Aviva Premiership Round 4

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Bristol v Exeter Chiefs
Ashton Gate
Partial sunny - 19', 16mph winds

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Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

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

:-
16. Tom West 17. Rob Buchanan 18. James Johnston 19. Donnacha Ryan 20 Carl Fearns 21. Tomas Cubelli 22. Rhys Patchell 23. Rene Ranger

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.

Edited for injuries:

Tactics:
We will focus on quick clearing at the breakdown acting as a unit, with our twin fetchers working in tandem to ensure someone is present to secure quick ball with hard clearing out supporting this. In defence we will keep numbers out, unless the turnover is on, committing a few skilled workers to spoil opposition ball and playing what we see in front of us.

Attack:
In attack we will build slower ball up through the phases, keeping the approach shifting so that it is impossible for the defence to adapt, moving the ball about the field with short plays off 9 to our back 3 and carriers in the pack (like Jones' Japan), snipes and pick and goes off the fringes, and simple, few pass plays in the backs off our 2 playmakers. The aim is to have our players always in support on the shoulder like the All Blacks to either implement our breakdown approach to get another quick recycling and a further phase in as part of a relentless barrage that will eventually fragment any defence, or to be there for the killing pass as we go one extra pass in a scoring opportunity. Our dynamic pack and high workrate backrow with 2 fetching flankers comfortable chasing the ball (as well as Vito) facilitates this.

Carriers like VDF, Uhila, Strauss and Vito will make the yards and strike runners in our back 3 and Taylor will make the breaks.

We also have backup approaches, with the chip/grubber through to the speedy and opportunistic Sharples and Gilroy and Taylor a counter to the blitz, and a pack well capable of mauling away. We will aim not to play kicking/territory rugby, but keep phases up and trust that the opportunity for the break, attacking kicking through or killing pass present themselves and trusting our breakdown.

Defence:
Blitz led by Taylor, Sharples an eye for the interception, Spencer sweeping. Start with a tight fringe defence pressurising the halfbacks, especially young Lozowski.
Look to isolate Nonu who is often not as good at Club level and will look to break through, ambushing him with our breakdown unit for cheap penalties

Set piece:
Pressurise Youngs' throwing with Vito, whilst Charteris counters the maul on the ground marking Lawes their safest jumper. We will mix up off the top and maul plays
In the scrum, we will get the ball out quick to run off Vito. They look strong here but we can hold them on their own ball and look to pressurise Youngs by timing a countershove on his hook, directed by Spencer, to disrupt him and win some ball.

Other:
We will take any points up for grabs. Largely we will be running back kicks unless there is clear space for an attacking kick or we look to be isolated. Hard chase on all kicks. Look to rile Horwill in the tight exchanges legally, seeing if he can avoid retaliating as we see him as a card risk

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Exeter Chiefs 
         
Manager – StNick

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Nic White
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Brad Shields	13. Sam James
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. Maxime Medard

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16. Jack Yeandle 17. Nathan Catt 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Fritz Lee 21. Chris Cook 22. Colin Slade 23. Maxime Mermoz

Look to dominate upfront, in both the set piece and the loose and play in the right areas of the pitch, using Lozowski's boot to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The back 3 will look to return loose kicks from Bristol with intent.

Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Bristol territory and forcing their back three to turn and chase the ball. Lozowski has a  great kicking game, capable of kicking in behind the Bristol back line, and chasing down their kick to pressurise the Bristol defenders.

Lineout - Using Lawes, Horwill & Parisse to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Bristol 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, and that the original transfer is clean.

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 Bristol ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Bristol 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 Bristol 22 to frustrate and pick up yards.

Defence - look to chop down Bristol 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.

Bench - Utilise the bench for impact, so we only make changes when we want the game to change in our favour.

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
Breakdown Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.  
Attacking Traits
Phase attackAttacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.  
Kick chase:Organised kick and chase to attempt to regain possession.

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Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons
Kingsholm
Partial sunny - 19'C, 16mph winds

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Gloucester 
Manager – Matt

01. Coenie Oosthuizen	09. Dan Robson
02. Joe Grey	10. Danny Cipriani
03. Uini Atonio
04. Richie Gray	11. Jonny May
05. Elliott Stooke	12. Dan Carter
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Matt Scott
07. Julian Salvi	14. Taqele Naiyaravoro
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Sam Davies

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16. Tendai Nihal 'Beast' Mtawarira, 17. Andries Strauss, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19. Tom Croft, 20. Sam Dickinson, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Ben Curry

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 up and force the turnover

Great to be at home with conditions for Running rugby.

Our game plan will be based around winning quick ball and moving the ball.

We aim to take advantage of so many of the Falcons Lineup not playing any rugby at the moment.mullan, villi, Flip, Henry, pogieter, serfontein, campagnaro etc will be more than rusty. Add in ewers at 8 a position he does not play and we think we can swarm them.

We will look to build phases and use the likes of moriarty, Heaslip, Gray, etc to get us across the gain line so we can play with quick ball.

we will look for Robson, Cipriani and Carter and to control the tempo of the game. Off static ball we will look to truck it up or kick for space but our aim
Is to play at pace. Matt Scott Has been on fire at 13 For Glos scoring every game we will look to give him space as well as our back 3.

When we generate quick ball we will look to utilise our extreme gas out wide and create one on ones. Our wings are a mix of pace or pace and power.

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 carter or DAVIES 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 davies to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the Falcons line out. Falcons lack lineout options and we will look to pressure.

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. It's a day when blitz is ineffective

Carter to kick all Pens In range

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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. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Gareth Anscombe

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Dillon Lewis 19.Luke Jones 20. Ellis Jenkins 21. Will Chudley 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

Key points
If going down the game time route:
Joe Grey hasn't even benched for Quins this season
Heaslip has started one game and not featured at all in the others
Oousthuizen hasn't played since Super Rugby finished
Stooke has had a few bench minutes

We think they have a weakness throughout the front 5 - Oousthuizen has been switching between loosehead and tighthead with little success, and Stooke is not up to the level of this league. We're going to put the pressure on the set piece heavily, with a big pack.

We think they lack a lineout caller, and have options from 4-8 to really test them here

We'll then look to target Carter 12. He isn't a regular 12, and we'll be sending our big runners down the 10-12 channel all game long, with a big centre combination to get at them.  Scott has played 3 games at 13, we'll look to get Piutau/Anscombe attacking down his channel to test his positional sense

We'll also look to use the boots of Farrell and Anscombe to pin the ball in behind Naiyaravoro, and see how the big man deals with turning and with our excellent chasers bringing pressure

We'll look to dominate in the last 20 with our internationals off the bench to kill the game, when their only options are kids like Lamositele/Curry/Burns and guys with no game time like Croft



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. We'll target Oousthuizen here with Potgeiter packing down behind Kubs to put the pressure on. 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 Salvi off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Piutau to offer options outside Farrell. Kick in behind Naiyaravoro for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning,  Piutau/Anscombe 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 Farrell quick ball.. Challenge Cips/Carter defensively with Serfontein/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 handle it. We've got Anscombe to offer a 2nd distribution option to stop us getting predictable

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  Farrell to set the tone in defence with our blitz, with Serfontein/Campagnaro putting pressure on their midfield

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

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Harlequins v Saracens
Stoop
Sunny - 21'C, 13mph winds

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rob Webber	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. Mamuka Gorgodze	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jack Clifford	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

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16. Agustin Creevy 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Jaco Kriel 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. 
Senior
Game Plan

Patient phase play using our strong carriers up front to get us over the gain line before using our outside backs to attack the spaces with quick ball.

Look to get JMH standing flat and putting guys into spaces using lead line and out the back options.

Use the boots of JMH and McKenzie to pin Saracens back and use Henshaw and Huget to contest possession.

Use the chop tackle and get the first man over the ball at the breakdown to win turn over penalty.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Lee Dickson
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Bradley Davies	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. Thierry Dusatoir	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. Morgan Parra 22. Tom Taylor 23. Delon Armitage

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.

TARGET SCRUM - ESPECIALLY HEALY - Look for Cole to attack Healy who's badly out of form. Look to isolate him from the off and gain pens in the scrum.  

TARGET HERNANDEZ - Lack of gametime for Quins at 10 and time away with the Puma's will make Hernandez a little rusty and perhaps not quite on his game. Look to get big runners down his channel and get our backrow in his face early on.

USE ROLLING MAUL - Big pack put out by us today. Look to use this to our advanatge and get the rolling maul on, eating up the yards in the Quins half.

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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Northampton v Wasps
Franklins Gardens
Partial sunny - 20'C, 15mph winds

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Nic Auterac	09. Joe Simpson
02. Dylan Hartley	10. George Ford
03. Jake Cooper-Wooley
04. Joe Launchbury(c)	11. Rieko Ioane
05. Jonny Gray	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. James Davies	14. Matt Banahan
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

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Replacements
16. Conan O'Donnell 17. Ashley Johnson 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Vaea Fifita 20. David Pocock 21. Connor Murray 22. Matt Giteau 23. Ben Foden

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 are going out to play this game at speed and a real high intensity from the outset and really stretch the Wasps defence. We've picked a team of big physical ball carriers to win the gain-line battle, but have selected two flankers with excellent link up play and have opted for Simpson's injection of pace at no9 to set the tempo. With the conditions we are going to keep the ball in play as much as possible and we will be wanting to open up the game and look for tries.

Watson aside, we don't see Wasps as the quickest team, so will look to play at speed, with a lot of link play between Davies/Burger and our backline - Ford pulling the strings and looking to isolate Burrell defensively in the no13 channel.

Set Piece
Lineout - Hartley's throwing to guarantee quick ball with Launchbury, Gray, Davies and Burger all options. Defensively we'll look to challenge Tom Wood in the air, but otherwise set ourselves to defend the driving maul and stop that building momentum.
Scrum - Vunipola to use any opportunity to launch attacks on Slade and get us over the gain-line.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we plan to cause the Wasps defence a horrible afternoon by sending big runner after big runner down their channels, we've recalled Tuilagi and Banahan into the backline to give us more physicality, which is needed to combat Barritt's defensive work and punch holes in the Wasps' defensive line. We'll bring on AJ, Fifitia and Pocock to add extra physicality in the second half, with AJ an option on the flanks.

Breakdown
See attributes

Attack
- Everything goes through Ford, he's in excellent form and we'll look to make the most of that - to link with Davies and Burger as extra attacking pivots and any opportunity to attack from second phase ball after a gain-line break we'll run it.
- We'll look to exploit Burrell's defence when he plays no13, using Tuilagi as a decoy runner and having our wingers track Ford/Fofana to get the ball and attack Burrell.
- Challenge Yarde's positioning with Ford putting kicks in behind him and Simpson box kicking behind Yarde as well, following up with a strong kick chase.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind. We'll look to double up on Picamoles to stop him having a big an influence as he could do, and really pressurise Kaino each time he gets the ball as he's been thrown straight into the game from travelling back from international duty and will look to force mistakes.

Simpson and Ford to kick us out of trouble

Keep scoreboard ticking over
Any infringements we give to Halfpenny to take 3 points, we want to build a score and force Wasps to play at a faster tempo then they'd like to and make them play catch up.

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Wasps
Manager - Driver

01. Thomas Du Toit	09. Mitchell Drummond
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Henry Slade (k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Alun Wyn Jones (c)	11. Marland Yarde
05. Dom Barrow	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Luther Burrell
07. Tom Wood	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Tim Nanai Williams

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16.Harry Thacker 17.Ben Moon 18.Frasier Bailman 19.RG Synman 20.Sean O'Brian 21.Will Homer 22.Rhys Priestland 23.Semu Kerevi

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Worcester v Sale
Sixways
Cloudy - 19'C, 16mph 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. Leone Nakawara	11. James Short
05. Yoann Maestri	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Jackson Wray	13. Mathew Tait
07. Sam Warburton (c)	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

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16. Jack Walker 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Mike Williams 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Jules Plisson 23. Jarrad Payne

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

-We will play a controlled game, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Biggar will look for territory with Nakawara and Maestri looking to put pressure on Sale ball.
-Big carriers up front looking to offload where possible although being mindful of the encroaching defence and we will have support runners on their shoulders,,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Warburton bringing the turnover attribute,
-We will target a tired Cane who is flying back for this game and will look to get the upper hand, Maestri will look to keep Itoje under wraps as we know how dangerous he can be,
-Wwe have Taufua to add energy into the second half and will look to use his link play against tired legs,
-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 Sale 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 Sale playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Roberts and Tait, we will use Dulin 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 Dulin to come into the line and switch things up to keep Sale guessing and allow Roberts the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-Take all kickable penalties.

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Seta Taminavula
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. James Mitchell 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Ruan Combrinck

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 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. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Nadolo & 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 Itoje 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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Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby
Welford Road
Partial sunny - 20'C, 16mph winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Gethin Jenkins	09. Micky Young
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Atu Moli
04. Samu Manoa	11. Sean Maitland
05. Dominic Bird	12. Ben Teo'o
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. Julien Marchand 17. Max Lahiff 18. Ricardo Brugnara 19. Pascal Pape 20. Calum Chick 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Mathieu Basteraud

In reasonable conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack. Look to make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, with offloading and forward inter play to keep the ball off the ground and moving, preventing a ruck and defsive line being set. Burns will take the ball to the line and tempt the Bath to jump 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 Bath 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, and only committing men to a winnable ruck. 
  
• 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.  
  
• Look to get the ball out wide and in the hands of our backs, when the Bath defensive patterns are broken. 
  
• 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 Brown 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 Bath. 
  
  

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
  

---

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Finn Russell
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Liam Williams
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Liam Gill	14. George Moala
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

|
16. Ellis Genge 17. Leni Asipai 18. Acott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Arno Botha 21. Josh Beaumont 22. Tawera Kerr Barlow 23. Jack Debrenczeni

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 Tigers under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries 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 really gives our scrum extra power. 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 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, Russell 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 Moala 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. 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 Warriors which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

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

Conditions updated

Team in tomorrow lads

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

1. Nic Auterec
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Jake Cooper-Wooley
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Jonny Gray
6. Schalk Burger
7. James Davies
8. Billy Vunipola
9. Joe Simpson
10. George Ford
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Weslie Fofana
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Matt Banahan
15. Leigh Halfpenny (k)

Replacements
16. Conan O'Donnell 17. Ashley Johnson 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Vaea Fifita 20. David Pocock 21. Connor Murray 22. Matt Giteau 23. Ben Foden

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 are going out to play this game at speed and a real high intensity from the outset and really stretch the Wasps defence. We've picked a team of big physical ball carriers to win the gain-line battle, but have selected two flankers with excellent link up play and have opted for Simpson's injection of pace at no9 to set the tempo. With the conditions we are going to keep the ball in play as much as possible and we will be wanting to open up the game and look for tries.

Watson aside, we don't see Wasps as the quickest team, so will look to play at speed, with a lot of link play between Davies/Burger and our backline - Ford pulling the strings and looking to isolate Burrell defensively in the no13 channel.

Set Piece
Lineout - Hartley's throwing to guarantee quick ball with Launchbury, Gray, Davies and Burger all options. Defensively we'll look to challenge Tom Wood in the air, but otherwise set ourselves to defend the driving maul and stop that building momentum.
Scrum - Vunipola to use any opportunity to launch attacks on Slade and get us over the gain-line.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we plan to cause the Wasps defence a horrible afternoon by sending big runner after big runner down their channels, we've recalled Tuilagi and Banahan into the backline to give us more physicality, which is needed to combat Barritt's defensive work and punch holes in the Wasps' defensive line. We'll bring on AJ, Fifitia and Pocock to add extra physicality in the second half, with AJ an option on the flanks.

Breakdown
See attributes

Attack
- Everything goes through Ford, he's in excellent form and we'll look to make the most of that - to link with Davies and Burger as extra attacking pivots and any opportunity to attack from second phase ball after a gain-line break we'll run it.
- We'll look to exploit Burrell's defence when he plays no13, using Tuilagi as a decoy runner and having our wingers track Ford/Fofana to get the ball and attack Burrell.
- Challenge Yarde's positioning with Ford putting kicks in behind him and Simpson box kicking behind Yarde as well, following up with a strong kick chase.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind. We'll look to double up on Picamoles to stop him having a big an influence as he could do, and really pressurise Kaino each time he gets the ball as he's been thrown straight into the game from travelling back from international duty and will look to force mistakes.

Simpson and Ford to kick us out of trouble

Keep scoreboard ticking over
Any infringements we give to Halfpenny to take 3 points, we want to build a score and force Wasps to play at a faster tempo then they'd like to and make them play catch up.

Bristol Team
Manager: CJ

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

:-
16. Tom West 17. Rob Buchanan 18. James Johnston 19. Donnacha Ryan 20 Carl Fearns 21. Tomas Cubelli 22. Rhys Patchell 23. Rene Ranger

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.


Edited for injuries:

Tactics:

We will focus on quick clearing at the breakdown acting as a unit, with our twin fetchers working in tandem to ensure someone is present to secure quick ball with hard clearing out supporting this. In defence we will keep numbers out, unless the turnover is on, committing a few skilled workers to spoil opposition ball and playing what we see in front of us.


Attack:

In attack we will build slower ball up through the phases, keeping the approach shifting so that it is impossible for the defence to adapt, moving the ball about the field with short plays off 9 to our back 3 and carriers in the pack (like Jones' Japan), snipes and pick and goes off the fringes, and simple, few pass plays in the backs off our 2 playmakers. The aim is to have our players always in support on the shoulder like the All Blacks to either implement our breakdown approach to get another quick recycling and a further phase in as part of a relentless barrage that will eventually fragment any defence, or to be there for the killing pass as we go one extra pass in a scoring opportunity. Our dynamic pack and high workrate backrow with 2 fetching flankers comfortable chasing the ball (as well as Vito) facilitates this.

Carriers like VDF, Uhila, Strauss and Vito will make the yards and strike runners in our back 3 and Taylor will make the breaks.

We also have backup approaches, with the chip/grubber through to the speedy and opportunistic Sharples and Gilroy and Taylor a counter to the blitz, and a pack well capable of mauling away. We will aim not to play kicking/territory rugby, but keep phases up and trust that the opportunity for the break, attacking kicking through or killing pass present themselves and trusting our breakdown.

Defence:

Blitz led by Taylor, Sharples an eye for the interception, Spencer sweeping. Start with a tight fringe defence pressurising the halfbacks, especially young Lozowski.

Look to isolate Nonu who is often not as good at Club level and will look to break through, ambushing him with our breakdown unit for cheap penalties

Set piece:

Pressurise Youngs' throwing with Vito, whilst Charteris counters the maul on the ground marking Lawes their safest jumper. We will mix up off the top and maul plays

In the scrum, we will get the ball out quick to run off Vito. They look strong here but we can hold them on their own ball and look to pressurise Youngs by timing a countershove on his hook, directed by Spencer, to disrupt him and win some ball.

Other:

We will take any points up for grabs. Largely we will be running back kicks unless there is clear space for an attacking kick or we look to be isolated. Hard chase on all kicks. Look to rile Horwill in the tight exchanges legally, seeing if he can avoid retaliating as we see him as a card risk.

Wasps team too play Northampton Saints...

KAINO RETURNS FROM ALL BLACK DUTY

1.Thomas Du Toit
2.Bismark Du Plessie
3.Frans Malherbe
4.Alun Wyn Jones (c)
5.Dom Barrow
6.Jerome Kaino
7.Tom Wood
8.Louis Pickermoles

9.Mitchell Drummond
10.Henry Slade (K)
11.Marlande Yarde
12.Brad Barritt
13.Luther Burell
14.Anthony Watson
15.Tim Nani Williams

16.Harry Thacker 17.Ben Moon 18.Frasier Bailman 19.RG Synman 20.Sean O'Brian 21.Will Homer 22.Rhys Priestland 23.Semu Kerevi

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Rob Webber	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. Mamuka Gorgodze	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Jack Clifford	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Steffon Armitage	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Agustin Creevy 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Luke Romano 20. Jaco Kriel 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. 
Senior
Game Plan

Patient phase play using our strong carriers up front to get us over the gain line before using our outside backs to attack the spaces with quick ball.

Look to get JMH standing flat and putting guys into spaces using lead line and out the back options.

Use the boots of JMH and McKenzie to pin Saracens back and use Henshaw and Huget to contest possession.

Use the chop tackle and get the first man over the ball at the breakdown to win turn over penalty.

1. Alisdair Dickinson
2. Ross Batty
3. WP Nel
4. Leone Nakawara
5. Yohann Maestri
6. Jackson Wray
7. Sam Warburton (c)
8. Ben Morgan
9. Gareth Davies
10. Dan Biggar (k)
11. James Short
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Mathew Tait
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Brice Dulin

16. Jack Walker 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Mike Williams 20. Jordan Taufua 21. Rory Kockett 22. Jules Plisson 23. Jarrad Payne

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

-We will play a controlled game, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Biggar will look for territory with Nakawara and Maestri looking to put pressure on Sale ball.
-Big carriers up front looking to offload where possible although being mindful of the encroaching defence and we will have support runners on their shoulders,,
-Back row looking to be balanced with carrying, tackling and Warburton bringing the turnover attribute,
-We will target a tired Cane who is flying back for this game and will look to get the upper hand, Maestri will look to keep Itoje under wraps as we know how dangerous he can be,
-Wwe have Taufua to add energy into the second half and will look to use his link play against tired legs,
-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 Sale 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 Sale playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Roberts and Tait, we will use Dulin 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 Dulin to come into the line and switch things up to keep Sale guessing and allow Roberts the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-Take all kickable penalties.

Following the long trip up North for Leicester Tigers to Kingston Park, the squad as unforuntely returned with a few injuries ahead of this weeks fixtures at home against Bath Rugby. 
Tigers are without the services of front rowers, Dave Ward, Mikheil Nariashvili and Brian Mujati for some weeks now, and the loss of bright young prospect Henry Purdy. In comes medical joker Atu moli, on loan from Sale Sharks, and Director of Rugby is looking forward to working with the young Kiwi. Elsewhere, Drew Mitchell and Ben Teo'o both return to starting berths. 

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

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

.
Subs: 16. Julien Marchand 17. Max Lahiff 18. Ricardo Brugnara 19. Pascal Pape 20. Calum Chick 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Kurtley Beale 23. Mathieu Basteraud

In reasonable conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases and continually shifting the point of attack. Look to make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, with offloading and forward inter play to keep the ball off the ground and moving, preventing a ruck and defsive line being set. Burns will take the ball to the line and tempt the Bath to jump 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 Bath 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, and only committing men to a winnable ruck. 
  
• 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.  
  
• Look to get the ball out wide and in the hands of our backs, when the Bath defensive patterns are broken. 
  
• 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 Brown 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 Bath. 
  
  

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
  

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Lee Dickson
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Pat Lambie
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Bradley Davies	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Conrad Smith
07. Thierry Dusatoir	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. Morgan Parra 22. Tom Taylor 23. Delon Armitage

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.

TARGET SCRUM - ESPECIALLY HEALY - Look for Cole to attack Healy who's badly out of form. Look to isolate him from the off and gain pens in the scrum.  

TARGET HERNANDEZ - Lack of gametime for Quins at 10 and time away with the Puma's will make Hernandez a little rusty and perhaps not quite on his game. Look to get big runners down his channel and get our backrow in his face early on.

USE ROLLING MAUL - Big pack put out by us today. Look to use this to our advanatge and get the rolling maul on, eating up the yards in the Quins half.

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.

1. coenie ousthuizen
2 Joe Grey
3. Antonio
4 Gray
5 Stooke
6 Moriarty
7 Salvi
8 Heaslip
9 Robson
10 Cipriani
11 May
12 Carter
13 Scott
14 Naiayararo
15 Davies
16 Beast
17 Strauss
18 lamisete
19 Dickinson
20 Croft
21 Perenara
22 Burns
23 Curry

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 up and force the turnover

Great to be at home with conditions for
Running rugby.


Our game plan will be based around winning quick ball and moving the ball.

We aim to take advantage of so many of the Falcons
Lineup not playing any rugby at the moment.mullan, villi, Flip, Henry, pogieter, serfontein, campagnaro etc will be more than rusty. Add in ewers at 8 a position he does not play and we think we can swarm them.



We will look to build phases and use the likes of moriarty, Heaslip, Gray, etc to get us across the gain line so we can play with quick ball.

we will look for Robson, Cipriani and Carter and to control the tempo of the game. Off static ball we will look to truck it up or kick for space but our aim
Is to play at pace. Matt Scott
Has been on fire at 13
For Glos scoring every game we will look to give him space as well as our back 3.

When we generate quick ball we will look to utilise our extreme gas out wide and create one on ones. Our wings are a mix of pace or pace and power.

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 carter or DAVIES 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 davies to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the Falcons line out.

Falcons lack lineout options and we will look to pressure.

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. It's a day when blitz is ineffective

Carter to kick all
Pens
In range

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jacques Potgeiter	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Chris Henry	14. David Strettle
08. David Ewers	15. Gareth Anscombe

:-
16.Camille Chat 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Dillon Lewis 19.Luke Jones 20. Ellis Jenkins 21. Will Chudley 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

Key points
If going down the game time route:
Joe Grey hasn't even benched for Quins this season
Heaslip has started one game and not featured at all in the others
Oousthuizen hasn't played since Super Rugby finished
Stooke has had a few bench minutes

We think they have a weakness throughout the front 5 - Oousthuizen has been switching between loosehead and tighthead with little success, and Stooke is not up to the level of this league. We're going to put the pressure on the set piece heavily, with a big pack.

We think they lack a lineout caller, and have options from 4-8 to really test them here

We'll then look to target Carter 12. He isn't a regular 12, and we'll be sending our big runners down the 10-12 channel all game long, with a big centre combination to get at them.  Scott has played 3 games at 13, we'll look to get Piutau/Anscombe attacking down his channel to test his positional sense

We'll also look to use the boots of Farrell and Anscombe to pin the ball in behind Naiyaravoro, and see how the big man deals with turning and with our excellent chasers bringing pressure

We'll look to dominate in the last 20 with our internationals off the bench to kill the game, when their only options are kids like Lamositele/Curry/Burns and guys with no game time like Croft



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. We'll target Oousthuizen here with Potgeiter packing down behind Kubs to put the pressure on. 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 Salvi off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Piutau to offer options outside Farrell. Kick in behind Naiyaravoro for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning,  Piutau/Anscombe 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 Farrell quick ball.. Challenge Cips/Carter defensively with Serfontein/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 handle it. We've got Anscombe to offer a 2nd distribution option to stop us getting predictable

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  Farrell to set the tone in defence with our blitz, with Serfontein/Campagnaro putting pressure on their midfield

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

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Maro Itoje	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Dave Attwood	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. CJ Stander	13. Seta Taminavula
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Willie Le Roux

Subs:
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. James Mitchell 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Ruan Combrinck


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 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. Care will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Nadolo & 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 Itoje to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball looking to make it as messy as possible.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Rory Best	10. Finn Russell
03. Samson Lee
04. Will Skelton	11. Liam Williams
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Sam Hill
06. Siya Kolisi	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Liam Gill	14. George Moala
08. Toby Falateu	15. Alex Goode

16. Ellis Genge 17. Leni Asipai 18. Acott Wilson 19. James Gaskell 20. Arno Botha 21. Josh Beaumont 22. Tawera Kerr Barlow 23. Jack Debrenczeni


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 Tigers under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries 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 really gives our scrum extra power. 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 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, Russell 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 Moala 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. 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 Warriors which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

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

01. Thomas Domingo	09. Nic White
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Brad Shields	13. Sam James
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. JP Pietersen
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. Maxime Medard

_
16. Jack Yeandle 17. Nathan Catt 18. Kyle Sinckler 19. Jake Ball 20. Fritz Lee 21. Chris Cook 22. Colin Slade 23. Maxime Mermoz

Look to dominate upfront, in both the set piece and the loose and play in the right areas of the pitch, using Lozowski's boot to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The back 3 will look to return loose kicks from Bristol with intent.

Territory - When we kick will aim to find touch deep within Bristol territory and forcing their back three to turn and chase the ball. Lozowski has a  great kicking game, capable of kicking in behind the Bristol back line, and chasing down their kick to pressurise the Bristol defenders.

Lineout - Using Lawes, Horwill & Parisse to mix up our options and look for possession, and set our powerful maul. We need to control the game, and force Bristol 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, and that the original transfer is clean.

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 Bristol ball. Our back row is renowned for physicality at the breakdown and will frustrate the Bristol 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 Bristol 22 to frustrate and pick up yards.

Defence - look to chop down Bristol 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.

Bench - Utilise the bench for impact, so we only make changes when we want the game to change in our favour.

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
Breakdown Organised Ruck defence: with guards and body guards set, allowing the rest of the line to set off them.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.  
Attacking Traits
Phase attackAttacks build momentum until an opportunity arises.  
Kick chase:Organised kick and chase to attempt to regain possession.

---

tactics coming, sorry, just got home

Page updated. I'm off out so won't be able to update the last few tactics, sure Flux will add if you ask nicely.

Am I doing results as well mate?

I can do them if you want a week off?

Don't mind

Tactics added if someone can add them

Predo's to Pooly

In case my tactics don't get added, can you all please scroll down and read them on my post !

Thanks

Added

Sorry for tactics this week lads

Results:

Bristol Rugby - 25
(T: Gilroy, Carter, Charteris C: Lealifiano [x2] P: Lealifiano [x2])
Exeter Chiefs - 24
(T: White, Catt C: Lozowski [x1] P: Lozowski [x4])  

Gloucester Rugby - 23
(T: Heaslip, Perenara C: Carter [x2] P: Carter [x3])  

Newcastle Falcons - 26
(T: Ewers, Jenkins, Sefontein C: Farrell [x1] P: Farrell [x2] DG: Farrell [x1])  

Harlequins - 26
(T: Huget, Dillane, Armitage C: McKenzie [x1] P: McKenzie [x3])  
Saracens - 24
(T: Van Rensburg, Guirado C: Lambie [x2] P: Lambie [x4])  

Northampton Saints - 31
(T: Ioane, Gray, Simpson, Foden C: Halfpenny [x1] P: Halfpenny [x3])  
Wasps - 24
(T: H Thacker, Wood, O'Brien C: - P: Slade [x3])  

Worcester Warriors - 25
(T: Wray, Morgan, Walker C: Biggar [x1] P: Biggar [x2])  
Sale Sharks - 29
(T: Nadolo, Temanivalu, Kayser C: Sexton [x1] P: Sexton [x4])  

Leicester Tigers - 23
(T: Maitland, Manoa C: Burns [x2] P: Burns [x3])  
Bath Rugby - 22
(T: Wigglesworth, S Wilson P: Russell [x4])  

Full Bonus - CJB, Bam, Nick, Pooly, Chris

Scores only - Fluxy, Matt, Steve, Prop, CJ

No predo - Driver, SJE

Bristol 23 - 21 Exeter

Bristol look stronger in front and 2nd rows to me, think the Exeter front 5 needs a bit of work. Close back row battle, some excellent players in both sides here. Think the halfbacks are pretty even, maybe slight edge to Bristol. Exeter have a more dangerous set of outside backs, but dont think they have enough to take this away from home, Bristol hold on 

Bristol 19-22 Exeter
Exeter have the stronger front five here for me. Hardly anything in the back row but Coetzee is the stand out. Prefer the Exeter half back combination. A few more threats from the Exeter outside backs

Bristol 27-29 Exeter

Very slight front 5 advantage to Exeter with a balanced unit but Bristol have a very handy engine room that will cause problems. Exeter perhaps just a touch better again in the backrow, but very little in it on current form. Exeter just have a touch more in the backlne to use their platform with, good contest.

Bristol 23 - 23 Exeter Chiefs

Really tough game to predict on, the home side have their tactics spot and having the two flankers working in tandem will get them a lot of joy at the breakdown, can see a real advantage there. But I am not sure they have the backs to really exploit that, whilst with Chiefs they have the likes of Nonu and Pieterson who could have a big influence. Cant see beyond a draw.

Gloucester 22-26 Newcastle
Newcastle have these front five edge here. Not much in the back rows. Newcastle are stronger to me throughout the backs. Carter a much better 10. 

Gloucester 23-27 Newcastle

Gloucester missing their SH big guns and this allows Falcons to get on top in pack, especially the front 5 with the home sides set piece not at the oppositions level. More balance in the Falcons 9-13 but plenty of attacking flair in the Gloucester side, Carter can work at 12. Falcons that little bit stronger and more in form makes it a tough home game.

Gloucester 25 - 25 Newcastle
Newcastle are right to try and target the Gloucester front five, but I don't think they will have as much success as they suggest as their own front five isn't packed with top international players who could really take advantage. Some contrast in styles for the backlines, Gloucester clearly going to attack, whilst Falcons more control from Farrell. Very hard to split, Piuatua will have a big influence, but a lot of Gloucester backs in great form. Carter and Farrell as kickers, can't split them or the teams.

Glos 22-26 Newcastle - Think Falcons have a stronger more hard working pack, to get them more ball. Webb and Farrell will control the game and play ion the right areas. Bit more pace and threat in Glos back line but Falcons will frustrate them with their pack and kicking game.

uins 25 - 23 Saracens

Really good matchup here. Sarries have the advantage in the front row, really good unit, closer in the 2nd row with both sides missing their best lock. Bit of a contrast in style in the back rows, think they cancel each other out for the most part. Youngs probably the best of the halfbacks, rest pretty even tbh. Saracens have a slightly stronger back 3, Quins a step up in the centres for me. Attributes match both sides well, its a really tough call to split them, home advantage swings it

Quins 23-24 Sarries 
Not a lot in the front gives but goes to Sarries. Also give the edge to Sarries in the back row. Quins have a better half back combo and outside backs. 

Harlequins 27-25 Saracens
Quins probably have the best team during the RC, very well balanced and some strong strike runners in the backline and they've got that little extra speed in the pack that suit the conditions. Not sure about the Sarries halfbacks, otherwise is a very even contest, like the attacking threat from the back three.

Quins 23-23 Saracens - Tough one to call, both have a lot of good players throughout. Sarries backrow lack of form probably costs them an away win. The Sarries back 3 will cause problems with their running games but Quins have enough to sneak a draw at home.

Saints 27 - 22 Wasps

Saints look to have the advantage throughout the pack for me, Wasps pack looks solid but the second row not the best and think Du Toit isn't quite up to the level of this league just yet. Backs closer, with a solid centre pairing and a great back 3 for Wasps a threat throughout, but the form of Saints 10, and the struggles of Slade at 10 mean this is a pretty comfortable win for Saints at home

Saints 26-22 Wasps
Saints have the stronger front five but it is Wasps who have a more impressive back row. The half backs go to Saints while the outside backs go to Wasps

Northampton 26-27 Wasps

Wasps much stronger in the props, but I doubt they'll be an abundance of scrums which helps Saints. Wood in the backrow allows Wasps to target the line out and give them an overall set piece advantage. Not sure who Davies is so have to give the backrow to the away side too. One a piece in the centres with the Wasps backs more threatening. Good game but ultimatly Wasps lack of tactics away from home stops them getting anything from this one.

Saints 28-25 Wasps - Saints have a solid pack and some threats in the backline that at home will be too much for Wasps. Lots of pace in Wasps backline and a good backrow but the Saints pack will have just too much for them and starve them of enough quality front foot ball.

Worcester 24 - 28 Sale

Wuss have a solid pack for the RC period, but the Sale pack just got stronger with Cane being back in, and were already the best in the league. Too much power and set piece ability for the Wuss pack, whose excellent halfbacks will be on the back foot, where they aren't the strongest imo. Sale have enough in the backs to get a couple of tries, and think they will win this with a bit to spare on the road

Worcester 21-26 Sale
Sale are pretty much stronger all over. The back row is the closest for me but Sale are so strong and look like collecting an easy win here.

Worcester 25-24 Sale

Fantastic pack battle with Sale just shading it overall. I prefer the Worcester halfbacks but not sure Tait is the best at 13 these days allowing Sale to exploit. Good back 3 contest with Worcester just having enough to squeeze a narrow win. 

Worcester 26 - 26 Sale
I think the Sale backline lacks balance, some incredibly strong runners but not sure it overly works without a really creative player in there as well, opposition teams can set a defence against it and Worcester do have a very strong 10-12 combination. Prefer the home team halfback combination but can see Sale getting on top in some areas of the pack, especially the set piece, but then Worcester come back with some very strong ball carriers.

Worcester 22-23 Sale - Smallest of winning margins for Sale. They edge the pack and with Sexton pulling the strings can steal this one. The Sale front 5 is the key area for me, giving them a set piece edge.

Leicester 19 - 19 Bath

Big ask for Moli to step in here against EBA, and with Jenkins not the best scrummager either I think Leicester will be on the back foot. Better in the lineout, and think they can best the Bath pack round the park, whose flankers aren't the best. Bath stronger at halfback, think Leicester set up well tactically to combat the Bath backs. Really tough call, think home advantage gets Leicester a draw

Leicester 22-22 Bath

Nice engine room for the Tigers but they'll be on the back foot slightly with the Bath front row a step up in quality. Not too much in the backrows but Bath just take the centres and halfbacks, centres extremely close in two good combo's. Bath a little disjointed in the back 3 stops them getting the win here.

Leicester Tigers 23 - 21 Bath
Really like the look of Teo'o in the Tigers midfield, he makes a huge difference, but Young still a big weakness in comparison to other teams. Again is a tough game to call, but prefer the Tigers back three in the conditions, who should just about get a win at home.

Leicester 24-22 Bath - Powerful Tigers pack at home to give them a good platform. Some good runners in the backs as well. Slightly prefer Bath backline, but Tigers pack can see them home.

My first win of the season 

First win, I guess the score only games went my way :o

Yeh they must have! Was hoping for a draw there.

I've already done it CJ!

Fluxy wrote:I've already done it CJ!

Ah ok. Damn

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Jack McGrath	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Nemani Nadolo
05. Maro Itoje	12. Kyle Eastmond
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Seta Tamanivula
07. Sam Cane	14. Ruan Combrinck
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Simon Zebo

Subs: 
16. Benjamin Kayser 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. CJ Stander 21. James Mitchell 22. Curwin Bosch 23. Semesa Rokoduguni

wrong week, Johnny

Cheers CJ!