Aviva Premiership Round Two - Rugby Championship

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Worcester Warriors vs Gloucester Rugby
Sixways Stadium
Heavy Rain Showers, 19 degrees, 14mph South Westerly winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Devin Toner	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jackson Wray	13. Huw Jones
07. Matt Todd	14. Brice Dulin
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jarrad Payne

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Subs: 16 Ken Owens 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Leone Nakawara 20. Sam Warburton 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mathew Tait

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

-We will play a controlled game with the conditions, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Biggar will look for territory with Maestri and Toner able to put a lot of pressure on the Glos ball.
-Big carriers up front looking to offload where possible although being mindful of the weather and we will have support runners on their shoulders-we will bring Nakawara on around 60mins if possible to add impetus to this tactic,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Todd bringing the turnover attribute,
-In these conditions the breakdown will be scrappy and the first man there will look to go for the ball using our turnover attribute. If it is obviously lost we will fan out. If Glos undercommit we will look to drive through them for the turnover,
-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 Glos 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 Payne as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on Biggar will go for territory and also use  his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will use Payne and Dulin to come into the line and switch things up to keep Glos guessing and allow Roberts the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable.
-Pack will look to either shift the ball one player further away or to 'leech' and throw the player into the tackle,
-Take all kickable penalties.

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Gloucester 
Manager – Matt

01. Rob Evans	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Uini Atonio
04. Romain Taofifénua	11. Jonny May
05. Elliott Stooke	12. Matt Toomua
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Matt Scott
07. Julian Salvi	14. Charlie Walker
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Sam Davies

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16. Coenie Oosthuizen, 17. Joe Gray, 18 Juan Figallo, 19. Tom Croft, 20. Sam Dickinson, 21. Grant Hermanus, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro

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 opposition 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 kick the ball using our 4 big kicking options Robson, Carter, Toomua and Davies .when not kicking we use the likes of moriarty, Heaslip, taofufina, etc to get us across the gain line so we can assess options and either kick for territory or keep phase possession.

It's heavy showers and we will aim to play a pressure based game pinning back wuss and looking for the mistake. We will however play what's in front of us and if it's on we will take the opportunity. 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, 12,13,11 and 15 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 and Davies as a first receiver when we need to change things.

On lineouts we will look to drive ball and suck them in. On opposition ball we will pressure their throw and pay particular attention to toner.

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 and under selectively and put May and walker chasing to try and pressure mistakes.

If it's on we will look to take drop goal and with carter Toomua and Davies we have options.

Throughout the game we will look to use the drift when necessary. It's slippery ball and hard to move it. Wuss lack kicking options outside ten so blitzing may enable a charge down or allow us to catch them behind the game line and force turnover.

We aim to play in there half.

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Sale Sharks vs Harlequins
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud, 17 degrees, 13mph Southerly Winds

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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. Martin Moore 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.  

Ngatai has led the Chiefs blitz defence for the last two years. This season from 12 and last season from 13. Upto this season he had played predominately at 13 for Chiefs due to the presence of SBW...

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity phased attacking game. 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 and restructure our attacking phases. 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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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Ihaia West
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jack Clifford	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

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16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Damien Chouly 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. Bundee Aki

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. 

Game Plan

• To patiently build phases and use the physicality of our pack and the talent in our back line to break Sale down. 
  

• Use the carriers in our pack to get us across the gain line by moving the ball before contact and and driving through the collison and latching together before contact. 
  

• Use Youngs and West to take the ball to the line and put players into holes.
  

• Use the up and unders and crossfield kicks (Henshaw and Huget to lead) to regain possession 
  

• Build phases in Sale half and look to use forwards on hard lines and JJ, Henshaw and Mckenzie out the back to beat the Sale Blitz (Lead by Ngatai who is not a natural 13 and the diminutive Eastmond at 12)
  

• Use boots of West, Henshaw and McKenzie to pin Sale back, particularly looking to turn Nadolo. 
  

• Last 30/20 mins will see two very inexperienced Sale half backs on the pitch against the experience and tactical nous of Pienaar and Myler. In a tight game we feel a strong edge here.
  

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Bath Rugby vs Newcastle Falcons
The Rec
Heavy Rain Showers, 18 degrees, 16mph South Westerly winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Samson Lee
04. Alexander Flanquardt	11. Liam Williams
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

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16. Ellis Genge 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Charlie Ewers 20. Arno Botha 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. George Moala 23. Lolagi Visnia

Attributes:
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.
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 - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty. 

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Newcastle 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. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Falateu, Flanquardt 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. Flanquardt will vary the throw by offering a 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 JD2 who we would like to get running at defenders. Williams and Wade are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of EBA, Lee 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 Falcons which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

Kicking: Debrenczeni will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Debrenczeni, 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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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Greig Laidlaw (c)
02. Jamie George	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. David Strettle
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Owen Farrell (k)
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Luke Morahan
08. David Ewers	15. Charles Piutau

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16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Vincent Koch 19.Luke Jones 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Rhys Webb 22. Jan Serfontein  23. Rob Miller

Attributes
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 with Lee lacking form. We've gone with a huge pack to dominate in the wet weather with big carries, and 3 excellent kickers in Laidlaw, Jackson and Farrell to get us in the right areas. Look to beat them up front, get into the 22 and back the skills of our outside backs to get scores. Take points at every opportunity with drop goals and penalties

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. Particularly target Lee with Potgeiter packing down on Mullan's side to add his weight. 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 option of Potgeiter to mix it up.

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 Tipuric off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated. Tipuric likes hard grounds, drag him into a mud fight and see how he handles it

Kicking - Piutau, Farrell to offer options outside Jackson. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. We want to win the territory battle primarily, and will tone down our counter attacking. Put the high ball up on Wade all game long with Piutau and Morahan hunting him down

Attack - Laidlaw to run our attack and set the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get Jackson quick ball. Challenge Debrencenzi defensively with Campaganaro cutting in running hard lines at his channel. 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. Keep the attack tight to the ruck primarily to blow their pack away, then challenge them with the backs when in the right areas

Defence - no weak links in the backline, Farrell to lead the blitz with Campagnaro also very quick off the line

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

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Leicester Tigers vs Wasps
Welford Road
Light Cloud, 20 degrees, 14mph South Westerly Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Francois Steyn
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Gael Fickou
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

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Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Ricardo Brugnara 19. Stan South 20. Liam Messam 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

In reasonable conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack. With it being slightly damp however we won't take chances with offloading in our half, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly. Burns will take the ball to the line and cause Burrell to leap out of the defensive line, creating holes for our back line to exploit

In defence, as always we will be running a blitz defence. Our focus will be on the gainline 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 Wasps 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. Burns and Steyn can take the ball to the line and kick in behind the defense, to get our wingers either on the end of the grubber, or pin back Wasps. 
  
  

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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Wasps
Manager - Driver

01. Joe Marler	09. Sebastian Tillous Borde
02. Bismarck Du Plessis	10. Rhys Priestland
03. Frans Malherbe
04. RG Snyman	11. Marland Yarde
05. Alun Wyn Jones (c)	12. Luther Burrell
06. Tom Wood	13. Henry Slade
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Rob Kearney

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16.Harry Thacker 17.Ben Moon 18.Dave Wilson 19.Dom Barrow 20.Sebastian Vahaamahina 21.Nazeem Carr 22.Henry Pygros 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

We've gone for a balanced selection throughout our team with players complimenting there positions through a strong mixture of skills too fall into our tactical plan.
We've bought Henry Slade into the midfield too increase our kicking options in the back line as we'll look too elimate Tigers offloading and high tempo by keeping them pinned deep through our strong kicking game and chase.
In our forwards we've bought in BDP and Malherbe too beef our pack up and make us a tough nut too crack and we'll take the game too the tigers pack and bring a hard edge too the game.

In recognition too Tigers kicking a lot at Gloucester we'll look too really get at there kicking options and test there temperment as well as force the kicks more infield too our dangerous runners.

We'll base our whole game around getting the simple things right so that we can execute our chosen attributes. We'll look too get our runners going down the 10 channel too shorten the tigers defensive line and create momentum in the short areas.
In typical away day style we'll opt too scrum a lot more as we feel that we have the superior front row and can have a real go at Tigers and win the penalties too kick our goals and build for the win.

Our Territorial kicks will focus more on Airtime and our challenge for the ball in the air as we don't want too give there back three the ball too counter into space.

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Bristol Rugby vs Northampton Saints
Ashton Gate Stadium
Heavy Rain Showers, 19 degrees, 14mph South Westerly winds

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Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Luke Charteris	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Charlie Sharples
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

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16. David Kilcoyne 17. Rob Buchanan 18. Tom West 19. Kearnan Myall 20 John Barclay 21. Kahn Fotua'li 22. Piers Francis, 23. Digby Ioane

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:

As usual we will approach the breakdown as a unit, applying small numbers working together with intensity to clear out ball to try to keep some speed on it in the rain. In defence we will look to commit a few players to slow it for Saints, especially the backrow and Ryan, but predominantly keep players in the defensive line unless the turnover/penalty is on

In attack, plan A is a more simple phase attack, with us looking to pick and drive and snipe at the fringes interspersed with one pass phases off 9 (big forward carriers and backs coming off 9) and 2 phases passes off first receiver (generally simple pops to the rest of the backs coming in) like Jones' Japan. The key is quick support from other players, with then looking to get the ball secured at the breakdown asap.

Plan B is using the kick chase with Sharples good at chasing behind attacking kicks and Gilroy strong in the air and kickers at 9, 10, 12 and 15.

Plan C would see us aim to keep the ball in the forwards even more, using pods of 3 to carry around the corner and utilise the maul more

In defence we keep the fringes tight to protect against carries around the corner and any snipes, and putting more pressure on 9 and thus 10. We will be looking to blitz with 9 sweeping, and in doing so pressurise for the charge down.

Gilroy to act as a secondary 15 at the back

Take any points on offer and press hard for penalties in their half and be tight with discipline in our own.

In the lineout, make them throw long and pressurise the front in the air and the maul, with Charteris the lead on defence. We will also keep it simple and maul of a lot of this ball.

Overall we will be keeping things nice and simple in attack and defence with pressure at the breakdown paramount. Options on the bench if it dries up for a more attacking game.

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Ben Foden
05. Jonny Gray	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Jack Lam	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

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Subs: 16 Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Paul Jedrasiak 20. Brendon O'Connor 21. Joe Simpson 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Ashley Johnson

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
Tough conditions, so we've picked a pack that is full of big ball carriers, who can work through the phases and win the physical battle against the home side. We want to secure safe ball for Murray and Ford who will look to dictate the territory and pin Bristol in their own half, so we can capitalise on any errors and rely on Halfpenny's boot. In midfield we've recalled Tuilagi into the midfield for his ball carrying and opted for a 6-2 split of forwards/backs on the bench.

We'll look to overpower the home side, force penalties and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Set Piece
Very simple, utilise the setpiece to secure safe ball for our halfbacks, with Murray and Ford looking to do a lot of territorial kicking and pushing Bristol back. Vunipola to hit up the hard yards off the back of scrums, whilst line out is going to be very simple with no risks. Defensively, we will look to setup to stop any Bristol attempts to start driving mauls.

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 Bristol defence as we look for penalties. We want to give our halfbacks a platform to win the territorial kicking game and force mistakes in the Bristol half for HP to exploit. We've picked a very physical backrow, who will help with the ball carrying and stopping Bristol at the gain-line.

Breakdown
See attributes

Attack
In contrast to last week, our strike runners will be used off Ford on first phase ball and look to work through the phases, the recall of Tuilagi will give Ford a good option to hit the ball up the middle. It is going to be a very forward orientated game, and we will look to work through the phases and make a big impact in the second half with our bench. There will be a lot of kicking when in our own half, either for the corners so we can attack the Bristol lineout, or putting the ball high and get our back three challenging in the air.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Murray sweeping behind the defensive line. Will defend narrow as the conditions will not allow expansive rugby and will drop one of Foden or AAC back to support Halfpenny to field kicks.

Kicking
Halfpenny to keep the scoreboard ticking over, expecting a low scoring game so HP will be vital.

* Guys is that an ok amount to write re tactics? Trying to reduce them each week a bit.

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Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens
Sany Park
Heavy Rain Showers, 18 degrees, 16mph South Westerly winds

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Elliott Dixon	13. Sam James
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Melani Nanai

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16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Richie Mo'unga 23. Maxime Medard

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 Saracens playing our way and the Chiefs way. Sandy Park is one of the hardest places to come and play. We won't want to kick the ball away, and Saracens can't score any points without the ball. 

Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Wasps territory and forcing North, Armitage and Hogg to turn and chase the ball. Lozowski, Hidalgo-Clyne, McCloskey and Nanai all have great kicking games, with all capable of kicking in behind the Sarries 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 Saracens 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 Sarries ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Sarries 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 Sarries 22 to frustrate and pick up yards.

Defence - look to chop down Sarries carriers before the gain line to prevent them gaining any momentum and have to give away penalties to try and secure their own ball. The speed our of line and the tackling we do, is something we are traditionally strong in. 

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 Lambie'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 Haskell, C Smith, Hughes & Cole.

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 - Lozowski 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.

Attributes
Defensive Traits
Blitz Defence: Your side is known for Blitz and excels at it
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.  
Attacking Traits
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. 
Offloading in the tackle: Moving the point of attack preventing a defence to set and keeping play fluid.

---

---

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. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Delon Armitage
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Bradley Davies 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Tom Taylor 23. Rohan van Rosburg

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.

- PLAY THE POOR CONDITIONS - NUMEROUS KICKING OPTIONS backline with numerous kicking options and ability under the high ball. Look to target the opposition backline, especially  Ashton.

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.

---

Wasps Team too play Leicester Tigers;

15.Rob Kearney
14.Anthony Watson
13.Henry Slade (K)
12.Luther Burrell
11.Marlande Yarde
10.Rhys Priestland
9.Sebastian Tillous Bourde

1.Joe Marler
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Frans Malherbe
4.Alun Wyn Jones (C)
5.RG Synman
6.Tom Wood
7.Sean O'Brian
8.Louis Pickermoles

16.Harry Thacker 17.Ben Moon 18.Dave Wilson 19.Dom Barrow 20.Sebastian Vahaamahina 21.Nazeem Carr 22.Henry Pygros 23.Tim Nani Williams.

We've set our team up for an away day with out selection here.

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

We've gone for a balanced selection throughout our team with players complimenting there positions through a strong mixture of skills too fall into our tactical plan.
We've bought Henry Slade into the midfield too increase our kicking options in the back line as we'll look too elimate Tigers offloading and high tempo by keeping them pinned deep through our strong kicking game and chase.
In our forwards we've bought in BDP and Malherbe too beef our pack up and make us a tough nut too crack and we'll take the game too the tigers pack and bring a hard edge too the game.

In recognition too Tigers kicking a lot at Gloucester we'll look too really get at there kicking options and test there temperment as well as force the kicks more infield too our dangerous runners.

We'll base our whole game around getting the simple things right so that we can execute our chosen attributes. We'll look too get our runners going down the 10 channel too shorten the tigers defensive line and create momentum in the short areas.
In typical away day style we'll opt too scrum a lot more as we feel that we have the superior front row and can have a real go at Tigers and win the penalties too kick our goals and build for the win.

Our Territorial kicks will focus more on Airtime and our challenge for the ball in the air as we don't want too give there back three the ball too counter into space.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Samson Lee
04. Alexander Flanquardt	11. Liam Williams
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Ellis Genge 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Charlie Ewers 20. Arno Botha 21. Tawera Kerr Barlow 22. George Moala 23. Lolagi Visnia

Attributes:
First phase attack/strike moves: Will look to break the defence, with either a bust through or a clever move to create a gap.
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 - Turnover possession: Your side is recognised to pick off turnovers at the breakdown, by getting the ball and gaining the penalty. 

Overall: We are gonna be looking to play front foot rugby and put Newcastle 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. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Falateu, Flanquardt 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. Flanquardt will vary the throw by offering a 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 JD2 who we would like to get running at defenders. Williams and Wade are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of EBA, Lee 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 Falcons which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

Kicking: Debrenczeni will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Debrenczeni, 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.

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Ben Foden
05. Jonny Gray	12. Weslie Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Jack Lam	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Subs: 16 Schalk Brits 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Paul Jedrasiak 20. Brendon O'Connor 21. Joe Simpson 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Ashley Johnson

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
Tough conditions, so we've picked a pack that is full of big ball carriers, who can work through the phases and win the physical battle against the home side. We want to secure safe ball for Murray and Ford who will look to dictate the territory and pin Bristol in their own half, so we can capitalise on any errors and rely on Halfpenny's boot. In midfield we've recalled Tuilagi into the midfield for his ball carrying and opted for a 6-2 split of forwards/backs on the bench.

We'll look to overpower the home side, force penalties and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Set Piece
Very simple, utilise the setpiece to secure safe ball for our halfbacks, with Murray and Ford looking to do a lot of territorial kicking and pushing Bristol back. Vunipola to hit up the hard yards off the back of scrums, whilst line out is going to be very simple with no risks. Defensively, we will look to setup to stop any Bristol attempts to start driving mauls.

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 Bristol defence as we look for penalties. We want to give our halfbacks a platform to win the territorial kicking game and force mistakes in the Bristol half for HP to exploit. We've picked a very physical backrow, who will help with the ball carrying and stopping Bristol at the gain-line.

Breakdown
See attributes

Attack
In contrast to last week, our strike runners will be used off Ford on first phase ball and look to work through the phases, the recall of Tuilagi will give Ford a good option to hit the ball up the middle. It is going to be a very forward orientated game, and we will look to work through the phases and make a big impact in the second half with our bench. There will be a lot of kicking when in our own half, either for the corners so we can attack the Bristol lineout, or putting the ball high and get our back three challenging in the air.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Murray sweeping behind the defensive line. Will defend narrow as the conditions will not allow expansive rugby and will drop one of Foden or AAC back to support Halfpenny to field kicks.

Kicking
Halfpenny to keep the scoreboard ticking over, expecting a low scoring game so HP will be vital.

* Guys is that an ok amount to write re tactics? Trying to reduce them each week a bit.

Mark

Mark

01. Alisdair Dickinson	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. WP Nel
04. Yohann Maestri	11. Adam Thompstone
05. Devin Toner	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jackson Wray	13. Huw Jones
07. Matt Todd	14. Brice Dulin
08. Ben Morgan	15. Jarrad Payne

Subs: 16 Ken Owens 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Leone Nakawara 20. Sam Warburton 21. Sam Harrison 22. Jules Plisson 23. Mathew Tait

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

-We will play a controlled game with the conditions, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Biggar will look for territory with Maestri and Toner able to put a lot of pressure on the Glos ball.
-Big carriers up front looking to offload where possible although being mindful of the weather and we will have support runners on their shoulders-we will bring Nakawara on around 60mins if possible to add impetus to this tactic,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Todd bringing the turnover attribute,
-In these conditions the breakdown will be scrappy and the first man there will look to go for the ball using our turnover attribute. If it is obviously lost we will fan out. If Glos undercommit we will look to drive through them for the turnover,
-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 Glos 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 Payne as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on Biggar will go for territory and also use his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will use Payne and Dulin to come into the line and switch things up to keep Glos guessing and allow Roberts the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable.
-Pack will look to either shift the ball one player further away or to 'leech' and throw the player into the tackle,
-Take all kickable penalties.

09. Alisdair Dickinson

#dynamic

Ha! Changed...cheers for the heads up.

Just finished work. May be an hour late with team but will be tonight

Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – Fluxy

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill (c)	12. Stuart McCloskey
06. Elliott Dixon	13. Sam James
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Melani Nanai

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Thomas Domingo 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Yannick Nyanga 21. Chris Cook 22. Richie Mo'unga 23. Maxime Medard

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. Martin Moore 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.  

Ngatai has led the Chiefs blitz defence for the last two years. This season from 12 and last season from 13. Upto this season he had played predominately at 13 for Chiefs due to the presence of SBW...

Attack: We will be playing an expansive, high intensity phased attacking game. 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 and restructure our attacking phases. 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.

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Francois Steyn
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Mike Brown

.
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Mikheil Nariashvili 18. Ricardo Brugnara 19. Stan South 20. Liam Messam 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Henry Purdy

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
03. Mike Ross
04. Donnacha Ryan	11. Craig Gilroy
05. Luke Charteris	12. Christian Lealiifano
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14.  Charlie Sharples
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. David Kilcoyne 17. Rob Buchanan 18. Tom West 19. Kearnan Myall 20 John Barclay 21. Kahn Fotua'li 22. Piers Francis, 23. Digby Ioane

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:

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Greig Laidlaw (c)
02. Jamie George	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. David Strettle
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Owen Farrell (k)
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. Luke Morahan
08. David Ewers	15. Charles Piutau

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Vincent Koch 19.Luke Jones 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Rhys Webb 22. Jan Serfontein  23. Rob Miller

Attributes
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 with Lee lacking form. We've gone with a huge pack to dominate in the wet weather with big carries, and 3 excellent kickers in Laidlaw, Jackson and Farrell to get us in the right areas. Look to beat them up front, get into the 22 and back the skills of our outside backs to get scores. Take points at every opportunity with drop goals and penalties

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. Particularly target Lee with Potgeiter packing down on Mullan's side to add his weight. 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 option of Potgeiter to mix it up.

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 Tipuric off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated. Tipuric likes hard grounds, drag him into a mud fight and see how he handles it

Kicking - Piutau, Farrell to offer options outside Jackson. Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. We want to win the territory battle primarily, and will tone down our counter attacking. Put the high ball up on Wade all game long with Piutau and Morahan hunting him down

Attack - Laidlaw to run our attack and set the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get Jackson quick ball. Challenge Debrencenzi defensively with Campaganaro cutting in running hard lines at his channel. 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. Keep the attack tight to the ruck primarily to blow their pack away, then challenge them with the backs when in the right areas

Defence - no weak links in the backline, Farrell to lead the blitz with Campagnaro also very quick off the line

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

1 Evans
2. LCD
3. Antonio
4 Taofufina
5 Stooke
6 Moriarty
7 Salvi
8 Heaslip
9 Robson
10 Carter
11 May
12 Toomua
13 Scott
14 Walker
15 Sam DAVIES
16 ousthuizen
17 Gray
18 Figallo
19 Croft
20 Dickinson
21 Hermanus
22 Cipriani
23 Naiyararo

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 kick the ball using our 4 big kicking options Robson, Carter, Toomua and Davies .when not kicking we use the likes of moriarty, Heaslip, taofufina, etc to get us across the gain line so we can assess options and either kick for territory or keep phase possession.

It's heavy showers and we will aim to play a pressure based game
Pinning back wuss and looking for the mistake. We will however play what's in front of us and if it's on we will take the opportunity.

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, 12,13,11 and 15 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 and Davies as a first receiver when we need to change things


On lineouts we will look to drive ball and suck them in.
On opposition ball we will pressure their throw and pay particular attention to toner.


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 and under selectively and put May and walker chasing to try and pressure mistakes.

If it's on we will look to take drop goal and with carter Toomua and Davies we have options.

Throughout the game we will look to use the drift when necessary. It's slippery ball and hard to move it. Wuss lack kicking options outside ten so blitzing may enable a charge down or allow us to catch them behind the game line and force turnover.

We aim to play in there half.

[b][b]Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

[/b]
[/b]

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Scott Baldwin	10. Ihaia West
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jack Clifford	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Lukhan Tui 20. Damien Chouly 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. Bundee Aki

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. 

Game Plan

• To patiently build phases and use the physicality of our pack and the talent in our back line to break Sale down. 
  

• Use the carriers in our pack to get us across the gain line by moving the ball before contact and and driving through the collison and latching together before contact. 
  

• Use Youngs and West to take the ball to the line and put players into holes.
  

• Use the up and unders and crossfield kicks (Henshaw and Huget to lead) to regain possession 
  

• Build phases in Sale half and look to use forwards on hard lines and JJ, Henshaw and Mckenzie out the back to beat the Sale Blitz (Lead by Ngatai who is not a natural 13 and the diminutive Eastmond at 12)
  

• Use boots of West, Henshaw and McKenzie to pin Sale back, particularly looking to turn Nadolo. 
  

• Last 30/20 mins will see two very inexperienced Sale half backs on the pitch against the experience and tactical nous of Pienaar and Myler. In a tight game we feel a strong edge here.
  

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. Ollie Devoto
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Delon Armitage
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Brad Davies 20. Will Fraser 21. Lee Dickson 22. Tom Taylor 23. Rohan van Rosburg

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.

- PLAY THE POOR CONDITIONS - NUMEROUS KICKING OPTIONS backline with numerous kicking options and ability under the high ball. Look to target the opposition backline, especially  Ashton.

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.

Tactics Added.

I'll be able too get my predictions in on Saturday as i'm spending my day on the couch watching Football all day... tough life.

Will try to get tactics in early.tomorrow morning. If not use ones from last week. Really struggling for.time at the moment.

Tactics will be in first thing in the morning when i get into work 

Tactics coming shortly

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Tactics will be in first thing in the morning when i get into work 

Same

Okay, seeing as there is a general consensus, will also get both Tigers and Chiefs tactics in tomorrow morning!

Brad Davies for Sam Whitelock if ok.

I just copied and pasted, internet is a nightmare out here. It took me 2hrs to post

Tactics:

As usual we will approach the breakdown as a unit, applying small numbers working together with intensity to clear out ball to try to keep some speed on it in the rain. In defence we will look to commit a few players to slow it for Saints, especially the backrow and Ryan, but predominantly keep players in the defensive line unless the turnover/penalty is on

In attack, plan A is a more simple phase attack, with us looking to pick and drive and snipe at the fringes interspersed with one pass phases off 9 (big forward carriers and backs coming off 9) and 2 phases passes off first receiver (generally simple pops to the rest of the backs coming in) like Jones' Japan. The key is quick support from other players, with then looking to get the ball secured at the breakdown asap.

Plan B is using the kick chase with Sharples good at chasing behind attacking kicks and Gilroy strong in the air and kickers at 9, 10, 12 and 15.

Plan C would see us aim to keep the ball in the forwards even more, using pods of 3 to carry around the corner and utilise the maul more

In defence we keep the fringes tight to protect against carries around the corner and any snipes, and putting more pressure on 9 and thus 10. We will be looking to blitz with 9 sweeping, and in doing so pressurise for the charge down.

Gilroy to act as a secondary 15 at the back

Take any points on offer and press hard for penalties in their half and be tight with discipline in our own.

In the lineout, make them throw long and pressurise the front in the air and the maul, with Charteris the lead on defence. We will also keep it simple and maul of a lot of this ball.

Overall we will be keeping things nice and simple in attack and defence with pressure at the breakdown paramount. Options on the bench if it dries up for a more attacking game

Predictions Open

To me please

Going to struggle to predict as I'm in jersey

Will get predictions in now.

Worcester Warriors - 22
(T: WP Nel C: Biggar [x1] P: Biggar [x4] DG: Biggar [x1])  
Gloucester Rugby - 18
(P: Carter [x6])  

Sale Sharks - 28
(T: Ngatai, McGrath, Abendanon C: Sexton [x2] P: Sexton[x3])
Harlequins - 22
(T: McKenzie, Gorgodze P: McKenzie [x4])

Bath Rugby - 17
(T: L Williams P: Debrenczeni [x4])
Newcastle Falcons - 21
(T: Symons, Strettle C: Farrell [x1] P: Farrell[x4])

Leicester Tigers - 23
(T: Armand, Purdy C: Burns [x2] P: Burns [x2] DG: Burns [x1])
Wasps - 23
(T: Sean O'Brien, Burrell C: Priestland [x2] P: Preistland [x3])


Bristol Rugby - 18
(T: Uhila, Vito C: Gopperth[x1] P: Gopperth[x2])
Northampton Saints - 25
(T: Ashley Cooper, Mulipola, Hartley C: Ford [x2] P: Ford [x2])

Exeter Chiefs - 18
(P: Lozowski [x6])
Saracens - 20
(T: Hogg, Hill C: Lambie [x2] P: Lambie [x2])

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

Will post feedback/predictions a little later. 

Worcester 16 - 9 Gloucester
Can see a good scrum advantage for Worc here with the Scots at prop and that's very useful in these conditions. Toner will cause LCD some problems at the lineout in these conditions as well. Moriarty & Heaslip offer more around the park but Todd competes well at the breakdown. Edge at halfbacks to Glos with a classy pair but Worc are well able for these conditions as well. Good kicking game to the Gloucester backs but the Worc back three superior aerially and Worc have a power game in midfield that Glos are lacking somewhat. No SH cover in these conditions a mark down for Glos. Conditions remove the Worc offloading game somewhat but defensively they are well set up. Plenty of carrying options to test Glos out on phase play. Glos game plan is fairly contradictory. Controlling possession and phase play go well especially with so many playmakers to structure play but theres a big emphasis on the kicking game and forcing Worc to play from deep. Is the defence a blitz or drift?? Better organised Worc at home with a good set piece advantage pick up a decent win in the conditions.


Worcester 18 - 18 Gloucester
Think Worcester have a bit more in the pack, getting ahead at the set piece and the backrow battle being the toughest bit to pick. That should be pretty close and both backrows work quit well. In the weather this is a big gain for Worcester.

Gloucester get their gameplan nice and right, with the kickers to carry it out, whereas pushing the offloads is risky for Worcester. Biggar's abilities do help out Worcester though, and they have the set piece to play in the rain with Roberts, Morgan and all breaking the gainline.
In better weather, I think Worcester would definitely win. But here, I see a tight draw with kickers cancelling out set piece

Worcester 22 - 24 Gloucester
Not much in the front fives or the back row. Overall I would probably give the slight advantage to Gloucester. The star power of the Gloucester half backs give them the edge over the Worcester pairing. Gloucester look more dangerous in the outside backs. 

Worcester 27 - 26 Gloucester 


Worcester 18 - 17 Gloucester


Worcestor Warriors 12 - 12 Gloucester
Heavy rain was really the decisive factor, just can't see either team winning as both set pieces could be a battle as not sure on either hooker's darts, Gloucester get an advantage in the backrow, but home teams back three better dealing with the rain. Carter and Biggar will exchange points. 

Worcester 19 - 16 Gloucester
Think the Wuss front row looks strong with the Scots pair performing well, Nel in particular will get a nudge on. Far stronger front 5 as a whole for Wuss for me, not a fan of the Glos locks. Back rows pretty even. Glos will take the territorial battle for me, with 3 solid options. Scott not the best 13, and Wuss could have some joy there, and I think the Glos wings aren't exactly ideal in these conditions. Worcester's more simple game plan and home advantage gives them this one in poor conditions

Worcester 21 - 20 Gloucester
The contest between both front fives is a tight one. With Warriors front five being strong at the set piece, and around the park, where Glaws will struggle a little at the set piece. Biggar's boot will keep Warriors in the right areas of the field and the score board ticking over. Offloading in the tackle is a risky game for Warriors, was some reward but a little too much pain in return. Gloucester have a great kicking game in the back line, but with a misfiring set piece can't capitalise on the the good kicking. A narrow one in the end. But Warriors edge the visitors.

Bath 9-18 Newcastle
Not an awful lot between the front 5s at the set piece but the Bath front row in particular offer more of a threat at the breakdown. More of a tight carrying game to the Falcons backrow. Tipuric a better carrier in wider areas. More quality to the Falcons halfbacks. Debrenczeni off the back of a poor Super season really. Farrell offers good support at 12 & Piutau the danger man for Falcons. Good spark on the wings for Bath but would like to see more from there defensive tactics re backfield play. Wade is susceptible positionally and aerially. Strong scrum advantage late on for Falcons with Genge unproven and Laulala unrateable due to injuries. Bath caught out this week on tactics with the conditions while Falcons have adapted and can only see a comfortable win for them because of it. 

Bath 18-19 Falcons

Bath 20 - 23 Falcons
A really good battle at the scrum, without a lot between the sides. Close at the lineout and breakdown as well, but I think Falcons do get ahead there, and they are ahead on the halfbacks as well, with a good pairing for the rain and Farrell at 12 a perfect pick. I do really like the Bath centre pairing though, and they are an attribute up! Falcons do have enough to control the match though

Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons 16-16

Bath Rugby 19 - 20 Falcons

Bath 15 - 14 Falcons

Bath 16 - 17 Newcastle 
Very tough game to call, not sure Bath have looked at the conditions with them wanting to get quick ball and this could cause some issues. Not sure about moving Farrell to no12, as he would steer this game far better at no10. If Bath weren't looking to play at a high tempo they'd have won. 

Bath 17 - 19 Falcons
Another contest where both front fives are relatively even. Can see the Falcons back row unit working more efficiently to their tactics and effecting the game in a more positive way. Not a slight to the Welsh back row of Bath, however, there is a just a bit more dog and bite in the Falcons pack to help their backrow succeed. The 9/10/12 channel from Falcons will dictate the tempo off decent ball, whereas Debrenczeni will struggle to match this, although with the help of Wiggles Bath will get some control. Bath will be handy with ball in the hands of their wide men, but they will be too far down the pitch to do real damage. Piutau a real threat throughout. Falcons just shade this win away from home

Leicester 19-17 Wasps
One of the few games in decent conditions this week! Slight scrum advantage to Wasps with a big 2nd row supporting and their front row gives a bit more around the park overall currently. Big power backrow for Tigers but Wasps can match them and have the higher work rate else where. Not an awful lot between the 10s but Wasps with more quality at 9. More to the Tigers midfield and think there back three are stronger in the air. Defensively Fickou and Burrell/Slade could be moved about somewhat but Wasps wingers more likely to overcompensate and bite in. Wasps looking for an organised kick chase but Tigers more then capable of competing in the air today. Also looking to play it tight and narrow which suits the Tigers big backrow somewhat. Hitting the wider channels would have been better for this one.  Tigers looking to keep it tight with the power game and ruck efficiency on show. I'd have said Wasps win this on personnel but based on the tactics set up Tigers win a tight affair.

Tigers 23-22 Wasps

Tigers 24 - 22 Wasps
Wasps have the better scrum, and lineout but also have a fair bit aorund the field in the pack. The Tigers' pack have a great backrow with Manoa a 4th backrower in most respects, and the fringes and breakdown are an area they can have a big impact. Both have flaky-ish halfbacks who could spark at 10, both in ok form. The Tigers' back 3 is almost perfect to protect against the Wasps' kickchase, which really helps them, but they still need form from the likes of Brown. Overall I think Tigers can counter Wasps' attack plan and just have enough to win

Leicester Tigers 20 - 21 Wasps

Leicester 22-29 Wasps
Prefer the Wasps front five here as well as the back row. Neither half backs pairing is particularly inspiring but I give the advantage to Wasps.

Leicester 19-19 Wasps

Leicester Tigers 26 - 29 Wasps
Only reason that the away side win is that they have better control at no9, the one area that Tigers need to improve on and then they have an excellent team and would win these games. Also prefer the impact from the Wasps bench. 

Leicester 18 - 16 Wasps
Leicester will be a real tough scrap for any side this season, but think Wasps have the quality in the front 5 to set themselves a platform. Back rows more even, Wasps look a bit weak here with the flankers lacking form. Halfbacks both not the greatest, Watson is by far the best back on show but don't think he alone is enough to break through against a very solid Leicester side, who will battle to a narrow home win

Sale 22 - 21 Quins

Sale 27 - 26 Quins
a huge match up in good conditions today. Both have a lot of carrying and ability around the park, both looking to play quickly. Not much in the backs either where both sides have some players not in their best form but capable of real class. I actually think Quins are a little better set out today and in a bit more form, thoyh the home advantage and strong Sale pack is enough to hold on

Sale 18 - 17 Harlequins

Sale 27-23 Quins 
These front fives are so tightly matched. Sale have the slight edge in the back row so they edge the forwards. Sale have the stronger half back combination. Quins has more in the outside backs but not enough to give them the win. 

Sale Sharks 27 Harlequins 27

Sale 25-24 Harlequins

Sale 23 - 20 Quins
Just favour the home side, much prefer Sexton who can steer them through, whilst Quins starting props need to rediscover a bit of form and then they are good to go. Prefer Quins backline balance, but not sure they will get as much quality ball as the home side. 

Sale 30 - 26 Quins
Early season meeting of last year's top two is very close to call. Sale's pack not too badly hit by the RC, and think they are stronger in pretty much every department. I see plenty of go forward for Sale with the quality of their carriers, although think Quins can get on top at the breakdown. Sale stronger at halfback, not convinced on West. Eastmond can be exploited defensively, but not a huge difference. Both sets of outside backs will score tries, but at home with the extra forward power coming on, Sale take it

Sale Sharks 19 - 18 Harlequins
Sharks despite losing a lot of players to the RC, look mightily strong. Quins likewise, but some of the stand ins do lack a little form. Quins patient building play, will allow them to create the odd gap in the Sale defence and unleash the likes of Nowell and McKenzie. Sale's back may lack some form in places, but still are a quality unit on the ball and the likes of WLR and Nadolo coming into the line will cause issues on the Quins defensive line. A tough one to call, but with their momentum at the moment, it is ultra difficult to deny Sale the win, in the current from.

Bristol 14-19 Northampton
Slight scrum advantage Bristol but Saints front row offer a higher tackle count for the weather and alot more ball carrying. Lot of pressure on Johnny Gray at the lineout and Bristol can cause a few issues with a few jumpers. Bristol back row offer more over the ball but Saints with the stronger carrying game. Big step up in quality at halfback for Saints unsure how well this combo would work together in the dry but in the wet see Ford slowing his play down somewhat. Some big names for the Saints backs but Tuilagi not looking great & Halfpenny off the back of an injury ravaged season. Saints halfbacks more capable of dictating play here and see this game being all about the collisions which Saints have the advantage in so can't see past them for an away win.

Bristol- 25-26 Saints

Bristol Rugby 19 - 20 Northampton Saints

Bristol 19-24 Saints
Saints have the front five advantage. I like the Bristol back row especially with Van Der Flier back in the lineup. Saints have such a strong half back combo and they create opportunities for the outside backs. 

Bristol 17 - 18 Northampton

Bristol 17-16 Saints

Bristol 17 - 22 Saints
Saints pack in this period looks terrific, only weakness is an athletic lineout jumper as they have 2 heavy front options. Bristol pack competes well throughout, but think the extra international quality will tell and Saints will dominate the last 20 up front. Bristol set up very well throughout, but even in the awful conditions don't think their backs have the quality to deal with Saints, especially with Ford showing his quality in the first game. I think it'll be tight throughout because of the condtions, but Saints will get the win

Bristol Rugby 18 - 22 Northampton Saints
Bristol provide a stern test for the Saints forwards, and are very organised come line out and scrum time. Saints, just have more x-factor and experience in the key positions, to push them beyond the gritty Bristol forwards. Again out wide, the Saints are a step up on the Bristol line up in terms of game changing ability. Although the boot of Gopperth and the ability of some of the Bristol backs will mean that the Saints will be sweating late on, but just hold on to this away victory.

Exeter17-17 Saracens
Chiefs shading the pack battle overall but haven't the game management and kicking options of Sarries

Chiefs 20-21 Sarries

Exeter 16 - 17 Saracens
With Hughes out of sorts, Exeter have a better pack around the park. Saracens do have the edge in the set piece though, and may just win a very close breakdown fight which would probably be ref-dependent. It would be great to watch as a backrower. In the heavy rain though, the carrying is a boon to Exeter and the Saracens' backs work very very well and their kicking game is huge. They just steal this one

Exeter Chiefs 17 - 17 Saracens

Exeter 22-23 Saracens
Exeter have a small advantage in the front five. Sarries have a similar advantage in the back row. Saracens are much stronger in the half backs and have enough in the outside backs and the bench to grab a wi

Exeter 16 - 17 Saracens

Exeter Chiefs 15 - 15 Saracens
Sarries offloading attribute could cause some issues and mistakes in heavy conditions. Prefer the Chiefs carrying options in midfield, whilst Sarries the better kicking game. More wet weather players for Chiefs, if it was dry conditions then Sarries would win by 5+ points. 

Exeter 17 - 17 Saracens
Saracens look to have the power and breakdown nous to really put the Exeter pack under pressure roudn the park, who will do likewise in the lineout with their jumping options. In the backs, Sarries look better suited to the conditions with their kicking options, but may lack an option to truck it up like McCloskey can for Exeter. Not convinced on Exeter's back 3 in this weather too. Pretty tight to call, I'll sit on the fence

Thanks to the rain, another unexpected LBP! Well won, Chris

Driver, thought I was going to sneak my first Tigers win there! Literally we were equal in the end

Yeah mate. Your tactics where pretty good this week. Anyone can beat anyone in this league with a good set out and tactics too back it up now.

Not disappointed too take two points home at all.

Top scorer Round 2: Carter and Lozowski - 18 points
Top try scorer Round 2 : lots of people on 1

Top scorer Round 1: Biggar - 17 points
Top try scorer Round 1: Gilroy - 2 tries

Current points leaders:
1) Biggar 34 points
2) McKenzie 32 points
3) Carter 31 points
Current try leaders:
1) Hogg, Williams, McKenzie, Ngatai, Gilroy, Purdy all tied at 2 tries a piece