Aviva Premiership Round Ten - Autumn Internationals

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Sale Sharks vs Exeter Chiefs
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud, 5 degrees, 3mph South Easterly Winds

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 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Maro Itoje	11. Tevita Li
05. Dave Attwood	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Tau Koloamatangi 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. James Mitchell 22. Otere Black 23. Kyle Eastmond

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 a 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. Marmion 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. Marmion will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Li & Bendy 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 while POM marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Nic White
02. Tom Youngs	10. Alex Lozowski (k)
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. James Horwill (c)	11. JP Pietersen
05. Juandre Kruger	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Dave Ewers	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Olly Woodburn
08. Fritz Lee	15. Maxime Medard

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16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Harry Williams. 19. Jake Ball, 20. Charles Ollivon, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Camille Lopez, 23. James Lowe

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch.
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 - 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.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to an away win against Sale. We have a solid scrum to build from and two big locks who are both good lineout options.

The set piece will be important and we will look to use this as a weapon to attack from and gain territory. Our back row are all big carriers and we will use them all to gain hard yards and tire out Sharks defenders. Ewers, Youngs, Big Ben T, Fritz Lee, Coetzee are all good strong ball carriers and will look to get us front foot ball for Lozowski to work with.

In the backs we will use Nonu as a crash ball option and a decoy runner to open up space for the likes of Mermoz, JP Pietersen and Lowe to exploit. Lozowski will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

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Bath Rugby vs Saracens
The Rec
Light Cloud, 6 degrees, 7mph North Easterly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Finn Russell
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. George Moala
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Cheslin Kolbe

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16. Ellis Genge 17. Rory Best 18. Scott Wilson 19. Mitch Lees 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Aaron Smith 22. Beauden Barrett  23. Liam Williams

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 Sarries 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. We will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

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

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

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wiggles 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 De Allende and Moala who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Imhoff are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of EBA, Skelton and Falateu in order to break the line and make yards. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Quins 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, Imhoff and Kolbe all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need. 

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo off the bench.

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Geoff Parling	12. Ollie Devoto
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Ed Slater 20. James Haskell  21. Lee Dickson 22. Tom Taylor 23. Hosea Gear

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

FANTASTIC FORM - CLIMBING THE TABLE WITH BATH STRUGGLING - We've got great form and are riding high after away wins over the champions and Gloucester in consecutive weeks. Bath are going through a transition period and have missed some of their key players.

TARGET BATH's AI PLAYERS RUSSELL & FALETAU - As we've seen numerous times over the years. Returning AI players are often off their game when thrown straight back in. In such key postions, we'll look to target both players and look to put them off their game. Hardie, Thompson & Haskell will go hunting down Finn and hit him up early. We'll expect the backline to not be as fluid so if we can put pressure on the 10/12 link we ma get some joy. We'll look to take down Falateu early and stop him gaining any momentum throughout the game.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in with our physical pack/carrying options and then get at their outisde backs, 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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Gloucester Rugby vs Bristol Rugby
Kingsholm Stadium
Light Cloud, 7 degrees, 5mph North Easterly Winds

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Gloucester
Manager - Anonmattyt

01. Rob Evans	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Hallam Amos
05. Tomas Lavinini	12. Matt Toomua
06. Willem Alberts	13. Matt Scott
07. Ardie Savea	14. Will Addison
08. Sam Dickinson	15. Sam Davies

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Subs: 16, Coenie Ousthuizen, 17. Joe Gray, 18. Titi Lamositele, 19. Tom Croft, 20. Julian Salvi, 21. Will Genia, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Charlie Walker

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Bristol Rugby
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
03. James Johnston
04. Sam Carter	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Judicaël Cancoriet	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

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16. Tom West 17. Rob Buchanan  18. Mike Ross 19. Kearnan Myall 20  John Barclay 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Rhys Patchell 23. Rene Ranger


Tactics:

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:

Breakdown:
As usual we will see the pack act as a unit to clear out the ball aggressively to counteract the opposition's backrow at the breakdown, and all chip in, making sure we keep up fast ball whilst disrupting theirs. Cancoriet will look to use his pace to chase the ball and get to it first, acting as a fetcher, whilst Fearns and Vito tend to lead the clearing out. Fearns especially to be looking to use his aggressive power to bully Savea off the ball, as he has been susceptible to being overpowered at the breakdown in international rugby.

Attack:
Twin playmakers with Godwin at 12 looking to keep up a fast paced game of a succession of quick phases, changing the angles off 9-10-12 to create gaps in the defensive line. We will mix up direct carries from Fearns, Vito, Uhila and JJ with players like Tompkins, Pennell, Gilroy, Cancoriet and Sharples cutting creative lines, with our 9-12 axis happy to attack themselves if the opportunity is on, the only emphasis is to keep the phases coming. With Godwin able to act as first receiver, we will look to put in a few pivot plays, making it hard to bully our halfbacks.

We also have a lot of workrate (both in the ruck and the carry) with our locks, so they will look to carry around the corner a lot and provide a lot of back up.

If Plan A doesn't work we have Plan B, to use the maul and pick and drives in groups of three forwards to keep slowly rolling forward and use our set piece and ability to disrupt the opposition breakdown. We can also play a kicking game, with Gilroy and Sharples strong on the kick-chase and lethal attacking the turning player on a chip through/over the line. The Gloucester back 3 are solid but not amazing in the air and we can really test them all. They are strong kickers, but with a hard chase we don't intend to let them use that.

Their back 3 are also targetable in direct attack, so we will sometimes flood the blindside when it is short to get big runners testing their wingers' tackles.

Defence:
Aggressive blitz led by Tompkins, Spencer sweeping and a tight fringe defence that restricts their options around the corner. 
The most effective management of Dan Carter has been with a hard rush defence (France 2011, England 2012, Saracens 2015) and rough tackling on him throughout the game, so we will do that, with Fearns in particular having the mission to rough him up. Vito is to look to really mark Robson very closely to disrupt his ball to Carter and further stop that strong link that Gloucester have.

Scrum:
Aim to get our ball out quickly and run it to start an attack. On their ball, Figallo is in great form so Uhila looks to hold him and JJ to really attack the weaker Evans and look to disrupt him for penalties in the penalty lottery, and keep up the pressure with the experienced Ross off the bench.

Lineout:
Mix up our receivers, looking to equally use quick ball off the top with gruelling mauls for them to defend, led by Ryan with a back 5 who are all capable jumpers. In defence, look to jump at the front and make that option very hard for LCD and force him to throw long and likely errant, where we can compete for the loose ball

Other:
Gloucester have loose players to change a game on the bench in the backs and backrow, so when they come on we will look to target the offload and low kick in attack and to play a more structured game, with an extra kicker in Patchell, game management in Fotuali'i, power of Ranger and experience and form of Barclay.
Take any points on offer and punish any discretions with 3 points

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Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints
Welford Road
Mist, 5 degrees, 3mph North Easterly Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Henry Purdy
05. Samu Manoa	12. Francois Steyn
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Sam Jones	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	15. Kurtley Beale

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Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Max Lahiff 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Dominic Bird 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. James Lang 23. Mathieu Basteraud

In decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases. 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 defensive line being set. Burns will take the ball to the line and tempt the Saints defence to jump out of the defensive line, creating holes for our back line to exploit. Multiple playmakers to stand at first receiver, either side of the ruck to stretch the Northampton defence and try and cause and overlap, or to make tactical kick in behind the wings.

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. Houagaard 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 Saints ball put pressure on through Bird and Lobbe, 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, so that Hougaard can feed the ball quickly to forwards, the first receiver, or snipe through a hole. 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. However this will only be implemented within the opposition half. 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. Hougaard to also look to snipe around the fringes, to keep the defence honest and keep us going forwards all the time.
  
• Linking to our tactical kicking, but we only want to play rugby in the Northampton half. Therefore we look to gain territory, put pressure on the Bristol wingers to clear their lines and put pressure on their set piece to regain possession. 
  
• 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, Steyn and Beale 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 Saints. 
  
• Look to use the bench when needing to freshen the impetus of the forwards. 
  
  

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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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Joe Simpson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Jake Cooper Wooley
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Manuel Montero
05.Vaea Fifita	12. Harry Mallinder
06. Luke Wallace	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Brendon O'Connor	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Schalk Burger	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Subs:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Ramiro Herrera 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Michael Paterson 20. Faconda Isa 21. Jamie Shillcock 22. Wesley Fofana 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
(Finally, finally have replacement props) We've picked a team that has big ball carriers in the pack and backline, which will allow us to get over the gain line and challenge the Leicester defence. We will play the game at speed and a real high intensity from the outset. We've continued with a 10/12 combination who are playmakers so we can bring in our big runners, whilst bringing in Halfpenny to give us an excellent kicking option away from home.

Set Piece
Lineout - Five good options in the lineout, where we will look to generate quick ball for our backline to attack from, with Fifita putting pressure on the home sides throw.
Scrum - look to target Mujati and place pressure on the home sides scrum and provide a platform for Burger and later Isa to attack from.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Tigers defence to suck in players and create space out wide. With Tuilagi, Montero and AAC we have some physical runners in the backline and a bench that will allow us to up the intensity and physicality as the game goes on.

Breakdown
See attributes.

Attack
- Aim to create space for our backline, so our play-making 10-12 combination can bring in AAC, Tuilagi and Montero into the game and really attack Tigers.
- Strong kicking game from the 9-10-12 combination, where we will have the option to play for territory and pin Tigers back and force them into mistakes, which can be punished by Halfpenny's boot.
- Impact bench to up the tempo in final 20/25 minutes.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind. 9-10-12 all big boots to get us out of trouble.

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Worcester Warriors vs Wasps
Siways Stadium
Light Cloud, 6 degrees, 4mph North Easterly Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Ali Dickinson	09. Rory Kockott
02. Ross Batty	10. Jules Plisson
03. WP Nel
04. Tom Savage	11. Sergeal Petersen
05. Mike Williams	12. Owen Williams (k)
06. Jordan Taufua	13. Huw Jones
07. Sam Warburton ©	14. Adam Thompstone
08. Ben Morgan	15. Mathew Tait

:-
16. Ken Owens 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Devin Toner 20. Matt Todd 21. Sam Harrison 22. Dan Biggar 23. Jamie Roberts

Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Wasps danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Williams will look for territory,
-Big carriers up front looking to offload if the conditions allow 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 Warbs bringing the turnover attribute,
-We have quality on the bench all looking for some gametime before the European break and to get back into the squad,
-The breakdown is likely to 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 Wasps under-commit 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 Williams allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Wasps playing a quick tempo game,
-We have Plisson, Williams and Tait who could slot into first receiver and keep them guessing,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Williams and Jones, we will use Thompstone and Petersen as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on Plisson or Williams will go for territory and also use  his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep Wasps guessing and allow us the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-Take all kickable penalties.

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Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Sebastien Vahamahina	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Brad Barritt (c)
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

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16. Tatafu Polota Nau, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Alun Wyn-Jones, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 22. Rhys Preistland, 23. Rob Kearney

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Tactics
GENERAL:
Lots of quality back, hardened from the Autumn internationals and raring to go. Strong bench ensures we can maintain the intensity for the full 80.
Attack:
- Good athleticism in the pack. Looking for them to be mobile and get around the park, ensuring good numbers at every breakdown to give clean ball
- Mix up forward runners off 9 and 10 to give go forward and tie in defence. When space opens up, go wide and utilise pace of back three.
Defence:
- Ensure guards and body guards at every breakdown, no gaps in midfield.
- Good line speed to put pressure on their handling and ability to go round our blitz defence

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Newcastle Falcons vs Harlequins
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Cloud, 5 degrees, 4mph South Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. George McGuigan	10. Ian Madigan
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jordi Murphy	13. Luke Marshall
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Elliott Dixon	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Ricky Riccitelli 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Vincent Koch 19. Luke Jones 20. Ellis Jenkins 21. Will Chudley 22. Sam James 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

Target scrum - we've got solid props to start and coming off the bench, put the pressure on Barrington and Afoa

Get in Jantjies face early on - our back row has a great work rate

Target the line out - we think they lack a caller and Webber hasn't had a lot of game time

Smith has been back with us for 2 weeks - rested and brings his class to our back play as an alternate first receiver and general at the back

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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rob Webber	10. Elton Jantjies
03. John Afoa
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. Luke Romano	12. Bundee Aki
06. Jack Clifford	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Jaco Kriel	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Cian Healy 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Will Witty 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Luke McGrath 22. Steven Myler 23. Mike Haley  

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

Look to target Madigan in defence by getting big runners going down his channel hoping to draw Serfotnein in so we can create gaps out wide.

Look for Jantjies and McKenzie to step in at first receiver and stand flat when we have quick ball to keep the Falcons defence guessing and break through the Blitz by taking the ball to the line at pace.

Forwards to play in pods so we can get me to the ruck quickly for quick recycling of the ball and so that we have the option to offload before or out of contact.

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Will update page later.

Mark

Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Hika Elliott	10. Freddie Burns (k)
03. Brian Mujati
04. Pascal Pape (c)	11. Henry Purdy
05. Samu Manoa	12. Francois Steyn
06. Don Armand	13. Gael Fickou
07. Sam Jones	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	15. Kurtley Beale

.
Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Max Lahiff 18. Lasha Tibadze 19. Dominic Bird 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Micky Young 22. James Lang 23. Mathieu Basteraud
n decent conditions we will be looking to play a possession based game, going through the phases. 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 defensive line being set. Burns will take the ball to the line and tempt the Saints defence to jump out of the defensive line, creating holes for our back line to exploit. Multiple playmakers to stand at first receiver, either side of the ruck to stretch the Northampton defence and try and cause and overlap, or to make tactical kick in behind the wings.

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. Houagaard 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 Saints ball put pressure on through Bird and Lobbe, 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, so that Hougaard can feed the ball quickly to forwards, the first receiver, or snipe through a hole. 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. However this will only be implemented within the opposition half. 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. Hougaard to also look to snipe around the fringes, to keep the defence honest and keep us going forwards all the time.
  
• Linking to our tactical kicking, but we only want to play rugby in the Northampton half. Therefore we look to gain territory, put pressure on the Bristol wingers to clear their lines and put pressure on their set piece to regain possession. 
  
• 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, Steyn and Beale 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 Saints. 
  
• Look to use the bench when needing to freshen the impetus of the forwards. 
  
  

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
  

Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Ben Spencer
02. Richardt Strauss	10. Jimmy Gopperth (k)
03. James Johnston
04. Sam Carter	11. Charlie Sharples
05. Donnacha Ryan	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Carl Fearns	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Judicaël Cancoriet	14. Craig Gilroy
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Chris Pennell

:-
16. Tom West 17. Rob Buchanan  18. Mike Ross 19. Kearnan Myall 20  John Barclay 21. Kahn Fotuali'i 22. Rhys Patchell 23. Rene Ranger


Tactics:

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:


Breakdown:

As usual we will see the pack act as a unit to clear out the ball aggressively to counteract the opposition's backrow at the breakdown, and all chip in, making sure we keep up fast ball whilst disrupting theirs. Cancoriet will look to use his pace to chase the ball and get to it first, acting as a fetcher, whilst Fearns and Vito tend to lead the clearing out. Fearns especially to be looking to use his aggressive power to bully Savea off the ball, as he has been susceptible to being overpowered at the breakdown in international rugby.

Attack:


Twin playmakers with Godwin at 12 looking to keep up a fast paced game of a succession of quick phases, changing the angles off 9-10-12 to create gaps in the defensive line. We will mix up direct carries from Fearns, Vito, Uhila and JJ with players like Tompkins, Pennell, Gilroy, Cancoriet and Sharples cutting creative lines, with our 9-12 axis happy to attack themselves if the opportunity is on, the only emphasis is to keep the phases coming. With Godwin able to act as first receiver, we will look to put in a few pivot plays, making it hard to bully our halfbacks.

We also have a lot of workrate (both in the ruck and the carry) with our locks, so they will look to carry around the corner a lot and provide a lot of back up.

If Plan A doesn't work we have Plan B, to use the maul and pick and drives in groups of three forwards to keep slowly rolling forward and use our set piece and ability to disrupt the opposition breakdown. We can also play a kicking game, with Gilroy and Sharples strong on the kick-chase and lethal attacking the turning player on a chip through/over the line. The Gloucester back 3 are solid but not amazing in the air and we can really test them all. They are strong kickers, but with a hard chase we don't intend to let them use that.

Their back 3 are also targetable in direct attack, so we will sometimes flood the blindside when it is short to get big runners testing their wingers' tackles.



Defence:


Aggressive blitz led by Tompkins, Spencer sweeping and a tight fringe defence that restricts their options around the corner. 
The most effective management of Dan Carter has been with a hard rush defence (France 2011, England 2012, Saracens 2015) and rough tackling on him throughout the game, so we will do that, with Fearns in particular having the mission to rough him up. Vito is to look to really mark Robson very closely to disrupt his ball to Carter and further stop that strong link that Gloucester have.


Scrum:

Aim to get our ball out quickly and run it to start an attack. On their ball, Figallo is in great form so Uhila looks to hold him and JJ to really attack the weaker Evans and look to disrupt him for penalties in the penalty lottery, and keep up the pressure with the experienced Ross off the bench.


Lineout:

Mix up our receivers, looking to equally use quick ball off the top with gruelling mauls for them to defend, led by Ryan with a back 5 who are all capable jumpers. In defence, look to jump at the front and make that option very hard for LCD and force him to throw long and likely errant, where we can compete for the loose ball

Other:

Gloucester have loose players to change a game on the bench in the backs and backrow, so when they come on we will look to target the offload and low kick in attack and to play a more structured game, with an extra kicker in Patchell, game management in Fotuali'i, power of Ranger and experience and form of Barclay.
Take any points on offer and punish any discretions with 3 points

01. Rob Evans 09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie 10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth 11. Hallam Amos
05. Tomas Lavinini 12. Matt Toomua
06. Willem Alberts 13. Matt Scott
07. Ardie Savea 14. Addison
08. Sam Dickinson 15. Sam Davies
16 coenie Ousthuizen
17 Joe Gray
18 Titi Lamositele
19 Tom Croft
20 Julian Salvi
21 Will Genia
22 Danny Cipriani
23 Charlie Walker



We will look tonbuild momentum before utilising our stellar backline. We will also look to take it to bristol
physically with our front 5.

Attributes

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 the weather and play at pace.

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

we will look for Robson, Carter and Toomua to control the tempo of the game. Off static ball we will look to truck it up or kick for space but our aim is to play at pace. Our 9,10,12,13 will look to give Create space to target bristol Backline .

With a back 3 of davies Amos and Addison they have to have pace to burn And all and we will look to get it to them as often as possible.

We will also be keen to test their ten channel . We will Target him and look to flood numbers for the offload.

When we generate quick ball we will look to utilise our extreme gas out wide and create one on ones. Our wings are quick and elusive and can play.

Having ball players in 9-15 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 looking to exploit the space outwide. We will use toomua 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 Toomua to gain territory, looking to kick to touch so we can use our line out to steal possession and pressure the sarried line our int second rows

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 penalties in range

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. George McGuigan	10. Ian Madigan
03. Davit Kubriashvili
04. Matt Symons	11. Charles Piutau
05. Flip Van Der Merwe	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Jordi Murphy	13. Luke Marshall
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Elliott Dixon	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Ricky Riccitelli 17.Alec Hepburn 18. Vincent Koch 19. Luke Jones 20. Ellis Jenkins 21. Will Chudley 22. Sam James 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

Target scrum - we've got solid props to start and coming off the bench, put the pressure on Barrington and Afoa

Get in Jantjies face early on - our back row has a great work rate

Target the line out - we think they lack a caller and Webber hasn't had a lot of game time

Smith has been back with us for 2 weeks - rested and brings his class to our back play as an alternate first receiver and general at the back

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Richard Barrington	09. Ruan Pienaar
02. Rob Webber	10. Elton Jantjies
03. John Afoa
04. Ultan Dillane	11. Jack Nowell
05. Luke Romano	12. Bundee Aki
06. Jack Clifford	13. Robbie Henshaw
07. Jaco Kriel	14. Yoann Huget
08. Damien Chouly (c)	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Scott Baldwin 17. Cian Healy 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Will Witty 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Luke McGrath 22. Steven Myler 23. Mike Haley  

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

Look to target Madigan in defence by getting big runners going down his channel hoping to draw Serfotnein in so we can create gaps out wide.

Look for Jantjies and McKenzie to step in at first receiver and stand flat when we have quick ball to keep the Falcons defence guessing and break through the Blitz by taking the ball to the line at pace.

Forwards to play in pods so we can get me to the ruck quickly for quick recycling of the ball and so that we have the option to offload before or out of contact.

Steve Brooke's may be banned

Team won't be in till tomorrow, working in London all day and en route home now

 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. Kieran Marmion
02. Tommy Taylor	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Maro Itoje	11. Tevita Li
05. Dave Attwood	12. Charlie Ngatai
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Malcolm Marx 17. Tau Koloamatangi 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. James Mitchell 22. Otere Black 23. Kyle Eastmond

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 a 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. Marmion 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. Marmion will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Li & Bendy 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 while POM marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Richard Wigglesworth
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Finn Russell
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Will Skelton	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. George Moala
07. Liam Gill	14. Christian Wade
08. Toby Falateu	15. Cheslin Kolbe

16. Ellis Genge 17. Rory Best 18. Scott Wilson 19. Mitch Lees 20. Josh Beaumont 21. Aaron Smith 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Liam Williams

CJB, you can't name Aaron Smith or Jesse Kriel in your squad, until the deal has been confirmed by Pull - on the domestics page.

Yeah Brookes is banned Steve

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38152471

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Wyatt Crockett	09. Joe Simpson
02. Schalk Brits	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Jake Cooper Wooley
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Manuel Montero
05.Vaea Fifita	12. Harry Mallinder
06. Luke Wallace	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Brendon O'Connor	14. Adam Ashley Cooper
08. Schalk Burger	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

Subs:
16. Ashley Johnson 17. Ramiro Herrera 18. Logi Mulipola 19. Michael Paterson 20. Faconda Isa 21. Jamie Shillcock 22. Wesley Fofana 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
(Finally, finally have replacement props) We've picked a team that has big ball carriers in the pack and backline, which will allow us to get over the gain line and challenge the Leicester defence. We will play the game at speed and a real high intensity from the outset. We've continued with a 10/12 combination who are playmakers so we can bring in our big runners, whilst bringing in Halfpenny to give us an excellent kicking option away from home.

Set Piece
Lineout - Five good options in the lineout, where we will look to generate quick ball for our backline to attack from, with Fifita putting pressure on the home sides throw.
Scrum - look to target Mujati and place pressure on the home sides scrum and provide a platform for Burger and later Isa to attack from.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Tigers defence to suck in players and create space out wide. With Tuilagi, Montero and AAC we have some physical runners in the backline and a bench that will allow us to up the intensity and physicality as the game goes on.

Breakdown
See attributes.

Attack
- Aim to create space for our backline, so our play-making 10-12 combination can bring in AAC, Tuilagi and Montero into the game and really attack Tigers.
- Strong kicking game from the 9-10-12 combination, where we will have the option to play for territory and pin Tigers back and force them into mistakes, which can be punished by Halfpenny's boot.
- Impact bench to up the tempo in final 20/25 minutes.

Defence
Blitz defence, with Simpson sweeping behind. 9-10-12 all big boots to get us out of trouble.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. Teddy Thomas
05. Geoff Parling	12. Ollie Devoto
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

:-
16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Ed Slater 20. James Haskell  21. Lee Dickson 22. Tom Taylor 23. Hosea Gear

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

FANTASTIC FORM - CLIMBING THE TABLE WITH BATH STRUGGLING - We've got great form and are riding high after away wins over the champions and Gloucester in consecutive weeks. Bath are going through a transition period and have missed some of their key players.

TARGET BATH's AI PLAYERS RUSSELL & FALETAU - As we've seen numerous times over the years. Returning AI players are often off their game when thrown straight back in. In such key postions, we'll look to target both players and look to put them off their game. Hardie, Thompson & Haskell will go hunting down Finn and hit him up early. We'll expect the backline to not be as fluid so if we can put pressure on the 10/12 link we ma get some joy. We'll look to take down Falateu early and stop him gaining any momentum throughout the game.

General - We'll be playing a structured physical game from the off, look to get at the opposition and target the breakdown. We'll look to tie the opposition in with our physical pack/carrying options and then get at their outisde backs, 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. Al Dickinson
2. Ross Batty
3. WP Nel
4. Tom Savage
5. Mike Williams
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Sam Warburton
8. Ben Morgan
9. Rory Kockott
10. Jules Plisson
11. Sergeal Petersen
12. Owen Williams (k)
13. Huw Jones
14. Adam Thompstone
15. Mathew Tait

16. Ken Owens 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Devin Toner 20. Matt Todd 21. Sam Harrison 22. Dan Biggar 23. Jamie Roberts

Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Wasps danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, not looking to overly use the offloading-only when on. Williams will look for territory,
-Big carriers up front looking to offload if the conditions allow 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 Warbs bringing the turnover attribute,
-We have quality on the bench all looking for some gametime before the European break and to get back into the squad,
-The breakdown is likely to 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 Wasps under-commit 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 Williams allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Wasps playing a quick tempo game,
-We have Plisson, Williams and Tait who could slot into first receiver and keep them guessing,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off Williams and Jones, we will use Thompstone and Petersen as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on Plisson or Williams will go for territory and also use his 'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep Wasps guessing and allow us the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-Take all kickable penalties.

Fluxy wrote:CJB, you can't name Aaron Smith or Jesse Kriel in your squad, until the deal has been confirmed by Pull - on the domestics page.

Sorry CJB, now done

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Dave Wilson
04. Sebastien Vahamahina	11. Bryan Habana
05. Jim Hamilton	12. Brad Barritt (c)
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

_
16. Tatafu Polota Nau, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Alun Wyn-Jones, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 22. Rhys Preistland, 23. Rob Kearney

---

Tactics
GENERAL:
Lots of quality back, hardened from the Autumn internationals and raring to go. Strong bench ensures we can maintain the intensity for the full 80.
Attack:
- Good athleticism in the pack. Looking for them to be mobile and get around the park, ensuring good numbers at every breakdown to give clean ball
- Mix up forward runners off 9 and 10 to give go forward and tie in defence. When space opens up, go wide and utilise pace of back three.
Defence:
- Ensure guards and body guards at every breakdown, no gaps in midfield.
- Good line speed to put pressure on their handling and ability to go round our blitz defence

1 Jefferson Poirot
2 Tom Youngs
3 Ben Tameifuna
4 James Horwill
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Dave Ewers
7 Marcell Coetzee
8 Fritz Lee
9 Greg Laidlaw
10 Alex Lozowski
11 JP Pietersen
12 Ma'a Nonu
13 Maxime Mermoz
14 Olly Woodburn
15 Maxime Medard

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Nathan Catt
18 Harry Williams
19 Jake Ball
20 Charles Ollivon
21 Chris Cook
22 Camille Lopez
23 James Lowe

Territorial Kicking: Looking to pin back sides and kick for open spaces or touch.
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 - 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.
Chop Tackle: Tacklers look to get low and chop down attackers before gaining momentum or metres over the gain line.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to an away win against Sale. We have a solid scrum to build from and two big locks who are both good lineout options.

The set piece will be important and we will look to use this as a weapon to attack from and gain territory. Our back row are all big carriers and we will use them all to gain hard yards and tire out Sharks defenders. Ewers, Youngs, Big Ben T, Fritz Lee, Coetzee are all good strong ball carriers and will look to get us front foot ball for Lozowski to work with.

In the backs we will use Nonu as a crash ball option and a decoy runner to open up space for the likes of Mermoz, JP Pietersen and Lowe to exploit. Lozowski will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

Denton in for Hughes

Having some login problems so tactics and predos might be an issue

I've only put a couple of game specific points Bam.

If you get on to do more detailed tactics let me know and I'll add to mine.

Will update the page before 0930 tomorrow lads, so if your tactics aren't in - you'll miss out.,

Added basic tactics Steve

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 Sarries 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. We will look to get more power from our back five. Falateu will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

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

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

Defence: Run a blitz defence. Wiggles 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 De Allende and Moala who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Imhoff are very skilful and if the ball gets to them will look to draw in defenders. The pack will also be involved when we have the ball for a prolonged period. We have strong carriers who excel in the loose. Look to get the ball in the hands of EBA, Skelton and Falateu in order to break the line and make yards. Throughout them team look to Keep the ball alive and look for offloads. Look to play with a high tempo and get the ball moving across the back line. Exploit the holes we create and look to tire out Quins 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, Imhoff and Kolbe all have the boots necessary to try and put us in a good position territorially if need. 

Substitutes: Keep a high tempo off the bench.

Page updated - predictions to me please lads

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Sale Sharks 25 - 23 Exeter Chiefs
The context between both back fives of the scrum is quite a physical one, but a bit more breakdown nous from the Sharks five, sees them take an edge up front. Nonu will cause the Sharks centre partnership some issues, but the Sale back line offers a threat from all over. Arguably more impact from the Chiefs bench, which shows how hard the Sharks squad is hit. However, Sale have enough to hold on for the home victory. 

Sale Sharks 32 - 24 Exeter Chiefs
Exeter compete well up front, but Sale have had a bit of luck with injured internationals, and think their pack is just too strong at home. Sexton will pull the strings, and Sale get a bonus point win with the strike runners they have available to do damage

Sale Sharks 28 - 20 Exeter Chiefs
Exeter have a better front row but in the second row, it goes to Sale. Sale have a superb back row and it gets the advantage. The backs seal the margin for Sale. They have a strong set of half backs and outside of that have try scorers. 

Sale Sharks 28 - 27 Exeter Chiefs

Sale Sharks 23 - 22 Exeter Chiefs

Sale Sharks 25 - 23 Exeter Chiefs
Interesting forward contest with Exeter more than holding their own against an impressive Sale unit. Some form issues with Coetzee, POM and Vermulean struggling for various reasons. Sale just shade the halfbacks and that's about all that is in this game. Woodburn could be improved for Exeter. Home advantage just sees Sale through.

Sale Sharks 24 - 20 Exeter Chiefs
Sale a little underpowered in the front row, but Itoje is back for Sarries now in real life and that will be a big boost, but overall a fairly even contest upfront. Step up in the backs, where Sale have some top class options in key shirts for the win.

Bath Rugby 23 - 22 Saracens
A little messy in the scrums, but line outs between both sides is much more efficient. Bath and Sarries have some good carriers of the ball in and around the ruck. Good control from both set of half-backs, a bit 'tit for tat' with Sanchez/Russell both playing in the AI's - just because Sanchez missed one week through injury, would put him roughly in the same boat as Russell! The De Allende/Moala combination can get some joy against the Sarries centres. A close game, but the Bath side look a little more organised in this one, compared their the recent games of late, and their superstar bench will help them secure a massive home win. 

Bath Rugby 24 - 24 Saracens
Really tough game to call. Sarries right to go after the AI players, but Faletau barely played for Wales. The packs are well matched, difficult to see either side getting too far ahead through the big guys. Bath have a stronger set of backs imo, but this is tempered by Russell coming in off the back of a tough international series. Have to sit on the fence

Bath Rugby 26 - 26 Saracens

Bath Rugby 21 - 20 Saracens

Bath Rugby 25 - 21 Saracens
Was a very close game until you look at the bench and see the impact that Smith, Barrett and Williams will bring. Just changes the game on its head. Falateau only played one game for Wales, so not sure that will make a difference to the game. 

Bath Rugby 24 - 21 Saracens
Nothing to choose between the packs, or half backs for that matter. The backlines are also close but Bath have that bit extra on the bench to get the win.

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 23 Bristol Rugby
Good contest between two decent packs. Where Gloucester are probably a little stronger, Wasps make up in being a bit more dynamic around the field, which helps them free up possession quicker, and suites their attributes. Gloucester have the star studded midfield, but the hard working Gopperth and reliable Pennell make this Bristol side, a hard nut to breakdown. Unfortunately the bench from Bristol, will provide fresh legs, but the game will just be swung in Gloucester's favour. 

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 23 Bristol Rugby
On paper, Glos are the stronger side with internationals throughout the pack and a strong set of backs. Bristol have an excellent tactical set up, and are in great shape to counter the Glos strengths. In the end, I have to go with the narrowest of home wins due to the quality of the Glos front 5 and halfbacks

Gloucester Rugby 29 - 22 Bristol Rugby 
Gloucester have the stronger front five to set a platform here. Back rows also go to Gloucester. Half backs from Bristol just do not look strong enough during internationals. 

Gloucester Rugby 20 - 21 Bristol Rugby

Gloucester Rugby 20 - 20 Bristol Rugby
Evans being out so long gives Bristol the front row advantage in a great big 5 confrontation, very even. Bristol perhaps shade 6/8 but Savea a step up at 7 and will give Gloucester some go forward with ball in hand. Halfbacks and centres just to Gloucester, although a tight contest. Addison stands out a bit as a weakness and will be targeted. Gloucester the better side by a whisker but lack of tactics holds them back, especially with Bristol set out so well. 

Gloucester Rugby 29 - 26 Bristol Rugby
Really good game, didnt think Gloucester had tactics until scrolled through the boards. Really powerful homeside pack, not sure about the no8 but the rest is full of strong ball carriers and gives a great platform for their 9,10,12 combination. Bristol tactics spot on and certainly improving again.

Gloucester Rugby 22 - 20 Bristol Rugby
Glos need a bit more form from some players but they have some class with the likes of Etzebeth and Carter to sneak home. Bristol not quite got the pack to win away here although Gopperth gets it close.

Leicester Tigers 20 - 23 Northampton Saints
Leicester stronger in the scrum, but think Saints have the advantage around the park with an excellent pack. Saints stronger at halfback too, and think their backs are a step up even with Manu having no form. Saints have enough to win on the road

Leicester Tigers 23 - 22 Northampton Saints
Prefer the Leicester front five. They have a slight edge in the back row as well. Half backs to Saints and outside of that they are more dangerous but at home a better pack is enough to give Tigers the win 

Leicester Tigers 25 - 26 Northampton Saints

Leicester Tigers 24 - 25 Northampton Saints

Leicester Tigers 27 - 23 Northampton Saints
Tigers set up stronger in the front 5 with a bruising unit that can get at the set piece and loose. Saints hit hard with call-ups and lacking that usually quality from 1-7. Tigers with the stronger backrow and also at scrum half although a good 10 tussle with Burns playing some great stuff and Sopoaga a good option. Both sides with form issues in the backline and not sure I'd have started Halfpenny. Tigers enough in the pack and halfbacks to get the win.

Leicester Tigers 25 - 22 Northampton Saints
This is won by the Tigers pack. They will grind down Saints and win pens. Burns in good form at 10 also. Saints missing a lot of players and a bit of form for some lacking.

Worcester Warriors 26 - 25 Wasps
Some size in the front fives here and can't see either side really pinching or spoiling any set piece possession. Both have one or two work shy forwards, but can see both being quite effective at clearing the ruck area quickly to provide backs with the possession they need. Smith will be a loss for Wasps, but see Wasps offering more of a threat still from the halfback positions. The Wasps back line is also dangerous ball in hand, but can be got at positionally, especially with the options that Warriors provide with the boot. Close contest, but the territorial game from Warriors will yield them the opportunity to steal the game late one. 

Worcester Warriors 26 - 24 Wasps
Wuss stronger at the scrum with the Scotland pair, locks and back row pretty even. Wasps have a stronger pair of half backs, even with Machenaud being new to the team, and think outside backs are fairly even. Tactically both set up well, home advantage swings this for me

Worcester Warriors 23 - 25 Wasps 
The frontfive goes to Wasps. Slight edge also in the back row. Machenad and JD2 in the team a bit quick for me, need more time to settle but the quality gets them the win

Worcester Warriors 26 - 26 Wasps

Worcester Warriors 20 - 19 Wasps

Worcester Warriors 28 - 24 Wasps
Wasps arguably stronger in the front 5 and backrow but have played numerous players from the recent AI's and think this will end up holding them back somewhat. Smith is a big loss for Wasps and not sure Mach brings thats buzz that Cruden feeds off. Worcester set out solid and will relish the fatigue that Wasps will suffer later in the game. Tough starts for Pull, sure he'll turn it around. 

Worcester Warriors 22 - 19 Wasps
Tough game to call, some good form in the homeside, but the difference in this is probably the options Prop has on the bench that can swing what will be a pretty tight game. Biggar will be huge from the bench. 

Worcester Warriors 20 - 20 Wasps
Real tight affair here. More big names for Wasps but Worc at home and have some workman like players to keep it tight. Worc backline needs a bit more spark whereas Wasps pack needs a bit more form. draw.

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 25 Harlequins
Game of the round here, and a great little tussle up front. Falcons will struggle a little come set piece time, but around the park they are equal with this very strong Quins 8. Both back lines offer a threat from all over and the field, but tag that in with could amount of control and playing in the right areas of the field. Falcons pressuring Janjties will help put Quins off their game. But the pressure can be relieved by McKenzie and Myler. Just see Quins nicking this one with a bit more up front. 

Newcastle Falcons 27 - 26 Harlequins
Front five edges to Newcastle. Similar edge in the back row but to Quinn's this time. One each in the half backs and once again very hard to split. Quins have more outside them and on the bench. It is at Newcastle so they just about get the win.

Newcastle Falcons 27 - 26 Harlequins

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 22 Harlequins
Not a huge amount in the front rows with a slight shade to Falcons with Barrington a little out of his depth. Similar story in the locks but I prefer the balance of the Quins trio in the backrow. Jantjies straight back from the AI's and in poor form gives Falcons the more control in the halfbacks but Falcons similar with Smith in a tight backs contest. I like the make-up of the QUins backline, plenty of spark and power, a great winter line-up. 

Newcastle Falcons 23 - 24 Harlequins
Very even contest, just think that the home side are playing a very inexperienced hooker at this level and that's the difference. Would probably start James in the centres too, he's been excellent for Sale in real life. Quins looking very strong.

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 22 Harlequins 
Just a slight edge to the home pack gets them the edge. half backs are even with 1 a piece, not a Jantjes fan. Quins backline is strong both in attack and defence but the spark of Piauta and Smith is a bonus for Falcons.