Aviva Premiership - Round 21

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Newcastle Falcons vs Worcester Warriors
Kingston Park
Light Cloud - 12 degrees, 13mph North Westerly Winds

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 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Scott Willaims
06. Pablo Matera	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16. Camille Chat 17. Nic Auterac 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Matt Symons 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ian Madigan 23. David Strettle

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

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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Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Joe Moody	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Nahuel Chapparo
04. Mike Williams	11. Waisaki Naholo
05. Devin Toner	12. Anton Leinert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Matt Todd (c)	14. James Short
08. Warren Whiteley	15. David Havilli

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Subs: 16. Ross Batty 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Leone Nakarawa 20. Ben Morgan 21. Bryn Hall 22. Owen Williams 23. Brice Dulin



Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
*We are riding high at the moment making the cup final and everyone will be fighting to put in a good performance, one win will secure our safety and we will look at targetting today for it.
*Rotation is everything coming into this stage of the season and we have selected some fresh legs with players able to play longer and being managed with their game time.
*We see our back row as the main impact with the balance and ability to slow their ball whilst keeping the route to our 9 clear.
*We have a big carrying, hard working pack to stop them in their tracks and put a lot of pressure on 9 to prevent the quick ball.
*Bench-we have huge impact on our bench able and will use Nakawara, Morgan, Hall and Dulin to cause all sorts of trouble in the last 20 minutes minimum.

-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, offloading-only when on. Biggar 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 Todd 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 they 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 them playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off ALB and Payne, we will use the back three as strike runners 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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Bath vs Gloucester
The Rec
Light Cloud - 14 degrees, 10mph North Westerly Winds

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Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Aaron Smith
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Christian Wade
05. Josh Beaumont	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Liam Williams
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

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16. Ellis Genge 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Will Skelton 20. Siya Kolisi 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 Gloucester under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries 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 Beaumont, Falateu, Squire 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. Kitchener 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. 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, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende and Kriel who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Williams 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, Kitch 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 Gloucester which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Smith, Goode and Williams 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. We want our high class front row to come on late and really impact the game.

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Gloucester
Caretaker Manager - Pooly

01. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. Elliott Stooke	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Ardie Savea	14. Israel Dagg
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Folau

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Replacements: 16. Titi Lamisotele, 17. Adriann Strauss, 18. Coenie Ousthuizen, 19. Sam Dickinson, 20. Tom Croft, 21. TJ Penerara, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Will Addison

Defence
• Drift Defence: Your side is known for the drift and maintaining the line 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.
  
  Attack
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  
• 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.
  

- High tempo game with bags of fitness/pace in the back and backs, look to run the legs off the oppsotion and use this to our advantage

- Set the tone in the set-piece with a strong foundation. Look to attack the opposition scrum and lineout and exploit weaknesses as seen

- Strong defensive to shut out any space for opposition on the drift defence. Look to squeeze space rather than rushing, make the opposition break us down. Moriarty/Savea to give us physicality in the tackle and look to pounce on this

- Look to bring our exciting backs into the game at any point. Strong kicking from the halfbacks gives us the option to keep the opp defence on their toes and we'll look to use this to our advantage with Carter pulling the strings

- Folau to come into the line and cause disruption

- Plenty of impact from the bench to carry on with the high tempo game

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Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints
Sandy Park
Light Cloud - 14 degrees, 12mph North Westerly Winds

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Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Greg Laidlaw
02. Dane Coles	10. Camille Lopez
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Liam Messam	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Alex Lozowski

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Subs: 16. Tom Youngs, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Teimana Harrison, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Damien Penaud, 23. JP Pietersen

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 will play a forward based and territory based game to get in the right positions of the pitch.

We have picked the players to do this. Big carriers and a mobile back and hard working back row. Laidlaw is the perfect controlling 9 and will give good service to Lopez . Lozowski is in at 15 for his boot and counter attacking ability. He will also come in as a receiver at times, a la Alex Goode for Sarries.

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 Saints defenders. Messam, Coles, Sinckler, Coetzee, Parisse are all good strong ball carriers and will look to get us front foot ball for Lopez 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 Ashton to exploit. Laidlaw will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

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Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Shalk Brits	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury(c)	11. Julian Savea
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Ashley Johnson	13. Rieko Ioane
07. David Pocock	14. Elliot Daly
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

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Replacements:
16. Dylan Hartley 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Jonny Gray 20. Faconda Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Manu Tuilagi

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

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

Tactics
- We will look to play the game with a real physical intensity, picked a lot of big ball carriers to get us over the gainline and create opportunities for our strike runners across the backine.

- Freshened up the pack from last week, recalling Brits, BV, AJ, Pocock and Fifita to the starting lineup and gives us the opportunity to play a more expansive game in the forwards. Pocock will look to boss the breakdown area.

- Strong impact bench to finish the game well and upping the tempo in final third.

Set Piece and Pack Battle
Fresh pack, where we will be looking to take the game to an Exeter forward unit that made 2 changes to their semi final loss last week, will look to test them here. Will look to get some advantage with Herrera's scrummaging, but expect scrums to be very even. Will launch BV at Lopez off the back of scrums. Lineouts we will mix up with Launch, Fifita and Pocock as our jumpers, calling shortened lineouts, with BV and AJ giving Sopoaga ball carrying options.  

Gain-line/Physical Battle
We've picked a mobile pack with big ball carriers so that we can play an expansive game that creates space in open play for our backs. Brits, both Vunipolas, AJ and Fifita will look to get their hands on the ball and tire down the Exeter defence. We want to suck in Exeter's defenders creating space out wide for our bakline to strike, with Savea and Ioane providing power out wide.

Breakdown
Per tactics above.

Attack/Points
- Target big runners at the Lopez defensive channel, to get some initial gainline success.
- Interchange Daly and Ioane throughout the game, looking to exploit the outside defensive line between Mermoz and Ashton/Lowe.
- Offensive kicking game, targeting Ashton and Lowe aiming to put them under pressure and force mistakes.
- Halfpenny to keep scoreboard ticking over, with Daly's boot from 55-60 metres.

Defence
Aggressive blitz defence with Murray sweeping behind.

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Harlequins vs Wasps
The Stoop
Light Cloud - 15 degrees, 9mph North Westerly Winds

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Quins

1. Cian Healy
2. Agustin Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Pieter Steph Du Toit
5. George Kruis
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Damien Chouly
9. Ben Youngs
10. Juan Martin Hernandez
11. Jack Nowell
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Yoann Huget
15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Steven Myler 23. Santiago Cordero

Attributes

Counter Attack
Phase Attack

Breakdown (turnover)
Chop Tackle

- Look to use pack to get us over the gain line before spreading the ball wide to our outside backs.

- Youngs and JMH to control the tempo of our play. Look to play quickly when we get across the gain line and are attacking an unorganised defence.

- use Chouly, Kruis and Du Toit to attack the Wasps lineout. 3 experts on disruption.

- Look for back three to come looking for work. Try to create mismatches against Wasps pack.

- use up and unders to gain territory using Henshaw, McKenzie and Huget to contest the ball.

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Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Joe Marler	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Bismarck Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Wilco Louw
04. Scott Barrett	11. Bryan Habana
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Henry Slade
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Tom Wood	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

_
16. Harry Thacker, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Dave Wilson, 19. Sebastian Vahaamahina, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Sebastian Tillous Borde, 22. Luther Burrell, 23. Marland Yarde

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Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Likes of Kaino, Du Plessis to offer extra pair of hands in the backline when required
- 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:
- Quick line speed, getting up to the 10 and putting pressure on.
- Only step out of the line for big hit opportunities.
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- Compete for the turnover if it's on, even if it's only to slow down the ball
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in defence
Territory:
- Use box kicks from 9 and nudges from 10 out of hand to pin them back.
- Play rugby in their half and make them attack from deep
- Full back to marshall the back 3 and make sure our positioning is spot on for kick returns

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Leicester Tigers vs Sale Sharks
Welford Road
Light Cloud - 14 degrees, 10mph North Westerly Winds

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Leicester Tigers
Manager – Fluxy

01. Mikheil Nariashvili	09. Francois Hougaard
02. Stephen Moore	10. Francois Trinh-Duc (k)
03. Harry Williams
04. Samu Manoa	11. Henry Purdy
05. Jake Ball	12. Kurtley Beale
06. Don Armand (c)	13. Ben Te'o
07. Sam Jones	14. Sean Maitland
08. Fritz Lee	15. Mike Brown

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Subs: 16. Dave Ward 17. Gethin Jenkins 18. Max Lahiff 19. Steve Mafi 20. Calum Chick 21. Antoine Dupont 22. Joey Carbery 23. Gael Fickou

Basic Game Plan
In good conditions we will be looking to play a possession based, fast offloading game, keeping the ball alive moving the Sale pack around. When deep in our half we won't take chances with offloading, but will make ground carrying close to the ruck and recycling quickly, or using the boots of Trinh-Duc, Beale and Brown to take us up the field. Our general play however this week will be about keeping the ball alive and moving the point of attack. 


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. Hougaard will sweep in behind the defensive line to counter any chips/grubbers.

Specifics

• Lineout - In decent conditions we will mix it up on our ball, utilising Bird, Armand and Lobbe as receivers, whilst also at times shortening the line and using our big forwards as crash ball options off first phase. Defensively we will look to compete for the ball and disrupt wherever possible, making any ball secured by Sale as scrappy as we can.
  
  
• Scrum - Hit channel one ball and get it to the back quickly, looking to maximise the space available with the opposition forwards packed down. On their ball, 8 man shove and look to drive them off as their hooker lifts his foot to hook the ball. Franks to stay tight and straight. Flanker on that side to stay bound and keep Franks square.
  
  
• 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 contestable 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. Hougaard to also feed runners down the Sale ten channel.
  
  

• Tactical Kicking - If we kick, we will look to kick for the corners and contest the opposition lineout. If our kicks can go in behind the wingers, we will aim for that, with the aim of the ball bouncing into touch, or having to force new back three unit to chase and concede a line out by being tackled into touch. 
  

Key Points

• High Quality Spine - In the key decision making jerseys, 2,8,9,10,12, and 15 we have top class operators. In big games, when things get tight, those guys can be the difference between winning and losing.
  
• Impact Bench - 6 full internationals. All can have a huge impact on this game.
  
• Home Advantage - Our last home game of the season, and want to finish our season here on a high
  

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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Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Matt Garvey	11. Keith Earls
05. Iain Henderson	12. Reece Hodge
06. CJ Stander	13. Garry Ringrose
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Lopeti Timani	15. Jordie Barrett

Subs:
16. Tommy Taylor 17. Scott Sio 18. Atu Moli 19. Christian Day 20. Steven Luatua 21. Danny Care 22. Quade Cooper 23. Joe Marchant

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. De Klerk 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. De Klerk will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Barrett & Foley 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 Garvey to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball while Hendo marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

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Saracens vs Bristol
Allianz Park
Light Cloud - 15 degrees, 9mph North Westerly Winds

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Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Baptise Serin
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Sonny Bill Williams
07. John Hardie	14. Delon Armitage
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Sam Underhill 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Teddy Thomas

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 SET PIECE - Look to target set piece and gain an advantage. If weakness seen look to go after opposition more by holding ball in scrum or kicking to corners.  

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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Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Manuel Montoya	10. Jimmy Gopperth (vc, k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Donnacha Ryan (c)	11. Digby Ioane
05. Sam Carter	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw (vc)	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Carl Fearns	15. Dane Haylett-Petty

:-
16. Will Collier 17. Rob Buchanan 18. David Kilcoyne 19.  Kearnan Myall 20  John Barclay 21. Kahn Fotuali'i  22. Kyle Godwin 23. Chris Pennell

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 approach the breakdown as a unit, using Fearns at 8 as an extra worker here and Ryan at lock to have 4 dangerous operatives here. We will have someone experienced here then at every ruck, but only commit the numbers required. This should be a good battle, and we'll look to combat Cole and Hardie with a dynamic clearout.

Attack:

We look to carry narrow with slower ball, then bring the fast ball outwide running from deep and happy to use our multiple playmakers and running angles of the likes of DHP and Ioane to constantly cahnge up the direction of attack and out think the Blitz. 

Our carrying will be augmented by Kepu, Uhila, Ioane, Ryan, Fearns, VDF etc. 

We will also look to chip behind North when Hogg isn't in a great position to help him - defensive positioning is neither's strength, and Sharples is dangerous chasing the crossfield chip kick

Our backup plans revolve around reverting pick and drives, sniping off 9 or more kicking with our extra options.

Defence:

Blitz, led by Taylor who will look to clamp down on SBW, with 9 sweeping and the wingers looking to step in onto SBW's offloads in particular to steal interception scores. The fringe defence led by Carter and Robshaw will be very aggressive and look to be borderline offside later in the game to kill their strong carrying attack off. Fearns looking to target the young Serin and physically bully him.

Scrum: 

We look to use the scrum as a quick restart to run off, and on their ball we will look to put pressure on Cole, who has been less reliable in his older age

Lineout: Mix up our multiple options, tapping off the top largely but unafraid to maul. Look to defend their lineouts on the floor not the air

Kicking:

I think we can edge the kicking duel, with Saracens missing Parra and the centres not being kick focussed. We will look to kick into space left by the back 3, who are great runners and have a great boot in Hogg but can be fallible positionally, and we will run or kick back kicks depending on what is in front of us. We will take points where available.

Other:

Subs - we have exeperience in Fotuali'i and Barclay and Pennell on the bench to close out a close game, as well as a strong scrummaging unit so our starting props can go all out. 
With Hogg and Delon both hotheaded, if they are getting pent up, my players have permission to wind them up (though no physical cheapshots)

Exeter Chiefs
Manager – StNick

01. Jefferson Poirot	09. Greg Laidlaw
02. Dane Coles	10. Camille Lopez
03. Kyle Sinckler
04. Courtney Lawes	11. James Lowe
05. James Horwill	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Liam Messam	13. Maxime Mermoz
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Chris Ashton
08. Sergio Parisse	15. Alex Lozowski

.
Subs: 16. Tom Youngs, 17. Nathan Catt, 18. Ben Tameifuna, 19. Kane Douglas, 20. Teimana Harrison, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Damien Penaud, 23. JP Pietersen

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 will play a forward based and territory based game to get in the right positions of the pitch.

We have picked the players to do this. Big carriers and a mobile back and hard working back row. Laidlaw is the perfect controlling 9 and will give good service to Lopez . Lozowski is in at 15 for his boot and counter attacking ability. He will also come in as a receiver at times, a la Alex Goode for Sarries.

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 Saints defenders. Messam, Coles, Sinckler, Coetzee, Parisse are all good strong ball carriers and will look to get us front foot ball for Lopez 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 Ashton to exploit. Laidlaw will kick all pens for goal if in range and if not look to kick deep to gain territory.

Northampton Saints
Manager: Dammit Chris

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Shalk Brits	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury(c)	11. Julian Savea
05. Vaea Fifita	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Ashley Johnson	13. Rieko Ioane
07. David Pocock	14. Elliot Daly
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny(k)

.
Replacements:
16. Dylan Hartley 17. Logi Mulipola 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Jonny Gray 20. Faconda Isa 21. Joe Simpson 22. George Ford 23. Manu Tuilagi

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

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

Tactics
- We will look to play the game with a real physical intensity, picked a lot of big ball carriers to get us over the gainline and create opportunities for our strike runners across the backine.

- Freshened up the pack from last week, recalling Brits, BV, AJ, Pocock and Fifita to the starting lineup and gives us the opportunity to play a more expansive game in the forwards. Pocock will look to boss the breakdown area.

- Strong impact bench to finish the game well and upping the tempo in final third.

Set Piece and Pack Battle
Fresh pack, where we will be looking to take the game to an Exeter forward unit that made 2 changes to their semi final loss last week, will look to test them here. Will look to get some advantage with Herrera's scrummaging, but expect scrums to be very even. Will launch BV at Lopez off the back of scrums. Lineouts we will mix up with Launch, Fifita and Pocock as our jumpers, calling shortened lineouts, with BV and AJ giving Sopoaga ball carrying options.

Gain-line/Physical Battle
We've picked a mobile pack with big ball carriers so that we can play an expansive game that creates space in open play for our backs. Brits, both Vunipolas, AJ and Fifita will look to get their hands on the ball and tire down the Exeter defence. We want to suck in Exeter's defenders creating space out wide for our bakline to strike, with Savea and Ioane providing power out wide.

Breakdown
Per tactics above.

Attack/Points
- Target big runners at the Lopez defensive channel, to get some initial gainline success.
- Interchange Daly and Ioane throughout the game, looking to exploit the outside defensive line between Mermoz and Ashton/Lowe.
- Offensive kicking game, targeting Ashton and Lowe aiming to put them under pressure and force mistakes.
- Halfpenny to keep scoreboard ticking over, with Daly's boot from 55-60 metres.

Defence
Aggressive blitz defence with Murray sweeping behind.

Bath Rugby
Manager – CJB

01. Eddy Ben Arous	09. Aaron Smith
02. Rory Best	10. Beauden Barrett
03. Samson Lee
04. Graham Kitchener	11. Christian Wade
05. Josh Beaumont	12. Damian De Allende
06. Liam Squire	13. Jesse Kriel
07. Justin Tipuric	14. Liam Williams
08. Toby Faletau	15. Alex Goode

.
16. Ellis Genge 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Nepo Laulala 19. Will Skelton 20. Siya Kolisi 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 Gloucester under immense pressure with our energy. Look for big carries 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 Beaumont, Falateu, Squire 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. Kitchener 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. 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, Barrett will play flat and use his creativity to bring in the back line and make plays. He will be given a freedom to be creative. Look to bring in the rest of the back line, especially De Allende and Kriel who we would like to get running at defenders.  Wade and Williams 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, Kitch 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 Gloucester which can help nullify their offensive threats. 

Kicking: Barrett will be our chosen place kicker. We will chuck in the occasional grabber to chase. Smith, Goode and Williams 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. We want our high class front row to come on late and really impact the game.

Saracens
Manager – Pooly

01. Dylan Smith	09. Baptise Serin
02. Guilhem Guirado	10. Nicolas Sanchez
03. Dan Cole
04. Patrick Tuipultou	11. George North
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg
06. James Haskell	13. Sonny Bill Williams
07. John Hardie	14. Delon Armitage
08. Nathan Hughes	15. Stuart Hogg

:-
16. Richard Hibbard 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Hill 19. Geoff Parling 20. Sam Underhill 21. Lee Dickson 22. Pat Lambie 23. Teddy Thomas

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 SET PIECE - Look to target set piece and gain an advantage. If weakness seen look to go after opposition more by holding ball in scrum or kicking to corners.  

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.

Bristol Team 
Manager: CJ

01. Loni Uhila	09. Tomas Cubelli
02. Manuel Montoya	10. Jimmy Gopperth (vc, k)
03. Sekope Kepu
04. Donnacha Ryan (c)	11. Digby Ioane
05. Sam Carter	12. Piers Francis
06. Chris Robshaw (vc)	13. Duncan Taylor
07. Josh Van Der Flier	14. Charlie Sharples
08. Carl Fearns	15. Dane Haylett-Petty

:-
16. Will Collier 17. Rob Buchanan 18. David Kilcoyne 19.  Kearnan Myall 20  John Barclay 21. Kahn Fotuali'i  22. Kyle Godwin 23. Chris Pennell

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 approach the breakdown as a unit, using Fearns at 8 as an extra worker here and Ryan at lock to have 4 dangerous operatives here. We will have someone experienced here then at every ruck, but only commit the numbers required. This should be a good battle, and we'll look to combat Cole and Hardie with a dynamic clearout.

Attack:

We look to carry narrow with slower ball, then bring the fast ball outwide running from deep and happy to use our multiple playmakers and running angles of the likes of DHP and Ioane to constantly cahnge up the direction of attack and out think the Blitz. 

Our carrying will be augmented by Kepu, Uhila, Ioane, Ryan, Fearns, VDF etc. 

We will also look to chip behind North when Hogg isn't in a great position to help him - defensive positioning is neither's strength, and Sharples is dangerous chasing the crossfield chip kick

Our backup plans revolve around reverting pick and drives, sniping off 9 or more kicking with our extra options.

Defence:

Blitz, led by Taylor who will look to clamp down on SBW, with 9 sweeping and the wingers looking to step in onto SBW's offloads in particular to steal interception scores. The fringe defence led by Carter and Robshaw will be very aggressive and look to be borderline offside later in the game to kill their strong carrying attack off. Fearns looking to target the young Serin and physically bully him.

Scrum: 

We look to use the scrum as a quick restart to run off, and on their ball we will look to put pressure on Cole, who has been less reliable in his older age

Lineout: Mix up our multiple options, tapping off the top largely but unafraid to maul. Look to defend their lineouts on the floor not the air

Kicking:

I think we can edge the kicking duel, with Saracens missing Parra and the centres not being kick focussed. We will look to kick into space left by the back 3, who are great runners and have a great boot in Hogg but can be fallible positionally, and we will run or kick back kicks depending on what is in front of us. We will take points where available.

Other:

Subs - we have exeperience in Fotuali'i and Barclay and Pennell on the bench to close out a close game, as well as a strong scrummaging unit so our starting props can go all out. 
With Hogg and Delon both hotheaded, if they are getting pent up, my players have permission to wind them up (though no physical cheapshots)

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Ross Harrison	09. Faf De Klerk
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Bernard Foley
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Matt Garvey	11. Keith Earls
05. Iain Henderson	12. Reece Hodge
06. CJ Stander	13. Garry Ringrose
07. Matt Kvesic	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Lopeti Timani	15. Jordie Barrett

Subs:
16. Tommy Taylor 17. Scott Sio 18. Atu Moli 19. Christian Day 20. Steven Luatua 21. Danny Care 22. Quade Cooper 23. Joe Marchant

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. De Klerk 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. De Klerk will sweep behind the line to cover chips and grubbers. Barrett & Foley 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 Garvey to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball while Hendo marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop

01. Joe Moody	09. Gareth Davies
02. Ross Batty	10. Dan Biggar (k)
03. Nahuel Chapparo
04. Mike Williams	11. Waisaki Naholo
05. Devin Toner	12. Anton Leinert-Brown
06. Jackson Wray	13. Jarrad Payne
07. Matt Todd (c)	14. James Short
08. Warren Whiteley	15. David Havilli

.
Subs: 16. Ross Batty 17. Val Ruskin 18. Henry Thomas 19. Leone Nakarawa 20. Ben Morgan 21. Bryn Hall 22. Owen Williams 23. Brice Dulin



Season's Attributes-
Offloading in the Tackle
Breakdown (Turnovers)
Blitz Defence
Choke Tackle
*We are riding high at the moment making the cup final and everyone will be fighting to put in a good performance, one win will secure our safety and we will look at targetting today for it.
*Rotation is everything coming into this stage of the season and we have selected some fresh legs with players able to play longer and being managed with their game time.
*We see our back row as the main impact with the balance and ability to slow their ball whilst keeping the route to our 9 clear.
*We have a big carrying, hard working pack to stop them in their tracks and put a lot of pressure on 9 to prevent the quick ball.
*Bench-we have huge impact on our bench able and will use Nakawara, Morgan, Hall and Dulin to cause all sorts of trouble in the last 20 minutes minimum.

-We have selected a heavy, hard working pack looking to nullify the danger from their big carriers and set piece,
-We will play a controlled game, offloading-only when on. Biggar 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 Todd 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 they 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 them playing a quick tempo game,
-Backs to play what is in front of them, runners off ALB and Payne, we will use the back three as strike runners 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.

Quins

1. Cian Healy
2. Agustin Creevy
3. Kieran Brookes
4. Pieter Steph Du Toit
5. George Kruis
6. Jaco Kriel
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Damien Chouly
9. Ben Youngs
10. Juan Martin Hernandez
11. Jack Nowell
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Jonathan Joseph
14. Yoann Huget
15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Ultan Dillane 20. Jean Luc Du Preez 21. Stuart Townsend 22. Steven Myler 23. Santiago Cordero

Attributes

Counter Attack
Phase Attack

Breakdown (turnover)
Chop Tackle

- Look to use pack to get us over the gain line before spreading the ball wide to our outside backs.

- Youngs and JMH to control the tempo of our play. Look to play quickly when we get across the gain line and are attacking an unorganised defence.

- use Chouly, Kruis and Du Toit to attack the Wasps lineout. 3 experts on disruption.

- Look for back three to come looking for work. Try to create mismatches against Wasps pack.

- use up and unders to gain territory using Henshaw, McKenzie and Huget to contest the ball.

Gloucester 
Caretaker Manager - Pooly

01. Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira	09. Dan Robson
02. Luke Cowan-Dickie	10. Dan Carter
03. Juan Figallo
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Johnny May
05. Elliott Stooke	12. Ryan Crotty
06. Ross Moriarty	13. Tevita Kurindrani
07. Ardie Savea	14. Israel Dagg
08. Jamie Heaslip	15. Israel Folau

.
Replacements: 16. Titi Lamisotele, 17. Adriann Strauss, 18. Coenie Ousthuizen, 19. Sam Dickinson, 20. Tom Croft, 21. TJ Penerara, 22. Danny Cipriani, 23. Will Addison

Defence

• Drift Defence: Your side is known for the drift and maintaining the line 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. 
  
  Attack
  
• Breakdown - Clearing: Ensuring the possession is clean and quick with quick support to the breakdown
  
• 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.
  

- High tempo game with bags of fitness/pace in the back and backs, look to run the legs off the oppsotion and use this to our advantage

- Set the tone in the set-piece with a strong foundation. Look to attack the opposition scrum and lineout and exploit weaknesses as seen

- Strong defensive to shut out any space for opposition on the drift defence. Look to squeeze space rather than rushing, make the opposition break us down. Moriarty/Savea to give us physicality in the tackle and look to pounce on this

- Look to bring our exciting backs into the game at any point. Strong kicking from the halfbacks gives us the option to keep the opp defence on their toes and we'll look to use this to our advantage with Carter pulling the strings

- Folau to come into the line and cause disruption

- Plenty of impact from the bench to carry on with the high tempo game

I've put a team for Gloucester as it looks like new guy isn't around.

Wasps
Manager - Pullthestrings

01. Joe Marler	09. Maxime Machenaud
02. Bismarck Du Plessis	10. Aaron Cruden (k)
03. Wilco Louw
04. Scott Barrett	11. Bryan Habana
05. Alun-Wyn Jones	12. Henry Slade
06. Jerome Kaino	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Tom Wood	14. Anthony Watson
08. Louis Picamoles	15. Tim Nanai-Williams

_
16. Harry Thacker, 17. Ben Moon, 18. Dave Wilson, 19. Sebastian Vahaamahina, 20. Sean O'Brien, 21. Sebastian Tillous Borde, 22. Luther Burrell, 23. Marland Yarde

---

Tactics
Attack:
- Mix up our lines of attack, sometimes with two lines with forwards as options
- Likes of Kaino, Du Plessis to offer extra pair of hands in the backline when required
- 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:
- Quick line speed, getting up to the 10 and putting pressure on.
- Only step out of the line for big hit opportunities.
Breakdown:
- Be disciplined at the breakdown and do not give away penalties in our half
- Compete for the turnover if it's on, even if it's only to slow down the ball
- If ruck is lost, don't compete and fan out in defence
Territory:
- Use box kicks from 9 and nudges from 10 out of hand to pin them back.
- Play rugby in their half and make them attack from deep
- Full back to marshall the back 3 and make sure our positioning is spot on for kick returns

Pooly, can you put a Falcons team in please?

 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Owen Farrell
03. Vincent Koch
04. Flip Van Der Merwe	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Scott Willaims
06. Pablo Matera	13. Michele Campagnaro
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16. Camille Chat 17. Nic Auterac 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Matt Symons 20. Jordi Murphy 21. Dave Lewis 22. Ian Madigan 23. David Strettle

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

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

Keep forgetting about Falcons.

Guys I am going to be away for most of the weekend and probably won't get internet access, will the predictions be open on Tuesday?

These are open until Tuesday lunch time gents

Newcastle Falcons 27 - 23 Worcester Warriors
Falcons look stronger this week with their pack reinforcements and they get some foothold in the set peice and around the park. Halfbacks are also a little stronger although not much in the backs. Home advantage and a strong platform see Falcons home. 

Newcastle Falcons 23 - 18 Worcester Warriors
A good battle in the pack but I feel Falcons will probably have an edge at the set piece, though I'd pay to see the backrows play each other. Some great form and killer instincts in both backlines but Farrell's mental edge helps Falcons a lot and though Worcester's tactics close the gap, the Sarries-like commbo of strong set piece, basics and Farrell is a winner

Newcastle Falcons 28 - 25 Worcester Warriors
Batty named twice for Worc an issue. Decent forward scrap but Falcons back row will win more ball at the breakdown. Both sides looking for a power game. The Falcons back three has a bit more quality about it and Smith hitting the line wider out will give them a good play making option. Both sets of wingers can be caught on the turn and both sides targeting this somewhat. Feel Webb pulling the strings from 9 with some real quality in the wide channels see Falcons win this one. Huge power bench in the forwards for Worc will make this tight at the end though.

Newcastle Falcons 27 - 26 Worcester Warriors

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 25 Worcester Warriors

Newcastle Falcons 23 - 22 Worcester Warriors

Newcastle Falcons 26 - 25 Worcester Warriors

Newcastle Falcons 32 - 27 Worcester Warriors 
Back three from Newcastle are the real difference. And Read has looked good in recent weeks. 

Newcastle Falcons 25 - 24 Worcester Warriors

Newcastle Falcons 33 - 30 Worcester Warriors
Some great attacking threats on both sides, Newcastle arguably have the most devastating back three in the AP and although it is a close battle in the pack there is just more from the home sides back row in terms of ball carrying and gain line breaking. I prefer the impact from the Warrior's bench and that really can swing the game back towards them in the final 20 minutes. 

Bath Rugby 20 - 20 Gloucester Rugby

Bath Rugby 23 - 22 Gloucester Rugby
I prefer the Bath fron/backrow but they need beefing up in the engine room to take pack control. Robson's form not great of late allows Bath to get on top and both backlines are electric. Very little in this one. 

Bath Rugby 26 - 26 Gloucester Rugby
Bath look to have an all court game, with a mobile 4-8, contributions in the loose at 1-3, 2 of the best attackers in recent rugby history at 9-10 and playmaking/creation throughout the backline. What they lack today is power. Gloucester have a power edge in teh tight 5, and a backrow that will test the Bath one with similar athleticism but maybe more balance. They also have a lethal back 3 and strength at 9-10 and the power to test Bath. Bath's home advantage and more in depth tactics help though, and I struggle to call this one

Bath Rugby 27 - 25 Gloucester Rugby
Huge game for both sides. Gloucester pack looks more physical in contact. Tough job for the Bath forwards to consistently get on the front foot off carries but made easier by the use of a drift from Gloucester. Both lineouts will have some issues. Bath halfback combo best in the league and allowed to play the game their own way. Decent form at 13 for both sides but not sure what impact Folau will bring hitting the line with the rut he is in currently. Serious physicality in the forward replacements for Bath but TJ and Cips will offer more control. Bath will be hoping Barrett lasts the 80. Baths halfbacks given the space to work and allowed on the front foot off the back of the Glaws drift will do enough damage to secure a Prem place for next year.

Bath Rugby 18 - 19 Gloucester Rugby 

Bath Rugby 28 - 27 Gloucester Rugby

Bath Rugby 28 - 27 Gloucester Rugby

Bath Rugby 26 - 25 Gloucester Rugby

Bath Rugby 35 - 30 Gloucester Rugby
Great to see a new Gloucester manager in place. Gloucester just lack the top class EQ in games to win away from home, they have such an array of attacking talent in their backline but the Bath pack is excellent and in the conditions they can get an advantage upfront and with guys like Wade and Williams in their backline it is scary. High scoring game.

Exeter Chiefs 22 - 23 Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 27 Northampton Saints
Love teh Chiefs front row and good form at lock. Saints can match them there though, great battle between Sinckler and Mako. On balance, though Saints' backrow packed with power, Chiefs have more balance. Would rather Lopez had an attacking 9 inside him. Lozowski helps him though. The Saints' backline is just lethal though, and well set out. Another one I'm calling a draw

Exeter Chiefs 27 - 30 Northampton Saints
Little scrum edge for Saints and can see them building some territory off the back of it. Lineout is an issue though with Pocock not a jumping option at all really. Neither 7 with any form. Like the interchange at 13 for Saints and the pace there will ask questions of the Chiefs defenders. Will cause issues on defence though with no real guidance on how the 13s are setting up and neither renowned for their positional play there. Chiefs looking to play territory and with a smart kicking game in the backs can see them isolating Daly/Rieko at times. A good ding dong affair here but its the Saints impact off the bench with Gray, Isa & Ford all helping out late on that wins this.

Exeter Chiefs 23 - 24 Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs 20 - 19 Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs 29 - 28 Northampton Saints

Exeter Chiefs 28 - 31 Northampton Saints
A few more big names in the Northampton team, with better finishers in the backs too.

Exeter Chiefs 24 - 25 Northampton Saints

Harlequins 20 - 21 Wasps

Harlequins 28 - 27 Wasps
Wasps with a front row edge but Quins look a bit stronger in the engine room. The backrow contest is fantastic with Wasps a step up at 6/8 but Quins stronger at 7 with Hooper. One a piece in the halfbacks, although not sure of JMH at 10....Quins are crying out for a quality option here. Just a tiny bit of a better backline sees Quins through. 

Harlequins 28 - 24 Wasps
Quins miss Furlong at TH. The athleticism of their 4-8 is great though, and just edges Wasps. Wasps do have some real danger in te backrow in Kaino and Picamoles, and Marler is in great form and will help Wasps win the scrum. I think Quins have more form and danger in their backline and manage to win there.

Harlequins 21 - 19 Wasps
Quins looking to earn the right to go wide but its a very physical Wasps pack and feel the Quins backrow are more effective carriers in the wide areas. Wasps looking to force territory against probably the form kick returner in the world right now. Quins midfield will ask questions of Wasps defensively even if off the back foot at times. Quins defence system disorganised with no mention. Messy game with issues in both sides set up for this one  favor Quins at home.

Harlequins 26 - 25 Wasps 

Harlequins 27 - 26 Wasps

Harlequins 25 - 25 Wasps
The Wasps team looks really strong, I prefer their backs but the Harlequins pack is stronger in some key positions. Too close to call.

Harlequins 25 - 24 Wasps

Harlequins 23 - 26 Wasps
Cian Healy is suspended, so have had to go with the away win, with Quins going a man down. Otherwise would have been a home win.

Leicester Tigers 24 - 25 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 25 - 25 Sale Sharks
Slightly stonger front row for the champions and same again in the backrow. I think I prefer the Tigers engine room with Garvey seemingly more a 6 these days. Sale stronger at hb and very little in the backs in a good contest. Sale stronger but not sure they have quite enough for the win.

Leicester Tigers 27 - 28 Sale Sharks
Sale have the advantge at front row, and edge the rest of the pack with ludicrous riches. Tigers work very well together though, and Sale can't blow them away in any area. I really like the Tigers' centre combo, which works well with the clever HBs and direct approach from Brown. It's a very well balanced backline, and whilst Sale are very strong there, with huge attacking ability, they can be targeted in defence and in the kicks to the back 3. I'd have targeted that a little more, with Tigers' kicking game strong. Exciting styles to watch, Tigers much closer than league positions would suggest but Sale have too much attacking prowess to reign in

Leicester Tigers 21 - 20 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 22 - 21 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 24 - 25 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 24 - 24 Sale Sharks

Leicester Tigers 30 - 26 Sale Sharks
The home sides pack is a lot stronger than Sale. Can't see where Sale will get the edge in the forwards to get their backs on the ball more. 

Leicester Tigers 29 - 25 Sale
Sale clearly resting some players with the league wrapped up nice and early this year. Against a vastly improving Tigers team this doesnt quite work out for them. The form of Ben Teo'o is having a huge impact on the form of the home team, with his ability to get over the gain line being a great benefit. Barrett a class act at the back for Sale.

Saracens 24 - 23 Bristol Rugby

Saracens 23 - 23 Bristol Rugby
Sarries forwards set a good tempo ball in hand with a strong carrying game but Bristol organised as always at the breakdown and can see them causing issues for Sarries with no big emphasis on the clear out. Bristol will get some joy with the kicking approach but will struggle to make ground at times ball in hand against what is a huge Sarries pack and midfield. Smart line running will see some breaks though with SBW not as strong positionally at 13. SBW will cause some issues at 13 for Sarries attacking fluidity having not shown any form yet but the Sarries halfbacks will take advantage at times of the narrowness of the Bristiol wingers looking for the offload. Cracking tactical effort from Bristol and feel they are deserving of something here.

Saracens 28 - 27 Bristol Rugby

Saracens 27 - 26 Bristol Rugby

Saracens 24 - 23 Bristol Rugby

Saracens 25 - 24 Bristol Rugby

Saracens 36 - 30 Bristol Rugby
One of the best teams on show this week, will be a high scoring game with the players Saracens have available. 

Saracens 28 - 27 Bristol Rugby