping the maul tactics Chiefs are relying on. This levels the playing field. Feel Chiefs could build a score but Wasps will hound them and reduce that. Draw here.

Wasps 28 - 25 Exeter
Wasps have a really effective side here. I feel they can only play one way but I think it works this time out. Exeter have a strong side but they don't quite match the Wasps side in key areas for experience. Lack of attributes hurt them despite good tactics. Think the Wasps pack is has a good balance with only Wilson (who lacks form) standing out at all. A good home win.

Wasps 28-28 Exeter

Wasps 28 - 22 Exeter
Best side I've seen from Wasps. Has a bit of everything and Slade has been playing all of his pre-season in the no10 shirt so that could be another big boost. Exeter could struggle to keep close in games without a manager. 

Wasps 24-23 Exeter

Wasps 28 - 26 Exeter
Not sure I want Priestland as my 10 in a kick chase set up but Wasps' back 3 are perfectly suited to this and countering and this really works to their strengths, have forgotten who your usual 10 is. Focussing on turnovers just about effective. Really like the tactical emphasis on making the young Mo'Unga kick to the back 3 and targeting players when running this back. No attributes from Chiefs.

With Thacker there, not much in the scrum. Lots of workload from both packs and some tasty carrying too. Wood maybe just gives Wasps a lineout advantage, but Exeter have better form and I think balance in the back row. 

Priestland a bit flaky but has more experience than his opposite number despite the latter's talent. Wasps have gone for solid and direct centres, with Barritt combating McCloseky's power with his defence, which fits the kick chase mould. Ashton could have a horrible day. 

Exeter plan of attack is very good and a nice contrast of styles. However, Wasps have picked their approach today well and bring on bench backs to add more kicking and chasing and see out this game

Wasps 24 - 22 Exeter
Two pretty well matched packs more or less cancel each other out for me, think Exeter edge the scrum but other than that I can't pick much between them at set piece. Like the look of the Chiefs back row, and with SOB lacking form they'll have the advantage. Neither set of half backs particularly impressive, Exeter stronger at centre and back 3s pretty well matched. Really tough game to call, I'll go with home advantage

Wasps 25-24 Exeter
Wasps not lining up the most exciting of attacks this season but the backrow and midfield will be pretty effective at the breakdown. Back three get the better of the aerial battle this week with Ashton/Medard not the strongest and with powerful defensive performance that will be enough but more spark will be needed later on.

Wasps 26 - 25 Exeter Chiefs