Aviva Premiership - Semi-Finals

---

---

Sale Sharks vs Newcastle Falcons
AJ Bell Stadium
Light Rain Shower, 15 Degrees, 8mph Southerly Winds

---

 Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nick Abendanon
05. Dave Attwood	12. Reece Hodge
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Jordie Barrett

.
Subs: 16. Tommy Taylor 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Maro Itoje 20. CJ Stander 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Joe Marchant

Attack 13/14 channel - We want to attack the space between Aso & Solomona and will look to hit Fekitoa & Barrett in space to pull either positionally. Aso's only starts this season for Falcons have come at 12 in the Anglo Welsh group stage with two sub appearances during the AIs. Solomona is still new to the game of Union. Communication between the pair on defence will be an issue.

Peaking - We qualified for the playoffs over a month ago, sealed home advantage early, and have been able to rotate and train specifically towards the finals run in similar to last year. Falcons come into this having had to battle to the end in the hopes of a home playoff with their only rotation being for injured players. for a top last 3 three weeks of the season

Rotation - Sio, Marx, Attwood and Vermulean all come into the pack while Fekitoa comes in at 13 to keep the side fresh after last weeks success.  

Impact - Genuine world class options to come on later in the game. Aim is to up the tempo with powerful but mobile forward replacements. Marchant will look to hit any space left in the Falcons 13/14 channel. Foley to offer a different running threat at 10 if needed.

Home Advantage - In all 9 seasons of the game we are yet to see an away victory in the playoffs. The AJ has become a fortress for us with us undefeated here in over two years of league action.

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. Barrett & 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 POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball while Retalick marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

---

 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Vincent Koch
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Owen Farrell
06. Pablo Matera	13. Vince Aso
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16. Camille Chat 17. Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Matt Symons 20. Elliott Dixon 21. Callum Clark 22. Will Chudley 23. Sam James

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

Dual first receiver options of Jackson/Farrell to give Sale problems either side of the ruck with strike runners either side

Use the strong boots of the 10/12 pair to get into the right areas, put pressure on the chase and make their back 3 turn and try and clear their lines

Use our power in the pack to put them on the back foot at the breakdown

6-2 bench split to really go after their pack in the last 20 at the breakdown and win turnovers

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

---

---

Northampton Saints vs Harlequins
Franklin Gardens
Light Rain Shower, 15 Degrees, 12mph Southerly Winds

---

Northampton Saints
Interim DoR: Ozzy3213

01. Mako Vunipola	09. Conor Murray
02. Dylan Hartley ©	10. Lima Sopoaga
03. Ramiro Herrera
04. Joe Launchbury	11. Julian Savea
05. Jonny Gray	12. Wesley Fofana
06. Facundo Isa	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Schalk Burger	14. Elliott Daly
08. Billy Vunipola	15. Leigh Halfpenny

.
Replacements: 16. Schalk Brits 17.  Wyatt Crockett 18. Jake Cooper-Woolley 19. Paul Jedrasiak 20. David Pocock 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
- Priority One – The Gain Line.  In attack and defence we will look to hit with intensity, be it carrying, clearing in attack or smashing back in defence.
- Priority Two – Make Quins best attacking threats defend.  Use big carriers (forwards) slightly further out from the ruck area, down the channels defended by backs, forcing them to work hard in defence and thereby disrupting their attacking concentration/flow.

Set Piece Specifics
- Scrum.  8 man shove in attack and defence.  Keep straight in defence and hold, forcing Quins to get the ball out and play.  In attack flankers to stay down and push, if we get forward momentum but penalty does not look likely, ball out quickly to attack them whilst on the back foot.
- Lineout.  In attack mix it up shortening the lineout at times, using BV as a ball carrier through the midfield.  In defence look to contest and make any ball off the top as messy as possible.

General
- We won’t change too much from what has got the team here through the season, just the minor tweaks as per the above.
- Conor Murray to sweep behind the blitz along with the blindside winger for any chips, grubbers through from Quins.

---

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Tadhg Furlong
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

.
16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Jaco Kriel 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Santiago Cordero

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

Control the Gain line - Northampton will be looking to dominate collisions on the gain line and we intend to adapt our tactics to negate this. In defence, as ever, we will use chop tackles to bring down the carriers quickly and to allow the opportunity to turnover possession by getting the first man to the ruck. 

In attack, we will look to offer plenty of options for our first receiver to hit and look for Hernandez to play flat and use his world-class distribution game to keep the Saints defensive line guessing. We will also look to use offloads and agility before contact to keep the Saints defence honest and on the back foot. 

Territory - We will look to use the strength of our line out to dominate territory. Using the kicking game of Youngs, Hernandez and McKenzie especially, we are going to look to kick behind Saints when the cover isn't their looking to force them into defensive line outs. We will then use world class operators Kruis, Du Toit and Chouly to attack the Saints line out and turnover possession. 

Ball in Hand - With ball in hand we are looking to get on the front foot using the forwards and play at a quick tempo looking to create holes and disrupt Saints defensive patterns. When we get quick ball, we know we have the outside backs to hurt anyone and will look to get the ball into their hands on the front foot and with Saracens scrambling. 

Breakdown - Using the chop tackle we will always look to try and get the first man jackling onto the ball. Slowing down or turning over Saints will disrupt their game in a big way and with Hooper's pace we feel we can get the first man to the ball and spoil their momentum. 

Scoreboard - Semi final rugby is about scoreboard pressure. We will look to kick at goal at every opportunity as well as using the Hernandez as a drop goal specialist to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 

X Factor -  We feel we have this across our side in spades. We have an electric back line as well as a mobile pack which are all comfortable with ball in hand. We have the sort of players who can make the difference in this sort of environment.

---

Right so we are playing catch up a little, so please note the following:

Teams to be named by 23:59 hours on Saturday
Tactics by 23:59 hours on Sunday
Predictions to be PM’d to Fluxy by 12:00 hours on Tuesday


The conditions are as is for the semi-finals.

Harlequins
Manager – Steven_Sharks

01. Cian Healy	09. Ben Youngs
02. Agustin Creevy	10. Juan Martin Hernandez
03. Tadhg Furlong
04. Pieter Steph Du Toit	11. Jack Nowell
05. George Kruis	12. Robbie Henshaw
06. Damien Chouly	13. Jonathan Joseph
07. Michael Hooper (c)	14. Yoann Huget
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Damian McKenzie (k)

16. Rob Webber 17. Richard Barrington 18. Kieran Brookes 19. Jaco Kriel 20. Jack Clifford 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Santiago Cordero

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


Control the Gain line - Northampton will be looking to dominate collisions on the gain line and we intend to adapt our tactics to negate this. In defence, as ever, we will use chop tackles to bring down the carriers quickly and to allow the opportunity to turnover possession by getting the first man to the ruck. 

In attack, we will look to offer plenty of options for our first receiver to hit and look for Hernandez to play flat and use his world-class distribution game to keep the Saints defensive line guessing. We will also look to use offloads and agility before contact to keep the Saints defence honest and on the back foot. 

Territory - We will look to use the strength of our line out to dominate territory. Using the kicking game of Youngs, Hernandez and McKenzie especially, we are going to look to kick behind Saints when the cover isn't their looking to force them into defensive line outs. We will then use world class operators Kruis, Du Toit and Chouly to attack the Saints line out and turnover possession. 

Ball in Hand - With ball in hand we are looking to get on the front foot using the forwards and play at a quick tempo looking to create holes and disrupt Saints defensive patterns. When we get quick ball, we know we have the outside backs to hurt anyone and will look to get the ball into their hands on the front foot and with Saracens scrambling. 

Breakdown - Using the chop tackle we will always look to try and get the first man jackling onto the ball. Slowing down or turning over Saints will disrupt their game in a big way and with Hooper's pace we feel we can get the first man to the ball and spoil their momentum. 

Scoreboard - Semi final rugby is about scoreboard pressure. We will look to kick at goal at every opportunity as well as using the Hernandez as a drop goal specialist to keep the scoreboard ticking over. 

X Factor -  We feel we have this across our side in spades. We have an electric back line as well as a mobile pack which are all comfortable with ball in hand. We have the sort of players who can make the difference in this sort of environment.

Sale Sharks
Manager – SJE

01. Scott Sio	09. Danny Care
02. Malcolm Marx	10. Johnny Sexton
03. Rabah Slimani
04. Brodie Retalick	11. Nick Abendanon
05. Dave Attwood	12. Reece Hodge
06. Peter O'Mahony	13. Malakai Fekitoa
07. Sam Cane	14. Semesa Rokoduguni
08. Duane Vermulean	15. Jordie Barrett

Subs:
16. Tommy Taylor 17. Ross Harrison 18. Davit Zirakishvilli 19. Maro Itoje 20. CJ Stander 21. Faf De Klerk 22. Bernard Foley 23. Joe Marchant

Attack 13/14 channel - We want to attack the space between Aso & Solomona and will look to hit Fekitoa & Barrett in space to pull either positionally. Aso's only starts this season for Falcons have come at 12 in the Anglo Welsh group stage with two sub appearances during the AIs. Solomona is still new to the game of Union. Communication between the pair on defence will be an issue.

Peaking - We qualified for the playoffs over a month ago, sealed home advantage early, and have been able to rotate and train specifically towards the finals run in similar to last year. Falcons come into this having had to battle to the end in the hopes of a home playoff with their only rotation being for injured players. for a top last 3 three weeks of the season

Rotation - Sio, Marx, Attwood and Vermulean all come into the pack while Fekitoa comes in at 13 to keep the side fresh after last weeks success.  

Impact - Genuine world class options to come on later in the game. Aim is to up the tempo with powerful but mobile forward replacements. Marchant will look to hit any space left in the Falcons 13/14 channel. Foley to offer a different running threat at 10 if needed.

Home Advantage - In all 9 seasons of the game we are yet to see an away victory in the playoffs. The AJ has become a fortress for us with us undefeated here in over two years of league action.

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. Barrett & 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 POM to get up in the air at the front and challenge on opposition ball while Retalick marshals the middle looking to make it as messy as possible.

 Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Bambam

01. Matt Mullan	09. Rhys Webb
02. Jamie George	10. Paddy Jackson
03. Vincent Koch
04. Guido Petti	11. Charles Piutau
05. Lood De Jager	12. Owen Farrell
06. Pablo Matera	13. Vince Aso
07. Francois Louw	14. Denny Solomona
08. Kieran Read (c)	15. Ben Smith

:-
16. Camille Chat 17. Alec Hepburn 18. Davit Kubriashvili 19. Matt Symons 20. Elliott Dixon 21. Callum Clark 22. Will Chudley 23. Sam James

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

Dual first receiver options of Jackson/Farrell to give Sale problems either side of the ruck with strike runners either side

Use the strong boots of the 10/12 pair to get into the right areas, put pressure on the chase and make their back 3 turn and try and clear their lines

Use our power in the pack to put them on the back foot at the breakdown

6-2 bench split to really go after their pack in the last 20 at the breakdown and win turnovers

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

Apologies for the late team, I have no access to the site outside of work as my phone still won't let me login!

No worries, will extend deadline until 1500 today for tactics and teams.

Jackson named twice Bam

Good luck lads.

Amended, cheers SJE

Sorry I'm late lads, didn't realise we were playing again so soon.

Sorry mate, it is only because we are a little behind and would like to get back on track a little. 

Will update the thread

Keep the predictions coming lads, will get this done straight after lunch today, so that we can get the final underway!

Final call...

Aviva Premiership Semi-Finals Results:


Sale Sharks - 28
(T: Cane, Barrett C: Sexton [x1] P: Sexton [x4] DG: Sexton [x1])
Newcastle Falcons - 29 
(T: George, B Smith C: Farrell [x2] P: Farrell [x4] DG: Sexton [x1])

Northampton Saints - 30
(T: Isa, Launchbury, Simpson C: Halfpenny [x3] P: Halfpenny [x3])
Harlequins - 29
(T: Henshaw, Gorgodze, Hooper C: McKenzie [x1] P: McKenzie [x4])

Prediction Bonuses:
Full: Pooly, Steve, Bam, Fluxy and SJE
Score: Prop and CJ
None: CJB, Ozzy, Nick and Pull

Congrats Bam. Gutted to lose that especially at home!

Sale Sharks 27 - 29 Newcastle Falcons
So tough to win away in these games as we've seen Saracens last week but Sale's rotation gives Falcons a chance to get at least parity in the front row, even with Mullen not great in the scrum these days. Falcons actually sneak the engine room and backrow with a strong unit and get a small pack advantage. 10-13 are not the strongest in the league for either side, not sure of the Falcons combo at all but enough in the back 3 and pack advantage to just take an epic win at the Champions. 

Sale Sharks 30 - 29 Newcastle Falcons 


Sale Sharks 24 - 25 Newcastle Falcons
Scrum edge to Sale. Nothing in line out. Feel the Newcastle back 5 is stronger than Sale's and love the lock combo. Half backs of Newcastle are much stronger currently and that is huge in a final. Webb a better player than Care and Farrell in better form than Sexton. I prefer the Sale centres but feel that Newcastle have the edge in the back three. A close game but I feel that Newcastle have the stronger side and can snatch a shock win.

Sale Sharks 24 - 23 Newcastle Falcons


Sale Sharks 30 - 31 Newcastle Falcons
Good contest between two of the best teams in the league for me. Up front Falcons can match a slightly weary and rotated Sharks pack. Although Lood hasn't been great this season. Out wide there is better form for Falcons, but the sharks have quality nonetheless. Despite Falcons losing a little in terms cumulative cohesion and time together in the midfield, it is an exciting and different combination which will catch Sale of guard a little, causing some issues for the Sharks wide defence. I think in the end, the boot of Faz will edge a tight game.

Northampton Saints 37 - 36 Harlequins
An fantastic battle on paper with Saints looking very strong in the pack. Little in the scrums with both LH's not the greatest in the set piece although I prefer the Quins unit as a whole. Ozzy's changes to the normal Saints line-up are really interesting and I think he pulls it off with an all out attack on the gain line. Quins put up a tremendous fight with some real bruisers and a much better lineout but the physicality will be tough. In the backs, both 10's are not the greatest and a game like this deserves better really. I prefer the Quins backs on a whole after this and they will run in try after try, but I just think Saints with a new improved manager will take the win.

Northampton Saints 28 - 28 Harlequins

Northampton Saints 30 - 31 Quins
Front rows well matched, think Quins will absolutely dominate in the lineout. Saints far stronger carriers around the park, but this will play into Quins hands at the breakdown, can see Hooper making the difference and creating a fair few turnovers.
The Saints halfbacks are stronger, but I fancy JMH to have some time on the ball where he can be lethal. Two of the best sets of backs in the league and I can't split them outside of halfback.
Really difficult to call. The biggest area of difference is the Quins lineout prowess for me vs the Saints heavy duty carriers
I just think Quins will win the territory battle and their backs have too much quality not to make use of it, and they sneak it

Northampton Saints 25 - 24 Harlequins

Northampton Saints 23 - 18 Harlequins
Lack of lineout options for Saints is an issue with neither lock particularly renowned for their jumping and no real backrow options. Quins rightly looking to attack it with strong jumping options. Saints 1st phase strikes seriously disrupted when playing off the lineout as a result. Saints big pack particularly the backrow offers real punch ball in hand. Can see them winning the collisions on attack whether Quins are playing drift or blitz (unspecified and no emphasis on either). Chop tackle approach works well and Hooper will turn over ball, but with an emphasis on clearing from Saints and no guidance on defensive system, Quins aren't always going to be able to shut down Saints momentum. Quins looking to play in behind the Saints back three with kicks but not sure they see an awful lot of space there with Halfpenny & Daly covering. May have been better to specifically target Savea and try and pull him in to the line before kicking behind. Quins backline, Savea aside, more dangerous in the wider channels but won't be released as often as normal having to play on the back foot a bit more. Hernandez not in particularly great form at 10 this year and unsure he gets the best out of Quins having to play under the pressure of the Saints blitz.

Northampton Saints 28 - 31 Harlequins
Quins have a very dynamic forward pack and can see them getting the better of Saints pack, that aren’t too shabby either. The combination of Isa at 6 and Billy at 8 is big in terms of carrying, but a little unknown. The issue of form at 10 is what lets down quins down a little, as their back line is packed with game changing impact. For me Saints you get the element you know what to expect from their back line, however they will keep coming at you, as it would be relentless. This one is all tied, up until a Pienaar penalty kicks them into the final late on.