Aviva Premiership Round 15

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Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
Kingston Park
Light Cloud - 10 degrees, 13mph South Westerly Winds

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Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Alec Hepburn	09. Will Chudley
02. Camille Chat	10. Gareth Anscombe
03. Charlie Faumuina
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Pablo Matera	13. Sam James
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Ricky Riccitelli 17.Nic Auterac 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Matt Symons 20. Callum Clark 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ian Madigan 23. Rob Miller

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

Game plan

Put pressure on Johnson at the scrum to stop him being able to help Mako.

Test their lineout - they lack a proven caller and back row options, we have Lood and Read to really get up quickly and make a mess of their throws - if its a weakness, use the boots in our backline to get more opportunities

Target Ioane at 13 and AAC at 14 - neither play there too regularly, get Smith/Piutau coming inside with the Serfontein running dummy lines off Anscombe/James to really test their positional sense.

Give the halfbacks a physical batttering - they only have Shillcock on the bench, we have experienced halfbacks to come on and see us home if they rely on Simpson/Sopoaga all game

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with our strong front row, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. On their ball, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up.

Breakdown - Back row and hooker 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. Our openside is charged with keeping their main breakdown threat off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Options throughout the backs . Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning, Wings free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Run our attack off 9 who sets the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get our 10 quick ball.. Challenge their 10 defensively with our power backs cutting in running hard lines at his channel with the full back 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.  

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  

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

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Julian Savea
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Rieko Ioane
07. David Pocock	14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Scott Cummings 20. Facunda Isa 21. Jamie Shillcock 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

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

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

Tactics
Falcons have the best lock combination during the 6Nations, so have picked our biggest pack, that can match them physically and will look to really target the front row, an area where we have a lot of power and will look to target Hepburn and Chat. Our pack is fresh having been largely rested over the last few weeks, so will look for a physical battle, getting our big ball carriers on the ball and working front foot ball for our backs, which is the area we feel we can get the advantage as the game opens up.

Set Piece & Pack
Will look to place the front row of Falcons under pressure, really target Chat and Hepburn as a way of getting penalties and stopping them getting quality ball at both the scrum and lineout. Will use Jedrasiak for safe front ball, but will look to generate quick ball from Fifita and Burger towards the end of the lineout, and will look for as many opportunities as possible to launch BV into the Falcons midfield.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Falcons defence to suck in players and create space out wide for our strike runners to exploit. This is an area we feel we can get a big advantage on and set our game plan around getting our backline on the front foot by winning the collisions and physical battle with our big ball carriers.

Breakdown/Backrow
See attributes, great breakdown battle, will be very even but will look for Isa to give us an edge in the second half as an impact sub.

Attack
- Use Mako, AJ, Jedrasiak, Burger and BV to get us over the gainline and get us on the front foot
- Look for Pocock to win the turnover battle and secure quick ball for our backs to exploit
- Sopoaga controlling the midfield, bringing in our strike runners, Fofana, Ioane, Savea, AAC and Foden.
- Impact bench to up the tempo in the final 20 minutes.

Kicking
- Will need to ensure kicking game spot on but will mostly target Strettle's wing, or get the ball straight into touch to limit the threat of Piatua and Smith.
- Sopoaga to keep the scoreboard ticking over

Defence
Blitz defence, we want to get at the Falcons 9, 10, 12 channels to put them under pressure and make it harder for them to get good ball for Piatua and Ben Smith. Simpson sweeping behind defence.

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Sale Sharks v Wasps
AJ Bell
Light Cloud - 10 degrees, 10mph South Westerly Winds

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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Reece Hodge
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Tommy Taylor 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Johnny Sexton 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 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. 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. Foley & 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 Retalick 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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Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Sebastien Tillous Borde
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Bryan Habana
05. Andrew Kitchener	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Henry Slade
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Anthony Watson
08. Nazeem Carr	15. Tim Nani-Williams

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16. Harry Thacker, 17. Dave Wilson, 18. Fraiser Bailmen, 19. Dom Barrow, 20. Will Owen, 21. Mitchell Drummound, 22. Nick Evans, 23. Luther Burrell

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Tactics
Attack:
- Good mobility in the back row to get round the park
- 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:
- Nullify the midfield threat, looking for big hit opportunities and wrap tackles to prevent the offloads
- Good line speed to put pressure on their handling and ability to go round our blitz defence
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in D
Bench:
- Good quality on the bench with a number of options.

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Bath v Harlequins
Rec
Light Cloud - 10 degrees, 10mph South Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Aaron Smith
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Will Skelton	11. Christian Wade
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Liam Gill	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

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16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Leni Asipai 18. Scott Wilson 19. Mitch Lees 20. Arno Botha 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Sam Hill 23. George Moala

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 Quins 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. Beaumont will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Beaumont, Squire, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Beaumont 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. Gill is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out. Really work Quins hard here and look to tire them out as a pack

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

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Smith will set the tempoand play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Debrenzeni 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 Kriel who we would like to get running at defenders.  Try and get them in the Jantjes channel. Wade and Goode 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 Squire 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: Debrenczeni will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Smith, Imhoff and Goode 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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Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Richard Barrington	09. Luke McGrath
02. Rob Webber	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Keelan Giles
05. George Kruis	12. Stuart Olding
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Bundee Aki
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

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16. Jack Singleton 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. Mike Haley

Tactics

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

• Play at pace. Look to play at a quick tempo controlled by Pienaar and Jantjies with McKenzie also acting as a first receiver. Look for Jantjies to stand flat and bring our pack onto the ball at pace in the midfield. We want to offer numerous threats to Bath's defence with forwards carrying off 9 10 and 12.
  
  
• Look to use out the back options to get the ball wide into the hands of Olding, Aki and our back three's hands.
  
  
• Use Jantjies and McKenzie's boot to play in the right area of the field, but we will always look to run the ball if we have the overlap or an unorganised defence. Use Olding and Cordero's ability under the high ball to put pressure on the Bath back three under the high ball
  
  
• Look for forwards to carry with support, and look for the offload out of contact if it is on or to recycle the ball quickly for the next attack. Conditions allow for us to build phases and use our pack, who are very comfortable with ball in hand, to build us momentum and recycle quick ball for our backs to use.
  
  
• Use Du Toit and Kruis to put huge pressure on the Bath's line out, looking to allow the front but not allow easy ball of the back or the tail of the line out. Also look for Kriel and Hooper to attack the breakdown at every opportunity.
  
  
  
  
  • We have electric pace in our back line. If we can use the carriers in our pack to get us across the gain line and get Bath's defence on the back foot and allow us to attack them on the front foot. Look to counter attack any loose kicks back at pace 
    
  
  
  

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Gloucester v Saracens
Kingsholm
Light Cloud - 11 degrees, 12mph South Westerly Winds

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Gloucester 
Manager - Anonmattyt

01. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Logovi Mulipola
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Israel Dagg
05. Tomas Lavanini	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Tom Croft	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Ardie Save	14. Jonny May
08. Willem Alberts	15. Israel Folau

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Replacements: 16. Titi Lamisotele, 17. Joe Gray, 18. Coenie Ousthuizen, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Yacouba Camara, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Will Addison

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. Guy Thompson	13. Conrad Smith
07. John Hardie	14. Telusa Veainu
08. Dave Denton	15. Delon Armitage

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16. Scott Spurling 17. Alex Waller 18. Ben Franks 19. Geoff Parling 20. Sam Underhill 21. Lee Dickson 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Pat Lambie

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 MULIPOLA IN THE SCRUM & LOOSE - Molipola has only been with Gloucester a few weeks. He'll not be fluid in the set piece work and defence system so we'll look to target him in both.  

TARGET CROFT - Croft has little to no form over the last few years in real life. We'll look to target him and his lack of physicality around the fringes with big carries.

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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Leicester Tigers v Bristol
Welford Road
Light Cloud - 10 degrees, 13mph South Westerly Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Stephen Moore	10. Francois Trinh-Duc
03. Owen Franks
04. Samu Manoa	11. Henry Purdy
05. Dominic Bird	12. Billy Twelvetrees
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Mathieu Basteraud
07. Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe	14. Drew Mitchell
08. Thomas Waldrom	15. Kurtley Beale (k)

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Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Max Lahiff 18. Brian Mujati 19. Stanley South 20. Calum Chick 21. Nick Phipps 22. Freddie Burns 23. Damien Penaud


Tigers Attributes
Defensive:

• 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:
  
• 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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Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Manuel Montoya	10. Jimmy Gopperth(k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter	11. Rene Ranger
05. Luke Charteris	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Carl Fearns	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Jesse Mogg

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16. Mike Ross 17. Rob Buchanan  18. David Kilcoyne 19.  Kearnan Myall 20  Judicael Cancorriet 21. Ben Spencer 22. Duncan Taylor 23. Chris Pennell

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.

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Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Sixways
Light Cloud - 11 degrees, 11mph South Westerly Winds

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Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Luca Noguera Paz	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Jules Plisson(k)
03. WP Nel
04. Tom Savage	11. Sergeal Petersen
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Anton Leniert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. George Smith (c)	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

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16. Ross Batty 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Mike Williams 20. Warren Whiteley 21. Rory Kockett 22. Owen Williams 23. NMS
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
*We have gone with a different centre pairing of ALB-Payne to tackle the Chiefs centre pairings with Payne's ability to hit hard at the tackle.
*We know Chiefs have a good defence with Lowoski and Nonu and we will look to target running at them initially to remove their defensive threat in later phases.

-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Chiefs danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, 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 Smith bringing the turnover attribute,
-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 Chiefs 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 Payne allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Chiefss playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off ALB and Payne, we will use Petersen and Naholo as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on  go for territory and also use  'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep them guessing and allow us the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-We have selected a huge bench which will be used for impact and to maintain a high tempo game running against tired legs,
-Take all kickable penalties.

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Nic White
02. Dane Coles	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. James Horwill	11. James Lowe
05. Kane Douglas	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Dave Ewers	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Fritz Lee	15. Maxime Medard

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Subs: 16. Tom Youngs, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Harry Williams, 19. Juandre Kruger, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Colin Slade, 23. Francis Saili

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.

The weather isn't brilliant so we will play a forward based and territory based game to get in the right positions of the pitch.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to the win. 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 Worcester defenders. Ewers, Coles, Ben T, Lee, Harrison 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, Lowe and Medard to exploit. Lozowski will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

Conditions updated. Please be aware of the deadlines at the top of the page.

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Marcos Ayerza	09. Sebastien Tillous Borde
02. Bismark Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Frans Malherbe
04. Jim Hamilton	11. Bryan Habana
05. Andrew Kitchener	12. Brad Barritt
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Henry Slade
07. Fulgence Quedraogo	14. Marland Yarde
08. Nazeem Carr	15. Tim Nani-Williams

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16. Harry Thacker, 17. Dave Wilson, 18. Fraiser Bailmen, 19. Dom Barrow, 20. Will Owen, 21. Mitchell Drummound, 22. Nick Evans, 23. Luther Burrell

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Tactics
Attack:
- Good mobility in the back row to get round the park
- 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:
- Nullify the midfield threat, looking for big hit opportunities and wrap tackles to prevent the offloads
- Good line speed to put pressure on their handling and ability to go round our blitz defence
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in D
Bench:
- Good quality on the bench with a number of options.

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Joe Simpson
02. Ashley Johnson	10. Lima Sopoaga (k)
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Paul Jedrasiak	11. Julian Savea
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Schalk Burger	13. Rieko Ioane
07. David Pocock	14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Ben Foden

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16. Schalk Brits 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Wooley 19. Scott Cummings 20. Facunda Isa 21. Jamie Shillcock 22. Harry Mallinder 23. Manu Tuilagi

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

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

Tactics
Falcons have the best lock combination during the 6Nations, so have picked our biggest pack, that can match them physically and will look to really target the front row, an area where we have a lot of power and will look to target Hepburn and Chat. Our pack is fresh having been largely rested over the last few weeks, so will look for a physical battle, getting our big ball carriers on the ball and working front foot ball for our backs, which is the area we feel we can get the advantage as the game opens up.

Set Piece & Pack
Will look to place the front row of Falcons under pressure, really target Chat and Hepburn as a way of getting penalties and stopping them getting quality ball at both the scrum and lineout. Will use Jedrasiak for safe front ball, but will look to generate quick ball from Fifita and Burger towards the end of the lineout, and will look for as many opportunities as possible to launch BV into the Falcons midfield.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
Like Saracens in real life we'll look to send big runner after runner at the Falcons defence to suck in players and create space out wide for our strike runners to exploit. This is an area we feel we can get a big advantage on and set our game plan around getting our backline on the front foot by winning the collisions and physical battle with our big ball carriers.

Breakdown/Backrow
See attributes, great breakdown battle, will be very even but will look for Isa to give us an edge in the second half as an impact sub.

Attack
- Use Mako, AJ, Jedrasiak, Burger and BV to get us over the gainline and get us on the front foot
- Look for Pocock to win the turnover battle and secure quick ball for our backs to exploit
- Sopoaga controlling the midfield, bringing in our strike runners, Fofana, Ioane, Savea, AAC and Foden.
- Impact bench to up the tempo in the final 20 minutes.

Kicking
- Will need to ensure kicking game spot on but will mostly target Strettle's wing, or get the ball straight into touch to limit the threat of Piatua and Smith.
- Sopoaga to keep the scoreboard ticking over

Defence
Blitz defence, we want to get at the Falcons 9, 10, 12 channels to put them under pressure and make it harder for them to get good ball for Piatua and Ben Smith. Simpson sweeping behind defence.

Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Kahn Fotuali'i
02. Manuel Montoya	10. Jimmy Gopperth(k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Sam Carter	11. Rene Ranger
05. Luke Charteris	12. Kyle Godwin
06. Chris Robshaw	13. Nick Tompkins
07. Carl Fearns	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Victor Vito (c)	15. Jesse Mogg

:-
16. Mike Ross 17. Rob Buchanan  18. David Kilcoyne 19.  Kearnan Myall 20  Judicael Cancorriet 21. Ben Spencer 22. Duncan Taylor 23. Chris Pennell

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.

CJ - I have swapped out Maddocks for Penaud on the bench. Forgot Maddocks was injured until next week.

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Nic White
02. Dane Coles	10. Alex Lozowski
03. Ben Tameifuna
04. James Horwill	11. James Lowe
05. Kane Douglas	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Dave Ewers	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Teimana Harrison	14. Chris Ashton
08. Fritz Lee	15. Maxime Medard

.
Subs: 16. Tom Youngs, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Harry Williams, 19. Juandre Kruger, 20. Marcell Coetzee, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Colin Slade, 23. Francis Saili

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.

The weather isn't brilliant so we will play a forward based and territory based game to get in the right positions of the pitch.

We have picked a big pack and are targeting the forward battle as key to the win. 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 Worcester defenders. Ewers, Coles, Ben T, Lee, Harrison 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, Lowe and Medard to exploit. Lozowski will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

We welcome back Camille Chat who has been sent back to us for game time by France, and Sam James returns from injury to strengthen our midfield and offer an additional playmaking option

Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Alec Hepburn	09. Will Chudley
02. Camille Chat	10. Gareth Anscombe
03. Charlie Faumuina
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Jan Serfontein
06. Pablo Matera	13. Sam James
07. Francois Louw	14. David Strettle
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16.Ricky Riccitelli 17.Nic Auterac 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Matt Symons 20. Callum Clark 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ian Madigan 23. Rob Miller

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

Game plan

Put pressure on Johnson at the scrum to stop him being able to help Mako.

Test their lineout - they lack a proven caller and back row options, we have Lood and Read to really get up quickly and make a mess of their throws - if its a weakness, use the boots in our backline to get more opportunities

Target Ioane at 13 and AAC at 14 - neither play there too regularly, get Smith/Piutau coming inside with the Serfontein running dummy lines off Anscombe/James to really test their positional sense.

Give the halfbacks a physical batttering - they only have Shillcock on the bench, we have experienced halfbacks to come on and see us home if they rely on Simpson/Sopoaga all game

Set piece - Look to really put their props under maximum pressure with our strong front row, we've got a great scrummaging lock pairing to help. If no weakness, use as restart. On their ball, mark their second rows and force long throws. On our ball, use the back row options to mix it up.

Breakdown - Back row and hooker 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. Our openside is charged with keeping their main breakdown threat off our ball, and target turnovers if one of their carriers gets isolated

Kicking - Options throughout the backs . Kick in behind the wings for territory, aim for space not the man. Challenge wings positioning, Wings free to drop back for the counter off their kicks

Attack - Run our attack off 9 who sets the tempo, constantly change the point of attack and get our 10 quick ball.. Challenge their 10 defensively with our power backs cutting in running hard lines at his channel with the full back 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.  

Defence - no weak links in the backline, use the blitz defence to put them on the back foot,  

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

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Luca Noguera Paz	09. Sam Harrison
02. Codie Taylor	10. Jules Plisson(k)
03. WP Nel
04. Tom Savage	11. Sergeal Petersen
05. Leone Nakawara	12. Anton Leniert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. George Smith (c)	14. Waisake Naholo
08. Ben Morgan	15. Brice Dulin

:-
16. Ross Batty 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Mike Williams 20. Warren Whiteley 21. Rory Kockett 22. Owen Williams 23. NMS
Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
*We have gone with a different centre pairing of ALB-Payne to tackle the Chiefs centre pairings with Payne's ability to hit hard at the tackle.
*We know Chiefs have a good defence with Lowoski and Nonu and we will look to target running at them initially to remove their defensive threat in later phases.

-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the Chiefs danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, 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 Smith bringing the turnover attribute,
-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 Chiefs 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 Payne allowing the chance to apply the choke tackle to stop Chiefss playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off ALB and Payne, we will use Petersen and Naholo as a strike runner and know the pace of our back three to put pressure with quick ball,
-When nothing is on  go for territory and also use  'bombs' to challenge and turn their backlline,
-We will the wingers to come into the line and switch things up to keep them guessing and allow us the chance to hit from deep at times and not be predictable,
-We have selected a huge bench which will be used for impact and to maintain a high tempo game running against tired legs,
-Take all kickable penalties.

We need a Gloucester and Sharks team in.

And Bath

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Bernard Foley
03. Davit Zirakishvilli
04. Dave Attwood	11. Semesa Rokoduguni
05. Brodie Retalick	12. Reece Hodge
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Nemani Nadolo
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Nick Abendanon

Subs:
16. Tommy Taylor 17. Ross Harrison 18. Martin Moore 19. Matt Garvey 20. Matt Kvesic 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Johnny Sexton 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 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. 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. Foley & 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 Retalick 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.

[quote="anonmattyt"]1 Beast
2 LCD
3 Molipola
4 Etzbeth
5 Lavanini
6 Croft
7 Savea
8 Alberts
9 Robson
10 carter
11 Dagg
12 Crotty
13 Kurindrani
14 May
15 Folau
16 Lamisotele
17 Gray
18 Ousthuizen
19 Stooke
20 camara
21 Perenara
22 Cipriani
23 Addison

Sorry for the late team I am on holiday in Spain for half term may not get chance to predict


Are we allowed players in national squads who did not play or played a half etc ?

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Morgan Parra
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Paul Hill
04. Ed Slater	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
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. Geoff Parling 20. Sam Underhill 21. Lee Dickson 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Pat Lambie

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 MULIPOLA IN THE SCRUM & LOOSE - Molipola has only been with Gloucester a few weeks. He'll not be fluid in the set piece work and defence system so we'll look to target him in both.

TARGET CROFT - Croft has little to no form over the last few years in real life. We'll look to target him and his lack of physicality around the fringes with big carries.

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.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Aaron Smith
02. Mikey Haywood	10. Jack Debrenczeni
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Will Skelton	11. Christian Wade
05. Graham Kitchener	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Liam Gill	14. Juan Imhoff
08. Josh Beaumont	15. Alex Goode

16. Steven Kitchoff 17. Leni Asipai 18. Scott Wilson 19. Mitch Lees 20. Arno Botha 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Sam Hill 23. George Moala

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 Quins 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. Beaumont will look to attack off the quick ball he gets.

Lineout: We will look to switch up the lineup with Beaumont, Squire, Skelton and Kitchener options in the lineout. Beaumont 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. Gill is brilliant at the breakdown and we will also look to get the rest of the pack looking to help and clear out. Really work Quins hard here and look to tire them out as a pack

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

Attack: Our half backs will control our rugby. Smith will set the tempoand play what he sees in front of him. Outside of him, Debrenzeni 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 Kriel who we would like to get running at defenders.  Try and get them in the Jantjes channel. Wade and Goode 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 Squire 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: Debrenczeni will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Smith, Imhoff and Goode 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.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Richard Barrington	09. Luke McGrath
02. Rob Webber	10. Elton Jantjies
03. Kieran Brookes
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Keelan Giles
05. George Kruis	12. Stuart Olding
06. Jaco Kriel	13. Bundee Aki
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Santiago Cordero
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Jack Singleton 17. Ethan Waller 18. John Afoa 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Steffon Armitage 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Steven Myler 23. Mike Haley

Tactics

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]

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

• Play at pace. Look to play at a quick tempo controlled by Pienaar and Jantjies with McKenzie also acting as a first receiver. Look for Jantjies to stand flat and bring our pack onto the ball at pace in the midfield. We want to offer numerous threats to Bath's defence with forwards carrying off 9 10 and 12.
  
  
• Look to use out the back options to get the ball wide into the hands of Olding, Aki and our back three's hands.
  
  
• Use Jantjies and McKenzie's boot to play in the right area of the field, but we will always look to run the ball if we have the overlap or an unorganised defence. Use Olding and Cordero's ability under the high ball to put pressure on the Bath back three under the high ball
  
  
• Look for forwards to carry with support, and look for the offload out of contact if it is on or to recycle the ball quickly for the next attack. Conditions allow for us to build phases and use our pack, who are very comfortable with ball in hand, to build us momentum and recycle quick ball for our backs to use.
  
  
• Use Du Toit and Kruis to put huge pressure on the Bath's line out, looking to allow the front but not allow easy ball of the back or the tail of the line out. Also look for Kriel and Hooper to attack the breakdown at every opportunity.
  
  
  
  
  • We have electric pace in our back line. If we can use the carriers in our pack to get us across the gain line and get Bath's defence on the back foot and allow us to attack them on the front foot. Look to counter attack any loose kicks back at pace
    
  
  
  
  

Matt, you've changed your side. You had Walker in yesterday and not May. You're not allowed to change your side after you've named it unless it's a call-up. You've also changed your side after I've put mine in.

Can you clarify Flux pls.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Matt, you've changed your side. You had Walker in yesterday and not May. You're not allowed to change your side after you've named it unless it's a call-up. You've also changed your side after I've put mine in.

Can you clarify Flux pls.

Just seen this and it's another example of your weird vendetta. Should be ashamed

Jesus man....

You cant change a side once its named Matthew. You named Walker not May

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Jesus man....

You cant change a side once its named Matthew. You named Walker not May

Moron alert

Can I still add tactics? If not that's ok, but only just home from work

Predictions sort of open......

Some sides still missing tactics so will try and update a bit later.

CJ - get them in if you have a chance. Pooly seems to have forgotten that I'm doing the thread 

Can I have all remaining teams and tactics in by 1200 please. Will update the thread then. 

Pooly - Matt will keep May in his side. He amended his side on the day he had to put a side in.

It was the day but after I named my side.

Argh, painfully close! Wish I'd had time for tactics...

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 23 Northampton Saints
Slight scrum advantage for Saints with Herrera causing problems but can see Falcons dominating the lineout. Slight breakdown advantage for Falcons with the entire backrow contributing. Halfbacks edge to Saints with a strong pair. Falcons back 3 with more about it and can see the targetting of Ioane working well. Forward advantage at home sees Falcons win an important game. 

Newcastle Falcons 24 - 24 Northampton Saints
Saints can get on top in the front row I think. Feel that the back row for Falcons can get on top slightly with Pocock having the time off. Half backs taken by Saints with a step up, centres a lot closer. Great firepower out wide for both sides, Falcons dangerous but not sure how much ball they will get out there. Saints admitting weakness with giving Falcons the one up at locks. Saints do have a lot of control but Falcons picking at the 13 and 14 defensively. Tough game to call, Saints could get on top but Falcons back in it at home. 

Newcastle Falcons 22 - 23 Northampton Saints

Newcastle Falcons 20 - 28 Northampton Saints
Saints have an amazing 6N pack and take an advantage over Newcastle in every area, though the backrow contest is very close against an excellent Falcons unit. Despite Ioane at 13 being targetted and targetable, the attacking quality at 9-10 and outright attack in the outside backs just leads to too much for the Newcastle defence to shackle.

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 26 Northampton Saints
Prefer the Northampton front row but the Newcastle locks. Both back rows are very strong and I give it to Newcastle given Pocock's lack of form. Northampton are stronger in the half backs. Outside of that they also have better outside backs. Despite being away I think they can just edge this. 

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 24 Northampton Saints

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 24 Northampton Saints
The quality of the Falcons back 5 and outside backs is the crucial factor in their win here. They have world class players who can make a real impact against a strong Saints side who won't lose many during 6N period. Louw, Read and Smith the quality players who make the real difference.

Sale Sharks 30 - 25 Wasps
Have to give the pack battle to Sale here with a good 6nations unit on show, Wasps just won’t have enough despite the efforts of their back row. Half backs and out wide there isn’t really a lot in it to be honest between the set ups. Very strong Sale bench. Sale going with the rugby league intensity which will work and need more from Wasps around this.

Sale Sharks 28 - 27 Wasps

Sale Sharks 30 - 21 Wasps
The big teams' depth in the packs is really showing now - Wasps no slouches but outmatched easily by a Sale tight 5. Kaino a big boost for them, but the Sale backrow is balanced and all top class players. Care poor fpr Quins but goof for England and works well with Foley matching the Wasps duo and then I like the power they have at 13 and skill at 12, with a big clinical back 3. Generally just class outwide for Wasps but struggling a bit for form or gametime, so Sale win easily

Sale Sharks 27 - 22 Wasps
Stronger front five for Sale. They also have the advantage in the back row. One each in the half backs but Sale have the combination edge. Both are dangerous oy side of that. 

Sale Sharks 22 - 18 Wasps
Wasps will always be a tough side to breakdown defensively, and although the Sale backline doesnt quite have the balance it has so many strike runners that will eventually break the away side down. The form of Roko is just getting better and the back row combination looks a real threat for any side in the league. Sale keep marching on.

Sale Sharks 28 - 26 Wasps
Sale looking very strong in the front 5 with Kitchener not ready for this level holding Wasps back. Good backrow contest but again it's Sale that look to take control. Little in the halfbacks and backs with Wasps having a slight edge but very close contest. Good game that will go down to the control form the Sale pack. 

Sale Sharks 25 - 23 Wasps
It is the quality of the Sale pack which lays the foundation for this win against a Wasps side that will fight for every scrap but lacks a bit of quality up front to really take the game to Sale. Wasps have the stronger back line in my eyes and will undoubtedly trouble Sale with ball in hand but they won't get enough quality ball to take a win away from the AJ Bell.

Sale Sharks 30 - 24 Wasps
Wasps look far too weak in the back 5 of the pack to seriously threaten Sale. Backs are closer but just cant see enough to overcome the physical challenge that Sale present

Sale Sharks 26 - 25 Wasps

Bath Rugby 21 - 26 Harlequins
Scrum advantage for Bath with a big front 5 but they suffer at the lineout a bit. Quins dominate in the wider areas with that backrow but flank combo leaves a lot of work for others in the tight areas. Halfbacks to Bath. Jantjes the stronger 10 but both somewhat flaky, Smith a class apart. Good battle 11-15. Think Bath are playing somewhat into Quins hands with a quick wide offloading game. Quins with the better players for this approach and can see their flanks having a strong game. 

Bath Rugby 25 - 25 Harlequins
Great front row battle, little bit more for Quins in the 2nd row though. Not a lot between the two back rows here either to be honest. 9-10 one a piece. A tiny edge for Bath in the centres and pretty even out wide. Going to be a very tough game to call here. Not a lot between the two sides with both getting slight edges here and there. A draw.

Bath Rugby 24 - 24 Harlequins

Bath Rugby 27 - 27 Harlequins
Bath have the tactics and quality to really pressurise the Quins scrum, but Quins a set ahead at the lineout. Actually think Bath edge the breakdown but Quins the linking ability and carrying of their backrow which is colossal. Like both halfbacks and backlines, Wade and McKenzie will provide the magic this match and I think it's a dazzling draw

Bath Rugby 23 - 25 Harlequins
The only area that you can get at Quins at the moment is their front row and Bath have some real power in their front five. But Quins have got so many top class players in their squad. Bath have big advantage at no9 but Quins look dangerous everywhere else on the field and are becoming a top rival to Sale this year. 

Bath Rugby 24 - 24 Harlequins
Small edge in the Bath front row with a strong unit and some slight form issues in the Quins unit. 2 strong lock pairings but Quins lucky with injuries and have one of the best units in the game to get on top of the lineout. More power for the Quins backrow trio that will look to control the breakdown with physicality and it may work. Both backlines strong but Bath perhaps a bit more in quality, great game. 

Bath Rugby 28 - 27 Harlequins

Bath Rugby 24 - 26 Harlequins
Bath stronger in the front row, but think Quins stronger at lock and back row. Backs pretty even but Quins have a bit more star quality and I think thats enough to steal the win

Gloucester Rugby 18 - 24 Saracens
Looking at the lineups Glaws have an advantage around the field in the front 5 while Sarries 9-10 axis edges with Robson on poor form. Dagg & Folau in the back three give Glaws a good edge also. But without tactics find it hard to see past Sarries in this one.

Gloucester Rugby 22 - 28 Saracens
The grudge match here. No tactics kills off the Glos chances. Glos would be on top in the front 5 but Sarries stronger in the back row. Half backs to Sarries with the better pairing on show. Pretty even out wide but May probably needs a rest. Great bench for Sarries here and Glos, without direction will fall apart.

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 23 Saracens

Gloucester Rugby 24 - 26 Saracens
Both sides weakened at the front row, Sarries just edge the second and backrow though the raw power of Gloucester will test them (albeit struggling in the breakdown). Good control from both sets of halfbacks, and an advantage to Saracens centres and Gloucester back 3. It would be close, Saracens tactics edge it

Gloucester Rugby 19 - 25 Saracens
Hardly anything to edge the front fives, Whitelock standout edges it to Sarries. Slight edge to Glos in back row. One each in half backs but Sarries have a better combination. Gloucester more dangerous outside backs. No tactics at home costs them. 

Gloucester Rugby 22 - 22 Saracens
I don't feel I should spend the time writing an explanation whilst the managers act like children over a game which has a soul purpose of providing entertainment and enjoyment for those who play it. 

Gloucester Rugby 22 - 25 Saracens
Gloucester really hurt with no tactics. Sarries exploit the right areas and come away with the win even if they are weaker on paper in some areas

Gloucester Rugby 21 - 22 Saracens

Leicester Tigers 30 - 26 Bristol Rugby
Slight scrum advantage for Tigers but else where the packs fairly even. Bristol edge halfbacks currently but Bast in good form will cause the Bristol midfield all sorts of problems defensively and can see Beale having a great day running out the backdoor off him. 

Leicester Tigers 20 - 21 Bristol Rugby
Both teams miss out on a good opportunity here by not putting in any tactics. Close front row and 2nd row battle going on with Bristol strong here in the back row (have a very good back row on show now!). Tigers just take the half backs but only just. Nothing between the centres and the inclusion of Beale helps Tigers out wide. Two solid benches but not a spectacular match on show! Backrow is huge here and I really think Bristol could nick it by preventing Tigers getting the ball they need.

Leicester Tigers 27 - 26 Bristol Rugby

Leicester Tigers 22 - 22 Bristol Rugby
Edge to Bristol front five. Slight edge in the back row as well. One each in half backs but combination edge to Tigers. Bristol outside backs have more in hand. Away from home, Bristol can get a draw. 

Leicester Tigers 20 - 18 Bristol Rugby
Massive battle this weekend, can see a lot of power in the Tigers backline making a key impact and just gives them an edge. But Leicester have some great form players, like Gopperth who will keep them close.

Leicester Tigers 23 - 22 Bristol Rugby
Good upfront contest with Tigers just managing to get a foothold in the front 5. Little in the backrows with quality on show from both sides. I'd say Tigers have the quality in the halfbacks and centres although lacking form in both 12/13 makes it a bit more even with the back 3 tussle very close. Very little in this one. 

Leicester Tigers 23 - 24 Bristol Rugby
Very intriguing game. Personnel wise it is difficult to split the sides and without tactics it is even more challenging. The key players on the park are Gopperth and Trinh-Duc and currently I just feel Gopperth has the way with all to win the game for his side, ably assisted by a physical pack. Sneaked late on. 

Leicester Tigers 24 - 24 Bristol Rugby
Packs look very even, difficult to pick an area where either side gets a big advantage. The Bristol halfbacks have a bit more form, and backs very even. With Leicester being at home, I can't split the sides

Worcester Warriors 27 - 24 Exeter Chiefs
Scrum advantage for Worc but the Chiefs front row more damaging around the field. Smith edges the breakdown battle but both sides have good carrying through the back 5 of the pack. Halfbacks even but 11-15 Worc looking stronger for me attacking wise. See a real battle in the collisions here but feel the Worc backs can do more when they do get some space.

Worcester Warriors 26 - 23 Exeter Chiefs
Worcester ahead at the scrum, though the Exeter front row offer a huge amount around the park. I like the second row battle but think on balance Worcester edge it, with a very tight backrow contest that I can't separate. Chiefs more solid in the backs but Worcester have a lot more spark, held back a bit by Plisson. In the end, Worcester at home and edging the set piece is enough

Worcester Warriors 25 - 24 Exeter Chiefs 
Not much in the front fives, Warriors slight edge. Probably the other way in the back rows. One each in the half backs. Bit more in the Exeter half backs. At home Warriors have just enough

Worcester Warriors 33 - 30 Exeter Chiefs
One of the most attacking backlines in the league during the AI's, so much power and strike running threat, whilst the only area they could be targeted is no9 with Harrison, but Morgan will offer him a lot of protection. Chiefs offer some great attacking threats of their own and Mermoz ratings will definitily pick up with his last few games in the AP. Can see both sides securing 4 tries and the BP, but just prefer the Warriors attack at home. 

Worcester Warriors 24 - 25 Exeter Chiefs
Both sides strong in the front 5 but it's the away side with a touch more form and quality that come out on top. Similar strong in the backrow with Wuss having a bit more quality on show, Smith losing rating for Worcester. Exeter with the halfbacks but Worcester form in the backs brings it even with the added quality in some of the away sides backs.

Worcester Warriors 26 - 26 Exeter Chiefs
Again so tough to split on paper. Feel that Exeter have a little more star dust in their back line and should score more tries but Worcester offer a dogged, physical approach, especially upfront, which I feel will bring them dividends. Have to call it a draw. Too hard to separate.

Worcester Warriors 23 - 21 Exeter Chiefs
Nel starting to lose form a bit now, think Exeter stronger in the front 5. Worcester better in the back row, halfbacks even. Worcester have a great centre combo but Exeter slightly better in the back 3. At home, Wuss take it

An 8 point defeat at home from one of the predictors is interesting given how close the rest of the results are

ChequeredJersey wrote:Argh, painfully close! Wish I'd had time for tactics...

Fair play mate, could only imagine how much closer it would have been, if we both put in tactics!

BamBam wrote:An 8 point defeat at home from one of the predictors is interesting given how close the rest of the results are

I know it might be frustrating mate, but that result is backed up their explanation/reasoning.

BamBam wrote:An 8 point defeat at home from one of the predictors is interesting given how close the rest of the results are

That was me, Bam, no tactical advantage to me doing it and happy to PM you with more detail on my reasoning if you'd like 

Not a reflection on your team, just think the Saints 1-10 so well set up in the 6N in attack, and as soon as they have a proper platform the backs are excellent at turning space and front foot ball into lots of tries. And I don't think that Pocock etc have been out for long enough yet (despite knowing he's taking a sabbatical) to lose ratings based on how long people tend to rate players out of the game. Don't see it as any different from any other super rugby player who almost all won't have played for the same period of time

Fair enough CJ