About v2Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
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Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Mon 19 Mar 2012, 1:20 pm
First topic message reminder :
Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
Team Sheets and tactics due by Saturday (20:00)
Predictions due till Tuesday (20:00)
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Weather; Showers, 12 degrees, 6mph
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Fluxy
16. Tom Mercey 17. Rob Vickers 18. Tim Swinson 19. Jonathon Poff 20. Joel Hodgson 21. Jack Cuthbert 22. Jordi Pasqualin 23. Dave Wilson
Tactics
Any teams coming to Kingston Park, are never given an easy game. with the run in, until the end of the season. Our players will be fully committed to the cause and will give everything in the game. Our game plan will based upon a high intensity attacking game, and a solid defence with competition at the breakdown against the opposition, to look for turnovers. Heathcote will dictate the tempo and the direction of the game, trying to get us playing in the right areas of the pitch and make it difficult for the opposition to get out of their half. In early phases we will try and get big ball carriers in like Kaino and Tuilagi off the wing, on the inside and outside Shingler or Heathcote to punch holes, and get over the game line. Once over the game line and giving our backs go forward ball, to allow our strong runners like; Waldlouck, May and Tuilagi cutting lines off Shingler and Heathcote. Shingler will alternate with Heathcote at first reciever to keep the defence guessing. Early penalties will be kicked at goal to gain a strangle hold on the game. Once a strong lead has been established, and there is an advanatage at any setpiece will look to opt to our strength.
Sale Sharks
Manager – LondonIrishOllie
Subs – 16.Marc Jones 17.Andrew Sheridan 18.Henry Thomas 19.Kearnan Myall 20.Onosai Auva’a 21.Scott Mathie 22.Nick McLeod 23.Charlie Amesbury
Tactics
Exeter Chiefs v London Irish
Weather; Dry sunny periods, 12 degrees, 9mph
Exeter Chiefs
Head Coach – Ozzy3213
16. Neil Clark 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Hanks 20. Richard Baxter 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ignacio Mieres 23. Luke Arscott
Tactics
Our gameplan involves doing everything with a high intensity and asserting ourselves on our opponents, both in attack and defence. We will work as units and play a structured game (as the Chiefs and Saracens do in real life). We will put a lot of emphasis on the set piece, and look to use both as a real platform to play from, whilst not allowing our opponents to do the same. We will also look to use our big ball carriers to attack the gainline whilst having support runners on their shoulders to either take the offload or hit the ruck quickly as appropriate.
We will look to turn this game into a real slugfest, keeping the ball generally close to the ruck when carrying and looking to drag opposition forwards in and tying them up in rucks and mauls. Only when it is completely on will we look to go wide.
Specifics
London Irish
Manager – Pullthestrings
16. James Buckland, 17. Alex Corbisiero, 18. Clarke Dermody, 19. Bryn Evans, 20. Chris Halu'afia, 21. Darren Allinson, 22. Shane Geraghty, 23 Topsy Ojo
Tactics
- Servat comes in to sure up the scrum. Big efforts from the engine room to hold the scrum steady. In the conditions, there aren't likely to be too many errors on our part so we're hoping to negate any advantage the Chiefs may have.
- In the lineout, we'll dominate. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and try to initiate a rolling maul to give the backs more time.
- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Pocock and Gibson staying strong on his feet. When they arise, lets use them to our advantage. If the back three are sparse, look to kick for territory. If there are mis-matches, lets have a go.
- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.
- Use the piston system Irish have developed so well. Big runners off Bowden to give us real go forward, inside and outside runs. We've opted for a more mobile pack with players like Lahiff, Gibson, Harinordoquy.
- For slow ball, look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. This will give more time to the backs.
- Simpson to prawl behind the defense line and mop up any breaks or half breaks. Patrol the breakdown area and keep an eye up for numbers.
- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.
- Tagi to get involved as much as possible, coming in off his wing and cutting angles of Bowden.
- Homer to go for points at every opportunity.We can have a pop from anywhere in their half. Make them scared to give away penalties in their half, thus giving us more time at the breakdown.
Summary
The conditions lend themselves to the London Irish brand of rugby, and we'll be showcasing that today. There aren't likely to be many scrums so we've picked a mobile pack. Use the lineout as a weapon, playing rugby in their half. Big runs off Bowden, including the wingers coming in. Target the breakdown and look to create turnover ball, where we will be decisive and take advantage.
Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors
Weather; Light showers, 13 degrees, 6mph
Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly
16. Tom Youngs 17. Boris Stankovich 18. Julian White 19. Ed Slater 20. Luke Wallace 21. Danny Care 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Christian Wade
In the damp conditions we’ll be looking to play a high tempo game and limit the offloading with the greasy ball. We’ll be looking for big carries from our pack to free up space around the fringes for out talented backline to work in.
We will look to set a tone in the set piece with our big scrummaging front 5 and will look for the squeeze from the off. Deacon will lead the line and we will look to target the opposition's throw with Newby/Kitchener marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Youngs marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes.
Warburton & Newby will target the breakdown with Youngs sniping around and playing flat to the line to allow Barnes & Manu space to run into. JOC will come looking for the ball in midfield and link up with Manu causing problems in the opposition midfield. We'll look to refresh pack around 60mins + and keep up the intensity.
- Look to get JOC onto the ball as much as possible, look to use to loop with Tuilagi
- Flood to kick whats on offer and keep the board ticking over
- Get Care on in second half to give him some gametime
- TARGET Worcester scrum – look to keep ball in on own ball and force pen
WorcesterWarriors
Manager – InTheFastLane
16. Ed Shervington 17. Ceri Jones 18. George Porter 19. Ben Gulliver 20. Jake Abbott 21. Jonny Arr 22. Andy Goode 23. Matt Hopper
Tactics
Saracens v Harlequins
Weather; Overcast, 14 degrees, 4mph
Saracens
Manager – Anon
16. Matt Stevens 17. Jamie George 18. Rys Gill 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Chris Wyles 23. Adam Powell
Tactics
Harlequins
Manager – Driver
16.Joe Grey 17.Chris Budgen 18.Charlie Matthews 19.Will Skinner 20.Ruki Tipuna 21.Danny Cipriani 22.Sam Smith 23.James Johnstone
Tactics
- Play the game at a high tempo with a physical pack and look to win the contact. Marler , Lindsey and Cole will put plenty of pressure on at the scrum.
- Robson to lead the line and put plenty of pressure on the opposition throw.
- Burgess and Evans to dictate the tempo of the game and play whats in front of them.
- Southwell , Williams and Daley to come looking for the ball and create 2 on 1 scenarios in attack.
Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Weather; Showery and sunshine, 15 degrees, 7mph
Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite
16. A.Perenise 17. R.Batty 18. N.Catt 19. S.Hooper 20. B.Skirving 21. C.Cook 22. R.Clegg 23. M. Banahan
TACTICS TBC
General
With a fully rested squad and our new superstar combos at second row and centre fully bedded in, we are full of confidence and look to extend our unbeaten league home run. Muller to run the lineout and look to cause real disruption on opposition throw, forcing slow and scrappy ball. In poor handling conditions, the kicking game will be crucial and with Donald, Steyn and Dagg, we have three of the best. We want to make sure that we play rugby in the opposition half and force handling errors, where we can attack the scrum and use the boot of Steyn to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Donald and Steyn to ensure we play sensible rugby in the right areas, kicking long for touch in our 22, using the up and under in the centre of the pitch and delicate grubbers in behind centres to chase and force kickable penalties. Steyn leads to banana rush defence, cramping Sexton for space and forcing the ball inside
Forwards
* At the lineout, look to challenge for the ball in their half with the number 1 jumper. In our half, look to challenge for the ball at ground level,after the throw, tying in oppositon back row to the ruck/maul
* Louw is a breakdown specialist and will look to stay on his feet at the ruck and slow opposition ball down. Fearns and Lund to guard to the fringes of the ruck
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Attwood, Muller, Lund, Fearns to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Carraro and Laulala to exploit
* With the scrummaging strength in the front row and Catt and Perenise coming on after 60 mins, we have the opportunity to challenge at scrum time and spoil their ball, forcing their back row and scrum half to work with messy ball. Classens experience here is crucial
Backs
* Dagg given free rein in attack, looking to come into the line either side of Laulala, taking advantage of power and offloading. Laulala to look for the half gap and offload, with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
* Donald to take the ball flat on the gainline, drawing defenders and buying time and space for Steyn in the 2nd playmaker role. Donald / Steyn not afraid to bosh it up if nothing on and set up the ruck.
* Vary the point of attack with Donald and Steyn interchanging and using the up and under and grubber in behind the centres. Look to keep it unpredictable on the gainline and difficult to defend against
* In defence, Steyn to lead the rush up on the 12, to prevent the Sexton wrap around and prevent the ball going outside.
* In the second half, bring on Banahan for a huge physical threat. Encourage him to run into the 12 channel early on and test a tired defence. Utilise the crossfield kick from Steyn to test defence outwide with a height mismatch
Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish
16. Alex Waller 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Christian Day 20. Phil Dowson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Jamie Elliot
General Game Plan:
We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Bath line, looking to offload in contact, when it is on, to support runners thus changing the point of attack and keeping our forward momentum going. Sexton will look to play flat and attack from first receiver committing the opposition defence and leaving space in wider channels for our runners to exploit. Ashton & Foden will look to run lines off the midfield looking for the offload to break the Bath line. If running the ball is not on our halfbacks will look to the boot to put us in the right areas.
On defence, we will use a blitz defence coming up at pace looking to isolate the Bath ball carriers before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to hit the breakdown harder. Lee Dickson will act as a sweeper to cover any grubbers or chips behind the line while our back three will sit deep ready to cover any kicks down the touch lines and counter attack at pace.
With the blitz in operation we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it fast and hard. The first two players on the scene will look to ruck past the ball and clear out the Bath players providing quick counter attacking ball to be used against a disorganised defensive line. If the ball does not look available we will not commit to the ruck and look to strengthen the defensive line instead.
Key Points:
•Scrum
We will contest every engagement! On our own feed we will look to get the wheel on and create extra room for our 8-9-10 axis to work in. On Bath ball we will disrupt the put in looking for penalties or to create rushed poor ball for Donald & Co.
Mujati, and PDJ in turn, will look to get some joy from the Flatman, Mears side of the scrum and get on top here.
•Lineout
With 5 quality jumping options we want to really use the lineout as an attacking platform like South Africa in recent years. We will use a full compliment and play the ball off the top allowing our halfbacks to get on the ball at pace with room outside.
•Target Banahan on the turn
We will look to catch Banahan out on the turn today. Dickson and Sexton will look to execute kick and chases and crossfield kicks into his corner when we see Banahan out of position particularly on turnover ball with Banahan likely to be in the midfield
•Beating the Rush
With Steyn rushing from the line at 12 we will look to make full use of the space left in behind. Ashton & Foden will look to run lines between Sexton and the midfield looking for the short pop up to get in behind Steyn and the "banana rush".
With no "sweeper" on the Bath rush, Sexton will also look to put grubbers in behind the Bath midfield catching them on the turn and giving us easy yardage.
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby
Weather; Overcast, 15 degrees, 5mph
London Wasps
Manager – Stnick88
16. Zak Tau'lafo 17. Nicolas Mas 18. Chris Brooker 19. Richard Birkett 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Micky Young 22. Jimmy Gopperth 23. Richard Haughton
Wasps make numerous changes from last weeks cup win at Bath. George Chuter, Matt Garvey, Jonathan Joseph, Jordan Turner-Hall and Mike Brown come in for Chris Brooker, Ross Filipo, Tom Varndell, James Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Gopperth.
Tactics
- Good conditions, play an attacking game.
- Use big ball carriers like Garvey, Wannenburg, Lipman, JTH to make in roads before spreading the ball to Robinson, JJ, Ansbro, Halfpenny etc.
- Target the breakdown and get Salvi in there quick to secure quick ball and legally slow down opposition ball.
- In 2nd half bring on Gopperth for his control and goal kicking.
- Wentzel to target the lineout and try disrupt opposition ball as much as possible.
- JJ to look for the outside break on his man. He has the gas and is incredibly good at the outside break.
- Halfpenny to kick long range pens and take over from Robinson if he is having an off day.
Gloucester
Manager – prop_lyd
16. Scott Lawson 17. Adam Jones 18. Shaun Knight 19. Jim Hamilton 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dave Lewis 22. Freddie Burns 23. Mike Tindall
Tactics
We come into this match with practically a full strength squad an a bench chomping at the bit for gametime to impress. Our squad is full of bedded-in partnerships who are linking well. This match will be played quickly and dominated by the back row and centres this is why we have gone for the physical option of both for this game. We expect nothing less than 5 points from this match to contine our progression up.
Forwards
*Get the inital hit and look for the second shove on the scrums, the front row will look to turn them inside out and their main target will be to clear out the rucks for quick ball
*Dominate the lineouts with 4 jumpers starting and 2 more to come on, the 2nd rows will look to be physical and Whitelock'll look to link with the back row.
*Backrow to carry strong throughout the game and to run off the back line giving them further options.
*Look for turnovers and use Qera's hard hitting and JVN's turnovers to do this and slow their ball.
*Use the bench with impact subs in all positions. Jones will be on a high after the Grand Slam and we will use him for the final 20 minutes to hurt a tired scrum.
Backs
*Quick ball to Lambie who will look to release EFS and Trinder to get us over the gainline if the ball is slow we will pin them back off the park.
*Centres to run straight and hard and to look to offload to back 3 or back row support, Trinder will look to target tired forwards with angles.
*Back 3 to go hunting for the ball and use their angled running to slice through the defence, high balls will be used to get space and give May the opportunity to run.
*Hard blitz banana defence with a backrower on Lambie's shoulder to look to get the first hit and turnover.
*Use the bench wisely with Lewis and Burns adding the injection of pace and Tindall the calm head who will add the heavy hits and running on a tired defence.
Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
Team Sheets and tactics due by Saturday (20:00)
Predictions due till Tuesday (20:00)
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Weather; Showers, 12 degrees, 6mph
Newcastle Falcons
Manager – Fluxy
| 01. Grant Shiells | 09. Paul Hodgson |
| 02. David Paice | 10. Tom Heathcote (K) |
| 03. Euan Murray | |
| 04. Simon Shaw | 11. Alesana Tuilagi |
| 05. James Hudson (C) | 12. Steven Shingler |
| 06. Jerome Kaino | 13. Dominic Waldlouck |
| 07. Hienrich Brussow | 14. Tom May |
| 08. Alex Gray | 15. Nick Abendanon |
16. Tom Mercey 17. Rob Vickers 18. Tim Swinson 19. Jonathon Poff 20. Joel Hodgson 21. Jack Cuthbert 22. Jordi Pasqualin 23. Dave Wilson
Tactics
Any teams coming to Kingston Park, are never given an easy game. with the run in, until the end of the season. Our players will be fully committed to the cause and will give everything in the game. Our game plan will based upon a high intensity attacking game, and a solid defence with competition at the breakdown against the opposition, to look for turnovers. Heathcote will dictate the tempo and the direction of the game, trying to get us playing in the right areas of the pitch and make it difficult for the opposition to get out of their half. In early phases we will try and get big ball carriers in like Kaino and Tuilagi off the wing, on the inside and outside Shingler or Heathcote to punch holes, and get over the game line. Once over the game line and giving our backs go forward ball, to allow our strong runners like; Waldlouck, May and Tuilagi cutting lines off Shingler and Heathcote. Shingler will alternate with Heathcote at first reciever to keep the defence guessing. Early penalties will be kicked at goal to gain a strangle hold on the game. Once a strong lead has been established, and there is an advanatage at any setpiece will look to opt to our strength.
- Lineout - We have a large number of quality lineout jumpers and a very cleverly run lineout with Hudson at the helm. This should be a main focus of possession either from the disruption of opposition ball or just claiming our own.
- Scrums - With our powerful front five, we will get the drive on, on our ball to create space and time for our 8-9-10. Against their ball we will get the shove and wheel the scrum so that their 8 and 9 become isolated from their backline, here Brussow and Kaino can wreak havoc and create turnover ball.
- Breakdown - We have selected a very physical and committed team, and will always work for each other and put their bodies online for one another. Brussow and Kaino will be first to all breakdowns and slow the opposition ball down legally, or turn it over.
- Defensive line - We won't commit more than two players to any of the rucks on their ball, unless the turnover is on. If they have won the ball we look to get into line and then press at the same speed. The scrum-half will sweep behind, with the fullback also further back - creating three lines of defence.
Backs; - Game plan - We will look to play some simple rugby at this stage against a good team at home. Backs to be clever look for mismatches and numbers advantages to work opportunities to put our wingers or whoever is spare over the try line.
- Back three - Tuilagi and May will come of the wings to come in the line and then cross the gainline on a crash ball. Any kicked ball will be ran back, to get us back in their half. Unless under pressure look to find touch. Tuilagi and Bendy to target Cueto, either to go through him or on the outside.
- Penalties - Heathcote will look to take all penalties within his range, unless Hudson dictates we have a serious advantage at the lineout where we will kick for touch.
Key Points; - Falcons rarely lose at home, and this won't be any different
- We have a fresh team as barely any of players played in the Six Nations or a full game in it last weekend
- With the weather being in our favour, just to keep the phases and play simple, and cut down any risky offloading
Forwards;
Sale Sharks
Manager – LondonIrishOllie
| 01.Alasdair Dickinson | 09.Dwayne Peel |
| 02.Gary Botha | 10.Jonny Wilkinson |
| 03.Davit Kubriashvili | |
| 04.James Gaskell | 11.Mark Cueto |
| 05.Dean Schofield | 12.Sam Tuitupou |
| 06.Richie Vernon | 13.Jaque Fourie |
| 07.Dave Seymour | 14.Tom Brady |
| 08.Andy Powell | 15.Rob Miller |
Subs – 16.Marc Jones 17.Andrew Sheridan 18.Henry Thomas 19.Kearnan Myall 20.Onosai Auva’a 21.Scott Mathie 22.Nick McLeod 23.Charlie Amesbury
Tactics
Exeter Chiefs v London Irish
Weather; Dry sunny periods, 12 degrees, 9mph
Exeter Chiefs
Head Coach – Ozzy3213
| 01. Perry Freshwater | 09. Haydn Thomas |
| 02. Bismarck du Plessis | 10. Aaron Cruden |
| 03. Craig Mitchell | |
| 04. Tommy Hayes | 11. Josh Tatupu |
| 05. James Horwill (c) | 12. Sireli Naqalevuki |
| 06. Tom Johnson | 13. Richard Kahui |
| 07. Steffon Armitage | 14. Gonzalo Camacho |
| 08. Ofisa Treviranus | 15. Isa Nacewa |
16. Neil Clark 17. Brett Sturgess 18. Hoani Tui 19. James Hanks 20. Richard Baxter 21. Kevin Barrett 22. Ignacio Mieres 23. Luke Arscott
Tactics
Our gameplan involves doing everything with a high intensity and asserting ourselves on our opponents, both in attack and defence. We will work as units and play a structured game (as the Chiefs and Saracens do in real life). We will put a lot of emphasis on the set piece, and look to use both as a real platform to play from, whilst not allowing our opponents to do the same. We will also look to use our big ball carriers to attack the gainline whilst having support runners on their shoulders to either take the offload or hit the ruck quickly as appropriate.
We will look to turn this game into a real slugfest, keeping the ball generally close to the ruck when carrying and looking to drag opposition forwards in and tying them up in rucks and mauls. Only when it is completely on will we look to go wide.
Specifics
- Attacking
- Target the scrum – Look to get the squeeze on the Irish tighthead and if we get on top really hammer it home.
- Carry close to the ruck – Get big carriers carrying close to the rucks forcing Irish to make lots of tackles which will tire them quickly.
- Defensive
- Blitz Defence - We will look to blitz and stop the Irish carriers before they hit the gainline. Thomas will sweep in behind the line.
- Breakdown - We will look to get our back row there quickly and contest for the ball if it's on to be won, but we will not overcommit, instead maintaining a solid defensive line to repel the Irish ball carriers.
- Key Points
- Form/Momentum/Confidence - We are off the back of a great result last week and come in full of confidence.
- Gameplan – Simple gameplan with the right players to be able to effect it perfectly.
London Irish
Manager – Pullthestrings
| 01. Max Lahiff | 09. Joe Simpson |
| 02. William Servat | 10. Daniel Bowden |
| 03. Paulica Ion | |
| 04. Tom Palmer | 11. Sailosi Tagicakibau |
| 05. Nick Kennedy (c) | 12. Shontayne Hape |
| 06. Jamie Gibson | 13. Regan King |
| 07. David Pocock | 14. Tom Homer (k) |
| 08. Imonal Harinordoquy | 15. Delon Armitage |
Tactics
- Servat comes in to sure up the scrum. Big efforts from the engine room to hold the scrum steady. In the conditions, there aren't likely to be too many errors on our part so we're hoping to negate any advantage the Chiefs may have.
- In the lineout, we'll dominate. Opt for full lineouts in their half to tie in their pack and try to initiate a rolling maul to give the backs more time.
- Target the breakdown for possible turnovers, with Pocock and Gibson staying strong on his feet. When they arise, lets use them to our advantage. If the back three are sparse, look to kick for territory. If there are mis-matches, lets have a go.
- Be disciplined at the breakdown, with a guard and bodyguard at every breakdown to stop those easy yards around the fringes. No excuses here.
- Use the piston system Irish have developed so well. Big runners off Bowden to give us real go forward, inside and outside runs. We've opted for a more mobile pack with players like Lahiff, Gibson, Harinordoquy.
- For slow ball, look to get outside their guards and bodyguards to suck in more and more forwards at each breakdown. This will give more time to the backs.
- Simpson to prawl behind the defense line and mop up any breaks or half breaks. Patrol the breakdown area and keep an eye up for numbers.
- Play rugby in their half. Bowden to put us in the right places and alow us to use our lineout weapon.
- Tagi to get involved as much as possible, coming in off his wing and cutting angles of Bowden.
- Homer to go for points at every opportunity.We can have a pop from anywhere in their half. Make them scared to give away penalties in their half, thus giving us more time at the breakdown.
Summary
The conditions lend themselves to the London Irish brand of rugby, and we'll be showcasing that today. There aren't likely to be many scrums so we've picked a mobile pack. Use the lineout as a weapon, playing rugby in their half. Big runs off Bowden, including the wingers coming in. Target the breakdown and look to create turnover ball, where we will be decisive and take advantage.
Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors
Weather; Light showers, 13 degrees, 6mph
Leicester Tigers
Manager – Sgt_Pooly
| 01. Marco Ayerza | 09. Ben Youngs |
| 02. Rob Webber | 10. Toby Flood |
| 03. Martin Castrogiovani | |
| 04. Lewis Deacon | 11. Miles Benjamin |
| 05. Graham Kitchener | 12. Berrick Barnes |
| 06. Craig Newby | 13. Manu Tuilagi |
| 07. Sam Warburton© | 14. James O’Connor |
| 08. Thomas Waldroum | 15. Geordan Murphy |
16. Tom Youngs 17. Boris Stankovich 18. Julian White 19. Ed Slater 20. Luke Wallace 21. Danny Care 22. Billy Twelvetrees 23. Christian Wade
In the damp conditions we’ll be looking to play a high tempo game and limit the offloading with the greasy ball. We’ll be looking for big carries from our pack to free up space around the fringes for out talented backline to work in.
We will look to set a tone in the set piece with our big scrummaging front 5 and will look for the squeeze from the off. Deacon will lead the line and we will look to target the opposition's throw with Newby/Kitchener marshalling the front/middle of the line. We'll use big carries from our pack to draw in the opposition defence with Youngs marshalling and looking for gaps to exploit around the fringes.
Warburton & Newby will target the breakdown with Youngs sniping around and playing flat to the line to allow Barnes & Manu space to run into. JOC will come looking for the ball in midfield and link up with Manu causing problems in the opposition midfield. We'll look to refresh pack around 60mins + and keep up the intensity.
- Look to get JOC onto the ball as much as possible, look to use to loop with Tuilagi
- Flood to kick whats on offer and keep the board ticking over
- Get Care on in second half to give him some gametime
- TARGET Worcester scrum – look to keep ball in on own ball and force pen
WorcesterWarriors
Manager – InTheFastLane
| 01. Matt Mullan | 09. Will Genia |
| 02. Stephen Moore | 10. Dan Carter |
| 03. Tevita Taumoepeau | |
| 04. James Percival | 11. Ugo Monye |
| 05. Gerhard Mostert | 12. Ma’a Nonu |
| 06. James Haskell | 13Anthony Allen |
| 07. Maurie Fa'asavalu | 14. Marcel Garvey |
| 08. Ben Morgan | 15. Luke Rooney |
Tactics
- We have a strong 8-9-10-12 axis and will look to control the game using these positions.
- This is a key game and all the players know it and will really rise to the occasion.
- Will Genia will be looking to snipe around the fringes and will use his running game to pressure Newcastle
- Dan Carter is the best Fly Half in the world and will look to control our game making changes as he sees fit
- We will look to getting Nonu into the game and creating mismatches so he can run at Tigers defenders
- Look to get our dangerous back three involved and into open space so they can cause trouble.
- Our backrow will look to provide some big carries as well .
- We will look to get quite a few bodies down in the breakdown to secure own ball
- Nonu to be focus of Attack then use him as dummy with Carter pulling the strings.
- Stephen Moore put pressure on Rob Webber in the scrum
- We feel our team is much better rested which will have a big effect
Saracens v Harlequins
Weather; Overcast, 14 degrees, 4mph
Saracens
Manager – Anon
| 01. John Smit (C) | 09. Morgan Parra (K) |
| 02. Schalk Brits | 10. Charlie Hodgson |
| 03. Carlos Nieto | |
| 04. Hugh Vyvan | 11. James Short |
| 05. Steve Borthwick | 12. Brad Barritt |
| 06. Kelly Brown | 13. Owen Farrell |
| 07. Jacques Burger | 14. David Strettle |
| 08. Ernst Joubert | 15. Alex Goode |
16. Matt Stevens 17. Jamie George 18. Rys Gill 19. Mouritz Botha 20. Sean O'Brien 21. Richard Wigglesworth 22. Chris Wyles 23. Adam Powell
Tactics
- Front up in pack and put squeeze on in set piece
- base game on high intensity & strong defence
- play the kick chase on put pressure on opposition
- Target corners and put pressure on opp throw
Harlequins
Manager – Driver
| 01.Joe Marler | 09.Luke Burgess |
| 02.Tom Lindsey | 10.Nick Evans(k) |
| 03.Dan Cole | |
| 04.Ollie Kohn | 11.Tom Williams |
| 05.George Robson | 12.Tom Casson |
| 06.Chris Robshaw (c) | 13.Adam Ashley - Cooper |
| 07.Matt Kvesic | 14.Elliot Daley (k) |
| 08.Nick Easter | 15.Hugo Southwell |
16.Joe Grey 17.Chris Budgen 18.Charlie Matthews 19.Will Skinner 20.Ruki Tipuna 21.Danny Cipriani 22.Sam Smith 23.James Johnstone
Tactics
- Play the game at a high tempo with a physical pack and look to win the contact. Marler , Lindsey and Cole will put plenty of pressure on at the scrum.
- Robson to lead the line and put plenty of pressure on the opposition throw.
- Burgess and Evans to dictate the tempo of the game and play whats in front of them.
- Southwell , Williams and Daley to come looking for the ball and create 2 on 1 scenarios in attack.
Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints
Weather; Showery and sunshine, 15 degrees, 7mph
Bath Rugby
Manager – Bathite
| 01. D.Flatman | 09. M.Classens |
| 02. L.Mears | 10. S.Donald |
| 03. O.Franks | |
| 04. D.Attwood | 11. O. Woodburn |
| 05. J.Muller (vc) | 12. F.Steyn (k) |
| 06. M.Lund | 13. C.Laulala |
| 07. F.Louw (c) | 14. T.Biggs |
| 08. C.Fearns | 15. I.Dagg |
16. A.Perenise 17. R.Batty 18. N.Catt 19. S.Hooper 20. B.Skirving 21. C.Cook 22. R.Clegg 23. M. Banahan
TACTICS TBC
General
With a fully rested squad and our new superstar combos at second row and centre fully bedded in, we are full of confidence and look to extend our unbeaten league home run. Muller to run the lineout and look to cause real disruption on opposition throw, forcing slow and scrappy ball. In poor handling conditions, the kicking game will be crucial and with Donald, Steyn and Dagg, we have three of the best. We want to make sure that we play rugby in the opposition half and force handling errors, where we can attack the scrum and use the boot of Steyn to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Donald and Steyn to ensure we play sensible rugby in the right areas, kicking long for touch in our 22, using the up and under in the centre of the pitch and delicate grubbers in behind centres to chase and force kickable penalties. Steyn leads to banana rush defence, cramping Sexton for space and forcing the ball inside
Forwards
* At the lineout, look to challenge for the ball in their half with the number 1 jumper. In our half, look to challenge for the ball at ground level,after the throw, tying in oppositon back row to the ruck/maul
* Louw is a breakdown specialist and will look to stay on his feet at the ruck and slow opposition ball down. Fearns and Lund to guard to the fringes of the ruck
* Use ball carriers of Franks, Louw, Attwood, Muller, Lund, Fearns to make hard yards up the pitch and draw defenders into the ruck area, looking to create space around the fringes for Carraro and Laulala to exploit
* With the scrummaging strength in the front row and Catt and Perenise coming on after 60 mins, we have the opportunity to challenge at scrum time and spoil their ball, forcing their back row and scrum half to work with messy ball. Classens experience here is crucial
Backs
* Dagg given free rein in attack, looking to come into the line either side of Laulala, taking advantage of power and offloading. Laulala to look for the half gap and offload, with the pace of Biggs and Woodburn on their shoulder to make the break
* Donald to take the ball flat on the gainline, drawing defenders and buying time and space for Steyn in the 2nd playmaker role. Donald / Steyn not afraid to bosh it up if nothing on and set up the ruck.
* Vary the point of attack with Donald and Steyn interchanging and using the up and under and grubber in behind the centres. Look to keep it unpredictable on the gainline and difficult to defend against
* In defence, Steyn to lead the rush up on the 12, to prevent the Sexton wrap around and prevent the ball going outside.
* In the second half, bring on Banahan for a huge physical threat. Encourage him to run into the 12 channel early on and test a tired defence. Utilise the crossfield kick from Steyn to test defence outwide with a height mismatch
Northampton Saints
Manager – SirJohnnyEnglish
| 01. Soane Tonga'uiha | 09. Lee Dickson |
| 02. Richardt Strauss | 10. Johnny Sexton |
| 03. Brian Mujati | |
| 04. Courtney Lawes | 11. Chris Ashton |
| 05. Samu Manoa | 12. James Downey |
| 06. Calum Clark | 13. George Pisi |
| 07. Tom Wood | 14. Vasily Artemiev |
| 08. Kieran Read | 15. Ben Foden |
16. Alex Waller 17. Mikey Haywood 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Christian Day 20. Phil Dowson 21. Martin Roberts 22. Ryan Lamb 23. Jamie Elliot
General Game Plan:
We will use our strong carriers to attack gaps and half gaps in the Bath line, looking to offload in contact, when it is on, to support runners thus changing the point of attack and keeping our forward momentum going. Sexton will look to play flat and attack from first receiver committing the opposition defence and leaving space in wider channels for our runners to exploit. Ashton & Foden will look to run lines off the midfield looking for the offload to break the Bath line. If running the ball is not on our halfbacks will look to the boot to put us in the right areas.
On defence, we will use a blitz defence coming up at pace looking to isolate the Bath ball carriers before they can get to the gain line stopping any momentum and allowing us to hit the breakdown harder. Lee Dickson will act as a sweeper to cover any grubbers or chips behind the line while our back three will sit deep ready to cover any kicks down the touch lines and counter attack at pace.
With the blitz in operation we will look to be at the breakdown first hitting it fast and hard. The first two players on the scene will look to ruck past the ball and clear out the Bath players providing quick counter attacking ball to be used against a disorganised defensive line. If the ball does not look available we will not commit to the ruck and look to strengthen the defensive line instead.
Key Points:
•Scrum
We will contest every engagement! On our own feed we will look to get the wheel on and create extra room for our 8-9-10 axis to work in. On Bath ball we will disrupt the put in looking for penalties or to create rushed poor ball for Donald & Co.
Mujati, and PDJ in turn, will look to get some joy from the Flatman, Mears side of the scrum and get on top here.
•Lineout
With 5 quality jumping options we want to really use the lineout as an attacking platform like South Africa in recent years. We will use a full compliment and play the ball off the top allowing our halfbacks to get on the ball at pace with room outside.
•Target Banahan on the turn
We will look to catch Banahan out on the turn today. Dickson and Sexton will look to execute kick and chases and crossfield kicks into his corner when we see Banahan out of position particularly on turnover ball with Banahan likely to be in the midfield
•Beating the Rush
With Steyn rushing from the line at 12 we will look to make full use of the space left in behind. Ashton & Foden will look to run lines between Sexton and the midfield looking for the short pop up to get in behind Steyn and the "banana rush".
With no "sweeper" on the Bath rush, Sexton will also look to put grubbers in behind the Bath midfield catching them on the turn and giving us easy yardage.
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby
Weather; Overcast, 15 degrees, 5mph
London Wasps
Manager – Stnick88
| 01. Tim Payne | 09. Karl Dickson |
| 02. George Chuter | 10. Nicky Robinson |
| 03. Ben Broster | |
| 04. Matt Garvey | 11. Jonathan Joseph |
| 05. Marco Wenztel | 12. Jordan Turner-Hall |
| 06. Michael Lipman | 13. Joe Ansbro |
| 07. Julien Salvi | 14. Leigh Halfpenny |
| 08. Pedrie Wannenburg | 15. Mike Brown |
16. Zak Tau'lafo 17. Nicolas Mas 18. Chris Brooker 19. Richard Birkett 20. Sergio Parisse 21. Micky Young 22. Jimmy Gopperth 23. Richard Haughton
Wasps make numerous changes from last weeks cup win at Bath. George Chuter, Matt Garvey, Jonathan Joseph, Jordan Turner-Hall and Mike Brown come in for Chris Brooker, Ross Filipo, Tom Varndell, James Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Gopperth.
Tactics
- Good conditions, play an attacking game.
- Use big ball carriers like Garvey, Wannenburg, Lipman, JTH to make in roads before spreading the ball to Robinson, JJ, Ansbro, Halfpenny etc.
- Target the breakdown and get Salvi in there quick to secure quick ball and legally slow down opposition ball.
- In 2nd half bring on Gopperth for his control and goal kicking.
- Wentzel to target the lineout and try disrupt opposition ball as much as possible.
- JJ to look for the outside break on his man. He has the gas and is incredibly good at the outside break.
- Halfpenny to kick long range pens and take over from Robinson if he is having an off day.
Gloucester
Manager – prop_lyd
| 01. Nick Wood | 09. Rory Lawson |
| 02. Darren Dawiduk | 10. Pat Lambie (k) |
| 03. Rupert Harden | |
| 04. Sam Whitelock | 11. JSD |
| 05. Alex Brown | 12. EFS |
| 06. Alisdair Strokosch | 13. Henry Trinder |
| 07. Akapusi Qera | 14. Charlie Sharples |
| 08. JVN (c) | 15. Johnny May |
16. Scott Lawson 17. Adam Jones 18. Shaun Knight 19. Jim Hamilton 20. Luke Narraway 21. Dave Lewis 22. Freddie Burns 23. Mike Tindall
Tactics
We come into this match with practically a full strength squad an a bench chomping at the bit for gametime to impress. Our squad is full of bedded-in partnerships who are linking well. This match will be played quickly and dominated by the back row and centres this is why we have gone for the physical option of both for this game. We expect nothing less than 5 points from this match to contine our progression up.
Forwards
*Get the inital hit and look for the second shove on the scrums, the front row will look to turn them inside out and their main target will be to clear out the rucks for quick ball
*Dominate the lineouts with 4 jumpers starting and 2 more to come on, the 2nd rows will look to be physical and Whitelock'll look to link with the back row.
*Backrow to carry strong throughout the game and to run off the back line giving them further options.
*Look for turnovers and use Qera's hard hitting and JVN's turnovers to do this and slow their ball.
*Use the bench with impact subs in all positions. Jones will be on a high after the Grand Slam and we will use him for the final 20 minutes to hurt a tired scrum.
Backs
*Quick ball to Lambie who will look to release EFS and Trinder to get us over the gainline if the ball is slow we will pin them back off the park.
*Centres to run straight and hard and to look to offload to back 3 or back row support, Trinder will look to target tired forwards with angles.
*Back 3 to go hunting for the ball and use their angled running to slice through the defence, high balls will be used to get space and give May the opportunity to run.
*Hard blitz banana defence with a backrower on Lambie's shoulder to look to get the first hit and turnover.
*Use the bench wisely with Lewis and Burns adding the injection of pace and Tindall the calm head who will add the heavy hits and running on a tired defence.
Last edited by Fluxy on Mon 26 Mar 2012, 10:47 am; edited 9 times in total
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by prop_lyd Mon 26 Mar 2012, 7:26 am
I'll charge for it!!!! May be onto a new craze now then with this format 
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by SirJohnnyEnglish Mon 26 Mar 2012, 7:36 am
Surely Clark's behaviour last week has no bearing on how you rate him as a player. Rating him as a person maybe but not as a player?
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by prop_lyd Mon 26 Mar 2012, 8:03 am
To be honest it won't change the score but I will remove the Clark commet from my feedback
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Mon 26 Mar 2012, 8:56 am
Exeter Chiefs 19 - 17 London Irish
A very close battle at Sandy Park, and a tough place for Irish to come and get a result. The game starts well with a very open and flowing game from both sides. A brilliant battle in the back fives of each pack, but as the game wears on the Chiefs get a upper hand in the scrum as Freshwater gets the better of Ion. The Irish pack start going backwards which creates problems for them and leads to silly penalties. Again it's an exciting set of backs for each team. Irish getting two early scores, however as the forward battle dictates the game late on Meires manages to add to a Nacewa score to snatch a victory for the Devon side.
Leicester Tigers 24 - 20 Worcester Warriors
A good even battle up front, as both front five's have a good well rounded balance. Similar to Leicester's backrow as they have a strong loose trio which in the end dominate the Worcester backrow, as in my mind they are all a bit too similar. Two very good half back combinations on show, Although I'd just by a minimal amount give it to the Tigers pair. The solid back three will thrive on the ball provided by the backs. Warriors will make some good go forward with their centres but they don't quite have the quality of the Tigers back three.
Saracens 13 - 17 Harlequins
Two very even teams in some not so favourable conditions. Up front it is a very even battle; I think however Quins get a slight advantage in the virtue of their well rounded backrow. Into the backs and it is a very even battle between the halfbacks. Then there are two qualms about the line ups. For Sarries, I know that Farrell can play in the centres, but after his appearances for England at FH it would be a time of the next Saracens manager to make the decision between starting Farrell or Hodgson at FH, as this is where he is best. Then for Quins I believe that they could get the best out of Daly, at OC and AAC at FB, and pushing Southwell to the wing or AAC to the wing. This is my own opinion but I think Daly would set the backline alight as IRL. But the battle up front edges towards Quins in the end and a few penalties from Evans to seal the result.
Bath Rugby 19 - 18 Northampton Saints
A good battle up front here, with two very powerful front rows, but I can see Franks getting the better off Tonga'uhia at the scrums. Both sets of locks are both very powerful and apt at the lineout. There is a difference of styles in the backrows, Saints picking a trio of players that can do all the stuff required as a backrow. Then the Bath loose trio are good are combating at the rucks and fringes, but lack the ball carrying ability in comparison of the Saints trio. This creates a too and fro battle throughout the game. With Saints getting some good go forward ball, but Bath dangerous on the attack with numerous turnovers. The saints have a more adept halfback pairing, but the Bath centres steal the show with a very clever and strong partnership. Bath have a good back three with Dagg who grabs a great solo try, but the unit from Northampton is better as a package. The game is won at the death with a booming long distance penalty from Steyn.
London Wasps 24 - 27 Gloucester Rugby
Two differing styles of play in this match up. The Wasps side dominates the physical side of things and gets some good nudges at the scrum. The Glous pack is a very good mobile outfit now and with the timely addition of Whitelock are very adept coming into the lineout. Jones comes on to sure up the scrum in the game. They also have some good ball runners like Wasps, giving the halfbacks time on the ball to set some very good sets of backs going. Can't quite see Joseph getting on the outside of JSD or Sharples that easily which nullifies a threat out wide and makes it even. Both back three's are in some brilliant form and you can't keep them off the scoreboard. However this is one of those days for Robinson's kicking and by time Wasps swap to Halfpenny, Lambie has accumuated enough of a gap for the Cherry and Whites.
A very close battle at Sandy Park, and a tough place for Irish to come and get a result. The game starts well with a very open and flowing game from both sides. A brilliant battle in the back fives of each pack, but as the game wears on the Chiefs get a upper hand in the scrum as Freshwater gets the better of Ion. The Irish pack start going backwards which creates problems for them and leads to silly penalties. Again it's an exciting set of backs for each team. Irish getting two early scores, however as the forward battle dictates the game late on Meires manages to add to a Nacewa score to snatch a victory for the Devon side.
Leicester Tigers 24 - 20 Worcester Warriors
A good even battle up front, as both front five's have a good well rounded balance. Similar to Leicester's backrow as they have a strong loose trio which in the end dominate the Worcester backrow, as in my mind they are all a bit too similar. Two very good half back combinations on show, Although I'd just by a minimal amount give it to the Tigers pair. The solid back three will thrive on the ball provided by the backs. Warriors will make some good go forward with their centres but they don't quite have the quality of the Tigers back three.
Saracens 13 - 17 Harlequins
Two very even teams in some not so favourable conditions. Up front it is a very even battle; I think however Quins get a slight advantage in the virtue of their well rounded backrow. Into the backs and it is a very even battle between the halfbacks. Then there are two qualms about the line ups. For Sarries, I know that Farrell can play in the centres, but after his appearances for England at FH it would be a time of the next Saracens manager to make the decision between starting Farrell or Hodgson at FH, as this is where he is best. Then for Quins I believe that they could get the best out of Daly, at OC and AAC at FB, and pushing Southwell to the wing or AAC to the wing. This is my own opinion but I think Daly would set the backline alight as IRL. But the battle up front edges towards Quins in the end and a few penalties from Evans to seal the result.
Bath Rugby 19 - 18 Northampton Saints
A good battle up front here, with two very powerful front rows, but I can see Franks getting the better off Tonga'uhia at the scrums. Both sets of locks are both very powerful and apt at the lineout. There is a difference of styles in the backrows, Saints picking a trio of players that can do all the stuff required as a backrow. Then the Bath loose trio are good are combating at the rucks and fringes, but lack the ball carrying ability in comparison of the Saints trio. This creates a too and fro battle throughout the game. With Saints getting some good go forward ball, but Bath dangerous on the attack with numerous turnovers. The saints have a more adept halfback pairing, but the Bath centres steal the show with a very clever and strong partnership. Bath have a good back three with Dagg who grabs a great solo try, but the unit from Northampton is better as a package. The game is won at the death with a booming long distance penalty from Steyn.
London Wasps 24 - 27 Gloucester Rugby
Two differing styles of play in this match up. The Wasps side dominates the physical side of things and gets some good nudges at the scrum. The Glous pack is a very good mobile outfit now and with the timely addition of Whitelock are very adept coming into the lineout. Jones comes on to sure up the scrum in the game. They also have some good ball runners like Wasps, giving the halfbacks time on the ball to set some very good sets of backs going. Can't quite see Joseph getting on the outside of JSD or Sharples that easily which nullifies a threat out wide and makes it even. Both back three's are in some brilliant form and you can't keep them off the scoreboard. However this is one of those days for Robinson's kicking and by time Wasps swap to Halfpenny, Lambie has accumuated enough of a gap for the Cherry and Whites.
Last edited by Fluxy on Mon 26 Mar 2012, 11:15 am; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by CJB Mon 26 Mar 2012, 10:36 am
Why arent my tactics up Flux?
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Mon 26 Mar 2012, 10:46 am
You didn't have any when I edited the page?
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Mon 26 Mar 2012, 10:51 am
Last edited by InTheFastLane on Sat Mar 24, 2012 7:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
He did mate, esily missed when thay come in near deadline. Can you quickly update if poss???
PROP & FLUX CAN YOU REDO TIGERS v WORCESTER WITH WORCESTER TACTICS PLS
He did mate, esily missed when thay come in near deadline. Can you quickly update if poss???
PROP & FLUX CAN YOU REDO TIGERS v WORCESTER WITH WORCESTER TACTICS PLS
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Mon 26 Mar 2012, 11:07 am
I'll redo my score in a minute.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 1:19 am
Newcastle 19 - 14 Sale
Forwards: Have the front rows down as a draw here, so no team struggles in the scrum. Prefer Newcastle in the lineout and have a nice 4/5 combo of Shaw's grunt and Hudson's lineout skill. Back row goes massively to the home team, despite Kaino's injury, he is still immense and Broussow is in great form, loved watching him on Saturday morning, he was everywhere.
Backs: Think that the Falcons have the tactics right and with a good platform and a secure breakdown, Heathcote has an armchair ride. His good form and a lack of Sale tactics are the deciding factors for me here. Couldn't see enough match winners in the Sale side to get an away win here.
Forwards: Have the front rows down as a draw here, so no team struggles in the scrum. Prefer Newcastle in the lineout and have a nice 4/5 combo of Shaw's grunt and Hudson's lineout skill. Back row goes massively to the home team, despite Kaino's injury, he is still immense and Broussow is in great form, loved watching him on Saturday morning, he was everywhere.
Backs: Think that the Falcons have the tactics right and with a good platform and a secure breakdown, Heathcote has an armchair ride. His good form and a lack of Sale tactics are the deciding factors for me here. Couldn't see enough match winners in the Sale side to get an away win here.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 1:58 am
Exeter 13 - 11 Irish
Forwards A difficult one to judge, as both have obvious strengths and weaknesses. I'd have concerns about Freshwater and Servat lasting a whole game, so although they beat their opposite numbers in the first half, that would change with fatigue, especially as BDP is fit and mobile like a flanker. Prefer Irish's locks, Kennedy runs the line out well, as does Horwill, but I'd have Palmer way ahead of Hayes. I also prefer Irish's back row, Hari in the loose and lineout is a weapon and great control and discipline at the base, whilst Pocock will be rampant at the break down and cancel out an in form Steffon.
Backs Wasn't sure which way this would go, but think the centre pairing swings it for the home team here. I'm not convinced by Simpson and Thomas' form helps out hugely here. Think Nacewa could make Homer look silly in defence with his power and pace and i struggle to rate Delon at FB at the moment.
Overall, a close game and I think either team could sneak it, in fact I've changed my mind twice now. So when i'm unsure, I plump for the home team and don't want to cop out with a draw
Forwards A difficult one to judge, as both have obvious strengths and weaknesses. I'd have concerns about Freshwater and Servat lasting a whole game, so although they beat their opposite numbers in the first half, that would change with fatigue, especially as BDP is fit and mobile like a flanker. Prefer Irish's locks, Kennedy runs the line out well, as does Horwill, but I'd have Palmer way ahead of Hayes. I also prefer Irish's back row, Hari in the loose and lineout is a weapon and great control and discipline at the base, whilst Pocock will be rampant at the break down and cancel out an in form Steffon.
Backs Wasn't sure which way this would go, but think the centre pairing swings it for the home team here. I'm not convinced by Simpson and Thomas' form helps out hugely here. Think Nacewa could make Homer look silly in defence with his power and pace and i struggle to rate Delon at FB at the moment.
Overall, a close game and I think either team could sneak it, in fact I've changed my mind twice now. So when i'm unsure, I plump for the home team and don't want to cop out with a draw
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 2:19 am
Tigers 19 - 10 Worcestor
Forwards Hard to see an area of dominance for the away side here, potentially the back row, based on form and ball carrying, but I think they lack a bit of balance and a fetcher, which Warburton provides. Kitchener's recent LV games help boost his rating nicely. In the front row, the Leicester three are proven quality and great scrummaging props.
Backs In the halfbacks, despite their injuries, Worcs win this by quite a way, with the Leicester pair looking a long way off their best. I think that there might well be some injuries in the centre, with Nonu smashing Barnes and Tuilagi smashing Allen, some serious mismatches there! Tigers have that extra class in the back three, you know JOC will come up with something, Murphy is so dependable and Benjamin has oodles of pace.
Forwards Hard to see an area of dominance for the away side here, potentially the back row, based on form and ball carrying, but I think they lack a bit of balance and a fetcher, which Warburton provides. Kitchener's recent LV games help boost his rating nicely. In the front row, the Leicester three are proven quality and great scrummaging props.
Backs In the halfbacks, despite their injuries, Worcs win this by quite a way, with the Leicester pair looking a long way off their best. I think that there might well be some injuries in the centre, with Nonu smashing Barnes and Tuilagi smashing Allen, some serious mismatches there! Tigers have that extra class in the back three, you know JOC will come up with something, Murphy is so dependable and Benjamin has oodles of pace.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 2:26 am
Newcastle 19-14 Sale Sharks
It'll be tight in the scrum battle with both units pretty solid, see both TH's getting a little joy though. Good engine rooms on show and not much in the lineout. Fantastic flank combo from Falcons that will cause serious damage around the park. Bit more of a settled unit from Sale backs but Falcons look tidy here and with strong game plan and home advantage see this one home.
It'll be tight in the scrum battle with both units pretty solid, see both TH's getting a little joy though. Good engine rooms on show and not much in the lineout. Fantastic flank combo from Falcons that will cause serious damage around the park. Bit more of a settled unit from Sale backs but Falcons look tidy here and with strong game plan and home advantage see this one home.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 2:32 am
Exeter 21-22 Irish
Tiny scrum advantage for Exeter with a monster hook battle. See Irish getting on top in lineout with Kennedy, Hari & Palmer very strong options. Little more around the park for the Exeter pair though. Very strong backrow for Irish though and they'll thrive here. Two good sets of backs with good balance, loads of power for Exeter. Think Simpson/Bowden will live off stronger ball and with Irish edging pack sneak a smash and grab win.
Tiny scrum advantage for Exeter with a monster hook battle. See Irish getting on top in lineout with Kennedy, Hari & Palmer very strong options. Little more around the park for the Exeter pair though. Very strong backrow for Irish though and they'll thrive here. Two good sets of backs with good balance, loads of power for Exeter. Think Simpson/Bowden will live off stronger ball and with Irish edging pack sneak a smash and grab win.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 3:48 am
Sarries 15 - 17 Quins
Forwards What a loan signing Dan Cole is, top work driver, really sorts out your front row and gives you some impetus going forward. In fact, up against Smit in his unfavoured position, he might well have some joy, certainly in the second half. Again, an ageing second row for Sarries will struggle for dynamism and endurance, with the impressive Kohn doing well and continueing his early season form. In terms of the back row, Sarries look good on paper, but don't have any form due to injury and Joubert's long season. Quins have rotated well and their back row wins out here.
Backs A titanic battle of the half backs here, but I'll go with the Quins pair again, as i'm not convinced by Farrell at 13 and think he chokes the outside backs, which are an area of advantage for Sarries, but don't get used.
Possibly a bit contraversial, but without a Sarries manager and using form as an indicator, i'm going for a narrow Quins win.
Forwards What a loan signing Dan Cole is, top work driver, really sorts out your front row and gives you some impetus going forward. In fact, up against Smit in his unfavoured position, he might well have some joy, certainly in the second half. Again, an ageing second row for Sarries will struggle for dynamism and endurance, with the impressive Kohn doing well and continueing his early season form. In terms of the back row, Sarries look good on paper, but don't have any form due to injury and Joubert's long season. Quins have rotated well and their back row wins out here.
Backs A titanic battle of the half backs here, but I'll go with the Quins pair again, as i'm not convinced by Farrell at 13 and think he chokes the outside backs, which are an area of advantage for Sarries, but don't get used.
Possibly a bit contraversial, but without a Sarries manager and using form as an indicator, i'm going for a narrow Quins win.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 3:58 am
Wasps 20 - 16 Glos
Forwards Two of the weaker front rows in the league I'd say, but no real standouts. Think Wood would do a job on Payne and Chuter's experience is a useful asset and is a solid thrower. Second rows and back rows are very hard to call. Whitelock a huge addition, but don't think he has played enough yet to disrupt the proven combo of Garvey and Wentzel. Not sure about Lipman at 6, was always a proper 7 at Bath and haven't seen him play in a while either.
BacksTwo really exciting back lines, with young, talented in form players on show. Can't see much in the halfbacks, but prefer Glos' pair, so they win here and probably edge the centres as well. Personally, I would like to see Joseph continue at 13.
This one is really tight, but think Glos come up a touch short up front and can't quite sneak a win away from home.
Forwards Two of the weaker front rows in the league I'd say, but no real standouts. Think Wood would do a job on Payne and Chuter's experience is a useful asset and is a solid thrower. Second rows and back rows are very hard to call. Whitelock a huge addition, but don't think he has played enough yet to disrupt the proven combo of Garvey and Wentzel. Not sure about Lipman at 6, was always a proper 7 at Bath and haven't seen him play in a while either.
BacksTwo really exciting back lines, with young, talented in form players on show. Can't see much in the halfbacks, but prefer Glos' pair, so they win here and probably edge the centres as well. Personally, I would like to see Joseph continue at 13.
This one is really tight, but think Glos come up a touch short up front and can't quite sneak a win away from home.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by stnick88 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 8:20 am
Falcons v Sale
- Very strong Falcons pack that can get on top off Sale infront of home crowd. Sale have the stronger half backs but heathcote on good form. rest of backlines close, fourie the standout but at home falcomns have enough.
23-21
Chiefs v Irish
- Tough one to call upfront. Back row to Irish, maybe a slight edge in front five to Chiefs. Like the Irish bench options though. Hala'ufia is banned though? Powerful backs unit from the home side. Very creative and exciting Irish half backs but perhaps lack a little control.
25-25
Tigers v Warriors
- Getting bored of saying this but Tigers just have too much power and class throughout. Warriors have strong backrow but could do with a proper openside. Great half backs and strong backline but wont see enough ball to steal a good win at tigers.
35-31
Saracens v Quins
- Sarries look a lot stronger with there eng players back. cole shores up quins scrum and pack a bit. Quins could do with a quality 12 to help out AAC who is Quins main danger in backs. burgess and evans is a great combo. not keen on farrell at 12 and think quins have enough to win here.
18-19
Bath v Saints
- Think Saints can get on top in the pack with their power and get Sexton good front foot ball. Real good battle in the backs, close to call, but think Sexton can edge the kicking game and win pens at scrum time and in the loose.
21-24
- Very strong Falcons pack that can get on top off Sale infront of home crowd. Sale have the stronger half backs but heathcote on good form. rest of backlines close, fourie the standout but at home falcomns have enough.
23-21
Chiefs v Irish
- Tough one to call upfront. Back row to Irish, maybe a slight edge in front five to Chiefs. Like the Irish bench options though. Hala'ufia is banned though? Powerful backs unit from the home side. Very creative and exciting Irish half backs but perhaps lack a little control.
25-25
Tigers v Warriors
- Getting bored of saying this but Tigers just have too much power and class throughout. Warriors have strong backrow but could do with a proper openside. Great half backs and strong backline but wont see enough ball to steal a good win at tigers.
35-31
Saracens v Quins
- Sarries look a lot stronger with there eng players back. cole shores up quins scrum and pack a bit. Quins could do with a quality 12 to help out AAC who is Quins main danger in backs. burgess and evans is a great combo. not keen on farrell at 12 and think quins have enough to win here.
18-19
Bath v Saints
- Think Saints can get on top in the pack with their power and get Sexton good front foot ball. Real good battle in the backs, close to call, but think Sexton can edge the kicking game and win pens at scrum time and in the loose.
21-24
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by pullthestrings Tue 27 Mar 2012, 8:52 am
Newcastle 12 - 17 Sale
Leicester 22 - 21 Worcester
Saracens 19 - 17 Harlequins
Bath 29 - 33 Northampton
Wasps 25 - 21 Gloucester
Leicester 22 - 21 Worcester
Saracens 19 - 17 Harlequins
Bath 29 - 33 Northampton
Wasps 25 - 21 Gloucester
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by SirJohnnyEnglish Tue 27 Mar 2012, 9:23 am
Newcastle Falcons 22-15 Sale Sharks
Front 5 battle is tight here. Sale may have a slight edge at the scrum but its nothing major. Falcons locks give them a bit more grunt around the park though. Back row is a big step up to Falcons and they can get a serious advantage here. In the backs Sale stronger at halfback and midfield but Falcons with more in the back 3.
Could have been looking at a draw here with good Sale tactics as they will do an awful lot more with the ball then Newcastle but without any game plan against a storming Newcastle backrow I can see this only going 1 way.
Exeter Chiefs 26-24 London Irish
Set piece wise can see Exeter getting on top at the scrum with both Irish props struggling against their opposite numbers and Servat not able to hold it up on his own. Irish have an extra class to them in the back row but won’t get all of the breakdown battle with Armitage a good operator. Both sides with plenty of go forward. Both flyhalfs will get the backs and to be fair its two very good back lines on show. Chiefs maybe shading the midfield area a little but too tight to give any real advantage
It’s a tight game to call with two very good sides on show but not sure Irish have enough in the forwards to negate the Sandy Park effect and Chiefs pick up a big win.
Leicester Tigers 19-12 Worcester Warriors
Great form for the Tigers props see them get a nudge on at the scrum (Ayerza has been magnificent in recent times). Can see the Tigers lineout struggling with no main target. Tigers front 5 will offer a bit more around the park though. Worcester back row will have no problems getting over the gain line but Tigers can get well on top at the breakdown. Halfbacks are an edge to Worcester but not as big an advantage as usual with neither fully firing yet. Midfields tight with Tigers maybe just edging.
Tigers at home can get some great platforms from the scrum and breakdown battle and get the win.
Saracens 12-15 Harlequins
Smit at LH is a no go and Cole will do some serious damage at the scrum. Quins arguably have more around the park in the front 5 as well. Not overly sure on the back row balance for Quins but they have a lot more recent form and get an edge. Good even halfback battle. Outside of that AAC is the star on show but Sarries with a better back line overall.
Quins have the pack advantage to take a very tight win in Watford.
London Wasps 27-27 Gloucester Rugby
Slight edge to Gloucester at scrum time here. In the back row Wasps have a bit more at the breakdown but will struggle to get over the gain line. Backlines are very tight and no advantage either way overall to be honest.
It’s a very tough one to call here. Glaws will get a bit more go forward and some good platforms from the scrum but will struggle at the breakdown away to Wasps. Can’t really call this one either way and opting out with the draw in what would be a very entertaining game in real life
Front 5 battle is tight here. Sale may have a slight edge at the scrum but its nothing major. Falcons locks give them a bit more grunt around the park though. Back row is a big step up to Falcons and they can get a serious advantage here. In the backs Sale stronger at halfback and midfield but Falcons with more in the back 3.
Could have been looking at a draw here with good Sale tactics as they will do an awful lot more with the ball then Newcastle but without any game plan against a storming Newcastle backrow I can see this only going 1 way.
Exeter Chiefs 26-24 London Irish
Set piece wise can see Exeter getting on top at the scrum with both Irish props struggling against their opposite numbers and Servat not able to hold it up on his own. Irish have an extra class to them in the back row but won’t get all of the breakdown battle with Armitage a good operator. Both sides with plenty of go forward. Both flyhalfs will get the backs and to be fair its two very good back lines on show. Chiefs maybe shading the midfield area a little but too tight to give any real advantage
It’s a tight game to call with two very good sides on show but not sure Irish have enough in the forwards to negate the Sandy Park effect and Chiefs pick up a big win.
Leicester Tigers 19-12 Worcester Warriors
Great form for the Tigers props see them get a nudge on at the scrum (Ayerza has been magnificent in recent times). Can see the Tigers lineout struggling with no main target. Tigers front 5 will offer a bit more around the park though. Worcester back row will have no problems getting over the gain line but Tigers can get well on top at the breakdown. Halfbacks are an edge to Worcester but not as big an advantage as usual with neither fully firing yet. Midfields tight with Tigers maybe just edging.
Tigers at home can get some great platforms from the scrum and breakdown battle and get the win.
Saracens 12-15 Harlequins
Smit at LH is a no go and Cole will do some serious damage at the scrum. Quins arguably have more around the park in the front 5 as well. Not overly sure on the back row balance for Quins but they have a lot more recent form and get an edge. Good even halfback battle. Outside of that AAC is the star on show but Sarries with a better back line overall.
Quins have the pack advantage to take a very tight win in Watford.
London Wasps 27-27 Gloucester Rugby
Slight edge to Gloucester at scrum time here. In the back row Wasps have a bit more at the breakdown but will struggle to get over the gain line. Backlines are very tight and no advantage either way overall to be honest.
It’s a very tough one to call here. Glaws will get a bit more go forward and some good platforms from the scrum but will struggle at the breakdown away to Wasps. Can’t really call this one either way and opting out with the draw in what would be a very entertaining game in real life
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 9:29 am
Saracens 23-25 Quins
Great battle upfront with Quins possibly shading the scrum and a little more around the park. Sarries have a little edge in the backrow but Quins halfbacks are fantastic. Sarries will be tough to break down but I like the Quins backs and they'll steal the win.
Great battle upfront with Quins possibly shading the scrum and a little more around the park. Sarries have a little edge in the backrow but Quins halfbacks are fantastic. Sarries will be tough to break down but I like the Quins backs and they'll steal the win.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 9:34 am
Bath 21-24 Saints
Little edge in the scrum for Saints and lineout with 5 strong options. Good engine room battle. Saints have little edge in backrow too with Read driving them on and good balance in the flanks. Saints halfbacks have a little too much on good ball despite Bath shading the backs I think Saints will sneak.
Little edge in the scrum for Saints and lineout with 5 strong options. Good engine room battle. Saints have little edge in backrow too with Read driving them on and good balance in the flanks. Saints halfbacks have a little too much on good ball despite Bath shading the backs I think Saints will sneak.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 9:38 am
Wasps 28-28 Gloucester
Really tight pack battle with each having quality across the board. Very competitive set piece. Strong halfbacks and centre pairings in some decent form, like Halfpenny signing for Nick & Whitelock for Prop, really added to teams. Slight edge Gloucester gets then draw at in form Wasps.
Really tight pack battle with each having quality across the board. Very competitive set piece. Strong halfbacks and centre pairings in some decent form, like Halfpenny signing for Nick & Whitelock for Prop, really added to teams. Slight edge Gloucester gets then draw at in form Wasps.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 9:40 am
Really struggling for net. In Thatchem/Reading and they seem to not have 3. On phone so can't do scores till tomorrow
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Driver Tue 27 Mar 2012, 10:01 am
Newcastle 18 Sale 15
Exeter 20 London Irish 19
Leicester 26 Worcester 20
Bath 9 Northampton 8
Wasps 35 Gloucester 33
Exeter 20 London Irish 19
Leicester 26 Worcester 20
Bath 9 Northampton 8
Wasps 35 Gloucester 33
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by CJB Tue 27 Mar 2012, 10:04 am
Newcastle 17-14 Sale
If Sale had a gameplan this could be different. Think Newcastle have the better set of forwards, prefer Sale backs, especially the half backs! However with no game plan just can't give em it.
Irish 22-18 Exeter
Not much in the forwards. Both have some really good players who could all have a big day. Think Irish have the better half backs but Exeter do have some spark in backs. Think the Irish bench will come on and take control of game late on
Sarries 26-25 Quins
Home advantage and a better bench edge it to Saracens in a really tough game to call.
Bath 15-21 Saints
Think Saints will dominate the forward battle and have far more ball to work with although kicking the ball to Dagg is not a good idea.
Wasps 21-17 Glos
Wasps will be dominant up front but I think Gloucester have the better backs however not by enough to snatch the game. Having home advantage as well
If Sale had a gameplan this could be different. Think Newcastle have the better set of forwards, prefer Sale backs, especially the half backs! However with no game plan just can't give em it.
Irish 22-18 Exeter
Not much in the forwards. Both have some really good players who could all have a big day. Think Irish have the better half backs but Exeter do have some spark in backs. Think the Irish bench will come on and take control of game late on
Sarries 26-25 Quins
Home advantage and a better bench edge it to Saracens in a really tough game to call.
Bath 15-21 Saints
Think Saints will dominate the forward battle and have far more ball to work with although kicking the ball to Dagg is not a good idea.
Wasps 21-17 Glos
Wasps will be dominant up front but I think Gloucester have the better backs however not by enough to snatch the game. Having home advantage as well
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Londonirishollie Tue 27 Mar 2012, 10:28 am
Gutted i forgot my tactics. Think i would have guaranteed a LBP atleast. Now it looks like i'll be leaving the Falcons with nothing 
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Ozzy3213 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 10:31 am
Newcastle Falcons 20 Sale Sharks 18
Away from home in damp conditions, you need a dominant pack, especially in the set piece, if you are going to win. In the scrum there is not much between these two sides, but in the back row I think Falcons have a big edge and will dominate at the breakdown, giving them better ball to work with in poor conditions than Sale. My worry for Falcons is behind the pack, where to me there isn't anyone who will really take the game by the scruff of the neck. The Sale backs look better to me, and they have a very good experienced half back pairing. IF the Sale pack had a slightly better quality back row then I might have given them the win courtesy of 9-15, but away from home, I can't do it. Falcons pack tough it out for a narrow win.
Leicester Tigers 22 Worcester Warriors 19
As with the previous game I have to ask if the away teams pack can get enough of the upper hand to win the game, and looking through I am not certain that they can. Both teams have good solid packs, and I see it being an even battle in the set piece. I have said before and will say again that I think the Worcester back row lacks balance. They will carry all day and will carry very well, but there is little subtlety and rugby nous there, whereas Tigers have that through both Newby and Warburton. Two exciting sets of backs, with Worcester ahead at 9-10, but Tigers a bit ahead beyond that. Close game again, but have to go with the home win and hopefully Youngs won't punch anyone and Care won't molest anyone or Pooly could be heading for a scrum half crisis!
Saracens 23 Harlequins 23
It's pretty much a real life Saracens XV with the addition of Parra and SOB on the bench, so really easy to identify where the strengths and weaknesses are and how they would play the game. Not raining in this one, so slightly better condtions to play but the Quins pack still need to dominate, albeit not as much, to get the win away from home. Looking at their pack I don't see one particular area of forward play that they will dominate in, put they will gain parity everywhere, so it comes down to the backs in the end. There is more spark to the Quins backs, but evans is not in his best form right now, so I question if he will get them ignited enough to win. Sorry, but with home advantage for Saracens in this one I am sitting on the fence.
Will do the rest shortly, pushed for time...
Away from home in damp conditions, you need a dominant pack, especially in the set piece, if you are going to win. In the scrum there is not much between these two sides, but in the back row I think Falcons have a big edge and will dominate at the breakdown, giving them better ball to work with in poor conditions than Sale. My worry for Falcons is behind the pack, where to me there isn't anyone who will really take the game by the scruff of the neck. The Sale backs look better to me, and they have a very good experienced half back pairing. IF the Sale pack had a slightly better quality back row then I might have given them the win courtesy of 9-15, but away from home, I can't do it. Falcons pack tough it out for a narrow win.
Leicester Tigers 22 Worcester Warriors 19
As with the previous game I have to ask if the away teams pack can get enough of the upper hand to win the game, and looking through I am not certain that they can. Both teams have good solid packs, and I see it being an even battle in the set piece. I have said before and will say again that I think the Worcester back row lacks balance. They will carry all day and will carry very well, but there is little subtlety and rugby nous there, whereas Tigers have that through both Newby and Warburton. Two exciting sets of backs, with Worcester ahead at 9-10, but Tigers a bit ahead beyond that. Close game again, but have to go with the home win and hopefully Youngs won't punch anyone and Care won't molest anyone or Pooly could be heading for a scrum half crisis!
Saracens 23 Harlequins 23
It's pretty much a real life Saracens XV with the addition of Parra and SOB on the bench, so really easy to identify where the strengths and weaknesses are and how they would play the game. Not raining in this one, so slightly better condtions to play but the Quins pack still need to dominate, albeit not as much, to get the win away from home. Looking at their pack I don't see one particular area of forward play that they will dominate in, put they will gain parity everywhere, so it comes down to the backs in the end. There is more spark to the Quins backs, but evans is not in his best form right now, so I question if he will get them ignited enough to win. Sorry, but with home advantage for Saracens in this one I am sitting on the fence.
Will do the rest shortly, pushed for time...
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Ozzy3213 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 10:32 am
Just a point of order ITFL, you do know that Exeter are at home as you have Irish as the home team in my game?
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Tue 27 Mar 2012, 10:36 am
You probably could've challenged for the win Ollie.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Ozzy3213 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 11:23 am
Bath Rugby 23 Northampton Saints 24
Saints pack full of power but with a nice balance to it and think they will get enough ball to cause problems for Bath and pick up the away win.
London Wasps 26 Gloucester 26
Gloucester backline is so exciting, and think that their pack has enough to get a slight edge for them. Robinson hit and miss at 10 for Wasps for me, so 50/50 as to whether he will get their backline into the game. At Kingsholm I would give this Gloucester but not seeing enough of a pack edge to get the away win, sorry it's another draw for me.
Saints pack full of power but with a nice balance to it and think they will get enough ball to cause problems for Bath and pick up the away win.
London Wasps 26 Gloucester 26
Gloucester backline is so exciting, and think that their pack has enough to get a slight edge for them. Robinson hit and miss at 10 for Wasps for me, so 50/50 as to whether he will get their backline into the game. At Kingsholm I would give this Gloucester but not seeing enough of a pack edge to get the away win, sorry it's another draw for me.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Ozzy3213 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:15 pm
Do you want me to do the results Pooly?
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:23 pm
"Close game again, but have to go with the home win and hopefully Youngs won't punch anyone and Care won't molest anyone or Pooly could be heading for a scrum half crisis!"
Got a team of idiots!!! Lol
If you can Pete, i won't be able to do till tomor
Got a team of idiots!!! Lol
If you can Pete, i won't be able to do till tomor
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Ozzy3213 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:29 pm
RESULTS
Newcastle Falcons 26 Sale Sharks 17
Exeter Chiefs 25 London Irish 21
Leicester Tigers 31 Worcester Warriors 19
Saracens 22 Harlequins 24
Bath Rugby 23 Northampton Saints 26
London Wasps 30 Gloucester 25
Newcastle Falcons 26 Sale Sharks 17
Exeter Chiefs 25 London Irish 21
Leicester Tigers 31 Worcester Warriors 19
Saracens 22 Harlequins 24
Bath Rugby 23 Northampton Saints 26
London Wasps 30 Gloucester 25
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:32 pm
Big result for the Falcons, and a denied LBP.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:34 pm
Sooo close for Bath, started with 2 predicted wins from 2, then went down hill, but very close. Off to foreigns I go!
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Londonirishollie Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:44 pm
Well done Fluxy. Yeah think it would have been close if i had done tactics. Apart from Saints and Tigers there is very little difference between the other 10 teams.
Wasps BP win could be key as well.
Wasps BP win could be key as well.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Fluxy Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:47 pm
Would've been a lot different if you had mate 
That is a point, what determines a BP, in the scores?
That is a point, what determines a BP, in the scores?
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:50 pm
within 7 points or more than 30 for bp's i think. I really thought/needed to beat Saints at home this week to keep the top two within touching distance, was hoping hartley and clark's bans would happen quicker!!
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Ozzy3213 Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:56 pm
After these results there are 4 points between 5th and 12th place. The league is very tight, impossible to predict who will get the Heineken Cup places for next season.
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Tue 27 Mar 2012, 12:59 pm
Good league, be cracking next season
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by CJB Tue 27 Mar 2012, 2:01 pm
Didn't notice that Pete, too late to change, wouldn't have had you winning so would hardly have changed much
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by SirJohnnyEnglish Wed 28 Mar 2012, 1:18 am
Good game Bathite! Thought you had me and was hoping to cling on for a LBP after the first few predictions. Chuffed at that result
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Bathite Wed 28 Mar 2012, 1:39 am
SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Good game Bathite! Thought you had me and was hoping to cling on for a LBP after the first few predictions. Chuffed at that result
Yeah, pretty gutted to be honest, first two got my hopes up, but most predictions very close! Looks like you're back row was the difference, think I need one more superstar in there, just haven't a clue who to go for, Lydiate, Faletau, Burger, Dusatoir?? Just as well you have Strauss and Ferris, don't think you will miss Hartley and Clark that much really, good squad!
Good game though, enjoyed your tactics, you really thought about those!
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by SirJohnnyEnglish Wed 28 Mar 2012, 3:10 am
Cheers mate I do try with the tactics! 
Out of those options id say Burger is your best bet. Dusatoir/Lydiate and Louw on the flanks lacks ball carrying wise for me. Top defensive unit but better balance to Burger and Louw. Personally theres better 8s then Falateu still in foreigns. Can think of 3/4 of the top of my head whom Id prefer
Out of those options id say Burger is your best bet. Dusatoir/Lydiate and Louw on the flanks lacks ball carrying wise for me. Top defensive unit but better balance to Burger and Louw. Personally theres better 8s then Falateu still in foreigns. Can think of 3/4 of the top of my head whom Id prefer
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Re: Week 14 - Aviva Premiership Round 8
by Sgt_Pooly Wed 28 Mar 2012, 9:11 am
Full bonus for:
Prop, Flux, Bathite, Pooly, Nick, SJE, ITFL, Pete
Half for:
Pull, Driver
None for:
Ollie,
ITFL, I'm giving you full this week for making effort but need a little more really
Cheers for doing scores Pete
Prop, Flux, Bathite, Pooly, Nick, SJE, ITFL, Pete
Half for:
Pull, Driver
None for:
Ollie,
ITFL, I'm giving you full this week for making effort but need a little more really
Cheers for doing scores Pete
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